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In April, we first saw SHOEI’s Opticson heads-up display helmet prototype at the Osaka Motorcycle Show 2022. 

  • SHOEI Opticson is to be available in limited numbers in Japan.
  • The Opticson is SHOEI’s first futuristic helmet that features a heads-up display. 

At a glance, the SHOEI Opticson looks like a regular helmet, but there is a vertically-adjustable display piece that sits in front of the rider’s right eye. 

SHOEI also fitted a projection unit hidden neatly inside the chin bar, which can be connected to the smartphone via Bluetooth. The projection unit will display information such as navigation instructions on the display pane for the rider to look at while riding. 

While the feature seems exciting, at the time, the Opticson is still just a prototype.

That is, until now, as SHOEI is offering a limited run of the Opticson exclusively in Japan. The helmet will only be available in three Shoei Gallery around Japan and is priced at JPY137,500. 

Unfortunately, SHOEI has no plans to release the Opticson in a market outside of Japan. 

Motorcycle helmet maker, Airoh has jointly developed a product which is claimed to be capable of reducing skull fracture by 50 percent. 

  • Airoh’s developing an airbag-equipped crash helmet.
  • Airoh join forces with Autoliv to create a helmet capable of reducing head injury. 

The Italian brand in partnership with automotive safety firm Autoliv has developed an airbag equipped motorcycle helmet.

While the airbag technology has been around for many years, only recently the technology is incorporated into the motorcycle world. 

That said, the push for making the airbag system a necessity is prevalent including motorcycle gear makers.

Recently shown at EICMA motorcycle show, the prototype helmet with airbag system is still in an early stage of development. 

The premise is pretty much the same as any other airbag system. In this case, the airbag is deployed around the crown of the rider’s head when it detects a crash. 

Frankly, it’s amazing how Airoh managed to squeeze the system to ensure the helmet looks ‘normal’ without any weird bulge. 

According to Autoliv, the system can reduce the risk of skull fractures by 50 percent, a big claim for a system that is still under development. However, considering both parties are expert in their field, we are excited for the project too.

Italjet recently launched the premium-built Dragster’s scooter range in Malaysia via its authorised dealership, Chear Global. 

  • Italjet is to reveal a bigger 300cc Dragster prototype and a concept bike in November.
  • The Italjet Dragster 125 and Dragster 200 are now available in Malaysia for RM29,500 and RM34,800. 

During the official launch held at Chear Global headquarters, the local press had the opportunity to sit down with Italjet’s Sales and Marketing Manager, Sandro Caparelli, who flew from Bologna, Italy. 

Caparelli not only explained to us the exciting development of Italjet’s Dragster 125 and Dragster 200 but also was kind enough to disclose the Italian company’s next project.

According to Caparelli, Italjet is currently working on a bigger displacement Dragster and is scheduled to showcase the prototype at the EICMA motorcycle show in Milan this November.

The Dragster prototype will feature a single-cylinder DOHC 300cc engine that was built from the ground up. Apparently, there is a high demand for a bigger Dragster in its home country. 

“In EICMA we will show a prototype of the same Dragster but with a bigger displacement because the market in Italy had asked for a bigger engine. 

“It will use a bigger engine, a 300cc engine,” he said. 

In addition, Caparelli revealed that Italjet would also showcase a concept bike at EICMA alongside the 300cc Dragster prototype.

“There will be a big concept which I can’t disclose now, but the new concept will be the star of the show at EICMA,” he added. 

That said, Caparelli also mentioned that the bigger displacement Dragster could materialise in a couple of years, while the concept bike will take a while to be in the near-production stage. 

Meanwhile, the Italjet Dragster 125 and Dragster 200 are now available in Malaysia for RM29,500 and RM34,800, respectively. 

Kawasaki recently showcased a couple of their electric motorcycle prototype during Suzuka 8 Hours.

  • Kawasaki’s EV prototype makes an appearance at Intermot.
  • The electric and hybrid prototype will form the basis of Kawasaki’s upcoming EVs. 

That was the first time we laid our eyes on Kawasaki’s electric and hybrid project, with both bearing Team Green’s current two-wheel range.

That said, since both motorcycles were prototypes, no further details were revealed to the public at the time. 

However, Kawasaki took the opportunity to allow the public to take a closer look at their prototypes at the Intermot motorcycle show in Cologne, Germany.

While Kawasaki remained tight-lipped on its upcoming project, Kawasaki Motors Europe managing director, Masaya Tsurono, revealed that the prototype “will form the basis of an actual future production machine.”

 Despite the push for electrification, Tsurono said that Kawasaki would continue developing cleaner internal combustion motorcycles as well as further research on e-fuel and biofuel.

Triumph Motorcycles has revealed more details and features of the TE-1 Project developed in collaboration with Williams Advanced Engineering.

  • final test results reveal an astonishing 175hp with a 161km range.
  • the TE-1 is almost on par with Triumph’s Speed Triple 1200 RS.
  • to remain as a prototype with no clear indication it will go into production.

The British firm has released the final prototype test results, and the all-electric sportsbike reveals a remarkable 175hp with a 161km range.

According to Triumph, the TE-1 recorded range significantly exceeds the real-world capacity of an equivalent electric motorcycle available today.

In addition, the TE-1 makes 130kW (175hp) peak power and can hit 0-100km/h in 3.6 seconds.

This almost puts the TE-1 on par with the firm’s flagship Speed Triple 1200 RS, which makes 177.5hp and 125Nm.

Also, the bike only needs 20 minutes of charging time to achieve 80%, making it the fastest charging time for today’s equivalent electric motorcycles. Triumph also claimed that the TE-1 is 20% lighter (220kg) than any of its competitors.

“We are incredibly proud to be able to share such positive outcomes from the completion of Project Triumph TE‑1, where the prototype demonstrator has exceeded many of our initial targets and expectations,” said Nick Bloor, CEO, Triumph Motorcycles

“Everyone on the team is thrilled with the results we have achieved with our partners, and how the outcomes of the project will feed into the electric future to come from Triumph.”

“WAE are delighted to have been involved in this exciting programme to deliver the TE-1 prototype,” said Dyrr Ardash, Head of Strategic Partnerships, Williams Advanced Engineering.

“Since its conception in 2018, all the partners have worked with collaboration, innovation and passion to bring the boundary breaking prototype to life. It is pleasing to hear positive rider comments which confirms that the dynamics of the bike are aligned with Triumph’s DNA.

“This has been underpinned by the class-leading Battery and Control System that WAE has produced within a lightweight and integrated package.

“This core WAE technology has allowed us to exceed performance and charging targets for the battery which we look forward to seeing in future powertrains.”
he added.

Despite the exciting news, the TE-1 Project is yet ready for production, and it could remain a prototype to inspire a production-ready electric motorcycle in the near future.

KTM’s parent company, Pierer Industrie AG bought Husqvarna from BMW back in 2013.

The Austrian firm then proceeded to unveil the Svartpilen and Vitpilen concept a year later at the 2014 EICMA show in Milan, before the production version successfully made its way to the showroom around the globe.

However, the latest spy shot has confirmed that the Svartpilen is getting a significant update soon.

While the prototype may look similar to the current generation of Svartpilen, the new generation model sports different styling cues.

The test mule features a rectangular TFT dash – similar to KTM’s – new radiator panels, new side sections and a redesigned tank mount to carry luggage.

While the previous Svartpilen tank section flows straight to the side of the rider’s saddle, the new generation features a more exposed subframe.

At the tail sits a new conventional license plate holder instead of the previous swingarm-mounted unit.

Husqvarna also wholly redesigned the steel trellis frame and swingarm, which shares similarities with KTM’s Duke prototypes.

Nonetheless, the next-gen Svartpilen continues to use WP Apex front fork and ByBre brake callipers.

Moving on to the best bits, the Svartpilen will run on the same single-cylinder platform; however, the photos showed what could be a prototype motor as it shares no visible components with the current 373cc engine.

While the exact capacity is still unknown to us, reports suggest it features a similar-looking engine spotted in the KTM Duke test mule.

Other notable changes include an underbelly exhaust, replacing the side-mounted pipe on the previous generation Svartpilen. 

Triumph Motorcycles has officially unveiled the TE-1 electric motorcycle prototype, marking the company first step into an electrifying future.

You are no longer looking at a mockup drawing; instead, the beast in the photo is a fully working and operational prototype of Triumph’s first electric motorcycle.

While Triumph might apply changes in the coming months, other major components, including the attractive single-sided swingarm and exposed frame, will remain.

The completion of the project also marks the end of the collaboration between Triumph, Williams Advanced Engineering, Integral Powertrain Ltd, and WMG at the University of Warwick, funded by the Office for Zero-Emission Vehicles.

The TE-1 combines the industry’s various innovations with Triumph leading the pack with:

  • frame and rear-subframe
  • panels and wheels
  • final drive system including transmission
  • Gates Carbon belt drive,
  • Ohlins USD cartridge forks,
  • Ohlins RSU,
  • Brembo M50 monobloc callipers
  • Triumph Motorcycle control software

Meanwhile, Integral Powertrain Ltd provides the final powertrain with a scalable integrated inverter and combined motor with silicon carbide switching technology and integrated cooling.

WMG, on the other hand, ensure the project is on course to deliver the intended performance and durability.

According to Triumph official statement, the test result also exceeded the benchmark set by the UK Automotive Council for 2025.

The main objective behind Triumph’s TE-1 project is to develop a competent electric motorcycle that will become the company’s pillar in electrifying the future and subsequently enhance the credibility of British industry and design.

Triumph expected the test to be fully complete in the summer.

Kawasaki has been teasing us with plenty of patent applications regarding a hybrid motorcycle since last year.

However, the waiting period is now over as Team Green has officially unveiled the prototype during a presentation in Tokyo.

Despite several brands introducing some hybrid motorcycles in recent years (e.g. Honda PCX Hybrid), the technology wasn’t adopted widely by manufacturers.

Moreover, adding another powertrain on top of an existing petrol-powered motor doesn’t make any sense, especially if it could add more weight to the bike.

Nonetheless, this is not the case with Kawasaki as the Japanese firm managed to construct a compact petrol-powered motor and combine it with a small electric drive, thus creating a very comprehensive system altogether.

This ensures the bike maintains the same performance and range as a conventional motorcycle but with improved emission, especially during low speeds.

According to Kawasaki, the hybrid platform packs a small 48V motor and a parallel-twin engine. It also comes with a new tubular steel frame with the electric motor mounted above the transmission.

In an effort to achieve a seamless riding experience, it is said that the bike will feature an automated gearshift which Kawasaki had filed the patent applications earlier this year.

(Source: CycleWorld)

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