Racing continues to be one of the main forms of research for helmet builders. If a racer’s head can ricochet of the pavement at speeds up to 200 mph, and walk away headache free, the helmet he or she was wearing did a job well done.

Much time goes into creating a design built upon safety; sometimes, it’s a 24/7 thing. One company that has always remained focused on utmost safety in racing has been Arai. The iconic Japanese manufacturer offers helmets that are virtually 100-percent handmade, and has earned the number-one ranking in J.D. Power and Associates’ Motorcycle Helmet Customer Satisfaction Study for 10 consecutive years.

Arai is making the headlines yet again, but this time the company founded in 1926 is catering to the everyday street rider. The new lid, the RX-Q, is not marketed as a “whole new helmet,” but rather a “whole new class of helmet.” The RX prefix is already well-known within the Arai community. After the RX-7 was introduced in the early 80s, the model became the design of choice, other manufactures immediately following. Because the new RX-Q has a new mission, Arai says the RX prefix was a natural.

Arai says the RX-Q is “a helmet purpose-built to be the ultimate street helmet, to set a new benchmark in street comfort, quiet, ventilation and stability, every feature optimized for the conditions, speeds and environment of the real world. A helmet for the other top-of-the-line models to compete against.”

Arai says it’s a Corsair-V for the street, one that’s aimed at the “pro street rider, experienced, not a poser…one who can readily feel and appreciate the differences built into this thing, who reels of mega-miles no matter which way the road flexes, on every kind and style of bike.”

The key features of the new RX-Q include:

A new level of stability, quiet, and comfort in a road helmet.

Extremely wide peripheral view for better visibility and awareness of the world around you. The RX-Q    uses the same new wider-eyeport SAI faceshield as the Corsair-V, 5 mm wider on each side.

Even more comfort. The RX-Q’s truly-unique, newly-sculpted cheekpad shape cradles the head from underneath for a level of comfort Arai says needs to be felt to be believed. The new cheekpad has more surface area, and moves away from the typical “pressure fit” to a more “comfort fit” based on the design’s “cradle” support for the jaws. The result is a more secure fit in a more comfortable package. The design was influenced by Arai’s F-1 drivers, the most demanding of all for fit.

Very, very quiet. Again, a result of the new cheekpad design. The sculpted flange under the jaw also blocks more noise entering the helmet from underneath – the major source of helmet noise – by creating a better noise seal. This, combined with new sound-deadening foam in the cheekpad, gives you an extremely quiet helmet. Plus, the cheekpad also has Arai’s innovative Emergency Cheekpad Removal System.

All this innovation and benefit from a simple cheekpad. Except that in Arai’s world, no part of a helmet is “simple.” This unique new cheekpad is nothing short of a marvel, very labor intensive and costly to make. In fact, the design utilizes 12 separate pieces specifically placed, by hand, by Arai’s skilled crafts-people.

The RX-Q’s advanced ventilation combines more efficiency with even less interior noise. Arai’s ability to further refine proven designs to increase helmet performance proves that you don’t have to reinvent the wheel to make substantial improvements.  While not very “aggressive” looking, the vents are extremely efficient, flowing huge volumes of air through the interior to improve ventilation at road speeds, not race speeds. Not a lot of vent holes – just the right ones, in the right size, in the right place.

A uniquely-designed lower Hyper Ridge circles the shell bottom to improve strength and aerodynamics. It’s also designed to lower the center-of-gravity for an exceptionally light feeling on your head. And a larger bottom opening makes for easier on-off without enlarging the helmet.

New more aerodynamic upper and side exhaust vent cowling, sculpted to enhance stability while increasing exhaust efficiency. The side vent cowls are tailored to the needs and speeds of the street. Compared to the C-V, the RX-Q’s cowlings are larger and more aggressively styled, as lower street speeds require more surface area and a more refined shaping in order to deliver the increased stability.  High speed performance is also excellent.

Small, more aerodynamic, hand-formed natural shell shape and size aids stability and stillness – not only in straight-line wind-tunnel stability, but it also minimizes the negative aerodynamic effect when turning your head to check traffic or in a cross wind. And it looks better on your head than other bigger, rounder balloon-style shell designs on the market.

The RX-Q has an evolved version of Arai’s very popular Intermediate-Oval (IO) interior shape. Arai is the only company offering multiple interior-fit packages to better address the infinite variety of  consumers’ head shapes and sizes. Its interior fit shapes evolve and improve as company research recognizes trends based on consumer feedback. The RX-Q shape is similar to the current Corsair-V and Vector models, and the former RX-7 Corsair, but the RX-Q’s shape represents a further refinement of interior shape configuration based on Arai’s continual comparison, measurement and testing of human head shapes.

Brand new, one piece bottom edge trim, gives an incredibly clean look by eliminating the need for seams. Admittedly not a major innovation, but still another example of Arai’s unceasing attention to details and aesthetics.

Arai’s exceptional handmade craftsmanship, made to a higher standard of protection, comfort, and quality that’s difficult to put a “price” on.

The new Arai RX-Q is available in a variety of graphics and colors, in sizes XXS – XXL. Suggested list prices range from $539.95 to $679.95.

http://www.allaboutbikes.com/index.php/products/helmets/1366-arai-rx-q

No, not a group of slippers but a ‘back-torque limiting’ clutch mechanism. You may have heard the term used regularly when discussing the technical details of a modern four-stroke racing motorcycle. It seems that almost every race machine in the two-wheeled racing world has a version of these specialty clutches. Even many modern street-going race-replica motorcycles are adopting them due to their rather successful use at the highest – and toughest – levels of racing. So, what is it?

Simply put, it is a clutch assembly which allows the clutch to ‘slip’ in order to eliminate dangerous engine braking when decelerating into corners. If the rear tire is driving the engine – instead of the other way around – it can be forced to ‘chatter’ or lock-up completely as the compression in the engine fights against the force pushed into it by the rear wheel. If that were to happen while racing a powerful four-stroke motorcycle, a nasty crash often results. To deal with the problem, the slipper clutch will allow the drive and driven clutch plates to disengage momentarily to stop any rear-wheel instability as the rider slows down quickly. It allows the rear wheel to spin, preventing it from having to work against engine compression. In practice, this ‘slip’ happens at very high speed and is not easy to see in action, but it is easy to feel if you are piloting the bike yourself. It is also possible to ‘tune’ a slipper clutch by adjusting how much force it takes to disengage the clutch plates.

In addition to better rear-wheel characteristics when slowing down dramatically, the slipper clutch will also assist the motorcycle’s suspension. In a situation where the rear wheel is not performing smoothly, the rear suspension is also being jarred up and down. That causes the motorcycle to become unstable – another good way to crash. A slipper clutch removes this from the equation and the racer will have a much smoother corner entry, thus a faster lap and a better chance to win!

So, the next time you hear someone talking about a slipper clutch, you will know exactly what it is and how it works – and you won’t imagine a pile of house shoes.

http://www.allaboutbikes.com/index.php/products/engine/1365-slipper-clutch-a-nest-of-clog

Adventure Jacket and Adventure Trousers

http://www.allaboutbikes.com/index.php/products/jackets/1361-british-motorcycle-gear

Touring clothing needs to be comfortable, maneuverable, and breathable, and above all protect you in case of a spill, on the dirt or the road.
British Motorcycle Gear has developed quite a unique product with its Adventure Jacket and Adventure Trousers, which I just tested out on a Badlands adventure day hosted by Kawasaki on ATVs, UTVs and RUVs in Attica, Indiana.
The Adventure Jacket and Trousers are extremely light and durable, with protection in all the right places. I felt no restrictions while riding with this clothing; it was warm but not too thick to hinder your movement with some very original features.
For example, they have added a hydration system in the form of a camel bag on your back with a straw leading under your helmet. Cell phone or walkie-talkie holder on your chest, map or direction holder on your wrist and pockets everywhere, all the ideas came from the Adventure being developed for the Paris-Dakar rally.
This clothing is extremely comfortable. Too many times I have worn riding gear that when you finally get on the bike the trousers ride up your back and pinch, or the jacket is too tight around the shoulders for the position you are riding in. Not this British Motorcycle Gear; it all works in harmony while you throw your bike around or maneuver your ATV across rough terrain. I spent 12 hours wearing it at the Badlands outdoor terrain park, riding various different machines. Kawasaki ATV’s, UTV’s & RUV’s (http://www.allaboutbikes.com/index.php/manufacturers/kawasaki/kawasaki-atvs-utvs-a-ruvs)

I did find the waist of the trousers a little loose; even tightening the expansion joints up to their maximum wasn’t tight enough. The jacket and trousers zip together so they didn’t fall down but they were just a little too big. Basically, I needed a belt but there isn’t belt rings around the trousers, only at the back which isn’t enough to hold a belt up. That was only a very minor issue, though.
I got truly soaked throughout the day at the Kawasaki Badlands event, to the extent that the mud caked onto the clothing throughout the day. So when we had finished I had to be “power washed” off and, honestly, I did not get wet inside…this clothing is extremely waterproof.
It’s all priced really rather reasonably also: the gloves are $79.00, Adventure Pants $199.00 and the Adventure Jacket $279.00, so they won’t break the bank.

All round for either road riding or trail riding this gear is very versatile and above all it looks good. Everyone on our event commented about how comfortable it looked and they all kept calling it Belstaff, so what does that tell you, very good quality that looks good at a great price!

Check out www.britishmotorcyclegear.com to see them in a little more detail.
http://www.allaboutbikes.com/index.php/products/jackets/1361-british-motorcycle-gear

Press Release

Harley-Davidson

Americans from all walks of life know what freedom feels like. And they have plenty to say about it. Harley-Davidson also knows what freedom is all about and they are giving it a voice on the Free Country section of Harley’s Web site.

Visit here and you’ll find statements on the freedom and inspiration of riding a Harley-Davidson motorcycle. There is also the opportunity to create your own banner ad with a freedom statement relating to a specific 2010 Harley-Davidson motorcycle, all of which can be shared on social media sites.

To Read More of this Motorcycle News…

Tyler Hopper
AllAboutBikes.com Staff Writer

Budds Creek

Chad Reed rode to victory at Budds Creek Motocross Park in Mechanicsville, Md., despite adverse weather conditions. The victory, and points earned, enabled Reed to claim the title of 2009 Lucas Oil AMA Pro Motocross Champion with two rounds to go.

The two-time AMA Supercross champ leads second place Andre Short by 104 points in Championship standings. A number great enough for the rider to claim victory with two rounds left in the Championship.  Reed rode to victory five times this season, a feat accomplished during the first year he ever won an AMA Motocross event.

Press Release

Motorcycle Safety Foundation

The Motorcycle Safety Foundation (MSF) is hosting a contest for a new slogan about women and motorcycling. The MSF Ride On! Write On! Contest will be launched at the International Women & Motorcycling Conference in Keystone, Co., August 18-22, 2009.

The goal of the contest is to generate ideas for a slogan that will be used primarily for women’s shirts, as well as other items the MSF may choose to make available for sale. The message (up to 10 words) should reflect how essential it is to get started in motorcycling the right way – by taking the MSF RiderCourseSM – and how uplifting that accomplishment can be.

To Read More of this Motorcycle News…

Yvonne McAvoy
LadyMoto Content Editor

harley-davidson

From Various Press Releases

Helen

Helen Self, who still remembers her parent’s covered wagon, climbed aboard her son-in-law’s Harley Davidson and cruised through downtown Missoula, Montana to celebrate her 100th birthday.

This isn’t her first ride to celebrate a birthday milestone; she did the same thing five years ago when she turned 95!

Obviously, she’s not your typical grandmother.

She still dates, enjoys dancing and is even considering learning to ride her own bike!

August 17 has been proclaimed Helen Self Day by Missoula’s Mayor John Engen.

Press Release

Mat Mladin

“After so many great years of racing in the USA, I will retire from AMA racing at the end of the 2009 racing season in New Jersey.

My career has been long and above and beyond my wildest expectations. I won my first national championship on dirt bikes back in 1981 (28 years ago) and have had an amazing career ever since.

If I had my time again, I would not change a single decision I have made, in life or in racing.

I would like to thank my team for their constant hard work. Without these guys, the 80+ race wins and multiple championships would not have been possible.

To Read More of this Motorcycle News…