Helmet makers BYE, and Italian brand that’s owned by motorcycle mainstays Yamaha, have devised a few clever print ads for European use. Clever, but really disconcerting too. The digital helmets may not be production ready (to say nothing of DOT approved), but the photos have a subtle, monstrous quality that just can’t be ignored. Who’s touching me?

Check out both in our gallery above.

+ BYE

Held every January in Las Vegas, NV, the Consumer Electronics Show (CES) will feature a Greener Gadgets Techzone section for 2009. The exhibits will be displayed in Central Hall, and highlight pioneering technologies that benefit the environment and sustainability of global economy.  

Amongst the crowd will be ELV motors, one of the first electric transportation companies to participate at CES. The company presents a whole range of "Fleet Certified" electric bicycles and electric and hybrid scooters. At its booth will be both the regular and police versions of the company’s  2009 A2B electric bicycle, equipped with a 500 watt, throttle driven motor.

Like rats, we have an affinity for shiny objects. We especially like
shiny objects that go "vroom." It follows, then, that we find these
custom Japanese scooters to be worth a peek. Pink Tentacle put
together a gallery of some of Japan's most photogenic scooters, ranging
from artistic to futuristic to unnecessary.

Click through the gallery above for some examples.

+ Pink Tentacle: Japanese custom scooters

We have already posted some concept art for the Moto-Terminator character-slash-vehicle from the upcoming film, Terminator Salvation. Now we have screen shots, complete with fire, showing the deadly motorcycle in action. View them in the gallery above.

+ Album du vendredi, Terminator Salvation

Though it may fall mostly into the category of “things that are totally unnecessary,” this remotely controlled scooter project didn’t’ take long to warm our hearts. The video has a bit of an unfortunate soundtrack, so make sure to turn the volume down while you sit back and watch the purity of human invention unfold.

+ YouTube: Unmanned Motorcycle

Designer Maciej Puzon has envisioned what the world of skateboarding may look like in the not-so-distant future, with his Pumpboard concept that seeks to make the world’s most portable deck. The three-wheeled concept is inflatable with a removable rear axle, allowing the “board” to be rolled into a very compact unit when not in use. Pumpboard’s semi-ridged top and bottom give the needed superstructure when the deck has been filled with compressed air.

We’re still waiting on the hoverboards that were promised to us in Back to the Future 2, but Pumpboard might make and interesting intermediate step for board sports in the meantime. Have a closer look at the concept in our gallery above.

+ Maciej Puzon

http://www.carzi.com/2008/12/12/bajaj-pulsar-stunt-video-commercial/

Vespa; scooter enough for the manliest of British guardsman, perfect for the lady in your life, and even occasionally self-driving. These three vintage Vespa ads make a strong case for the iconic scooter, with a heavy helping of cheese on the side. Click on the video above and enjoy.
 
+ YouTube: go vespa go

With offerings of television shows, movies, comic books, and nearly unfathomable amounts of toys, the Japanese Gundam series amounts to multi-billion yen industry around the world. Hoping to capitalize on some of that juice, Lalabit Market is releasing an ultra limited edition series of full-face motorcycle helmets, all tagged with golden Gundam war paint.

Attractive enough in their own right—even to those who may not be obsessed with the anime series—the helmets’ price tag may scare away all but the most ardent Gundam fan. Lalabit will produce 100 of the shiny lids, asking more than $2500 (258,000 yen) for the collector’s piece.

+ Akihabara News

Have you always thought that you might look pretty good sitting astride a super hip motor scooter, but haven’t had the time/opportunity to take one for a test ride? That’s the premise behind a new guerrilla marketing campaign from one Italian ad agency, which has taken to the streets with a sort of scooter visualization device.  A clever approach; have a look by clicking on the video above.

+ YouTube: Guerrilla Marketing - Lanzi Moto