I think most of you know that I’m a huge motorcycle fan by now. And there may be a few folks out there who would really like to ride a motorcycle, but who are afraid of the learning curve. Well, the Ridley would be a great option because it’s got a completely automatic transmission that using one of those CVTs that I wrote about a little while back.

Basically, riding a Ridley would be like riding a super-sized scooter since all you have to do is twist the throttle to go, and squeeze the brakes to stop. There is no need to worry about clutching with one hand, braking with the other, while twisting one throttle and shifting with the other foot. Leaves a lot more time to pay attention to balance and just enjoying the ride.
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I was entertaining myself for hours this evening while perusing all of the crazy ways man has invented to move himself from point A to point B. After we mastered the most efficient methodology, apparently we turned our attention and energy towards also creating the most inefficient methods possible.

Why would we do this? Well, beyond the very basic primal need for horsepower… I’m guessing there was either a bet or a dare behind most of these creations. Either that, or they built em to attract the chicks!
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I have explained what a CVT or continuously variable transmission is to at least a half a dozen people. So, usually when that happens I take the time to write up a tutorial and share it with you guys.

Now, the CVT discussion came up as a result of a broader car discussion in which I was explaining that a Nissan Murano SUV has a CVT transmission – which I really like. But it’s not the only one. There are quite a few vehicles with a CVT such as:

• Mitsubishi Lancer
• Honda Civic Hybrid
• Nissan Altima
• Audi A4
• Dodge Caliber

In addition to automobiles, CVTs can be found in scooters, and even some new bicycles. In fact, the CVT began as a small vehicle transmission and later had to be beefed up substantially to handle large vehicles like the Nissan Murano.

The following is a video of the Variator in a Yamaha T-Max scooter with the case removed. Notice how as the engine revvs up, the centrifugal force changes the ratio of the gearing by simply using the belt.
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Now this is a fantastic piece of marketing. And it works, just look at this blog post! Jeep is getting some free advertising…

The technology behind this waterfall is very similar to how an ink jet printer works. Essentially, thousands of nozzles are configured individually to allow pictures to be drawn with falling water. The results are simply awesome.
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This is one of the most fantastic things ever. During a race, I’m guessing it’s down under by the announcer’s voices, one of the cars loses his entire wheel. He manages to pull over safely on the side of the track, but the wheel keep going.

You have to watch what happens…
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I can’t believe I never wrote about the T-Rex before! I talk about it all the time with people, but I guess I just never bothered to share it here. Well, we’re fixing that right now!

In this video, Tiff from Fifth Gear takes the T-Rex out for a little spin on a cold, windy, rainy day in the UK. Despite the dismal weather, and the fact that he is completely exposed to it, just watch how much fun he’s having at 100 MPH while skidding around the wet track.

For anyone who isn’t quite clear about this… I’m completely jealous. And to think. You can pick one of these up right now for a mere $50 grand.
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Is a Water powered automobile too good to be true? Well, not according to Japanese company Genepax. They claim to have built a car that runs on water and air alone.

The system can generate power just by supplying water and air to the fuel and air electrodes, respectively, the company said at the press conference, which took place June 12, 2008, at the Osaka Assembly Hall.

The basic power generation mechanism of the new system is similar to that of a normal fuel cell, which uses hydrogen as a fuel. According to Genepax, the main feature of the new system is that it uses the company’s membrane electrode assembly (MEA), which contains a material capable of breaking down water into hydrogen and oxygen through a chemical reaction.

Though the company did not reveal the details, it “succeeded in adopting a well-known process to produce hydrogen from water to the MEA,” said Hirasawa Kiyoshi, the company’s president. This process is allegedly similar to the mechanism that produces hydrogen by a reaction of metal hydride and water. But compared with the existing method, the new process is expected to produce hydrogen from water for longer time, the company said.

With the new process, the cell needs only water and air, eliminating the need for a hydrogen reformer and high-pressure hydrogen tank. Moreover, the MEA requires no special catalysts, and the required amount of rare metals such as platinum is almost the same as that of existing systems, Genepax said.

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You know those thick concrete poles they put up in front of the doors to shopping centers to keep trucks from doing a smash and grab job by driving through the doors? Wussy! That’s right, those things don’t hold a candle to the ultimate traffic bollards that have now been developed which are essentially giant steel poles!

The video below demonstrates what would happen to a large truck filled with… well, anything you didn’t want to get through if it attempted to actually barrel it’s way on through one of the moveable barricades. It is absolutely devastating. Check it out…
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Damn I love motorcycles. I kid you not. I wish I lived somewhere that I could ride one all day every day. Like Hawaii or Southern California. And if I’m going to ride, I want the comfort of a touring bike, but also the performance of a sport bike.

Since I’m not alone, manufacturers have created the Sport Touring category. And the three finest bikes available (in my opinion) are the BMW R1200RT, the Triumph Sprint ST and the Yamaha FJR1300.

Each rider is going to have a different preference among these bikes, but what I’m going to do is try and explain the different qualities that allow each of us to determine which type of rider we are.
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Ok. This is awesome. Wired magazine has published an article that proves once and for all that Women get as hot and bothered by exotic cars as men do (or more)!

A study commissioned by a phallically named insurance company proves beyond all doubt that the unbridled roar of an Italian supercar turns women on but the soft purr of a fuel-efficient econobox doesn’t stimulate anyone’s MPG-spot.

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A couple of years ago I wrote about the Toyota Volta. I said that if Toyota would build it, I would take the very first one. And I was dead serious. But of course, just like every other car manufacturer on the freakin planet, they didn’t!

What is it with these car manufacturers that prevents them from building 3-seat sports cars? Seriously, they can just take a normal vehicle like a Corvette and widen it a little to fit the third seat. This would have the benefit of providing a wider footprint which would even help with performance. In addition, it would place the driver dead center in the vehicle for perfect left/right weight distribution.

Toyota wasn’t the first to disappoint me, nor will they be the last. Here is a list of other concept cars that I know of which have never come to fruition. If you know of others please let me know.
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Wow. This 20/20 report is pretty shocking. Did you know that some of the “brand new” tires you’ve been buying to put on your car may actually be several years old? And did you know that after about 6 years they are no longer safe?

Well, it’s time to check the expiration dates (yep, the tires have dates on them) and take action to make sure your family is safe! Oh, and don’t be going for those “manager specials” either anymore. Just watch the video to learn all about it.
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