BMX is for kid

Pursuing the concept of “harmony with people” Honda has developed a new personal mobility technology and unveiled U3-X, a compact experimental device that fits comfortably between the rider’s legs, to provide free movement in all directions just as in human walking – forward, backward, side-to-side, and diagonally. Honda will continue research and development of the device including experiments in a real-world environment to verify the practicality of the device.

This new personal mobility device makes it possible to adjust speed and move, turn and stop in all directions when the rider leans the upper body to shift body weight. This was achieved through application of advanced technologies including Honda’s balance control technology, which was developed through the robotics research of ASIMO, Honda’s bipedal humanoid robot, and the world’s first^* omni-directional driving wheel system (Honda Omni Traction Drive System, or HOT Drive System), which enables movement in all directions, including not only forward and backward, but also directly to the right and left and diagonally. In addition, this compact size and one-wheel-drive personal mobility device was designed to be friendly to the user and people around it by making it easier for the rider to reach the ground from the footrest and placing the rider on roughly the same eye level as other people or pedestrians.

Honda is planning to showcase the U3-X at the 41^st Tokyo Motor Show 2009 (sponsored by JAMA) which will begin on October 24, 2009 at Makuhari Messe in Chiba, Japan.

Striving to propose the next-generation mobility which expands the joy and fun of mobility, Honda has been conducting robotics research since 1986, including ASIMO, walking assist devices and U3-X, at the Honda R&D Co., Ltd. Fundamental Technology Research Center in Wako, Saitama, Japan.

The Legendary Ho Chi Minh Trail was the supply line used by North Vietnam to link North and South Vietnam during the American War. Soldiers, ammunition, and supplies were carried by hand, bicycle and truck for hundreds of kilometers through the otherwise impenetrable jungle that covered Vietnam’s mountainous border with Laos. A testimony to the ingenuity, fortitude and commitment of the northern Vietnamese, the trail slipped from use at the end of the war and was taken back by the jungle.

Recent road work that follows original sections of the trail has changed this. Besides incredible driving, deep in the Vietnamese countryside, this ride takes in the charming ancient trading town of Hoi An, Khe Sanh battle site and DMZ. Travelers also take time to stay overnight in a traditional Thai hill tribe and visit to some tribal villages on the way. Start this trip in Hanoi, travelers have Hanoi city tour to visit Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum, and the “Uncle Ho” house and other famous sight-seeings and a relaxing cyclo tour through the ancient part of Hanoi. Next day, travelers take a short bus drive the Ho Chi Minh Trail Museum on the outskirts of Hanoi.

After the visit to the museum travelers will jump on our Minsks and spend sometime to get familiar with the bikes. Crossing two short mountain passes then descent to the mountain valley settlement of Mai Chau, travelers will have dinner and overnight in a stilt house of the Thai people. Next day, travelers then head South on a beautiful winding road which follow the banks of the Ma River. After some hours riding on undulating quiet road, travelers join the new Ho Chi Minh Highway. This newly carved route leads them due south, through remote back country, not far from the Laos border. In the afternoon, travelers cut eastward towards the coast and stay overnight in the peaceful city of Vinh.

The next morning, travelers head inland towards the Laos border after 40mins riding travelers can reach the birthplace of Ho Chi Minh in Kim Lien Village. The place is truly a shrine to the Vietnamese and visited by few westerners. Travelers continue on the quiet highway to Dong Loc Intersection which is widely regarded in Vietnamese eyes as the beginning of Ho Chi Minh Trail. Travelers then pass through remote back country, close to the border, as the scenery steadily becomes dominated by Karst limestone rock formations. Travelers will reach our overnight spot, Huong Khe Town.

Next day, travelers will arrive in Phong Nha around noon, board a dragon boat to explore the famous Nature World Heritage Site of Phong Nha cave, then riding 30km eastward to the costal town of Dong Hoi, an overnight spot.

Next day’s ride is also on the new, quiet highway. Along the way, travelers will have a short stop at Truong Son National Cemetery to pay respect to the soldiers who fought and died on the trail during the American War. After here, travelers head to Dong Ha Town passing Ben Tat Bridge, built by the VC over the Ben Hai River.

Arriving in Dong Ha, travelers will check into the hotel, have lunch and then drive to the mystic Vinh Moc Tunnel and the famous DMZ, Doc Mieu fire base and the historic Hien Luong Bridge in the afternoon.

Next day, continuing West on Highway 9, travelers will climb into the Truong Son foothills. About 16km from Khe Sanh is the Dakrong Bridges and the road turns winding and narrow. A bit further, travelers will come to Huang Hoa, once known as Khe Sanh Base, which was established as a forward base by General Westmoreland near Laos to secure Highway 9. About 3km from Khe Sanh is Ta Con Airbase. Lunch in Khe Sanh and then head out across the famous Dakrong River Bridge on Rte. 14 near the town of Ta Rut, travelers will stop for a visit with the Pa Co people and a walk through their village.Next day’s riding is the best riding of the whole route. For the first 110 km, travelers cross one of the longest and most stunning pass on new and quiet road, through stunning scenery of primitive forests backed by the imposing Truong Son mountain range. There are also two long tunnels and very little traffic. The next 68 km from Hien to Thanh My are on good road with some gentle climbs.

Travelers will have a relax day in Hoi An town – the ancient Quarter famed by its important trading ports in Southeast Asia. After one night-staying here, travelers will be transferred to Da Nang and end the interesting trip.

Detail itineraries

- Motorcycle tours in Ho Chi Minh Trail
- Vietnam motorcycle tours

With performance credentials that establish it as the hottest sportbike on the planet, the Suzuki Hayabusa is designed for serious sport riders who will settle for nothing less than the best. Its combination of unsurpassed power, crisp handling and superb aerodynamics creates the ultimate sportbike.

The Suzuki Hayabusa (also known as the GSX1300R in some countries) is a hyper sport motorcycle originally introduced by Suzuki in 1999. It has a 1298 cc (79.2 cu in) inline-4 engine and was consistently tested as the fastest production motorcycle in the world before the 2001.

Price: $13,199

Engine

• 1340cc, DOHC liquid-cooled engine with 16-valves, Twin Swirl Combustion Chambers provides 11% higher performance and smoother operation
• High efficiency curved radiator now features dual electric fans controlled by the ECM for increased cooling capacity. Oil cooler now has 10 rows cores for increased heat dissipation
• Ion plating treatment utilizing PVD (physical vapor deposit) method is applied to piston rings providing a smoother surface treatment for increased durability, reduced friction loss and reduced oil consumption
• Large volume 4-2-1-2 exhaust system with a large capacity catalyzer, dual triangular canisters and closed loop system that meets Euro 3 and Tier 2 regulations
• Lightweight aluminum alloy pistons feature a revised shape and a higher compression ratio of 12.5:1 for maximum performance in all conditions
• Lightweight titanium intake and exhaust valves with narrow 14 degree valve angle for high combustion chamber efficiency
• SCEM (Suzuki Composite Electro-chemical Material) plated cylinders minimize cylinder size and improve heat dissipation and new hydraulic cam chain tensioner for reduced mechanical noise
• S-DMS (Suzuki Drive Mode Selector) allows the rider to choose from three different engine settings depending on riding conditions or rider preferences
• Shot-peened chrome-moly steel connecting rods for maximum durability
• Slick shifting 6 speed transmission working in conjunction with an innovative back torque limiting clutch for smooth and controlled downshifts
• Suzuki SDTV fuel injection system with dual injectors per cylinder and ram air intake with large volume airbox
• Ventilation holes at the cylinder skirt for reduced pumping losses and increased performance

Chassis Feature

• Aggressive aerodynamic fairing design with low drag coefficient retains it’s signature Hayabusa look and features an updated, muscular look to work with the new more powerful engine and updated chassis
• Bridged aluminum alloy swingarm features a new cross-sectional shape for increased rigidity and to cope with improved rear tire grip and increased engine output
• Fuel tank height is lowered to allow riders helmet to tuck in and windscreen height is increased for improved wind protection and optimum aerodynamic efficiency with the rider in place
• Fully adjustable inverted front fork featuring DLC coated inner tubes for minimal friction resistance and outstanding suspension performance over a variety of riding conditions
• Fully adjustable rear shock absorber with a 43mm piston and 14mm rod diameter Lightweight and rigid twin-spar aluminum frame minimizes weight while maintaining high torsional strength
• Instrument cluster features four analog meters for speedometer, tachometer, fuel gauge and water temperature with a S-DMS mode indicator, gear position indicator and adjustable engine rpm indicator
• LED taillight utilizes a double lens structure with a clear inner lens and a red outer lens for maximum visibility and a high quality finish
• Lightweight single piston rear brake caliper working in conjunction with a new larger 260mm rear brake disc
• Passenger seat and rear subframe are lowered for improved passenger comfort
• Radial-mount front brake calipers for maximum braking performance and allows for smaller 310mm front brake rotors resulting in reduced unsprung weight and improved handling
• Vertically stacked twin headlights provide increased light intensity, improved light distribution and match the elegant flow of the new Hayabusa styling
• Wheels mounted with high performance Bridgestone BT-015 tires for unmatched handling and control

Specifications

Source

Wikipedia