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2024 450 SHOOTOUT NOTES: THE WRAP

November 25, 2023 David

The 2024 450 Shootout is wrapping up. This year, the main challenge was to see where the new Kawasaki KX450 and GasGas MC450F fit in–all the other bikes are unchanged since our 2023 450 Shootout. We even knew what to expect with the GasGas because it was similar to the 2023 GasGas MC450F Factory Edition. That meant the Kawasaki was the only real mystery. Here are the bullet points for each bike:

GasGas MC450F

It now has the same frame and motor that the KTM and Husqvarna got last year.
The bodywork is exclusive to GasGas and so are a number of components.
GasGas has softer suspension settings than the other Austrian bikes.
It has forged triple clamps and Braktec brakes and hydraulics. It features Maxxis tires and different bars and rims. The bike lacks a map switch or a resonance chamber in the headpipe and sells for $10,399 which is a little less than the other Austrian bikes.

STRONG POINTS

Great motor with excellent low-end and still very controllable. It’s the lightest bike in the whole shootout at 228 pounds without fuel. It turns with very little effort and has no real issues in the stability department. The suspension is cushy and more in line with intermediate-level riders. The controls are all excellent, including the brakes.

WEAK POINTS

More advanced riders will use up the suspension fairly quickly. The frame is very rigid. The Maxxis tires can be a handicap on hard terrain. The air fork requires attention between motos and you’ll need to buy the map switch for traction control, launch assist, and Quickshift for $135.

Honda CRF450R.

This bike is unchanged for 2024. It got a new frame and a very different personality last year. Most of the changes in 2023 were aimed at making it more controllable. You can still buy the earlier version of the Honda–it’s called the CRF450R-S and it sells for $8899. The newer version is $9699. There are three maps available through a handlebar switch as well as traction control. The suspension is Showa and the brakes and hydraulic clutch are both Nissin.

News

Here’s How Ducati’s First Season In The MotoE World Championship Went

September 17, 2023 David

Ducati has completed its first season as the sole supplier to the Fédération Internationale de Motocyclisme (FIM) Enel MotoE World Championship and has shared some of the statistics it recorded during the season.

As a manufacturer in a one-make series, the focus is on research and development, rather than competing against other brands. The individual teams compete against each other, but for the manufacturer, it’s all about continuous improvement.

The Ducati V21L electric prototype, which had a total curb weight of 225 kilograms (496 pounds), played a central role in the season. The battery alone accounted for 110 kg (242.5 pounds) of the weight, and it was made of carbon fiber, providing strength and reducing weight. The battery was also liquid-cooled, allowing for immediate recharging without the need for a cool-down period.

By using 21700-type cells for the battery pack, Ducati was able to distribute the cells strategically within the bike, focusing on mass centralization and weight distribution. This resulted in a weight distribution of 54 percent at the front and 46 percent at the rear.

4 Photos

Throughout the season, eight different riders out of a field of 18 won at least one race, with ten of them achieving podium finishes. The competition was intense, and at the start of the final round in San Marino, four riders still had a chance to win the world championship rider’s title.

Ducati reported an average lap time improvement of 2.2 seconds compared to the 2022 season. During the Italian GP on June 10, 2023, one of the V21L bikes reached a top speed of 282 kilometers per hour (175.227 mph) at Mugello. Ducati produced a total of 23 V21L prototype machines for use in the MotoE paddock this season, with 18 allocated to teams and five kept as spare bikes for emergencies.

As for the future, Ducati is looking forward to the 2024 season and the development of its electric race machines during the off-season. Only time will reveal what the future holds for Ducati in the MotoE World Championship.

Technology

This Hack Can Improve Your Wi-Fi Signal Using Aluminum Foil (with a Catch)

September 10, 2023 David

You may have heard about a technique that involves wrapping your Wi-Fi router in foil to boost its signal strength. However, for this hack to work effectively, you will also need a 3D-printed reflector. Researchers at Dartmouth College have developed a program called WiPrint, which creates a personalized reflector shape for your home based on factors such as the layout, router location, desired signal increase areas, and desired signal decrease areas.

The WiPrint program takes this information and generates an optimized reflector shape within approximately 23 minutes. This shape can then be 3D printed for around $35. The final step involves covering the reflector with aluminum foil, which is the most affordable and easily accessible material compared to copper or silver.

During testing, the researchers discovered that using a 3D-printed reflector and aluminum foil increased the Wi-Fi signal in target areas by up to 55.1% while decreasing it in others by -63.3%. This system not only improves Wi-Fi efficiency but also enhances security by limiting the signal’s reach to specific areas of your home, making it more challenging for hackers to access.

Cars

2024 Mercedes-AMG EQE SUV First Drive: Enhancing Performance

July 11, 2023 David

The AMG EQE SUV maintains the tradition of concealing its enhanced performance, with only a few distinct features setting it apart from the standard EQE SUV.

Since the EQE SUV is an electric vehicle, it doesn’t have a traditional grille. However, it does have vertical bars in the area where the grille would be, giving the impression of a chrome growth medium between the headlights. This design choice aims to maintain consistency with gasoline-powered AMG models, which feature functional grilles with similar vertical bars.

In terms of appearance, the AMG-specific front splitter and rear diffuser are the main distinguishing factors, although they are only noticeable when compared to the standard EQE SUV. Depending on the chosen wheel design (AMG models offer 21-inch or 22-inch wheels, which are optional on the base EQE SUV), the gold AMG brake calipers may be visible, providing a better indication of the car’s performance than the slightly modified bodywork.

The overall body shape of the EQE SUV was primarily designed to minimize aerodynamic drag, an essential consideration for electric vehicles to maximize their range. While it is not clear whether the AMG modifications have improved the standard EQE SUV’s impressive drag coefficient of 0.25, the emphasis on aerodynamics does not result in the most aesthetically pleasing shape. In the color white, it resembles an asymmetrical dollop of whipped cream.

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