Hasta La Gadget!

The most dangerous thing about a motorcycle isn’t the motorcycle itself, it’s the distracted drivers around you. We all see people driving down the street in a car weaving all over the place, texting rather than paying attention to what they’re doing. If one of those drivers hits you in your car, you may be angry but odds are you going to be okay. However, if one of those distracted drivers hits you on a motorcycle, there’s a very high likelihood that you won’t be walking away from the accident.

A company called Reevu has created an incredibly cool motorcycle helmet that gives riders eyes in the back of their head. The helmet uses an optical device that’s able to give the rider a view of what’s going on behind them, without distracting them from the road in front of them.

The helmet doesn’t use a camera system or an LCD viewfinder, it uses an optical device that is able to bend light over the top of the wearer’s head allowing them to view what’s behind them on a small mirror inside the helmet.

Those optical elements are coated onto a bulletproof material inside the helmet that also acts as a crumple zone to add additional protection in an accident.

The helmet is made from durable, lightweight polycarbonate materials, and is available in black, matte black, titanium and silver finishes. You can buy the Reevu MSX1 Rear View helmet at Revzilla for $399.99(USD).

If you’re a loyal Zero Motorcycle owner — even after a few unfortunate recalls by the electric bike maker — you’re about to be rewarded for your dedication. The Santa Cruz-based firm has just released an app for both iOS and Android that provides a customizable riding dashboard along with valuable statistical data about your vehicle. You can change the dashboard so it displays percentage state of charge, torque, drivetrain component temperatures, battery amps and more during Riding Mode, and after the ride’s over you can flip over to Statistics Mode to get stats like how much gas money you might’ve wasted if you weren’t riding a Zero. If you don’t have one, you can still play with the app in Demo mode just to see how it works. The app pairs with the bike over Bluetooth and is available for free from both the App Store and Google Play.

Filed under: Transportation

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Source: Zero Motorcycle, Google Play, App Store

This week the folks at TomTom have made it clear that the TomTom Rider will not be fading into obscurity, re-releasing a new iteration of the device with the same name here in 2013 with a brand new set of specifications and features. This device is made to sit on and with your motorcycle and allow you to get guided in real time, find local hotspots, and share routes with fellow bikers wirelessly via Bluetooth. They’ll need a TomTom Rider as well, of course, so pick up a few!

This version of the TomTom Rider allow you to use Bluetooth to listen in on directions inside your helmet – all you’ll beed is a pair of Bluetooth-friendly earbuds. There’s a new charging bike dock with this model that turns the device on or off with the ignition on the bike you’re riding, and the display you’re working with is improved as well. This newly enhanced 4.3-inch screen is touch-friendly and biker glove-friendly – so you wont have to de-glove each time you want to tap!

The lovely scene and mini-movie you’re seeing above should encourage you to pick one of these devices up, if only because it makes you feel so flowery and friendly inside. According to Managing Director of TomTom Consumer Corinne Vigreux, the TomTom team sought out feedback from motorbike communities that they then used to create this newest-gen device. They found that “the overwhelming majority of bikers use their motorcycle for recreational purposes”, this leading the TomTom team to include features that allow the biker to find and ride “the best scenic routes in the world.”

With Tyre software you’ll be able to search and create routes on your PC at home before you head off into the wild blue yonder, uploading them to your TomTom Rider device before you head out. From there you’ll be able to share the route with fellow riders (as mentioned above) with this device’s “Upload Routes and Go” feature. You’ll be able to use this device in all types of weather without worrying about damage, and you’ve got Free Lifetime Maps with your purchase as well – updates forever, free!

All this and more are available for pre-order today for 329.99 GBP or MSRP $299 USD – get pumped up about the Summer season right this minute! Note: that’s a MASSIVE price cut compared to the 2nd Gen model of the Rider – things are looking up!

TomTom Rider reboot gives motorcycle GPS a breath of fresh air is written by Chris Burns & originally posted on SlashGear.
© 2005 – 2012, SlashGear. All right reserved.

When you’re riding a motorcycle, you need protection. Personally, after having a couple of minor accidents, I can appreciate the idea of a full-face helmet, especially if you like to ride fast. The Bell Rogue Helmet helps protect your face from bugs and wind while looking totally badass.

The Bell Rogue Helmet is made out of a lightweight composite shell. It’s got an adjustable muzzle, which can clip on an off thanks to a secure magnetic connection. There are integrated speaker pockets, and a comfortable interior lining that can be removed for washing. It’s a good option for people who don’t like full-face helmets.

It’s available in matte gunmetal, army green, black, or in a shiny gloss black. It sells for $249.95(USD) and will be available soon.

[via The Awesomer]

Who says big companies can’t be bros when it comes to trademarks? Since Apple had no need for its Lightning connector to appear on “motorcycle parts, slot machines or tachometers,” it buddied up with Harley Davidson to secure partial use of the cycle maker’s IP for its new iDevice interface, according to recent info from the European trademark office. That allowed it to use a name that’s sympatico with its Thunderbolt moniker, while presumably letting Harley retain the rights for its heavier metal accessories. Also, should Cook & co. run up against a mid-life crisis, at least they’ll have quick relief on speed-dial.

Filed under: Peripherals, Apple

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Via: Gizmodo

Source: OHIM (European trademark office)