Lets say you own a high-tech crotch rocket Japanese Race Motorcycle and yes we all know the statistics; 4.0 seconds to sixty miles per hour; 165 miles per hour at redline in sixth gear and we also know it could go way faster if it had two more gears and we know your next bike will. Okay I got all that already and hey, I am with you. Indeed wear a helmet.

What if we put a propeller adapter and an extra chain off your rear will and the whole assembly hooked to the back swing arm? Next what if we set up some expandable wings that blew up like the NASA unmanned aerial vehicle project? Yes, that is what I am talking about, a motorcycle that could really fly like a plane? Are you with me still?

Next lets criss-cross some wire cable from the handlebars thru the frame and onto the propeller assembly so when you turned the handlebars the propeller would steer you that direction. Meaning you would have directional thrust like a modern day fighter jet in the US Military.

Does that sound like something you would like to ride? You would still have wind resistance, but with no friction on the ground you could really get some great TAS True Airspeed Going.

Often when I use to race motorcycle street bikes I found myself feeling more like I was strapping on a fighter plan as I suited up and started the motor and watched it come alive, knowing full well that what I did in the next hour would determine if I would live or die that day.

The adrenaline rush was well you know, excellent and indeed worthy of mention and yes like most hard core street racer motorcycle riders, I understood the movie Top Gun more than most as I am one with the saying; The Need for Speed.

Sometimes I felt I was going so fast it seemed like I was flying as the ground went by under my knee scraping anything that was even close and yet that got me thinking, what if we could build a motorcycle that could fly, lets say wings that used the exhaust to inflate and a system for elevator control? Perhaps a canard in front to help steer too.

How would that be possible? Well consider how strong the front axle is and the forks. A canard system could fold down and become the elevator-horizontal stabilizer and canard system and it could be controlled by levers on the handlebars like the shift levers on bicycle racing bikes. Then you could have the control in the air that you have on the ground? Well anyway that is how I would design it.

For those who own or race street bikes you know that the rider becomes one with the bike and together you make those high-speed turns. But what happens when you leave the ground? No I am not talking about going off the cliff near the Rock Store in the Canyons above Malibu, CA, what I am suggesting really is turning our motorcycle into an aircraft.

What you say? I thought this was a legitimate online article. Oh, but it is my good friend and fellow rider, it is indeed. You see I want to take a lightweight motorcycles, perhaps an F3 Honda Hurricane a strap on some extra equipment. Such as a propeller adapter and an expandable wing using the exhaust to blow it up. Okay now you know I am serious and do not tell me you have not thought of this, because all these bikes are missing is wings, obviously they can fly.

To maintain rider balance in high speed aerial turns you will need to have a strap harness incase you go negative “Gs” in a flight maneuver you do not want to fall off and you will have to work with the bike and the gyro affect when turning and keep the skidding to a minimum, but this can be done better and better with practice, although you must never forget once you leave the ground you no longer have that friction to keep you in place, things are different up here.

Many people have felt as if their race bikes could fly, I know I have while taking high speed turns on the track and yet we know they can’t or can they? What if we used the exhaust of a modern day high-tech Japanese race bike and used it to fill up expandable wings and then worked up some kind of simple chain device to run a propeller, which extended from the swing arm holding the back wheel?

Next what if the wing expanded and we had fairly good control, well we could really fly our motorcycles. Too SciFi for you? Well, do not tell me you have never thought even for a brief second that your motorcycle could fly? We all have those dreams, well anyone who has ever raced a street bike has anyway.

Of course we would need to make sure that the wings once expanded had foot holes in them in order for us to foot our feet thru the wings after landing for balance and we would also need foot holes to put our feet solid on the pegs as we leaned with making aerial turns or banks right? Indeed, this is why I believe for the Motorcycle Expandable Wing Concept we must build these units with foot holes to help with stability in flight and landing.

Motorcycle street bikes are blast and you feel as if you have all the power in the world right at your wrist, give it a little juice and Seee Ya! The responsiveness and speed indeed make you feel like you are one with the gods. So with all this adrenaline rush and power, why not take it all to much higher level? How so you ask? Well, why not make a motorcycle race bike, which can fly.

With expandable blow up wings and a propeller adapter and as we do this lets us consider how we will maneuver the aircraft/motorcycle once airborne and some of the aerodynamic and flight control characteristics we must consider. First, race bikes already have a very good center of gravity and as the rear wheel drives it pushes the bike forward on the ground, so we would want the propeller in the rear also and we would want to make sure it was solidly attached to the swing arm holding the rear wheel hub.

We would put the chain to spin the propeller and the system coming off that swing arm and thus this would give us a solid centerline thrust to help with stability once airborne. This also makes sense because this is how the motorcycle is currently set up and we simply are adding another feature; one that allows us to fly!

Japanese Motorcycle Street race bikes or crotch rockets as they are commonly called are indeed in a World of their own. For those who are proficient riders they know that you are one with the balance of all forces when riding or racing. But what if we could take all that technology and bring it up a notch, as in take it to another level; making a motorcycle fly?

Did you know that many experimental aircraft use motorcycle components in them? Do you know why? Well look at the raced out performance lightweight parts they use sometime and it is completely evident why. Now then NASA did a really interesting experiment with an unmanned aerial vehicle which they dropped out of an aircraft and it had expandable wings, which unfolded using a couple of compressed canisters.

So, the wings supported this little aircraft, which means we could do the same thing using a special valve and the hot exhaust of the motorcycles muffler. Once the wing has been expanded it is time to fly! All you would need is a propeller adapter and a few flying lessons and you are good to go.

Imagine getting pulled over by the cops and then saying, I don’t think so and literally flying away to avoid a speeding ticket? Maybe someday in the future it might all be possible, of course then they might want to run your pilots license to see it is suspended?

If you think the idea of racing around on a miniature motorcycle inches from the ground sounds like fun… you'd be right. Mini motos are the latest motorcycle craze, and if you've ever seen grown adults on pocket-sized motorbikes and wondered what it was all about, or want to know more, this guide is for you.

What is a mini moto?

Mini motos are small petrol-powered motorcycles, usually 39cc or 49cc. However, they are sometimes larger, up to 110cc.

Where can mini motos be ridden?

These bikes are intended for use on private land or racetracks, rather than road use. If you want to ride a mini moto you need to find a race track or get permission to use private land.

Fields are often unsuitable as mini motos have very low ground clearance and no suspension. If you want to ride on rough terrain then your best bet would be a mini dirt bike, which is made for off-road conditions.

What kind of mini motos are available?

There are several kinds of mini moto that can be bought from specialist outlets. If you are looking to buy a mini moto then there are several factors which need to be considered.

Firstly, you need to decide what you want it for. If you are planning on racing, then you will need a race-certified mini moto, such as a Blata or Polini. These can be raced in competitions as they adhere to regulations set by mini moto racing organisations.

If you are looking to ride your minimoto around private grounds just for fun, then you might not want to spend so much money. In that case, you could look for one of the many good value imports from China.

However, if you are inexperienced on two wheels, you might want to consider a mini ATV. These are great for beginners as they have the same engine as most minimotos but they use four wheels instead of two.

If you think you're too big for a Mini moto then you could try a midi moto - these are ideal for people with longer legs. The downside is they aren't as quick as mini motos due to the extra weight but they are available with a full electronics pack including electric start and lights, etc, and can be just as much fun.

Once you have made your choice, shop around to find the best deal. Some companies will sell the minimoto with extras such as helmets, or performance upgrades so it is always best to search far and wide for the best deal.

Here we have a few things you should check on your motorcycle on a regular basis. I assume you have a handbook with the specs for your bike, if not, go get one. You may be able to find some data for your particular motorcycle on the net. You can also pick up workshop manuals for various models on eBay in PDF or CD form for little money.

Whereas with a four wheeled vehicle you may get away with being lax with things like tire pressures etc, this is not the case with a motorcycle. You should not risk compromising the safety and stability of your motorcycle, for the sake of a bit of routine maintenance.

Pre-ride checks

• Tires – check condition and for foreign objects in the tread.
• Tire pressures – it is vitally important to keep your motorcycles tire pressures either on spec or very close to it.
• Oil level – always check with the bike on level ground.
• Coolant level – only if your bike’s liquid cooled, obviously.
• Chain – check the tension and make sure it’s well lubed.
• Brakes – check they work and that they feel good.
• Lights – check all your lights, especially the brake light, you don’t want to get rear ended, do you?
• Visual inspection – self explanatory.
• All ok – hit the road.

Periodical checks

• Check battery – see that the connections are tight; I dropped a bike once because of a loose battery connection, strange but true. Also check the electrolyte level on some batteries, a lot of newer batteries are gel filled, sealed for life types, so no need with these.
• Carb balance – if your bike is multi carbed get yourself a Morgan carbtune or similar. It can be a little tricky the first time you balance them, but when you’ve done it once, the second time will be easy.
• Ignition timing – only necessary on some bikes, most newer models have electronic ignition which does not need touching, normally.
• Valve clearances – unless you’re a good home mechanic, take it to a dealer.
• Wheel bearings – grab each wheel with it off the ground and see if there is any sideways play. There should be none or maybe a trace at most.
• Steering head bearings – with the front end off the ground, grab the forks and push and pull. There should be no play.
• Swinging arm bearings – with the back wheel off the ground, check for any sideways movement in the swingarm, there should be none.
• Brakes – check fluid levels, brake hoses for deterioration, and pads/shoes for thickness.
• Cables and levers – should operate smoothly. Get some grease on lever/pedal pivot points, and get some lube down the cables, if you can. A cable oiler is a handy tool.
• Nut and bolts – go all round the motorcycle with your spanners and check that all nuts/ bolts/screws are nice and tight.

Well, that’s about it for some basic maintenance, obviously, unless you’re a good home mechanic, any bigger jobs will have to go to a dealer. The problem can be finding a good one with skilled mechanics you can trust. I manage to keep my Yamaha Fazer 1000 running sweet just using the steps listed above. It does help that this model only needs the valve clearances checking every 26,000 miles.

The 800 watt electric mini bike is one of the most powerful scooters you can buy. If you are riding with 800 watts of power you can get up to speeds of 25 miles per hour, which is the case with the Explorer E-08 800W electric scooter. The 800 watt electric mini bike is one of the most powerful and sought after scooters on the market today. It has a 36 V battery and includes a smart battery charger with helps to prevent overcharging. The tires are 10” Fat Heavy Duty Pneumatic tires with a deep tread for a smoother more comfortable ride. It has a cushion seat with adjustable height and an extra brake light.

This scooter is not only reliable but is it environmentally friendly. You can take it out for a spin and be rest assured you are not polluting the environment because it has no emissions. It also is good to your ears because of the quiet engine. You can drive up to 20 miles on one charge and the charge will last about 6 hrs. If you are looking for a motorbike to travel short distances this is a great vehicle for the price. They sell for around $350.00. There are several accessories available to enhance your new 800w electric mini bike and they include a small storage trunk for a little cargo room, a basket that attaches neatly on the front and a big selection of helmet and safety gear suitable for every responsible rider.

Each year high performance motorcycles get faster, lighter and stronger. One has to wonder will this ever end, as the trend has been going on for many decades. The next evolution of high performance motorcycles will include such things is carbon nano-tube construction, which is 50 times stronger than steel for the same weight.

This means that the weight of the motorcycle will come down substantially and therefore the performance will be greatly enhanced. Will this be enough? We find in racing and human competition with high performance motorcycles that better it is never enough.

Many high-performance motorcycle racers, crew mechanics and the engineers who build them will say such things as; This Motorcycle Flies. Indeed, if you put a set of wings on a motorcycle it actually would fly, because many of these motorcycles are capable of 180 to 200 mph. The average cruising speed for a Cessna 172 private aircraft is about 145 mph.

So the question is; where he is the future of high performance motorcycles going and how soon and tell these rapidly approaching super technologies will hit the streets or the runways? We all know that the latest and greatest transfer technologies from military are passed down to industries like competitive sports, entertainment and business.

Carbon nano tubes technologies do exist, unfortunately it costs quite a bit to construct things out of this material, yet you can be share as the costs come down they will be used in racing, Olympic sports equipment and golf clubs. I hope you will enjoy this philosophical discussion about potential applications for future racing technologies of all types.

We should discuss high-tech training, virtual reality simulation, electronic equipment, new materials, alternative fuels and the next-generation of high-performance motorcycle racing as well; because all of this will play a part in the future of high-performance motorcycles.

Leading the championship, Japanese wunderkid Ryuichi Kiyonari now looked poised, focused and determined for a full-on title assault, unlike one time leader and increasingly frustrated Gregorio Lavilla who in the past four races had only so much produced a third placing, two falls and a mechanically forced DNF. In attempt to claw himself back on top, Lavilla would have to produce winning performance and take victory, of course in company of the ever charging Leon Haslam, Jonathan Rea and Shane Byrne, piece of cake….

Race 1: Considering mixed conditions plagued riders with an inevitable tricky tyre decision, dry with scattered wet spots around track left riders unsure as to what choice was best, though when the lights went out and they blasted of line, it was young Jonathan Rea with the holeshot from Ryuichi Kiyonari and Gregorio Lavilla. As the race progressed the once freight train of riders fizzled out into settling groups, the leading being still Rea at the fore, with Kiyonari and Lavilla following within a wisper behind. Despite Rea’s best efforts on-form Kiyonari then took the lead, to race out an impressive victory over Rea who lay second, with Greg Lavilla just holding off Airwaves Ducati team-mate Leon Haslam for third position and the final podium slot. Haslam was fourth with Rizla Suzuki mounted Shane Byrne and Stobart Honda rider Michael Rutter fifth and sixth respectively.

Race 1 Result:
1-Ryuichi Kiyonari (HM Plant Honda)
2-Jonathan Rea (Red Bull Honda)
3-Gregorio Lavilla (Airwaves Ducati)
4-Leon Haslam (Airwaves Ducati)
5- Shane Byrne (Rizla Suzuki)
6- Michael Rutter (Stobart Motorsport)

Race 2: Returning to the grid on full wets, riders faced a completely different challenge, now knowing the brutal unforgiving conditions they had to race in. Torrential rain had both soaked and delayed racing, though once rain eased of slightly, race two got underway. This time it was Michael Rutter who blasted to the front, looking set for a solid performance in race two, though as the race advanced and they came to lap five, he faded back to third, later falling foul of a misjudged manoeuvre by Haslam who ran him off track. Karl Harris now took the lead posting consistent hot laps and pulling away from the rest of the pack seeking his first ever win in the premier British Superbike class. Though it was Haslam, beyond the ragged edge in which any other racers abilty would have succumbed, who went on to take a startling victory and a maiden for 2006. Starting the final lap Haslam remained behind Harris over two seconds and out of striking distance, to blast through to the fore and secure a blitzing victory. Harris mortified raced through to a fine second, hardly satisfying having led the pack for such a long period. Gregorio Lavilla took home a brace of thirds having finished well in the first and second, signalling consistency may well play the culprit in the race for the title. Shane Byrne took home a solid points haul in fourth, with race one winner Kiyonari fifth and Michael Rutter sixth. The top of the championship title has now tightened, with Ryuichi Kiyonari on top, just three points on front of Haslam, with Lavilla third and just fifteen points behind. The race for the title is truly turning into a fantastic affair, make sure to join BBG as we keep you posted on BSB, right until the champion is crowned.

Race 2 Result:
1- Leon Haslam (Airwaves Ducati)
2- Karl Harris (HM Plant Honda)
3- Gregorio Lavilla (Airwaves Ducati)
4- Shane Byrne (Rizla Suzuki)
5- Ryuichi Kiyonari (HM Plant Honda)
6- Michael Rutter (Stobart Motorsport)

-BSB Championship Table
1 Ryuichi Kiyonari 310
2 Leon Haslam 307
3 Gregorio Lavilla 292
4 Shane Byrne 198
5 Jonathan Rea 176
6 Karl Harris 175

Hay-day for Nicky, Rossi down and out

Curtailing a seven point deficit Nicky Hayden looked down and out in terms of gaining the championship, and it now seemed that Valentino Rossi would go onto retain an eight World Championship title! In qualifying Rossi planted his Camel Yamaha on pole position, spreading a pair of ducati’s in Troy Bayliss and Loris Capirossi between himself and championship rival Nicky Hayden who lay fourth on the grid.

Brolly Dollies, generators and tyre warmers where whisked off the grid as it was time for the final 990cc Moto-GP EVER to get underway! Bayliss blasted off the line to lead the pack through turn one having blitzed opposition in this years World Superbike Championship to take the crown. Interestingly this was Bayliss’s first weekend back in Moto-GP for 2006, having only stepped on the bike for the first time two days prior to racing!

Caption for pic “In order for Hayden to clinch the title, Rossi would have to finish 3rd, and he, win the race.”

Rossi suffered a mediocre start dropping down into 5th position, and gradually down to 7th through a few corners more. Blasting from the docks was Nicky Hayden, who held an advantage in fourth place though would have to catch the Ducati Duo of Bayliss and Capirossi, who held the One-Two positions in any attempt at reeling in the world title.

Unforeseen was Championship Leader Rossi’s huge error on lap five whilst leant over mid corner. The young Italian lost the front end of his Camel Yamaha, sending his 2006 title hopes into the gravel and out of contention. Despite the off a desperate Rossi remounted in hope of retaining some points, it was not yet over by Rossi’s standards. Uncharacteristically the Italian had seemed edgy throughout morning warm-up, having only posted an eleventh quickest time in the untimed practice. Turned on its Heels, the advantage now lay with Hayden how rode amazingly, even under the serious pressure of having the world title within immediate reach.

Almost overlooking the battle for honours at front having witnessed the title drama unfold, Troy Bayliss had extended his lead to an incredible two-seconds over part-time team mate Loris Cappirossi. In search of his first ever Moto GP victory, Bayliss a man on a mission, held his own to the line and braced a superb win. Capirossi followed home in second place making it a one two for Marlboro Ducati, whilst we all waited in awe for that #69 Honda of Nicky Hayden to blast out onto home straight. A glimpse in the distance of the orange and blue Repsol livery through the final curve ensured it was finally here, the dawn of a new World Moto GP champion! Bracing the chequered flag, Kentucky Kid Hayden raised his arms in disbelief, having earlier almost accepted Rossi’s title retaining yet again. Followed by an emphatic display of emotion, Hayden pursued to smoke the back tyre, wheelie and celebrate in true championship winning style!

Fourth went to Hayden’s Team-mate Dani Pedrosa, with Marco Melandri and Toni Elias rounding out the top six finishers.

Championship Table Result:

1*Nicky Hayden* 252 Repsol Honda

2Valentino Rossi 247 Camel Yamaha

3Loris Capirossi 229 Marlboro Ducati

4Marco Melandri 228 Fortuna Honda

5Dani Pedrosa 215 Repsol Honda

6Kenny Roberts Jnr 134 KR Honda


-Paddock Gossip

-Casey Stoner will replace Sete Gibernau at Marlboro Ducati for 2007. The 21 year-old Aussie will ride in Marlboro dress alongside Loris Capirossi for the 2007 Moto GP season.

-In a recent 800cc test at Valencia where all riders tried their 2007 machines, Dani Pedrosa came out on top of the time sheets onboard the Repsol Honda RC212V 800cc. Second place went to a flying Chris Vermeuelen with John Hopkins in third place! Suzuki title contender next year? World champ Nicky Hayden and Valentino Rossi lay 6th an 7th within the overall standings.

There are some essential things that you cannot do without, while you are riding a motorcycle. A helmet is very essential and is a must in motorcycling. Most riders do not want to wear helmets because they feel uncomfortable and they think that they look weird. But you will look weirder if you have had an accident on the street and were lying in a hospital, your head bandaged. Bikers dislike the enforcement and the existence of helmet laws. The law enforcement authorities may not be wrong all the time.

Buy a helmet that fits well. With advanced material and helmet designing, helmets today are a manufacturer’s wonder. The strong material used not only gives protection to the head but also makes you look cool. There are different types of helmets available, the full-face, the flip-up and the open-face, all having their advantages and disadvantages depending on how you ride. A good pair of boots, pants and a jacket is a must. Your head alone is not prone to risks while you are riding - other parts of the body are equally vulnerable. A leather jacket can be humid and hot, so look for a jacket that is made from material that offers good ventilation and is smartly designed. Jackets are not just made from thick leather; they are made out of different materials. The fit of the jacket is very important, to ensure agility to maneuver the bike.

Leather pants can sometimes be tight, uncomfortable and irritable. But remember that on a bike, pants are an essential gear. Safety is vital but comfort cannot be ignored especially for long distance rides. Kevlar Keprotec is good to protect the groin area and inner thighs. Wicking mesh keep the rider dry on hot days. Waterproofing will be advantageous during the rains. Don’t forget the boots. It is so important that you have a good pair when you are riding. You have to take care of your feet and ankles, so while riding a motorcycle you should not wear running shoes or flip flops or any other kind of dress shoes. There’s a wide choice you get in boots when compared to other motorcycle accessories. You must first consider what kind of rider you are and how often you ride. You may not be able to manage with one pair of boots in the long run. The basic divisions in boots are off-road, racing and street boots. Choose the right pair of boots that will serve your purpose. The boots must not be rigid but stiff unless you need them for s specific need, such as boots for professional racing.

When it comes to boots, the basic black leather, old-fashioned ones that have rubber soles are a good choice. Thing have changed since Brando’s appearance in the classic biker movie based on a true real story that was named, ‘The Wild One’. The basic black boots work, but are not very comfortable, nor are they very protective.

Boots come in various high-tech varieties today and are made out of different materials. You have the Kevlar lining boots and boots that can be easily removed with zippers, ski boots come with buckles, you have the upper calf boots and then you have boots that are lined with wicking mesh. It is important that your boots fit you well and are comfortable. Shin plates could be helpful, but only racers require metal base plates. A lot of colors are available - choose a design that will suit your personality.

Apart from the basic protective gear that is available, there is a large variety of useful tools and accessories that will help make your ride convenient and comfortable. Handlebar attachments, repair kits, saddlebags, Dick Tracy-style watches, the choice is endless. Things sure have come a long way as far as bikes are concerned.

If you are looking for discount motorcycle helmet choices, it would be good to look for them at helmet specialty shops and stores. But be very sure that every discount motorcycle helmet that you chance upon should be up to safety standards. Do not buy motorcycle helmets just by the price offered but also by the level of protection that it can provide. There are discount motorcycle helmets that are up to the job, it is just a matter of finding them.

You must bear in mind that a motorcycle helmet is a very important element of the motorcycle riding experience. They are not used merely for aesthetic reasons but for safety reasons as well. A motorcycle helmet enhances your riding experience to a fun and secure level. A badly chosen helmet may not fit you or work for you properly, thereby lessening your riding experience.

Choosing a motorcycle helmet can be difficult for most people. Even the most experienced riders can have a difficult time finding one that they would find suitable for their needs. One of the key issues faced by most riders is the fit of the motorcycle helmet. Riders have different helmet shapes and forms to check out. Not all of them may be able to fit suitably for everyone.

There are full face helmets that offer full head and face protection for riders but may not be able to fit properly for some riders. Then there are also open faced helmets as well as half helmets that offer a more comfortable fit for most people but offer less protection if used in the absence of goggles and sunglasses which can help protect the eyes.

Another key reason for choosing a motorcycle helmet is the style and appeal. Aesthetic value is what makes some helmets more popular than others. The technology being used in designing them can even become the reason why such helmets are preferred by most. Attractive colors and striking graphic designs can also provide helmets with good saleability. Price also is important to some people when choosing a helmet.

If you cannot find a good helmet that would best fit or appeal to your tastes, you can always have one custom made. This way, not only will you be getting the helmet looks that you want, you can also have them custom made to be more comfortable to give you a more enhanced riding experience. No matter what helmet you choose, just make sure that you always put safety and protection on top of your list when you do your choices.