Some like it loud

A prototype hydrogen-powered motorcycle was unveiled today in London, and there is a serious problem: it's too quiet. So quiet that they're thinking about adding a noise-generating device to it. For, um, safety purposes. I couldn't make this up. And apparently some motorcycle enthusiasts felt that without the noise, the "exhilaration factor" was lacking on account of the smooth quiet ride.

The new unit, which might set you back eight grand or so, makes about as much noise as a desktop computer, and has a top speed of 80 k/50 m per hour (I'm thinking that there's your "exhiliration factor" problem right there), and it generates only water-vapor emissions (so clean it's drinkable, say designers). It can go about 100 miles or four hours before recharging. The fuel cell that powers it is detachable, and developers say that it could eventually be used to power other devices -- great for those who live "off the grid" for whatever reason.

I'm thinking if your concern is that a quiet motorcycle is too dangerous, there's no need for a fancy, expensive, high-tech noisemaker. All you need is a playing card and one of those nifty clothespins to attach it to the front fork. And a dingy bell.

Oh, and it needs electricity to recharge itself, at some point in the process. Guess where that comes from?