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Honda Announces the New Dual Clutch Transmission for Use in Large-displacement Sport Bikes – a World’s First
September 8, 2009-Honda Motor Co., Ltd. today announced that it has developed the Dual Clutch Transmission, the world’s first* fully automatic motorcycle dual-clutch transmission for large-displacement sport bikes. The new transmission provides riders with a sporty riding experience, combined with easy operation and superior transmission efficiency, which delivers fuel economy equal to or better than a conventional manual transmission. The new VFR large-displacement sport bike equipped with the new transmission will be released in Europe and North America in 2010, with sales to commence in Japan at a later date.
This world’s first motorcycle dual clutch transmission** features a light, compact design that allows it to be combined with existing engines without substantial layout modification. Further, the new transmission delivers the precise acceleration control which riders require thanks to electronic control technology that helps ensure smooth, seamless gear changes. In order to respond to rider demands in a broad range of situations, the transmission is equipped with three operating modes, including two full-auto modes (D-mode for regular operation and S-mode for sporty riding); and a 6-speed manual mode, which delivers the same shift feel as a manual transmission. Honda intends to gradually expand the deployment of the new transmission to more and more of its large-displacement motorcycles, particularly sports models destined for use in traditional large motorcycle markets.
Honda will continue to deliver motorcycles that match the needs of society and users’ lifestyles, spreading the joy of riding and mobility.
* According to Honda survey
** Patents pending: 100
Key Features
The new transmission features a dual clutch transmission configuration in which independent clutches are employed for the odd gears (1st, 3rd, 5th) and even gears (2nd, 4th, 6th), respectively. The two clutches operate alternately to effect gear changes. For example, when changing from 1st to 2nd gear, the computer detects the up-shift and engages 2nd gear, then releases the 1st-gear clutch while engaging the 2nd-gear clutch to achieve a seamless gear change. While some existing dual-clutch transmissions are bulky, the new system employs original technologies such as dual input shafts, an innovative in-line clutch design, and concentration of hydraulic circuitry beneath the engine cover to achieve a compact design. Compactness and lightness is further enhanced through the use of a simple shift mechanism design based on that of a conventional motorcycle shift drum. Optimised shift scheduling achieves fuel economy equal to or better than that of a fully manual transmission, enabling Dual Clutch Transmission to deliver both sporty riding and environmental performance combined
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It’s built by Peraves AG Winterthur in Switzerland with a BMW powertrain, A/C, CD player, navigation and cruise control and will go from Zero to Sixty in less then 5 seconds. All why getting 57 mpg. If your wondering how it balances while stationary, It has a computer-controlled stabilizer system that deploys little “training wheels’ in less than half a second. Check out the video below.
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Summary
The TireGard wireless TPMS, or Tire Pressure Monitoring System is easy to use, light weight and accurate, but expensive.
Read the full review from Web Bike World. http://www.webbikeworld.com/r4/tiregard-wireless-tpms/
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Garmin | Newsroom | Press Releases
OLATHE, Kan./July 3, 2009/BUSINESS WIRE — Garmin International Inc., a unit of Garmin Ltd. (NASDAQ: GRMN), the global leader in satellite navigation, today announced it has expanded its relationship with BMW Motorrad and the companies have developed the next generation BMW Motorrad Navigator, the Navigator IV, a motorcycle-friendly GPS navigator that is based on Garmin’s zūmo™ 660. The BMW Motorrad Navigator IV takes the best of Garmin’s navigation technology and adds exclusive, BMW specific features such as a customized mount, preloaded BMW dealer database, unique audio and Bluetooth handling capabilities, and more.
“Garmin and BMW are known within their respective industries for providing high-quality, high-end products with superior customer satisfaction and support,” said Roger Jollis, Garmin’s director of OEM and mobile marketing. “By equipping BMW motorcycles with the BMW Motorrad Navigator IV, riders can let the GPS device deliver spoken turn-by-turn instructions while they focus on the road and enjoy a worry-free ride.”
Read the full article here Garmin | Newsroom | Press Releases.
Comments rss TrackbackThursday, 30 July 2009 06:51
If lightning doesn’t strike twice, do two SPOT devices initiate rescues at the same time in the middle of nowhere? Well, that happened on Thursday, July 23, 2009 in the mountains of Strathcona Park, British Columbia, Canada. Two separate sets of hikers were each found within about five kilometers of one another after activating their SPOT Messengers. Read the complete story published by the Comox Valley Echo by clicking Read More.
High Tech Device Helps Save Hikers
By Marcel Tetrault, Comox Valley Echo, July 28, 2009
It was a rare mountain rescue for the RCMP helicopter on Thursday.
But it wasn’t just one rescue — thanks to a satellite-tracking device, police were able to rescue two separate sets of hikers on the same day.
The hikers — one group of three and a solo hiker — were each found within about five kilometres of one another in the mountains of Strathcona Park after activating their Spot satellite messenger GPS devices.
“It’s kind of bizarre in that huge country,” said Comox Valley RCMP Spokesperson Const. Tammy Douglas, about the close proximity of the two rescues.
“For two to happen in one day, four people rescued safely because of this device, it kind of just goes to show you. I tell you, I don’t think I’d be out there without one.”
The RCMP helicopter was dispatched after the first locator beacon was detected on July 23.
The trip was to be the initial scouting mission to determine whether or not ground or air search-and-rescue crews should be called in.
“Because they had a GPS coordinate … (the pilot) ended up just finding them on his own,” said Douglas.
“He landed the helicopter and shut it down and then sort of yelled and ended up hearing these guys yelling way up on the mountaintop. He could see them from a distance and then he knew where to go to pick them up. It was a fairly precarious ledge there that he landed on.”
The group, one adult male and two 13-year-old boys from Victoria, had spent the night atop the mountain after being unable to descend to their base camp the day before.
“They realized that, I think, going up was a lot easier than coming down,” said Douglas. “They didn’t have ropes or anything with them so they were unable to get back down.”
Shortly after plucking the three males off the mountain and dropping them off in a nearby parking lot, a second locator beacon was detected east of Donner Lake.
A Nanaimo man had activated that beacon after five days of hiking. He had been unable to find the trail he was looking for and, once he realized he did not have enough food and supplies for the hike back, used the device to call 9-1-1.
The GPS Spot device has three buttons: check-in, ask for help, or dispatch 9-1-1.
The experienced hiker was soon located.
The incidents mark the first and second times that the local RCMP helicopter has been dispatched due to signals from GPS Spot devices.
Full link to article text found here.
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By Adam Pash
Even though your iPhone snaps pictures at pretty decent resolutions (2048×1536 from the 3GS, 1600×1200 on previous iPhone versions), your device automatically resizes photos to a measly 800×600 when you go to email them. Here’s how to fix that.
The resized pictures may be enough under certain circumstances, but if you want your pics to make it through your email in their full glory, it’s a simple matter of copy and paste.
As weblog Geek stuff points out, the resizing only happens when you share photos from your photo library via your iPhone’s traditional Share button—which imports the resized pictures into an empty email. Instead of taking that route, either tap and hold on a single picture and then tap copy or select multiple pictures in album view and tap the Copy button at the bottom of your screen. Then head back to the home screen, fire up Mail, compose a new email, and paste the photos into the new message. Rather than the smaller, resized pictures, you’ll get the full resolution versions. Good to know!
Email Full-Resolution Photos from the iPhone [Geek stuff via Just Another iPhone Blog]
Send Photos in Full Resolution from Your iPhone – iPhone 3.0 – Lifehacker.
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SPOT Expands Product Line with the New SPOT Satellite GPS Messenger – 30% Smaller and Lighter Offering Advanced Capabilities and Feature-Rich Enhancements
SALT LAKE CITY, UT – (July 21, 2009) —SPOT LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Globalstar, Inc. (NASDAQ: GSAT) and a leader in personal satellite messaging and emergency communications today introduced its new SPOT Satellite GPS Messenger™. The new SPOT Satellite GPS Messenger™ is 30% smaller and lighter than the original SPOT Satellite personal tracker, offers additional custom messaging modes, and uses a state-of-the-art GPS chipset and satellite communications to provide enhanced reliability and performance. SPOT LLC is showcasing its line of products and services this week at the Outdoor Retailer Summer Market Conference in booth number 36191 at the Salt Palace Convention Center in Salt Lake City, Utah.
“Since market introduction, the award-winning original SPOT has initiated more than 250 rescues and sent millions of peace-of-mind and track-me messages around the world. We have listened to our customers’ suggestions and are proud to introduce today the second-generation SPOT Satellite GPS Messenger with its increased features and utility,” said Darren Bassel, director of global marketing, SPOT LLC. “Today’s announcement further demonstrates our continued commitment to expand our product line and develop integrated services like SPOT Assist roadside assistance providing advanced personal satellite communications to increase safety for our customers on a daily basis.” The new SPOT Satellite GPS Messenger™ will include the following new features designed to enhance customer usability:
The new model includes globally recognized symbols for its message buttons to accommodate use in international markets and stimulate distribution to a growing customer base in North and South America, Europe, Asia and Australia.
“The active outdoor enthusiasts such as hikers, boaters, pilots, riders, remote workers and travelers will continue to enjoy the new SPOT Satellite GPS Messenger ™ for its ruggedness while its smaller compact size and weight is ideal for portable use,” continues Bassel. “The smaller size and ease-of-use will appeal to our broader consumer markets including the family on-the-go or anyone who spends time in the areas with unreliable cellular service.”Equipped with two, notification LED’s and six function buttons the new SPOT Satellite GPS Messenger™ transmits activated messages based on varying levels of need:
Since market introduction, the award-winning SPOT Satellite GPS Messenger™ has initiated more than 250 rescues and sent over 10 million peace-of-mind and track-me messages around the world. As of March 31, 2009 the Company had received orders to ship more than 120,000 units and it currently has a growing global network of more than 8,000 points of distribution.
Availability:
The new SPOT Satellite GPS Messenger(TM) is scheduled to be available at select retailers later this fall. To find a SPOT retailer in the United States please visit the SPOT dealer locator at http://findmespot.com/en/locateadealer/
.SPOT Unveils Next Generation Satellite GPS Messenger at Outdoor Retailer.
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