Gearing up for The Singapore Bike Show 2018

It's that time of the year when you open your eyes wide and put your ears to the ground to suss out the latest motorcycles, bicycles and riding gear.

The Singapore Bike Show is back for its third edition from Friday to Sunday at Singapore Expo Hall 5.

Like in previous years, you will be dazzled by the motorcycles, apparel and safety technology on show, and be enthralled by hair-raising stunts courtesy of daredevils Julien Welsch and Hiroyuki Ogawa.

Expect it to get crowded.

Said Mr Thomas Ang, organiser for The Singapore Bike Show 2018: "Following the successful show in 2017, which saw almost 55,000 visitors, we are expecting a 70,000-strong turnout this year."

With so much to see, here are three things that may excite you at the event.

ARgon Transform by Whyre

Whyre is a local company of five university graduates who believe they can transform a helmet into something more than a protective shell for the rider's head.

Since September 2017, the men have asked about 300 riders what they would like to see in a smart helmet.

Now they proudly present the Bluetooth-enabled ARgon Transform - a dual-camera augmented-reality vision helmet attachment.

Weighing about 400g, the system comes with a rear-facing camera and front piece that acts like a heads-up display showing information like GPS and incoming calls to your mobile phone.

It retails for about US$679 (S$931). There is a 20 per cent discount for pre-orders.

2018 Triumph Tiger 800 XCX

There is something to be said about the alluring matte-green metallic paint of this Tiger.

This latest generation triple is more refined than its predecessor.

It possesses higher-spec Brembo brakes, switchable anti-lock brakes, adjustable Showa suspension and a shorter-ratio first gear.

The reach to the handlebar feels closer too.

The LED-equipped Tiger 800 XCX is set to pounce on dirt, given its new off-road Pro riding mode which allows you to easily spin the rear wheel without traction control interrupting your fun.

Its price with Additional Registration Fee is about $30,480.

Motoairbag V2.0

If you have broken a few bones from riding motorcycles, perhaps it's time to consider getting that trick airbag system to cushion your fall.

Hodaka Motoworld will be showcasing the Motoairbag V2.0 (price to be announced), an Italian airbag system within a perforated vest worn over your riding jacket.

The V2.0 is activated via a cable attached from the vest to your motorcycle.

When you are ejected from your motorcycle in an accident, the airbag deploys via a small air canister hidden in the vest.

Talks

If you are unable to buy such products at the show, you can still enrich your mind by listening to two-wheel experts and adventurers at their talks during the event.

Mr Azlan Shah, the first Malaysian to win the Suzuki 4-hour Endurance Road Race, and local gal Juvena Huang, who went on a solo jaunt to Europe on her trusty old Vespa scooter in 2015, will be sharing their experiences.

Admission to The Singapore Bike Show 2018 is free.