As 2008 winds to a close, many auto companies are looking back at the global economic disaster that is unfolding and trying to figure out where to go from here.  Honda is no exception.

I’ve been going through Honda’s 2008 Year-End CEO Speech, and they have been hit pretty hard by the credit crunch.  Granted, they are in a much better position than GM and Chrysler, but they do expect their auto sales to fall about 7% next year.

But here’s the interesting thing: They expect that motorcycle sales will increase by 10.5%.  It appears that this is due to the large motorcycle-based societies in Asia, Oceania and South America.

Motorcycles have historically performed well for Honda, especially in the tough times.  It’s great to see that they are looking to invest more money and R&D into something that is, in my opinion, the greenest of the green vehicles: electric motorcycles.

According to Honda’s CEO, they are hard at work on a battery-powered electric motorcycle.

“Honda is currently developing a battery-powered electric motorcycle which emits no CO₂ during operation, because the characteristics of a battery can be better utilized in the area of motorcycles, which are often used for short distance travel. Honda is aiming to introduce this electric motorcycle to the market about two years from now.”

Here’s why this is so cool…  Motorcycles, being lightweight and small, require very little energy to get moving.  Low energy needs means that you can use smaller batteries than you would need for a heaver electric car.  Also, since motorcycles are mainly used for short-distance travel, you’re helped out a bit more because you need less battery capacity than if you traveled long distances.

Small batteries are good: Quicker charge time, lighter weight, and they’re (obviously) smaller.

Also, one thing that most people who talk about electric vehicles don’t mention is that they have wicked torque.  Electric motors have full torque from 0 rpm, something that internal combustion engines can’t even dream of matching.

(Just watch the footage of the KillaCycle, the Tesla Roadster and the T-Zero below for proof of the torque that electric motors can provide)

For more technical details on electric motors, HowStuffWorks.com has a great description.

Honda believes that they will have an electric motorcycle ready for market in 2010 or 2011.

Now, I have to believe that there’s a large political push for this also. Not just for the “green” aspect, but a huge amount of US government investment has been placed on electric vehicle and battery improvements. It’s probably the only reason why Chevy was even working on the Volt.  Regardless, it’s a move in the right direction.

I am really happy to see Honda making this step.  With their experience, I have no doubt that they will be able to make great progress and give us some FUN bikes.

Thanks To:

Gizmag, Honda Worldwide, KillaCycle, Tesla Motors, AC Propulsion, HowStuffWorks.com, Wired.com

Technorati Tags: Electric Motorcycles, Honda Motorcycles

Have you heard of Milt and Dylan Weiss? They are the brains behind the groundbreaking video series “Twist the Throttle”.  The series was released early 2008 on Dicovery Turbo, Discovery Channel’s free online video system.  They look at the basic history of several motorcycle manufacturers and their design inspiration.  Dylan and Milt then discuss the technical design and test drive new bikes from the manufacturers.

If you haven’t seen it yet, I highly suggest checking it out!

To spread the motorcycle love, Discovery has decided to put the “Twist the Throttle” series over the air waves.  Starting in January 2009, they will begin showing the full series on Discovery HD Theater.  Even better, they will be adding new footage to the show.

Here are the manufacturers that they will be showing, and their air dates:

• Honda Motorcycles - Monday, January 5th
• Ducati Motorcycles - Monday, January 12th
• BMW Motorcycles - Monday, January 19th
• Kawasaki Motorcycles - Monday, January 26th
• Suzuki Motorcycles - Monday, February 2nd
• MV Agusta Motorcycles - Monday, February 9th
• Bimota Motorcycles/Alpinestars - Monday, February 16th
• Yamaha Motorcycles - Monday, February 23rd

I give my contratulations to Milt and Dylan, and look forward to more great content from Cry Havoc Productions!  You can check out Dylan’s blog, Twisting Asphalt, here. However, I have just one question: When are you going to do a show on Triumph?  They are the world’s oldest continuous-production motorcycle manufacturer…

Just my thoughts. 

-Kris

Thanks to:

Cry Havoc Productions, Twisting Asphalt, Discovery Communications, Road Racing World, Autoblog, Discovery Turbo, Honda Motorcycles, Ducati Motorcycles, BMW Motorcycles, Kawasaki Motorcycles, Suzuki Motorcycles , MV Agusta Motorcycles, Bimota Motorcycles/Alpinestars , Yamaha Motorcycles

Technorati Tags: alpinestars, bimota motorcycles, BMW Motorcycles, ducati motorcycle, kawasaki motorcycles, mv agusta motorcycles, suzuki motorcycles, yamaha motorcycles

2009 BMW AirFlow Suit

BMW Motorcycles UK has released their 2009 rider’s gear line, and I have to say that at first glance it’s hit-and-miss.  I expect the quality to be outstanding, as BMW is well known for, but I first have to make a plea:

“BMW, would it kill you to put a little color on your gear?  No, black, white and armpit gray don’t count.“

Now that I got that out of the way, I have to disclose to you that I’m an American wanker…

Now that the air is finally clear, I’ve looked at the gear a little closer, it’s starting to grow on me.  Looking at the helmet, it also seems quite well featured.

According to BMW, the 2009 System 6 Helmet is another folding helmet, but they have put in a new hinge mechanism which holds the chin section closer to the helmet while it is open.  Unfortunately, I couldn’t find any pictures of the helmet while it is open.  (If anyone has any, post a comment below and I’ll put them up.)

The System 6 also has a nifty integrated sunscreen that can be quickly adjusted by using a slider with your left from outside the helmet.  You can see the sun screen in the photo below.

No word yet on whether it will be available in the US, but I am guessing a strong “No” based on past experience.

2009 BMW System 6 Helmet

On the purely aesthetic side, I do like the look of the BMW System 6 helmet over the System 5 helmet. The color and shape of the chin bar on the System 5 always makes me think that it was designed by parrots.

2008 BMW System 5 Helmet

Conure Riding a Motorcycle

For the women, I am impressed with BMW’s new Trailguard Suit.  If you like brown and white with patches of neon yellow, it has a classic style that grabs the eye.  Maybe it’s the belt that brings everything together.  (The fashion expert that I am…)

2009 BMW Trailguard Suit

Thanks to: London Bikers, BMW Motorcycles UK, Zoo-IQ, Ride It Like You Stole It, K-Bikes.com

Technorati Tags: bmw motorcycle accessories, bmw motorcycle clothing, bmw motorcycle helmets

For those British bike lovers out there (myself included), I wanted to tell you about a video that was just released: Best of British Triumph DVD from Duke Video.

Dubbed as “The Full and In-Depth Story” by the film’s producers, this bear-all video highlights the rise, fall, and resurrection of the “World’s longest continuous production motorcycle manufacturer.”

Here are some action shots of the 2009 Street Triple R from the film.

For those of you who aren’t familiar with Triumph history, here are some quick facts:

Triumph motorcycles dates back to 1885 when the 20-year old Sigfried Bettman began importing bicycles from Germany to England.  Over the next 40 years, Triumph grew from a small bicycle importer to one of the England’s leading motorcycle and car manufacturers.

1905 Triumph

Triumph has survived through the Great Depression, World War II (where their factory was devastated by the German bombings), and a series of bankruptcys and mergers that eventually ended in bankruptcy for Triumph itself in 1983.  Triumph was purchased by John Bloor and began the long path to recovery that same year.

Fast forward to today:

• Triumph has become the best selling brand of motorcycle in Australia.
• The Daytona 675 has won “Motorcycle of the Year” several years and is the only motorcycle to win the MasterBike and Supertest “King of the Supersport” titles three years in a row.
• The 2004 Triumph Rocket III became the world’s largest production motorcycle with a 2300 cc inline three motor.
• The “Bonneville” name turns 50 years old.
• Triumph is recognized as “World’s Longest Continuous Production Motorcycle Manufacturer.”
  

  2004 Triumph Rocket III

If you have a Triumph lover in your life, the Best of British Triumph DVD could be the ultimate gift.  I know that I’m asking for it.  =)

Thanks to:

Significant Motorcycles in Triumph History, Triumph Motorcycles - Wikipedia, Duke Video - Best of British DVD

Technorati Tags: motorcycle dvd, triumph history, triumph motorcycle accessories, triumph motorcycles

I came across this wickedly wild bike today.  100% speed, 150% bad ass, and 200% do-not-get-in-my-way-or-I-WILL-gun-you-down…  Inspired by the A-10 Thunderbolt II (aka Warthog) attack plane, this beautiful bike sports a number of custom motorcycle accessories: an 800 watt MTX stereo, an 8-inch LCD screen, and a rear-view camera.

But this work of art isn’t all show.  It put down a massive 188 rear wheel hp on the dyno, and was built to “epitomize the Icon mentality of performance“.  If the looks and numbers are any indication, I think Icon pulled it off.  Well, even if they didn’t, at least they can gun down those Hummers, er… tanks, that cut them off in traffic.

Personally, I think my favorite touch is the jet engine inspired exhaust.

While this bike is a one-off mod of a 2007 Kawasaki ZX-10R and won’t be available for sale (as far as I know), Icon will be selling a motorcycle helmet inspired by the bike.  The helmet comes in both green and black, and looks very sharp.

There are some great pictures below of the bike, and a video promo of the new helmet (the bike isn’t in it, unfortunately).

Let me know what you think!

Technorati Tags: Custom Motorcycle Accessories, Icon Motorcycle Helmets, Kawasaki Motorcycle Accessories, Kawasaki ZX-10R

Hello, and welcome to the Motorcycle Accessories blog at VelocityAccessories.com.

My name is Kris Hardy, and I am the President and Founder of Velocity Accessories.  While we are hard at work on our main site, I wanted to set up a blog in order to meet other motorcycle lovers out there, and show you all what we are about.

We will also be discussing motorcycle news and new products that will help you have the best ride of your life each and every time you’re out on your motorbike.

If you come across any great articles, products or news, please let us know!  We’d love to take a look at it!

Wishing you your best ride ever…

-Kris

Technorati Tags: suzuki motorcycle accessories, triumph motorcycle accessories, velocity accessories, yamaha motorcycle accessories