Another comment has appeared on my original post relating to the motorcycle parts and accessories deal;er Old bike Barn. You can read the new comment right here. Suffice to say, it looks like OBB has lost another customer.
I did fill in a request on the OBB website telling them about all the complaints relating to their company that has popped up on my blog, but I received nothing in reply.
I wouldn’t like to say what impression that leaves, but what do you think?
A while back I put up a post about a %15 discount being offered by Old Bike Barn in order to get new customers on board I guess.
Well a couple of guys found my post and put up some less than flattering comments about Old Bike Barn. You can read the comments right here. Whats your opinion? The same? Are you a satisfied customer? Maybe you are the CEO of Old bike Barn and want to stick up for your company, or offer some recompense to the disgruntled consumers venting their spleens. I have my own opinions about the best places to buy motorcycle helmets, motorcycle tires and the like, but I would love to hear from you guys out there. who knows you might help a fellow biker make a more informed buying decision. After all I don’t know about you but I certainly don’t have money to burn at the moment…
Come on, post your thoughts and lets share some good quality info on some of these online retailers…
Evaproducts Track T800CDI is the most advanced diesel motorcycle built yet so reviews are a bit few and far between. however, the guys at MCN in the UK have managed to get in the seat of one of these bikes, and they have published their feedback.
Diesel Motorcycle from Evaproducts
The Track T800CDI is a new adventure-style motorcycle from Dutch manufacturer Evaproducts that uses a turbo-charged 800cc triple-cylinder from a Smart car, combined with CVT transmission and shaft drive to keep the engine at the peak torque level.
The engine will supposedly give a 45bhp and 78lb-ft of torque, but of more interst is a claimed fuel consumption up to 140mpg for general riding – twice the economy of the most efficient large capacity petrol motorcycles.
The chassis is designed to compete in the adventure motorcycle class against bikes likethe KTM 990 Adventure and BMW R1200GS. The designers have given it WP suspension, Brembo brakes and a modern trellis frame.
Here is the full review of the worlds first production diesel motorcycle from MCN…
Bizarre
Starting the Track T800CDI gives an unusual experience – it clatters into life like a tractor giving rumbling vibration and the disgusting-smelling exhaust gases rising from the small forward-facing silencer in front of the right footpeg will be familiar to anyone who’s ever got stuck behind an old school bus. You can’t blip the throttle either – doing so will engage drive and send you shooting forward.
Lazy
Open the throttle to pull away and the feeling is like a CVT scooter – the drive itself takes up smoothly but the rising revs are accompanied by rising vibration. The shaft drive has no anti-rising mechanism, so you can feel the torque reaction cause the back end to rise slightly. It’s not a problem, but it adds to the unusual feel.
Opening the throttle hard doesn’t give the rush of drive you’d get with a turbo charged car – acceleration is leisurely even though the engine responds quickly to throttle input. 45bhp still isn’t much despite the respectable torque.
Crude
It doesn’t get better with speed – vibration subsides a little but it’s still enough to be intrusive, and the CVT means the engine is always at the same revs giving a monotous tractor-like noise, which even on MCN’s short test ride became tiresome. Even with an open mind there’s no getting away from the fact is just isn’t quick or refined enough to be compared with petrol rivals on riding enjoyment.
Well-designed
It’s a shame the engine isn’t much cop – the rest of the bike is built to a high standard, and the chassis is as good as any major manufacturer. The look is distinctive too, and the riding position is adjustable so it should prove comfortable over distance.
Tough
The reason for the bike’s low power output is Evaproduct’s desire to make it last– an engine life of 250,000 miles is claimed – and give excellent fuel consumption. Those qualities only appeal to a limited number of people – for the rest of the world, they’re attributes of limited use that come as the expense of riding enjoyment, so until diesel bikes tune in to the needs to the wider biking public, it’ll stay as a niche machine.
A pretty fair review, especially the comments about the trade off between economy and performance. I’m not sure I could go with a bike which had limited performance potential, even though I was doing my bit to save the planet…
THE FACTS
Track T800CDI
£15,000
Engine: 799cc, six-valves, liquid-cooled three cylinder turbo-charged diesel, common rail fuel injection, constantly-variable transmission.
Power (claimed): 45bhp
Weight: 220kg (fluids, no fuel)
Colours: Silver, black or white
Contact: http://www.dieselmotorcycles.eu/
Check out the press relaese from JD Power Associates to find out…
WESTLAKE VILLAGE, Calif.: 26 May 2009 — Arai ranks highest in satisfying motorcycle helmet owners for an 11th consecutive year, according to the J.D. Power and Associates 2009 Motorcycle Helmet Satisfaction StudySM released today.
The study measures the overall satisfaction of motorcyclists with their new helmet in three key factors: ventilation, face shield, and design and styling; which consist of 11 attributes: quietness; ventilation/air flow; de-fogging; face shield ability to keep wind out; face shield ability to resist scratching; ease of replacing face shield; scratch resistance of shell; color/graphic design; weight; ease of fastening the strap; and fit and comfort.
With a score of 830 on a 1,000-point scale, Arai ranks highest and performs particularly well in the ventilation and design and styling factors. Shoei follows with a score of 815 and performs well in face shield. Icon ranks third overall with a score of 806.
“Arai continues to improve in the areas critical to customer satisfaction, which has further differentiated it from other manufacturers,” said Tim Fox, research manager of the powersports practice at J.D. Power and Associates. “Arai’s focus on fit and comfort—the most important consideration when purchasing a motorcycle helmet—and its ability to cater to different types of riders have given the manufacturer a consistent edge in satisfying customers.”
Overall satisfaction with motorcycle helmets has increased to an average of 766 in 2009—up 5 points from 2008—the highest level since the study’s inception in 1999.
The study finds that while the percentage of helmet owners who conducted research online before buying has remained relatively steady from 2008 at 36 percent, the proportion of helmet owners who purchased their helmet online has increased—up to 17 percent in 2009 from 14 percent in 2008. Additionally, those who purchased more expensive helmets ($200 or more) are more likely to both research and purchase their helmet online. More than one-half of these helmet owners researched online prior to their purchase, and 22 percent of them made their purchase online.
The 2009 Motorcycle Helmet Satisfaction Study is based on responses from more than 4,600 purchasers of new 2008 model-year motorcycles who provided information about their most recent helmet purchase experience and helmet use. The study was fielded in September and October 2008.
If youve never heard of Motonation, the exclusive USA importer for Sidi motorcycle boots then after reading this article you might be glad to know a bit more about them. The have just announced an one of a kind “expanded warranty” on certain models of Sidi boots.
Sidi Motorcycle Boots
The President of Motonation, Bill Berroth said that “Sidi boots are arguably the finest motorcycle boots in the world. As such it is rare when a Sidi boot has a problem out of the box but if there is a defect those are covered by Sidi’s standard 2-year warranty. This new “expanded warranty” expands coverage to include crash damage etc, truly a first for the moto industry!”
Here are the nitty gritty details:
The warranty is now available for purchase for $49.99 to customers who buy a pair of Sidi Vortice, Vortice Air, Vertigo, Vertigo Air, Vertigo Rain, Vertigo Lei, Vertigo Mega Gore Tex, Crossfire or Charger boot.
The warranty expands the standard 2-year Sidi warranty from the purchase date to also include crash damage, damage from ripping or tearing if the boot catches on something and even pet damage if a dog chews them up!
The expanded warranty must be purchased within one week of the boot purchase to be valid, and it is non-transferable and it is good for one boot exchange (at Motonation’s option) only.
Motonation said the that this program (and the standard warranty), does not cover boot replacement because of a decline in appearance due to normal wear and tear or customer neglect. so you cant get a warranty for not looking after your motorcycle boots yet, dont go abusing them unnecessarily…
For example:
Soles that have worn out and need replacement or damage that might be caused by the rider not replacing the sole or sole inserts in a timely manner.
Scuff pads on road race boots or damage caused by the rider not replacing the scuff pads in a timely manner.
Replacement off road boot straps that are needed because the straps were lost due to rider neglect.
More details: Motonation said that boots will be repaired or replaced at their option. If they replaces a boot, the old boot becomes the property of Motonation. Motonation will pay the shipping costs back to the customer. Inbound shipping, if any, is the customer’s responsibility or the boots can be dropped off at Motonation.
They also said that the program is subject to change or cancellation at any time, but anyone who purchased a policy will be covered as promised even if the program is discontinued.
Consumers (or dealers on the consumer’s behalf) can find more information and may purchase the Sidi Expanded Warranty by visiting the Motonation website.
