Retriever, the motorcycle that tows like a truck!

A Swedish company named Coming Through have created a ‘tow bike’ called The Retriever. Basically, it is a Honda Goldwing fitted with a stowable towing unit on the back of the bike is able to pull up to 5,500 pounds of weight.

This must be a great imagination that has results this great invention. I would say this ‘tow bike’ is perfect to be use in Malaysia to tow away cars that double park or parking illegally. What you think?

The Retriever is a recovery vehicle based on a motorcycle. The superior agility of the motorcycle has been preserved in order to minimize the time immediately wasted as traffic thickens. The Retriever is built to recover most types of passenger cars.

The Retriever is easily transformed from a motorcycle to a recovery vehicle.

The great benefit with the Retriever would be that it gets through traffic where conventional recovery vehicles are put to a stand still. The benefits of this are numerous. Depending on what perspective is chosen the consequence will take different forms.

The Retriever is designed to be operated easily by a single operator. By a simple operation the Retriever is transformed from a motorcycle to a recovery vehicle. This is done in just above one minute.

The low weight and the ingenious design allows for all operation to be made by hand by the operator. The handheld remote control makes it possible for the operator to keep an eye on the traffic whilst operating the towing unit.

Ryno, One Wheel Bike!

RYNO Prototype II!

The motorized single-wheeler just might really have a relevant place in our future.  Ryno Motors' Prototype II is the latest of the bunch and, to its credit, looks decidedly less circus-inspired than other unicycles currently searching for funding.

Unicycle 80's and 2012!

Designed for short-range transport (similar to a Segway), the single-seat vehicle is electric-powered, with a small onboard battery feeding it juice for up to 30 miles on a 1.5-hour charge.  It features notably more aggressive styling, making it perfect for biker clowns and men who can't bear the idea of driving around on a vehicle.

The future is near!

Ryno Motors doesn't even have an official name for the bike yet (it's just Prototype II), so you can imagine just how far away this is from even nearing production.  Of all the unicycles we've seen, though, this appears to be one of the more serviceable designs, with its motorcycle-style looks, ultra-compact frame and decent specs.

Nice, i want one!

No word on what motor it's using, but Ryno claims it can hit a top speed of 25 mph, apart from making it up 30-degree inclines.  It weighs a light 125lbs, has a turning radius of 0 to 3 feet and a maximum load of 250lbs.  Like other motorized unicycle prototypes, it uses a self-adjusting mechanism that prevents the rider from executing moves that can compromise its balance.

Watch the VIDEO!

According to Ryno, riding controls are similar to motorcycles, eliminating the learning curve for anyone who can ride a motorized bike.  The company is currently seeking investors.

C-1, Rolling Smart Phone

Introducing the C-1, the world's first gyroscopically stabilized rolling smart phone. This vehicle combines the efficiency and freedom of a motorcycle with the safety and convenience of a car. Offering the alternated to alternatives on an exciting and safe platform, the C-1 transforms your daily commute into something to look forward to.

Your C-1 Transportation Device

Creators are keeping very quiet about many of the details of our upcoming transportation device, but they will be releasing new images, videos and specifications shortly, so stay tuned.

As they are hard at work developing this concept for production, please be patient for the future. Expect to see the C-1 in our custom show-rooms by the end of 2014.

Rekindle the Excitement

Utilizing Scandinavian Design concepts, the exterior of the C-1 is both approachable and simple, enveloping the human in subtle curves, softened volumes and lots of glass.

The overall design foundation is based on its waist-line which wraps around the vehicle's circumference, and is grounded by the swooping rocker panel: hi-lighting its unique gyroscopic components.

Discs of light glow from the wheel hubs, illustrating the electric hub motors. With design key words: "subtle", "simple", and "human", the C-1 is as happy to be seen as it is to be touched.

Human Centered Design

The C-1 was designed with you in mind. Lit Motors' human-centered approach to design made sure that the experience of sitting in such a unique transportation device is both comfortable and spacious. Through numerous mock-ups and user studies, we were able to determine how much space people want and need.

There is even enough room in this device for a friend to ride in the back for short city excursions.

Due to its numerous layers of connectivity, you can think of the C-1 as a rolling smart phone. The device will employ H2V, H2C, V2I, and V2V connectivity. For example traffic, construction, and adverse weather conditions will be transmitted to the vehicle, thus informing both you and the C-1 about the situation and advising different routes.

How the C-1 Works

Utilizing electronically controlled gyroscopes located under the floor (putting out over 1,300 lb/ft of torque), the vehicle balances at a stop and stays upright in the event of a collision. In-wheel electric motors (40 kw) provide the power and regeneration, while hub steering keeps you pointed in the right direction. With a top speed of over 120 MPH and battery packs providing 200 miles per charge, the C-1 is perfect for commuters and city dwellers alike.

Trishaw, a hybrid of the tricycle and the rickshaw

Beca.. Dulu, Kini dan Pupus!

(Malay translation) Waktu kecil dulu sekitar akhir 70an dan awal 80an, beca atau orang Terengganu panggil teksi gohek (kayuh) amat banyak bilangannya di bandar Kuala Terengganu. Aku sempat juga menggunakan perkhidmatan beca ini beberapa kali secara tidak langsung. Teringat zaman sekolah ada sesetengah pelajar menggunakan khidmat beca ini untuk berulang-alik ke sekolah. Kini beca makin berkurangan di bandar Kuala Terengganu ini sebagaimana makin berkurangnya  pengayuh dan pemilik beca tersebut yang semakin tua dimakan usia.

Beca Melaka Bandaraya Bersejarah.

Apa itu beca? Beca adalah kenderaan beroda tiga yang asalnya diubahsuai daripada lanca, iaitu kenderaan beroda dua yang ditarik menggunakan kudrat manusia.

Di Malaysia, sejarah bermula pada 1914 apabila 15 beca didaftar di Singapura sebelum diperkenalkan di negeri-negeri Tanah Melayu.

Beca Terengganu Darul Iman.

Walaupun pada awalnya ia hanya mengangkut penumpang, kini ia turut digunakan bagi mengangkut barang. Boleh dikatakan hampir kebanyakan negeri di Malaysia mempunyai perkhidmatan beca, namun ia paling popular di Melaka dan Pulau Pinang kerana diiktiraf sebagai aset tarikan pelancongan.

Antara perkhidmatan yang masih dijalankan.

Di negeri lain, perkhidmatan penarik beca makin pupus berikutan kurangnya permintaan daripada pelancong tempatan atau asing.

Di Melaka, harga beca mencecah antara RM3,000 hingga RM5,000 sebuah, bergantung kepada kelengkapan yang ada padanya seperti bateri, alat perhiasan seperti lampu dan set radio.

Kini susahnya untuk mendapat pelanggan.

Bagaimanapun, di kebanyakan tempat seperti Kelantan dan Terengganu, harga beca sekitar RM800 hingga RM1,000 kerana hanya dilengkapi barangan asas seperti tempat duduk penumpang dan penutup bahagian atas.

Pemilik beca Melaka sedang menunggu pelancong.

Dianggarkan ada kira-kira 300 beca di Melaka, manakala hanya tinggal kurang 30 beca di Kelantan dan Terengganu.

Di Melaka, bayaran kira-kira RM20 hingga RM30 dikenakan kepada pelancong yang ingin merasai pengalaman menaiki beca bagi pusingan tidak sampai satu kilometer manakala untuk bergambar saja sekitar RM20.

Beca Kelantan Darul Naim.

Bayaran itu jauh berbeza berbanding diterima penarik beca bagi mengangkut barang serta penumpang di Kelantan dan Terengganu, iaitu hanya RM2 bagi jarak kurang dua kilometer dan RM5 hingga RM10 bagi jarak lapan hingga 10 kilometer.

Perkhidmatan beca di Kuala Terengganu awal 80an.

Beca semakin pupus ditelan arus masa dengan munculnya kemudahan awam seperti bas, teksi, keretapi dan banyak lagi. Selain itu taraf hidup yang makin meningkat menjadikan semakin ramai orang mampu memiliki kenderaan sendiri seperti motosikal dan kereta untuk bergerak.

Beca masa depan?

Kini beca lebih dikenali sebagai bahan pelancongan tidak seperti dahulu yang lebih kepada pengangkutan awam yang penting. Ada kemungkinan anak-anak di masa depan hanya mengenali beca ini di muzium atau di dalam buku sejarah sahaja.

Can-Am Spyder Roadster

(Malay translation) SEJAK diperkenalkan ke pasaran Amerika Syarikat (AS) pada Februari 2007, jentera itu terus menjadi topik hangat dalam dunia motosikal di peringkat global.

Popularitinya semakin meningkat apabila terpilih menjadi pelakon tambahan dalam banyak muzik video, rancangan televisyen, selain filem-filem blockbuster seperti G.I. Joe dan Transformers II.

Sebenarnya, jentera tiga roda keluaran firma yang berpangkalan di Valcourt, Québec, Kanada itu sudah berada di pasaran tempatan sejak tahun 2009. Namun kelibatnya jarang dilihat di atas jalan raya.

Kini, Can-Am Spyder Roadster mahu lebih dikenali di Malaysia. Tugas tersebut digalas oleh USF-HICOM, anak syarikat milik penuh DRB-HICOM yang telah mengambil inisiatif untuk mendapatkan hak pemasangan dan pengedaran Can-Am Spyder Roadster di sini.

Sebagai permulaan, USF-HICOM menawarkan dua varian Can-Am Spyder iaitu Roadster Sports dan Roadster Touring. Roadster Sports sesuai untuk mereka yang mahukan gaya tunggangan sporty. Sementara bagi penunggang yang gemar mengembara dalam jarak jauh, Roadster Touring memang kena dengan jiwa anda.

Sekali pandang, rekabentuk Can-Am Spyder tidak jauh beza dengan jentera salji (snowmobile) moden. Apa tidaknya, pengeluar kenderaan terbabit iaitu Bombardier Recreational Products (BRP) sememangnya syarikat peneraju dalam penghasilan jentera salji, ATV (All Terrain Vehicle), bot dan pelbagai jentera bagi tujuan rekreasi.

Memiliki kepakaran selama 70 tahun, BRP mempunyai kemudahan kilang di Kanada, AS, Mexico, Finland dan Austria dengan tenaga kerja mencecah 6,000 orang. Produknya pula dipasarkan ke lebih 100 buah negara menerusi 3,500 pengedar di seluruh dunia.

Harus tahu bahawa Can-Am Spyder Roadster bukan motosikal tiga roda konvensional. Sebaliknya ia mengaplikasikan kerangka berbentuk Y. Maksudnya, dua roda di hadapan dan satu roda bersaiz lebar di belakang. Menggabungkan teknologi motosikal dan ATV, Can-Am Spyder mengaplikasikan rekabentuk A-arm berkembar dengan penyerap hentak tunggal pada roda belakang.

Kenderaan itu menggunakan kerangka Surrounding Spar Technology binaan BRP. Kerangka tersebut menyokong rekabentuk Y dan memastikan titik graviti Can-Am Spyder Roadster kekal rendah dengan memasang enjin di bahagian belakang roda hadapan.

Tidak seperti motosikal tiga roda lain misalnya Piaggio MP3, Can-Am Spyder Roadster tidak membenarkan anda membuat corner baring. Jadi, kalau laju macam mana sekali pun di selekoh, lutut tidak akan mencecah jalan raya.

Kestabilannya juga banyak bergantung kepada Sistem Kestabilan Kenderaan (Vehicle Stability System, VSS) yang sofistikated. Dibangunkan bersama Bosch, VSS turut merangkumi teknologi-teknologi seperti brek antikunci (ABS) serta sistem kawalan cengkaman dan kestabilan. Sementara stereng kuasa pula memastikan Can-Am Spyder Roadster dapat dikendalikan dengan mudah di atas jalan raya.

Semua ciri yang dinyatakan tadi adalah demi memastikan jentera itu terus melekat di atas jalan raya, walaupun ketika mengambil selekoh pada kelajuan tinggi. Dengan segala sistem keselamatan itu, maka tidak hairanlah jika ia disifatkan sebagai antara motosikal paling selamat di dunia.

Tidak mengujakan? Enjin V-Twin bersesaran 998cc itu mungkin boleh mengubah persepsi anda. Enjin dengan sistem penyejukan cecair itu dibina oleh Rotax yang beribu pejabat di Austria, juga anak syarikat BRP.

ENJIN Rotax bersesaran 998cc membuatkan aktiviti meluncur di atas jalan raya cukup menyeronokkan.

Macam pernah dengar? Memang betul, enjin Rotax banyak digunakan pada go-kart, motosikal dan pesawat ringan. Rotax juga menghasilkan enjin untuk kegunaan jenama motosikal lain termasuklah BMW, BMW, Aprilia dan Buell.

Enjin yang dipadankan dengan kotak gear lima kelajuan itu berupaya menghasilkan kuasa sehingga 106hp @ 8,600rpm dan tork maksimum 104Nm @ 6,250rpm. Jadi, tugas menggerakkan tubuhnya yang lebar itu di atas jalan raya bukanlah satu masalah besar. Anda juga boleh memilih sama ada kotak gear manual atau semi automatik. Kedua-duanya hadir sama dengan gear mengundur.

Jabatan Pengangkutan Jalan (JPJ) mengklasifikasikan Can-Am Spyder Roadster sebagai superbike. Cukai jalannya berdasarkan motosikal bersesaran 1,000cc dengan insurans bermula pada takat RM2,900 sehingga RM4,500 mengikut varian.

Berkaitan pembayaran tol di lebuh raya, pihak USF-HICOM menyatakan setakat ini mereka yang menunggang Can-Am Spyder Roadster tidak dikenakan tol, walaupun perlu melalui laluan kereta atau lori yang paling kiri. Namun, isu pembayaran tol mungkin berbeza di antara pengendali lebuh raya memandangkan mereka mempunyai polisi berbeza.

Harganya di Malaysia, Can-Am Spyder Roadster ditawarkan pada harga di antara RM103,860 sehingga RM159,350 seunit, bergantung kepada varian.