In a slightly controversial but reasonable move, Kawasaki is recalling all of their 2021 Ninja ZX-14R motorcycles. Why is that so? Well, apparently 84 of these motorcycles that were built between August 3 and September 23 have a missing brake component.
The component in question is missing from the front brake master cylinder. This can cause inconsistent force in the brakes and a reduction in braking power for the front wheel. All that is due to potential issues with the hydraulic fluid flow.
This issue could result in a fatal accident, so kudos to Kawasaki for realizing this issue, even though quality assurance is present for a good reason – making sure all components are in place before releasing the actual bikes on the market!
Thankfully, there are no accident reports due to this issue for now, so it seems that Kawasaki will get it done swiftly. Still, if you are an owner of this bike, make sure to contact your local Kawasaki dealer to check if your bike is affected too. You can never be too safe, after all!
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Honda and Royal Enfield are fierce competitors on the Indian market, constantly trying to outplay each other. Hence, the recently released Honda H’ness CB350 was designed as a direct hit to the increasing sales of Royal Enfield Meteor 350 bikes in India. Of course, this market is no stranger to low-displacement bikes, and Honda seems to be pulling another ace from its sleeve.
The ace in this context is a cafe racer variant of their H’ness CB350 bike. This move makes sense as Honda made a record amount of 1000 sales in 20 days. Some rumors tell that along with the cafe racer variant, a scrambler is in the works too! That makes two aces, doesn’t it?
Some sources state that the scrambler variant will release in summer 2021 in Japan, after the Japanese release of the official 350 bike.
Of course, these are just rumors for now, and it’s totally up to Honda to stay true to them or not. If they do that, Honda H’ness CB350 may finally end their battle with the Meteor 350, with an obvious winner.
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Many people avoid cheap Bluetooth headsets. Whether it’s prejudice or ignorance, we won’t know for sure. Still, there is a bit of logic in avoiding a cheap Bluetooth headset when you have premium-quality ones like Cardo and Sena.
But, what if we told you that this affordable Bluetooth headset may be one of the best on the market, one that can stand tall with the industry giants? You would probably be surprised at that, as we were when we got our hands on the Fodsports M1S Bluetooth headset.
Find out why it’s such a surprise in our Fodsports M1S Pro Bluetooth comm system review!
Fodsports M1S Pro Bluetooth Comm System Review – Features
Here is a quick overview of the main features of the Fodsports M1S Pro Bluetooth communication system:
Bluetooth 4.1 with two-channel support
Waterproof and dustproof
900 mAh battery with 3 hours of charge time
Group intercom support of 8 riders
2 km (1,24 miles) maximum range
Integrated CSR chip that provides noise cancellation
Right from the get-go, we can see that this Bluetooth headset for motorcycle helmets features a tactile design. It certainly features larger buttons than most other Bluetooth headsets on the market, with buttons that serve purposes such as:
Adjusting the volume
Pairing with a Bluetooth-enabled device
Starting the group intercom
Setting up this Bluetooth communicator on your motorcycle helmet is simple. Use the clips that come with the packaging and set them up on the lower right part of your motorcycle helmet. Then, attach the Bluetooth headset to the clip, and you’re good to go. Afterward, use Velcro and Eva rubber to connect the microphone and the speakers inside the helmet padding.
One thing to note is that you will get a hard mic and a soft mic in the packaging. Use the soft mic for a full-face helmet and the hard mic for an open face helmet.
The bottom line is, the Fodsports M1S Pro Bluetooth headset is very easy to set-up, as it comes with easy-to-understand instructions.
Bluetooth Pairing
This video shows how to pair multiple M1S devices!
As this Bluetooth headset is powered by Bluetooth 4.1 technology, it features two channels. That means that you can pair it with two Bluetooth devices simultaneously to enable functions such as:
Listening to music
Using GPS navigation
Enabling group intercom
One great thing about the Fodsports M1S Pro is that it is highly compatible with other Bluetooth headset brands. Some people may find the pairing procedure with other Bluetooth headsets confusing. It’s important to do this procedure in sequential order.
Another handy feature is toggling between intercom and phone functions via the press on the intercom button.
Connection Range
The intercom functionality of this Bluetooth headset supports a group of 8 riders maximum. When you get into the intercom room, the maximum range will be 2 kilometers (1,24 miles). Of course, this maximum range works when there are no obstructions between the members of the group. An effective range between two motorcycles is around 500 meters (0,3 miles).
One handy feature of this intercom is the integrated self-healing technology. It will automatically reconnect a rider who leaves the intercom group for less than 5 minutes. If the rider is out of the group for more than 5 minutes, he can press the intercom button to return.
Sound Quality
Considering its price, this Bluetooth headset is very strong when it comes to its sound quality. It features 40mm speakers with a nice bass that provide high-definition sound rarely found on Bluetooth headsets in this price range.
Of course, keep in mind that the speaker sound quality will falter when you are riding on a windy day. That will depend on the quality of your helmet and how it handles wind noise. The rule of thumb is that the sound quality will be top-notch when riding below 50 miles per hour (80 km/h).
Also, the headset features a CSR chip that provides advanced noise cancellation technology for the microphone. So, when you are in the intercom session, your voice will be heard clearly due to the cancellation of wind and engine noise and similar sounds.
Voice Control
While it doesn’t provide an integrated voice control functionality, you can achieve it by pairing this Bluetooth headset with your smartphone. That means that you can utilize voice assistants such as Siri and Google Assistant via the Bluetooth headset’s microphone.
The microphone is of high quality, so you certainly won’t need to yell at it to register your voice commands.
So, with voice control, you can get hands-free operation on functions such as:
Answering and rejecting calls
Turning on the intercom
Streaming music
Providing GPS commands
Water Resistant or Waterproof?
Most motorcycle riders will find themselves riding in heavy rain. Hence, having a type of water-proofing or high water resistance is essential to a durable and worthwhile Bluetooth headset for a motorcycle helmet.
We are pleasantly surprised to see that Fodsports M1S Pro is both waterproof and dustproof. Basically, you can use it in any kind of weather without being afraid of it breaking down on you. Bonus positive points for that!
Battery Life
The M1S Pro really kicks it out of the park when it comes to battery life. First of all, it features a 900 mAh battery that stands above the most Bluetooth headsets in the competition.
The full battery charge provides:
12 hours of intercom time
20 hours of phone talk time
300 hours of standby
When the battery gets low, the headset will issue an audio warning to prepare you.
After you discharge the battery, you can charge it on the go if you have a portable charger. It will take 3 hours to charge the battery of the M1S Pro fully. Keep in mind that you can use all the headset functions when it’s charging, which is a great plus.
Price
Well, the Fodsports M1S Pro is one of the most affordable motorcycle Bluetooth headsets that you can find on the market. Along with tons of useful features, its pricing is really generous, even for a dual pack variant.
You can currently find it on Amazon at select prices:
Single Pack – $85,99/€70,83/£63,83
Dual Pack – $159,99/€131,78/£118,76
Check the availability and prices for the Fodsports M1S Pro Bluetooth headsets on the buttons below!
Now that we are at the end of our Fodsports M1S Pro Bluetooth comm system review, would we actually recommend it?
This intercom is a true breath of fresh air in the Bluetooth headset market. It comes at a hugely affordable price, yet comes with some of the best features you can find in a Bluetooth headset.
First of all, it provides fantastic sound quality that can rival Cardo’s JBL speakers but still are not on the same level. The intercom connection range is the real star here, with 2 kilometers of max range and 500 meters of range between motorcycles. Even if someone breaks the connection, they will be seamlessly reconnected.
Also, the headset is highly compatible with other Bluetooth headset brands, which is a handy feature.
The only downside that we can mention is how easily the speaker sound quality can falter when the wind noise comes in. Because of that, make sure to provide an appropriate environment for the speakers.
All in all, this is undoubtedly one of the best affordable Bluetooth headsets that stand tall with the industry leaders like Sena and Cardo.
Looking for more Bluetooth headsets? Make sure to pay a visit to our Bluetooth headset reviews section!
A new, upgraded 2021 Ducati Monster has been revealed! This upgrade aims to provide the fierce power of the Monster at a much lower weight.
It sports a 937cc Testaretta V-twin engine that produces 111 horsepower and 69 lb-ft of torque. Even though it has a more powerful engine than the previous Monster incarnations, its dry weight is only 366 lbs (166 kg)! Its agility is on a Monster level, thanks to the implementation of the aluminum front frame present on Panigale.
Other juicy new features include:
Full-color TFT display
Traction control
Launch control
Wheelie control
ABS
Quick shifter with a lighter and more manageable clutch
Three riding modes
When it comes to suspension and braking on the new Ducati Monster, we are not short on surprises. The suspension is powered by the 43mm USD fork and a rear mono-shock.
On the other hand, the pleasure of stopping power goes to the piston caliper 320mm disc on the front wheel and piston 245mm disc on the back wheel.
This new iteration of the Ducati Monster will come in Standard and “+” editions. The “+” edition adds minor visual updates, such as a small front fairing and a seat cover.
What about the prices, though? Well, the standard edition costs $11,895 (€9,812/£8,880) and the “+” edition costs $12,195 (€10,060/£9,105).
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The 2021 variant of the BMW R18 is an epic cruiser bike, with a large 1,800cc boxer twin engine that produces a tremendous torque amount. BMW knows the advantages of this bike to heart and plans to release a few variations of this bike. The spotlight today is on the fully-faired variant of the R18.
Some sources found out about BMW’s new trademarks that suggest that the mentioned variant will have a Transcontinental tagline. Well, the naming fits the full fairing and luggage space, which would make for a killer touring motorcycle.
Also, there have been numerous leaks of the fairing added to R18, similar to ones found on Harley-Davidson bikes. Still, BMW always has surprises for us.
Other than the mentioned features, the R18 bike won’t change dramatically, with the engine and chassis staying the same. The bike will have more weight, that’s for sure. Nevertheless, it will certainly be an epic bike to hit the highway with.
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Cardo is one of the biggest players in the Bluetooth headset market, mainly due to its partnership with JBL. Due to this fruitful partnership, Cardo headsets feature the best sound quality, and it’s no different with the Freecom 4 Plus.
Our Cardo Freecom 4 Plus Bluetooth headset review will quickly go through its main features, focusing on the benefits you may get with it. At the end of our review, you will see if it is worth your money or not?
Let’s start with our review now, shall we?
Cardo Freecom 4 Plus Bluetooth Headset Review – Features
Here is a quick overview of the main features of the Cardo Freecom 4 Plus Bluetooth headset:
Without further ado, let’s delve deeper into the main features of the Freecom 4 Plus!
Design & Installation
This video shows how to install the Cardo Freecom 4 Plus on any type of helmet!
Cardo Freecom 4 Plus is designed explicitly for full-face and modular helmets. If you want to install this Bluetooth communication device on an open face helmet, you will need to buy a specialized open face helmet kit.
Right out of the box, you can see the device itself, with three buttons and a speed dial dominating the design. These tactile features enable functionalities such as:
Toggling between smartphone music and built-in FM radio
Music sharing to other Bluetooth headsets
Answering phone calls
Creating and connecting to the intercom
Adjusting volume and changing tunes or radio stations
Along with the motorcycle Bluetooth communication unit itself, you will also get a cradle, JBL speakers, and microphones (boom mic for modular and open face helmets and corded mic for full-face helmets) that you can install in the helmet. You will install the cradle on the helmet exterior, where you can attach the Bluetooth headset easily. It’s simple to detach it if you need to charge it or store it elsewhere.
For microphone and speaker installation, there are six Velcro patches included in the box.
Bluetooth Pairing
This video shows how to pair Cardo Freecom 4 Plus to a smartphone or GPS device!
Bluetooth 4.1. compatibility features two channels, which means that you can connect the Freecom 4 Plus with two devices simultaneously. For example, you can pair this Bluetooth headset with a smartphone and a GPS device simultaneously.
Note: Cardo Freecom 4 Plus supports both Android and iOS devices.
To connect the Freecom 4 Plus headset to a smartphone, you will need to download the Cardo App, either from Google Play or App Store. Then, just hold down the button with the call icon for five seconds. After the lights blink red and blue, this is the prompt that the headset is in pairing mode.
When you are paired with your smartphone, you can utilize GPS navigation, mainly via voice commands, but more on that later. Along with that, smartphone pairing enables you to make and receive calls, as well as end them.
This video shows how to pair Freecom 4 Plus with three other Bluetooth headsets!
The Freecom 4 Plus allows you to connect to four riders simultaneously. You can have all the participants in the same call or make private calls with individual members. Be mindful of how many Bluetooth channels you are using. If you are utilizing both of them, you might not be able to get incoming calls from your paired smartphone.
Connecting to non-Cardo devices is effortless, but you should also be mindful of available Bluetooth channels, as Freecom 4 Plus is visible as a smartphone. So, if a non-Cardo device has only one Bluetooth channel, it should stay reserved for the Freecom 4 Plus.
Connection Range
When you connect to the intercom, the maximum attainable range between riders is up to 0,75 miles (1,2 kilometers). Of course, this is an idealistic number, which will honestly be realistic if you are riding on an empty highway. Disturbances like hills, heavy traffic, trees, and buildings will impact the Bluetooth signal negatively.
In cases where there are many disturbances, the range will be quite low, being around 500 meters. Nevertheless, when the intercom connection is stable, it won’t lag behind, so you can expect real-time conversations, which is a huge breather!
Now that we are talking about the intercom functionality, there is a slight issue that doesn’t seem to be resolved fully. The intercom connection between Cardo devices sometimes just randomly shuts down. While it is effortless to reconnect with a push of the Intercom button or a voice command, this can prove to be a hindrance in the long run.
Sound Quality
Here we are at the highlight of the Cardo Freecom 4 Plus. The partnership with JBL has really paid off, and the 40mm JBL speakers do wonders when it comes to immersive sound quality. They offer stereo sound quality that is really top of the line for the motorcycle Bluetooth headset market. Audiophiles will especially enjoy using this Bluetooth headset.
The listening experience won’t lose its quality even if you ride above 65 miles per hour (above 105 km/h). We can thank the noise cancellation feature for that, as wind, engine noise, and traffic noise get filtered out quite well with the thick JBL speakers.
Voice Control
“Hey, Cardo!” That’s all you have to say to trigger the robust selection of voice commands that the Cardo Freecom 4 Plus provides. One thing to note is that voice commands are compatible with Siri and Google Assistant, so you can effortlessly control your smartphone’s functions, like the GPS navigation and music player.
The secret is in the Always On! voice recognition system. As its name suggests, you can always use it with a trigger keyword. It features 24 commands that allow you to:
Answer incoming calls
Make calls
Control volume
Start and control smartphone music
Activate the intercom
Control the FM radio
Check battery
The great thing with this voice control system is that it actually registers your commands quite well. You won’t need to constantly repeat yourself to turn on the music player on your smartphone. That goes for any other command you desire to use.
Additional Features
Here are some features of the Cardo Freecom 4 Plus Bluetooth headset worth a mention:
Music Sharing
This is one handy feature that you can utilize to share your favorite tunes or radio station with your intercom partner. Just press and hold the Intercom button, and the headset will stream your music to other participants in the intercom group.
Built-In FM Radio
This video shows how to easily launch the built-in FM radio with Freecom 4 Plus!
As with most motorcycle Bluetooth headsets, the Cardo Freecom 4 Plus comes with a built-in radio. You can tune in to your favorite radio stations, whether you are up for listening to some new tunes or getting up to date on the happenings in the given day.
Water Resistant or Waterproof?
Like all Cardo Bluetooth devices before it, the Freecom 4 Plus features the IP67 waterproof rating. Along with the waterproofing qualities, this Bluetooth headset is dust-proof.
Well, these two durability qualities make for a device safe to use during heavy rain or high winds. Both mentioned weather conditions feature lots of water and dust, and it’s good to know that Cardo was mindful of that for all of us cross country motorcycle trip enthusiasts out there.
Battery Life
The battery life of this Bluetooth headset is surprisingly strong. It offers one week of standby mode and 13 hours of talk time. When you need to charge it, it will charge in four hours.
Note: You can charge this Bluetooth headset on the go if you have a portable power bank. It features MicroUSB ports that you can utilize on the go.
Price
We know that Cardo Freecom 4 Plus is a feature-packed Bluetooth headset that is highly resistant to elements. How does that translate in the pricing? Well, a single pack is in the range of $250/€210/£188, which stands together with the headsets like Sena 30K.
Now that we are at the end of our Cardo Freecom 4 Plus Bluetooth headset review, would we actually recommend it?
It’s undoubtedly a decent Bluetooth headset with fantastic sound quality. Honestly, no one rivals Cardo on this front.
But, in the long term? This may not be the best headset. You see, many newer headsets are transferring to Dynamic Mesh technology that offers a higher range and is a fundamental improvement over Bluetooth intercom connections. We are mainly looking at stability and connection count over here.
Cardo Freecom 4 Plus is the best pick if you are an audiophile with a riding partner who would enjoy the music sharing capability. Due to its high price, we simply cannot recommend it to everyone, especially those looking for a Bluetooth headset with advanced intercom functionality.
The 2021 Honda CRF 250L and CRF 250 Rally are launching in Europe, with more power and more suitable names. More specifically, these Japanese-made bikes are named CRF 300L and CRF 300 Rally.
These bikes sport a Euro 5 compliant 286cc, liquid-cooled, single-cylinder engine. It will produce 26,95 horsepower at 8,500 rpm and 19,6 ft-lbs of torque at 6,500 rpm. The boost in power is made possible with a longer stroke supposedly installed due to Euro 5 compliance.
Other than the displacement changes, other changes present in the Japanese variants remain the same. These include the shorter ratios from the first to fifth gear. The sixth gear is taller and will help with using the power of the bike to its fullest.
Also, the frame and ground clearance is revised for more accessibility with these bikes. The gas tank capacity for the 300L is 7,8L, while the capacity for the Rally is 12,8L.
There is an apparent downgrade from the Japanese market counterpart when it comes to LED lighting. More specifically, the CRF 300L has no LED head or taillights, while the CRF 300 Rally only has an LED headlight.
The prices and availability of these two bikes are still not disclosed. For now, you can contact your local Honda dealer for more specific details, as the European market is quite complex when it comes to pricing.
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Triumph has certainly wowed the motorcycle market with their Trident 660 that was launched last month. This bike is one of the most affordable mid-displacement street bikes, making three-cylinder powered bike accessible to more motorcycle fans.
The bike was released across the globe, mainly taking on the Japanese mid-displacement naked bike segment. It is currently priced at $7,995 (€6,617/£5,996).
After launching the Trident 660 in their most important global markets, Triumph has opened the bookings for the bike in India! We still don’t know the final price, although they have set a refundable booking fee of Rs 50,000 ($678/€561/£509).
Just as a reminder, this entry-level motorcycle is fitted with a 660cc three-cylinder engine that produces 79,8 horsepower. It also comes with a Showa suspension and a quick bi-directional shifter that is optional. The bike is certainly a formidable opponent to its Japanese counterparts, that’s for sure.
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The new, temporary CEO of Norton Motorcycles, John Russell, has announced that they are working hard on making the 2021 Atlas Nomad and Atlas Ranger bikes available in 2021. It’s been a long time coming, as these two bikes have been announced way back in 2018.
The specifications of the bikes are still the same, with 84 horsepower and 47 lb-ft of torque. When we come to the pricing, the suggested price for these models back when they were revealed were:
$12,900 (€10,671/£9,673) for Nomad
$15,500 (€12,822/£11,622) for Ranger
Of course, we expect this pricing to be obsolete, as the company has totally changed its administration in the past two years.
We still don’t know when in 2021 specifically is Norton planning to launch these two bikes. Theoretically, they have a full year to assure further that these bikes will be close to what they were planning to make two years ago. Only time will tell.
If you are interested in Norton Atlas Nomad or Ranger, you can show your interest by filling out the form on Norton’s website.
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Even though Norton has been through some hard times, they are still preparing new bikes – with the new 2021 V4RR being teased.
The previous V4RR variant was released in 2016 to great fanfare. Over the years, the company lost its reputation, but we hope things might change for the better now that TVS is backing Norton.
The 2021 variant of the V4RR isn’t that much different from the mentioned 2016 variant. It will sport a 1,200cc V4 engine that produces 200 horsepower and 96 lb-ft of torque, along with a seat height of 33 inches (84 centimeters).
Of course, there will be some small aesthetic modifications and new components, but it will be essentially the same bike.
The main difference at play is the company itself. Norton has lost quite a lot of its reputation due to not delivering motorcycles to its customers. With TVS backing them up, it will be interested to see how their business model has changed.
We hope that Norton will be able to deliver these bikes and see their business return on the right track!
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