Personally, I’ve never been the touring bike kinda guy, I always thought that tank bags were for people that shouldn’t have a bike to begin with; of course that was before I got a chance to experience the Stack LT Tank Bag from Rapid Transit.  As universal as it is convenient, the Stacked is just flat out cool.  Waterproof orifices for audio and hydration, a cell phone pocket, and a map pouch right up front, only begin to scratch of the surface of this versatile product.     
When you don’t need as much storage space up front, the upper bag can zip completely off of the bottom bag, still leaving you with a map pouch and plenty of space for all those knickknacks.  Though the Rapid Transit Hydration Bladder is sold separately, it does have its very own home in the stack, just like everything else.

*Contrary to what you might think, the bag doesn’t get in your way, even if you yourself are stacked!

While easily manageable with one hand, the overlapping double zipper flaps make convenient access to both the display map and money pockets for those annoying tolls.  Did I mention there are pockets all over this thing?  There’s even hidden compartments.  If that’s not enough, you can pop the whole thing off and wear it as a backpack!

The Stack LT Tank Bag from Rapid Transit is actually two separate bags that zip together for one sturdy storage unit above your gas tank.  The bag features protective sheathes so the straps don’t scratch your paint job.  The snaps allow you to quickly remove the bag or fill up your tank.  I really can’t say enough about this product, Rapid Transit thought of it all and then wrapped it together with outstanding craftsmanship and quality.

The bag comes with all necessary straps and instructions for securing to your tank.

FEATURES:

• Audio ready
• Interior sidewall storage pockets
• Rugged plastic handle
• Rain cover
• Valuable storage
• Mobile phone storage
• hydration ready
• Map storage
• Lockable
• Backpack
• Laptop storage
• Waterproof
• Key storage

Why would you want this?

I know, your parents didn’t give you enough attention as a child, so you use possessions to force fleeting glimpses of admiration from unassuming strangers in an atypical attempt to fill (if even for a microcosmic second) that void with something you call pride but we call pretentiousness.  In other words, you’re a rich prick.

Built by the 18 year old Ben J. Poss Gulak, the Uno is an electric vehicle that uses two microgyro-motors; one for turning and one for forward and backward movement.  You might remember the microgyro-motor technology from Dean Kamen’s Segway.  I’m a fan of Kamen because he’s from my home state and has the same birth day as myself; two excellent reasons to like someone.  Ben on the other hand named his two wheeled invention the "Uno"- nice job dumb ass, why didn’t you just call it the "tripod" or the "I’m a total douche bag".

We’re just kidding Ben, we look forward to seeing what else you have in store for the future.

Ben designed the 120-lb electric vehicle himself, using Google SketchUp because he couldn’t afford professional software.  He did get some advice about motorbikes and gyro robotics from leading experts, but it’s still pretty crazy; he’s only 18!

The Uno runs for about 2.5 hours on its fully charged eco-friendly electric propulsion motor.  Other than the handle bars and start button, the bike has no controls, all movements are accomplished by leaning.

It will be interesting to see if this ever catches on, or if it’s destine to share the same fate as the one wheeled car.

Of all the items I’ve had a chance to review, the BreathKey by Omega Point Systems had to be one of the most fun, though if I were to even smell Patron again I would probably lose my cookies.
The Breathkey is a miniature alcohol breathalyzer that hooks to your keychain. Surprisingly it’s very easy to use; even as the night progresses. Press the button, wait when it tells you to wait, blow when it tells you to blow, and then the digital readout displays your estimated blood alcohol content; perfect for avoiding those unfortunate situations.  Extensive personal testing has shown that when the unit is used correctly (you don’t blow too hard or spit into it) it can be very accurate.  A handy device for woman that like to blow after drinking too much.

If I ever decide to quit Essential Gear Guide and move to the everglades the second thing I’ll do is buy the Hoverjet GT by Hovertachnics Inc. Then of course I’ll refill my prescription of stupid pills because I obviously used the entire bottle on that last decision. Seriously, unless you live in Antarctica why do you need one of these things? I’ll tell you why, because you have more money than you know what to do with, and along with reminding everyone 24 hours a day, you enjoy purchasing wanton frills that you’ll never use. I’m sure Mukesh Ambani has an entire floor of his new billion dollar house dedicated to chocolate waterfalls and hovercrafts.  If you still want the Hoverjet GT in spite of the intelligence that begot the finances of acquiring one, then you definitely deserve your trophy wife and the gonorrhea she contracted from the pool boy.

The two-person Hoverjet GT is a two-cycle, two-cylinder hovercraft that travels over water and land. The vehicle is powered by a 60 horsepower gasoline engine and 12-volt battery. The pulley-driven fan propels the unit up to speeds of 60 miles per hour depending on the surface conditions. A handlebar-style tiller allows the rider to control the direction and speed as the 8" cushion travels over surfaces such as ice, water, sand, mud, snow, asphalt, concrete, dirt, and even short grass. The craft can even climb small, smooth inclines up to 20%. This unit is fully lined with U.S. Coast Guard-approved flotation foam. Includes a convenient electric starter, 16" windshield, six gallon fuel tank, tachometer, 30" tunnel pad, and two durable aluminum skid rails on bottom hull. Requires registration as a boat. Two-person, 400 lb. payload capacity. Ages 16 and up with adult supervision. 4 1/2′ H x 6 1/2′ W x 10 1/2′ L. (580 lbs.)

Now losing your memories is as easy as misplacing your keys!
COBY Electronics introduces the DP-152 which is code for Digital Picture-followed by a completely arbitrary number.

Normally I would be against having anything digital bouncing around with my keys because it would probably get all scratched or damaged.  But for less than $20 you can’t really go wrong, plus the DP-152 is encased in a rubbery plastic coating that can withstand a drop or two and doesn’t scratch very easily.  The 1 inch sq. screen displays your color pictures in 128×128 resolution on a static or scrolling option.  It also has a clock and calendar.  It’s small enough to not be a nuisance and with a capacity of about 60 images it makes a neat little key chain.

The DP-152 charges via the USB cord used to upload pictures; it also comes with it’s own easy to use software for uploading those pictures.  Even though a resolution of 128×128 isn’t much, it’s really all you need on a small screen.  For attachment to a key ring or belt loop, the devise comes with a small lanyard and carabiner.

• Full-color LCD display
• Displays JPEG, GIF, and BMP image files
• Stores 60 photos
• Photo slideshow mode
• Integrated rechargeable lithium-ion battery
• USB port for fast file transfers
• Color: Black, Blue, Red, Pink
• Display Type: 1.44″ CSTN LCD
• Display Resolution: 128 x 128
• Media Support: Integrated NOR flash
• Format Support: Photo: JPG, GIF, BMP
• Menu Language Support: English, French, German, Italian, Spanish, Portuguese, Dutch, Polish
• Additional Functions: Slideshow; Clock
• PC Interface: USB 2.0 Hi-Speed
• Power: Rechargeable Battery: Li-Polymer; Power In: USB
• Unit Dimension (WHD): 1.7″ x 2.7″ x 0.5″
• Package Dimension (WHD): 6.37″ x 8.57″ x 1″
• Carton (inner, master): 1, 5
• UPC: BLK: 7 16829 21152 6; BLU: 7 16829 61152 4; RED: 7 16829 41152 0; PNK: 7 16829 71152 1
• Certifications: CE, FCC

Sometimes you just need things to suck, like your vacuum, your girlfriend, or your fluid evacuator. 

The Mityvac 7201 Fluid Evacuator Plus  is versatile siphon-like unit that can change from vacuum to pressure for evacuating or dispensing fluids with the push of a button. This functionality makes it ideal for draining tanks or reservoirs then pumping the used fluid out for easy disposal.
For extreme mobility, this unit utilizes a manual pump which means there’s no need for compressed air or an electrical outlet.  There are included accessories for draining engine oil, transmission or brake fluid straight from the respective dipstick or caliper.

This is especially useful for watercraft that can’t be drained without some sucking.  If you absolutely need to, you could use this on gasoline, but it will probably destroy the grommets and seals on the Mityvac. 

Features:

• Evacuates or dispenses at the push of a button
• Convenient manual pump operation
• Integrated 2.3 gallon (8.8 liter) capacity reservoir
• Large base with foot stabilizer
• Durable, chemical resistant polyethylene construction
• Automatic overflow prevention
• Quick-drain pour spout

Includes:

• Fluid evacuator/dispenser
• 0.23" OD x 5′ long (5.7 mm OD x 1.5 m long) dipstick tube
• 0.26" OD x 5′ long (6.6 mm OD x 1.5 m long) dipstick tube
• 0.41" OD x 5′ long (10 mm OD x 1.5 m long) main evacuation tube
• Tube adapters
• User manual (English/French/Spanish)

Specifications:

Reservoir capacity: 2.3 gallons (8.8 liters)
Max. operating temperature: 175°F (80°C)
Packaged weight:10.0 lbs (4.5 kg)
Size: 24" tall x 12.4" wide x 9.3" deep (610 mm tall x 315 mm wide x 235 mm deep)

Mission Two- find a better plastic’s fabricator. 

The Mission One EV electric sports bike unveiled this past week at the Technology, Entertainment, Design (TED) conference by Mission Motors is said to have a 150 MPH top speed and 100 foot-pounds of torque at any point between 0 and 6,500 RPM. 
If you’re like me, the design is just a little too space age-ish.  If you’re not like me, go have fun on your 70 thousand dollar "Blade Runner" bike and make sure to send designer Yves Behar a thank you card for making it flashy enough that everyone worth a damn will know exactly how much you paid.

The first 50 bikes produced will be a special Limited Edition model available for delivery in 2010 ($68,995).  The standard more affordable Mission One’s will be announced this summer.  The lithium-ion battery keeps the bike running for 150 miles while charge time is about 2 Hours at 240V and 8 Hours at 120V.

look for the Mission One to make it’s race debut at the TTXGP on June 12th.

P O W E R T R AI I N
Battery Pack High Energy Lithium-Ion with Integrated Safety
Motor Liquid-cooled, 3 phase AC Induction
Torque 100 lb-ft @ Zero RPM
Transmission Single speed, #525 O-ring chain
C H A S S I S
Front Suspension Ohlins, 43mm inverted fork, fully adjustable
Rear Suspension Ohlins, single schock w/piggyback reservoir
Front Brakes Brembo forged 4 piston calipers.
Rear Brakes Brembo, 220mm disc; single-piston caliper
Wheels/Tires/Front Marchesini forged Al 3.5"x17", 120/70Z
Wheels/Tires/Rear Marchesini forged Al 6.0"x17", 190/55
T A R G E T P E R F O R M A N C E
Top speed 150mph
Range 150 miles per charge (Est. under EPA drive cycle)
Recharge Under 2 hours @ 240V (8 hours @ 120V)
Features: Adjustable regenerative braking,
Intuitive/adjustable data acquisition system