Tag Archives: spend

Car Accessories, Motorcycles

5 Must-Have Aftermarket Parts & Mods For Your Kawasaki Ninja

If you spend quite a lot of time driving your Kawasaki Ninja, it definitely helps to have a cushty seat to associate with it. There are many choices, and you may spend as little as $50 or you will get a dearer seat that’ll take you nicely into the triple-digit threshold. Seat consolation largely comes down to private choice, so you may have to search out out what works finest for you. There are all types of colour schemes you possibly can go for, so it’s best to have the ability to discover one thing that matches your bike’s aesthetic if that is what you are swapping for.

This seat from C.C. Rider, out there on Amazon for $99.99, is available in one in every of 9 completely different colours. This is much out of your solely choice out there, and also you would possibly discover a higher match based mostly on materials, value, or colour. The level is there are various seats to select from, and it is an affordable buy within the grand scheme of issues.

Technology

5 Top Rated Solar Panels For RVs And Camping Trailers

Maybe you need to spend every week tenting, however for as soon as, you do not need to take your RV. It’s a price to have photo voltaic panels which might be versatile for each camper and cell use. Grecell’s 100 Watt Portable Solar Panel is a superb possibility for a mobile solar panel for all styles of camping. It’s straightforward to make use of and transport because of its capability to fold in half and be carried like a briefcase. However, in contrast to different foldable photo voltaic panels, this one is extremely light-weight — it solely weighs 10 kilos. For being so small, it additionally comes with kickstands as a way to alter it to the place of the solar simply.

This photo voltaic panel obtained a 4.6 out of 5 ranking from over 400 shoppers. According to most of the evaluations, it would not really feel cheaply made, and there isn’t any worry of the folded space changing into affected after a number of foldings and unfolding, that means it’s a high quality product. However, of the damaging evaluations, some state that the photo voltaic panel is incompatible with the Jackery Explorer power station, regardless that Grecell acknowledged that it was. Sometimes, it’s best to maintain with the identical manufacturers when coping with know-how tools so you already know the items of compatibility.

News

Government pledges £8.3bn to repair UK roads

The government has committed to spending £8.3 billion to fix Britain’s roads, which have been plagued by potholes. This money will be redirected from the scaled-back HS2 high-speed rail line.

This fund will be enough to resurface over 5000 miles of road and will be distributed to councils across the country for projects over the next 11 years.

It is the largest road-specific fund ever announced in the UK.

Transport secretary Mark Harper confirmed that each local authority will receive £150 million, with an additional £150 million for 2024/2025 and the rest of the funding allocated through to 2034.

Of the total funding, £3.3 billion will be allocated to the North West, North East, and Yorkshire & Humber; £2.2 billion for the West Midlands and East Midlands; and £2.8 billion for the East of England, South East, South West, and, for the first time in 8 years, London.

Prime Minister Rishi Sunak stated, “For too long politicians have avoided making long-term decisions to improve people’s lives, and addressing potholes is a clear example. Well-maintained road surfaces could save drivers up to £440 each in costly vehicle repairs, allowing motorists to keep more money in their pockets.”

Harper added, “Most people use the roads, and potholes can cause problems for motorists, from expensive vehicle repairs to bumpy, slow, and unsafe journeys. Today’s significant funding increase for local road improvements is a win for all road users, who will benefit from smoother, faster, and safer trips, as we redirect HS2 funding to make the right long-term decisions for a brighter future.”

The new funding also includes an additional £70 million earmarked for updating 20mph zone guidance to prevent inappropriate blanket use, and measures to accelerate the expansion of electric vehicle charging.

New £8.3bn road fund welcomed

The fund has received the support of some of the UK’s largest insurers and motoring groups.

RAC head of policy Simon Williams stated that smoother, well-maintained roads could save drivers up to £440 each in repair costs from pothole damage.

He welcomed the news, saying, “Drivers’ biggest complaint is the poor condition of local roads, so the fact that the Government has found significant additional revenue should give councils the funding certainty they need to plan proper long-term road maintenance, something we have been advocating for many years.”

“We hope local authorities will use the money effectively by resurfacing the worst roads, maintaining those in reasonable condition for longer through surface dressing, and filling potholes as permanently as possible where necessary,” he added.

Cars

2023 Prius Prime Solar Roof: How Long Does It Take to Charge?

Deciding if the extra cost of the Prius Prime’s solar roof is worthwhile depends largely on where you plan to drive the plug-in hybrid, as well as where you will park it. Owners in sun-drenched states like California and Texas are likely to benefit the most from the solar roof, as they will have plenty of sunshine to power it throughout the year, as reported by SlashGear.

In contrast, those who live in states with changeable seasons may not see the same advantages. For instance, in Michigan, where the Prius Prime was tested in the fall, the overcast skies resulted in minimal gains from the solar roof’s power generation, as seen from the driver’s display.

Where you park your PHEV will also influence the solar roof’s efficiency. If you charge the Prius Prime in a garage or under a carport, it won’t receive direct sunlight. In this case, opting for a Level 2 home charger, which can recharge the battery in about four hours, would be the more practical choice over getting a small charge from the sun.

News

Editor’s letter: Exploring Mazda’s Broad Perspective Beyond EVs

Spending time with Mazda is always a captivating experience, mainly because of its unique perspective on the world and its unconventional approach.

The most recent example of this was witnessed at the Tokyo motor show (Japan Mobility Show) this week, which has been hailed as the best motor show since the pandemic. In contrast to other automakers, Mazda chose not to unveil a battery-electric vehicle. Instead, they presented a concept that showcased a rotary-powered electric range-extender, giving a glimpse into the future of the Mazda MX-5.

Mazda’s Chief Financial Officer (CFO), Jeff Guyton, describes Mazda as an “intentional follower.” Being a small car manufacturer that operates in over 130 markets, Mazda faces varying regulations in each of these markets.

News

Watch An Impressive Mad Max MFP Kwaka Z1000 Replica Perform a Smoky Burnout

When attending car shows, it’s not uncommon to come across DeLoreans that have been meticulously transformed into faithful replicas of the iconic time machine from Back to the Future. And who can blame the DeLorean owners? Finding joy in recreating beloved vehicles is a lot of fun, especially for DIY enthusiasts who enjoy building and taking things apart.

Occasionally, you might stumble upon a Mad Max replica, although not as frequently as the DeLorean time machines. Personally, I’ve only seen Pursuit Special MFP Interceptors in person. Unfortunately, I’ve never had the opportunity to see a faithful replica of Goose’s MFP Kwaka KZ1000—that’s where YouTube comes in.

At the 2023 Classic Motorcycle Mechanics Show in the West Midlands, UK, a lifelong Mad Max fan named Phil Cotton unveiled his dream build. In the beginning of the video, he briefly shares the story of how he always wanted to build this bike, but only got around to it as a pensioner because he finally had the time.

He doesn’t delve into the details of how he built the replica, but he mentions that he made every effort to make it as close as possible to what was seen in the movie. While I’m not an expert on Mad Max, it looks and sounds pretty impressive to me. The only difficulty he encountered during the recreation was finding appropriate rearsets—he acknowledges that they might not be exactly like what was shown, but he is still satisfied with the end result.

Overall, he estimates that the bike, gear, and necessary vehicle registration to bring his dream to life cost around £13,000, which is approximately $15,801 when converted in October 2023, if you’re curious.

As mentioned earlier, this video not only allows us to see the bike, but also hear its powerful engine during a thrilling burnout. For the full experience, it’s recommended to wear headphones to truly appreciate the Z1000 engine sound. However, be mindful of the volume during the burnout if you choose to watch this way.

Car review

Toyota C-HR

The Toyota C-HR may not be the best choice for adults who spend a lot of time in the back seat. The rear legroom is limited, and the sloping roofline affects headroom. However, this hasn’t deterred buyers, especially those with young families. Additionally, Toyota now offers the slightly larger Corolla Cross in Europe for those who prioritize space over style.

To enhance the feeling of spaciousness in the back, engineers have introduced a new tinted panoramic roof that adds an extra 30mm of headroom. The C-pillar now has new window cut-outs for improved views. Furthermore, the rear door handles have been moved to a more conventional position on the rear doors based on customer feedback. These handles sit flush with the bodywork and pop out when pressed.

The boot size remains small, and Toyota has not provided specific details on its capacity or how much space is lost in the PHEV version due to the electric components beneath the floor.

In the front cabin, Toyota has focused on improving the perceived quality. The updated C-HR features a new 12.3-inch digital dial display and a new touchscreen infotainment system (8.0-inch as standard or 12.3-inch on higher-end models). The driver’s seating position is raised, typical of a crossover, and visibility is good. The seats in different trims incorporate recycled materials and are comfortable.

Motorsport

Ford Patents Car Sun Visors That Can Also Break Windows

We spend a fair amount of time nosing through the online files at the US Patent and Trademark Office. That’s because automakers file new ideas on a daily basis, and many of them are terrifically complicated. Every so often, however, we come across something exceedingly simple that leads us to wonder why someone didn’t think of it sooner.

That’s what we have here with patent number 11,780,302 BS, dated October 10, 2023. It comes from Ford, and to sum up a five-page description in five words or less, this sun visor breaks glass. Okay, it’s a bit more complicated than that, but honestly, not much.

Sun Visor Rod Patent

Several images in the patent show a normal-looking sun visor you’d find in any vehicle. It’s mounted onto a metal rod, which lets you flip the visor around as needed to block the sun. Instead of being permanently mounted on the rod, the sun visor can be removed to reveal a pointed end, or the impact point as mentioned in the patent description. The rod is also removable from its mount on the roof, giving you a small tool that, in theory, can shatter a window. It’s that simple.

But is it practical? Most glass shattering tools are in the shape of a small hammer, or are built into something a person can grip with some measure of strength. The patent doesn’t talk about the size of this built-in glass breaker, but it does make considerable mention of the L-shaped bend in the design. Whether that would offer enough grip for a person to shatter a window is, frankly, something we hope we never have to find out.

What about accidentally shattering windows? Sun visors are mounted near windshields after all, and while the patent doesn’t specifically address anything about accidental contact, it does give us all kinds of wonderful legal-esque phrases about using “vehicle-downward force” and applying “lateral force that is opposite the terminal end” to remove the rod from the visor. As far as we can tell, that means it snaps into place.

It’s one of those simple ideas that seems like a no-brainer, and it just could save a person’s life. Of course, we see many patents that never progress beyond this phase, so there’s no telling if this will ever see life in a production vehicle.

Motorsport

Witness Lamborghini Factory Driver Testing the Revuelto V12 Supercar on the Track

While most of us spend our workdays in an office, the life of a Lamborghini factory driver is much more thrilling. Recently, Squadra Corse driver Andrea Caldarelli had the opportunity to take the Revuelto for a spin at the Autodromo Piero Taruffi in Vallelunga, Italy. This track, nestled in the scenic hills north of Rome, provided the perfect backdrop for showcasing the power and performance of this incredible machine. And just like its predecessor, the Aventador, the Revuelto boasts a naturally aspirated V12 engine that delivers an awe-inspiring soundtrack, as captured in the video.

During his time behind the wheel, Caldarelli, who is set to pilot the upcoming Lamborghini SC63 in the 2024 IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship, had nothing but praise for the mighty 6.5-liter engine that roared behind him. Additionally, he commended the Revuelto’s eight-speed dual-clutch gearbox, which is mounted transversally. This gearbox is expected to be featured in the successor to the Huracan as well. With its smooth gear changes and an electric motor mounted above it, providing an extra boost, this new DCT offers an enhanced driving experience compared to its predecessors.


News

This Guy Is Traveling Around the World on His Honda Wave 125i Adventure Bike

If you spend time in Bangkok, Thailand, you’ll notice a lot of Honda Wave bikes. These small bikes and scooters are popular for getting around crowded cities. The Honda Wave 110i is more common than its slightly larger sibling, the Wave 125i, mainly due to the price difference. However, for riders who want to travel the world on a small adventure bike, the Honda Wave 125i is the choice. Australian rider Tom Kaczmarczyck is doing just that and has made detailed modifications to his bike, which he discusses in a video.

The stock Wave 125i has a few notable features. It is fuel-injected and has 17-inch wheels rather than smaller scooter wheels. The bike comes with a choice of alloy or spoked wheels, with the latter being the less expensive option. It also has tubed tires, which may not suit all riders but are favored by adventure riders. The Wave 125i shares a small air-cooled 125cc engine with the Grom and is known for its simplicity and availability of parts. It has a four-speed gearbox and a solid mount, minimizing vibrations on long journeys.

The 2022 Wave 125i weighs just over 227 pounds and is praised for its lightweight and low center of gravity. Tom has added various practical accessories to enhance his bike’s overlanding capabilities, including OEM Honda accessories designed for the Wave 125i and other Honda models modified to fit his bike. He has also made aftermarket additions such as a modified windscreen, heated grips, and hand guards. Additionally, Tom has modified the electrical system of the bike to better handle its requirements.

Tom has already traveled over 49,709 miles across Southeast Asia and Australia and plans to take his Wave 125i around the world. You can follow his adventures on his Facebook page.