GPS? Check. Saddlebags? Check. Banana Guard.... huh?

Aerostich are purveyors of fine touring accoutrement and equally fine April Fool's pranks-- remember their Remote Control Zipper Sliders, Krilion 2 glow-in-the-dark spray, and "Radical Cruiser" clothing line with "Insect deflecting carbon fiber conchos"?

This time, though, their "Banana Guard" adds a touch of the surreal to everyday motorcycling... at least I think it does, since I managed to add it to my shopping cart, but didn't have the nerve to actually try buying it. If it is indeed real, however, is there anything else a potassium-deprived touring fanatic could want for the holidays?

Source: MissAdventuring's Twitter Feed

Image © Aerostich; Click to enlarge

Evel Knievel did some pretty amazing things on Harley-Davidson motorcycles, but daredevil Kain Saul recently pulled off a first-ever stunt of his own: on November 27, the Australian performed what "...is believed to be the first ever successful backflip for any fullsize street motorcycle (non-motocross or dirt bike)," according to a Harley-sourced press release.

The 40 foot backflip jump-- caught here on YouTube-- involved an XR1200 with modified suspension which weighs 257 kg (567 lbs.-- roughly 2.5 times more than his Yamaha YZ250F freestyle motocross bike.) On the flip side (pun intended), American Chuck Carothers came up a day late (literally) and a dollar short (figuratively) when he attempted to backflip an XR1200 at the FMX Gladiator Games in Prague, falling off the bike during landing, as seen here.

Incidentally, Robbie Maddison-- noted for his no-hands London Tower back flip and record-setting 322 foot, 7 1/2 inch jump-- also happens to hail from Australia, begging the question: why are these Australians so gosh darn crazy?

Related:

• Red Bull's Robbie Maddison Jumps London's Tower Bridge-- With a No-Handed Backflip!
• A New World Record for a New Year: 322 feet, 7 1/2 inches
• Like Evel Like Son: Robbie Knievel Breaks Dad's Record
• 2009 Harley-Davidson XR1200 Review
• 2009 Harley-Davidson XR1200 Photo Gallery

Image © YouTube; Click to enlarge

Two years ago, I resolved to test ride a KYMCO scooter at a Cycle World Motorcycle Show, and later got slapped with a hailstorm of comments regarding what some perceived to be a pre-judgmental tone in reference to the Taiwanese-built bikes.

Fast forward to late 2009, and my butt still hadn't made it onto a KYMCO machine... but lo and behold, while perusing a scooter rental shack in Capri, Italy, I found myself faced with a fleet of KYMCO People S scooters.

How did a pre-abused scooter specimen fare in my critical hands? Read my impressions in this KYMCO People S Scooter Review, and see pics in this Photo Gallery.

Related:

• Motorcycle Dim Sum: Sample a Kymco at Cycle World Shows
• KYMCO People S Rental Scooter Photo Gallery

Screen grab © A. Wyckoff; Click for review

Are you sick of seeing photo galleries of pristinely detailed, spit-polished bikes? Have you been anesthetized by slick looking studio shots that are photoshopped to death? Have we got a treat for you!

Check out these shots of a banged up, highlighter yellow KYMCO People S two-stroke rental scooter, complete with an oil-stained engine and filthy wheels... hey, would you expect anything more for 40 Euros a half-day?

Related:

• Motorcycle Dim Sum: Sample a Kymco at Cycle World Shows

Screen grab © A. Wyckoff; Click for Gallery