World’s First Public Demonstration Of Hydrogen Engine Motorcycle
This title of post, is the same as that of this news item from Kawasaki.
This is the sub-heading.
On July 20, Kawasaki Motors, a member of the Kawasaki Heavy Industries Group, conducted the world’s first public demonstration run of a hydrogen ICE (internal combustion engine) motorcycle by a mass-production motorcycle manufacturer at Suzuka Circuit in Suzuka City, Mie Prefecture, Japan.
These three paragraphs outline the demonstration.
The hydrogen ICE motorcycle was designed and built as part of research that began in March 2023, with test runs starting this year, culminating in the public demonstration run. Mounted in the machine is a hydrogen engine based on the 998 cm3 In-Line Four Supercharged Engine found in Kawasaki’s Ninja H2 motorcycle, with modifications made to allow direct injection of hydrogen fuel into the cylinders. The motorcycle’s chassis was designed to accommodate hydrogen fuel canisters and a hydrogen fuel supply system on-board.
Hydrogen ICE motorcycles run on hydrogen combustion, producing the rumble and pulsating sensation that riders enjoy when twisting the throttle, while emitting mainly water.
As part of their carbon neutral initiative, Kawasaki Motors is currently conducting research and development with the aim of realizing a functioning hydrogen ICE motorcycle*2 as one carbon-neutral option for riders in the early 2030s.
Some people will prefer quiet, hydrogen-fuel cell motorcycles.
Lawnmowers And Other Small-Engined Equipment
As hydrogen fuel spreads around the countryside, I can see lots of rural equipment using it for motive power.
BMF And NMC: ‘Plans To Charge Motorcyclists To Use The Silvertown And Blackwell Tunnels Are Flawed’
The title of this post, is the same as that as this page on the British Motorcyclists Federation.
These are the first two paragraphs.
The British Motorcyclists Federation (BMF) and the National Motorcyclists Council (NMC) have responded to the Transport for London (TFL) consultation on plans to charge motorcyclists to use the Silvertown and Blackwell tunnels from 2025. TfL are urged to “think again” on flawed plans that fail to take into account the positive impact of motorcycles on London’s pollution and congestion levels.
The BMF and NMC, in a combined response to TfL’s consultation on the proposed Charging Scheme for the Silvertown and Blackwall tunnels, have lodged detailed objections to the proposals to implement charges for motorcycles to use the Tunnels from 2025. Both UK motorcycling organisations have urged TfL to reconsider their proposed strategy and to exempt motorcyclists from the charges.
I think that the two organisations have a point and they emblazon this across the article.
To equate motorcycles with cars, with the same fee charged for both, is completely illogical.
But then, when were the Mayor of London and Transport for London ever logical and mathematically-correct?
Will The Charging System Identify Motorcycles Correctly?
On a project, I worked on in the 1970s, I was told it was difficult. I doubt that has changed.
Conclusion
The article makes some powerful arguments, but I doubt they’ll get anywhere with the stubbornest man in the UK.
Did The Mounted Met Get Their Man?
Yesterday, around three in the afternoon, I went out to get three bottles of water for my Dyson Humidifier from the corner shop about a two hundred metres away at the junction of Southgate Road and the Balls Pond Road, which has a very advanced traffic-light system
I crossed Southgate Road on the zebra and all seemed quite, as I started to walk up towards the junction.
I then heard a lot of blue lights coming, so myself and a very tall and large black couple, stood back from the road to see what was up. As everybody does!
A scruffy individual with a backpack about thirty riding a high-powered motor-bike doing about sixty towards the lights, in a road, where the speed limit is twenty. He was followed by three Police motorcycles.
All four motor-cycles turned right at the lights and disappeared towards Dalston Junction.
Perhaps twenty second later, they all returned, as obviously the scruffy ride had done a U-turn. I last saw them disappearing towards Highbury & Islington station.
Afterwards, a couple of Police cars came through and then it all calmed down.
Did the Met got their man, in the traffic congestion at the station?
Here Come The Cavalry!
I was surprised to see this phalanx of Police motor-cyclists today at the Angel.
Here Come The Cavalry!
I assume they were trainees or on some sort of exercise, as there didn’t seem to be much crime about.
A Very Dangerous Religious Law
This story on the BBC’s web site, just shows that religious zealots are alive and well and living in Indonesia.
They want women to sit on a motorcycle side-saddle. What about women, who want to actually drive the bike?
Incidentally, I know several women, who’ve been on the back of motor-bikes side-saddle, as it was seen occasionally in the 1960s.
I think we’d all agree it’s not a sensible idea, but then in India and I suspect Indonesia, you see lots of people riding motor-bikes in unusual and to us dangerous ways.
The interesting last word is these paragraphs from the article.
The regulation has been met with criticism from well-known Muslim activists like Ulil Abshar Abdalla, who is based in the capital, Jakarta.
“How to ride a motorbike is not regulated in Sharia. There is no mention of it in the Koran or Hadiths,” he said on his Twitter account, referring to the second most sacred text in Islam after the Koran.
You could also ask, how crash helmets fit in with Muslim and other religious views. I think for instance in the UK, that male Sikhs who adhere to their religious views, also follow the crash helmet law or don’t ride motor-bikes. Or at least, I haven’t seen a Sikh in a turban riding a motor-bike in years. Perhaps, they wear a patka underneath like some Sikh sportsmen do.
Now That’s What I Call A Scooter
I saw this guy yesterday.
Now That’s What I Call A Scooter
What a superb vehicle! His wheel-chair loads from the back.
Note the sign for the Ace Cafe.
The Rain Claims a Victim
Tonight, the rain didn’t give up, so I took the bus to Carluccio’s in Upper Street for supper. In fact I had to go somewhere, as I hadn’t got any supper in because of the rain.
But coming down Essex Road, there had been an accident, and as we passed, I noticed that a motor cycle was on its side and it appeared that a passer-by was giving first aid to the rider. It looked like a police car had just arrived and they were helping out too.
Hopefully, everything will be alright in the end.
But it is that sort of night, where accidents will happen and you’re much safer in a full-size bus.
Appropriate Advertising
Just watching the British Motorcycle Grand Prix, which is taking place in the rain. Lots of adverts for Visit Spain.
How appropriate!
The Anonymous Widower 