Joerg Teuchert
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STURGIS, SD – From apps for tracking rainstorms to black boxes for remotely diagnosing problems, the revolution in connected technology has come to motorcycles.
The world of motorcycles goes high technology
USA TODAY heads to the Sturgis Motorcycle Rally, where blogger Leticia Cline shows us how motorcycle travel can be made better with technology.
Video by Michael Kofsky, USA TODAY
The classic and traditional world of two-wheeled road cycling now offers many digital routes available to any cyclist who wants to navigate new technologies. And bike makers are finding that good technology can also be good for business as they seek to attract a new generation of millennial riders.
USA TODAY came to Sturgis, SD, over the summer, where thousands of motorcyclists gather each year to talk and check out the latest equipment and bikes.
Among the cool features we found were connected headsets, which allow riders to take photos, listen to music, and make phone calls while snarling. There are also apps like Dark Sky, which allow riders to determine when the rain will start to fall and predict how long it will last. Another app, Rever, is a motorcycle, a social networking app that records a biker route, which he can then share with others in an online community.
Finally, there is now a black box that can be installed on Harley-Davidson motorcycles and that allows mechanics to diagnose problems remotely. This is the Vance & Hines FP3.
Most of the new technology coming to bikes is simple enough that even the most stubborn Baby Boom rider can take advantage. The idea is to make riding more enjoyable, and that will attract more riders of all ages.
