Autocom Dead, Long Live Autocom
Bikes in the Fast Lane - 04/29/10
British motorcycle communication equipment manufacturer Autocom, is one of many victims of the economic downturn. They have gone belly up. But at least they have been taken over by another UK company, called TecStar Electronics, who already own the StarCom1 equipment.

TomTom Release New Motorcycle GPS - Urban Rider
Bikes in the Fast Lane - 04/27/10
Dutch GPS manufacturer, TomTom, have released a new motorcycle specific GPS, the Urban Rider. Based on the Rider 2 GPS, it has been simplified and now includes IQ Routes.

Gear Heads! Want To Buy A Gear Ring?
Bikes in the Fast Lane - 04/26/10
For those of you who like gears, specially those on motorcycles, here's a nice ring for you. It's a gear ring, and it actually works. Turn the outer bevel, and all gears start turning. Watch the video... Cool!

Patents: Multifunctional Mirror
Bikes in the Fast Lane - 02/23/10
An Italian company has filed a patent for a multi-function mirror for motorcycles (and bicycles) that can provide electric information in the mirror. Telemetric data, GPS navigation, etc can be provided. Eventually, you'll end up with something like this...

iPhone: New Motorcycle Apps
Bikes in the Fast Lane - 02/16/10
There are now 100's of apps available on Apple's iPhone that will satisfy any motorcycle rider. Here are two recent ones that may interest you, and both are free.

Scala Rider G4 - Motorcycle Communications At Its Best
Bikes in the Fast Lane - 02/03/10
Cardo Systems have upped the ante even further with their latest Bluetooth motorcycle communication device, the G4. The G4 allows you to connect with 3 other Scala Rider devices, but now with a range of up to 1 mile. You've got full stereo and an onboard RDS FM Radio. 10 hours talk time, while listening to your iPod, FM radio, mobile phone AND GPS navigation instructions. What more do you want?

Motorcycle Air Conditioner To Be Released Shortly
Bikes in the Fast Lane - 01/22/10
Back in 2004 we wrote about a new motorcycle portable air conditioner unit coming to the market. Well, it has reached the point for sales. EntroSys have released the BikeAir-1 unit, a portable Airco unit made specially for motorcycles. The unit will also provide you with hot air, in case you want to ride in cold climates.

iPhone: Greatest Roads for Motorcycles
Bikes in the Fast Lane - 01/21/10
Here's a (not free) application for your iPhone that will tell you where the great roads are that you can ride with your motorcycle. You can find roads on a map, rate them and share them with your friends. You can also show people the roads you like to ride by creating your own.

Garmin Release Low-Cost Motorcycle GPS-Zumo 220
Bikes in the Fast Lane - 01/20/10
Garmin have released the specs of their low-end motorcycle specific GPS, the Zumo 220. Less functions, but with lots of possibilities, price tag is US$599.

India: Trailblazer, Special Motorcycle-Only GPS Launched
Bikes in the Fast Lane - 01/19/10
MapMyIndia have launched an interesting motorcycle-specific GPS (in India). Apart from the normal functions of a modern technology GPS, it communicates with the rider via FM radio, not Bluetooth. That allows one GPS to provide navigation instruction to many motorcycle via FM. Interesting...

Park Your Motorcycle In A Safe, A Moto Safe
Bikes in the Fast Lane - 01/18/10
Parking your motorcycle or scooter in a city is always a hair raising affair, specially when you come back. Is the motorcycle still there, has it been damaged, are the mirrors still on it??? UK company Moto Safe have a motorcycle & scooter storage unit that's cool! It works like the left luggage lockers in airports and railroad stations. Insert coins, store your bike and gear, and off you go. You can even buy one for home.... nice!

iPhone: Record Your Track Motorcycle Performance
Bikes in the Fast Lane - 01/11/10
For those of you who regularly test your motorcycle on a track (any kind), and don't have a support crew that will write, record and file all your motorcycle adjustments, here's an interesting application for you. It's called Motorcycle Track Log and it runs on an Apple iPhone. It will record your motorcycle adjustments per track, per bike and per weather conditions.

More HUD Technology Coming To Your Motorcycle
Bikes in the Fast Lane - 12/07/09
Recon Instruments are launching next year goggles that incorporate Heads Up Display (HUD) info. Initially meant for skiing, motorcycles are a target group. The goggle displays performance data, navigation data and even mobile phone data. Between $350 and $450.

What Is Cardo Up To? A New Bluetooth Helmet Attachment?
Bikes in the Fast Lane - 11/26/09
Cardo are up to something. They have filed a patent for a motorcycle helmet neckpad Bluetooth communicator. All the electronics are to be stored in the neckpad, so you'll not see anything on the helmet. Question is... is this for all helmets, or just for their partnership with Schuberth?

Motorcycles and Duct Tape
Bikes in the Fast Lane - 11/04/09
A designer/artist has come up with a way to marry Duct tape with LEDs. This opens up a host of ways of "lighting" and fixing your motorcycle at the same time. Endless possibilities... Will motorcycles ever be the same?

New GPS System For Helmets: Safer?
Bikes in the Fast Lane - 10/27/09
A motorcycle GPS either shows you where to ride, or tells you via a sexy voice! Right???? Not if Kajimoto labs have their say. They are studying a novel way of telling you when to turn.... they have a device that will pull you ear to turn; left ear for turning left, right ear for turning right.... FAR OUT!!!!

Trapster: See Where The Cops Have Speeds Traps - Worldwide
Bikes in the Fast Lane - 10/13/09
Trapster is one of those tools that cops hate, and motorcycle riders love. It tells you on your smartphone, iPhone, Blackberry, Android or J2ME, or on your GPS, where the police traps are. Even the mobile ones. With 1.6 million users worldwide, it's a real community service. And best of all, it's free...

iBike Rider: iPhone For Motorcycle Riders
Bikes in the Fast Lane - 10/09/09
Here's a complete system for motorcycle riding iPhone users. It's a wired solution to allow you to listen to your iPhone (music, phone, etc), and even see what's happening on the screen (GPS Navigation, radar alerts, etc). You can also extend your iPhone's battery life.

Schuberth Motorcycle Helmets And Cardo Systems Ink Deal
Bikes in the Fast Lane - 09/18/09
German motorcycle helmet manufacturer Schuberth, and American motorcycle wireless communication device maker, Cardo Systems, have signed a partnership deal. Cardo will be making a new communication device purpose built for Schuberth C3, C2 and other helmets. They hope to show the new device during the upcoming EICMA motorcycle exhibition.

Tripy: A Growing GPS Provider For The Motorcycle World
Bikes in the Fast Lane - 09/04/09
Belgium motorcycle GPS manufacturer, Tripy, are getting more and more entrenched in the world of motorcycle rally sports. They have recently signed a single supplier contract for the Dakar rally, and are also the top provider of GPS for the Dark Dog Moto Tour. Their new GPS, the Trip II, is a jewel for motorcycle rally people, or those that are used to using road books. The Trip II software even prints old fashion paper road books...

Stilo VerbaVolant Motorcycle Helmet Bluetooth Communicator
Bikes in the Fast Lane - 07/31/09
Italian Stilo are famous for their car rally helmets and communication gear (World champ WRC Loeb uses it to talk to his navigator). Stilo have released their new Bluetooth communicator for motorcycle helmets, the Stilo VerbaVolant.

Harley-Davidson iPhone Clock
Bikes in the Fast Lane - 07/28/09
Combining two of the big American icon, Harley-Davidson motorcycles and Apple's iPhone/iPod gives you a Harley shaped headlights that functions are radio/alarm/clock with either the music from your Apple gadget, or it plays the roar of a Harley motorcycle. If that doesn't wake you up.. what will??

Motorcycle Friendly Accommodation In France iPhone Edition
Bikes in the Fast Lane - 06/16/09
I have made my first Apple iPhone compatible website, listing all motorcycle friendly accommodation in France. You should be able to "see" it on normal browsers, and it works quite quickly.

Listen To Stereo Music On Your Garmin Zumo 550
Bikes in the Fast Lane - 06/09/09
Have a Garmin Zumo 550 and want to listen to full stereo in your Bluetooth motorcycle helmet headset? We all know that the Zumo has a MP3 player, but it's not stereo (when connected via Bluetooth). Collett from Canada have a device that you plug into the Zumo 550, that streams the sound in full stereo. There you go, now you can listen to stereo music without any wires.

AKE Release New Bluetooth Headset For Motorcycles
Bikes in the Fast Lane - 06/05/09
German motorcycle communication devices manufacturer AKE, have released their latest wireless headset, the Helmset 201. Ultra thin, this Bluetooth 2.0 A2DP communicators slides into the neck-guard of your motorcycle helmet. It features full stereo and an extended operating range (typically 250 meters).

Review: BikerCom - Ultimate Motorcycle Communication Gear? #3
Bikes in the Fast Lane - 05/27/09
Part 3 or 3 parts extensive product review of the BikerCom wireless communicator for motorcycles. This last part deals with the testing of the equipment itself. Both solo and dual riding options, with phone, iPod, GPS and walkie-talkie.

Review: BikerCom - Ultimate Motorcycle Communication Gear? #2
Bikes in the Fast Lane - 05/27/09
Part 2 or 3 parts extensive product review of the BikerCom wireless communicator for motorcycles. This part deals with the setting up of the gear, and all its options. Lots of detailed and big sized photos, so let the article load.

Review: BikerCom - Ultimate Motorcycle Communication Gear? #1
Bikes in the Fast Lane - 05/27/09
Part 1 of 3 parts extensive product review of the BikerCom wireless communication gear for motorcycles. BikerCom is a central hub type system, that out-of-the-box, connects you with your pillion, mobile phone, music, radar detector and walkie-talkie (for bike-to-bike). You can select wired or wireless, and you have many options in setting up your equipment.

Review: MotoGP for iPhone
Bikes in the Fast Lane - 05/25/09
A product review of the Apple iPhone application MotoGP. This is the official application provided by MotoGP, and you can "see" how a race progresses through live timing and commentary. Plus, there's a lot of interesting info for anyone interested by the MotoGP world and motorcycles.

Easy Way Of Opening Gates /Garage Doors From Your Motorcycle
Bikes in the Fast Lane - 05/21/09
Here's one handy gadget for those if you who have a gate or garage door. Instead of using a remote control, or even, gasp, open it manually, just equip your self with a Bluetooth enabled mobile phone, and Blue Guard. Come within 10 meters (33 feet) of the unit, and the gate opens automatically. You don't need to do a thing! Handy and cheap, US$200.