Back to the grind of searching in the massive archives of the Google Patent Search, we stumbled upon this little item: a postal envelope in the shape of a motorcycle.
Scott Master filed the claim last year, and was awarded the patent last June.
The idea is interesting to say the least, but several problems spring to mind. First of all, there’s not much space to put something in the envelope. Something like a letter, unless the envelope is enormous.
Secondly, when the envelope hits the sorting stations of the Postal system, it’s going to loose parts of the bike, all the edges will probably get torn off.
And last, but not least, will the Postal system accept it?
But, it’s interesting. Would I use it? Maybe... would you?
Seeing some guys doing what they do to their motorcycles in the video attached below makes me not only doubtful about their good relationships with their life partners, but even willing to give them the advice in the title.
This is actually an ad for natural bike wax by infusionworks. The thing is that “The Ultimate Paint Moisturizer” is being applied by hand, which is why it raises some question marks and it even contains Vitamin E. Can you believe that?
I can imagine a guy saying: “It’s just paint honey! Oh (seeing her reaction), I can do it to you also after I finish here…it contains Vitamin E, you know?”
Having gathered the $10 million necessary to finance the production of the Enertia electric motorcycle, Brammo Motorsports was today proud to announce that the bike will go into production. Brammo CEO, Craig Bramscher was the official who declared that the amount is sufficient for the Enertia to hit the production line.
Big part of that money comes from best Buy Capital, which happens to have an electronic store. Now that is an interesting way to discover where the first Enertia motorcycles will be sold.
With 31 world championship titles, 250 MotoGP wins and 8 Superbike victories in the last sixteen years, Aprilia is a legend in modern motorcycling. Aprilia motorcycles have dominated circuits all over the world thanks to unconventional technical solutions, experimentation and innovation and, sometimes, by revolutionising technology thought to be unchangeable.
With this unique sporting heritage behind them, Aprilia is proud to present the RSV4, the bike with which Aprilia will return to the Superbike World Championship in 2009. This extraordinary machine has been conceived, designed and developed entirely by Aprilia Racing for competition use.
2009 Aprilia RSV4
The RSV4 will make its debut in the 2009 Superbike World Championship. With four cylinders, 999 cc and top of the class power in the race-ready version, this revolutionary machine is packed with innovative design and manufacturing solutions of the sort we have come to expect from Aprilia. A V-four engine with total electronic management, and an exceptionally light and compact chassis are just some of the features that make this bike unique in the world of motorcycling. The revolutionary design of the Aprilia RSV4 comes directly from Europe’s biggest and most successful racing team.
The road-going version of the RSV4 also benefits from the extraordinary technical know-how that Aprilia Racing has accumulated over two decades of success in MotoGP, and is packed with advanced solutions from GP racing. In short, the RSV4 stands alone as a exclusive, genuine, and in many ways unique racing replica.
2009 Aprilia RSV4 Street Version
The Aprilia RSV4 is powered by the most revolutionary and most powerful engine ever developed by Aprilia. This 65° V four unit is based on an architecture that is unique in the world of supersport motorcycles, and features refined engineering combined with prestigious materials and advanced electronic management solutions.
The new engine uses multi-mapping ride-by-wire technology, a solution that opens up new horizons in engine control, and offers virtually infinite opportunities for power delivery and traction control (present as standard on the racing version).
The choice of a narrow V layout has led to the development of an incredibly narrow engine. This in turn has permitted weight to be centralised and chassis performance dramatically improved (thanks to a short wheelbase and long swingarm). The narrow V-four configuration permits a longer stroke to be used, with clear benefits in terms of improved engine breathing. High engine speeds can therefore be reached without having to extend the width of the crankcase. This is fundamentally important to aerodynamics and manoeuvrability (two characteristics for which Aprilia motorcycles have always been universally acclaimed).
2009 Aprilia RSV4
The monobloc cylinder block features integrated liners for maximum rigidity and consistent efficiency. The air intake trumpets are variable in length. Each bank of cylinders has a servomotor dedicated exclusively to the operation of their two throttle bodies. The aperture of the four butterfly valves, and therefore the volume of air inducted, can therefore be controlled independently. This solution opens up new horizons in electronic engine and power management, resulting in truly advanced integral traction control. A cassette type gearbox and a slipper clutch demonstrate the racing character of this engine.
The Aprilia RSV4 has been designed and developed with competition in mind, and naturally offers all the adjustments normally found on racing machines. In particular, this most powerful Aprilia ever made stands out for its complete range of chassis adjustments. The variable geometry frame not only allows you to change parameters like headstock angle (thanks to interchangeable steering bushings), but even lets you adjust swingarm and engine position. Racing technology has been used for all aspects of construction. The RSV4’s aluminium frame and swingarm are constructed from a clever mix of thick-walled parts and variable section sheet.
All components are naturally of the highest calibre. They include an Öhlins fork, rear monoshock and steering damper, Brembo monobloc brake calipers and forged aluminium wheels.
The styling of the Aprilia RSV4 has followed the same approach as the rest of the design. The RSV4’s racing character is clear from every component, and from the absence of solutions chosen only for appearances. As a result the overall design of the RSV4 and the advanced technology of its component parts merge into a uniquely harmonious whole that is superbly functional on the racetrack – the natural habitat of this latest Aprilia.
2009 Aprilia RSV4
The fairing has been developed in the wind tunnel. Minimal in size, it in no way detracts from the stunning technology of the engine. The frame/engine system is fully visible and bulges like muscles beyond the fairing.
The triple headlight cluster makes the RSV4 instantly recognisable and unique from the very first glance.
The superbly lightweight tail slopes upwards to emphasise the dynamic nature of the Aprilia RSV4. Even when stationary, the bike simply exudes a desire for speed and competition.
Being an inspired engineer with a soft spot for motorcycles always helps when your goal is to create one of the most exclusive motorcycles on the planet. This is the case of Amir Glinik from Israel who inspired on the design of Ferrari sport cars in order to create the Ferrari motorcycle, a both stylistically and technically matching replica of the Italian maker’s automobiles.
While Ferrari designers look for inspiration on the surroundings of Modena, our ingenious builder hasn’t got that luxury on its hands so it inspires directly from the design of original Ferrari cars built ever since Enzo Ferrari would have offended Ferucio Lamborghini in the now famous clutch story.
As a result, Glinik’s bike features smooth, aerodynamic lines that create the Ferrari look and retain the heart and soul of these amazing machines. Like on Ferrari cars, colors are Red and Yellow.
The engine is a V4 derived from the massive V12 powering the Ferrari Enzo and it implements drive-by-wire technology as well as all the top notch features you would expect from an Italian engine.
Still a concept, the Ferrari motorcycle would be an interesting motorcycle to go into production if the Italian house softens. Though that is not something I believe would happen.
Yamaha has made public its marketing strategy for Europe and as strange as it may seem it implies reducing the motorcycle inventory in Europe, cutting shipments with 9%.
The news comes as a result of a 50% overstock in countries such as Italy and Spain, but promotions at the end of the year are expected to tucker out the stocks.
The Japanese manufacturer was also found needed to cut its 2008 sales forecast by 14% to 374,000 units after demands started weakening, strangely, after the winter. It seems that people are now buying chariots in the winter and sleighs during the summer.
Considering the launch of the new R1 and the FZ6R, this was an anticipated strategy as these models had to follow up their predecessors successes.
Inventory in North America was also quickly slashed after lowering output and amid solid sales of models with bad mpg.
Interacting with people that are passionate about Harley-Davidson motorcycles and staying up to date with the latest ads of the legendary maker can now be made on the Harley-Davidson Youtube channel. Practically a section of the notorious YouTube, the new channel is a more attractive as well as interactive thanks to the heavy feedback.
So if you’re a Harely-Davidson fan, THIS would be the first page you’ll be accessing from the office early in the morning.
The guys at Techeblog have come up with an innovative way of enjoying riding in an upright position: they’ve created the Wheelman. It appears to be a combination of a motorcycle and a skateboard, a machine on which you ride standing on your feet. It handles pretty much like a skateboard, but that’s about where the similarities with the kid’s commuting mean end.
Powering it is a 43cc two-stroke engine, similar to the ones found on scooters, which manages to have the small and strange looking motorcycle reach a top speed of 16 – 19 mph (I suppose that the rider’s body weight has much to do with the top speed). But because it doesn’t ride like any other bike, the acceleration comes in the form of a pneumatic ball which the rider holds in its hands and squeezes when willing to accelerate.
An innovative antitheft system created by Beringer will exonerate you from this experience. Fastidiously called an invention, the Roadlok is simply an Aerotec radial caliper which does a bit more than retaining the braking capabilities and also implies a new kind of safety, the one of knowing that your bike will still be there when you plan on going riding. It features built-in antitheft pliers which helps you get rid of the classic systems with which thieves have long got used to.
Already patented, the Aerotec caliper comes mounted on three bearings that considerably reduce the effort on the leverage and increase the braking power with up to 40%.
It is available in eight colors, perfect to match the color of your actual calipers (red, titanium, purple, gold, blue, aluminum, black and chrome) and it costs 646. Is this an investment worth making? That’s up to you to decide.
The summer has passed, but not for nothing as it inspired Matt De Bellefeuille to create the FoilJet MR 1 concept. At its base, the idea is simple, put a hydrofoil on a jet ski and see what it can do. But what attracts the most is the motorcycle-like riding position and the bold design.
Ingeniously built, the foil can be raised and lowered depending on the water’s depth and as you gain speed, the FoilJet MR 1 becomes foil borne, reduces drag and, implicit, increases speed and maneuverability.
Powering it is a 48 Volt electric engine developing 20 hp. The designer claims that the battery requires only ten minutes of charging before a three hours ride on water so you should be in for it…until you hear about the $15,000 price, that is.
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