December 31, 2007
Corazzo Design Leads in Scooter Specific Riding Apparel
By every measure all indicators point to scooters being the fastest growing two-wheeled alternative transportation market.
Whether in response to rising fuel costs, experiencing the fun and freedom of a scooter ride, or simply needing an easier parking solution, the scooter market is growing by leaps and bounds.
While this market grows so does the need to protect all these riders so they are safe while they scoot.
“It’s truly amazing to see this growth” said Corazzo President, Bradford Duval. “Especially in these times when the motorcycle market seems to be stagnating somewhat, it’s great to see scooters picking up and changing the face of urban riding.”
Corazzo Design, a Portland, Oregon based company specializing in the design and manufacture of riding apparel for scooterists, saw this need early on. Four years ahead of the curve, and being riders themselves, Corazzo has been consistently producing the highest quality scooter jackets, apparel and accessories. Using their trademark combination of classic style paired with modern technical materials, Corazzo has established the unrivaled leadership role in protecting scooter riders while preserving the classic scooter style.
Corazzo jackets are retro-fashionable, have a great fit, integrate protective armor, and use abrasion resistant materials in innovative creative ways. Corazzo continues to set the standard for what it means to ride safe, with style.
As the scooter market continues to rapidly grow, Corazzo is the brand to know. Trusted worldwide for their integrity, Corazzo Design makes jackets for riders, by riders, and is proud to design and manufacture their apparel and accessories in North America (California, Oregon and Canada), sourcing their raw materials from companies that manufacture in the US, whenever and wherever possible.
Corazzo brings their riding apparel to market through an extensive international dealer network. In addition to the individual dealers throughout the United States, Canada and Europe, Corazzo also has centralized distribution in the key scooter markets of Australia and the United Kingdom. This worldwide presence allows scooterists to be protected in style no matter in what corner of the globe they ride.
For more information and any questions regarding the entire line of Corazzo jackets for women and men, feel free to contact Corazzo at: (503) 493-9422, www.corazzo.net, or email – sales@corazzo.net -
Corazzo: Designed for Riders, By Riders.
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NY Cops to test Vectrix Scooters
Police working to keep the city safer will be trying to keep it greener too -- by testing an electric, ultra-quiet scooter.
Four plug-in Vectrix scooters will be road tested starting early next month as the New York Police Department tries to become more environmentally friendly and reduce gasoline use in its massive motor fleet.
The nation's largest police department already uses a handful of hybrid cars and so-called flex-fuel vehicles, which can run on both gasoline and ethanol.
"Police effectiveness comes first, but where we can combine environmentally friendly vehicles without compromising the mission, we do," Police Commissioner Raymond Kelly said.
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December 29, 2007
Poor benefit, evironment suffers from cheap scooters
In an interesting bit of synchronicity, the Times ran two nearly identical articles on the rocketing popularity of motor scooters in the developing world, one focusing on Iraq, the other on Laos. Although neither article mentions global warming, the pieces do neatly wind together some of the threads that will continue to pressure our climate system well into this century.
The first thread is the rise of China as the world's factory floor. In this case, cheap Chinese bikes are flooding foreign markets. Available for as little as $440, these scooters are within reach of the very poor.
Of course, a scooter with a 110cc engine is far more fuel efficient than a car, but far more polluting than the walking or bicycling it tends to replace. This is the second thread: the energy intensity of economic development. Scooters aren't just a convenience in rural Laos or urban Iraq. They provide a vital link to markets and medical care.
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December 28, 2007
Kinetic launches new scooter; to sell 75,000 units
Mumbai -- Reeling under heavy losses, two-wheeler maker Kinetic Motor Co (KMC) on Friday rolled out its 125 cc gearless scooter Flyte in an attempt to revive fortunes in the 7.8 million unit strong Indian market.
Flyte, which was launched in select North Indian markets two months ago, is the first product to be developed jointly by KMC and its Taiwanese partner Sanyang Motor (SYM).
So far, the company has sold 5,000 units of Flyte. It expects to sell 75,000 scooters pan-India in the next fiscal.
"This year the sales of motorcycles have shrunk by 13 per cent, whereas scooters have witnessed a 30-per cent growth. We will continue to focus on scooters which is the fastest growing two-wheeler segment," KMC Managing Director Sulajja Firodia Motwani told reporters here.
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December 27, 2007
Scooters Help Normalize Iraq
BAGHDAD — Violence may be down in Iraq, but road rage is up.
But tens of thousands of Baghdadis have found an antidote in the venerable motor scooter. Often imported from China and bearing almost familiar names like “Yomaha” or “Mucati Classic,” scooters have taken the city by storm, providing a nearly ideal way of getting about in a war-weary town riddled with checkpoints and bedeviled by car bombs.
“I love it, it’s really great,” said Hathan Jawad, a 35-year-old with gray-flecked hair and a tobacco-stained smile. “When there’s a traffic jam I can just weave around the cars, or go onto the sidewalks.”
He had just bought himself a brand new, gunmetal gray “Yomaha Classic” for 911,000 Iraqi dinars, or $750. It was worth every dinar, he said, and not just because it allows him swift passage through Baghdad’s lengthy traffic snarls.
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Rochester scooter biz rolling along
Kurt Schweitzer, president of Urban Village Scooters in the South Wedge, describes his entry into the world of retail as "quite a roller coaster ride."
Since March, Schweitzer, 50, has sold the lightweight, environmentally friendly motorcycles from his shop at 700 S. Clinton Ave.
"I learned a lot about retail in general and the scooter industry in particular," he said, and he expects business to improve in 2008 as more city residents and college students grow tired of paying high gasoline prices.
The shop carries two lines of scooters, which range in price from $1,500 to $2,800. Tank Scooters get 60 to 100 miles on a gallon of gas, while the Electric Vehicle Technology Scooter can be driven 45 miles on a single charge.
Schweitzer also sells accessories, including helmets, visors, goggles and jackets. Inside the 5,000-square-foot facility is a showroom, repair shop and winter storage area.
The former electrical engineer has worked for several companies, including Xerox, and operated his own Internet consulting business, but he had been looking for a new challenge. In June 2006, Schweitzer completed a motorcycle course at Monroe Community College's Applied Technologies Center in Brighton. Two days later he was on his way to Italy as a chaperone for his 18-year-old son, Kevin, and other members of the Rush-Henrietta High School Singers.
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Aussie Scooter Sales Triple
LYGON Street might be home to Melbourne's "Little Italy", but residents across the city, faced with high petrol prices and parking fees, have embraced one of Rome's enduring features — the scooter.
Scooter sales in Victoria reached 1881 last year — up 400% in three years. Australia-wide, about 15,000 scooters were sold, up more than 300% on 2003 figures.
For Frank Tonon, owner of Collingwood's Vespa House, sales have jumped from about two a month five years ago to an average of 15 a month.
"We're centralising ourselves in the city, like overseas," he said. "You can't park anywhere, it costs too much to park, and petrol is expensive."
At Armadale Motors, Sandy Richards said that sales of his Bolwell scooters had grown from eight a month four years ago, to up to 20 a month this year.
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December 22, 2007
Mickey Rourke, Framed?
HOLLYWOOD BAD boy Mickey Rourke may get away with suspected drink-riding after Miami Beach police officials confirmed the breathalyser test the actor failed a month ago was incorrect.
Rourke was pulled over by police after they claimed to have spotted him weaving all over the road while riding a scooter.
It turns out the first breathalyzer was overturned because it was reportedly broken, the second test showed the actor was under the legal limit of intoxication.
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December 21, 2007
Santa Claus comes to town on a scooter!
This was the extraordinary scene when hundreds of Easy Riders roared up to a Lancashire hospital in aid of sick children.
Members of scooter and bike clubs from across the county stopped off at the Royal Preston Hospital on Sunday as part of an annual gift drive for poorly youngsters who will spend their Christmas on hospital wards.
The event, organised by Preston Wildcats Scooter Club, saw at least 150 bikers pile into the hospital car park and hand out chocolate selection boxes and toys – one of the biggest responses in the appeal's history.
Michelle Melling, modern matron for child health, said: "It's a great way to kick off the festive season and will give them something to look forward to."
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December 20, 2007
Did UK Cops Scoot Around Scooter Law?
It was billed as the scooter of the future and now Sutton police may have overstepped the mark by making the Segway personal transporter a scooter of the present.
Officers have been accused of acting above the law by test driving the self-balancing vehicle in Manor Park and Sutton High Street earlier this month.
The police wanted to gauge public reaction to the Segway, which rolls up to 12.5mph and raises the user 8in off the ground.
But they appear to have been unaware the two-wheeled vehicle - used by agencies in America, Germany, Italy, Spain and Portugal - can only be used on private property in this country.
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Why Should You Care About Scooters?
At the beginning of the 20th century, Henry Ford envisioned two cars in every garage in America. I wonder, as the 21st century starts, if we shouldn’t also make room in our garages for a scooter.
Not the smelly, smoky little pests, with their inefficient two-stroke engines, that create traffic nightmares all over Europe (particularly Italy) and elsewhere in the world. Modern models with emissions-compliant, incredibly fuel-efficient four-stroke engines could really make a difference right now in America’s energy consumption. Especially if people used them for what they are at best at: things like short commutes, light errands and student transportation.
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December 14, 2007
Armadillo Scooter Wear: What you wear on your scooter is our business
We’ve ridden scooters for years, and if there’s one thing we’ve discovered it’s that looking good and getting the right protection don’t always come hand in hand.
That’s why Armadillo Scooter wear exists. We need protective clothing that keeps us dry, warm and gives us impact protection too. But we don’t want to look like the pizza delivery boy.
Armadillo Scooter Wear is a combination of style and protection without compromising either. In Armadillo, you get all the benefits of technical outdoor performance fabrics and the knowledge that our d3o armour will protect you if you and tarmac come together. Best of all, you’ll look good. Classic styles from the 60’s parka to the iconic funnel-hood - you’ll look like a scooter rider, not a courier.
Check out our products page for our latest range. Now, there’s a choice.
Stylish protection for the urban scooter rider.
Posted by Frank at 10:45 AM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
Vietnam perfect for Brit with a passion for scooters
With a love for classic scooters since his childhood, Englishman Patrick Joynt arrived by chance in Vietnam ten years ago to discover a paradise for scooter enthusiasts.
He quickly turned his passion and hobby into a business, selling Vespas and other classics.
The first time I met Patrick Joynt was at the third annual Charity Scooter Run which he organized.
I saw him again a few days later at his new scooter showroom to talk more about his passion for the European bikes.
Joynt indulged in scooters from an early age when he bought a silver Vespa 200 with a Union Jack motif.
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December 13, 2007
Kinetic eyes 20% market share by March
Hoping to capture a major share in gearless scooter market in Gujarat, Kinetic Motor Company is eyeing 20% market share within the next three months. The company is eyeing a target of 2,000 units per month by fiscal end. Considered as the third largest scooter market, after Bangalore and Pune, Ahmedabad itself is slated to log sales of around 500-600 units per month.
Within three months, Kinetic is expecting to grab a market share of 20% in Gujarat from current 10-12% following the launch of its 125cc scooter Flyte through the Kinetic-SYM association. "Of a target of 2,000 units, we hope to sell 1,500 units of Flyte in the state," said Shivapada Ray, AGM (Marketing), Kinetic Motor Company.
Flyte is one of the 26 products to be launched in India through a collaboration between Kinetic and Taiwanese automotive giant SYM. The Kinetic SYM Flyte is based on the SYM X'pro, which has been launched across 62 countries.
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December 11, 2007
Tank Sports to Debut Sport Buggie Powered by Subaru Engine
LOS ANGELES -- Today Tank Sports, Inc. announced that they would exhibit at the largest powersports industry expo in Indianapolis from February 15th through the 18th of next year. At the Expo, Tank Sports will unveil several new models including the first prototype sport buggie developed by People's Motor International LTD/Dazon (Recently acquired by Tank Sports) & Fuji Heavy Industry/Subaru Co. providing the Subaru EW45 engine, transmission & other technologies.
This is the first joint-effort project developed with Fuji Heavy Industry (FHI) following the visit of the company's CEO Mr. Jiangyong Ji and COO Mr. Jim Ji to FHI's Tokyo offices in August 2007.
Tank Sports and PMI/Dazon worked directly with the FHI R&D Division to develop the newest addition to the Dazon Sport Buggie line for 2008.
This vehicle utilizes new FHI engine technology on the SUBARU EW45, 45 horsepower engine. The vehicle's outstanding weight to power ratio offers incredible acceleration as well as superb stability in handling making the vehicle extremely easy to operate even at high speeds and in rough riding conditions.
The Dealer Expo in Indianapolis is the largest annual Powersports industry show in the U.S that features small parts manufacturers to large vehicle makers from around the world. Tank Sports' Chief Operation Officer, Mr. Jim Ji, said, "I am very excited to show our latest developments to our new and existing dealers in hope of achieving greater exposure and higher market share."
"The Dealer Expo in Indianapolis is 'THE MAIN EVENT' for the Powersports industry. The company utilizes this opportunity yearly to launch our newest products and showcase our existing line to thousands of dealers. In 2008 we will introduce seven new high quality, higher technology newly designed vehicles." Mr. Mike Turber (Director of Sales & Marketing of Tank Sports Inc.) stated, "2008 will be an extremely exciting year for Tank Sports and the dealers attending the show will be pleasantly surprised by the HOT new line up for the upcoming year."
About Tank Sports, Inc.
Tank Sports is a leading company that develops, engineers, and markets high performance on-road motorcycles and scooters, as well as off-road all-terrain vehicles (ATVs), dirt bikes and Go Karts in China. The company utilizes the so-called "China Concept" to participate in the $31.5 billion annual (data: Motor Industry Council) motorcycle/ATV market. Tank Sports's primary advantage is its efficient distribution network in the U.S. For more information please visit http://www.tank-sports.com/
Source: Tank Sports, Inc.
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December 10, 2007
Bajaj Provides Update on the Launch of the Direct Injection Autorickshaw
Pune -- Bajaj Auto has announced another break through engine technology with the launch of the highly fuel efficient and low emission RE GDi Autorickshaw.
This vehicle incorporates the latest in Gasoline technology - the Gasoline Direct injection engine, to achieve substantially lower emissions than even the alternate "clean" fuel CNG vehicles.
Designed and developed by Bajaj Auto's R&D, the technology ensures not only a cleaner environment but also delivers low operating cost to the autorickshaw owner. Bajaj Auto presented the innovative new GDi technology at their Corporate Headquarters in Pune today.
The benefits of this new technology are:
Emissions
The direct injection of fuel as a fine mist controlled precisely with an Electronic Control unit (ECU) avoids escape of unburnt fuel into the exhaust and drastically reduces emissions. The emissions per km on the RE GDi Autorickshaw is 25% lower Autorickshaw for HC+NOX (Hydrocarbons and nitrous oxides) and 50% lower for CO (Carbon Monoxide) than the RE Autorickshaw with virtually no visible smoke. Even more important the emissions are also comparable or lower than the alternate "clean" fuel engines using LPG/CNG.
Economy
The RE GDi delivers a substantial 33% better fuel-efficiency than the conventional RE Autorickshaw. This is a boon to operators in the days of rising fuel prices. The new engine also has an electric oil pump, which is again precisely controlled by the ECU, to deliver savings on oil consumption as well. The pilot group of customers to whom vehicles have been sold are reporting additional income of Rs.80-100/- per day.
Other Advantages
Other user friendly features available on the RE GDi are:
-- Electric Starter to reduce driver fatigue
-- Twin headlamp for improved visibility
-- A new dashboard for car-like feeling
-- Swing arm with anti dive link front suspension
The Engine has been tuned for strong low-end torque to deliver 15% more torque and 25% more power for improved drivability in congested city traffic.
Mr. R.C.Maheshwari, the CEO for the commercial vehicle business said, "Alternate fuels like LPG and CNG, while being environmentally friendly, present logistical and distribution challenges that would take time to overcome. We have developed an excellent alternative that runs on conventional gasoline and at the same time generates lower emissions. With this technology being available now, any concern of local governments, state bodies and NGO's on gasoline autorickshaw emissions should no longer be there. We would like to suggest to the authorities to accept GDi vehicles in the category of environmentally friendly vehicles."
"Our R&D has developed some of the most efficient engines in the world over with pioneering technology breakthroughs. We have kept very aggressive targets for our Commercial vehicle businesses and the common values that will drive the business will be those of Innovation and offering the highest value for our customers. We will be leaders in both businesses through Product and Process innovations," continued Mr. R.C. Maheshwari.
Bajaj Auto currently has the widest range of 2 stroke gasoline, 2 stroke LPG, 2 stroke CNG, 4 stroke gasoline, 4 stroke LPG, 4 stroke CNG and Diesel 3-wheelers in its stable that sell about 25,000 vehicles per month of which almost half is exported.
The GDI vehicle will be launched in a phased manner throughout the country and the focus would be on educating customer groups on the enormous benefits that the vehicle offers to their earnings. After Pune, Bajaj Auto plans on launching the vehicle in Trivandrum and Mangalore.
Source: Orbital Corporation Limited
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December 9, 2007
Wintry weather doesn't stop scooter drivers
A gust of winter weather has not deterred one group of downtown motorists from braving the streets during and after the snow, sleet and general slushiness that covered Madison this week. These drivers, however, were not manning the city's snowplows.
It was moped drivers on the UW-Madison campus and the surrounding areas who took to the roads sporting parkas and face masks during and after Saturday's storm and Tuesday's snow.
According to University of Wisconsin Police officer Kristin Radtke, Madison has the highest concentration of mopeds in the country. Approximately 1,500 mopeds were registered to the University of Wisconsin Transportation Services as of Oct. 22, which according to Radtke probably accounts for around 85 percent of scooters on campus.
After seeing how this week's weather affected moped activity, however, Madison may also be able to boast claim to the country's most dedicated riders.
Posted by Frank at 9:40 AM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
Electric Glide: Passing Pumps on a Scooter
Los Angeles -- I was riding a Vectrix, a slick Futurama-spec scooter powered by a 20-kilowatt (26.8 horsepower) direct-current motor. Instead of gasoline, ethanol, hydrogen or plutonium, it was motivated by squeaky-clean electrons racing between the poles of its 3.7-kilowatt-hour nickel-metal-hydride battery pack.
The Vectrix scooter is similar in design to gasoline-powered maxi scooters by Honda, Suzuki, Piaggio and others — practical, economical, motorcycle-size transpo-pods that are far more popular in Europe and Asia than in S.U.V.-besotted America. But instead of a conventional maxi’s 250 cc-to-400 cc gas engine, the Vectrix’s brushless electric motor gets the job done using stockpiled household current.
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December 8, 2007
Scooter raiders caught as they strike again
Police have brought down a scooter gang that targeted London's fashion boutiques, stealing hundreds of thousands of pounds worth of designer goods.
Detectives swooped on seven suspected members in a series of raids last night.
Officers seized a handgun and four stolen motorbikes and mopeds which are believed to have been used in raids.
They also recovered around 20 Louis Vuitton handbags worth more than £1,200 each.
Police launched the raids after the smash and grab gang struck twice on Wednesday night, raiding a Louis Vuitton store in the City and another designer boutique in Marylebone High Street.
Undercover officers are believed to have been mounting surveillance on the group - waiting for the moment that they struck again. As well as the stolen handbags, police also recovered Rolex watches and large amounts of cash.
The breakthrough comes after raids on more than 32 boutiques across London this year. These are the first arrests made by officers from Westminster Crime Squad.
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December 7, 2007
Cruising the SF scooter scene
Senior James Vossoughi, an entrepreneur and marketing business major, was always late to class last year and got parking tickets that he, like most college students, could not afford. His solution - a Yamaha Vino 125 scooter, and hasn't had parking problems since.
"There's parking everywhere," he said. "There's special parking in the front of campus just for scooters and motorcycles, but you can also park between cars—it's pretty tight."
Scooters are a popular alternative way of transportation in the United States, including San Francisco. According to the Motorcycle Industry Council, the number of scooter sales per year in the United States zoomed 555 percent from 1997 to 2006.
"Scooters really became popular in San Francisco as an economical way to get around where younger people couldn't afford cars or motorcycles and so scooters have always been a clear choice," said Barry Gwin, owner of the San Francisco Scooter Centre.
Posted by Frank at 9:11 AM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
Foldable Electric Scooter Made for Sharing
Dense cities are notorious for traffic congestion and pollution. But now, an energy-efficient, compact scooter could offer a mass transit option almost as convenient as a car.
The electrically powered scooter folds to half its size, which could make it easier to park, store or carry onto subways or buses. City transportation authorities could make thousands of the scooters available to commuters at conveniently located, one-way rental racks -- similar to bicycle-share programs that have recently popped up in Lyon and Paris, France and other European cites.
"This vehicle provides a clean, green solution that has potentially very high utilization rates. If it's used a lot, it could reduce the need for private vehicles on the road," said Ryan Chin, design leader and Ph.D. candidate in media, arts and sciences at Massachusetts Institute of Technology's Media Lab.
Chin is part of the Media Lab's Smart Cities Group, and the scooter is an off-shoot of the group's City Car, a sharable, stackable electric concept car.
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Eco-friendly scooters launched in Bangalore
BANGALORE: The world is waking up to the problem of carbon footprints and burning of fossil fuels, and people are looking for greener alternatives. Bangalore already has an electric car locally manufactured and now there is Yeoman Bike, an electric scooter for young people.
Launching the scooters that run on an electric motor and battery here on Tuesday, the Managing Partner of Yeoman Bike, K.M. Gopi, said the chief objective of launching these two-wheelers was to create a cheaper alternative to travel around the city.
Two models were launched. The first, Cedar 250, is a single-seater scooter priced at Rs. 29,100. It can travel 100 km after the battery is charged for four. The cost for a kilometre works out to around 6 paise. It can take a load of 90 kg, he said.
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December 6, 2007
Putt, putt? Try zip, zip
TAKE 15 pound-feet of torque. Factor in 22.5 horsepower. The numbers don't add up to bragging rights, especially for an Italian sport bike manufacturer.
But add 61 miles per gallon and a $4,599 price tag. What you've got now is a frisky little scooter, otherwise known as the 2007 Aprilia SportCity 250.
The SportCity is exactly how it sounds -- compact enough to squeeze through traffic yet sporty enough to satisfy a scooteristi's need for speed.
I found the single-cylinder automatic SportCity fast off the line. Aprilia claims the scooter accelerates from 0 to 50 mph in 7 seconds, which means I wouldn't have won any races if I had popped a green next to its Tuono superbike. But I was more than likely to speed ahead of any other 250 cc scooter on the market, since the SportCity is fuel-injected and so lightweight as to be skeletal -- just 326 pounds dry.
What Aprilia has done with its newest scoot is fairly innovative. It's applied the components of larger, more expensive maxi scooters to a smaller-displacement bike to equalize its performance on streets and freeways. The high-strength, tubular-steel chassis increases torsional rigidity for quicker handling. The pre-load on the double-hydraulic shock in the rear adjusts to accommodate a passenger or extra stuff. The front brakes are double, rather than single, discs. The display also has a tachometer.
Posted by Frank at 10:04 AM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
Strange case of the Nicholas Sarkozy scooter
If you commit a traffic offence in France, it helps to be called Sarkozy. That was the angry response yesterday from the son of an Algerian immigrant after he brought Jean Sarkozy, 20, second son of the President, before a Paris criminal court for failing to stop after an accident.
M’Hamed Bellouti, 37, who initiated a private prosecution, voiced his indignation after three judges devoted extraordinary care to “the case of the Sarkozy scooter” and postponed the trial pending more investigation.
“Sarko Junior”, a law student with flowing blond locks, stood before the bench after the judges dealt with alleged cocaine dealers, mobile phone thieves and other voyous (louts) of the kind to whom Super-Sarko promises no mercy.
Mr Bellouti started the proceedings after he said that police refused to investigate a collision in which Jean Sarkozy’s scooter ran into the rear of a BMW car that he was driving in the Place de la Concorde in October 2005. Thierry Herzog, Mr Sarkozy’s lawyer, told the court that tests had shown that the front wheel of the scooter was too low to scratch the BMW.
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December 4, 2007
Honda Launches Full Model Changes for the FORZA Z and FORZA Z ABS Scooters
TOKYO, Japan, December 4, 2007– Honda Motor Co., Ltd. announced that it will launch full model changes for the FORZA Z and the FORZA Z ABS*1 on Tuesday, December 25.
The FORZA scooter series has won Honda many fans with their sporty styling and advanced electronic features, including the Honda S-Matic electronically controlled automatic transmission, and the Honda Smart Card Key System, which allows the rider to start the engine without key operation.
Powered by a newly designed four-valve single-cylinder engine, the next-generation scooter realizes a powerful riding feel while complying with the 2006 Japanese motorcycle emission regulation. The new frame and suspension system ensure a more comfortable ride than before.
Refinement of the overall body configuration, which includes modifications to the front meter visor shape and placement, results in an elegant form that realizes both increased aerodynamic performance and comfort. With the development concept "premium and comfortable two-seater," Honda has brought these models even further forward.
For the engine, a newly designed four-valve engine has been adopted rather than the two-valve engine of the previous model. Modification of the combustion chamber configuration, along with the adoption of metal crankshaft bearings and a new dual-core catalyzer have led to higher output in reducing vibration, and further improving environmental performance, including greater fuel efficiency.
The ever-popular Honda S-Matic automatic transmission now features a load sensing control system, the world's first*2 for a motorcycle, in addition to the seven-speed manual shift mode. By automatically selecting the shift position for optimal driving force to suit the riding conditions,the sensing system provides a powerful riding feel even on uphill roads or during tandem riding.
Since its market launch in 2000, the FORZA series has been well received for its sporty performance and superb utility. The 2004 full model change with the concept "stylish open two-seater" received high evaluation from customers and has been a long-time favorite, being as a top placement*3 for the number of light-weight motorcycle registrations for 37 consecutive months, from May 2004 to May 2007.
*1 Combined brake system (CBS) with antilock brake system (ABS)
*2,3 According to Honda survey
Key Features
Newly Developed Four-valve Engine
In the new FORZA series, the conventional two-valve engine has been upgraded to a newly designed water-cooled four-stroke four-valve single-cylinder engine. To reduce engine noise, along with metal crankshaft bearings, a sealed compact crankcase was adopted to ensure sufficient lubrication. With this sealed crankcase, it is the first time for Honda to equip a primary balancer shaft. On the environmental side, the engine makes possible one of the lowest fuel consumptions in its class*4,using a roller rocker arm and an offset cylinder configuration to reduce frictional losses, and adding an O2 sensor for optimized fuel injection control. The use of a newly developed dual-core catalyzer allows clean environmental performance meeting the 2006 Japanese motorcycle emission regulation while also guaranteeing high output, reducing vibration and contributing in superb fuel economy.
*4 According to Honda survey
Evolved Automatic Transmission
In addition to the seven-speed manual mode, the Honda S-Matic automatic transmission installed in the FORZA Z and FORZA Z ABS now features a load sensing control system, a first for motorcycles. In automatic mode, the mechanism automatically determines the load from the vehicle speed, engine rpm and throttle opening, and automatically selects the gear that provides the optimal driving force for conditions such as uphill roads or tandem riding. This new system realizes a powerful riding feel even on hilly, winding roads.
High-rigidity Frame
The newly designed backbone frame consists of large-diameter, thin-wall, high-tension steel tubes. With the frame weight relatively unchanged, the new structure realizes a 60% higher lateral rigidity and a 30% greater torsional rigidity. Simultaneously tough and flexible, this frame offers improved stability during high-speed and tandem ride, along with comfort on city streets.
Elegant Styling and Design
The concept behind the design was "a solid body and emotional surfaces." The slimmer body and the minimal rear overhang emphasize a compact and sporty feeling. Through an overall review of the body design including changes in the configuration and placement of the front meter visor, the new styling achieves an elegant form with improved aerodynamic performance without compromising comfort. Asserting a sense of presence, the circular tail lamp inherits the image of the previous model, with an even sportier design. And with the instrument panel, the design offers a high level of quality reminiscent of an automobile.
Rich Variety of Body Colors
For new FORZA Z, simple but popular Digital Silver Metallic has been chose from previous model. Also, three new colors have been set for the FORZA Z: Graphite Black, Duke Magenta Metallic and Candy Tahitian Blue. For the FORZA Z ABS, two new colors, Titanium Metallic and Graphite Black, have been set for the body. Along with the body colors, seat and step areas are colored in mocha-beige, creating overall of two-tone colored body. With wheels painted in gold, FORZA Z ABS provides luxurious image.
Posted by Frank at 9:39 AM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
Scooters may have place on UA campus
With gas prices keeping steady at more than $3 a gallon in November, students' finances may also continue to feel increased pressure.
George Latham, however, said he may have something to help.
Latham, owner of the newly founded T-Town Motorsports, said scooters and electric motor-powered bicycles are good alternatives to cars for college students.
"They're a good, safe, reliable mode of transportation," he said. "They're inexpensive to operate, and they pretty much pay for themselves."
Latham said every scooter in his shop gets between 60 and 100 miles-per-gallon of gas. Also, Latham said, everything he sells has an automatic transmission.
T-Town Motorsports opened Nov. 12, the Monday before Thanksgiving. It's on the corner of Hackberry Lane and 15th Street in the Parkview Shopping Center.
Jonathan Lanctot, a sophomore majoring in engineering, said he owns a Honda Metropolitan scooter and uses it around Tuscaloosa. Lanctot said he is from Illinios and doesn't go home that often, so the scooter works for getting around campus and around town, he said.
Lanctot said his scooter gets over 100 miles-per-gallon, and he has spent less than $10 on gas since he bought it over the summer.
"I use my scooter to get around campus really quickly," Lanctot said. "I never have to worry about gas prices or mileage. Not to mention, it's just fun to ride."
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