Motorcycles help keep you young: software expert

TOKYO (AFP) - - Riding motorcycles helps keep drivers young by invigorating their brains, the scientist behind popular "Brain Training" computer software said Wednesday, citing a new scientific study.

"The driver's brain gets activated by riding motorbikes" in part because it requires heightened alertness, Ryuta Kawashima said after his research team and Yamaha Motor conducted a string of experiments involving middle-aged men.

"In a convenient and easy environment, the human mind and body get used to setting the hurdle low," he warned. "Our final conclusion is that riding motorcycles can lead to smart ageing."


Kawashima is the designer of "Brain Training" software, which incorporates quizzes and other games and is available on the Nintendo DS game console under the name "Brain Age" in North America.

A self-professed motorcycle fan, 49-year-old Kawashima cited a new study conducted jointly by Yamaha and Tohoku University, for which he works.

One experiment involved 22 men, all in their 40s and 50s, who held motorcycle licences but had not taken a ride for at least a decade.

They were randomly split into two groups -- one asked to resume riding motorcycles in everyday life for two months, and another that kept using bicycles or cars.

"The group that rode motorbikes posted higher marks in cognitive function tests," Kawashima said.

In one test, which required the men to remember a set of numbers in reverse order, the riders' scores jumped by more than 50 percent in two months, while the non-riders' marks deteriorated slightly, he said.

The riders also said they made fewer mistakes at work and felt happier.

"Mental care is a very big issue in modern society," said Kawashima. "I think we made an interesting stir here as data showed you can improve your mental condition simply by using motorbikes to commute."

Source: Click Here

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I think this is one of the reason why I love riding my motorcycle? Hhhmmmm... Good news....

The Final Countdown.....

This is the final result of my last project. It was finished last week of june but i've been so busy. So here it is folks....

Right Side View
Left Side View
Left Side View.... again....
Right Side View.... again....

Front View

Part 1 of the Yamaha YZR-M1

Last weekend, I started my new paper craft project. It is an YZR M1 motorcycle another product of Yamaha. The M1 is an 800cc sports bike specifically developed for racing purposes on the MotoGP series. Other specifications include a Liquid-cooled, in-line, 4-cylinder, 4-stroke with 16-valve DOHC engine which is fuel injected to ensure perfect as possible combustion process. A 6-speed cassette-type gearbox, with alternative gear ratios is also fitted to complement the power of the engine.

Coming back to the real world of mine, what I am doing right now is made from paper so there are no such specifications included. What you will just see are sheets of papers, pastes, scissors, toothpick, and other materials needed for paper crafting. So let start now what I have done so far..

The first images are the front suspension system complete with handle bars, brake levers, brake calipers and mud protector.

The next two images are the finished rear part of the M1. It includes the rear part with seats on it.

Next are the fuel tanks with Yamaha logo on both sides

The front panel which contains the removed portion of headlight including the windshield can be seen in the next array of images. The headlight is removed due to aerodynamic reasons and load reduction for faster acceleration and top speed.

For our last image the exhaust pipe is also completer. It consist of the down pipe, the muffler, pipe shield, plus the clip where the canister can be fitted snugly over the motorcycle.

The Finish Product of my YZ450fm

After months of cutting, pasting, and connecting all parts of this paper craft, it is finished at last. It is something that I can be proud that even my baby wants to play with it. So friends and not so friends (lol), may I now present to you the final judgement... hahaha...

The right side view of the finished YZ450fm motor cross.

Front view with my monitor at the background.

Rear view of the completed YZ450fm.

Front right side view with stand.

I will make a glass enclosure for this to preserve its beauty. Soon, I will now start the YZR-M1. Another Yamaha motorbike.

5th Part of the YZ450fm

At long last, the frame of my motocross YZ450fm is finally finished and ready for assembly. this one takes about 8 hours to assemble (one hour a day and about 8 days to complete).

The left side of the frame with the remote of the TV on the back.

Right side of the frame and still the TV remote at the back.. hehehehe...

Still the right side but the engine is mounted in its proper place.

Front left side of the frame including the engine.

Soon, I will post the finish product as it ready for assembly and just waiting for me to have time. May be a week or two, my first paper craft will soon be finished and with the way it looks now, I am sure that I will be very satisfied with its outcome.

4th Part of the YZ450fm

After spending days of cutting, folding, and pasting, i finally finished the most important part of the motorcycle - the engine. The powerhouse is complete with kick start, gear shifter, block, cylinder head, engine covers, and even the sprocket cover.

Left side of the engine where the gear shifter is located.

Right side of the powerhouse where you can see the kick start and the two cylinders.

Here is the front side view where the exhaust pipe should be located.

The finish product is coming near. Just wait and see what would it be like as a whole. Next post will be the frame of the motorcycle...

3rd Part of the YZ450fm

After days of serious paper crafting, I finally finished another part of my Yamaha YZ450fm motorcycle.


This is the radiator which is detailed including fins and connecting body. A little more time and i will soon finish the mono shock and the exhaust canister... It is tiring to do such small crafts but I think I will surely love to see if it is finished...

2nd Part of the YZ450FM

Now, here is the 2nd part of the Yamaha YZ450FM motorcoss paper craft. It cost me 1 week to assemble this little thing.


This is the rear wheel with rear disk brake assembly including sprocket and chain set. I forgot the name of the part that holds the rear wheel.

Next, i will soon post the finished suspension system and if time permits, I will include the radiator and the pipe assembly.

My new hobby - paper craft

Making paper planes are among the paper crafts during childhood years. However, when you grow old, paper crafts are getting more complicated, should need skilled hands, and of course better concentration to do the get the pieces correctly. Paper craft, as it name implies, is an art, models, or toys that are constructed from paper materials. Normally done for hobby, it also started to gain revenue to professional craftsman and hobby shops.
Paper crafts are among the most popular hobbies these days. And because of its popularity, I also have engaged in this kind of art. Now, I’m starting to build a Yamaha YZ450fm which I got in the Yamaha website. I will post here the progress of my project. However, it will take time to finish the project as I don’t have the free time to do the work often.

So stay tuned guys and I will soon post finished projects.