Great Ideas Yet to Be Invented
Jun 2nd, 2009 by Leo
I don’t know if this three wheeler is a “great” idea, but it does solve the traction problem (somewhat). I have a few “great” (or maybe not so great, you tell me) ideas of my own for CityBikers…they’re a little more pedestrian than the three wheeler here, so tell me what you think:
<1> A lock that keeps the side stand down… Or for the center stand. $30
<2> A padded cover you can throw over the tank and sides (maybe like gym mats, or maybe with replaceable styrofoam pads) to protect it in case of a tip over while parked. $50
<3> A lock similar to “the club” that locks onto something on the right side of the bike, to keep it from getting tipped over to the right, and making it harder to roll the bike away. $45
<4> A secure bag that you can lock onto the bars or triple tree to keep your helmet and gloves and jacket in, while obscuring the ignition lock. $45
<5> A foldable rear stand that you can take with you that locks onto the swingarm – you could use it to park more securely. $80. Or one with an extra wide base (making it almost impossible to tip over) for $140.
I put a price next to each because each of these things are do-able, but could you do it at that price point? Anyway if you decide to run with these ideas, they’re free, you can have them, just give me some credit and a discount, because I’d buy each of these if they were on the market… Cheers.
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What about the bike turning into an armored bullet at the hit of a button a la “Spawn”? Awesome!
How about a motorcycle that can take a tip over without busting plastic or turn signals (like the frame sliders on new Buells), has mirrors that pop off instead of breaking (like the BMWs), has levers that are designed to survive a tipover (springs that allow them to flex “backwards”? Breakoff tabs that turn them into shorties?), has sidestands on both sides so that you can park either way on hills, has enough enclosed storage space for a full face helmet (and/or a 6-pack and a burrito), has a small solar panel that trickle charges the battery during downtime, has switchable fairing vents that can direct heated air ONTO your legs and feet in cold weather, along with heated grips and a heated seat, has easily adjustable handlebars, footpegs, and seat height over a useful range (maybe even “fitted” at the dealer), has a convenient accessory plug for adding a GPS, camera, MP3 player, etc., has a decent headlight and running lights, has 4-way flashers that work with the bike off. A comfortable passenger seat with an easy suspension adjustment for two up, removable / passenger and/or rider foldable backrest, ABS standard, side bags optional.
I’d like to see a modular series, say in 500cc, 750cc, and 1000cc V-twins that share most of their parts, and I want a minimum of 50 MPG from the 1000, with mileage getting better for the smaller displacements. The 500 needs to be $6000 or less, the 750 $7500, and the 1000 under 10 grand.