Autoblog http://www.autoblog.com Autoblog http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/www.autoblog.com/media/feedlogo.gif Autoblog http://www.autoblog.com en-us Copyright 2009 Weblogs, Inc. The contents of this feed are available for non-commercial use only. Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/<![CDATA[VIDEO: The best motorcycle save you'll see all week]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2009/06/03/video-the-best-motorcycle-save-youll-see-all-week/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/06/03/video-the-best-motorcycle-save-youll-see-all-week/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/06/03/video-the-best-motorcycle-save-youll-see-all-week/#commentsFiled under: , ,


Raffaele de Rosa's amazing save - Click above to watch the video after the jump

Without a doubt, one of the scariest moments in any motorcycle rider's life is the split-second just before a high-side. This kind of accident often takes place after a turn is taken at high speed and the rider attempts to accelerate out of the corner. The rear tire loses enough traction that it slides out of line with the front wheel, then quickly regains its footing, snapping the bike violently upright. Almost always, this results in a nasty spill, making high-sides extremely dangerous.

This exact scenario played out during the qualifying round for the 250cc MotoGP race in Mugello. Honda rider Raffaele de Rosa was near the end of a fast lap when the bike lost traction and then quickly snapped back up, very nearly throwing de Rosa off the bike. Obviously a skilled rider, he was able to ride the bike as if it were some sort of rodeo bull, remounting the machine and returning to the pits. Truly amazing, and we highly recommend you click past the break to watch the video. Tip of the hat helmet to Karan!

[Source: Fast Fever]

Continue reading VIDEO: The best motorcycle save you'll see all week

VIDEO: The best motorcycle save you'll see all week originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 03 Jun 2009 19:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>high sidehigh siderhigh-sidehigh-siderHighSidehighsidermotogpmotorcycle crashmotorcycle saveMotorcycleCrashMotorcycleSaveraffaelle de rosaRaffaelleDeRosaWed, 03 Jun 2009 19:58:00 EST<![CDATA[VIDEO: Sometimes it's best to quit while you're ahead]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2008/05/05/video-sometimes-its-best-to-quit-while-youre-ahead/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/05/05/video-sometimes-its-best-to-quit-while-youre-ahead/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/05/05/video-sometimes-its-best-to-quit-while-youre-ahead/#commentsFiled under: ,



Professionals earn pockets full of cheese usually because they do whatever it is they do better, faster, stronger than anyone else. Sometimes, though, they get the big bucks because they'll do something again after having nearly killed themselves the first time. That is: they'll get right back on the horse when a lot of non-professionals would instead grab a gin and tonic and watch reruns of I Love Lucy.

Jorge Lorenzo earned his money and a stay in hospital over the weekend during practice for the MotoGP China Grand Prix. On one run the bike bucked under him coming out of a turn, sending the 21-year-old rider up out of his seat like he was riding a bronco, but he managed to keep the bike upright and moving. On a following run he wasn't so fortunate, highsiding, somersaulting, and suffering a fractured left ankle, a painful right ankle, a cut heel, a knee abrasion, and forearm compression.

But here's where Lorenzo really impresses: he still got on the bike to qualify on Saturday, and came in fourth in Sunday's race. Follow the jump to check out the videos of the bucking incident and the highside. And from now on, the word you're looking for to describe Jorge Lorenzo: pro.

[Source: Axis of Oversteer]

Continue reading VIDEO: Sometimes it's best to quit while you're ahead

VIDEO: Sometimes it's best to quit while you're ahead originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 05 May 2008 13:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>accidentscrashesjorge lorenzoJorgeLorenzomoto gpmoto gp 08MotoGpMotoGp08motorcycle accidentmotorcycle racingMotorcycleAccidentmotorcyclecrashMotorcycleRacingyamaha fiatYamahaFiatMon, 05 May 2008 13:57:00 EST<![CDATA[*POOF* No injuries! - Dainese D-Air suit latest in motorcycle airbag technology]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2008/03/24/poof-no-injuries-motorcycle-airbag-suit/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/03/24/poof-no-injuries-motorcycle-airbag-suit/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/03/24/poof-no-injuries-motorcycle-airbag-suit/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,


Click above to view video

Motorcycles always have that ever-present danger of turning their operators into hamburger should the rider take a spill. Racing crashes are especially nasty, and while leathers do offer protection from road rash, cushioning impacts to the upper torso is key to increasing survivability. Dainese, a manufacturer of cycling equipment, has been working on an airbag system to help riders avoid injury called the D-Air suit. The system relies on accelerometers and gyroscopic sensors embedded in the suit, and when a computer determines there's a need, an upper-body airbag is deployed in less than a half a second. It looks like a similar, although much more complicated design, than the Airbag Jacket by Impact Jackets, which has already saved at least one life that we know about. Of course, this would all be avoidable if people didn't insist on climbing onto a powerful engine supported by the minimum of wheels and zooming around at the highest possible velocity, but what fun is that? Check out video of the Dainese D-Air suit after the jump.

[Source: Winding Road]

Continue reading *POOF* No injuries! - Dainese D-Air suit latest in motorcycle airbag technology

*POOF* No injuries! - Dainese D-Air suit latest in motorcycle airbag technology originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 24 Mar 2008 11:28:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>airbagairbag jacketAirbagJacketairbagsmotorcyclemotorcycle accidentmotorcycle crashmotorcycle racingMotorcycleAccidentMotorcycleCrashMotorcycleRacingmotorcyclesmotorsportsmotorsports safetyMotorsportsSafetyracingracing safetyRacingSafetysafetyMon, 24 Mar 2008 11:28:00 EST<![CDATA[Yamaha and Honda join 12 car makers in testing anti-collision technology]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2008/02/26/yamaha-and-honda-join-12-car-makers-in-testing-anti-collision-te/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/02/26/yamaha-and-honda-join-12-car-makers-in-testing-anti-collision-te/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/02/26/yamaha-and-honda-join-12-car-makers-in-testing-anti-collision-te/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

Some may view safety technologies such as blind-spot warning devices, adaptive cruise control and lane departure warning devices as baby-steps towards the ultimate goal of removing the driver completely from the act of driving. We are not nearly ready to give up our licenses to computers, but enabling vehicles to "speak" to one another so that they "know" where they are might be an acceptable compromise. According to Motorcycle News, Yamaha and the powersports side of Honda have joined forces with 12 automobile manufacturers to make this type of technology a reality. Tests are currently underway in Japan which would alert drivers of impending danger when they might not be aware that a motorcycle is in their line of travel. Still, the next time that we are out for a motorcycle ride, we'll still act as if every other driver is intentionally trying to hit us. It's worked out for us so far.

[Source: Motorcycle News]

Yamaha and Honda join 12 car makers in testing anti-collision technology originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 26 Feb 2008 18:33:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>motorcycle crashmotorcycle-crashmotorcycle-safetyMotorcycleCrashsafetyTue, 26 Feb 2008 18:33:00 EST<![CDATA[An uncrashable motorcycle from BMW?]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2008/01/09/an-uncrashable-motorcycle-from-bmw/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/01/09/an-uncrashable-motorcycle-from-bmw/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/01/09/an-uncrashable-motorcycle-from-bmw/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

BMW has been known to come up with some interesting motorcycle designs, such as the Telelever, Duolever and Paralever suspension configurations. The above image, taken from a recent patent application, proves that the fertile engineering minds at BMW haven't stopped trying to improve the basic two-wheels-and-an-engine ethos of the motorcycle. Using a flexi-frame which pivots and hinges at most any conceivable location, the computer controlled chassis would be able to right itself even when the rider or outside influences would dictate a crash.

We don't have any real specifics to report on, but we'd imagine that some accelerometers and gyros must be in use here... or maybe a Wiimote or two?

Gallery: Uncrashable BMW Motorcycle

[Source: Motorcycle News]

An uncrashable motorcycle from BMW? originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 09 Jan 2008 18:34:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>bmw motorcyclebmw patentbmw-motorcyclebmw-patentBmwMotorcycleBmwPatentmotorcycle crashmotorcycle patentmotorcycle-crashmotorcycle-patentMotorcycleCrashMotorcyclePatentuncrashable motorcycleuncrashable-motorcycleUncrashableMotorcycleWed, 09 Jan 2008 18:34:00 EST