Recording Your Ride – an Introduction to Motorcycle Cameras

Posted on April 24, 2012 by

There are some rides that you wish you could relive again and again, and thankfully there’s a way that you can – with an HD action camera. So whether you’re a pro behind the bars, or relatively new to bikes, recording your rides is a great way to relive experiences, show off your riding skills, or even analyse performance.

Action camera technology is progressing at an astonishing rate, with the vast majority of new models built to the highest specifications, with the newest technology available. This progression has allowed many modern cameras to record in full 1080p HD quality (the best video quality available) while maintaining minimal size and weight.

GoPro, Drift and Replay are some prime examples of camera manufacturers that continue to push the boundaries of action camera technology, and prove extremely popular with bike enthusiasts due their multitude of features and ease of use. Three market-leading models available at the moment include the GoPro HD2 Motorsports Edition, Drift HD and Replay XD 1080, all of which can record in full HD and include additional functionality such as the ability to capture still images at a quality that rivals most point-and-shoot digital cameras.

Your choice in camera will inevitably come down to personal preference, but aside from looks and price, there a number of factors to consider.

Firstly, do you need a camera that will record in full HD? While the option to do so is nice, there are other cameras available (such as the Drift HD 720) which record at a slightly lesser quality, and subsequently have a smaller price tag. While 1080p is preferred by the majority of users, 720p still provides some very high-quality footage.

Secondly, consider the battery life of the camera. While most action cameras average a healthy record time of two-three hours, some have a built in battery, which will render them useless while charging. If you regularly take long rides that exceed the battery life of a camera, you should consider a camera with removable batteries so you can pack plenty of additional juice on long trips.

Additionally, you should think about the size of the memory card you think you will need. Most camera packages will include a 4GB or 8GB card, which will hold around one hour and two hours of full HD footage, respectively. For longer rides, you should consider investing in a bigger card, such as a 16GB or 32GB.

Technology aside, the biggest consideration when buying a motorcyclecamera is where you’re going to mount it. As a general rule, there are two mounting options; on your helmet, or on your bike. Each of these methods provides a very different perspective, and the decision is very much down to personal preference. However, it’s very important that you use the right mount for the job.

If mounting a camera on your helmet, you should use a purpose build helmet mount, built specifically for your model of camera. Likewise, if mounting a camera on your handlebars, for example, be sure to use a bar mount that’s purpose built for the task.

For more information about motor bikecameras, check out www.actioncameras.co.uk.

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Oil is Rising Faster than Cal Crutchlow’s Reputation

Posted on April 24, 2012 by

The price of oil is seemingly rising faster than Cal Crutchlow’s reputation as one of the best motorcyclists in the world, and as a result the price of fuel is going up as well. In many petrol stations around the UK, you’re paying between £1.40 and £1.50 per litre, making getting out on your bike even less possible than it already was due to other commitments.

But why is the price of oil going up and consequently forcing bikers to leave the bike in the garage for another few weeks? Well, quite simply, it’s running out. Oil is more in-demand than ever before – so much so that the Americans, as shown in the infographic below, get through 20 million barrels of the stuff each day!

For more astonishing stats that reflect just why we pay so much for oil and fuel, take a look at this:

Engineering Document Management, Control and Collaboration with McLaren Software

Engineering Document Management, Control and Collaboration with McLaren Software

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The Top Three Biking Roads in Europe

Posted on April 5, 2012 by

When the sun finally pops its head out from behind the clouds, (for a few minutes at least), bikers head straight for the leathers to get out for a long-awaited ride. The opportunity to whizz around the country roads, taking on the twists and turns and really testing their bikes is a great feeling, especially when the British weather makes such chances few and far between.

But once you’ve got your knee down around the country roads nearby and opened it up a bit on the B roads, you want a new challenge. Bikers are always looking for a challenge and while the majority of us will never be Valentino Rossi or Casey Stoner, and might be motorcycle couriers at best, the chance to ride on a road with stunning views, plenty of grip and free from caravans is one that just cannot be missed.

Over the years I’ve been lucky enough to have travelled into Europe on my CBR 600, and I’ve seen some stunning mountain ranges, gorgeous valleys and, of course, been able to really test the Honda to the fullest. I’ve done the European trips on a few occasions now and I’ve been asked by a lot of friends of friends for my opinion on the best ones out there so they can experience similar trips for themselves. So I sat down on a typical rainy afternoon on my day off, (that I booked off to go for a ride ironically), and wrote down my three favourite roads in Europe that every biker just HAS to experience.

The Cat and Fiddle Run – A537 – Macclesfield to Buxton, UK

Cat and Fiddle motorcycle roadIt sounds strange to think that my favourite road in Europe is in the UK, but for sheer experience, the Cat and Fiddle Run has everything. With twists and turns galore and the Cat and Fiddle pub to stop off at and have an orange juice with some of the thousands of bikers who pop in each year, you really can test every part of your bike and ability. Long straights are in short supply but when you can open the throttle you really have to. Then it’s straight back on the brakes for more testing bends. This 11km strip of tarmac has amazing visibility considering its location up in the moors, but once you’ve ridden it once you’ll be going back each year.

The Transfagarasan Highway – Sibiu to Curtea de Arges – Transylvania, Romania

Trans Highway RomaniaFeatured recently by the idiots on Top Gear, The Transfagarasan Highway was dubbed “the best driving road in the world” by that great philosopher Jeremy Clarkson, but believe me, it’s far better on a bike! Running across 35km of Romanian mountains and built at the demand of Ceaucescu, it’s a must-ride in the summer time…because it’s closed during the winter! Beautiful views into the valley, amazing mountains and an undulating road surface that lets you open it up and listen to the engine purr before hauling it in and taking it round the hairpins.

The Amalfi Coast – Naples to Salerno, Italy

Amalfi Coast Motorcycle Rides

Like most Italian roads, it is filled with tourists during peak summer because the views and the area are so spectacular. Typical for Brits, you finally get away from the caravans clogging up the roads and you get stuck behind them in Italy! Once you’re away from Naples you sweep around the bay which takes your breath away and just gets better and better as you pass locations such as the island of Capri. The longest of my three favourites at 50km in length, you have ups, downs, twists and turns in abundance – so many bends that it’s nickname translates in English to “The Road of a Thousand Bends.”

If you get the opportunity to get out on your bike this summer, or better still get the chance to head off into Europe with friends either for a riding holiday or to go to one of the Superbike or MotoGP rounds, make sure you take a sneaky detour through some of these. It’s worth every second and every scrape on your kneeslider!

This article was written by Matt Rawlings, a freelance writer working on behalf of uShip. Matt is a motorcycle fanatic and has written a number of motoring articles ranging from MotoGP reviews to tips for motorcycle couriers and how to get into that industry.

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Riding Gear Review – Oakley Scalpel Sunglasses

Posted on March 30, 2012 by

Finally, riding season is upon us and the weather couldn’t be better! Spring has been outstanding so far and I’m sure we all have a lot of great riding to look forward to this summer. As the weather gets better, we’re all looking at new gear and I thought it’d be fun to write some reviews on some of the new stuff I get. I bought mine from my local Oakley dealer where  I also get all my surf clothing from. Over the years we’ve become mates and they give me discounts here and there.

Oakley Scalpel Sunglasses

I’ve always struggled to ride in the bright sunlight without sun glasses, but I’ve also always struggled to find a pair of sunnies that don’t crumble to bits every time you stuff them under your helmet. I’ve recently decided to go full force and spend some serious money on a pair of Oakley Scalpel Sunglasses. Here’s what I think so far!

So far I’ve had great experiences with my Oakleys – they look F*C*ing awesome and they fit really well. I’ve dropped them a couple of times whilst taking of my helmet and they haven’t even scratched. I guess the old saying is true; “You get what you pay for”.

Here is the official product information should you wish to know more. All I have to say is that if you are willing to spend over £100 on a pair of sun glasses, they really should be Oakleys. No other brand will take such a beating and even if you do manage to break them,  Oakley will replace them for nothing! Just like that!

More Product Information

This is sculpture mixed with science, and there’s a reason behind every curve. The side-to-side contour of a lens can make or break peripheral vision. SCALPEL has a full 8.75 base curvature to open your range of view. That much of a contour leads to optical distortion in ordinary sunglasses but SCALPEL is engineered with XYZ OPTICS to maintain critical clarity along the entire lens curve. You’ll have added protection against sun, wind and side impact. As a matter of fact, this design meets all ANSI Z87.1 basic impact standards, and the pure PLUTONITE lenses filter out 100% of all UV. The optics also meet every ANSI Z87.1 standard for visual performance. So if you hit the links or just crash a beach volleyball game, SCALPEL will give you all the razor-sharp clarity you need.

The smooth sculptural contours are made of durable, lightweight O MATTER frame material, and we gave the stem sleeves special attention. Note how they wrap the ends and continue along the underside. They’re made of UNOBTAINIUM, a material that increases grip with sweat, and they’re part of a Three-Point Fit that maintains comfort all day while holding the lenses in precise optical alignment.

The only thing left to think about is what options you want. Oakley HDPolarized lenses block the blinding rays of glare that are magnified by flat surfaces. Our polarization technology eliminates the haze and optical distortion that plagues ordinary polarized lenses. You can also get SCALPEL with IRIDIUM lens coating that further reduces glare while precisely balancing light transmission. And if you weren’t born with perfect eyes, you can get Oakley Authentic Prescription Lenses (+2.00 to -4.00 combined power).

FRAME:

* Durability and all-day comfort of lightweight, stress-resistant O MATTER frame material
* Comfortably secure fit of UNOBTAINIUM nose pads and stem sleeves that increase grip with perspiration
* Performance and comfort of Oakley Three-Point Fit that holds lenses in precise optical alignment
* Metal icon accents

LENS:

* Optimized peripheral vision and side protection with 8.75 base lens curvature
* Optical clarity, performance and precision that meets ANSI Z87.1 standards
* Protection of impact resistance that meets ANSI Z87.1 basic impact standards
* UV protection of PLUTONITE lenses that filter out 100% of all UVA, UVB, UVC and harmful blue light up to 400nm
* Glare reduction and balanced light transmission of IRIDIUM lens coating (available only on certain lens/frame color combinations)

You can check out more sunglasses at www.nucleus-online.com, they’ve also got cool skate shoes and the best prices on billabong clothing!

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How to Prepare Your Motorcycle for Transport

Posted on January 28, 2012 by

How to Ship Your MotorcycleSometimes you may find yourself having to ship your motorcycle, and whether it’s a short or long distance, you should be prepared. Keep these things in mind before a transport company comes to pick up your bike:
First thing you should do is note any existing damage to your motorcycle. To ensure a hassle-free inspection, give your bike a thorough cleaning. Document any issues the bike might have to avoid any problems in the case of an insurance claim. Key things to look for:

• Are there any cosmetic damages, including chips, dents?
• Does the bike have any mechanical issues?
• Take plenty of pictures, from every angle, to get as much detail as you can.
• Have maintenance or repair records handy in case the transporter requests them.

Keep in mind, that a motorcycle shipper is usually not responsible for any accessories that may be lost or damaged, so to ensure a smooth ride, make sure to remove any loose items from your bike. You might also have a hard time having the insurance company cover those items.

Unless you’re shipping your motorcycle via freight, you will not need to drain the gas, remove the battery, or package the bike prior to shipping. Let the transporter know if the bike is completely non-functioning, otherwise make sure the motorcycle is in good, working condition. Although it’s not common, at times a shipping company many need to turn on a bike to move it from trailer to trailer. If the bike is in working condition, make sure that you at least inflate the tires, charge the battery, and have some gas in the tank. This will also ensure that your recipient has no problems upon delivery.

motorcycle shipping can be a stressful and frustrating experience. However, with proper preparation and the right experienced shipper, things could go a lot smoother.

Uship is an online marketplace that helps people find the lowest price for transporting their motorcycle from hundreds of user-reviewed, trusted shippers across the US and Europe.

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