November 2003

23 November 2003
Non-bike topic this week ! As mentioned last week, I have discovered a fantastic show on SBS called the IRON CHEF. Saturday’s show mystery ingredient was carrots. Yep, top Japanese chefs have to prepare dishes that allow the flavor of carrots to reveal themselves. Yep, the dishes that they have 1 hour to prepare MUST use carrots as the Key flavor, not as a garnish which most of us probably use it for. One dish made the carrot taste like a fruit !

Why do I like the show ? I guess its the whole dramatisation and the mystery ingredient. I also find the english translation, yep vocal not just sub-titles very funny. It makes the other cooking shows seem well – boring. You see they came up with 10 different ways to highlight the taste of carrots – some more successful then others.

16 November 2003
Suzuki, BMW, Honda happen to be the only three motorcycle AND car manufacturers ? BMW and Honda are two of the leading car manufactureres so how come motorcycle riders are missing out on the latest tech.
Sure some of the tech may probably inappropriate like airbags and crumple zones but since they make cars how come we aren’t seeing some of their other technology. Eg stability warning systems, customisable engine management systems, height and reach adjustable steering handlebars and foot rests, integrated GPS, xenon headlights, luminent displays, trip computers ?
Imagine having an M or Type R badged BMW or Honda. Would certainly raise a few eye brows. So what would Suzuki use ? well I think Suzuki should get their car act together by coming up with a more sporty line up. At least one model… You heard it here first everyone.
PS. for lovers of food (Australian residents) check out SBS Saturday 7.30pm.
It’s another food show with a difference. The show is called IRON CHEF.
Not only did I admire the food they come up with but I loved the format. Summarised I guess it’s a pokemon type battle, except that it is real live chefs dueling it out to be the winner in cooking. Although a ‘serious’ show as top chefs put their reputations on the line I couldn’t help laughing at the same time as ohhing and ahhhing. Definitely worth a look!
More on the show next week.

09 November 2003
This week’s topic is system integration. You now see car manufacturers integrating stereos with the climate control or air conditioning system and a central display for the stuff you usual have a buch of buttons dails and sliders to control. Sure when done properly it looks great and sure it often simplifies the control. There have been mistakes eg I-Drive on the BMW 7series what a mess that was. They call it the central bus system where all the technology is linked and communicates with each other. Until of course something goes wrong and in that case the whole car systems don’t work.

The worrying thing is the combination of the stereo with everything else. Sure you get the Speed Racer style buttons on the steering wheel but you then essentially lumped with a sub standard in car entertainment system (ICE). In mosts cars with this set up the sound is pretty non-hi-fi. A prime example is the new Mazda 6 and RX-8 nice looking set up and promises the world with the BOSE labelling – but have you heard it. What a let down I’d feel ripped off if I bought them. It a very poor demonstration of the BOSE sound. Shameful really. Worse of all you can’t change it. Imagine you’ve sent over $50,000 on a brand new car that looks and goes fantastic but turn on the stereo to impress your passengers and oh dear what sort of sound system is that ? yuck.

The reason for this according to motoring sources is the cheapness of doing it like this. Most manufacturers choose the cheapest components, check out the speakers you get in your car. Some though like the Lexus you get the Mark Levinson sound system which sound great but that is one of very few exceptions.

Anyway the fact is that they are limiting your choice, yep no MP3s, or DVDs, no future etc… all the advancement in car sound has been due to aftermarket stereo manufacturers and that a lot of people want better sound. The new generation of car buyers have experienced decent car sound and will expect it in the future. Any maker who thinks they can get away with cheapness here will not succeed.

02 November 2003
If anyone has seen 2 Fast 2 Furious the movie, you may have noticed 2 Hayabusas making cameo appearences. They’re right at the start tempting the hero Brian O’Conner aka actor Paul Walker for a race in the desert somewhere. He was in his souped up Nissan Skyline. I won’t say what happened because you should watch it. The movie doesn’t have the best plot or story line or particularly deep or meaningful and acting wasn’t Oscar winning material, but it was surprising great to watch. However great stunts, driving and sets ie the cars. Recommended viewing for purely entertainment even if just to check out the cars.