In Cafe Racer’s upcoming December/January issue, we take a poke at some of the stranger things to emerge from the recent EICMA industry mega-show in Milan, Italy. Our man-on-the-ground Gary Hallobeck sent us daily missives from the sprawling event that draws in just about every part and accessory manufacturer in the motorsports world (well, that and a WHOLE lot of pretty Mediterranean girls in spandex catsuits) to market their wares for the coming year.
In between the flashy, staged new motorcycle reveals, staged with all the aplomb and dramatics of a Broadway drama, there were booths vying for visitor’s attention with high-tech electronics, go-fast bolt-on accessories and riding gear that promised to make you faster, safer and, inevitably better-looking.
Gary listed some of the items that proved funny, (intentionally or otherwise) ill-advised or downright goofy. Here’s a few of our absolute favorites.
Smart Helmet Visor
Have humans actually become so lazy, so dependent on tech that even motorcyclists can’t be bothered to look down at their instruments? Apparently so, as Shoei recently rolled out the first, and we hope last, electronically enhanced helmet visor. For just a few hundred bucks, you can buy a vision-cluttering device that reveals what your motorcycle is already showing you for free.
Italjet Dragster
Resembling the offspring of a Burgman scooter and a 300-horsepower MotoGP missile, this Italian designed, Chinese-made maxi-scooter ends up being not quite either. Show us the rider who needs 700cc, Ohlins suspension, aerodynamic winglets and radial Brembo brakes to deliver pizza and we’ll show you 2035’s Moto 3 champ stuck in the wrong career.
Armored Suits
Rule #1: Unless outfitted for the Distinguished Gentlemen’s Ride, nobody looks cool wearing formal wear on a motorcycle. If worried about safety and avoiding road rash, here’s an idea: wear leather.
