Zero Motorcycles has a few models up its sleeve, as suggested by their new trademarks: Zero DSR/X and Zero FXE. It appears that these two will be electric motorcycles focused on the off-road, which is certainly exciting!
First of all, the /X part of the DSR model pretty much suggests the above assumption. The E in the FX model makes less sense, but it seems that it also suggests an off-road variant of the Zero Enduro motorcycle.
The move to the off-road niche makes sense for Zero Motorcycles, as this type of bikes is selling hot right now. Coupled with the rising popularity of electric motorcycles, this could be a killer combination!
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Apparently, people don’t want to ride in public transport and taxis anymore, a situation brought up by the COVID-19 pandemic. These days, people prefer to ride alone, mostly on scooters. This fact is backed up by the rise of scooter sales in the UK for 56,6% in July. General two-wheeled vehicle sales surged by 41,9%.
June was also a great month for motorcycle sales, but July beat it out of the ring. Well, the convenience factor of motorcycles is huge for the COVID-19 pandemic.
As expected, commuters are the main factor of this sales increase. People are turning to two-wheelers to get from their home to work, which makes sense. Motorcycles are cheaper than a car and will keep you away from folks who might have the potential to infect you with the virus.
Some dealers even didn’t have enough bikes in their stock, which further pictures the surge in motorcycle demand. Who knows if this trend will continue throughout the rest of the year?
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Lately, there is a lot of speculation on Royal Enfield creating an electric motorcycle. Now, the CEO of Royal Enfield, Vinod Dasari, made it crystal clear on what they think about an electric motorcycle in their portfolio.
In an interview with a certain publication, he states that they have been thinking about making an electric motorcycle for a while now. Right now, the company is “trying to figure out” the exact right segment. Dasari also states that they take electric power for motorcycles “very seriously”.
Even though this isn’t a clear confirmation, it certainly seems that Royal Enfield has an electric motorcycle in the works. We still don’t know what type of bike it will be, but there are already rumors that the bike won’t release before 2022.
We can only speculate. As Royal Enfield is mainly focused on India, it may be reasonable to construct an electric motorcycle fit for that market. So, maybe they will make a short-range electric motorcycle fit for commuters, who knows? If they go along with that, that will rule out other markets, though.
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Are you looking for the best budget-friendly motorcycle helmets? After extensive searching and testing, we found an ideal contender for that position in the form of the 1storm modular motorcycle helmet. It costs below $100 and offers more than most modular helmets on the market right now. We decided to review this 1storm motorcycle helmet as objectively as possible as it isn’t perfect by any means. But, when you consider its low price with all the sweet features you get, it is more certain that this is an immensely affordable motorcycle helmet.
So, jump in with us to the in-depth look of the 1storm modular motorcycle helmet!
1storm Motorcycle Helmet Review – Features
After a few tests, we thought that it would be cool to provide you with an honest, in-depth review of the 1storm motorcycle helmet. At first, we felt that this would be just another cheaply made, heavily marketed modular motorcycle helmet. Well, our first impression was inherently wrong!
It’s impressive how much durability and comfort you can get from a motorcycle helmet that costs below $100! Here are some of the main features of the 1storm motorcycle helmet:
Lightweight and durable thermoplastic alloy shell
Weighs 4 lbs (1,8 kg)
Full-face and open-face configurations via the chin bar toggle
Dual-lens design – clear shield and sun visor
Fog and wind-resistant visors
Hypoallergenic fabric inner liner that is removable
Without further ado, let’s dive in and break down all the essential features of the 1storm modular motorcycle helmet!
Construction & Design
For a modular motorcycle helmet under $100, this one really excels in its overall design and construction quality. The shell is made of thermoplastic alloy, which is lightweight and durable. Actually, the 1storm motorcycle helmet only weighs 4lbs (1,8 kg)! That makes it very comfortable to wear on your head for more extended periods. Also, the helmet is aerodynamic, which will help it with being stable even during high-speed rides.
Now, as we mentioned before, this is a modular helmet. That means that you can choose between a full-face helmet and open-face configurations. As every full-face helmet, there is a chin bar that is togglable with a button located on the front part. Mind you, the placement of the button could be better, as during a crash, if you slide with your chin, the button could be accidentally pressed, which could make for undesirable results.
If you want to put headphones inside the helmet, it is good to know that 1storm thought this with the design of this helmet. There is recess space for you to put a Bluetooth comm kit or headphones!
Nevertheless, the durability you get with this helmet is unprecedented when you consider its price tag. It is tough to find a better helmet if you look strictly at this aspect in this price range.
Vision
The dual-lens design of this motorcycle helmet is something that we can’t praise enough, especially for a modular helmet in the price range under $100. So, with this helmet, you get an inner and outer visor in the package.
The inner visor is essentially a sun shield, as it is tinted for additional UV protection. When your visibility is faltered by sunlight, press the button on the left side of the visor to pop up the inner smoked visor.
The outer visor features a clear shield, which is incredible for night rides. You will get the necessary protection from bugs, debris, wind, and rain while having superb visibility. There is a button just underneath the top part of the helmet that toggles the outer visor.
Both visors are fog and wind-resistant, which just adds to the affordability of the whole package.
Also, we want to note that the visors won’t fog up in lower temperatures thanks to the mouth cover implementation. This is a problem that plagues many modular helmets, and we are glad that 1storm has addressed this problem with this modular helmet!
Comfort
The padded inner liner of this helmet is removable and washable. It is made of thick, breathable, and hypoallergenic fabric. You will need some time to get used to the comfort liner’s thickness, as it can feel snug during the first few rides. When it adjusts to your head, though (will take 10 to 20 hours for that), it is very comfortable for extended trips. Just make sure to take off the liner after each long ride, as it can get quite smelly from sweat.
Also, the liner is very loose, as it is designed to be removable and washable. You can fasten it into the helmet, but that will make it just harder to take it off when you need to wash it from unpleasant smells. Keep that fact in mind before you make the purchase.
Along with the padded comfort liner, you can feel a lot of padding on the cheek segment, which increases the overall comfort level of the helmet.
What contributes to the low price of this helmet is its quick-release buckle. It does a relatively good job of keeping the helmet tightened to your head without making it uncomfortable. Nothing special here. Sometimes, it may give you some headaches when you want to clip it together.
Airflow
The ventilation system featured in this helmet is quite useful when you consider how cheap the helmet is. You can find six vent switches, which are divided into three groups:
Two adjustable top vent switches
Two adjustable front vent switches
Two back vents
We had a chance to feel the ventilation system in action, and we can say that it does a great job of cooling your head during hot summer rides. During winter, we recommend you wear some warm mask underneath your face to warm you up, as you cannot close the back vent.
Also, as this is first and foremost, a modular, flip-up helmet, as you can always flip the outer shield to let in more air inside the helmet.
One gripe that we have with the general airflow design of this helmet is that it is very susceptible to wind noise, especially if you ride over 65 km/h. Of course, there is a possibility to lock down the clear shield, which will also protect against rain, but it won’t be enough to filter out the wind noise. That’s why this helmet is more effective if you are riding in the city, as you won’t often ride above 65 km/h.
Safety Ratings
As this is a modular helmet, we can classify it as one of the dual homologated motorcycle helmets. It is DOT-approved, which means that it passed safety testing on the US market. Along with that, it also has ECE certification, which makes it fit for European markets.
With these two certifications in mind, you can rest assured that the 1storm motorcycle helmet will keep you safe in case of a crash. After all, this is one of the main reasons why you wear a helmet!
Available Models
You can get the 1storm modular motorcycle helmet in following sizes:
S – 53 to 54 cm (20,9″ to 21,3″)
M – 55 to 56 cm (21,7″ to 22″)
L – 57 to 58 cm (22,4″ to 22,8″)
XL – 59 to 60 cm (23,2″ to 23,4″)
Besides the sizes, you can see that the dimensions are slightly lower than the standard market measurements. That’s why we have included the helmet size variants in centimeters and inches. Make sure to measure the crown of your head a few times before you buy it, as the helmet can be quite snug. You don’t want to spend your time and money to return the helmet, so it is crucial to prepare ahead!
We also love how many color variants this helmet comes in with a whopping 16 color combinations! The primary colors that you can choose are:
Black
Blue
Green
Orange
Pink
Red
White
Yellow
All the colors come in a glossy finish or arrow style. With the arrow style, the base color of the helmet is black, with several lines in select color. It is also worth noting that the black color of 1storm motorcycle helmets also comes in matte style. With the 1storm modular helmet, you have a large number of personalization options.
Price
What amazes us the most is how 1storm manages to pack all the fantastic features that make for an exceptional flip-up modular helmet for such a low price. Right now, the price for the 1storm modular flip-up motorcycle helmet is $59,95 (€50,99/£46,04). That fact makes it one of the most affordable modular, flip-up motorcycle helmets on the market.
You can buy this helmet via Amazon or via 1storm official site. Keep in mind that this motorcycle helmet is often found out of stock on Amazon, so you may end up buying it via the manufacturer’s official site.
The main benefit of ordering this motorcycle helmet from the 1storm webshop is that they offer free shipping for orders over $50, a rule for which this helmet applies!
So, is this 1storm modular motorcycle helmet worth your attention? Considering its low price tag, it certainly is one of the best modular motorcycle helmets that you can get right now. Of course, there are modular helmets that offer better noise cancellation and are more comfortable to wear during long rides, but you will most certainly pay 5 to 10 times more.
If you are on a tight budget and want a nicely designed, comfortable, and durable modular motorcycle helmet; but are willing to trade some comfort and noise-canceling issues, this is one of the best deals you can get.
We hope you learned valuable information in our 1storm motorcycle helmet review that will help you with your final decision. If you like this helmet, check out some of the cool motorcycle helmets to wear in 2020!
Even though Piaggio is a groupation that owns brands like Vespa, Piaggio, and Aprilia, their sales results in the first half of 2020 have taken a considerable hit.
During the first half of the year, the groupation sold 210,300 vehicles all over the world. From a statistical viewpoint, that is a 32% decrease from the same point of time in the previous year. We can most definitely tie COVID-19 pandemic as a culprit of this sales number drop, as it didn’t only impact Piaggio.
Nevertheless, not all is bad for Piaggio this year. They are doing pretty well at selling scooters. The sales for Vespa and Piaggio scooters are increased in certain parts of the world. Scooters are great for commuters, so it’s no wonder that their sales are still going strong!
We are looking forward to seeing how Piaggio will hold their ground in the second half of 2020. The second wave of the pandemic is projected in some parts of the world so that that fact could make some impact on the Piaggio sales figures.
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According to rumors from a specific Japanese publication, Honda may be developing a new V4 superbike. It appears that this new motorcycle may be released in the next couple of years. The mentioned rumor mentions that the bike in question may utilize MotoGP technology.
Is this an odd decision for Honda? After all, they have just released CBR1000RR-R motorcycle, and are hard at work on other variants of their sportbikes. The Japanese publication believes that Honda continued advancing their V4 designs (their last one was the RC213V-S from 2015). Their theory makes sense as Honda may comply with new European emission standards with this motorcycle. Also, the recent Ducati Panigale V4 got a lot of attention – maybe Honda wants a piece of that pie?
Well, all the rationalizations from above hold water indeed. We would love to see an heir to the RC213V-S motorcycle, albeit it may take some time to see it in action.
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BMW has revealed updated versions of their F750GS and F850GS (along with the Adventure variant) for the 2021 season! The new models sport a new color scheme, together with a special, 40 Years GS Edition livery, and additional equipment. These novelties will undoubtedly keep these bikes lively for the upcoming year.
The distinctive livery is inspired by the R100GS color palette: yellow, black, and gray. Along with the livery, the updated models will sport special anniversary badging. Also, each individual updated bike will have its own livery variant. The colors will be the same, but the paintwork will be different.
When it comes to equipment and changes, a USB charge port is added, while the LED turn signals and ABS Pro & Dynamic Traction Control are standard. The bikes should be more responsive in Dynamic ride mode thanks to the Dynamic Brake Control system. One thing to know is that the engines will stay the same.
Along with the mentioned features, BMW is adding lower seats and suspension, which are wholly optional.
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There were rumors at the beginning of 2020 that a Honda CBR600RR-R could release before the end of this year. Newer rumors slated the reveal during the Thailand MotoGP, which has been rescheduled. It looks like Honda will reserve the mid-sized Honda CBR models for 2021, for better or worse!
It is still uncertain when the Thai MotoGP will occur, and whether Honda will use that opportunity to reveal their new CBR600 flagship motorcycle. The uncertainty gave birth to yet another rumor, which tells us that Honda may update the CBR600RR for 2021!
According to the latest rumors coming from Japan, the 2021 version of the CBR600RR will get a few aesthetic and tech updates. This could be the last update of this model, as it doesn’t comply with the latest, more strict emission regulations.
The 2021 update will be an upgrade, not an overhaul. Well, that fact is credible, as it is increasingly challenging to create 600cc inline-four mill engines that meet the new emission standards. Because of that, the CBR600RR was removed from a few markets, even from Europe.
What can we expect from the new update? Apparently, the bike will utilize a new inertial measurement unit (IMU) that will add two new features: lean-angle sensitive traction control and cornering ABS. Also, a tweak is planned to make the bike suitable for new emission standards, but details are unknown for now.
The new update in works for Honda CBR600RR will prolong its life for a few years. Now is the time to get it, if the rumors are true!
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BMW is starting with the expansion of its F900XR and S1000XR motorcycles to new markets! The company recently launched S1000XR in India and the F900XR on the ASEAN market. These two bikes are amazing, and it is good to see that BMW is trying to amaze other markets with them!
The S1000XR motorcycle is an ideal balance between the ergonomics of the GS line, and capabilities of the S1000RR, without being a full-fledged hardcore sports bike. We presume that this bike will be a big hit in the Indian markets. The bike will most likely be premium-priced, but its output is well worth the price tag.
On the other hand, for the people who don’t want to mess with S1000XR-s power, the F900XR is a perfect pick. It offers a delicate balance between sports ergonomics with top-tier performance. The bike is an obvious step back from S1000XR, but it is more than welcome in Southeast Asia. Time and sales figures will tell in the end!
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If you are following the exotic Italian sportbike scene, you are probably familiar with Bimota, and their Tesi H2 sportbike. In a recent interview, the company confirmed that they would put that motorcycle in production, starting with September. We also know that it will come in several different color styles, at least that’s what their spokesperson, Gianluca Galasso states.
Bimota is currently testing the titular motorcycle on the European racetracks. You can see how that is holding up in the video below, which is shot at the Autodromo dell’ Umbria circuit in Italy! The company chose this racetrack as it is the toughest for the brake tests.
On that racetrack, the whole bike is tested, especially the brakes, height, shocks settings, ground clearance, and other things. We are certainly hyped up to see how this bike will look like after the testing phase!
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