Motorcycles

Motorcycle Gadgets

2011-09-02T13:08:00.000-07:00

So you have a cool motorcycle, the best jacket, a funky helmet, and gloves that look like skeleton hands, but what gadgets do you have to make you stand out? There are some pretty amazing accessories for motorcycles that you should never be without. Some of these gadgets are perfect for the techy-biker, while others are practical for any rider.

One of these is called the MG-Moto Hanger. This little gadget is two inches wide in diameter and is easy to use. The hook has a two directional magnet so it can be put back together in whichever way that's needed. With a sleek design that is also practical, the top has a durable plastic dome with the company's logo, and on the back there is a no-slip rubber backing. This no-slip rubber allows the rider to hang their helmet or ridging bag off of a table, counter, or even on a bathroom hook if need be. No rider should be without this nifty, convenient gadget.

You should always check your tire pressure before you go out on the road. Now, it is easier than ever to do with a digital tire pressure gauge. There are several different types of this that you can get. One of them is the Tire Pressure Monitoring System. The monitoring system comes with transmitter tire valve caps that you use instead of the regular ones. These special tire valve caps monitor your tire pressure while you ride and report to a small master unit that you can put on your key chain or put up front with your other instruments. Another type is the MOTO-DETAIL Digital Motorcycle Tire Pressure Gauge. This handy little device gives you a clear digital reading of your tire pressure. Checking your tire pressure is essential for not only motorcycle maintenance, but also for your safety.

Next gadgets are a GPS and a Radar Detector. These two can be very helpful while out on a long trip. Having a GPS allows you to know exactly where you are and how to get to where you want to go. Some GPS's can also find nearby attractions or stops to help you find the most convenient gas station, restaurant, or store. A radar detector will help you get to where you need without getting a ticket; hopefully, you would be surprised at how many people still get tickets while using one of these. I am not promoting anyone to speed all the way to their destination, but if you intend to, you may want to invest in one of these. Or, if you simply just want to be cautious, a radar detector is a great little gadget.

There are so many more gadgets for all types of motorcycles and to fit almost any need or style of rider. You can look for other gadgets like onboard video cameras, alarm systems, and even special headphones so you can enjoy some tunes and not have to mess with them and your helmet all the time. Don't forget that you have to have a license in order to ride your motorcycle, legally, and it is always a good idea to have motorcycle insurance, you can never be too safe. Investing in some of these gadgets can make your trip simpler and care free so you can enjoy the ride.

What to Look For in a Good Pair of Motorcycle Boots

2011-08-28T13:06:00.000-07:00

There are very few task that don't require the proper equipment to succeed. Motorcycle apparel and accessories to a rider, are like a hammer is to the carpenter, or a baseball glove to the baseball player. As we stick with the scenario of the baseball player, do you think he would be able to accomplish his goals while wearing a pair of motorcycle boots when he took the field? Sure, he might be able to handle some of the task, but if he was really pushed to his limits I highly doubt he could perform to his fullest potential without his cleats. The same holds true for the motorcycle rider. When we set out for the day on a motorcycle we really don't know all the things that might cross our path. But we do know that the more we prepare for it, the more likely we are to achieve our best, just as the baseball player will. One accessory that will assist us greatly is a good pair of motorcycle boots. Let's talk about some things to consider when looking for a pair of riding boots.

• Comfort- A pair of riding boots must be comfortable. When we saddle up for the day, we might not return for hours. It is our intent to enjoy ourselves. That would be difficult to do if we were wearing a boot that didn't fit properly. Leather is my boot of preference. A good soft leather boot will conform to your foot. After the leather is broke in, it will fit like a glove giving you many hours of enjoyment without discomfort.

• Outer sole- This is a very important quality on a riding boot. The outer sole needs to be thick to absorb vibration, oil resistant and provide good traction. All of these are important, but the traction is most important. A good pair of motorcycle boots must have an outer sole that provides great traction. When you plant your feet to support yourself and the motorcycle, the last thing you want is your foot to slip. Once it starts slipping, it might be difficult to stop it. This could result in you losing your balance and dropping your bike.

• Heel- Some might not realize the importance of a heel. But as we rest our feet on the pegs, the heel is the portion of the boot that prevents our foot from sliding forward or down off of the peg. With the heel resting on the peg, shifting and braking can be done with much more ease and confidence. A good pair of motorcycle boots should always have a heel.

• Height- The height of the boot is important as well. When riding, the wind will sometimes force your pant leg up a few inches. Keep in mind, one of the main reasons for the motorcycle riding boot is protection. Protection from the elements, protection from debris and potential danger. If we make sure that our boot is a minimum of 6 inches high, we will ensure that our lower legs remain protected.

There are many shapes and sizes of motorcycle boots on the market. When you are choosing the right one for you, make sure to carefully consider the points that we have keyed upon. If you concentrate on ensuring that the boot that you choose has the qualities and features that we have discussed, you will not only have a good motorcycle boot, but you will wear it instead of pushing it to the back of the closet as I did with my first pair.

Comfort Starts With Preparation

2011-08-20T13:04:00.000-07:00

Just as a football player never takes to the field without his helmet, pads, and protective gear, a motorcycle enthusiast shouldn't take to the open road with out his helmet, chaps, and leather jacket. When we saddle up for a ride, it is important to protect ourselves by wearing the necessary riding apparel. As we set out to explore and enjoy the wind in our face, we must carefully consider the options that are available to us, and the benefits they will provide.

1) It starts with a helmet. There are many different styles to choose from. It isn't the color, design, or the shape that you choose. It is the simple fact that you choose one that is DOT approved. Along with a helmet, a face shield should be considered. Regardless of your riding experience, a helmet is vital to protect yourself from potential dangers that you may experience.
2) Secondly, we must consider the option of wearing chaps. The leather chaps will protect you from any debris you may encounter or the occasional contact with a hot engine, not to mention a barrier that is created from the cold. Chaps are very beneficial in various weather conditions.
3) In addition to the helmet and chaps, a leather jacket is very important as well. This will protect your upper torso from unfavorable conditions such as intense sunshine or cold, to the occasional shower you might encounter. The jacket will create the necessary barrier to shelter you from the elements.

All of the above mentioned motorcycle accessories have many benefits and will greatly increase your comfort in the event that adverse conditions are met. When we tackle the open road for a day of leisure, we must be prepared. In all tasks, starting with a firm foundation is the key to our successes. It isn't the style that is most important, but the fact that we are shielding ourselves from the elements that we may come in contact with.

In summary I urge you to carefully consider the benefits of the protective gear we have discussed. Think about the football player. Think about the fact that he is prepared for most anything he might encounter through proper planning and preparation. We must also exercise the same considerations as we explore the great outdoors on the open road. The wind in your face is quite enjoyable. But the wind mixed with a little moisture is not as pleasant. So reach deep inside yourself and pull out the boy or girl scout within and be prepared.

Routine Battery Maintenance

2011-08-06T13:02:00.000-07:00

Are you like the majority of riders? Does your motorcycle spend a portion of the year sitting in the garage? If so, there are a few things you must consider. Today however, we are going to speak about one specific thing, battery maintenance.

As we drive our vehicles on a daily basis the charging system maintains the proper level of charge on the battery. On the other hand, when we leave our equipment sitting idle the charge on the battery will dissipate. This is caused from extreme heat, cold, parasitic drains or simply lack of use. To combat the effects of the above listed potential drains on your battery you can implement a couple of basic habits into your routine.

1) Keep your battery terminals clean. As with many things, cleanliness can eliminate many negative effects of our surroundings. By cleaning your battery terminals one to two times per year, you will ensure that your terminals are making good contact and receiving the necessary charge from your charging system.

2) Make sure that all accessories are turned off when not in use. It can be easy to overlook this, so don't assume that you have all items turned off. Take just a minute to be certain.

3) The use of a battery tender is the best way to maintain maximum battery performance. By installing a quick disconnect lead onto your battery terminals, you can simply attach the battery tender when the vehicle is not in use. The battery tender will charge the battery when needed, and shut off automatically when not needed. The installation of the battery tender is quite simple, and well worth the 10 minutes it will take to accomplish this task.

Today we have covered a few basics on battery maintenance. By following the above guidelines you will find that the life of your battery can be extended to its fullest potential.

In summary, as we near the time of year when most of our recreational vehicles tend to set for extended periods of time, please consider exercising a few forms of routine maintenance that will allow you to jump back into the riding season with a huge smile on your face. There is a lot to be happy about when you saddle up for the first time each year knowing that you have done all things possible to ensure that your next ride starts as a pleasant one.

The Advantages of Using a Scooter

2011-07-25T13:10:00.000-07:00

Along with the actual economy still weak and gas costs high, more people are attempting to find methods in order to reduce living expenses and help save cash. Huge gas prices usually get consumers to think about how they are driving. A lot more people already have thought about scooters and mopeds to get more fuel efficient alternatives for their commute. It's a great way to save money.

Have you ever heard about the electric moped scooter? If no, then here is the solution. It is quite simply a vehicle that is developed to give reasonably safe transport to the people. This scooter provides easy mobility for absolutely everyone from kids and teenagers to the old and handicapped as well. You actually will discover that these kinds of amazing electric scooters are created up of a mixture of interesting designs and colors. Buying an electric scooter from a respected shop will be an reasonable and profitable deal. It will provide buyers the strong efficiency that they want. Because these vehicles have large wheels, they are properly acceptable for long trips as well. In addition, most of these electric scooters have flat free tires, adjustable LED headlight and battery meter.

If perhaps you are wondering regarding the right place to purchase the electric moped, then simply tour the web immediately. Right now there are many online businesses on web which will offer high quality services to the people at attractive prices. One and only thing you should do is research well before purchasing to get the finest deals. These kinds of scooters are intelligently developed according to the requirements of the people.These scooters are compact, comfortable and easy to handle. They will offer immense flexibility to reduce the pressure on your body while driving. This easy handling has got contributed to the improved safety and security of these vehicles on the street. A lot of these vehicles can easily also offer you great returns on your financial investment in the long term. The low consumption of gasoline and very simple maintenance helps make them a very economical choice. Therefore if you want to enjoy a non problematic ride, then simply search a reliable online site and take benefits of the scooter.

History of the Honda AX 250

2011-07-15T13:00:00.000-07:00

First seen in 1989, the Honda AX 250 soon became a popular motorcycle thanks to its exceptional handling, zippy performance, and rider comfort. Manufactured in Japan and exported as the AX-1, it has almost the same specs as the older American model, the Honda NX250. The changes from the NX 250 are mainly cosmetic, such the distinctive dual headlights and alloy wheels seen in the AX 250. The tried and tested tubular steel double cradle chassis of the NX250 is also found in the AX-1 250 (popularly known as the AX 250).

Powered by a liquid cooled four stroke DOHC single cylinder engine, this Japanese off-road bike could give out 26 hp at 8500 rpm. While these were not the biggest numbers, they were enough to put quite a lot of pep into the 205 pound chassis of the AX 250. This Honda off-roader came with disk brakes for both the front 90/100 19-inch and rear 120/90 16-inch tyres; great for controlled speeding over uneven terrain. The transmission system comprised of 13 front sprocket units coupled with 41 rear sprocket units. For even better control, riders had a 6 speed chain transmission gear box that could take the Honda AX 250 all the way to a top speed of about 85 to 90 mph.

The off-road Honda AX 250 also achieved high marks when it came to rider comfort, thanks to its well-designed suspension and ground clearance of 254 mm. The 37 mm front fork unit had a comfortable 221 mm travel, while the rear suspension unit comprised of a Pro-Link component with 201 mm rear travel; ideal for rough riding! Casual riders also liked the Honda AX 250, thanks to rider-friendly touches such as electric start, dual disk brakes, and worry-free CDI ignition. Depending on the riding conditions, owners have reported pretty good fuel consumption figures, with around 10 miles per gallon.

Manufactured in Japan until 1994, the Honda AX 250 has built up a sizable fan base among the earliest off-road enthusiasts. In fact, a grey market version of the original AX 250 is still available in certain parts of Asia, where it is very popular with tourists keen on touring on the less-than-perfect local roads. The AX 250 continues to be a popular used motorcycle in the UK, thanks to the reliable Honda engine and easily available spare parts. With the right maintenance and quality parts, even a decade-old Honda AX 250 can dazzle spectators and thrill off-road riders.