The Saietta R Electric Motorbike

Drawing on Formula One car construction technology, it’s apparently the world’s only production motorcycle to feature a composite monocoque structure and the components have been selected to ensure optimum simplicity and lightness. Unlike other electric motorcycles, the Saietta R has been designed as an electric machine from the ground up, rather than being built from adapted parts originally made for petrol-engine bikes. The monocoque chassis is the key to the entire structure, with the battery and electric motor integral parts of it. The front and rear suspension and wheels attach directly to the structural battery and that, essentially, is the machine.

“The riding experience will be totally different from what you’re used to, mainly because the response of the electric motor is absolutely instant and, of course, there is none of the noise you get with a petrol engine,” explains Marazzi. One man who is certainly sold on the Saietta R is Mark Northwood, global head of trading for an investment-management firm, who bought the first customer model off the production line. “I was one of the first people to put my name down for a Tesla Roadster electric car, so when I heard that an electric motorcycle was also available it seemed appealing as a machine to use for my regular 25-mile commute during the summer. Electric-vehicle technology is something I’m very keen to support, and I find the power delivery absolutely addictive. The performance is always instantly available, and you get that wonderful turbine-like surge that makes a petrol or diesel engine seem archaic.”

Although it is not exactly cheap, at £19,770 for the 60 “Premier” models being delivered in 2014 and £16,770 for the 2015 standard version, this is offset by the £6,000 or so someone covering 100 miles per week would otherwise spend on petrol for a conventional motorbike over the course of 10 years. Combine that with an 80,000-mile battery life and the option of “encrypting” the electric motor to change the performance settings, and the Saietta R looks set for success.

Motorcycle Superstore

Motorcycle Stunt Riding

Motorcycle stunt riding, often referred to as stunting, is a motorcycle sport characterized by stunts involving acrobatic maneuvering of the motorcycle and sometimes the rider. Common maneuvers in stunt riding include wheelies, stoppies, and burnouts. Sport bikes have become a common vehicle for stunts.

 

Stunters are a controversial subculture of motorcycling, perform motorcycle stunts on sportbikes, both on public roads and in private venues. Some stunters have organized commercial teams.

As Martin Child wrote in Bike, "With lighter, shorter, better-braked bikes on the market, the stoppie has never been so easy for so many." In the 1990s some riders made performing stunts the primary focus of their riding.

Stunting equipment includes:

1.       Frame sliders — These large knobs are attached to a motorcycle's frame to protect the fairing from damage should the rider lay down the bike.

2.      Crash cages — These cages provide more protection from damage than frame sliders.

3.      Subcages — Subcages are very similar to crash cages, but for protection of a different sort. While crash cages are protection for the frame itself, motor mounts and cases subcages focus on protecting the subframe of the motorcycle.

4.      12 o'clock bar — 12 bars, as they are referred to, are commonly used on stunt bikes. These bars attach to the subframe of the motorcycle and are used when 12ing the bike. Furthermore, with the introduction of the 12 bar came an array of bar tricks which all occur while the motorcycle is resting on the bar itself.

5.      Round bar— A variation of the 12 bar, round bars are becoming more and more popular nowadays with riders straying away from bar tricks and increasing the technicality of Circle combinations. The round bar is just that, it is a curved bar that hugs the contour of the motorcycle tail section with no flat sections.

There are many variations of the basic wheelie. The "high chair" is a wheelie with the rider's legs over the handlebars, while a "tank wheelie" is one in which rider sits on the tank with legs spread. A "frog" is a wheelie in which the rider stands on the tank, and a "seat stander" is performed with the rider standing on the motorcycle's saddle. Standing on the windshield while riding the bike at 12'oclock is called a "watch tower". The "12 o'clock" is a very high wheelie, past the normal balance point of the motorcycle. A wheelie performed by two or more men on the same motorcycle is called "man-dom".

The "chainsaw" is a form of burnout performed by the stunter standing beside a motorcycle lying on its side holding the motorcycle exclusively by the right handle bar then causing the bike to "orbit" around the rider while maintaining control during the burnout.

Notable performers:

1.       Doug Domokos (1955–2001), "The Wheelie King" — held the record for longest wheelie for 8 years after a 145 miles wheelie at Talladega Speedway in 1984.

2.      Dave McKenna, Australia's number one Freestyle Street Bike Stunt Rider since 2011.

Motorbike Cake

How To Pass The Motorbike Theory Test

There are three obstacles between you and your full bike licence: the CBT (Compulsory Basic Training), theory test and practical test. The theory test is the second element, made up of two elements:

1.       A multiple choice test, consists of 50 questions randomly selected from a bank of 900. There are numerous books available listing all of the questions, such as Haynes Learn to Ride manual or The Official DSA Theory Test for Motorcyclists book. You can also practice online at www.theory-tests.co.uk/home/

2.      A hazard perception test, consists of 14 video clips, each about a minute long, showing real riding situations. Practicing for this test is a bit more tricky than the multiple choice test.

Fully-Functioning Electric Tron Light Cycle Goes To Auction

The light cycle was custom built for the Andrews Collection in 2011/12, partially by an outside firm before completion by the Andrews’ own shop. The bike is powered by a 96 V direct-drive electric motor with lithium batteries. Among its other features are a computer-controlled throttle, rebound and compression damping with spring-preload front suspension and rigid rear suspension and front and rear hydraulic brakes.

Safer Riding Tips

In South Australia, approximately 3 percent of registered vehicles are motorcycles, yet motorcyclists account for around 14 percent of road fatalities. How many of these safer riding skills do you have?

1.      Scan traffic for other motorists; observe indicators, brake lights and cars running red. Never assume all is safe.

2.      Wear visible clothing and ride with your lights on.

3.      You should never ride in sandals, thongs.

4.      Indicate before changing lanes.

5.      Brakes should work well and have correct fluid in the master cylinder.

6.      Make sure that your pillion passenger knows the correct techniques for pillion riding and is wearing appropriate protective clothing and a helmet.

7.      Gloves, jacket and boots designed for riding are essential for safety and comfort.