The development of electric two-wheeled vehicles is surprisingly quick, especially in countries like China, India, and Japan. Many key players in these markets aim to innovate their product line to get them ready for the mass consumer adoption of electric vehicles.
One new player in this game is Felo. This company partnered with Kymco for the development of their new electric scooter – the Felo FW06. While it shares a striking resemblance with Kymco F9, it’s not a copy. While FW06 is similar to small-displacement, gas-powered, 125cc scooters, it has some crucial styling and tech features that set it apart from other electric scooters on the market.
Similar to the Kymco F9, it comes with a two-speed transmission. This allows riders to choose two riding modes. The lower gear is great for maneuvering in the cities, while the higher gear is essential for rides out of town when the roads clear up. These riding modes will optimize battery range in the long run and reduce wear on the electric motor.
Felo offers its FW06 in standard and DX variants. The main difference is in the battery power and maximum range:
Standard variant has an 80Ah Li-Ion battery with 68 miles of range (110kilometers)
DX variant has an 88Ah Li-Ion with 87 miles of range (140 kilometers)
The FW06 sports an electric motor that produces 10 kW of power, equal to 13,4 horsepower. Basically, it will be quite similar to 125cc scooters based on power, but it will bring the smooth and quiet operation of the EV vehicles.
Felo FW06 got its initial launch in China, with a price of 26,800 CNY, which equals $4,200/€3,453/£2,962 for the global market.
Find it annoying that you need to carry your helmet around you at all times? Of course, you are concerned that someone doesn’t steal your lid! After all, you’ve spent a couple of hundred bucks for a stylish or functional helmet, and you know that helmets can attract attention. Well, if you don’t want to carry your helmet around with you at all times, here are the best motorcycle helmet locks to keep your helmet safe from mischievous thieves!
If you are in a rush, here is a comparison table of the best motorcycle helmet locks for 2021 below!
One of the best motorcycle helmet locks is this fierce PITBULL. Like the titular dog breed, this is a large, heavy-duty helmet lock that weighs 4 pounds (1,81 kg) and is 4 feet long (122 cm). It is locked by a key and offers lockpicking resistance due to the double-bolt locking mechanism.
Its main feature is the 14mm hardened stained steel shackle that provides high resistance against any cutting procedure. The rounded design also helps with that resistance. You can also lock a full-face helmet with this one.
If looking for an all-around best motorcycle helmet lock, this one from OnGuard is your best choice!
This is an extremely lightweight helmet lock, with a weight of just 0,91 pounds (0,41 kg). It directly clamps on a motorcycle, adding to the security and aesthetics of your bike. The best places to clamp it on are the engine guard or the frame tube.
You can mount this on any tube on your motorcycle, but only on specific tubes. By specific, we mean the sizing from 1-1/4″ to 1-1/2″.
It’s locked by a key mechanism that comes with two tamper-proof one-way screws. This greatly increases the overall security when you lock your helmet.
The Kuryakyn 4232 helmet lock is made from metal material with chrome coating for corrosion prevention.
This steel cable motorcycle helmet lock is the most light of all the helmet locks on our list at 0,38 lbs (172 grams). Its steel cable is highly flexible with its 6 feet (183 cm) length and a protective coating that prevents corrosion. The BigPantha is the meaning of a universal fit, as you can even lock two helmets with this one.
This is essentially a D-lock with a combination locking mechanism. It’s quite easy to use as it has a combination of 3 digits. Keep in mind that someone could possibly break through one of 1,000 possible digit combinations if you leave your helmet unattended for too long.
Also, the D-lock features rubber coating to protect your bike and helmet from scratches.
Here is the best license plate motorcycle helmet lock you can find right now. It is a steel helmet lock that only weighs 1 pound (450 grams). The carabiner keeps the bolt lock secure on your license plate. Also, it has hollow torque head screws that protect the bolt from thieves, a great addition to the key locking mechanism.
The main benefit of this helmet lock is that you don’t need to mess around with cables, and you can easily install it on a narrow license plate. That’s right; it’s sadly quite difficult to install this helmet lock on a curved license plate.
Even though it’s quite pricey, this is one of the best motorcycle helmet locks due to its low profile and high safety for your helmet.
Last on our list of best motorcycle helmet locks is this extra-light helmet lock that weighs only 200 grams. Its T-bar is designed for motorcycle helmets specifically but may not fit all helmets. You can easily attach it to your helmet’s D-ring thanks to the aluminum carabiner with a 4-digit combination lock.
Sadly, the lock has no full rubber cover, so it can scratch your bike if not too careful. Still, this is a very affordable helmet lock worth your money if on a steep budget.
Now that we’ve shared our picks for the top motorcycle helmet locks around, let’s look into the different motorcycle helmet lock types as well as main considerations before buying one!
What Types Of Motorcycle Helmet Locks Are Available?
You will run into different motorcycle helmet lock types when searching for the best one. All of them have their advantages and disadvantages. In the following sections, we are going to break down all of the motorcycle helmet lock types.
Handlebar Lock
This is the most visible type of helmet lock, as its emphasis is on styling. You can basically lock any helmet on any handlebar,thanks to the universal quality of the handlebar lock.
Most handlebar locks utilize keys as a locking mechanism. In most cases, the materials of this lock will be polished for scratch prevention on your motorcycle and helmet.
The main gripe with handlebar locks is that they will put your bike out of balance.
Cord Lock
This type of lock wraps around the motorcycle helmet and another motorcycle part to securely lock the helmet. There are both key and combination lock variants, which adds to the overall high versatility of this motorcycle helmet lock type.
This type of lock can be easily cut through if someone has enough persistence, but some variants have rubberized cords to increase the overall durability.
Also, keep in mind that you will need to remove the cord lock whenever you go riding, as it hangs loose, and you don’t want to scratch your bike or crash it because of the cord lock.
Bolt Lock
This type of lock is permanently installed on your motorcycle. They are cylindrical and are operated with a key. Bolt locks are highly versatile – you can install them on several areas on your bike. Most people install them on license plates due to the low-profile placement.
Bolt locks are small and easy to install, but their main gripe is that they won’t look attractive on your bike in most cases. Also, it is hard to lock full-face helmets with a bolt lock due to their small size.
License Plate Lock
As its name suggests, this helmet lock type is installed on the back of the license plate holder. They are designed to be hidden from view, which is a great design choice when you want a permanent lock that doesn’t destroy the look of your bike.
License plate locks are made from strong metals and are hard to crack by thieves. They are very easy to install – take a wrench and reserve half an hour, and you’re done! Also, this lock won’t affect bike balance as it is located in the center.
What Features To Consider When Buying The Best Motorcycle Helmet Locks?
We mainly look at three categories: the locking mechanism of the lock, its portability, and build material. Let’s work through each one of these, shall we?
Locking Mechanism
The two most common locking mechanisms are key locks and combination locks.
Key locks, as their name suggests, will require a key at all times. That means you will need to stress about having them stored properly because if you lose the key, you won’t be able to unlock it. Our tip is to put the key in your main keyring where you will know where it is at all times.
Combination locks use a carabiner mechanism that locks with a few teeth controlled with a digit code. You will need to remember a few digits, but it’s easy to just write the code down for more convenience.
Both locks can be cracked with scissors or with a saw. Key locks can also be lockpicked, which isn’t the case with combination locks. Still, most modern helmet key locks feature additional screws to prevent lockpicking, which is a nice innovation.
Portability
Some helmet locks are heavy, while others are light. Heavier helmet locks provide superior safety, and you can use them to lock more than one helmet due to their size. This, in turn, sacrifices their overall portability.
Lighter helmet locks are smaller and offer more portability and ease of use. Some will be small enough to even put in your pocket or under your motorcycle seat.
If you don’t want to carry your helmet lock around, you can also choose the one you can directly install on the bike.
Now, which type of locks in this category is better? The heavier locks will be better if you think you’ll be away from your bike for a while (going to the work shift, etc.).
On the other hand, the small locks are better if you do short rides and are away from your bike for a shorter time (shopping, etc.)
Materials
Motorcycle helmet locks are made of various materials, such as aluminum, steel, and zinc alloy. Keep in mind that more durable materials will increase the overall price of the helmet lock.
The best motorcycle helmet locks are made of steel and other heavy metal due to their highest security and durability. You can go a level further and find strengthened and heat-treated steel that will make stealing your helmet a nightmare. These have anti-rust coatings and are an ideal choice if you truly value helmet safety.
Zinc alloy locks are in the middle ground. They are weaker than steel locks but stronger than aluminum locks. These locks can resist rust and corrosion but offer less protection than steel.
Aluminum locks are the cheapest due to their low weight and durability. They can corrode quickly and are only worth your time and attention if you are on a highly constrained budget.
Summing Up
Motorcycle helmet locks are a handy motorcycle gadget that removes the need for you to carry your helmet around with you at all times. While some of them might be sketchy, our picks for the best motorcycle helmet locks will provide you with much-needed helmet safety and even add to the aesthetics of your motorcycle!
As electric engines are slated to replace the gas-powered engines in the next five years (at least for four-wheeled vehicles), the motorcycle industry still isn’t sure when it will comply with the increasingly strict emission standards. Still, there are motorcycle manufacturers that take this more seriously, such as KTM, Triumph, and Kymco, who are poised to put their electric motorcycle ideas in reality next year!
When it comes to Kawasaki, the same cannot be said. Kawasaki didn’t invest too much of its resources into pushing the electric motor technology. After its press conference, it has shown confidence in pushing into new, renewable energy territory.
Kawasaki pointed out several of its renewable energy development plans. First of all, it won’t just work on electric motors. The company is looking into hybrid fuel technology and hydrogen fuel cells. Basically, it looks to develop bikes with smaller gas-powered engines coupled with a self-charging electric motor.
The only “green” bike from Kawasaki in physical form we’ve seen is the “Endeavour”. It will be equivalent to a 400cc sportbike that will most likely be the first dive into the EV market for Kawasaki. Yes, the electric sportbike segment is relatively niche, but this would give Kawasaki a tremendous competitive advantage over Yamaha and Honda.
Kawasaki also says it will have resources to speed up the development of its renewable energy bikes. That’s its solution to increasingly confusing and unprecise emission standards that fail to include motorcycles in their plans.
Still, Kawasaki has other divisions than motorcycles, such as emergency vehicles and agriculture vehicles. Its thought process is also oriented to these vehicle types.
Well, we are excited to hear more plans for the green future from one of our favorite motorcycle manufacturers. Let’s see how its plans will work out!
Kawasaki ZX-4R has been rumored to be in development for a while now, as an adaptation of the Asia-only ZX-25R for the western markets. Thanks to some spotted patent filings, the ZX-4R is now unofficially confirmed to be in development.
An interesting insight from the patents suggests that the ZX-4R was first in development, but its development process paused to prioritize the ZX-25. This makes sense, as the ZX-25 was the model for Kawasaki’s main Asian market.
It also makes sense for Kawasaki to have the ZX-4R next in their development pipeline. As Europe is tightening down on its emission standards, it could use a lightweight, race-friendly sports bike that is a bit more powerful than Kawasaki Ninja 400. The US market could also benefit from this bike, even though they don’t have such strict emission standards yet.
Right now, the mid-displacement sports bike class is a bit uncertain. The ZX-4R could be the bike that could rival the recent Aprilia RS 660. It could also serve as a replacement for the ZX-6R, a bike with a high possibility for discontinuation.
All in all, we are quite excited to see when will the ZX-4R get an official reveal. Also, if Kawasaki aims to follow Yamaha’s approach, maybe a ZX-7R is in order too!
This Colorado-based company has finally unveiled their Electrocycle, which supposedly was two years in the design hall. The Electrocycle is a large electric cruiser with twin-hub engines. It reportedly has a top speed of 120 mph (193 km/h) and can accelerate from 0 to 60 mph (0 to 97 km/h) in only 3,6 seconds!
Here are some of the essential features Zaiser Motors decided to share on their website:
300-mile range (483 km) with interchangeable and rechargeable batteries
Regenerative braking system
Recycle-friendly
Proximity sensors, roadside assistance system, and wearable interconnectivity for additional safety
Modular design
Auto stabilization
The battery in question will have a capacity of 17,3 kWh and is compatible with fast charging. Sadly, we don’t know how long will the quick charge take to fill this bad boy to the maximum level.
With the Electrocycle, this company aims to capture the hearts of “young urbanites” who wish a clean, energy-efficient escape from the urban zones, with enough range for small adventures.
Due to the promising acceleration figures, we presume that the battery cells will be the heaviest part of the machine.
You might notice it’s possible to invest in the company via their WeFunder page for receiving equity and some investor perks.
The release date for the Electrocycle is set for late 2021 or early 2022. We still don’t know what the price will be, but Zaiser promises it will be priced at “an accessible price point”.
This bike has got us very intrigued! Be sure to check out more about it when we get our eyes on more updates!
Deferred revenue, also known as unearned revenue, refers to payments received in advance for goods or services that are yet to be delivered. It is recorded as a liability in bookkeeping until the goods or services are provided. Proper management of deferred revenue is crucial for accurate financial reporting, as it ensures revenue is recognized at the appropriate time. Understanding its impact on cash flow and utilizing bookkeeping tools to track and manage deferred revenue effectively can help businesses maintain financial transparency and compliance. Deferred revenue is recorded on a company’s balance sheet as a liability. Deferred revenue, also known as Certified Bookkeeper unearned revenue, is a key accounting concept, especially for businesses with subscription models or those receiving advance payments.
Revenue Recognition Principle
In this article, we’ll talk about what deferred revenue is, how it occurs in a normal business setup, and why it’s crucial in overall revenue recognition.
This leads to the revenue being temporarily deferred until the company provides the promised goods or services.
In accrual accounting, deferred revenue is essential for aligning revenue recognition with the period it is earned, rather than when the payment is received.
This process ensures that your revenue aligns with the actual value you’ve delivered to the customer over time.
Adjusting entries for deferred revenue should accurately depict the earned portion of the payment.
Upon delivering the goods or services, the deferred revenue account is debited, and the revenue account is credited.
Deferred revenue, also known as unearned revenue, refers to advance payments a company receives for products or services that are to be delivered or performed in the future. The company that receives the prepayment records the amount as deferred revenue, a liability on its balance sheet. The answer lies in deferred revenue’s role in accurately reflecting a company’s liabilities and financial health.
Deferred revenue and accrued expenses
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When a customer makes an advance payment, the company receives cash and records a corresponding deferred revenue liability on its balance sheet.
The accounting standards surrounding deferred revenue are constantly evolving, adapting to new business models and technologies.
As a result, the completed-contract method results in lower revenues and higher deferred revenue than the percentage-of-completion method.
Revenue is recognized when the company transfers control of the goods or services to the customer, who can use and benefit from them. Like in any financial process, management of deferred revenue is not without its challenges and potential pitfalls. It is crucial to address these issues to ensure accuracy in financial reporting and compliance with accounting standards.
Criteria for Recognition
Deferred revenue is part of the overall revenue recognition principle within the accrual method of accounting. It goes along with other methods of recording revenue as it is recognized, such as deposits, prepayments, and retainers. Some other examples of deferred revenue that your business might encounter include subscription-based services and memberships.
Utilize effective small business accounting software and consider professional bookkeeping services for accurate management. Regularly review and update your financial strategies to align with current standards. Clear policies and procedures are vital to effective deferred revenue management. Develop detailed guidelines on how deferred revenue should be recorded and recognized. Ensure that these policies are regularly reviewed and updated as accounting standards evolve.
Having a clear understanding of this accounting practice is essential for compliance with accounting standards like ASC 606. More importantly, it ensures transparency and provides a realistic snapshot of your company’s financial standing. Deferred revenue is a critical financial concept that directly impacts how companies report their earnings and present their overall financial health. It represents a liability until the services are rendered or goods are delivered, adding a layer of complexity to financial reporting and analysis.
Implement Robust Accounting Processes
Under the percentage-of-completion method, the company would recognize revenue as certain milestones are met. Under the completed-contract method, the company would not recognize any profit until the entire contract, and its terms were fulfilled. As a result, the completed-contract method results in lower revenues and higher deferred revenue than the percentage-of-completion method. The timing of recognizing revenue and recording is not always straightforward. Accounting standards according to GAAP, or Generally Accepted Accounting Principles, allow for different methods of revenue recognition depending on the circumstances and the company’s industry. If you need further assistance, consider reaching out to professional bookkeeping services.
Accrual Accounting vs. Cash Basis Accounting
Revenue recognition is the process of determining when and how revenue should be recorded in a company’s financial statements. It involves following specific guidelines and principles to ensure accurate and What is Legal E-Billing transparent reporting of revenue. The initial journal entry will be a debit to the cash account and credit to the unearned revenue account. During the time lag between the date of initial payment and delivery of the product or service to the customer, the payment is instead recorded on the balance sheet as “Deferred Revenue”.
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This part details the process and conditions under which deferred revenue transforms into recognized revenue, focusing on fulfilling the underlying service or product delivery. Accrual accounting, a cornerstone of financial accounting, dictates that revenue should be recognized when earned, not when payment is received. Deferred revenue is a prime example of this principle, emphasizing the need to match revenue with the period in which it is earned.
Sena and Cardo aren’t the only Bluetooth headset brands out there. While their products are probably the most well-known out there in the community, other cheaper brands are worth mentioning. One such brand is Fodsports. Their headsets excel in intercom functionality, but some other features offer lower quality to hit the affordable price tag. In our Fodsports FX6 review, learn all that is right and wrong with this affordable Bluetooth headset!”
Fodsports FX6 Review – Main Features
If you are in a rush, here is a breakdown of all the main features of the Fodsports FX6 headset!
Without further ado, let’s begin our Fodsports FX6 review!
Design & Installation
At 40g of weight, the Fodsports FX6 Bluetooth headset is designed to feel light. The unit weighs so as it is made entirely of plastic. Some people have reported that it can break when mounting on the helmet, but thankfully, that didn’t happen to us.
The Bluetooth unit itself has a jog dial that dominates its design. It is designed so that you can use it with a gloved hand, a welcome addition for all serious motorcyclists. Other than that, there is an On/Off button, which, other than its obvious purpose, serves as a pair mode toggle.
What else do you get in the Fodsports FX6 packaging? You get:
Clamp
Velcro clamp
Soft and hard microphone
40mm speakers
Velcro for headphones
USB cable
Screwdriver for clamp
You can mount the headset either with the plastic clamp or with the Velcro clamp. We advise you to use the plastic clamp, as the Velcro clamp is quite unreliable. Setting up the headset is easy enough. Just keep in mind that the plastic clamp isn’t securely built like Cardo or Sena headsets.
Bluetooth Pairing
This video shows the phone pairing options as well as pairing between two Fodsports FX6 devices!
Fodsports FX6 motorcycle helmet Bluetooth headset is powered by Bluetooth 5.0 technology, making data transfer faster than before. This translates into high compatibility with non-Fodsports brands, making the FX6 a universal motorcycle communication system.
Still, there are issues when trying to connect to non-Fodsports Bluetooth headsets. Sometimes, pairing will work like a charm, and sometimes it will struggle to connect after repeated tries.
This video details pairing with six Fodsports FX6 devices.
When pairing with other Bluetooth communication systems, ensure that the Fodsports FX6 Bluetooth communication system should initiate the pairing to have fewer problems. The procedure is quite simple:
First, press the On/Off button for at least 7 seconds to trigger the search for other headsets (you will see blue and red LED lights blinking).
Once connected, you will hear the “Intercom Connected” voice prompt.
Pairing with smartphones is quite simple with the Fodsports FX6 motorcycle Bluetooth headset:
Press and hold the On/Off button for 6 seconds
You will hear the “Pairing” sound prompt and blue and red LED flashes
On your phone’s Bluetooth settings, find the FX6 headset and pair with it
When paired with your smartphone, you can use several functions, such as:
Play music, adjust volume and switch songs
Answer and hang up calls
Do automatic call answer
Reject calls
Use voice dial functions
Connection Range
Fodsports FX6 supports a maximum of 6 riders in one intercom session. Keep in mind that this means all users in one Bluetooth intercom session can talk simultaneously.
First of all, the maximum intercom range between six riders is 0,62 miles (1 kilometer). This translates into 0,12 miles (200 meters) of range in one-to-one intercom.
The good thing is that you can automatically reconnect into the intercom group if you get out of range within 5 minutes. After 5 minutes, just press the intercom button once to reconnect.
It’s not the best when it comes to the intercom connection range, but it’s still decent, especially when you consider the low price of this Bluetooth headset.
Sound Quality
In this section of our Fodsports FX6 review, we will talk about the speakers and microphone sound quality.
When it comes to its 40mm speakers, they provide okay audio quality but leave something to be desired. This is mainly due to the lackluster bass of these speakers, which is practically non-existent. The good thing is that the sound will be audible up to 120 km/h (75 mph) speeds, which will mostly depend on your helmet’s sound isolation properties.
One great thing about FX6’s speakers is the utilization of the CVC noise cancellation technology. It helps block out ambient and background noise so you can hear your companions or your music with crystal clear clarity.
Sadly, the included speakers don’t feature audio multitasking. That means phone calls will take you out of intercom sessions, and the same will happen when listening to music.
At least the microphone is high-quality, with wind isolation to provide more audio clarity for your intercom companions.
Voice Control
Let’s get one thing straight – the Fodsports FX6 has no dedicated voice command system. The only way to utilize voice commands with this Bluetooth headset is by connecting to your smartphone assistant.
When you try connecting to your phone assistant, the problem occurs as you need to double-press the jog dial button to trigger the phone voice assistant (Siri or Google Assistant). This can be overridden with the FM radio toggle function, making things a bit complicated.
To solve the above problem, make sure that you turn on the voice assistant by the double-tap right after you pair it with your phone.
Additional Features
In this part of our Fodsports FX6 review, we will discuss some of its additional features!
FM Radio
Like most other Bluetooth headsets, the Fodsports FX6 Bluetooth headset features an integrated FM radio. It’s fairly basic and doesn’t provide you with the ability to save stations, as there is no integrated voice command feature.
Water Resistant or Waterproof?
At least Fodsport cares about the durability of its FX6 Bluetooth unit. It has the IPX5 waterproof rating, which means it was tested under low-pressure water spray and passes the test.
So, if you are looking for a durable motorcycle Bluetooth headset for heavy rain conditions, you can use the Fodsports FX6 confidently in such conditions.
Battery Life
Fodsports FX6 headset comes with a 500 mAh Lithium-Polymer battery. One charge can withstand 10 hours of usage, which implies talking on the intercom or streaming music. Also, one battery charge can withstand 200 hours of standby time.
It’s relatively good battery life, considering the low price tag of this Bluetooth headset. Keep in mind that you can charge it as you ride, which is a welcome feature.
Price
As this is not a Bluetooth headset made by well-known companies like Sena or Cardo, we expected a lower price tag. And we definitely got it, as the Fodsports FX6 headset costs $80/€66/£79, which is quite a small price to pay. For a double pack, expect to pay $150/€123/£153.
Yes, it may have some flaws, but at least the price tag is realistic when you consider the flaws have to do with sound quality and the lack of real voice control functionality.
Summing Up
Now that we are at the end of our Fodsports FX6 review, what do we think of this highly affordable Bluetooth headset?
First of all, the main selling factor of this Bluetooth headset is definitely its low price. You can easily get a double pack for the price of one premium Bluetooth headset. But is it worth getting over 2-3 times more expensive headsets? It depends on what you are looking for in a motorcycle Bluetooth headset.
If looking for high-quality audio or robust voice control features, avoid this headset, as the speaker sound quality is average, and there is no dedicated voice control system.
But, if you want a reliable intercom, this headset has got you covered with support for six riders in one group, universal headset support, and a maximum range of 0,62 miles (1 kilometer). Yes, there are some connectivity issues, but nothing that can’t get solved with some patience.
Also, this Bluetooth headset passes waterproof ratings, something that Sena headsets don’t have the luxury of showing.
Overall, for a sub-$100 price, the Fodsports FX6 is quite a good headset, if you can overlook some of its faults.
Kawasaki ZX-14R is a beast of a machine with the biggest 1,441cc engine of all mass production motorcycles. Due to the increasingly more strict emission regulations and the shift to smaller, more practical motorcycles, the ZX-14R is losing its market.
Still, this bike that has been in production since 2006 still has its target audience in the US. The United States are full of wide highways perfect for a sport touring machine like the ZX-14R. Also, it is probably the last frontier where the emission regulations are less strict than in the rest of the world.
What Kawasaki states as a final update to the ZX-14R, the 2021 variant of this beast will get just some cosmetic tweaks. These include two new paint schemes with red accents:
Pearl Storm Grey
Metallic Diablo Black
Still, these changes will provide a breath of fresh air to the unchanged design of the ZX-14R.
As this is fairly a cosmetic update, the ZX-14R engine will still pump out 197,2 horsepower and 112,85 lb-ft of torque. It has a six-speed gearbox as well as the same electronics. Hence, it doesn’t meet the Euro 5 emission standards.
So, if you are living in the US and like your touring machine to be extra strong and sporty, the ZX-14R is a great choice for you. It will certainly stay unique on the market due to its large engine which will translate to limited sales.
Zero Motorcycles reported that they are returning their “Cash For Carbon” program at their partnered dealerships.
This initiative is a win-win combination for Zero Motorcycles and riders who wish to transfer to the EV market. As the gas prices are more uncertain than ever, many people are looking for more fuel-efficient alternatives. Hence, this program creates an excellent opportunity for switching to a more energy-efficient option.
If you wish to participate in this program, it works in the following manner. Zero Motorcycle will increase and take into account the trade-in value of the gas-powered motorcycle. That amount will then be subtracted from the price of a 2020/2021 SR/F or SR/S motorcycles.
Zero Motorcycles will grant a $1,500 credit to stack upon the subtracted value, adding the cherry to the top. This will qualify under the 10% Federal Tax Credit in the US and the perks of any local tax initiatives.
The maximum amount that can be subtracted is $4,000 which is nice, considering that a new Zero bike costs between $10,000 and $25,000.
Sena is one of the largest innovators on the motorcycle Bluetooth communicator market, and the 10C Pro headset is the prime example of that. They have essentially made a Bluetooth headset and an action camera in one package. Sounds too good to be true? Read our Sena 10C Pro review to find out!
Sena 10C Pro Review – Features
If in a rush, check out all the most important features of the Sena 10C Pro Bluetooth headset!
Weighs 90 grams
Bluetooth headset/action camera hybrid
Bluetooth 4.0 technology
Supports up to 4 riders in the intercom group
Connection range of 1 mile (1,4 kilometers)
Advanced noise cancellation
Video recording at 1440p/30 fps and at 1080p/30 and 60 fps
3,7 MP photo quality
Continuous and time-lapse recording modes
Wide-angle lens only
Boom and wired microphone
2 hours battery life when continuously shooting photos and video
Without further ado, let’s begin our Sena 10C Pro review!
Design & Installation
The weight of the Sena 10C Pro headset is surprisingly low at 90 grams, especially when you consider that it is a Bluetooth headset and an action camera in one package. From looks alone, it looks more like a Bluetooth headset than an action camera, helping with its low-key integration with your motorcycle helmet.
We have the jog wheel and the button in the middle of it that manipulate the Bluetooth headset functionalities, such as pairing, adjusting volume, seeking FM stations, and more. Above these buttons, we can see the record button used primarily for, you guessed it, shooting photos and video!
The camera lens is quite low-key and has a plastic cover on it. You can also see a red spot on the top of the lens cap that indicated the top of the image that the camera will record.
This video explains the installation procedure of the Sena 10C Pro!
This headset comes with boom and wired microphones, and its clamping kit should suffice for most motorcycle helmets. Keep in mind that you will need to cut a bit of plastic at the cheek pad area at some helmets if you want the speaker wires to fit inside the helmet itself. Other than that, the installation is pretty straightforward.
Bluetooth Pairing
Here is a video showing how Bluetooth pairing with the Sena 10C Pro works!
Sena 10C Pro motorcycle Bluetooth headset is powered by Bluetooth 4.1, offering a fairly stable connection to various Bluetooth-powered devices. Connecting it to your phone is effortless, even more so if you use the proprietary Sena app. When you connect it to your phone, you can access the phone playlist, use GPS instructions, talk to your contacts, and more.
Now, when it comes to pairing this Bluetooth headset with other headsets, it fares the best when pairing it with the rest of the Sena family. Whether you use the 20S or 30K headsets, the audio quality and signal will stay stable until you don’t go above the recommended connection range.
When it comes to universal intercom pairing, we ran into some problems when pairing with non-Sena devices. In most cases, it’s a hit or miss. Sometimes you may connect easily to different types of Bluetooth headsets, and the second time you may have some issues with that.
Still, we must say that we are impressed with Sena, as they put in an action camera in a Bluetooth headset and didn’t destroy the Bluetooth and intercom functionalities.
Connection Range
Sena claims that their 10C Pro headset has a maximum intercom range of 1 mile (1,4 kilometers). Their claims are true, but keep in mind that certain disturbances such as other vehicles, buildings, lush forests, and steep hills may disrupt this signal.
Not to forget, the 10C Pro Bluetooth headset works with four other riders. So, you can talk with four riders in one intercom group simultaneously, which is fairly useful. You can definitely use this Bluetooth headset/action camera hybrid for group rides too!
Video Quality & Performance
A video showcasing the recording capabilities of the Sena 10C Pro.
When it comes to video quality, Sena 10C Pro can shoot in the following resolutions:
1440p at 30 fps
1080p at 30 and 60 fps
The performance is on point; the video won’t be choppy as there is no visible compression at play here. Also, the video stabilization works quite well.
We want to point out that you won’t be able to take photos or record videos until you don’t install a MicroSD card inside the headset itself. There is no internal memory whatsoever, and Sena sadly doesn’t include a memory card in the package. Keep in mind that the maximum storage capacity is 64 GB.
By default, the camera of the Sena 10C Pro has a fish-eye field of view (135-degree field of view). This can be both good or bad, depending on how you shoot videos. Sadly, there is no way to change the field of view, a feature most modern action cameras have.
But, if you want to use the 10C Pro as a dashcam, the fish-eye field of view really comes in handy. You can use this to your advantage in Continuous Loop mode.
Also, you can record videos in a time-lapse mode, which will snap a photo every second or every 10 seconds, producing a fast-forward video effect. The wide-angle field of view is also quite beneficial for this setting.
Photo Quality
The Sena 10C Pro leaves a lot to be desired when it comes to taking photos, whether it’s the low quality of the 3.7 MP photos or the distorted look in all the images due to the wide-angle lens effect. Taking photos is certainly the weakest area of this Bluetooth headset/action camera hybrid.
When taking photos with the 10C Pro, most of the photos will have an unrealistic distance represented. For example, most subjects in the photos you take with the 10C Pro will look two times farther away than what they really are.
User Interface & Control
First of all, we recommend you download the Sena Camera App to control the camera features properly. You can download it for Android and iOS.
With this app, you can download low-quality variants of videos and photos you shot to your mobile device. But more importantly, you can see what you are recording via the screen of your smartphone.
Once you connect the application to your smartphone, the video/photo shooting screen looks very similar to your smartphone camera user interface. You have a large red button for recording, you can toggle between photo and video shooting, and you can change the resolution and framerate of the video to be recorded. Of course, you can access the gallery via the app too.
Keep in mind that there will be a small delay with what you see on the smartphone screen, but that is quite normal. No app of such type is perfect when it comes to flawless connectivity and input delay.
Sound Quality
Now, the sound quality of the 10C Pro speakers leaves something to be desired on the bass and overall clarity front. While the sound quality is okay when riding below 70 mph (113 km/h), the speaker sound will get completely drowned out by external noise above such speed.
But, this problem has more to do with the overall sound isolation of the helmet. If you have a motorcycle helmet that isolates wind noise quite well, you can hear clear sound via the speakers up to 90 mph of speed (145 km/h).
Still, it’s good to see that Sena has advanced noise cancellation at play with these speakers, a feature that lowers down background noise when listening to music or talking to someone.
When it comes to microphone sound quality, the 10C Pro’s external microphone fares pretty well. That’s mostly due to the integration of adjustable levels, with levels indicating how much ambient noise gets picked up and recorded on the video. The most important thing is that the recording audio isn’t choppy.
Voice Control
As with most other Sena headsets, the 10C Pro offers a voice control system that you can utilize to performs headset actions. With this particular headset, the main addition is that you can actually perform action camera operations with your voice, keeping you more focused on the road in front of you.
Additional Features
Here are some of the additional features of the Sena 10C Pro Bluetooth headset/action camera hybrid.
FM Radio
This is quite an unmissable additional feature for most Bluetooth headsets, whether you decide to use it or not—nothing too groundbreaking here. Maybe the only thing worth noting is the ability to save up to 10 radio stations.
Durability
Sena has paid extra care to make the 10C Pro headset more durable against the elements as it has an action camera onboard. It’s not waterproof but highly water-resistant. Some people managed to ride with it in torrential rainstorms end have no issues with the headset itself.
In a nutshell, you shouldn’t be afraid of rain when riding with the Sena 10C Pro Bluetooth headset.
Still, we have to mention one gripe we have with the overall durability, and it applies to the action camera part. The lens cover design of the Sena 10C Pro is quite shoddy. It’s a small plastic cover held onto the lens by nothing other than the pressure behind the lens. This can make the scenario of losing this plastic cover quite realistic in 99% of cases.
Battery Life
The Lithium-Polymer battery that the 10C Pro headset comes with has a surprisingly long single charge, considering it’s basically a Bluetooth headset and an action camera in one package.
Once you endure its 3,5-hour charge time, you can expect 2 hours of continuous shooting and 17 hours of talking time. The 10C Pro will go into sleep mode after 5 minutes of camera use to save battery life. You can turn this option in the settings, though.
We certainly have no complaints regarding battery life. The charge time is bearable as the battery has more capacity than your usual Bluetooth comm device.
Price
As we are closing in on the Sena 10C Pro review, we still need to see its pricing. It comes at a fairly reasonable price point of $349/€287/£280. It’s a great price point, considering that you get a decent quality action camera and a good Bluetooth headset in one package.
Now that we are at the end of our Sena 10C Pro review, what is our final verdict?
First of all, this is a great buy for all you hobbyist motovloggers out there who want to stay connected with your group of riders at the same time. You will save money and time if you decide to buy an action camera, but still, the camera features aren’t better than most other action cameras. But, if you want to change angles and record at 4K, you will need to buy a separate action camera.
As a Bluetooth headset, the 10C Pro works quite well with its large intercom range, easy pairing with Sena devices, and support for up to 4 riders in one intercom session. While it isn’t better than Sena 30K or Sena 50S when it comes to intercom or sound quality, the 10C Pro is still a decent pick, especially if you want the best of the worlds of video recording and Bluetooth communication.
