Racing Fast Super Pocket Bikes

The latest craze worldwide is purchasing and racing Pocket Bikes. However, this can be very dangerous to the inexperienced rider. These bikes are not toys and should never be underestimated. The bikes that are more powerful and expensive are strictly built for experienced adult riders, not children looking for a joyride. These bikes are built sleek and fast for racing. They have power of 9.5 hp or 12+ hp -these models are definitely suggested for professional racers only. Due the incredible power to weight ratio, if you have no previous experience with these bikes, take safety precautions and educate yourself about their operation before riding.

As for places to race these bikes, there are many options and locations from which to choose. You could choose to become a member of a bike league. These leagues hold races in various locations such as speedways, go-kart tracks, or closed parking lots. The leagues can also assist you in finding other safe and legal places to ride outside of race time. If for some reason you are unable to find a league in your immediate region, you may look inside your local yellow pages or on the Internet for further assistance. Here are a few tips that may help you in case you are still having trouble locating assistance or a league: Find a clear open area that allows for pocket bikes at high speeds, ensure there are no obstacles or obstructions that could result in injury, and also be sure to steer clear of public roads and pedestrian-heavy areas.

Be sure to obtain copies of any laws and regulations you will need to observe in the area you plan on racing in. You should be able to locate or obtain these from the local library or law enforcement offices in your area.

Qualms in Choosing a BIKE

The fact is – the best bikes are just out there and the challenge now is how to get them.

If you are to purchase a bike, the clerk representative will give you a long list of selection. As a result, you will likely encounter qualms in choosing your bike. To preclude this from happening, you must establish your needs and wants as a rider. Be sure that the bike that you are about to purchase will give them to you.

Different personalities of riders entail variation in the choice of a bike. There are those who are solid to Harley Road King. For them, it is important that your bike’s tank have the Harley-Davidson’s stamped legacy.

Others go for Honda while others for Yamaha. There are those who are more on the performance aspect. They are considering a bike that can still give comfort even during bumpy rides. These bikes must also be powerful and well defined. In addition, to boost their performance, riders must use quality OEM Honda and Yamaha motorcycle parts. If not, the rider can resort to an aftermarket motorcycle part of the same or of greater quality.

In purchasing a bike, the purchaser must also consider its insurance rates. Ironically, sometimes the latter can exceed the bike payment. Honda CBR can be a fine choice, however, consider the insurance probabilities.

Since there are ample choices and alternatives available, use the process of elimination to arrive at a good choice. There are good quality and high-performing bikes that will not drain your finances. You can choose them instead of their expensive counterparts.

Your choice of bike can lead you to frustration or fulfillment. Be sure you exercise your right to choose carefully and exactly!

Protect Your Investment With A Motorcycle Cover

So you have just made the last ride for the season. You've checked the oil and drained the fuel from the tank. You place all of your motorcycle gear in the closet, after treating it with leather treatment. You have hand washed the motorcycle from top to bottom. You have dismantled the intake, and place cotton toweling in the carburetor to keep out any pesky rodents. The battery has been unbolted and placed on a shelf for the winter. Every thing is set for it's winter storage. Then it hits you. You forgot the motorcycle cover. Again!.

Last year you had to spend hours cleaning all of the dust off of the motorcycle so that you could go out for your spring ride and break the new oil in. What to do now? Well, not wanting to go through the same fiasco as last year, you decide to head down to your local Harley shop and buy a motorcycle cover. You did remember to bring the credit card right? The average cost for a quality motorcycle cover from a local dealer can run as much as $350.00.

Finding a solution on-line could help you out significantly. By saving money on your cover, you can afford to buy that new motorcycle luggage set you have had your eye on. When looking for a motorcycle cover on-line, be sure to pay attention to the details of the cover. Does it guarantee weatherproofing? Does one size fit all? Does the motorcycle cover have any features that another might not have? Is it heat retardant to prevent damage from the engine and super hot exhaust? You should ask all of these questions when buying a motorcycle cover.

The finer points of a purchase agreement should be read ass well. Often times a customer will have to pay for shipping charges if the product is to be returned for an exchange or refund. Does the website offer free insurance? Does the website have a return policy if it doesn't fit? Is the website you are buying from reputable? Can you find and speak to a real person of the company when you call their sales and support hot line? Do they have a sales and support hot line?

While you are waiting for the cover to arrive, be sure to get a tracking number from the company you bought the motorcycle cover from. Do they offer a tracking number from a reputable company like UPS, or FedEx? Think before you buy. Check out the company and do some research to ensure that you will have a pleasant purchase. There are plenty of resources available for the on-line purchaser to check out a company to find out if they are reputable.

Though you may be apprehensive about purchasing a motorcycle cover on-line, you can follow these helpful tips to be sure that your purchase is a success. You might even consider buying from the same company, and just finding out that they are the best solution for all of your motorcycle accessories needs.

Protect Your Health With Motorcycle Rain Gear

Imagine for a moment, that you are flying along a road out on your yearly motorcycle road trip. You have 250 miles to go before you stop for the night, and you see a thunderstorm rolling in. As it looms closer you begin to wonder what to do. A contributing factor in all of this is that you forgot to pack your rain gear. Should you pull over and wait out the storm? Or ride on through to your next stop, and tough it out. You decide to for the latter, and end up spending the rest of your trip miserable, because you have gotten a cold mixed with a sinus infection. If only you had packed your motorcycle rain gear.

The miracles of modern textiles could have saved you the trouble and hassle of a cold. Quality motorcycle rain suits are made from an advanced waterproof technology, 600 Denier nylon. They will have several pockets with full enclosed flaps and Velcro, and even an inner pocket to keep your wallet nice and dry.

With numerous styles and colors to choose from, you can find one that matches your tastes, and still have a comfortable fit. You can purchase a rain suit in either a one piece style or two piece style. The legs should have Velcro and zippers to accommodate the wearing of boots, and the sleeves should have Velcro and zippers as well to help facilitate the wearing of a leather jacket. There should also be a durable heat resistant inner leg lining to protect the rain suit from becoming melted due to high engine and exhaust temperatures. Finding a motorcycle rain suit that has reflective material is also important. This helps to ensure that other drivers see you in bad weather.

When riding in the rain remember to take it slower than normal. Try to keep the turns to a minimum, as you only have two wheels touching the ground, and a condition called hydroplaning can occur very much easier than in a passenger vehicle. Hydroplaning occurs when the water underneath a tire causes the tire to actually float on the water, causing the tire to loose traction and stability. Be sure to observe the amount of rain on the road, as even a couple of inches of rain can cause hydroplaning.

Finally when you arrive at your destination, be sure to treat all of your leather products with a good polish and leather preserver like, Skidmore's Biker Motorcycle Edition Leather Cream that helps preserve and restore a soft durable quality to the leather. The best time to do this actually is after every rainy ride, or at least once a month.

Whatever the weather that you are riding in, always be sure to stay safe, and have fun. The art of motorcycle riding can be dangerous, but you can help keep it safe if you follow the rules of the road. Be sure to help out your fellow bikers, and always wear head protection.

Protect Your Head With A Cool Half Helmet

DOT approved motorcycle half helmets are quickly becoming the most popular type of motorcycle helmet. Fashioned after the German motorcycle helmet, these small and light weight helmets are among the best available today for the motorcycle rider.

Many materials are used in making a motorcycle half helmet. The best manufacturers of motorcycle half helmets use super lightweight materials, and can have a helmet weighing as little as 28 ounces. Better quality half helmets are made from a durable, yet light weight carbon fiber shell. The manufacturer will use styrofoam as a spacer/padding inside of the shell. Lined with a plush cloth, and double d stainless steel rings for the chin strap, a half helmet can offer the best combination of comfort and safety. Some half helmets are finished with a leather exterior on the shell, or simply a paint scheme with graphics.

There are many sub styles of half helmets available. The retro style is simply a round shell with no visor. Simply a shell and chin straps. There are some retro style half helmets that have a patch of leather over where the ear would fit in the chin strap to offer some warmth to the rider on cool nights or days. This is commonly referred to as a neck warmer.

The jockey/polo style most closely resembles the German motorcycle helmet. Shaped like the retro, with a small extension of the shell in the back, and a permanent visor molded into the shell, these offer a comfortable fit as well. These can be fitted with neck warmers as well.

The beanie/shorty style of half helmets are very similar to the jockey/polo style half helmet, with the exception that the visor is removable. These can also have neck warmers optionally, and also have face shield visors that flip up snapped into place. The beanie/shorty style is the most popular among the half helmet categories.

When purchasing a half helmet, use a cloth measuring tape to measure your head size. Have someone help you so that you can get an accurate measurement. Measure around the circumference of your head just about one inch above your eyebrows, or whichever point gives you the largest measurement. If your measurement falls between two sizes, use the larger of the two sizes. The measurements for sizes are XS 20 1/4 - 20 7/8", S 21 - 21 5/8", M 21 3/4 - 22 3/8", L 22 1/2 - 23 1/8",XL 23 1/4 – 24", XXL - 24 1/8 - 24 7/8".

remember to always check for DOT approved helmets, and ask for the DOT number available for the helmet, so that you can verify yourself that the helmet is legitimately manufactured to meet or exceed DOT standards. This can be the deciding factor in some cases as to whether or not you can wear a helmet in some states that require helmets to be worn when riding on a motorcycle.

Popular Motor Scooters Compared

Vespa scooters are one of the oldest names in the scooter business. They have been manufacturing motor scooters since 1946 and their models are in great demand world wide. There are several popular Vespa motor scooters that range in size from 50cc to 200cc.

The Vespa Granturismo has a 200cc engine which is the biggest, fastest and most powerful Vespa ever made. It has a 4-stroke 4-valve engine that is liquid-cooled. With its powerful engine it has the ability to pull away from almost any kind of traffic you could encounter. Even with its larger and more powerful engine it is still a very quiet motor scooter and emits exceptionally low levels of pollution.

The Granturismo has 12 inch wheels and both front and rear hydraulic disc brakes. Plus it has some good storage space. Two open face helmets can be stored under the seat plus a few extras in the glove compartment.

Other popular Vespa models are the LX, PX 150, PX 150 Limited Edition and some top motor scooters in their Piaggio line.

The LX motor scooter comes in either the classic 50cc or 150cc versions. The LX scooters are made for commuting. They aren’t as powerful as the Granturismo, but they save on gas. It’s amazing how much more fun everyday errands can become when you surround yourself with the style, performance and safety that the LX encompasses.

The PX 150 motor scooter is 150cc of classic Vespa. It comes complete with manual gears and a rear foot break. This is the original, the legendary, the classic PX. It’s available in the United States once again after a 20-plus year hiatus. These scooters are brand new, but maintain the original design. It comes with a 4-speed gear shift, manual 4-speed transmission, rear foot break, 150cc engine and a standard spare wheel.

The PX 150 Limited Edition is limited to just 500 scooters. The first PX motor scooters were made in 1977 and they have become one of the most recognized scooters in the world. Over 2 million have been sold world wide and they have achieved a true cult scooter status. For collectors you can’t go wrong with a PX 150 Limited Edition scooter.

Vespa also makes motor scooters under the Piaggio name. They have several popular models that are very powerful machines. The X9 Evolution has a 39 horsepower engine that will reach a top speed of 98 mph.

The BV200 and BV250 models boast a single cylinder, four-stroke engine with an automatic transmission. No need for constant shifting here. This makes it an ideal motor scooter for stop and go situations, the type of travel you will find in the city. And on the open highway they will reach top speeds of 75 mph.

The BV series boasts large 16 inch wheels and dual shock absorbers for the smoothest ride in scootering. Plus, there is plenty of room for a passenger. They also have lockable storage compartments under the seat for helmets or groceries. These are great gas powered scooters for city driving.

If you need to step up a notch you will find the Piaggio BV500 ideal. It’s great for scootering around the city. With its powerful engine it will take you anywhere you want to go in a hurry. It too has 16 inch wheels, a 4-stroke, 4-valve Piaggio Master engine, and the exclusive Piaggio integral braking system for safe and smooth stops. There are many other features that make this a popular scooter.

Piaggio also has other models such as the FLY150, which is a smaller cheaper model with 12 inch wheels. It’s not quite as powerful as the bigger models, but it maneuvers around town very well and gets better gas mileage.

Honda is a very popular scooter manufacturer and has many wonderful models to choose from. Among the most popular are the Silver Wing, Helix and Elite.

The Silver Wing has a powerful liquid-cooled 582cc engine, automatic transmission and seats two people comfortably. It is a strong scooter that is made for touring.

The Honda Helix also has room for two and has a built-in trunk with plenty of storage room. It has 244cc of pure power, a liquid-cooled four-stroke engine and has been an extremely popular model for many years.

The Honda Elite is the gas-saver. It has a smaller 80cc four-stroke engine and is fully automatic. You can enjoy the ride without worrying about shifting gears all the time. Plus, with the smaller engine you save on gas.

Another lesser known, but quality model, is the Bajaj. Bajaj scooters have the highest mileage rating of any 150cc scooter in the U.S. allowing you to get up to 110 miles per gallon (per EPA City Cycle dyno tests). It has a 4-stroke 4-speed engine and is built by a company with over 40 years of experience building motor scooters and utility vehicles. So if you want reliability and high gas mileage the Bajaj may be what you’re looking for.

There are many scooter manufacturers around the world. There are electric scooters and gas powered scooters. Scooters have become a popular form of travel because of the great savings achieved due to their high gas mileage, cheap prices and low operational expenses. Plus, they are extremely fun out on the open road.

Pack Your Bags For The 66th Annual Sturgis Motorcycle Rally

Whether you will be making your inaugural trip to the 66th Annual Sturgis Motorcycle Rally in Sturgis, SD on Aug. 7th – 13th or you are a long time veteran of the event, this article will be a useful document providing a wealth of information including a brief history of the event, lodging information, schedule of events and safety tips and travel tips.

The Sturgis Motorcycle Rally was organized by Clarence “Pappy” Hoel and members of the Jackpine Gypsies Motorcycle Club. The first ever Sturgis Rally was held on Aug. 14, 1938 featuring the Black Hills Classic, an event which featured 9 participants and a few spectators. It was determined that the event would be held annually on the first week after the first full weekend in August to avoid conflicts with other nearby events. By 1961 it had expanded to include Hill Climb and Motocross races and in 1963 the event expanded to three days. The Sturgis rally continued to grow in leaps and bounds and by 1975 it included a seven day event and by the year 2000 the event was attracting over half a million visitors annually with the 2000 rally attracting in excess of 600,000 visitors.

The small town of Sturgis, SD has a population of less than 7,000 so it is understandable that an event attracting over half a million travelers would create logistical problems with lodging concerns. If you are planning to attend, it is wise to make reservations for accommodations well in advance of your trip to ensure you can secure a room close to the site. More information on lodging for the Rally can be found at the following web address: http://www.sturgismotorcyclerally.com/lodging.html.

Camping is a popular option for those attending the rally. Nearby campgrounds include the following:

* Big Rig RV Park: - features wireless Internet access and spacious lots of 60’ and 100’ close to the rally site.

* Bulldog Campground: – features RV camping as well as cabins which accommodate 2-8 guests. This campground is located five miles from Sturgis and features nightly entertainment and happy hour as well as an onsite restaurant.

* Creekside Campground: – located 4 miles from Sturgis, this campground features RV camping, tent camping as well as cabins. Highlights of the campground include an onsite store selling food and beverages and easy highway access.

* Glencoe Camp Resort: – has been catering to Sturgis participants for over 20 years. This campground has over 160 acres of camping with ample shade. In 2006 they will unveil a 34 acre outdoor amphitheater which will feature live music all week long. A 24 hour restaurant is also onsite for the convenience of campers.

* Hog Heaven Campground: - with over 150 acres of camping, this campground situated in the Black Hills is an ideal location for Sturgis participants. The campground is open from July 31st through Aug. 13th this year and will host live bands providing entertainment for guests.

* Katmandu Campground: - features 250 RV sites, cabins and 50 acres of camping. Located just two miles from Sturgis, this location is convenient for participants. Highlighted amenities include laundry facilities and wireless Internet access.

* Sturgis View Campground: - located only 1.5 miles from downtown Sturgis. This campground is famous for its spectacular views. Other highlights include RV camping, cabins and ample acreage for tent camping.

A complete event schedule for this year’s event can be found at the following web address: http://www.sturgismotorcyclerally.com/06Oeventschedule.pdf. This website provides the time, event name and location for each of the scheduled events. One way to fuel up for the extensive list of planned events is to partake in the daily pancake breakfast sponsored by the Marine Corps JROTC. They can be found daily serving breakfast from 6:00 am until 11:00 am in the Sturgis Brown High School. Most days also feature alternate breakfast events by other clubs, including Alcoholics Anonymous who also hosts meetings throughout the event, ensuring a variety of dining options for the most important meal of the day.

Once breakfast is out of the way, participants are ready to enjoy the rest of the festivities. Live music is one of the undeniable highlights of the event. Although there are a variety of talented musicians scheduled to perform at this year’s event, the Buffalo Chip Campground has a lineup of headline performers scheduled for 2006 including Lynyrd Skynyrd, Kid Rock, Alice in Chains and David Lee Roth.

There are also plenty of motorcycle related events to keep participants occupied. Boss Hoss demo rides are featured throughout the event. Burnout competitions are also popular with spectators and are offered a few times during the tournament at the Full Throttle Saloon. Another highlight is the Discovery Channel’s Biker Build Off featuring Detroit Bros. vs. Jason Kangas. In addition, there are demos and exhibits throughout the day each day of the event and shows featuring custom bikes from around the country. There are also going to be many vendors on hand offering everything from motorcycle related merchandise to tattoos as well as food and beverages.

An unfortunate aspect of Sturgis is the frequent occurrence of the disappearance of motorcycles during the event. Estimates indicate approximately $250,000 worth of motorcycles are stolen each year during the course of the event. Motorcycles on the higher end of the price spectrum as well as custom bikes and show models are those most likely to be stolen, but all participants should take precautions to avoid becoming a victim. Care should be taken to park in well lit, high traffic locations as opposed to dark areas with few passersby. Additionally, participants should avoid leaving valuables such as cameras, leathers and souvenirs on their bike. Those who will be attending the event should also invest in a high quality lock to secure their bike. Even higher quality locks are not fool-proof to experienced thieves but they are a definite deterrent. Lower quality locks are not considered adequate protection because they can easily be broken or cut.

Participants who will be traveling long distances to the event on their motorcycle should also be aware of safety issues while traveling. Even those experienced with long distance rides should take safety precautions to ensure a smooth trip. One precaution is to create a copy of your detailed itinerary to leave in the possession of a friend or relative who will not be traveling with you. Travelers are also warned against traveling alone. Whenever possible, travelers should have at least one other rider accompany them on their trip. Taking frequent stops to rest and retiring for the night before fatigue sets in is also advisable.

OEM or Aftermarket (Detailed Version)

You may be needing of an OEM motorcycle part or may be not. Read on to know more.

OEM part is short for Original Equipment Manufacturer part. At first sight, it may be understood as originally manufactured per se. However, many motorcycle manufacturers do not really manufacture every motorcycle part of their bikes. They have some parts designed and manufactured by outside companies. After manufacturing, they will now install it to their bikes and will be labeled as OEM.

Purchasing OEM motorcycle parts means buying the exact or same original part your bike manufacturer used to assemble their bikes.

In purchasing, be sure that you will get same performance than that installed in your bike. No less. When it comes to price, OEM parts are usually expensive than aftermarket motorcycle parts. However, there are instances when it is on the contrary.

Sellers, most of the time, say that OEM parts are of higher quality compared to aftermarket parts. This is a common scenario in a motorcycle parts store but the statement may not be always right.

Another circumstance about motorcycle parts is the transformation. Say an OEM part can eventually become an aftermarket OEM part. What a transformation!

The circumstances presented advice you to be extra careful. Caveat emptor, that is. In this regard, it will be best to use OEM parts only within your bike’s guarantee period. Also, have these parts installed by authorized mechanics. This is to make sure that your guarantee will remain valid and subsisting.

Aftermarket motorcycle parts, on the other hand, should perform well as OEM. These parts are made by companies other than the original bike manufacturer. You can use these parts when your guarantee period lapses.

Some riders have this misconception that aftermarket is always of lower quality. But this is not always true. In fact, aftermarket parts can also be of the same or even higher quality than OEM parts.

Carbon fiber, gizmos, titanium and aerospace aluminum parts are some of the materials that make up high performance aftermarket parts.

When purchasing motorcycle parts, be sure to get at least the same quality if not better as the OEM part. You can do this by searching and asking. Search the Net and ask your fellow riders and skilled mechanics.

Motorcycle Rides and Risks

Weather condition for instance has its sets of advantages and disadvantages.

Rainy days make riding pretty difficult. Imagine this scenario. The road is slippery and wipers won’t work plus the rain blurring your vision. The controls on your bike get soaking wet. What an agony!

Certainly, rainy weather invites preposterous outcomes. Your foot can slip off the pedal. Your finger can slide down the clutch lever. Thus, your control over the bike is affected.

The inconvenience is a bit lesser when traveling in a windy condition. When strong crosswinds attack, biker must swerve to compensate for it. Wind may cause a serious risk to the rider. Add in oil spillage. Now you can triple the risk.

The best weather condition to drive is sunny when the sun is permissive. Although said condition may leave you copiously sweating, it is still the best weather condition. Limited risks mean adventure and enjoyment. All you have to do is ride and enjoy! Great possibilities are just ahead of you!

Aside from weather, a rider must consider the risk management. What does it mean? Simply, risk management is understanding and circumventing risks. In order to do so, the rider must know the ins and outs of riding – the physical, environmental and vehicular limitations.

Risk management may be manifested by using quality motorcycle apparel, parts and having proper training in driving. Moreover, riders who practices risk management are less likely to experience collision. As a result, they enjoy a hassle-free ride.

There are three steps involve in risk management. The first step is to acknowledge the existence of risks. Damage to property as well as injuries and fatalities to persons can be the results of poor driving.

The second step is to assist said risks. This is a learned skill. Newbies might be groping when it comes to assessment skills. Thus, they have to exert more effort to increase their skills. Using protective gears is a manifestation of good assessment.

The last step is risk recognition. A rider cannot avoid a risk if did he not recognize it first. There are two kinds of risks – the subjective and objective.

Subjective risks involve those which are inherent in a rider’s attitude. Objective risks, on the other hand, are brought about by environment, road and vehicle conditions.

Risk management should be a natural effect of riding and it must be uphold all the time.

Motorcycle Riders Gift Buying Guide

Do you have a motorcyclist in your family? Wondering what to get them this year for Christmas? This is a gift buying guide with some ideas for you. Gear is always a good idea. Just like clothes, I don't think you could ever have enough apparel.

You could start with safety combined with a gift by purchasing just the right helmet. You can purchase all different sorts of helmets. The various helmet styles include, full face motorcycle helmets, half motorcycle helmets, German motorcycle helmets, beanie motorcycle helmets, even motocross motorcycle helmets. With cool looking decals or graphics painted in just the right color, there is a great motorcycle helmet for anyone. Stylish protective eye wear is an idea too. Getting the right pair of sunglasses or motorcycle goggles for your loved one is a good choice. They come in a variety of shapes and colors, and the lenses are sometimes tinted yellow. The yellow tint has been proven to help reduce glare, and help improve vision at night.

A warm leather motorcycle jacket to keep the wind out is another gift, and one they can use all year long, not just in the summer. There are many styles to choose from when purchasing a leather motorcycle jacket. Denim motorcycle jackets are popular as well, although not worn in colder climates much. A decent pair of leather motorcycle chaps for the long ride home is a great gift for any motorcycle rider. These will go well with just about any other motorcycle apparel, and can be a great addition to any motorcycle riders wardrobe. Leather motorcycle boots and full fingered or half fingered motorcycle gloves made with leather and other materials are a great addition to the motorcycle leather jacket and motorcycle apparel that you buy them for a gift for Christmas.

Do they live in an area that receives a lot of rain annually? A set of rain gear to help protect all of that leather would be great as well. The most damaging effect to leather is rain, and with the right motorcycle rain gear, you can help protect their Christmas gift and your investment for many years to come.

If the motorcycle rider that you are buying a gift for is not in need of motorcycle clothing, then some gear for their motorcycle would be awesome. There are many different things you can get to add life to a motorcycle, without ever having to break the bank. The motorcycle canvas cover is a good choice, as is the motorcycle cable and lock system. Then there is the luggage systems available that make the storage and cargo area of a motorcycle morn than double, The most common type of system are referred to as motorcycle saddle bags. You can also get motorcycle tool bags that mount right to the handle bars, and a motorcycle sissy bar rack pack for storing bigger items.

No matter what type of motorcycle gear you buy as a gift for the motorcycle riders in your life, you can't go wrong if you just snoop a little and do some investigating before you buy.

Motorcycle Rally Events Nation Wide

Yearly motorcycle gatherings are something that many motorcycle enthusiast's look forward to attending. It gives them a chance to see what's new in the world of motorcycle's, catch up with old friends and frankly hit the road for a nice road trip. Knowing when and where can be a hassle if your not familiar with out of state events. Because surely everyone knows about Sturgis. But did you know there's a Ride For Pride held yearly in Wisconsin? Or Thunder Beach Rally in Florida?

Some of the yearly motorcycle shows and events are listed below along with their locations and approximate time of year that they are held.

In California there is:

Ride the Mountains at Big Bear Lake held on June 7th, 2008. It's an annual Ride the Mountain Rally. You can visit the Big Bear Choppers Factory, poker runs, and perhaps a country music concert. Of course there are exhibits and vendors there also.

In Florida there is:

Thunder Beach Rally at Panama Beach held on May 1st, 2008. This rally is Widely known as "The Most Biker Friendly FREE Rally in the United States," This Rally is held twice yearly, the first weekend in May and the last weekend in September. You can find five venues, each with different sights and sounds. Custom motorcycle builders, biker wear and accessories, parts manufacturers and distributors, and entertainment. Each venue is located on different parts of the beach so you can drive your bike back and forth on the beach checking out each venue along with the vendors and exhibitors.

In Maryland there is:

3rd Annual Rally for RAACE at Bel Air held on Aug 17th, 2008 This is an annual rally held to raise awareness for child sexual abuse. Proceeds benefit the RAACE foundation. It's a 43 mile ride through scenic Hartford county in Maryland. You will be escorted by the Harford Sheriff's department. There's music, entertainment, food, drinks and vendors at the beginning and end of the ride. Your fee includes a commemorative pin and T-shirt.

In New Hampshire there is:

Laconia Rally at Laconia held on Sat Jun 14, 2008 This is a week long rally held at Laconia. With much in store for the rider who goes to the rally. Vendors, music, special events, fireworks, racing and much, much, more.

In New York there is:

Americade Motorcycle Rally at Lake George held on Mon Jun 02, 2008 This is rally is billed as the “World's Largest Touring Rally” There is so much to do and see. With over dozens of tours, 3 exciting poker runs, 2 parades, 2 TourExpo tradeshows, 14 beautiful boat cruises, 50 seminars, 2 rough and rowdy rodeos, parties, over $100,000 in prizes and 14 manufactures that give demo rides on the latest bikes and trikes.

In Ohio there is:

USA Biker Tattoo Classic at Stark County Fair Grounds held on Fri September 19, 2008 With 80 acres, there's so much to do here that if you get bored it's your own fault. There's dealers, vendors, and tattoo artist's. There's antique, and vintage bike exhibitors. New and Used parts, accessories, apparel, and leather vendors. Hammer's Tattoo and Body Piercing. Look up and see Sky divers from Canton Air Sports. Dyno Testing by Canton Cycle. Along with a Burn out Pit. A men's and ladies tattoo contest. And live band tribute bands.

In South Carolina there is:

Myrtle Beach Bike Week at Myrtle Beach held on May 19th, 2008 Myrtle Beach rally is a week long rally with much to do. There are many many things. Poker tours, dealers, vendors, there's so much to do there that it's a week long and still you might not see it all.

In South Dakota there is:

Sturgis Black Hills Rally at Sturgis held on Aug 6th, 2008 It's Sturgis, need I say more?

In Wisconsin there is:

The Ride for Pride at Fond du Lac held approximately in April The ride consists has a pre-ride party. The ride consists of a 100 mile scenic motorcycle tour led by the Fond du Lac Police Motor Patrol, with one stop at the half-way point and returning to Fond du Lac for a buffet dinner and entertainment.

Motorcycle Jacket’s Comfort and Protection

Well, they choose scientifically and practically. There must be comfort and protection not just style, same thing with motorcycle apparel such as jackets. They must also give both comfort and protection.

However, there are some areas that need special attention. Let us discuss them one by one.

1. Material. Motorcycle jackets may either be leather or non-leather. Leather is the most famous material for jackets. However, mesh is now also widely used specially in warm season. Dupont Cordura, a form of nylon with a scale going up to approximately 1000 denier, can also be used.

2. Airing. Air circulation is necessary especially during summer where the heat of the sun can hurt the skin and can also result to a sweaty and uncomfortable ride. Riders can purchase jackets that have ventilation zippers with them. These zippers are usually found under the armpits and other ventilation holes to allow air to circulate.

Be sure that suit integration is applied to the jacket. A Velcro or a zipper at the back can provide considerable comfort. Pockets can also be added - the more, the better.

3. Conspicuity. The third thing that we have to look for is the jacket’s ability to be seen from afar by fellow riders as well as pedestrians. Conspicuity is the primary reason for motorcycle accidents. Failure to see another rider is a fatal flaw. To remedy this, riders must wear jackets with reflective materials or luminous colors. The use of scotelite can also result to a reflective jacket.

4. Waterproof. Finally, you have to consider that waterproof jacket is a must have in riding. Riding knows no weather – be it a sunny or a rainy weather – riders are always on the go. Nothing can stop them, even the harsh weather. However, if a rider rides with a non-waterproof jacket, he will likely be having illness that can preclude him from further enjoying rides.

Keeping the rider’s jacket waterproof is also a way to avoid the feel of being stinky, dirty and less confident.

Caveat emptor. Buyers must also be wary with those materials that easily loose its power of being waterproof.

Keep in mind what Nicholas Cage said in Wild at heart: A good jacket is like ‘your symbol of individuality’. Therefore, your jacket reflects you as a person - your style, comfort and protection.

Motorcycle Gloves Are Cool

Imagine riding on your motorcycle down a woods lined road, on a late October afternoon, speeding along at 55 miles per hour. You have your skull cap on, your leather jacket zipped up, chaps and face mask fastened tightly, but nothing for your hands. Your hands start to go numb from the cold, and it's becoming harder operate your motorcycle. You stop in at a rural shop in an attempt to rectify the situation. To your dismay, all the store offers for hand protection, are a pair of cotton garden gloves, They would definitely solve the problem of being able to operate your motorcycle, but they do not match your carefully planned out attire. If only you hand spent the small amount of money to purchase those leather full fingered gloves when you ordered the rest of your motorcycle gear. You wouldn't be in the situation you are now.

The best thing about motorcycle gloves are that they offer plenty of protection for the rider, without making the motorcycle rider's gear seem outdated, or even mismatched. Many styles are available for purchase. There are fingerless motorcycle gloves, full fingered motorcycle gloves, Gel Palm motorcycle gloves, and Kevlar motorcycle gloves. Most times they are offered in a unisex style, meaning that they will fit a man or a woman, and come with a variety of sizes and designs to match a motorcycle rider's gear.

The use of fingerless gloves is a great way to have fine motor control of your fingers and still offer some protection to the rest of your hand. They are often used for light motorcycle riding, and not generally used for long distance trips. You can find them with or without studs, with zippers or Velcro straps, and some even with designs like the USA Flag.

Making a purchase of full fingered motorcycle gloves can make the difference between a long trip and a short one. They are offered in a range of styles and designs. You can find mitts that cover all of the fingers in one pouch, or individually fingered gloves. There is the concho style, gauntlet style, fringed style, each coming with zippers, straps, or Velcro. There are also sizes and styles available for women only.

Perhaps you have developed carpel tunnel syndrome from years of riding. Gel Palm style motorcycle gloves can be a solution to this common issue. They offer a damped feeling in your hands, lessening the amount of vibration felt in the palms and wrist area. Velcro, zippers and straps are offered for fasteners, and have a few different styles of motorcycle glove. They are offered in a unisex fingerless, or full fingered style.

KEVLAR® is an advanced technology from DuPont that helps transform ordinary products into extraordinary ones. It combines high strength with light weight, and comfort with protection. KEVLAR® is 5 times stronger than steel on an equal weight basis, yet, at the same time, is lightweight, flexible and comfortable. Products made with KEVLAR®—from protective apparel and sports equipment to automotive parts and ropes used on the Mars Pathfinder—help those who use them to do more, to go farther, to be even better at what they do.

Motorcycle Batteries

Motorcycle batteries vary by brand. Choosing motorcycle batteries involves several important factors. You need to know a good bit about your bike in order to purchase a motorcycle battery.

Motorcycle batteries vary by engine size on any particular motorcycle. Motorcycle engines range in size and are measure by cc. A small engine could be a 260cc for example, where as a larger engine size can be 1200cc. The higher the number, the more powerful the engine.

Motorcycle batteries are specifically designed for specific brands. If you drive a BMW motorcycle, you will purchase a different motorcycle battery that if you drove a Harley-Davidson.

Motorcycle batteries can be purchased in several different ways. Standard type is a “spillable” battery that requires dry shipment. The acid must be purchased locally in order to activate the battery. The acid is called electrolyte, which is sulfuric acid, diluted by water. This must be added only to a dry shipped battery. Normally, acid is not needed to be added to a battery. Once a battery is purchased, only approved water should be added.

Another way batteries can be purchased is sealed maintenance free or Sealed MF.Sealed MF is a sealed maintenance free battery that comes ready to install and is “non-spillable”. Other options when purchasing motorcycles batteries include high performance, AGM types, and Odyssey.

All motorcycle batteries are lead acid batteries. There are completely recyclable and should never be thrown away with regular waste. Motorcycles are easy to check charge with a voltmeter.

Motorbikes Beginners Guide to Security and Safety

Motorbikes became a wide and respect trend from a variety of people. Some love cruisers, others love sport bikes, and many will talk about off-roaders.

Motorbike security

It’s not enoguh to have a motorbike. First you must secure it! This is very important because you don’t want your precious bike to be stolen. So this is very important to have a quality motorcycle security if you own a motorcycle.

However, how do you find the best motorcycle chain or bike alarm and most importantly what’s the right kind of security device for you?

So that why is important to buy motorcycle security devices from top brands such as Almax Security Chains, ITM, PJB and Datatool. But before doing that you should make informed decision. If you own a bike you should go to motorcycle security devices here and leave your comment.

Motorcycle clothing

If you own a motorcycle, specific clothing is essential to survival. Having the right motorcycle leathers or gloves, can make a lifesaving difference in the unfortunate event of a fall or crash.

Whether you’re looking for a full motorcycle leathers or perhaps just gloves, you can find reviews here. Manufacturers such as Buffalo, Dragon Skin and Akito are one of the most important producers of motorcycle clothing. But also less well known brands! This means that whatever motorcycle clothing you’re looking for, our reviews should help you find the best!

Motorcycle helmets

Motorbike Helmets are one of the most crucial pieces of motorcycle arsenal! If ever you would be unfortunate enough to crash or fall, a motorcycle crash helmet could literally save you! Its everyday purpose of shielding you from the elements is a bit less dramatic, but nevertheless very useful!

It's very clear now that in choosing a motorcycle helmet, you need to get the best possible.

Motor Scooters and Accessing them Online

The way to find out if a scooter website may be able to help you with your particular scooter search, pretend for a moment a tyc euro tail light is your particular item, is to discover if the site contains a categorised scooter section and a good number of scooter write ups, if in fact it does supply this type of things then getting a scooter that is suitable will be easy, if however the site is about a common motorcycling topic then it is unlikely you will come up with your required scooter targeted help.

particular scooters might not turn out to be that easy to come across, lets imagine you are wishing to purchase handicapped electric scooters it may be that you may have to purchase your items directly from a scooter manufacturer, even the top websites may not always solve every scooter purchasers requirements however a large number of motorcycling products can be acquired by some means.

Another thing to consider when you research this area of motorcycling that you might very well be overrun with a large selection of truly varied search results, such items as micro scooters and new scooters may however be fairly relevant to your necessities.

A significant amount of scooter merchants may very well be decent and a small number somewhat poor, if someone seeks local motorcycling info it might very well be better to send any local sources of scooter guidance a brief email, make it as clear as you can and write something such as "I need some information on razor pocket rockets or scooter rollers", whats in your email will depend on what type of scooter product you are mainly interested in.

Most online motorcycling research can uncover a vast number of products, although good scooter portals will often have a ton of scooter items, this may often be really overwhelming, itailian vespas, electric disability scooters, todays consumers have so many products to pick from nowdays, it might then be difficult to decide the appropriate product to order.

The scooter specialists will be capable offering you a lot of prime niche assistance on matters such as obtaining the best deals on maxima scooters and how to obtain the proper item guarantee whenever getting a scooter, their scooter expertise will surely help you get the best product for your needs.

The way to find out if a scooter website might be able to help you with your particular scooter search, pretend for a moment a senior scooter is your particular item, is to discover if the site contains a categorised scooter section and a good number of scooter articles, if in fact it does supply this type of things then obtaining a scooter that is suitable will be easy, if however the site is about a common motorcycling topic then it is unlikely you will come up with your required scooter targeted help.

A wide range of scooter related searches might possibly have led you to a scooter or motorcycling targeted directory, queries like "deals on itailian vespas" or "write ups on bicycle scooters", the real trick with any motorcycling portal is to navigate directly to the website menu, if you take this advice you should hopefully not be side tracked by scooter reviews which are about an area of scooters that is not applicable .

If you use the correct methods motorcycle tips can be accessed really quickly, if you do not rush whilst implementing your motorcycle research and you will never go far wrong, if you require specialist assistance on products such as cushman scooters then see if you can locate a number of specialized scooter articles.

Motor Cycle Helmets and Doo Rags

There are various types of motorcycle helmets available in the markets and the main purpose of a helmet is to protect the rider from head injury. The well-known and leading motorcycle brands that are available in the market are Bolle, Nolan, Honda, Yamaha, Fox, Vega, Giro, Suzuki, Acerbic, Cobra, Jones and the Icon.

Motorcycle helmets were introduced to cater for safety of the rider on roads. Wearing of helmet is compulsory in most of the countries. With helmet the rider feels secured and protects him from fatal accidents.

The main parameters of helmet are proper ventilation for cooling, technical make, light in weight and design and the shape along with the style. The types of motorcycle helmets include flip up motorcycle helmet, open face helmet, half helmets and the full-face helmets. Nowadays, helmets are available for all types of riding events such as snowmobile events, dirt bike motorcycle events and for automotive motorcycle events.

While choosing a motorcycle helmet, one needs to consider many factors that enable you to select good helmet. Some of the important factors are as follows.

• The color of the helmet should match with your motorcycle; otherwise the different combination will look odd.

• The motorcycle helmet should be of good quality and made of strong sturdy material to protect your head in case of accident.

• It should properly fit and should not either over size or under size.

• The motorcycle should satisfy and be approved from the authorized government agencies.

• The motorcycle helmet should allow you see the peripheral vision so that chances of accidents are less.

• Choose such type of helmet that is bright in color so that it is visible to others in night.

• While selecting motorcycle helmets safety matters are to be concerned first and then style and color.

Doo Rags

Doo rags are as important as the motorcycle helmets. A Doo rag is a piece of fine cloth that is used for covering the head while riding motorcycles. This tying of Doo rags started in 1930 by people of Africa and America. The main purpose of Doo rags during that period was to protect chemically processed hairs. During those days, they were made from cotton or women stocking were used as a Doo rag. But now days they are made from fine quality polyester.

It is believed that civil war slaves in American culture introduced the Doo rags and it is closely related to the culture of Afro-American. The main artist that helped Doo rags to get popular is the LL Cool and Mr. Nelly as they portrayed the Doo rags in their paintings.

The Doo rags are worn under the helmets and they absorb excess sweat in summer and keep the rider’s head cool. Doo rags also enable the motorcycle helmets to fit properly and do not allow moving of the helmet to from its place in case of motor racing. These Doo rags also protect your hairs from hot Sun and allow the rider to have safe ride as hairs does not obstruct the vision of the rider while driving at speed. Doo rags are available in various colors and shapes. The common color preferred in selecting Doo rag is black.

Motocycle Blue Book: How-To Get The Most For Your Ride

Do you want to know how much your motorcycle is worth? Are you curious as to what its trade in or retail value is? Maybe you just want to know what you should expect to pay for a new or used bike. Well you might be interested to know that there is more than one resource available to you for these purposes.

There are two main pricing guides in the United States - the Kelley Blue Book and The National Automobile Dealers Association or NADA guides. Some people feel that the NADA guides are a better source than the Kelly Blue Book because the National Automobile Dealers Association is currently the largest publisher of Appraisal Guides in the world. NADA has been in business since 1933 and their handbooks provide information for almost every motor vehicle that has ever been made.

Kelley Blue Book is the most well-known pricing guide and has been in business for more than 80 years. But they publish more than one price guide for used vehicles including motorcycles, so be careful if you are consulting a dealer because the one they are using is likely to be the version labeled "Kelley Blue Book Auto Market Report – Official Guide”. The book says that ‘suggested retail values’ represent Kelley Blue Book's estimated dealer asking price, but you can bet a dealer won't show you those figures. Better to grab your own copy and do some pricing research yourself so you don’t get taken advantage of.

Check out motorcyclebluebook.com for pricing on a huge selection of bikes. By selecting the make, model and year of the bike you’re interested in, the website will send you an email with information on the value and selling prices for any particular motorcycle.

One more pricing guide you may want to look into is Edmunds.com. This is an online information site which also supplies you with the value of your motorcycle, or expected pricing for the make and model that you are interested in.

You can purchase the books or visit any or all of these websites. Enter information about the condition of the motorcycle you presently own and want to sell or appraise, including any custom work and options, or do a query for pricing on a new or used bike you want to purchase. You will be provided with trade-in, suggested retail value and private party pricing. You’ll want to keep in mind also that motorcycle prices vary, sometimes greatly, depending on where you live, locally and globally. A good tip is to check the books or websites and your immediate market area to get the most comparisons for the best accuracy on cost and value.

More to Learn about Spark Plugs

Size

Let us distinguish the important difference in spark plugs threaded ends. They come in four diameters and lengths. They come in nominal 14, 10, 12 and 18 millimeters diameters. Previously, there was a slight difference in thread configuration especially in different countries. However, the international standardization of the thread forms made it uniform. These new dimensions are now being followed by motorcycle parts manufacturers.

Usual Errors

There can be lots of error in selecting the best motorcycle parts especially in the case of spark plugs. The very usual error is using 3/4-inch plugs in 1/2 –inch holes. The result of the same is horrible.

When the plug threads are exposed in combustion, they become filled with deposits. Consequently, it will be hard to remove the plug without removing the hole threads. Quite the reverse, if you use a short plug to a deep hole, the deposit will fill the hole and it will be hard to re-install the right size plug.

The worst error is the use of overly-long plug. The exposed threads absorb great amount of heat from the combustion process which improve the plug-nose temperatures. As a consequence, the side electrode functions as a glow plug. Early ignition or runaway pre-ignition causes higher combustion chamber temperatures that can destroy the engine.

Heat Range Demands

Hot plugs come with a long insular nose. They lead heat high into the plug body before it returns to the cylinder head. Short-nosed plugs, on the other hand, have shorter heat path. Consulting the spark plug manufacturers regarding the plug’s heat range can be of great help.

This may somehow clear the cobwebs at the back of your mind regarding heat range demands. Knowing which plugs are colder or hotter may be easy if you stick to the same brand however, it becomes perplexing when you change from one brand to another.

There is more to spark plugs than the three aforementioned aspects. There are still areas that we need to master like its installations, different plug configurations and maintenance work. Nonetheless, we have to be first acquainted with these three aspects.

You must know more about spark plugs to pick the best type. Another, you have to complement your choice with your bike engine’s condition. These factors are hard to acquire and do, thus, we have to instill lots facts all at once. When you get it right, you will be greatly benefited.

Mini Moto Mayhem

Mini Motos have been around in the UK for around ten years now. The first bikes were cobbled together with parts that were already available. Small 2 stroke engines, mainly from garden machinery, were used. This type of engine is still used today for a few models and is referred to as an ‘industrial’ engine. But now the mini moto has been given an overhaul and has taken off in popularity.

Mini Motos are true miniatures of their larger Super bike cousins. All of the details that go into the high performance motorcycles of today are scaled down. The slick tires, the race replica bodywork and the “super bike” colors are all present. Although usually only 15 to 18 inches in height and weighing 35 to 55 pounds, it can be difficult to tell they’re not full size when looking at them from a distance. The exactness of detail adds to their 'coolness' and is most certainly what has raised them to such heights of popularity.

Although beautiful, Mini Motos go well beyond being mere exquisite scale models. Advanced engineering has catapulted them to high-performance levels at only slightly outrageous prices. European companies like Blata and Polini sell units for £1200-£2000 but less expensive and arguably less reliable ones are made by Chinese manufacturers and cost £180-£400. Most models have two-stroke, 47cc engines, which run on a combination of petrol and two stroke oil. Despite the awkward-looking position it takes to mount one, they are a sheer joy to ride. The short wheelbase and overall low weight give them a lightning-fast turn and the thrill of riding so fast and so close to the terra firma is indeed intoxicating.

Safety measures are a must when riding Mini Motos. Gloves, elbow pads, knee pads, a leather suit and a helmet should all be worn for each and every ride. Without them, road rash is quite likely and worse injuries are possible.

Despite the size of these little wonders adults are getting them for their kids but more commonly, for themselves. Normal models can regularly go 35mph, all though parents can set them to max out at much slower speeds or … modify them to go faster. Moreover, models with more powerful engines are available. A GRC RX with 15hp 50cc engine by GRC Moto can be purchased for a mere £1999.

The Mini Moto explosion shows no signs of ending anytime soon and MM racing leagues have been in practice in the UK for around seven years now.

The Mini Moto Racing Association offers the following categories for you to test your Mini Moto.

Junior Lights (4.2 hp) Age 6 - 15 up to 35.9 Kg

Junior Cadets (4.2 hp) Age 6 - 15 over 36 Kg

Junior Production Age 9 - 15 no weight limits

Lightweight Production Age 16 + up to 74.9 Kg

Senior Production Age 16 + over 75 Kg

4.2 Senior Age 16 + no weight limits

Supers Age 16 + no weight limits

Race meetings are held around to the country at Go Kart and Mini Moto Tracks. There are also many ‘Arrive and Drive’ practice sessions hosted by tracks around the UK.

Mini Moto Engines

Industrial engines. They are still used by several manufacturers (most notably Blata on their entry level bike) and typically produce between 2.5 and 3.5 horse power (hp). All are air-cooled. Tuning and performance parts are very limited.

The Chinese 47/49cc. These engines are used in the Chinese made mk2, and mk3 minimotos. They are air cooled and produce between 2.5 and 3.5 horse power (hp). This engine is different from the industrial engine that is used in the Blata, as it is specifically created for mini moto use.

Polini 4.2 engine. This is the basic Polini engine and, as its name suggests, it produces 4.2 hp in standard form. It is air-cooled and uses the ‘series I’ crankcase with the 3-port cylinder. There is plenty of scope and parts for tuning but few people bother because most racing classes for the 4.2 won’t allow any modifications.

Polini 6.2 engine. The top end of this engine is the same as the 4.2 (3-port) but is available with either water or air-cooling. The bottom end uses the ‘series II’ crankcase. This helps to make it more powerful. Race regulations don’t allow modification to the engine internals but do allow performance parts, the most significant being the exhaust. There are a wide range of alternative exhausts that year after year manage to extract more power from the engine. Consequently the 6.2 ‘tag’ no longer means anything, these little rockets (more often referred to as ‘production’ nowadays) claim power outputs of up to 9hp.

The Chinese made water cooled engine. This engine is very similar to the Polini 6.2 however it is a series 1 crankcase engine. The engine is water cooled and is used in the Origami B1 replica. The engine produces around 7.5/8.5 horse power (hp) Many of the parts on this engine are interchangeable with the Polini.

What’s the difference between the ‘series I’ and ‘series II’ crankcase?. Fuel is drawn from the carb into the crankcase via a one-way valve known as the ‘reed valve’. The intake port (where the reed valve and carb join the engine) on the series I engine will only accommodate a reed valve assembly with one reed ‘petal’ whereas the series II will take a reed valve ‘cage’ that accommodates two reed petals. A two-petal reed valve will allow more fuel mixture to flow into the engine and, therefore, produces more power.

Polini Super engine. The super also uses the series two crankcase but with a 5-port cylinder. It is only available in water cooled now but used to come as air cooled as well. To compete with Polini, Mallossi manufacture an alternative 5-port cylinder. There are no restrictions on tuning supers and with engine ‘porting’, bigger carbs and other performance parts they can be turned into awesome machines (for their size) easily producing 12hp.

What is meant by 3 and 5 port?. This refers to the amount of ‘transfer’ ports built into the cylinder. The transfer ports draw the fuel mixture up from the crankcase and ‘dump’ it above the piston prior to ignition. A five-port cylinder has potential to produce more power.

40cc or 50cc. The 3 port engines are only available in 40cc. The 5 port cylinder comes in both 40 and 50cc. ZPF offer a tuned 5-port polini cylinder with their own ‘special’ cylinder head. The extra cc gives 25% more displacement and, therefore, has the potential for more power. 50’s are more common in the USA but they're catching on fast in the UK. The UK now allows them to race in championships.

The Polini engine components are interchangeable, which can make for some interesting combinations. However, people don’t tend to bother because of class restrictions and it is usually easier to upgrade the whole bike or change the complete engine.

Make Your Next Motorcycle Road Trip A Success

So you want to go on a motorcycle road trip to Sturgis this year. You've made all of the travel arrangements for the trip. You have your hotel room reserved. You have the local hot spots during the week all mapped out. Your job knows that you are taking your vacation. Everything is set. Or is it? Did you remember to pack everything?

When planning any motorcycle road trip, it is good to plan what and how you are going to pack your motorcycle. Make a list of supplies you are going to need . Lay out everything and check off the items on your list as you pack them into your motorcycle luggage. Remember to take an extra change of clothing, just in case. Pack your motorcycle rain suit in last, so that you can get to it easily. The last thing you want is to have to search for your gear in the rain.

Take the time to research different motorcycle repair shops along your route. Keep a list of these shops in your wallet, or even better in your motorcycle tool bag. You did remember to pack that right? Take as many tools that you might need for any minor repairs. A phillips and standard screwdriver, a pair of needle nose pliers, some cable ties, a couple of combination wrenches that fit majority of the sizes on your motorcycle, and a repair manual might even be handy too.

Make sure to pack some easy to eat snacks for the road. Granola bars, trail mix, and candy bars are a good idea. You can also purchase MREs, (Meals Ready to Eat), from a local army surplus store, and use these on the road as a quick meal. Use a large gallon sized sealing bag to store your food to keep the mess to a minimum.

A road map is essential. You can buy folding maps for the trip, no matter your destination. Even better, consider buying a navigation system for your motorcycle. These are great, and can be easily adapted to work with your motorcycle. If you don't want to use a navigation system, consider using a cell phone with broadband internet access, to use free services like Google maps or Mapquest.

Think about the other essentials of the road. Personal toiletries like travel sized tooth brush, tooth paste, shampoo, soap, and deodorant can all be obtained and stored in a small travel bag, easily stored in your motorcycle luggage. Consider even packing a small roll of toilet paper, for when nature calls, and you are in the middle of nowhere. You are going to some remote locations at times right?

When packing your motorcycle luggage, try to keep the weight balanced on each side of the motorcycle. You don't want to have a bike that wants to lean to one side or the other. Taking a long trip with a lopsided motorcycle will wear you out quickly as you try to fight to keep the motorcycle upright. The best way to do this, is to have someone help you pack the luggage, while you balance the motorcycle. After packing, take your motorcycle out for a short test ride, and make adjustments.

Maintaining A Charge For An Electric Scooter

An electric scooter uses no gas, but will use an electric charge to move about the home or the store. The electric charge is held in a battery. The scooter is plugged in as needed, for a few hours, to recharge the battery. No special electric outlets are needed to charge the scooter or for continued use of the battery charger in the home.

The Electric Scooter Battery

The battery is a small piece of equipment you will charge weekly. The more you use the scooter, the more often you will be required to charge the scooter. The chargeable scooter battery is one you will find easy to understand. Most all scooters are available with a charging system that will display when the charge is full, and when the charge is low so you are never left stranded with a dead battery.

When charging the battery ‘be’ sure to charge it until the light says the charge is full. Charging the battery half way, or only partially is going to lessen the life of the battery. Avoid charging the battery that is not empty. If you must take the scooter for a short ride to use more of the battery life, so you are then left with an empty battery, or at least almost empty battery.

Another feature about the scooter battery is that when it is low, when it is empty be sure to charge it again right away. The battery that sits empty for long periods will be difficult to charge again after sitting for a long time. Think about your cordless phone, you must charge it 15 hours when it is empty. The same will apply for your scooter chair if you leave it empty for a long time. It will require charging for a longer amount of time. When it is empty, recharge it, and the process will be faster.

Avoid adding or putting water on the battery, the charger or the connections for the battery. Water can easily make electric outlets surge, or worse break. You want to keep the battery and the charger moisture free for as long as you

Motorcycles Provide Inexpensive Motorized Travel and Recreation for People of All

No matter who you are or where you live, it is not hard to see that gas prices are higher than they were a few years ago, and it is not likely they will drop much lower than they are now. In our society, bigger has often been thought to be better. When it comes to vehicles, bigger might seem safer, but that is not necessarily true. Think back to the high-center, rollover problems that SUV's had just ten years ago.

The only conclusion that can be made about bigger vehicles is that they are more expensive to own and operate. Bigger vehicles require more expensive maintenance and repairs, and more recently, bigger means that it could easily cost $80 to fill the gas tank of that bigger, better truck.

Two decades ago, the federal government foresaw the need to teach Americans to use less fuel. The American Federal Government passed laws requiring auto manufacturers to manufacture vehicles with higher gas mileage ratings, but as is always the case with the political landscape in Washington, D.C., compromises were made. The one compromise that led us to our current fuel price crisis is that Washington exempted trucks and SUV's from the higher gas mileage rules. If it were not for these exemptions being made, Arnold Schwarzenegger would not be driving the 15/10mpg Hummer H2H.

The 20-Somethings Get It...

Our younger generations get it. They get that America as a collective society must take steps to decrease our dependence on foreign fuel sources and we must take steps to protect the environment. The 20-Somethings have chosen to buy vehicles that get better gas mileage, and better yet, they have ushered in the acceptance of the scooter as a viable means of transport.

Young people in this country are opting to drive motorcycles and scooters, instead of their father's Oldsmobiles. If you have any doubt, you only need to visit any college town across the country to see scooters filling the roadways.

Scooters On The Road

The Italian-made Vespa Scooters are one of the more popular gasoline-powered scooter brands on the road today. Their high-end LX models retail for under $5,000, and deliver 70-80 mpg at near 60 mph. The Vespa Scooters have actually been on the road since 1946, so the company has a lot of experience in manufacturing this type of product.

Other popular models include the Riptide Scooter, the Sinclair Scooter and the Wasp Scooter, all made by the American company GS MotorWorks. Historically, GS MotorWorks has also sold the Euro Scooter, the Retro Scooter, and Sport Scooters.

The Genuine Scooter Company produces its own line of scooters as well. Their super-charged Blur Scooters can turn on a dime and jet down the highway at nearly 70 mph. Their Black Cat model delivers more than 100 mpg on a scooter that is limited to a top speed of 30 mph. The Buddy Scooter will deliver 100 mpg, with speeds limited to 30 mph and 70 mph, depending on the model. Their Rattler Scooter is made for those rough country roads and is expected out later this year. The Genuine Scooter Company also offers a range of Stella scooter accessories, including the motorcycle-style, Stella sidecar.

Motorcycles Serve The Transportation Needs of All Generations of Riders

Motorcycles used to just be for rebels of society. Now, from teenagers to those approaching retirement, men and women, free spirits and business executives, motorcycles are everywhere. In rural areas and major cities, many people are choosing motorcycles to get them to where they want to be.

While scooters are popular among the high school and college students, older generations favor the motorcycle over the scooter. Many people were introduced to dirt bikes when they were kids, and they fell in love with the motorcycle at a young age. As adults, they now have a much wider selection of motorcycles from which to choose.

There are still many brands of motorcycles available in the marketplace: Honda, Kawasaki, Suzuki, Yamaha, and the American-brands Harley Davidson and Kodiak. Of course, these manufacturers make a standard motorcycle for the average rider, racing bikes for the adrenaline junkies, the touring bike for those riders who like long, leisurely journeys across the country, and the recreational dirt bike for those who like off-road riding.

Off-Road Pleasures And Farming Utility

Of course, there are also people looking at motorcycles and ATVs not for transportation, but for recreation, a chance to get out in the dirt and blow off steam. The options here are no less limited, from lightweight motor-cross bikes to four-wheel ATVs, these motorcycles are built for fun.

The ATV is a popular product for the off-road riders, because it adds extra wheels to the riding surface, allowing for a slower pace and more safety. Even the aging rock giant Ozzie Osborne is known to ride a four-wheel ATV in his spare time for fun.

In the modern-age of ranching, the three-wheel and four-wheel ATV has replaced many horses, as the rancher's transportation vehicle of choice. While you might be able to talk to and pet your horse, you cannot pull a trailer behind your horse. For strictly utilitarian purposes, the ATV simply makes more sense to most ranchers. In fact, many ranchers use the ATV to haul feed out to the horses. How is that for irony?

Motorcycle Safety Equipment

Riding motorcycles safely, whether riding for transportation between home and office, on longer trips, or just for recreation requires two things: common sense and appropriate gear. Common sense means understanding where it is safe to ride, following the rules of the road, wearing the right clothing, and avoiding unnecessary risks.

Even if there are not helmet laws in your state, requiring motorcyclists to wear helmets when they ride, helmets could mean the difference between a minor traffic accident and a funeral. Additionally, it is a good idea to wear proper shoes, boots, and clothing, as well as a visor or protective glasses.

Riders should keep in mind that vision is key to knowing what is going on around them; so choosing the proper helmet with a good viewing radius is important. If the rider chooses to not wear a helmet, a good set of goggles is the next essential piece of safety equipment. Remember, if that bug is flying across your path when it hits you, it could easily bypass those sunglasses and hit you in the eye, temporarily blinding you at 70 mph.

Proper Motorcycle Maintenance

The importance of proper motorcycle maintenance is fully realized when one thinks about the consequences of a front tire blowout at 70 mph. I don't even want to think about that possibility. As they say, "an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure."

Good motorcycle maintenance means a lot of things. It means to make sure that the motorcycle always has a good set of tires on it. It means making sure that the motorcycle always has a good set of brakes. Motorcycles are inexpensive to care for properly, so there is no excuse for not taking care of it in a way that will prevent accidents and malfunctions.

By looking over the vehicle at regular intervals, one will be able to determine whether there are motorcycle parts, scooter parts, or even ATV parts that will need to be replaced in order to help keep the vehicle in its best condition. For example, with motorcycles, riders should always take a close look at the clutch cable, fasteners, spokes, steering heads, oil levels, and brake pads. These motorcycle parts often show signs of wear and not fixing the problem in a timely manner could easily lead to an accident.

Similarly, there are scooter parts that riders should examine regularly. Scooter tires, starters, batteries, fuel filters, chains, and other parts can suffer wear and reduce the safety and reliability of the scooter.

ATV and off-road cyclists who ride on trails and other rough surfaces will see wear and tear to a much larger degree, and they may need to replace a variety of parts to keep riding fun: oil filters, gaskets, tires, pistons, and brakes. Additional ATV parts also need to be cared for and maintained at regular intervals. Off-road riders should also check the frame of their motorcycle or ATV on a regular basis, in order to ensure that the frame has not become a hazard to the safe operation of the bike.

No matter what, why, or how you ride, staying safe is the key. Replacing worn parts, wearing protective clothing, and following the rules of the road, all serve to keep motorized travel and recreation safe for people of all ages.

Motorcycles

For many years i have been a biker,i always find getting the cheapest and best products a pain,so i have compiled a small list of quality sites where you all can but quality things at good prices please check out these sites.

http://www.bikerzone.co.uk

http://www. bikerzone24.eu

http://www. bikerzonenet.eu

http://www.bikerzoneonline.biz

http//www.bikerzoneonline.eu

http://www.bikerzoneweb.eu

http:// www.bikerzone-net.eu

http://www.bikerzone-online.eu

http:// www.bikerzone-web.eu

http://www.bikerzone2007.eu

these sites have really good quality motorcycle goods and are very competitive,hey what you got to lose have a look saves time browsing.

Motorcycle Tires Q & A

Here are few of the frequently asked questions about tires:

1. Why are new tires better?

First, new tires are better because it is organic and it decomposes. Second because the older the tire gets, the more it is exposed to outgassing. Outgassing makes the tire brittle.

2. What’s the right tire age?

In essence, the principle is the newer the tire the better. However, to make a tire last longer the tire’s age is of lesser importance. But be careful not to buy tires which are over six or seven years old. You will be able to know their date of manufacturing by searching for the three or four-digit number stamped in the tire’s sidewall. For instance, 2101 stands for 21st week of 2001 - which is its manufacturing date.

3. What are size and pressure?

Run the bike in the recommended tire pressure. It is so simple. You just have to stick to the manufacturers guidelines. That is the safest and the best thing that you can do. Nevertheless, you can have some deviations depending on your desired performance. Moreover, you have to check tire pressure regularly.

4. What will I do in case of a flat tire?

Motorcycle tires swerve from more directions. Unlike car tires, motorcycle tire has only the other tire to prevent it from falling. Thus, the best thing to do in case of a flat tire is to replace it and not just plug it.

5. When is there a need for replacement?

It depends. Front tires may still shot even when there is still ample rubber. In fact, they may still look good even if they have gone through considerable heat cycles. They can also cup or scallop when already having uneven surface. This is the best time to replace them.

6. When to buy a tire?

Buying tires must be made at reputable motorcycle stores. These stores have already established their names and services. You can also order online. But this remedy is a gamble because it will not guarantee that you will be getting newly manufactured tires. When you buy tires personally, you have the opportunity to choose the freshest tire in the store. You also have the chance to compare prices and quality.

Motorcycle Tips for the Beginner Riding Enthusiast

There are many options available to the burgeoning motorcycle riding enthusiast. There is help though. The following tips will help to point a beginner in the right direction. Hopefully you will come to enjoy motorcycle riding like so many other people in this world.

The smell of lightweight oil, the rumble of the seat, the slight hint of octane perfume lingers in the air as you slip on your motorcycle helmet. You have your motorcycle boots on, and a rain suit packed on your motorcycle luggage rack. You ease the clutch out slowly and rev the throttle slightly, gliding forward, like a large self propelled ice skate.

The moment is yours. You have all of your motorcycle gear and apparel and have taken off into the wild blue yonder on a journey for your soul. The road and you become one, with your motorcycle as the medium, for your transitive state of mind. Your blood begins to race through your veins, your heart racing in tune with the engine. The vibration of the engine massages every muscle in your body at once. There is really no other feeling that comes close to riding a motorcycle.

If you are a beginner rider there are some attributes about motorcycle riding that you should consider. The first is motorcycle gear, and motorcycle apparel. You should always wear a motorcycle helmet. Motorcycle boots are a nice addition as well. But why stop there? Buy a second set of motorcycle apparel as safe keeping in your motorcycle luggage rack. There may be times that you will need to change clothes on a long trek through the countryside.

You probably won't need to buy multiple motorcycle helmets, unless you have a partner with you for the trip. In which case, there is a definite reason to make sure that you have enough motorcycle luggage storage space. All of your motorcycle apparel can be stored neatly in a motorcycle luggage trailer. Other options available for motorcycle luggage are motorcycle sissy bar bags, motorcycle saddle bags, leather tool bags, and leather windshield bags.

Motorcycle boots have evolved over the century or so of motorcycling's history. There are many different styles and colors to choose from today. A popular style of motorcycle boot used to be WWII combat boots. They were durable, had high sides to help protect from muffler burns, and were water resistant to help protect against the occasional puddle.

Many types of motorcycle gear have been made for todays motorcycle riding enthusiast. From mechanical additions to the motorcycle itself, to additional motorcycle gear for the rider. There are leather and textile jackets, rain suits, leather sissy bar bags, leather tool bags, eye goggles, leather and textile gloves, leather and textile pants, chaps and boots. In sizes ranging from young to old, short to tall, a multitude of choices await you when you purchase your next set of motorcycle apparel.

When purchasing your motorcycle gear, motorcycle apparel and motorcycle boots, remember to get some leather cleaning products for all of your new motorcycle gear. This will help to ensure that the gear you have now, you will have for years even decades to come. There may be many types of leather cleaning products available, but talk to the owner of the shop from where you purchased the motorcycle apparel, and they should be able to point you towards a proven product. After all, they have to keep all of that leather clean while it waits to be boughten from a consumer.

Motorcycle Road Trips In North Florida: Jax Beach To Fernandina

With bike week just around the corner, bikers from all over the country are pulling their motorcycles out of winter storage and cleaning up their leathers in anticipation of a motorcycle rally like no other. While Daytona is definitely the place to be the week of March 5th, Florida offers some great stretches of road through pristine landscapes to some great biker destinations.

About an hour and a half north of Daytona on A1A lies the bustling beach community of Jacksonville Beach, which is where we will meet for the start of our road trip- because, well, that’s where I’m from! On any given day you’ll find bikes and bikers parked and hanging out at the Jax Beach Pier parking lot. Just across the street is the famed biker bar Mango’s, a great place for bikers to meet, have some good home cooking and shoot some pool. Summer weekends will generally find some heavy metal band performing outside on the covered deck. So put on your best leather motorcycle jacket and come on out to Mango's to start our first north Florida road trip.

Our first day trip will start from Jax Beach and head north on A1A to Fernandina Beach, a quaint little island town with its own unique attitude. If you follow A1A north, after bearing left at Mayport Naval Station, you will be cruising through the marshlands at the mouth of the St. Johns River and come to a dead end at the ferry in Mayport Village. A traditional fishing village, this is where most of north Florida gets their seafood. Shrimp boats, party boats, and deep sea charters line the docks, and you can even take a gambling cruise from here. If you’re hungry, there’s an old wooden shack sitting on the water that serves some of the best seafood available. Singletons is not much to look at, but it’s been there forever and people drive for miles to sit on the water enjoying the freshest of Florida seafood, while watching the pelicans scrounge for theirs.

Taking the ferry across the river, you’ll once again pick up A1A heading north. To your right you’ll soon see a huge barren sandbar that was formed by the northern jetties at the mouth of the St. Johns. On the eastern edge are the jetties, the Atlantic Ocean, and a beach that is packed with babes of all shapes and sizes. The western side has a lagoon and the Fort George River inlet. A very wide beach at low tide, vehicles have been swallowed up and swept away by the Atlantic because of people parking just a little too close to the water, and taking a walk in the dunes. A great place for jet skiing, swimming, fishing and surfing, Huguenot Park also has a campground with primitive and RV camp sites and showers.

For the next several miles, you will be cruising through some of the most pristine and unspoiled wetlands in Florida. Island hopping through little and big Talbot Islands and the Timacuan Preserve, this coastal area is one of the few in Florida untouched by development, and will theoretically remain that way. Flora and Fauna abound, and nature lovers flock to the area in kayaks and flatboats to navigate the waterways in search of trout and redfish.

Heading across the Nassau Sound Bridge to Florida’s northern most barrier island, the developments once again start to pop up. World renowned resort Amelia Island Plantation has vast acreages of condos, single family houses, an Inn rivaled by none, and a huge convention center that draws business from all over the world. A community within itself, the Plantation strives, and has done a good job, of preserving the natural habitat.

Not to be outdone, the Ritz Carlton is just a few miles north and is also a magnet for the well to do, with a golf course and all the pampering the Ritz is known for!

Almost there, we take A1A into downtown Fernandina Beach. An old fishing village like Mayport, Fernandina is much larger and has many unique and historical buildings. The waterfront is speckled with shrimp boats and deep sea charters, and Brent’s is the restaurant on the docks. Fernandina Beach also hosts an annual shrimp festival on the first weekend in May.

Ending our motorcycle excursion from Jacksonville Beach (about an hour non stop), our last stop is a very popular watering hole for bikers and locals alike. The Palace Saloon has been there since 1878, and although it burned in 1999, it has been restored to its original 18th century wooden décor. More of a bar than a restaurant, this is where you get to know the locals, many of which are in the hospitality industry and definitely know how to party hardy! With live bands, dancing, flirting and drinking, the Palace Saloon is the place to party in Fernandina Beach!

In my next road trip article we’ll head south on A1A to our nations oldest city. Founded by Ponce de Leon in 1513 and home of the fountain of youth, this place is just a tiny little drinking town with a fishing problem!

Motorcycle Rides and Risks

Weather condition for instance has its sets of advantages and disadvantages.

Rainy days make riding pretty difficult. Imagine this scenario. The road is slippery and wipers won’t work plus the rain blurring your vision. The controls on your bike get soaking wet. What an agony!

Certainly, rainy weather invites preposterous outcomes. Your foot can slip off the pedal. Your finger can slide down the clutch lever. Thus, your control over the bike is affected.

The inconvenience is a bit lesser when traveling in a windy condition. When strong crosswinds attack, biker must swerve to compensate for it. Wind may cause a serious risk to the rider. Add in oil spillage. Now you can triple the risk.

The best weather condition to drive is sunny when the sun is permissive. Although said condition may leave you copiously sweating, it is still the best weather condition. Limited risks mean adventure and enjoyment. All you have to do is ride and enjoy! Great possibilities are just ahead of you!

Aside from weather, a rider must consider the risk management. What does it mean? Simply, risk management is understanding and circumventing risks. In order to do so, the rider must know the ins and outs of riding – the physical, environmental and vehicular limitations.

Risk management may be manifested by using quality motorcycle apparel, parts and having proper training in driving. Moreover, riders who practices risk management are less likely to experience collision. As a result, they enjoy a hassle-free ride.

There are three steps involve in risk management. The first step is to acknowledge the existence of risks. Damage to property as well as injuries and fatalities to persons can be the results of poor driving.

The second step is to assist said risks. This is a learned skill. Newbies might be groping when it comes to assessment skills. Thus, they have to exert more effort to increase their skills. Using protective gears is a manifestation of good assessment.

The last step is risk recognition. A rider cannot avoid a risk if did he not recognize it first. There are two kinds of risks – the subjective and objective.

Subjective risks involve those which are inherent in a rider’s attitude. Objective risks, on the other hand, are brought about by environment, road and vehicle conditions.

Risk management should be a natural effect of riding and it must be uphold all the time.

Motorcycle Riders Gift Buying Guide

Do you have a motorcyclist in your family? Wondering what to get them this year for Christmas? This is a gift buying guide with some ideas for you. Gear is always a good idea. Just like clothes, I don't think you could ever have enough apparel.

You could start with safety combined with a gift by purchasing just the right helmet. You can purchase all different sorts of helmets. The various helmet styles include, full face motorcycle helmets, half motorcycle helmets, German motorcycle helmets, beanie motorcycle helmets, even motocross motorcycle helmets. With cool looking decals or graphics painted in just the right color, there is a great motorcycle helmet for anyone. Stylish protective eye wear is an idea too. Getting the right pair of sunglasses or motorcycle goggles for your loved one is a good choice. They come in a variety of shapes and colors, and the lenses are sometimes tinted yellow. The yellow tint has been proven to help reduce glare, and help improve vision at night.

A warm leather motorcycle jacket to keep the wind out is another gift, and one they can use all year long, not just in the summer. There are many styles to choose from when purchasing a leather motorcycle jacket. Denim motorcycle jackets are popular as well, although not worn in colder climates much. A decent pair of leather motorcycle chaps for the long ride home is a great gift for any motorcycle rider. These will go well with just about any other motorcycle apparel, and can be a great addition to any motorcycle riders wardrobe. Leather motorcycle boots and full fingered or half fingered motorcycle gloves made with leather and other materials are a great addition to the motorcycle leather jacket and motorcycle apparel that you buy them for a gift for Christmas.

Do they live in an area that receives a lot of rain annually? A set of rain gear to help protect all of that leather would be great as well. The most damaging effect to leather is rain, and with the right motorcycle rain gear, you can help protect their Christmas gift and your investment for many years to come.

If the motorcycle rider that you are buying a gift for is not in need of motorcycle clothing, then some gear for their motorcycle would be awesome. There are many different things you can get to add life to a motorcycle, without ever having to break the bank. The motorcycle canvas cover is a good choice, as is the motorcycle cable and lock system. Then there is the luggage systems available that make the storage and cargo area of a motorcycle morn than double, The most common type of system are referred to as motorcycle saddle bags. You can also get motorcycle tool bags that mount right to the handle bars, and a motorcycle sissy bar rack pack for storing bigger items.

No matter what type of motorcycle gear you buy as a gift for the motorcycle riders in your life, you can't go wrong if you just snoop a little and do some investigating before you buy.