Author: T.H.

Are we being played as fools by our road safety masters? Sy Nunan offers some thoughts on managing risk. (Editorial note: this is by far the most incisive piece we’ve ever seen on this subject.)

On the Road Again: Australia by Motorcycle from A to Z.

Published by Bear Face Books, ISBN 0 9586975-3-1
Available from Panoptikon Pty Ltd, PO Box 2066, Boronia Park NSW 2111

Peter “The Bear” Thoeming has released a new motorcycle travel guide. See this link for the details.

來自 Technology Review 的消息。號誌辨認常常是我們騎車周遊各國時所會遇到的一個麻煩。現任教於 Carnegie Mellon University 的 Jie Yang 發明了一套使用 HP Jornada 再加上照相機便可以將他國道路視覺號誌翻譯的軟體。 我在想，PDA 除了可作 GPS 定位之外，還可以如何和摩托旅遊結合。至少，我曾經在 PalmGear 上看過為數不少專們寫給行車油量紀錄的軟體。

來自奧地利工廠建造出令人驚奇的越野車種，我們將它們稱之為超級摩塔(Supermotard).

彎道中允許傾角極大、越野風格、高速於柏油路面上奔馳，這就是歐洲目前發展最快速的超級摩塔系列賽。來自奧地利的 KTM, 這家在1990年代後專門出產越野車種的廠商，正是 supermotard 始祖和暢銷車款 LC4 Supermoto 背後的推力。 KTM 自90年代初期便積極投入四行程單缸引擎越野車款的開發。這個級距也有人稱之為 “thumper,” 但包含道路和越野車種。超級摩塔賽事頗類似四輪車種的 Go-Kart. 賽道通常較 Cross 來的短小，使用道路用輪框，並且配上手工刻出胎紋的光頭胎(slick)。以賽事的級距來說，通常分有 Prestige-Kategorie, Challenger-Kategorie, Rookie-Kategorie, Fun-Kategorie, Youngster-Kategorie, Scooter Trophy 和 Quad-Kategorie 等不同量級。

超級摩塔車款也漸為歐洲市區車主所喜愛。高坐姿幾何，提供更佳視野，可減少因前道車輛擁塞所帶來的視覺死角。低轉速的扭力反應，頗適合市區騎乘。

近年來 KTM 在巴黎達卡拉力賽的表現，只能以全面壟斷來形容。

目前除了 KTM 之外，其他量產 supermotard 的歐洲大小車廠尚有 CCM, Husqvarna 和 Vertemati, Husaberg, VOR, Betamotor, Derbi, Kramit…等等。

Kymco(光陽)公司於本月二十六日表示，他們 2002 年的稅前盈餘為十億四百萬台幣，較 2001 年攀升 25%, EPS 為 NT$1.75, 為國內各車廠表現最佳者。

2002 年光陽總銷售車款數量為 220,000 輛，連續三年蟬連國內銷售量第一；外銷總數量也是領先其他車廠。光陽預計在 2003 年份內銷突破 230,000, 外銷為 100,000 輛。

2002年度運輸論文檔案。將與摩托車直接相關者，簡錄如下：

台灣大學土木工程所
設置機車停等區對號誌化交叉路口之影響評估 林明志

交通大學運輸科技與管理學系
家戶特性與汽、機車持有數及使用量關係之研究－以台北市為例 陳鴻文

交通部運研所新書通報：

What kind of motorcyclist are you? Take this easy test and find out! 1) When you ride by a cop, do you expect:
a, A return of your friendly wave
b, A day in traffic school
c, A high-speed chase

2) What type of motorcycle training have you had?
a, MSF and ERC; b, Superbike school; c, Bike dealer showed me how to shift

3) Proper riding attire is:
a, Aerostich suit; b, Torn red, white, and blue racing leathers; c, Oakley blades

4) Which do you spend the most money on?
a, Gas; b, Tires; c, Plastic

5) How did you pay for your bike:
a, Cash; b, Credit; c, Mom

6) Who is your favorite famous motorcyclist?
a, Malcom Forbes; b, Eddie Lawson; c, Mike Tyson

7) Do you pass other vehicles:
a, Only when legal; b, Only when safe; c, By forcing them off the road

8) What was the first modification to your bike?
a, Premium tires; b, A loud exhaust; c, A neon paint job

9) When you give someone their first ride on a motorcycle, they:
a, Compliment you on what an enjoyable time they had; b, Clutch your stomach with a death grip; c, Invariably fall off

10. After a close call, do you:
a, Evaluate what you can do to avoid this in the future; b, Promise yourself you’ll settle down; c, Brag to your friends

11. A helmet should be:
a, DOT or SNELL approved; b, Replaced after a crash; c, Bungied to the back of the bike

12. Riding in groups can be advantageous because:
a, It makes you more visible to other motorists; b, There is always help when someone crashes; c, There is always someone to race

13. Which is the worse accident you’ve had:
a, Tipped bike over on steep driveway; b, Low-speed fall in gravel-filled turn; c, Rear-ended police cruiser

14. Which calendar do you own:
a, Honda Street Rage; b, GP Racers; c, Bikes, Babes, and Bikinis

15. A pre-ride inspection consists primarily of:
a, Checking the operation of the controls and the condition of the brakes; b, Checking the tires and footpegs to see how far over you’re getting; c, Checking your hair in the mirror

16. When sitting at a stoplight you should:
A, Keep your hands on the controls and scan your mirrors
b) Try to anticipate the green light
c) Rev the engine to attract attention (狂拉轉速)

17. Is your speed governed by:

a) The posted speed limit.
b) The laws of physics.
c) Who’s around to show off to.

18. What motorcycling skill do you most value?

a) Counter steering
b) Hanging off
c) Burnouts (抓前煞放離合磨後胎)

Analysis of answers:
If you answered (a) to most questions, you are the consummate gentleman
biker. Regardless of the marque you ride, you are consistently kind to
children, animals, and other living creatures. You contribute generously
to charity, and attend the annual Policeman’s Ball without fail. You ride
to work in a three-piece suit, protected by your Aerostich riding gear.

If you answered (b) to most questions, you are an avid rider who truly
feels the need for speed. You are keenly concerned with trying to identify
new riding techniques that will put you at the front of the pack, and
enjoy practicing late braking, late apexing, and late nights with equal
enthusiasm.

If you answered (c) to most questions, you are more than likely the
quintessential squid. Uninsurable, and loved only by yourself and Mom,
not even a sledgehammer could knock sense into your thick skull.

TITLE: Road Warrior Booty: Prize Structures in Motorcycle Racing
AUTHOR(S): Maloney,-Michael-T; Terkun,-Kristina
AUTHOR AFFILIATION: Clemson U; Clemson U
SOURCE : Contributions-to-Economic-Analysis-and-Policy. 2002; 1(1): na
ISSN: 1538-0645
DOCUMENT TYPE: Journal-Article
PUBLICATION YEAR: 2002

剛才在查資料庫(Webspirs)時，誤打誤撞，發現這篇有趣的論文。內容談到摩托競賽中獎勵制度的結構問題。 ABSTRACT: This research reports the results of an analysis of prize structures among competing firms paying tournament wages. In motorcycle racing, sponsors compete in an auction for riders using tournament prizes as bids. Since racers can only ride one bike and wear one helmet, they are forced to choose among sponsors of similar products. We find that in the face of competition, sponsors are forced to lower the incentive intensity of their prize differentials as rival sponsors post larger purses. Our test offers new corroboration of the Lazear-Rosen tournament model. Other researchers have found that workers respond to bigger prize differentials by working harder. We find that firms recognize this and also recognize that in the competitive labor-market equilibrium this extra work must be compensated by offering higher expected wages through bigger purses. Our results complete the theoretical circle: workers respond to the incentive effects of tournament wages and firms anticipate this behavior when making tournament wage offers.

BMW of North America, LLC 在日前捐給美國五角大廈六輛特製的 R 1100 RT-P 摩托車，準備成立有史以來第一支摩托車縱隊。此舉是 BMW 為了因應 911 事件後，美國各地區對於機動性巡防武力需求激增，所做的長期捐贈計劃之一。自 911 後, BMW 已捐了為數不少車款給受創嚴重的社區與紅十字會，並且在 MIT(麻省理工學院)設立獎學金，以嘉惠學生。

BMW 為目前世界上最大的警方用車輸出廠，估計約有 80000 輛不同車款在全世界一百五十個國家服役。

反觀國內的總代理泛德在前日對於開放機車長度上限(2.5米)議題上所有的動作，以公眾的角度觀之(非廠商)，格局就顯的略小。註：請參考 Motorways 論壇相關討論

資料來源：PR Newswire

California Superbike School 今年將會在十二的國家巡迴開課，分別是 US, England, and Australia, Ireland, France, Spain, Germany, Greece, Norway, Sweden, Malaysia, 還有 Philippines. 其中在美國加州、英格蘭和澳洲三地為永久駐在所，開有分校。學校發起人 Keith Code 為三本車界著名書籍之撰寫者：

資料來源：PR Newswire

Cannondale, 一家令人敬重的自行車廠商，其公關部門在本月24日表示他們將停止生產 cross, atv 車種(motorcycle), 並且已經向法院申請二輪事業部的破產保護。

資料來源：MountainBike.com

Sunday Morning. No Blogging at Motomosa.

the title refers to
the human spirit of achieving balance, like riding a motorcycle. For me, the
site is a way to keep myself in balance by expressing my thoughts.

It was one of those interesting discussions on a motorcycle newsgroup…

The first poster said:
“Sorry, but a “motor” is an electrical devise that produces rotary motion using a series of electromagnets to repel each other, and rotate the shaft. It’s an ELECTRIC MOTOR. You do not “rebuild” a motor
You do not “pull the motor”
You do not “start” a motor
You do not “modify” a motor
and you do not “seize” a motor!!!

Instead, you rebuild the ENGINE
You pull the ENGINE
You start the ENGINE
You modify the ENGINE
and you seize the ENGINE!!!

The correct term is “Enginecycle”
Only ELECTRIC “motorcycles”, may be called MOTORCYCLES!!!”

Joe

…..to which came the reply:
“Well, mot is latin for move. So you can go around saying enginecycle, I’ll stick to bike or motorcycle. Who knows maybe it will catch on… nah.”

crom

…and:
“A few early attempts at two-wheeled locomotion – Gottlieb Daimler is thought to have invented the real motorcycle in 1885.

Us Germans have been calling it Motorrad for a while now. We don’t seem to differentiate between engines and motors. We have an Ottomotor, Wankelmotor and Elektromotor. However a steam engine would be called a Dampfmaschine.

So that was another answer to a question that nobody had asked. :-P

Cheers,”

Alex

…Of course someone had to ask:
“I hate to get all “Beavis and Butthead” but…

…he did say “Wankelmotor”!? ;-)”

Clint

…to be told:
“Not to worry, I am used to it, there are a couple in just about every classroom:-)

Let’s call it a rotary engine/motor then.”

Alex

:Well that’s a relief! I though it was just my kids. They even snickered during a discussion of medieval technology. “Clockwork” being the word, I think, that got them going.”

Clint

… logic came into it:
“They’re called “motorcycles” because they go:

motormotormotormotormotormotormotormotormotormotor

I thought everyone knew that.”

Tom Faller
mutter, mutter, mutter…

… as did commercial interests:
“I’ll call Harley and tell them they need to change their name from ‘The Motor Company’ to ‘The Engine Company’.

Thanks for your help.”

…luker

…until finally someone put it quite succinctly:
“Please consider searching Ebay for a life. There are usually several available
at most reasonable prices.”

Valued Customer