Quad Lock started its origin as a phone mounting system for bicycles. The founders liked travelling and discovered there was no real set up they felt comfortable to take their phones with them.
They’ve since expanded and branched into motorcycles, cars and other vehicles. I am an avid user of Quad Lock and using their mounting systems for the handlebars of my motorcycle, I’ve used several mounts across various bikes with zero issues.
First impressions – The packaging and presentation are worthy of an apple product, it’s a small matter I know but when a company presents its stuff to the end user it gives a warm fuzzy feeling to see this? Yep, I’m a packaging pest! 😊 I also like a sticker or two!
What’s in the box then? The base unit, two cameras, battery connections, the necessary leads, instructions, remote device, cable ties, sticker pads, screwdriver, screws, etc.
The only thing I did need to provide was a micro-SD card to fit into the unit.
Installation – I watched a couple of videos about this before attempting it myself. Unsure if the guys doing said vids were a bit bone but I had it all done within an hour and a half. At least 45 minutes of that time was trying to find a suitable site for the front facing 4k camera. The MST’s* front end is quite angular and it still needs a tweak to get spot on. I will mention in this section about the sticker pads provided for both cameras and the remote unit… utterly USELESS! I have had to remove the supplied pads and use some genuine 3M stickers to get the right result. As stated above though it did come with some screws so I may utilise these also. The rear will be easy as I can screw straight into the Givi top box rack. The front is a bit more problematic though so needs a bit more thought before I attempt.
Set Up – Easy, download the app, sync app with base unit, away you go. Absolutely no dramas at all. Took perhaps a minute to establish the connection first time. Subsequent syncing takes seconds.
Mobile App – simple, easy, intuitive. Browse through your files – both cams loop on 1-minute intervals, cut, crop, delete, there and then in app, or simply download to your phone for later use on video editing suites. Whilst on this subject – each video taken (front and rear) is time and date, lat’ and long’, elevation, speed stamped. So be careful with the right wrist as it may get thee in trouble with the fiveO!
Camera quality – I’ve got an Insta360 X3 which just blows my mind every time I use it, the image quality is better than that of the Vantrue F1 however it is a dedicated sports cam, so I must remind myself that they are not comparable. The quality of the Vantrue cams is very good, 4k front is superb, 1080p rear is also pretty good. I haven’t encountered any mucky weather yet this week, so when I do I will have to give the lenses a booghie before setting off.
Summary
Smart, quality, simple to use and it could be invaluable if the worst were to happen one day. Once it is installed it just fire and forget until you have a notable incident. I captured a van driver on Thursday who very nearly caused a 3-car pile-up due to his stupidity and lack of concentration. I would have been involved also if my spider senses were not so keen, so in that scenario it is a very useful tool for those who rely on their motorcycles daily to get to and from work. Of course it will not prevent an accident but the footage quality would be very useful for a courtroom situation, insurance claim, etc.
The increasing theft rates have made motorbike security locks a need of time without which motorbikes are extremely prone to thefts. The market is flooded with cheap & unreliable locks that can easily be bypassed in a minute. Therefore, we are trying out a number of Xena Security items during a motorcycle test. The look at the Xena XX14 bluetooth disc lock, XSU series stainless steel locks, steel chain, chain adaptor and ground anchor.
The first & most important part of the package is the Xena XX14 bluetooth disc lock. The Xena disc lock series is available in several configurations and the XX14 is the second most heavy-duty lock that is compatible mostly with bigger bikes (we have previously tested the bigger brother XX15). The stainless-steel mono-bloc has a built-in beefy 14 mm carbide-reinforced pin which is then operated by a key. Once locked, and turned on via the app the sensitive motion & shock sensor inside the lock are delicate enough to sound the alarm even if someone slightly moves the bike. Having already setup the XX15 on my phone it was easy to setup the XX14 (you can have more than one item setup) but if first time it can initially be a bit fiddly to setup. In our previous test of the XX15 once I figured out that the Xena has to be locked and in position on the disc to enable the bluetooth all was good. You can of course still use the lock as a standard disc lock without bluetooth or the alarm. The 120dB sound alarm is pretty loud to scare away the thief and to alert the people around the bike. The alarm & battery settings can be configured via the mobile app and the Lithium cell can be replaced easily using the key. The Xena XX14 is not only compatible with several motorbikes but it will also pass the test of time thanks to its corrosion-resistant body & the pin.
The Xena XX14 disc lock provides excellent security, but there’s always room for improvement and that is where the chain adaptor and the chain itself come into play. The Xena chain adaptor and the chain are sold as separate accessory items with the XX14 lock, and they are a great choice if you want to firmly secure your motorbike. The chain adaptor might look a bit thin from a distance, but it is quite resistant against attacks from a wedge or even a heavy-duty plier. Note, the chain adaptor isn’t compatible with the XX15 but I’m sure they will bring a larger one out.
Once the chain adaptor is firmly in place, it is then time to hook it to Xena’s hardened steel chains (with the paddock). Xena steel chains are available in different configurations and all of them work just fine, though, a thicker chain would be a better choice if you want extra protection. Moreover, all the Xena chains are corrosion resistant and covered with a nylon sleeve just so they don’t rattle & corrode as much as they do without a sleeve.
The final step to secure your bike by a chain is to use either a lock or a ground anchor and thankfully Xena has got both the products for you. Xena’s XSU series stainless steel locks have got the strength and the ability to firmly lock up a chain wrapped around a motorbike. Both the lock and the chrome shackle are hardened to make them more resistant to fractures. Available in three different configurations, the Xena locks are designed and made to go perfectly well with Xena steel chains (and disc lock with chain adaptor) which make these locks a must-buy in conjunction with Xena steel chains.
A padlock is a necessary item to secure a motorbike outside a garage (in conjunction with padlock and chain) a ground anchor is a better choice when it comes to securing a motorbike in a garage, driveway or on patio in our case. The XGA ground anchor by Xena is made just for this purpose and it can be installed very easily using just a 20mm drill bit (which you will need to buy separately if like me you only had a 12mm). The nearly 2kg heavy anchor can safely be driven over when flat and its single bolt holds to the ground securely. With a pulling strength of over 3-tonnes, the XGA ground anchor will secure any motorbike effortlessly.
Overall, Xena motorbike security products are made for each other and therefore can be used easily with one another. The availability of such a diverse range of options makes it easier to secure a motorbike at any place that ultimately provides peace of mind to the owner and allows him to fully delve into his tasks without thinking time & again about the safety of his prized motorbike.
My only slight niggle is if your going to buy the full package different coloured key covers for each item or something to indicate which key belongs to which item as the keys are pretty much identical. For example I had the XX15, XX14 disc locks and padlock on a bike, it got very confusing with which key went which product in the end I scratched into the plastic the identity of each item.
This isn’t a niggl but more advice the chain is really heavy so if you plan to take it with you on a ride bare that in mind.
The XX14 Bluetooth Alarmed Disk Lock, Chain, Ground Anchor and Padlock were supplied to us by Motohaus.com. The XX14 Bluetooth Alarmed Disk Lock retails for £100 – including VAT. To purchase visit www.motohaus.com
Thefts are not just limited to cars, in fact, close to 40,000 thefts in England & Wales are related to motorcycles and scooters, which accounts for a 3.3% chance of your motorcycle getting stolen. This alarming statistic and the general fear forces a motorcyclist like me to ensure the proper security of his pride and joy, which is why I have been recently started using the XX15 BLE disc-lock by Xena Security, and here’s an insight into my experience so far with this lock.
The XX15 disc-lock has been on the market for awhile now, and it remains a popular choice amongst motorcyclists for theft protection. Thankfully, the lock fits most motorcycles and large scooters. which is the reason why I didn’t encounter any problem while testing this on the new Triumph Trident’s front disc. The main reason why I chose the XX15 lock over others is because of the host of security aides packed inside it in particular the alarm. The XX15 is an improved and refined version of the XX14 lock.
The newest addition to the latest XX-series lock is the inclusion of a smartphone-controlled Bluetooth app for both Android and iOS phones that lets you customize various settings; this convenient feature has countless times helped me modify various settings without taking a long walk to my motorcycle. Initially it was a bit fiddly to setup but once I figured out that the Xena has to be locked and in position on the disc to enable the bluetooth all was good. You can of course still use the lock as a standard disc lock without bluetooth or the alarm.
The stainless-steel body and the 14mm reinforced carbide pin are sturdy enough to withstand a harsh direct or indirect blow. Moreover, the in-built shock & movement sensors are programmed to be just sensitive enough to respond to a potential theft attempt so there are almost no chances of false alarms. In the time Ive had it have never been irritated by a false alarm which is a testament to the precise programming backing the XX15 disc-lock.
Speaking of false alarms, the sound output of the lock is 120dB, which, to be honest, is quite high pitched and helps scare away a thief quite easily. The battery is easily removable via the keys and supplied allen key and can last up to a year with normal usage. The keys themselves are quite resistant to forgery and the lock insert is also quite pick-proof.
The Xena is quite heavy and large so if you take it with you on a ride I suggest you place it under your seat (if there’s room) or in luggage rather than in a jacket pocket.
The Xena XX15 disc-lock can also be availed with a chain adaptor or a ground anchor for additional security, but the lock itself is good at what it is designed & made for. Ultimately, I would totally recommend this lock to anyone looking to secure his/her motorbike or scooter as the lock has always provided me with peace of mind in particular overnight.
* Word of note the luminous cable reminder doesn’t come with the lock but its still handy to remind oneself that the lock is there as you can easily forget it’s there if your in a rush.
The XX15 Bluetooth Alarmed Disk Lock was supplied to us by Motohaus.com. The XX15 Bluetooth Alarmed Disk Lock retails for £110 – including VAT. To purchase visit www.motohaus.com
Auritech Custom Fit Ear Plugs – A Review by Laramoto
Ever wanted a pair of ear plugs that are so comfortable that you forget you’re wearing them? Look no further than the Auritech custom fit earplugs. They fit snuggly inside the ear canal with a twist and push, totally filling your ear hole with your favourite customised colours. Did you know that your ears change as you age? The plugs you bought about 5 years ago are now well out of date. The fitting on my old ones wasn’t quite right and I knew I need an upgrade.
With my new Auritech custom plugs, I’ve certainly noticed the deadening of the right sounds and I feel protected, yet I can still have a decent conversation and hear what I need to hear on the road and track. I can still hear my Ducati burbles and the pop on the R6 of course. The moulding process is well, a hassle, but for custom plugs its the only way to go. Getting to a bike show is the most convenient way to get it done and Auritech have a studio in Guildford where they do free fittings. However there are many ear specialist stores local to you that will create your moulds and send them over to Auritech for manufacture.
The best bit? Zero risk of being pulled out when you pull your helmet over your face. Let’s be honest, the folded ear problem is real and made so much worse when perfectly placed earplugs dislodge and you’ve got to restart the neck scarf, ear plug and helmet positioning faff. No more issues with that thanks to the Auritech team!
The Auritech Custom Plugs are pretty small compared to the plugs I was using, my previous ones filled the space around my ear canal which helped a little when I was trying to get my greasy motorbike hands around them. The Auritechs are a little less easier to handle and easier to lose, so always keep your ear moulds for easy remanufacture. They come with a little bag to assist in not losing them.
I asked for some funky red white and black plugs to match my branding. They are unique to me in colour and design, plus the red and blue internal bore helps with reminding me which one is for the right or left ear. Inserting them into my ear felt uncomfortably deep but you do get used to it. The Auritechs comes with a handy wax scoop but you’ll be pleased to know I’ve saved those photos for my private collection. With years of motorcycle riding ahead of you, you’ll be grateful you invested in Auritechs.
You can use your equity release for custom-fit earplugs that are perfect for you. They can be a little pricey, but they’re worth the cost because they absorb sound better and fit more securely than traditional foam or silicone versions.
I didn’t need it when I had one already and I am lost without it when I don’t have it!
Rather than buying a dedicated gadget for navigation, I use my mobile phone for that. I like it. It’s one less thing to charge and potentially forget to pack, plus it works great. Until recently I have used a universal phone mount which was absolutely fine if a little bit of a faff. I got used to it and it didn’t bother me. The mount consisted of two prongs that were joined but flexible in the middle and you had to push them apart to fit the phone inside. Then there was the rubber tether that went around each corner of the phone. Sometimes this was easy to do and then on the days of butter fingers it was a bit of a pain.
I have heard good things about Quad Lock, mainly from my son who uses it on his mountain bike and from fellow motorcyclists. Having practically zero handlebar space on my bike, I was pleased to see the stem mount fitted perfectly in the hollow where I had the previous mount. This ensured a fuss-free swap and a better fit straight away.
The mount came with the vibration dampener which is a must on a motorcycle with a V-twin engine as feedback from other users would suggests. iPhone cameras have been ruined with the vibration of the motorcycle before.
Once the phone mount is in place, attaching the phone to it is a doddle. You do need the specific case from Quad Lock for your phone as the back of the case is moulded to fit the mount on the bike. The case itself is very strong, I have dropped my phone several times already and the case protected it every time whilst the case itself still looks brand new.
The trick is to angle the phone at 45 degrees to the mount, push in and turn until it clicks in. Very quick and simple and it doesn’t take long to get used to it.
The first ride made me a bit nervous as the phone did shake more than I was used to. Or perhaps it was the same but I just noticed it now because it was a new thing. Not enough to really worry about it falling off, just something I clearly paid attention to more.
First photo stop. Oh, I should mention, I take hundreds of photos on every ride out. The reason for wanting to have my phone easily accessible is not just for the navigation but also for taking photos. Not to mention for making payments at petrol stations. A quick press of the release bar freed my phone, quick photo or several and back it went on the mount. Again and again and with each time I was doing it with less thought and quicker.
Wow, that was impressive. Within just a few hours of using the Quad Lock mount I started to love it! It was so easy to remove the phone and click it back in again I have already forgotten all about my previous setup.
After a few days of using it I decided to get the wireless charging head, too. Nothing worse than running out of charge on your phone just when you need it, right? The charging head was super easy to instal and it uses the bike’s USB port for power. I had to run the cable from under the seat and behind the fairings. Nothing a couple of small cable ties can’t do. So very quick and simple to do.
We get used to good things quickly and don’t think about them anymore. Until you sit on a different bike for a few days and it doesn’t have the same setup as yours. Doh! Out came the battery pack again and charging the phone when stopping resumed.
All in all, a fantastic bit of kit I would happily recommend!
For more Quad Lock UK News check out our dedicated page Quad Lock UK
Being unable to securely use your mobile phone on a bike can be frustrating, which is why most people avoid using them in the first place when they are riding a motorbike. There are virtually uncountable mobile phone holders available in the market designed specifically for two-wheelers, but unfortunately not all of them provide satisfactory performance. Thankfully, I have stumbled upon a good handlebar mountable iPhone holder that not only does its job well but at the same time also has a rather affordable price tag. The product I am referring to is made by Quad Lock and it comes with some other items as well which I will discuss here.
The Quad Lock Handlebar mount is the best choice when shopping for a mobile mount as it protects the phone from swinging due to high wind pressure at higher speeds. Motorcyclists also are accustomed to attaching their phones on the handlebar since it provides them a good line of visibility without compromising any safety aspects. The installation process for the Quad Lock Handlebar is pretty simple and straightforward, all you have to do is to figure out a convenient position for the holder and then screw together the mount, extension arm and the spacer (if there is a need to) using the Allen wrench provided. The spacers will only be needed if you want to raise the position of the phone.
Vibrations are the worst annoyance that usually occurs when a phone is attached to a holder. Quad Lock has developed a special Vibration dampener that absorbs all the vibrations whether they are coming from the handlebar or due to the wind. Luckily, I had ordered it with the mount which helps me in enjoying a seamless and steady experience whenever riding in windy weather, which is why I will surely recommend you to buy it along with the mount.
Unlike many other mounts where a dedicated mobile phone case isn’t provided or needed, the Quad Lock mount is only usable with a case. This is a good thing since it allowed me to attach the phone on the mount securely, which in turn essentially eliminated any chances of it falling on the road. Furthermore, the case is made using precise dimensions due to which I was able to easily plug in my headphone adaptor. The microfiber lining and the wireless charging adaptability further gives it a premium touch all the while increasing the convenience.
You can also add in a transparent protective poncho which will provide good shelter to your phone against harsh weather. Overall, the phone holder is a great product by Quad Lock that provides all the confidence that one requires from a good phone holder. Its sturdy & user-friendly construction will allow you to get the most out of it for quite some time.
For more Quad Lock UK News check out our dedicated page Quad Lock UK
Who doesn’t like to record their ride when the sun is shining, the skies are blue and you’ve got that happy feeling on your motorcycle taking in the stunning views on bendy roads. If not for publishing it then for your own record to watch them in those long winter days when the bikes are parked in the garage and we are missing the thrill of the ride.
I have been using the Insta360 R camera for nearly 18 months and whilst I’m not a wizz at video editing I do like the way it captures the scenery and gives you the option to choose the view of the camera after the footage has been recorded. The downside of this is that everything seems so far away. Watching YouTube vloggers with their forward facing cameras I did wonder if they are onto a better thing. I do have a forward facing camera on my Insta360, too but I haven’t really used it.
So I figured doing a side by side comparison would be an interesting exercise. But let’s go back to the Drift Innovations Ghost XL Camera first.This is an action camera that comes with a variety of mounts to use on a helmet or on different parts of your bike, an external microphone with waterproof connector and a USB charging cable.
As I am the type to just switch things on and start using them rather than reading the user manual I was struggling to see the screen on the back of the camera as I was scrolling through the options. With glasses perched on my nose I realised each setting shows up in a different screen colour to make it easier to tell at a glance whether the camera is recording or not and in what setting it is on.
Finally giving up and opening the user manual I realised there is an app to download to your phone from where you can control the camera. It is very intuitive, super easy to use and it offers remote control of the camera which means you can mount it anywhere without worrying about accessing the buttons.
At first I wasn’t sure about the look and design of the camera, being used to Insta which is very Go-Pro like in the looks department. I mounted both cameras to my bike and went for a ride. Insta360, due to its design, sticks out like a sore thumb and is very obvious whilst I had to look twice on several occasions to really notice Ghost XL. It is actually genius in its design and it is almost invisible at first sight regardless of what position I mounted it in.
The lens rotates 300 degrees which means no matter how you mount the camera, it will always capture the footage the ‘right way up’. The great thing about the phone app is that you can see a live view of what the camera is looking at and you can set it all before riding off, knowing the footage will be recorded as you want it to.
It does seem to struggle with low lighting conditions as you can see on the video. The beginning is filmed on a brighter day and the footage looks good but the very end is filmed on a gloomy, overcast day which means the footage is quite dark. The lens opening is quite small so you are to expect this and worth taking into the account when purchasing such cameras.
I have recorded footage in different resolutions and to be honest, not being an expert, I couldn’t really tell much of the difference on the screen between them.
The adjustment of the field of view, on the other hand, is a great option to give you flexibility on how much you want to include in the frame. The options are 90°, 115° and 140°.
The manufacturer claims the battery lasts 9 hours of recording time at 1080p which is very impressive. I haven’t used it for long enough to test this claim.
Knowing that your camera won’t die if it rains is a great comfort, especially living in Wales. Personally, I don’t record anything in rain as the water drops settle on the camera lens and distort the image and I see no point in it unless you are using it as a dash cam. It is great to know that you don’t have to panic and pull over to pack the camera away if you get caught in the rain.
All in all, a great robust camera that is super easy to use and produces good quality footage. At half the price of the Ghost 4K version I think it is a great value action camera but if you have the budget, I’d go for the better lens option.
For more reviews check out our dedicated Reviews page
For more Drift Innovation and our reviews check out our new dedicated page Drift Innovation News
The sheer thrill and joy of watching a MotoGP race raises the adrenaline level which further elevates a man’s desire to become a MotoGP rider. Everyone will agree that one’s chances of becoming an actual MotoGP rider are rather slim, however, you can get the closest virtual experience by playing the latest MotoGP 2021 game on your favorite gaming console. The game provides the best immersive experience you can get in the comfort of your home and everything has been created to mimic the real-life MotoGP experience, even the pit stops are a 100% replica of real-life MotoGP.
The resemblance does not end at pit stops or the maps, even the motorcycle’s riding dynamics can be customized according to your taste or as per the lap’s requirements. The suspension system, fuel consumption, tyre wear, and surprisingly even the brake temperature is also adjustable. Such a huge number of customizations make a huge difference at the end of the day as each of them makes a little contribution to the winning formula. The modifications are just not limited to the bike, in fact, you can customize the rider’s gear including the helmet using the 5 in-built graphic editors available.
The gameplay also has some iconic new features in 2021, creating an electrifying, strategic and adrenaline-fuelled racing simulation. These include:
• Bike Retrieval Sequence: Once you fall, you’ll no longer automatically respawn on track. You’ll have to get up and get back on your bike, as fast as you can. Pay attention to how you take the corners!
• Brake Temperature: Riding is not only a matter of speed, but also of strategy. Monitoring the temperature of your brakes is the key to always having the situation under control. If they are too hot or too cold they risk losing their effectiveness.
• Long Lap Penalty: Finally, the feature is coming to the MotoGP™ videogame franchise, meaning that penalties can now be more specific.
• Bike Suspension System Revisions: The level of realism is increasing again. This feature is dedicated to all the bike simulation lovers!
The level of intensity can be toned down a bit by switching to Moto 2 or Moto 3, though, they have the same level of attention to detail as the MotoGP. All the rules that are exercised in real-life Moto races are also applied in the virtual world without any changes. Another little detail that might not sound as significant is that every two-wheeler needs to be retrieved by its rider in case of an accident which also adds a touch of originality to the gameplay.
All of the above-mentioned features will be futile without a smooth and interactive experience. Therefore, the game supports a resolution of up to 4K with 60fps that makes it one of the most immersive games in the market. A high bandwidth connection with low latency makes the loading process faster and enables more players to challenge you on the track. The advanced A.I integrated into the game acts like another player in case of an offline race and thus provides the most natural experience you can ever get.
Whilst a huge fan of bike racing when it comes to gaming yes, personally I’ve always been fps fan with the like of Halo, COD and Gears of War etc I could never get on with racing games of any type be bikes or cars.
For me personally it gets a bit boring when you keep crashing or running wide and finishing last (this is with any racing game I play). That said with added next gen graphics etc this is a must for any bike racing fan who is also a good gamer.
MotoGP™21 was released on April 22nd, 2021 on PlayStation 5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S, Nintendo Switch, PC, Steam and Epic Games Store.
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Cameras are everywhere you look these days. Speed Cameras, CCTV cameras, Dash Cams and also Action Cams. If you are looking to capture your epic events then is an action camera the tool for the job? Superbike News recently reviewed a motorcycle dash cam https://superbike-news.co.uk/viofo-mt1-dash-cam-review/ so, which is right for you, an Action Cam or a Dash Cam.
The Ghost X from Drift is a compact action camera that has been designed to be mounted virtually anywhere. It records HD 1080P video at 30fps
It’s Drift’s budget camera coming it at about £130, it offers a 5 hour battery life which can be extended to 8 hours with the bigger battery unit that is available for another £25. The included 32GB microSD card might need to be replaced for a bigger one as a 10 minute video (1080P) takes up 3.8GB of storage so by my very rough calculations you are probably good for 1.5 hours before you’d fill the card. Not a problem if you change one of the mirad of settings to give you loop recording. The loop interval can be set at different stages between 10 seconds and 10 minutes meaning it will record at 10 minute lengths until the card is full then return to the start and begin overwriting.
In the box is everything you need to get started. I initially ignored the instruction manual as it looked too thick and technical. I set about figuring the camera out myself. There are only 3 buttons on the top how hard could it be. One button is clearly an on/off as identified by the international on/off symbol. I pressed it, nothing. I pressed and held it for a couple of seconds and the little camera beeped into life.
The back of the Ghost X has the tiniest of screens, smaller than a postage stamp, it had illuminated a pleasant green colour. This is where those with bad eyesight may begin to struggle. The little screen is giving out a lot of information in such a small space but, if you can see it, it does makes sense.
Information such a recording mode; view angle; recording quality; the number of files saved; battery life and remaining card capacity are all shown on a screen size of 132mm²
Staring at the screen I began pressing buttons, The top button, the one closest to you as you look at the screen, cycles the display through the various modes that the Ghost X has to offer, Video, Still camera, time lapse, burst image, settings menu, each one of these comes with its own colour. This will prove useful as you can instantly tell the mode the camera is in simply by looking at the glow and not squinting at the screen. Pressing the button again cycles back to the start. I pressed the middle button and discovered this cycles through the options on the screen being displayed, so in video mode you can alter the resolution to 1080, 960, 720 or WVGA which is probably the same resolution as a typical CCTV camera the advantage being you can up the frame rate to 60fps if you need to. I’m not a keen photographer so would probably need to look up what a lot of the settings do to fully understand the functionality of the Ghost X but then I would probably ignore them all and set it to record video at its best 1080P x 30fps resolution and never touch any settings again.
Cycling through the screens and the modes, I only had to revert to the instruction book once and that was to understand what the K140 meant. I could change it to K90 and K115 but did not know what I was doing. Reluctantly, I flicked through the quick guide to realise that the K wasn’t a K but a symbol to illustrate the field of vision for the recordings. There are three options 90º, 115º and 140º.
Once familiar with the button layout and how the options on the screens cycle through the menu options and back to the beginning, setting up the time and date and other options on the Ghost X was relatively simple. Just click slowly to get to where to need to be otherwise run the risk of cycling through all 28 menu options before getting back to where you need to be. (press and hold the button to go backwards through the menus)
One of the 28 menus was Video tagging, this seems like a very clever idea if you don’t want to be recording all day and then have to wade back through hours of footage to find that one time where your mate did something cool. Video tagging is like having the Ghost X set in sleep mode, it’s always watching but not recording until you press the record button. Then, depending on the settings it can record the previous 2 minutes and the following 2 minutes. With Video Tagging, you’ll never miss that perfect action shot ever again.
I eventually found my way back to the screen that told me the camera was in video mode but how to actually record video? I had one button left to press so pressed it, The Ghost X emitted a little beep, change to a big beep or no beep in settings, and the green glow turned red. It was recording.
Starting and stopping is as simple as touching a button and to check it was all fine I hooked the camera up to the computer using the included USB lead and was impressed at how quickly the device was recognised. Much easier than removing the SD card from a DashCam type recorder. The Camera also charges up while attached to the computer and the little screen glows green when fully charged.
Feeling good that I had worked out all the buttons and squinting at the tiny screen, I was feeling ready. I just one had more flick through the user guide to make sure I had found everything. It was at this point I made the life decision to read the manual first on every new thing I get.
The guide was easy to use and only so thick because it contained all of the languages. It mentioned an APP, of course there is an APP, I downloaded that and looked up how to connect the APP to the camera. It was here that the instruction booklet came into its own. After connecting the APP to the phone via on-board Wi-Fi (easy) you get full access to all the system settings on your phone screen, not one that is 11mm wide x 12mm high. You can see a live image of the camera on the phone to help you set in the perfect location. You live and learn. The APP does a lot more than just system settings you can control the camera, live stream and join the drift community to share videos and experiences.
After fiddling with the menus, it was time to fix the camera to my crash helmet. I already have a motorcycle dash cam on the bike, I didn’t want to go full Tellytubby and mount it on the top on my lid so opted for the side. The box contains 2 x 3M sticky pads, one is flat and the other curved. There was a lot of searching for the best location on the helmet to stick it. 3M pads are wondrously sticky so I wanted to find the right place first time. One of the great things about the Ghost X is that the lens can rotate so the camera can be mounted at any angle and the level corrected by simply rotating the lens so that the marker arrow is pointing straight up. Doing this exercise while looking at the image on your phone means you can get it right first time.
As expected from an action camera there are many different mounting option available, the handlebar mount, designed for mountain bikes, might work on the handle bars or crash bars of some motorbikes. It is made from metal and looks & feels well build and robust. There is a pivot mount that will allow for the camera being mounted any which way; a roll bar mount for clamping onto scaffold sized tube. In fact, wherever you want to mount your camera there is probably a mount designed to do that job on the Driftinnovation.com website.
I wanted a sleek fitting camera so went for the simplest solution of the curved sticky pad and then having the camera clip fitting directly into that. The camera clip is indexed onto the camera with a serrated grooved ring that controls the vertical angle the camera. The horizontal view depends on where you put the sticky pad. Changing the orientation of the camera and rotating the lens can be done without tools making camera position changes quick and easy, something that can’t be done with a dashcam.
The camera clip locks into the sticky pad via a couple of spring loaded plastic prongs. Pinching these together enables the camera to slide out. When not on the helmet the sticky pad socket is hardly noticeable. One thing I would always want to be sure of, though, is that the camera clip is securely located in its socket. Make sure you listen for 2 audible clicks as it locks into place and then try to pull it back out. The last thing you want to see is footage of your camera bouncing down the road, if you ever find it again that is. There are no tethers available on the website to offer peace of mind.
The buttons and the release prongs are easy to use with a gloved hand. Once you have mastered where the buttons are, you can turn the Ghost X on and off and start and stop the recording by touch. Or do as I did and start the camera recording and then lock it into place on the helmet. Remember that colour coded screen? There’s a small indicator light above the lens so you can check in a mirror what mode you’re in and if you are recording or not just by looking at it.
Out and about on the bike, I didn’t notice the camera at all. It’s slim enough that it doesn’t rub on your shoulder when cornering and light enough that I couldn’t feel it. I made a few runs, the first one used the onboard mic and suffered horrific wind noise, maybe the sensitivity was too high. The second run I used the external mic. On returning back to base and reviewing the footage I was very disappointed that the mic had not picked up commentary. I did some checks with another mic and diagnosed a bad connector on the original mic. I’ve ordered a new one for £10 which fixed the issue.
With the mic fixed and installed inside my helmet alongside my intercom mic, I connected the app to the camera via the on-board Wi-Fi and set off on another test run using the app to alter the settings along the way.
The Ghost X is not waterproof at least, I don’t think it is. It’s probably not fully waterproof. you see, I’m not really sure if it is or not but there is a waterproof case that is available as an accessory so, if you do want to go out in the rain then that is probably what you need. I tried in on the camera and was not happy with it. It’s good for 40m underwater though! The Ghost XL is waterproof, according to the website, and as it’s only another £20 I’d get that one. However there is one annoyance that comes from browsing the Driftinnovation.com website, and that’s the constant notifications that people are buying stuff. I really don’t need to know that Karen from Margate has just bought a Drift Class 10 MicroSD card 1 hour ago. I want to know the IPX rating of the Ghost X is please so I can decide to go out in the rain or not. Thank you very much.
Overall, a great action camera, reasonably simple to set up and get going but will need some fine tuning of the settings to get the most out of it. I was happy that it came with a fully charged battery so I could start to mess with it immediately. I later searched the website and found out that the Ghost X is IPX4 rated. This means that you can use it in the rain, but not at high speed in heavy rain.
It has other modes apart from the video; you can take 12MP still images; bursts of up to 15, 4MP images and set up time lapse. These are good to have but I wonder how many times they will be used.
It’s certainly less hassle as a camera than a dash cam system, it’s compact and easy to access the files with the USB link, the quality of the video is great and it offers more to the video creator because when mounted on the helmet it follows the rider’s eye. With the bigger battery and a larger SD card up to 128GB the recording times are comparable to that of a hardwired dash cam system, but ask yourself how often do you ride for longer than 8 hours? Even if you do, grab a spare battery that can be charged up via USB and swap them in seconds. The downside is that it only records in one direction and if something happens behind you you’ll miss it.
So which is right for me dash cam or action cam? Well the perfect solution is to have both. The helmet mounted action cam will be used extensively to record live commentary over the top of video for training and feedback purposes and the front and rear dash cam system will be there to record any incidents and as also as back up when, not if, I forget to press the record button.
Definitely a great little camera that looks sleek has a lot of functionality and will absolutely capture your best moments. You should get one.
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Getting your bike permanently rigged up for on-board video recording may not sound like the sort of thing you want to do but having a record of that car pulling out on you while you were perfectly in the right may go a long way to help with any insurance claim, but why else would you want one?
Action cameras have come a long way in recent years; Go-Pro, Drift, Insta360 and the like are great, but there is an element of faff that inherently comes with them. If you are like me, you don’t want to get to the end of a gorgeous ride and realise that you forgot to record it. You don’t want to be mithered with batteries and charging and limited video length. And you don’t want to look like a Teletubby with a camera stuck on the top of your helmet.
The VIOFO MT1 Motorcycle Dashcam has both front and rear cameras. It is hardwired onto your bike so it starts to record once the ignition is on and stops when the ignition is off. You can put a 256GB microSD card into it that will record around 18hours of footage on the front and rear cameras in 1080HD at 30FPS. You will never miss capturing that silky smooth set of curves again. The DVR (Digital Video Recorder) is water resistant and conforms to IP66 protection so it ideal for use on a motorbike.
In the box is the full system, two cameras, DVR, remote mic, 32GB MicroSD card with adaptor, GPS receiver, wiring loom for connection to battery and switched live, a load of sticky pads, hook and loop pads and zip ties. There is also a well written, simple instruction manual, but who’s ever going to read that, right? There is a downloadable APP for your smartphone that you’ll need to adjust the settings. More on that later.
I have used another twin camera video system for a few years now so was interested to see the differences between these two systems which, on the face of it should be very similar.
First job was to remove the old system that has done a great job over the last 3 years, producing content videos and also assisting in footage for rider training. Putting the two systems side by side you can see that the VIOFO is slightly bigger.
The quality of the connections appear better and because they are all colour coded it makes for a very easy installation so still no need to read the manual.
One of the downsides to hard wiring cameras onto your bike is that there is going to be some disassembly required. If you are not very confident in removing fairing and the fuel tank then something to consider would be the additional cost of getting someone to for it for you. Budget for around 2-3 hours work. There will also be some electrical connections to make. The kit includes a power loom that comes with connectors to attach directly to the battery and a third wire that will need to be attached to a switched live. Tap into anything that comes on with the ignition.
The permanent live wire is used to keep the camera system ready to record. There is an inbuilt G-sensor that detects if the bike has been moved or knocked and it will start recording until movement stops before resetting. The sensitivity can be adjusted (low, high and off) and there is also a motion sensor option that will start the camera recording if it detects movement in front of the cameras it will record for 60 seconds then go back to detecting motion again. The switched live starts the camera recording around 5 seconds after you turn the key. Once these wires have been attached to your bike, the rest of the fitment is very straightforward, the hardest decision being where to mount the cameras.
With all panels removed from the bike, you can start to identify the best place to mount the DVR and cameras. The length of the camera wires will dictate where the main DVR unit will be fitted. There is enough cable to run from the front/rear of the bike to the seat area but if you wanted to mount the DVR at the extreme front or rear of the bike you would struggle to make the connection. If you have a tortuous wire route through the bike frame then you might struggle with available wire length.
A few moments to plan your layout before you start the installation is time well spent.
Resting all the components on the bike and seeing where you can run the wires is a useful tip.
Once you are happy with where the DVR will mount you can start to run the wires. The colour coded plugs are narrow enough to squeeze through gaps and can be well hidden inside fairings and alongside the original loom. Make sure that there will be no pinch points when putting it all back together.
With the wires in their designated places and the plugs joined up it’s time to mount the cameras.
The kit comes with two types of mounting plate that are both essentially the same. One plastic and the other metal. You can choose to stick these mounts onto the bike with the supplied sticky pads or use a more extreme method such as self-tapping screws through the holes provided.
The design of the mounting plate gives limited options for camera location. There is no swivel facility once you have stuck the pad down. So if you are going for the sticky option be sure to get it right first time round. – a suggestion here is to get everything all wired in and working and then set the view of the camera up on the APP before securing the mounting plate to the bike. The mounting plates have quite a big footprint, this is to allow for enough sticky material to be in contact with the bike – a good idea but this limits fitment options. The last thing you want to be doing is fabricating mounting brackets and fitting them to the camera clamps. In this instance there wasn’t a good option for the front camera so, as a compromise, I re-engineered the foot and made it fit. Clearly, the smaller you make the area available the less secure the camera will be. Personally, I would have liked to have had a few more options available in the kit.
After a bit of fettling, the front camera was mounted and attention was turned to the rear. This was mounted to the underside of the luggage rack with a couple of Tek screws (not supplied). Both cameras have an indicator arrow to assist you with orientation when mounting. The cameras themselves are the same as each other and roughly the size of your thumb.
Next up was finding a place for the GPS sensor. This is used to record speed on your videos although it can be turned off. The GPS sensor will also track your geographical location so that your journey can be overlaid on to google maps via third party software such as Dashcam Viewer.
Finally, fitting locations also needed to be found for the remote control (which houses a couple of control buttons and the external mic). With all the elements connected up and wired in and all the panels put back on the bike it was time to see if it all worked. For that we need the APP.
The VIOFO app is available for android or apple from their respective app download locations.
The app controls the system settings of the camera. You can choose options such as time lapse speed, how long your loop recording is, sensitivity of the G-sensor, and if you want text superimposed onto the video – a great feature for content creators! There are also some very useful additional camera set up options available such as altering the exposure, this would be handy in dim or bright light conditions. You can set the speed unit and format the SD card all from within the app.
The app is very intuitive to set up and use. It was easy to connect to the inbuilt WiFi of the VIOFO MT1 system (password 12345678) and access the saved recordings. Fine tuning the camera placement can be done in real time while watching the image on your phone (not while riding your bike obviously!). There are 4 modes available Front, Rear, PIP (Picture in Picture) rear and PIP front.
You can use the app to take stills with the camera should you wish.
Getting familiar with the functions of the APP takes a few minutes of tapping on the screen. The interface is car orientated and I would have liked to seen a bike on the splash screen, but once in, it is possible to review video footage stored on the MicroSD card directly over the internal WiFi and delete videos if required.
Depending on the system settings you may see that some videos are locked, these have been recorded due to activation of the motion sensor or G-sensor and can only be deleted by taking the MicroSD card out and putting into a computer. This is so that they cannot be accidentally deleted.
Getting a file off the DVR and saving onto your phone is possible but takes around 8 minutes to download a 10 minute video clip over the internal WiFi, much better to remove the SD card and take that to a computer for editing.
The video footage quality is full HD 1080P with a 170º wide angle. This is great for recording where you’ve been and where you are going. However, even in Full HD picking up registration plates is difficult. (Screen shots of Video)
If your reason for having a Motorcycle Dash Cam is to record wrong doers then unless you are close to them you will struggle to get a clean shot. At 30FPS a vehicle can be out of shot too quickly to capture a good frame.
Overall, this system offers good value for money at just over £200 and once installed can offer peace of mind to riders that want proof of fault in accidents and incidents. They can be very useful for fleet managers who want to keep tabs on their machines and riders, blood bike groups or for riding instructors.
My main use for it is to review footage taken when training associates for their IAM Advanced Motorcycle qualifications. They can reflect back on how they have ridden and with having the two cameras means I can lead or follow without losing footage of them.
If you want to see the actual footage taken by this camera please head to
Notice that the GPS has not recorded a speed on the video but watch right to the end and it does start to do something. This could be due to the positioning of the GPS receiver so that will need to be investigated but it is in the same position as my previous one was.
There is a lot of wind noise from the remote mic and this could probably be fixed by altering the location to a quieter wind noise / louder engine spot but, as it has the control buttons on it, some consideration and some trial and error may be required to find the sweet spot.
Overall, it is an easy to install and user friendly system that quickly connects to the app and offers different modes of recording and playback. Being around £100 cheaper than my previous system it’s a good choice for those looking to save a few quid and still have the peace of mind that on-board video recording gives you.
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This is a SizzApp review about a bike tracker that I didn’t think I’d use, but since I fitted it, it’s become essential. As much as we’d love to ride our bikes 100% of the time, at some point we are going to leave it; either tucked up in a garage, or maybe in a free parking space on a busy street, or in the corner of a poorly lit car park. I used to regretfully look over my shoulder as I said goodbye to my precious motor. Now I can walk away knowing I’m still connected to my bike through the SizzApp monitoring device.
The immediate reassurance of fitting a tracker are the movement notifications, indicating that your bike has moved. In my case, my delightful partner was taking her out of the garage for a clean and the SizzApp device alerted my phone immediately via a ‘towing’ notification. It will also tell you less good news, if the monitor had been unplugged, the signal was jammed or if it has been in a crash. You can even set up a ‘Geofence’, where it will report if your bike has moved outside the perimeter you have set around your home, or where you parked it. If you’ve left your bike sit for a while, it’s easy to check the battery voltage too, all reported in the app.
The tracking GPS function is ideal for a group ride out. If you’ve all got the monitor fitted; being separated is easily fixed as you can see exactly each party is and navigate straight back to each other. You can record all your ride-outs for the last 2 years, share your favourite rides on social media and plan trips with others. You even get some bragging stats for the cafe stop, including top speed (km/h), braking & acceleration forces (m/s2)… best to save those max efforts for the track eh?
The less appealing bit is fitting it. It is definitely simple but if you’ve got a bike where the battery is firmly tucked under fairing instead of your seat, it’s a pain. The app interface is a bit sensitive and not quite as intuitive as you might be used to, however I’ve never had better instant customer service than the @Sizzapp Instagram team. Now I’ve fitted the Sizzapp monitor I don’t want to give it back!
Watch this space you will be able to get the Sizzapp at a very discounted price for Superbike News readers.
For more information on Sizz App visit sizzapp.com
Next up Lara will be reviewing a Ducati Panigale v2 for us courtesy of Chris and Martin from Ducati Manchester in the meantime you can check out LaraMoto’s Youtube channel.
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Why bother buying a dedicated sat nav like the TomTom Rider 550 when your smart phone will do? It’s exactly the question I asked myself before my 10 day tour around the Pyrenees. When we got stuck in the mountains and my mates smartphone had failed to find signal and cooked itself, I knew I’d made the right choice.
You’ll want the Rider 550 because its the latest dedicated motorcycle sat nav that TomTom has to offer and it includes worldwide mapping and pre-loaded motorcycle Points of Interests (POIs). Like any sat nav, you’ll need to consider how to mount it on your bike – look no further than the premium pack. It will remain on and charged and docks/undocks with a single click. You can fit the anti-theft system but I find it easier to take with me. The unit is totally weatherproof and has sufficient touch sensitivity, even through gloves.
The best bit about the TomTom 550 is the ‘Plan A Thrill’ feature. Select a destination and then adjust how wiggly or how hilly the route should be. The Rider 550 gets creative and takes you down anything but a motorway or dull A roads. I have found superb routes across the country that only a local would know exist, just add some common sense when you’re about to go green laning on your S1000RR.
It has regular speed camera updates and you can get your phone to talk to it through a dedicated TomTom app called MyDrive, but only via WIFI. The Rider550 syncs with a bluetooth headset too, but this is sometimes hampered by bluetooth connection issues. In summary – hassle free navigation wherever you are in the world. Reliable, weatherproof and with succinct instruction, you’ll find superb biking roads when you fit a TomTom 550.
