Skeed Fire-Resistant Undergarments

The annual JPMS motorcycle industry show just took place her in France and each year the organizers offer awards to new products in a number of categories. One of the winners is a line undergarments by a new company called Skeed. There site is currently the only way to obtain these products, a policy choosen by Skeed to limit the cost of its 100% French (manufacture of fibers, weaving and tailoring) products.

The unique feature of Skeeds undergarments is that in addition to providing thermal protection in case of cool temperatures, they also provide greater safety through the fiber used in the manufacture of these products. The Kermel aramid fibers are intrinsically fire-resistant and non-melting, protecting the rider from road rash burns during a fall.

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1 Million Euros for the Circuit Carole

The Ile-de-France will invest 1 million Euro for the renovation and improvement of the Circuit Carole towards increasing it's safety. Jean-Paul Huchon, president of the region IDF has undertaken this project along with the French Federation of Angry Motorcyclists (FFMC).

This decision came to pass even as the issue of closure or relocation of the circuit has been ongoing for several years, and as Huchon announced earlier this month, his opposition to the principle of a circuit that could host major motorsports events in the Ile de France. The Circuit Carole is a race course expressly designed and used for local motorcycle events.

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LS2 is a brand new helmet brand with headquarters located in Spain. The marque, looking to expand into the already clogged European market is trying to distinguish itself from the usual offerings.

LS2 offers helmets with dynamic lines and a very aggressive profile. To keep their price low, the helmet employs, no fiberglass but instead makes use of a shell constructed of injected PC/ABS. But it does include such nice features as a retractable sunscreen providing a noticeable improvement in terms of ride comfort. The interior is also removable and washable. The chin strap closure features a micro-adjustable clasp.

The principle seems interest with prices starting from 119 € for solid colors and 139 € for graphics. And if the quality is at least as comparable to the large manufacturers with much more sober offerings, LS2 could turn out to be a real hit.

Available from XS to XXL in 12 versions.

Source: Motoblog.fr

French Motocycles: The Return of Midual?

While the future seems sealed French manufacturer Voxan, another French brand of motorcycles may be about to be reborn from its ashes. After disappearing from the limelight 10 years ago, the 900 Midual could (re)emerge with the support of the region, Pays de la Loire ...

An amazing piece of news was recently let loose on the site of the region, Pays de la Loire. Last December, Jacques Auxiette (President of the Regional Council), Jean-Claude Antonini (Angers Mayor) and Bruno Heuclin (Regional Director of OSEO) met Olivier Midy, one of the creators of one of the last great French motorcycle projects: the 900 Midual. The project was launched in 1992, the prototype presented in 1999 and since then...radio silence!

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From XR1200 to 1000 XLCR Replica

If you own a Harley-Davidson XR 1200 and you're a fan of the legendary 1000 XLCR (the cafe racer produced in small series by the MoCo in the late 70s), Jewel Racer out of Toulouse, France offers to combine your two passions with this very well done replacement body kit. It includes a fairing, full gas tank cover, a tail-piece with snap mounted saddle (just like on the original and brushed aluminum finish handlebars.

The fiberglass components are delivered ready to paint in black gel-coat finish, but if you are going for the vintage look, who'd want to change it. Installation takes some ten minutes, each element mounting in the same fashion as the original pieces. In just about "the blink of an eye" you can go from street tracker to vintage cafe racer depending on your mood. Of course, all this comes at a price (1 345 € HT, each element can be purchased separately also).

More information www.jewel-racer.com

Source: Moto-Station

Roof Rats Helmet gets inspiration from the NFL

Looking for something a bit different in an open face helmet than the usual offerings? French manufacturer Roof is launching the new Rats lid, with design inspiration taken directly from american football equipment. 

Homologated for European standards (CE E22-O5 J), the Roof Rats impress more through its unique look than by its technical prowess. It's a basic fiberglass shell helmet than does get at least get points for it fully removable and washable lining. Vents are also placed front and rear for a bit more ventilation but can not be closed. Then again, if you are sporting a open face lid, you're not looking for wind protection!

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Baby New Year Ushers in 2010 on Two Wheels

Voxan Hear its Death Toll

The 29th of January marked a sad day in the history of French motorcycles and leaves us with possibly the last notable death of 2009. Voxan motorcycles, the last hope and stronghold of the French motorcycle industry recieved the final nail in its coffin when the Clermont-Ferrand Court of Commerce rulled for the liquidation of the company.


Having not received the financial guarantees it was looking for to secure the financial turnaround of Voxan from its possible buyer Fil of Luxemburg, the court decided that liquidation was the only option. The future of Voxans employees as such, leaves nothing but an uncertain future.

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Belgium Road Security Looks to Others

Here's a great idea for any countries road security gurus...instead of shooting from the hip and just making up policy to try and lower accident rates and the resulting injuries and deaths, how about taking a look around the world at other systems to see what works and what doesn't and take that into account when implementing you own securtiy. That exactly what Belgium has decided to do recently. The country sent of "scouts" om reconnassance missions to their neighboring countrys to find the good prevention ideas currently being used with the intention of importing them back home. Their goal is a center of knowledge and expertise on traffic circulation to be created by the police as early as 2010. The centers would among other benefits work towards improving personnel training directly linked to road inferstructure and would be composed of lawyers and strategic analysts.


Belgium has set an objective to become one of the three countries with the lowest roadway mortality rate by the year 2015. Seems they may have developed the perfect idea to reach that goal. Hopefully it keeps on track and works towards everyones benefits. Maybe other countries will jump on board with the same idea.


Source: Caradisiac

TTXGP partners with UEM...

...announces eGrandPrix European Championship at Albacete

MC24 has broken news that the 2010 eGrandPrix race season will now culminate with a championship race organized by the European Motorcycle Union at Spain's Albacete circuit. The date has yet to be announced, but the addition of this championship gives the fledgling electric motorcycle racing organization not only four-race national series in the UK and Italy and three races in North America, but also a headline event at the Isle of Man TT and now an officially sanctioned European Championship event. That makes the FIM and its e-Power series look a little silly. After splitting with TTXGP and stealing its rules, the FIM is left with something it calls a "World Championship," but no participating teams and only a handful of tentative dates.

UEM was quick to support TTXGP, and particularly Silvio Manicardi (President of Marketing, Promotion & Industry Commission) has from the beginning been one of TTXGP its main backers. Manicardi is also a mechanical engineer, and has a very nice review of the situation for electric bikes in the UEM-magazine from earlier this year.

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