2009 Powersports Dealer Expo Report

World Exclusive!  The webBikeWorld Live Report From the 2009 Powersports Dealer Expo
Indianapolis, Indiana - February 13-16, 2009
by Rick K., Editor, webBikeWorld.com

This is Page 7 of our live report. 

►Akuma

The Akuma folks have been busy as usual!  Lots of new goodies to see.

First up is the new Carbon helmet -- I was so excited in the booth that I forgot to turn on my voice recorder, and I forgot all the details, but the helmet definitely feels light and it includes the Akuma I.P.S., or Integrated Power System to power the Akuma accessories, such as the internal light included in the helmet and other Akuma accessories like their Tint on Demand visors.

Akuma also partnered with Gator Customs, the developers of Gator Glass, on their new "Wolfpack" helmet.  The IPS system powers an LED behind the translucent Gator Glass, making logos or designs visible at night when the light is on.

The effect isn't as noticeable in the harsh lights of the Dealer Expo, but here's an example with the black G-series helmet in "stealth" mode and then with the Akuma logo turned on under the Gator Glass:

Here it is again in the Akuma Wolfpack helmet, available in several color combinations.  Again, not as noticeable during the day, but looks bright when it's dark:

Here's a Gator Glass and Akuma partnership on the bike and matching helmet:

Here's the production version of the Akuma Gemini "Tint on Demand" visor.  There's more information and a video of the prototype in the story we published a few months ago.  The final version uses a vinyl container for the electronics and the battery is now said to last 72 hours compared to the prototype's 30 hours:

Here's another interested development in prototype -- a dark visor with these "cat eye" lights.  The helmet was up on a display so I couldn't handle it, but apparently the visor works like a normal tinted visor to the rider and these "eyes" can be turned on and off using the IPS:

As if all of that wasn't enough, Akuma is also introducing a line of motorcycle clothing, starting with these jackets that match the Akuma helmets! 

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