2008 Honda Vtx on 2040-motos

Moto blog

Traction control? Yawn...

My long-term Fireblade went back to Honda last week and, seeing as it’s sunny and mild outside now, I’m already missing it. It is one of the best 1000cc sports bikes out there, I don’t care what anyone else says, the way it makes its power is just perfect for fast road use. With the Power Commander 5 fitted and the fuelling sorted my 2011 Blade performed as well if not better than the 2012 version.

2013 AIMExpo: Skidbike

One of the most inventive devices seen at this week’s AIMExpo is the Skidbike, a novel creation that helps teach riders the skills to balance and to master threshold braking. It’s a Swedish/American invention originally designed to educate riders how to sufficiently apply brakes to avoid an accident without the danger of tipping over and causing injuries. It uses an electrically operated hydraulic ram built on a hinged dolly to reduce front-tire grip, which drastically reduces speeds when traction is lost so riders can learn how to use the brakes effectively.

NHTSA Launches Recall Look-up by VIN Tool

The U.S. Department of Transportation and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration have launched a new free online tool that should make it easier for consumers to inspect their vehicles’ safety recall histories. The new search tool, available at http://www.safercar.gov/vinlookup, allows people to look for recall campaigns by entering Vehicle Identification Numbers.