Insta360 has just come out with a remote that you can use to help manage your 360-degree camera mid-scoot. They’re calling it the Insta360 GPS Action Remote – and she comes handy for multitasking riders like myself.
The news comes alongside the perks that she “utiliz[es] GLONASS, BD, and GPS networks in unison” (via ADVRider). She also is waterproof up to 5 meters, works via 5.0 Bluetooth (oo la la), and shows off up to 65 feet of range.
Insta360’s new GPS Action Remote – compatible with the X3, ONE RS and ONE R cameras. Media sourced from Insta360.
Dead zones? Not a problem.
Asking price? According to the article, we’re looking at $79.99 US – not a bad price, considering you now get GPS stats data embedded in your video with this little wristwatch-style guy.
“Simply import your footage after shooting into the app, then overlay stats like speed, elevation, and more onto your video in a tap,” concurs the report.
“These stats can add an extra punch to action footage and keep viewers engaged.”
Insta360’s new GPS Action Remote – compatible with the X3, ONE RS and ONE R cameras. Media sourced from Insta360.
A heads up in advance; the Insta360 GPS Action Remote will be able to work with the following models:
X3
ONE RS
ONE R
This means that, as of now, the ONE X2 isn’t on the list; that WILL change…though not in time for the action camera’s debut date, unfortunately.
Insta360’s new GPS Action Remote – compatible with the X3, ONE RS and ONE R cameras. Media sourced from Insta360.
What camera / recording device do you use on the road? Let us know in the comment below, and as always – stay safe on the twisties.
My Ducati Scrambler 1100 Sport features an Aussie-designed Quad Locksitting proudly atop the handlebars.
It not only securely holds my iPhone so I can use it as a satnav, but also charges as I ride with a wireless charger hooked up via a long lead to the USB outlet under my seat.
However, that charging only works when the bike is switched on and it may not be totally waterproof although it hasn’t faulted yet.
Now the clever guys at Quad Lock have introduced a $A49.95 Smart Adaptor that they claim is waterproof, which is great for those on adventure bikes who may wade through water.
The first number measures protection from foreign bodies such as dust with 6 being the highest, while the second from 0-9 measures resistance to water, so it’s pretty good. Click here for more details.
It also features the option to have the device charged anytime the phone is on the mount, or only when the ignition is on or an auto mode.
The latter “smart” mode keeps the device switched off until input voltage rises above 13.5V and turns off when input voltage drops below 12.5V to avoid draining your battery drain.
You can easily switch between modes using the toggle.
It also has in-line fuse and reverse polarity protection in the rare event of a fault. It can be hooked up to a USB outlet or your 12V bike battery.
Harley-Davidson’s first adventure bike, the Pan America 1250 Special, is among the growing range of model-specific hand guard kits available from Australian hand guard specialist, Barkbusters.
That’s great, because the standard handguards are fairly flimsy.
They come with a choice of four tough plastic wind deflectors: sleek Jet, more wind protective VPS, Storm for maximum wind and rain protection and Carbon, made with carbon fibre, of course.
I’ve used Barkbuster guards before and they are simply the toughest around to protect your hands from injury and levers from breakage in crashes or even bumping into trees, etc.
They are made for our harsh conditions with heat-treated light aluminium, with two mounting points and bar-end weights.
The biggest improvement you can make to just about any motorcycle is to update the original suspension.
Most motorcycles are built with bargain suspension as standard.
Even “exotic” or “luxury” brands tend to come with compromised suspension components and only special models have high-grade forks and shocks.
While many riders tend to replace mufflers and engine management systems to get greater power, the biggest improvement they can make to a bike’s performance is via the suspension.
We all know that better suspension will improve the bikes handling, but what does that actually mean?
Good handling isn’t necessarily stiffer suspension.
It can result in “plusher” suspension that makes the bike corner better, steer more precisely and ride smoother over bumps.
It means the forks and shocks will respond faster to bumps keeping the wheels in contact with the ground which translates as better acceleration and braking.
This is no more important than on adventure bikes that travel on much more demanding terrain.
Even if you like the standard suspension on your adventure bike — and some of it is quite good — adventure riding on rough roads can take a heavy toll on suspension which could need updating in just a couple of years.
In 2014, German adventure accessories company Touratech started producing a range of high-end suspension tailored specifically for adventure riders.
Touratech Suspension already has the Travel range for adventure bikes and dual bikes and Black-T series for custom bikes, scramblers and new heritage bikes.
Now they have introduced a new E1 series of adventure suspension so their brand now covers more than 400 motorcycle models.
Touratech E1 suspension
Touratech Suspension’s E1 adventure series includes mono shocks, twin shocks and replacement spring sets for the fork and the original shock absorber.
The step-less progressively wound springs are claimed to combine sensitive response with high puncture resistance.
And there are replacement spring sets for some models to lower the bike for shorter riders.
The base parts are milled from the solid and a “generously dimensioned” damper rod made of 16mm thick chrome-molybdenum steel.
The big damper tube ensures optimum heat dissipation so the temperature balance of the damper remains stable, even under heavy use.
Rebound damping of the shock absorbers can be adjusted over 50 clicks and the springs have a progressive rate that offers a plush ride on harsh bumps without bottoming out.
The preload of the spring can be adjusted manually.
The E1 series spring elements are manufactured in Europe and come with a two-year warranty.
But don’t expect them to come cheap. A rear shock alone can cost up to $A2000.
Recording in Full HD 1080P at 30FPS and with the Premium STARVIS™ Low Light Sensor, it promises crisp images in all lighting conditions so you can see things such as number plates and faces.
The 3-Axis G-Sensor and GPS Tagging stamps your footage with an exact location, time and speed at the time of an incident.
There is also a button on the GPS multifunction control box installed on the handlebar to activate emergency recording to prevent files from being overwritten.
With EZYSHARE Instantly via WIFI you can view footage in real-time and share it via the MiVue™ Pro mobile app.
The MiVue™ M760D is IP67 waterproof, has a metal casing and full glass lens.
It costs $599 and may require professional fitting by an auto-electrician as it’s wired in.
However, you can get 20% off and free shipping if you buy using the code M760D20 on the Navman Australia website. Offer ends 31 October 2021.
No sooner has Apple announced its new iPhone 13 with an improved camera than accessories companies such as Quad Lock and Mujjo have announced accessories that will interest riders.
iPhone 13 will be available in four versions, all of which feature a new camera, a “powerhouse chip,” 5G connectivity and better battery life.
There are several features of the new iPhone 13 that riders should welcome.
Even the two base models come with exclusive-to-iPhone Ceramic Shield protective coating, so they should be better protected from damage when they fall off your handlebar mount or out of your jacket pocket.
And you won’t need the waterproof covering if you mount them on your handlebars with a Quad Lock, RAM or other mounting device as they are IP68 waterproof.
That means they can be submerged under 1.5 m of water for half an hour, so they should withstand a heavy downpour while riding.
They also have a much brighter Super Retina XDR display with high contrast and a 28% increase in maximum outdoor brightness so you can easily see your navigation directions while riding.
Australian-designed Quad Lock iPhone 13 cases will cost $A34.95 and begin shipping later this month.
Quad Lock iPhone 13 cases
You can also get a waterproof poncho for $A29.95, and a tempered glass screen protector, but as we have pointed out, you may not need either since the new phone is better protected.
The case mounts directly to their clever and secure Quadlock system which you can now get with an attachment to power the phone via a cable or with a wireless charger.
Mujjo iPhone 13 leather cases
Meanwhile, touchscreen glove specialists Mujjo have also developed leather cases for the iPhone 13 so you don’t have to remove your gloves to access the screen.
Of all the touchscreen gloves we have used, these are the best, although they are not armoured for rider protection, but they do plan to introduce motorcycle-specific gloves soon.
Mujjo say their craftsman-made leather cases come with added protection on the bottom and a raised bezel around the rear camera to protect the protruding lenses against scratches from abrasive surfaces.
Smart phones have been making navigation easier and safer for riders and keeping them in contact and entertained with the help of handlebar mounts such as the Aussie Quad Lock.
Now the Sydney-based company is keeping pace with the rapid development of smartphones by 3D printing their cases and mounting systems.
This means they will quickly release suitable products for the new era of foldable phones unfolds (lame pun intended).
It’s good news for tech-savvy early-adopter riders (read BMW owners).
Quad Lock has joined forces with Singapore 3D printing companyUltimaker to speed up the development of new mounts such as their award-winning Quad Lock Vibration Dampener.
Imaginables, partner of Ultimaker in Australia, served as a support partner to Quad Lock delivering various types of Ultimaker 3D printers.
Together they Lock developed a flexible research, design and development process that gathered lab and field test feedback almost as quickly as they could design and print the new part.
Various types of Ultimaker printers were used to print prototypes strong enough to withstand hours of testing on a vibration test rig, from which the team gathered valuable feedback and data.
CFMOTO Australia is gearing up for the launch of their first non-learner adventure motorcycle models, the 800MT Sport and 800MT Touring, late this year.
Last month they announced pricing and now they have unveiled a wide range of accessories.
The 800MT Sport in Starlight Black will cost just $12,990 ride away and the up-spec Ocean Blue 800MT Touring is only $1000 more.
They will come with a three-year, unlimited kilometres warranty under CFMOTO current ‘2 plus 1’ deal.
Now the importers have announced a wide-ranging line-up of genuine accessories for the Aussie-bound duo.
In addition to a huge catalogue of standard-fitment features, 21 items will also be available across the full accessories’ gamut: luggage, protection and ergonomic alternatives such as a higher seat, handlebar riser mounts and oversized rally pegs.
The accessories range is as follows:
LUGGAGE
Aluminium top case (36 litres): $699
• High-strength reinforced corners for the shock and stress of off-road riding
• Perfect match with the original mounting bracket
The 800MT Sport and 800MT Touring are powered by KTM’s 799cc parallel twin, which produces 70kW (95hp) at 8000rpm and 88Nm at 6600rpm.
The 800MTs also have a slipper clutch, Bosch electronic fuel injection and a ride-by-wire throttle with three riding modes: rain, off-road and road.
The 800MT Sport and 800MT Touring share the same 19-litre fuel capacity, expansive rider and pillion seats, tubular steel frame, fully adjustable KYB suspension, crash bars, 825mm seat height, adjustable screen and Spanish J.Juan brakes with ABS.
The major point of differentiation between the two is in the rolling stock: cast wheels on the Sport as opposed to spoked tubeless wheels on the Touring. Wheel sizes are 19-inch front and 17-inch rear – an ideal compromise for road and off-road riding.
Ducati Australia has announced pricing for two customisation kits that make personalising a Monster even easier.
The Monster has always been a customisation favourite for owners using either factory accessories or aftermarket accessories from various manufacturers plus custom paint jobs.
Now Ducati has made it easier to personalise the naked bike using their extensive catalogue of factory accessories with an online configurator.
It allows you to preview what your bike will look like before you commit to buying the accessories.
Many motorcycle manufactures now use these convenient online configurators; a feature you can’t get that from aftermarket accessories providers.
Ducati’s Monster configurator goes even further, including Ducati-approved accessories from premium Italian company Rizoma.
Rizoma accessories
Their billet aluminium accessories include handlebar balancing weights, footpegs, brake fluid and clutch fluid reservoirs.
The configurator will also let you see what the two new accessories kits and two decal sets will look like.
The Pixel kit costs $A1132.56 and consists of a tank cover, seat side panels, seat cover, headlight fairing and front mudguard.
Pixel kit
As the name suggests, the $A762.30 GP kit gives it a more race or Ducati Corse look with a special tank cover and seat side panels.
GP kit
Both kits are available for all three colours of the Monster and Monster Plus: Ducati Red, Dark Stealth and Aviator Grey.
These are complemented by two sticker kits, Corse and Logo, also available for all colours of the bike.
The new Monster and Ducati Performance accessories can now be ordered from all Ducati dealerships.
