Autoblog

Slow-mo backwards motorcycle crashes look a lot less painful

Seyth Miersma — Mon, 26 Nov 2012 20:02:00 EST

Riding a motorcycle can be a dangerous business - no two ways about it. And riding hard and fast, on and around the the legendary Mulholland Highway can be riskier still. Especially, as is evident from this exceptionally creepy video, if one happens to be hot-dogging it for on-lookers and cameras.

Of course, motorcycle crash videos are a dime a dozen in this era of YouTube. That's why one enterprising filmmaker has taken a collection of some spectacular lay-downs, and played the tape backwards. What ensues then, in gritty slow-motion detail, is a series of otherworldly looking flops that seem almost gentle thanks to two generic special effects.

Kids, don't do anything you see below of this at home, in either direction. Thanks.

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Watch the See See Motorcycles ladies play tug of war in glorious slow motion

Zach Bowman — Sun, 18 Nov 2012 20:02:00 EST

Filed under: Classics, Videos, Motorcycle, Humor

For the most part, cars shot in slow motion just look like they're going around 12 mph. Unless we're talking about some quivering carbon-fiber monocoque Formula One racer or a thrashing top fuel drag machine, slow motion footage is largely wasted on the mechanical. That rule of thumb doesn't apply to motorcycles, however. The crew from See See Motorcycles recently took time to go play in the dirt, and Greg Schmitt was on hand to capture the chaos in glorious slow-mo.

While the clip includes a good dose of hilarity with riders bolting through piles of leaves and even full bags of flour, we're more taken with a mighty showdown between two dirt-bike-riding ladies. Emily and Tori George square off in a good old-fashioned, high-stakes tug of war using a pair of vintage Hondas for the duel. With what looks to be a big, chilly puddle between the two riders, only one can come out clean. Place your bets, and check out the video below for yourself.

Continue reading Watch the See See Motorcycles ladies play tug of war in glorious slow motion

Watch the See See Motorcycles ladies play tug of war in glorious slow motion originally appeared on Autoblog on Sun, 18 Nov 2012 20:02:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Racing In Slow Motion IV sells the drama

Jonathon Ramsey — Sun, 15 Jul 2012 20:01:00 EST

Filed under: Motorsports, Videos

Things we never tire of: chocolate, stuff we can't mention here, and slo-mo racing footage. YouTube user Matzell 89, whose slow motion compilations we've seen before, has only gotten better at putting these videos together.

The latest effort is called Racing in Slow Motion IV and is almost sixteen minutes of racing that spans disciplines, countries and eras. A Steve McQueen voiceover from the movie Le Mans kicks it off, and the late Moto GP rider Marco Simoncelli closes. In between, it's all awesome. Have a watch below.

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Racing In Slow Motion IV sells the drama originally appeared on Autoblog on Sun, 15 Jul 2012 20:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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24 Hours of Le Mans is even cooler in high-def slo-mo

Jonathon Ramsey — Sat, 23 Jun 2012 09:01:00 EST

Filed under: Motorsports, Videos

We're not finished with the 24 Hours of Le Mans yet, and this could be the best of it: fifteen minutes of race action in super slow motion. You'll see a Corvette spitting flames and another dragging pieces, an Audi on three wheels, a Nissan on three tires, and how kerbs and G-forces put wear on suspensions and carbon-fiber tubs.

It's more uplifting than the crashes that were last week's news, but just as riveting. The video's posted below.

Continue reading 24 Hours of Le Mans is even cooler in high-def slo-mo

24 Hours of Le Mans is even cooler in high-def slo-mo originally appeared on Autoblog on Sat, 23 Jun 2012 09:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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All the slow-motion supermoto action you can stand

Zach Bowman — Wed, 02 May 2012 19:28:00 EST

Filed under: Performance, Videos, Motorcycle, Off-Road

We've been desperately trying to put our finger on what makes the idea of a supermoto so attractive, and we may have finally figured it out. The bikes are perfect all-purpose machines, equally at home dismantling stretches of mountain tarmac as they are bashing through the woods.

Wildly controllable, lightweight and even fuel-efficient, the bikes are the perfect two-wheeled mode of transportation for the impending apocalypse. Don't believe us? Take a look at the quick video after the jump. The clip features plenty of supermoto goodness, all shot at 120 and 300 frames per second.

That means we get to watch the bikes kick sideways in beautiful slow motion, both on dry pavement and wet mud. The video is four and a half minutes of two-wheeled goodness, and a welcome break for the middle of the week. Scroll down to enjoy the show for yourself.

Continue reading All the slow-motion supermoto action you can stand

All the slow-motion supermoto action you can stand originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 02 May 2012 19:28:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Watch a burning Midget flip at 1,000 frames-per-second

Chris Shunk — Wed, 01 Feb 2012 14:57:00 EST

Filed under: Convertible, Performance, Etc., Videos, UK, MISC

Why is it that everything looks cooler in slow motion? And the slower the better, especially when you're dealing with one of those new-fangled high frame rate super cameras. Case in point? When you add a MG Midget, a serious amount of explosives and a 1,000 frame per second camera and you have some very compelling YouTube footage.

Hit the jump to look on as Speed TV's Stuntbusters lay waste to what looks like a rather tired (and likely non-running) MG. There is nothing but really slow demolition and some Mary Lou Retton-style tumbling, but it's totally worth your 1:09.

Continue reading Watch a burning Midget flip at 1,000 frames-per-second

Watch a burning Midget flip at 1,000 frames-per-second originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 01 Feb 2012 14:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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James Stewart and Red Bull hit the Motocross track in slow-mo

Jeremy Korzeniewski — Fri, 06 Jan 2012 19:29:00 EST

Filed under: Motorsports, Videos, Motorcycle, Celebrities, Off-Road

Following up on the two-wheeled slow-motion theme in 2012, Red Bull is highlighting two-time motocross champion James Stewart and his factory Yamaha race bike. We've already seen a couple of Honda-mounted MotoGP riders at 1,000 frames per second, so it only seems appropriate to see what super slow motion looks like on the dirt.

Bubba makes it look easy when viewed frame-by-frame at these speeds, but, as anyone who's ever thrown a leg over a motocross bike's saddle some 40-inches above the ground will tell you, there's nothing easy about it. Whether skimming the top of the whoops, railing through a tight turn or flying through the air like an acrobat on wheels, we're simply in awe of Stewart's abilities aboard his dark blue steed.

We highly suggest you click past the break to watch the video, it's well worth your time.

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James Stewart and Red Bull hit the Motocross track in slow-mo originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 06 Jan 2012 19:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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High-speed camera slows Jaime Alguersuari's Toro Rosso way down

Noah Joseph — Fri, 19 Aug 2011 14:58:00 EST

Filed under: Motorsports, Technology, Videos

The word "slow" doesn't often factor into F1 racing, where everything moves fast. The cars move fast, the pit crews have to move fast, even the cameras have to move fast to keep up with the action. But lately things have been slowing down. Not because of restrictions on performance, which at best manage to hold back the tides temporarily as technology outpaces legislation, but with the use of new camera technology.

With high-speed, high-frame-rate video technology, cameras are able to slow the action way down to let us see all the details we'd normally miss because they're just happening too darn fast. One camera crew went down to the Misano World Circuit with such a setup to film Jaime Alguersuari doing his thing with a Scuderia Toro Rosso grand prix car. Follow the jump to watch the stunning frame-by-frame results at the very limit of traction.

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High-speed camera slows Jaime Alguersuari's Toro Rosso way down originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 19 Aug 2011 14:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Casey Stoner leans his MotoGP bike at 1,000 frames per second

Jeremy Korzeniewski — Wed, 13 Jul 2011 14:58:00 EST

Filed under: Motorsports, Videos, Honda, Motorcycle, Racing

Casey Stoner in slow motion - Click above to watch the video after the break

Modern technology offers us some truly amazing experiences that we'd otherwise never be able to comprehend. Take, for instance, cameras. At its beginning, the camera was a novel invention that allowed mankind to capture brief images in time and record memories in a real, physical form.

Now, cameras have taken on a whole new dimension that adds a great deal of interest to everyday life. Especially since imaging went digital, we've managed to create ridiculously impressive devices that can literally slow real-life action to a level that shows details undetectable to the naked eye. Amazing stuff.

Equally as impressive are today's racing motorcycles. Though MotoGP bikes, such as the Repsol-sponsored Honda ridden by Casey Stoner, aren't exactly accessible to the Average Joe, when combined with the kinds of cameras we were just considering... well, a whole new world of seemingly incomprehensible action is opened up.

To see what we mean, we suggest you check out the video after the break. Our sincere thanks goes out to Red Bull for offering up this otherworldly clip.

Continue reading Casey Stoner leans his MotoGP bike at 1,000 frames per second

Casey Stoner leans his MotoGP bike at 1,000 frames per second originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 13 Jul 2011 14:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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This is what a tire looks like exploding in slow-motion

Zach Bowman — Fri, 08 Jul 2011 19:31:00 EST

Filed under: Safety, Videos

The dangers of an exploding tire - Click above to watch video after the jump

As anyone who's been near a big rig that's lost a tire on the interstate will tell you, rubber under pressure can cause some serious damage. In an effort to promote shop safety, the crew from Branick Nitrogen put together a quick video showing just what kind of havoc overinflating a tire can cause inside of a garage. Apparently, this kind of scenario causes more than its share of accidental deaths around the world. After watching the footage, we can certainly believe it. In this case, it looks as if the bead lock separates from the rim itself, creating two large metal projectiles in addition to plenty of rubber shrapnel.

Fortunately, the tire in question was housed in a protective cage designed to handle this exact sort of situation. The force of the failure actually causes the cage to be ripped from its anchors and the metal structure suffers dearly at the hands of physics. Hit the jump to see the chaos for yourself.

Continue reading This is what a tire looks like exploding in slow-motion

This is what a tire looks like exploding in slow-motion originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 08 Jul 2011 19:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Video: Chevy serves up super slo-mo testing footage

Jonathon Ramsey — Fri, 14 May 2010 11:29:00 EST

Filed under: Videos, Chevrolet

Chevy's Dept. 180 slo-mo footage - Click above to watch video after the jump

Chevrolet's Dept. 180 video series follows Bowtie engineers as they test the quality of the brand's vehicles by taking extreme measures, and there are some pretty interesting behind-the-scenes tidbits that make a Chevy a Chevy. But this vid is without doubt the best: Dept. 180 did the super slo-mo routine on its finest clips, shot at 900 or 1,000 frames-per-second, and strung them all together. It might be the best Chevy commercial we've ever seen. Follow the jump for the action.

[Source: Chevy]

Continue reading Video: Chevy serves up super slo-mo testing footage

Video: Chevy serves up super slo-mo testing footage originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 14 May 2010 11:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Video: Super slo-mo R/C cars lose all sense of scale

Zach Bowman — Tue, 06 Apr 2010 12:29:00 EST

Filed under: Motorsports, Etc., Videos, Subaru, Toys/Games

R/C cars in slow motion - Click above for the video after the jump

As Dave Chapelle irrefutably proved in 2004, everything is better in slow motion. Similarly, scale race cars are nearly always more interesting than the real deal, partially because any Joe can afford a WRC Subaru that runs off of glow fuel or electric power, and also because sliding a 1/10th remote-controlled car into a ditch is never really "game over" for the day. Plus, as Nissan Canada recently proved with its spot for the 2010 Sentra SE-R, it's hard to tell the little guys from the real deal on film.

So what happens when the you combine scale R/C cars and slow motion? Pure gold, friends. Aside from seeing their Lexan body shells deflect and bend under the bristling power of tiny motors, we also get our minds blown with just how real these things look. Throw in a slightly out-of-focus image, a perfectly designed course and good looking car, and you could nearly replicate your favorite WRC footage. Hop the jump to see for yourself.

[Source: Awdsome via YouTube]

Continue reading Video: Super slo-mo R/C cars lose all sense of scale

Video: Super slo-mo R/C cars lose all sense of scale originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 06 Apr 2010 12:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Video: The most beautiful seatbelt advocacy commercial ever?

Chris Paukert — Fri, 05 Feb 2010 14:58:00 EST

Filed under: Government/Legal, Safety, Videos, UK

Embrace Life PSA - click above to watch the video

Over the years, we've seen plenty of public safety announcements that tackle the issue of buckling up behind the wheel. Most rely on fear to convey their message - be it fear of a police citation ("Click it or ticket") or the menace of graphic violence, dismemberment and death.

This slow-motion spot from the Sussex Safer Roads Partnership, however, takes a different tack without sacrificing its effectiveness or drama, all while adding an unexpected element of artistry and grace to go along with the obligatory heartstring-tugging. (And before you ask, yes, it most certainly reminds us of a certain incredible Radiohead music video). Check it out after the jump and see if you don't agree. Hat tip to Duy!

[Source: Sussex Safer Roads Partnership via YouTube]

Continue reading Video: The most beautiful seatbelt advocacy commercial ever?

Video: The most beautiful seatbelt advocacy commercial ever? originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 05 Feb 2010 14:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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VIDEO: Why? Dude blows up diecast cars in slow-mo

Chris Shunk — Mon, 23 Nov 2009 15:00:00 EST

Filed under: Etc., Videos, Toys/Games

Click above to watch the video after the jump

We'll tell you exactly why, because it's a lot of fun. We know, because we had a similar experience in late adolescence, but we used GI Joe vehicles (even the awesome hovercraft) and firecrackers. But what we didn't have back then was a 600 fps camera, but lucky for us, people do now... and they have YouTube to share it with the rest of us.

After the jump is video of diecast cars getting blown sky high with what appears to be some relatively large explosive. What makes this little experiment so much fun is that our mini pyrotechnician friend captured the carnage 20 times slower than conventional video, giving us a crystal clear picture of every blast. And to make the one minute video that much more entertaining, the creator cut his masterpiece to one of the best pieces of music any aspiring video editor can use in a disaster sequence; Ode To Joy. Hit the jump to watch the video for yourself, and keep in mind that blowing things up can lead to blowing off fingers and shrapnel in the eye, so don't try this at home!

[Source: YouTube]

Continue reading VIDEO: Why? Dude blows up diecast cars in slow-mo

VIDEO: Why? Dude blows up diecast cars in slow-mo originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 23 Nov 2009 15:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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VIDEO: So that's what it looks like! -- Slo-Mo combustion closeup

Dan Roth — Fri, 27 Apr 2007 19:26:00 EST

Filed under: Etc., Technology, Videos

We all learn the theory of what happens inside an internal combustion engine; a mixture of fuel and air is ignited by a short electric spark. Some people describe the ensuing event as an explosion, but the ideal is a controlled burn, but it's still so fast that it could be confused for an uncontrolled explosion. An engine is a practical application of thermodynamics, when it comes right down to it. The piston moves by the pressure exerted by the burning fuel mixture, and as the piston moves down the bore, pressure reduces, and work is extracted from the fuel.

Of course, there's a lot more to it, but that's the basics. We're sure you had a little animated diagram dancing around in your head the first time you really tried to understand the common Otto cycle. My mental flash player still fires up when I'm trying to figure out different cycles like the Atkinson. Wouldn't it be great to actually see inside the cylinder during combustion events? No, we didn't videotape our lawnmower with a Colortune plug -- this technique is far fancier.

Video and technique info after the jump

[Source: Hemmings]

Continue reading VIDEO: So that's what it looks like! -- Slo-Mo combustion closeup

VIDEO: So that's what it looks like! -- Slo-Mo combustion closeup originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 27 Apr 2007 19:26:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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