Scala Rider G4 Bluetooth headset enables four-way biker communication

Longing to get reacquainted with your hog? Looking to not get all lonely on the open road? Cardo Systems — which has been doing the whole intercom-laced motorcycle helmet for years now — has just pushed out its latest concoction, and the Scala Rider G4 looks to be the most advanced version yet of the talking cranium protector. Aside from boasting an integrated Bluetooth chip for handsfree calling and voice activation, there’s also a built-in FM radio and an intercom system that enables up to four riders to communicate within a full mile of one another. The company claims that the G4 is the “first Bluetooth headset to offer group intercom between up to three riders as well as communication among two riders and their two passengers on two bikes at distances up to 5,280 feet,” and if A2DP audio streaming is your thing, you’ll find support for that as well. Each lid will run you $279.95 and should last up to ten solid hours if yapping continuously, though we’re guessing your jacksy will be needing an overnight stay before you hit that milestone.

Scala Rider G4 Bluetooth headset enables four-way biker communication originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 02 Feb 2010 10:04:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Garmin introduces Zumo 220, $600 navigation for vaguely budget-conscious two-wheeled hooligans

When we got wind of Garmin’s Zumo 665, the new navigation system for folks who like to do it in leathers, we were quite excited to learn about its integrated A2DP and other new features — but totally lost interest when we saw the $999 MSRP. You can get a perfectly serviceable UJM starter bike for that kind of cash! Garmin is now addressing the situation with the Zumo 220, which “scales down size and price of motorcycle navigation” — to $599. Yes, still pricey, but you get most of the features of the bigger brother, including Bluetooth compatibility (though seemingly not A2DP), waterproof construction, and text-to-speech guidance. It sports a 3.5-inch touchscreen and of course comes with a bike mount, but also has a car mount for those days when weather prohibits riding in to work — or when you just don’t feel like getting all your gear on. Look for it to ship sometime before the quarter is up.

Garmin introduces Zumo 220, $600 navigation for vaguely budget-conscious two-wheeled hooligans originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 20 Jan 2010 10:54:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Zero off-road electric motorcycles get recalled, might crash more than usual

The Zero S our own Tim Stevens rode fearlessly through the streets of New York apparently isn’t effected, but it looks like Zero’s off-road electric motorcycles (the Zero X and Zero MX) have been hit with a recall after it was discovered that they might crash when it’s not entirely the driver’s fault. Turns out the throttle can get stuck in the open position or become disconnected, and that the “Easy” or “0-25″ modes can “unexpectedly” lead to full power when the bike is turned on — both what you might call “bad things.” Of course, this is a fairly small recall (some 200 vehicles), but if that includes you, you’ll want to get in touch with Zero to arrange for a free repair. Hit up the link below for all the necessary details.

Filed under: Transportation

Zero off-road electric motorcycles get recalled, might crash more than usual originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 16 Oct 2009 05:23:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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iBike Rider case for iPhone aims at bikers, people with their arms full

The iBike Rider is a wrist-mounted iPhone case designed to give you easy access to your handset as you cruise around town looking for fights. When paired with its heaphone / mouthpiece, you can listen to tunes or accept calls via the headset. Of course, if you actually wanted to place a phone call it’s a simple matter of stopping the bike, removing the phone from its case, removing your gloves, and then dialing away. But once you’ve done all that, jump back on your “hog,” look both ways before entering traffic, and you’re an Easy Rider once again! This bad boy is also useful for turn-by-turn GPS instructions — but if you don’t know your way to Bass Lake by now, what kind of a Hell’s Angel are you? Available now for £34.10 (about $54).

[Via So Easy GPS]

Gallery: iBike Rider case for iPhone

Filed under: Cellphones

iBike Rider case for iPhone aims at bikers, people with their arms full originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 08 Oct 2009 19:34:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Paul Sr. demonstrates OCC’s electric chopper, Fox News seems mystified

[Via Gizmag]

Continue reading Paul Sr. demonstrates OCC’s electric chopper, Fox News seems mystified

Filed under: Transportation

Paul Sr. demonstrates OCC’s electric chopper, Fox News seems mystified originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 14 Aug 2009 15:12:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Zero Motorcycles bridges the dirt/street gap with the Zero DS electric motorcycle

We love motorcycles, and we love things that help the environment, so it’s no secret that we loved the Zero S electric supermoto when we got to take it for a spin through the urban wasteland. That bike has now been set free from the world of asphalt, given some knobbies, beefier wheels, and brawnier suspension to make it just as good when the pavement ends, as the video below shows. It also has a much brighter light, which may put something of an additional drain on the battery (range is still rated at 50 miles), but will make it easier to find puddles to avoid — or to aim for. This bike fills the void between the company’s street and dirt offerings, and while it might not be quite as good over the yumps as the offroad-only Zero MX, it has the distinct advantage of not requiring a truck or trailer to get there in the first place. The DS costs $9,950, the same as the Zero S, and is available for order now.

Continue reading Zero Motorcycles bridges the dirt/street gap with the Zero DS electric motorcycle

Filed under: Transportation

Zero Motorcycles bridges the dirt/street gap with the Zero DS electric motorcycle originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 30 Jul 2009 09:49:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Video: Flossie the robot can ‘ride’ a motorcycle, remains oblivious to good oral hygiene

The best and worst part about robots is the fact that they can be purpose-built to perform any task at hand. Oh sure, they can be built to kill, or they can built to test motorcycles without risk to our feeble (yet tasty) meat-sacks. Introducing Flossie, the Castrol-developed test rider that’s threading a Fireblade between its “legs” in the shot above. The robot features a self-learning mode that enables it to get a feel (throttle response, clutch drag, gear shifting patterns, etc.) for any stationary bike upon which it’s perched — right, stationary… he’s no Murata Boy. Still, as the ultimate precision rider that never tires, Flossie allows Castrol to evaluate its lubricants as effectively as possible. See it in action after the break.

[Via Faster and Faster, thanks Jensen]

Continue reading Video: Flossie the robot can ‘ride’ a motorcycle, remains oblivious to good oral hygiene

Filed under: Robots, Transportation

Video: Flossie the robot can ‘ride’ a motorcycle, remains oblivious to good oral hygiene originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 20 Jul 2009 07:37:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Brammo Enertia electric motorcycle now available

The Brammo Enertia electric motorcycle — which we took for a joyride around the streets of New York City last month — can now be yours, as it’s officially on sale. The eco-friendly bike has a horsepower rating of 13.7, with torque at 31 ft/lbs, and weighs about 280 pounds. With a top speed of about 50 miles an hour, the bike’s got a 45 mile range before needing a 3 hour recharge. It’s not the most powerful of motorcycles to be sure, but it’s got plenty of style, and it can be yours for about $12,000.

[Via Coolest Gadgets]

Filed under: Transportation

Brammo Enertia electric motorcycle now available originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 07 Jul 2009 21:41:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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BMW kicking Garmin’s zumo 660 up a notch with the Motorrad Navigator IV

Sure, Garmin’s zumo 660 was designed with the biker in mind, but BMW’s taking it one step further with the latest in its branded Motorrad series, the Navigator IV. Based on Garmin’s GPS ditty, it’s got the same 4.3-inch “glove friendly” touchscreen, voice control, and A2DP support. It can withstand heavy vibration, fuel sprays, UV rays, is waterproof and most importantly, can play your favorite adrenaline-pumping tunes for when those other precautions are being handily tested. Additionally, we’ve got a four-button motorcycle mount and it comes pre-loaded with a database of BMW dealers, just in case you ever need one in a jiff. Coming third quarter to US and Europe, there’s no word on price yet, but as a basis for comparison, the cost of the zumo 660 is about $700.

[Via NaviGadget]

Filed under: GPS, Transportation

BMW kicking Garmin’s zumo 660 up a notch with the Motorrad Navigator IV originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 06 Jul 2009 03:11:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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