Motorcycle Saftey During the Winter

As winter approaches and the weather inevitably takes a turn for the worst riding a motorcycle can become an unappealing prospect. A combination of poor visibility, rain,snow and the cold all add to the unappealing nature of riding a motor cycle in the winter. For some this is not a problem, they simply don't ride in bad weather, however some people want or have to ride their motorcycle no matter the conditions./p>

Winter weather can cause some severe road conditions that can cause issues for even the most experienced biker. Ice is an obvious danger of winter weather, however the salt used to keep the roads clear can also cause issues for bikers. The salt is intended to cause traction, which it does when there is snow on the roads, however once the snow has gone the salt can gather into piles on corners and in the centre of the road and cause loss of traction. The greatest danger of winter weather is the cold itself.

Being cold whilst riding a motorcycle can be incredibility uncomfortable and distracting which can obviously put you and other motorists in danger. Cold weather can cause your body temperature to drop if you are not correctly dressed. A drop in body temperature can cause your reactions to slow, your dexterity to drop and can cause lapses in concentration. It is therefore imperative that you find a way to keep yourself warm during the cold winter months.

Heated Motorcycle Gloves can provide an easy solution to stop you from suffering from the cold whilst riding. Heated gloves can be heated using only 12v supplied either from your bike or batteries which provides a simple and efficient way of keeping you warm in the coldest of weather.

There are also other options to keep the rest of your body warm such as, heated trousers, heated jackets and heated insoles for your boots. One or all of these options could make your journey a far safer and far more comfortable journey.

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Motorcycle Gift Ideas - Gifts For Bikers

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Do you have a biker in your family? Christmas is coming up, and you just don't know what to get? Instead of the usual, why not get a motorcycle gift?

Here are just a few ideas to get you started on your shopping. Of course many of the motorcycle gift ideas, will depend on your budget. If you are feeling really generous that then the top tips will be where you go shopping.

Helmet

This is brain protection for your biker! You do not want to cheap out here, they need to be fitted, and it would be best for you to find a motorcycle supply shop that carries helmets such as Shoei, Arai, and Bell just to get you started. Find out how much this will cost, and then get a gift certificate and take your biker to get fitted for some brain protection.

Good Jacket

Nothing worse that road rash, which is what can happen if you are wearing just a t-shirt, and those bugs don't feel to good hitting your bare arms, so if your biker just wears whatever they have around the place, then check out some good leather jackets and this will be a great motorcycle gift idea. Once again get a gift certificate and take your biker to the store and get fitted.

If the budget will allow, getting a helmet and a good jacket, and now your biker is not only safer, but will look good on a motorcycle.

Rain Suit

Another great motorcycle gift idea, is a good rain suit. If your biker plans on doing some road trips or long distance, you can't always know the weather, so a good rain suit will keep your biker dry. This is the type of motorcycle gift they will appreciate when the weather moves in.

Good Boots

Once again this can be a big ticket item, but if your biker is wearing running shoes while out on the road, it is time for protection on those ankles.

Heated Vest

This is one great motorcycle gift idea that will extend the riding season just a bit. What may seem like just a bit nippy of a day, can feel like sub zero on a motorcycle, so a heated vest would be a great motorcycle gift idea for your biker.

If the budget cannot afford the above items, or maybe your biker is totally outfitted already, then here are a few good motorcycle gift ideas, that are a bit more affordable but just as nice a gift.

Owners Manual

If your biker likes to work on their own motorcycle, then a really good manual or even a overhaul manual specifically for their bike would be a great motorcycle gift idea. Chilton makes some good manuals.

Motorcycle Magazine Subscription

A good subscription to a magazine such as Classic Bike, Cycle World or Cycle Canada would make a great motorcycle gift idea.

Bike Show Tickets

If there is a motorcycle show coming up, get tickets. This would make a great motorcycle gift idea. The only downside to this is there will be bigger and better bikes to drool over. Leave the credit cards at home!

Posters for the Shop

If your biker has an area to call their own, or a home for their prized motorcycle, how about finding some cool posters and prints for the shop!

Homemade Calendar

Get a good picture of your biker with their motorcycle, and then get it made into a calendar for their shop.

Hopefully the above tips will give you some ideas for great motorcycle gifts. If you have a biker in your family, the above gift ideas are going to WOW them, and this will definitely go over better than that pair of socks you normally get.

Article source: infobarrel.com



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Suspension Setup Guide [INFOGRAPHIC]

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Tips for Keeping Your Motorcycle in Top Condition

By Dipika Patel

For many riders, their motorcycle is their pride and joy, which means they are keen to look after it in the best way possible.

Whether you are buying used motorcycles or just want to keep your new ride running as well as it did the day you left the showroom, you may find some of the following suggestions helpful.

Motorcycles need regular maintenance, especially if they are being ridden frequently, and there are some checks that you should perform each time you are planning to take your bike on the road.

Always have a look at the oil and coolant levels and if necessary, top them up. You should keep an eye out for any damp patches or stains on the ground under your bike as this could indicate that there is a leak somewhere.

You should also measure your tyre pressure and ensure that both wheels are filled to the manufacturer's recommended specifications. As well as making the treads on the tyres last longer, this will also help prevent damage to your suspension.

Brakes are another key component to keep in good working order - you should regularly assess the pads so that you can replace them when they are beginning to wear.

It is worth remembering that you should not need to fully depress the foot pedal or completely pull back the lever to get the brakes to engage, so if you find you are having to do this, get them checked out.

The drive chain should be properly lubricated at all times - and when you are doing this you can also make sure that it is properly adjusted and not too loose.

Of course, you should not neglect the appearance of your motorcycle, so give it a quick dust and wipe down before you hit the road. Washing and polishing your bike every two months is also advisable to keep it looking as good as new.

Even if you regularly carry out maintenance work on your bike, it will still need to be taken for motorcycle servicing every year.

This is an excellent opportunity to fine-tune your machine and get everything working at its optimum level.

A full oil and filter change should be performed, while adjustments to the clutch and drive chain are often necessary to get your bike back to its best.

Listen to the idle speed of the engine once it has warmed up and make sure it is running at the correct rate.

A thorough inspection of the brakes should be undertaken at every service and any worn pads or callipers will need to be replaced.

Lubricating components such as the levers, pivots and chains is also an important part of the maintenance process to protect the machinery from the weather.

If you do not use your bike during the winter, then there are some things that you should do to prepare it for storage.

Firstly, add a fuel stabiliser to the tank because this will help prevent moisture building up and will ensure the fuel does not go stale while it is not being used.

You should remove the battery if your bike will be off the road for a prolonged period - but you will still need to charge it to prevent it from going flat because it is not being used.

Where and how you store your motorcycle is also important to stop rust developing. You will need a dry place out of direct sunlight and you should invest in a motorcycle cover to keep your bike in the best condition.

P&H Motorcycles is the best-known multi-franchise motorcycle dealer in the South East and we stock a wide range of new and used motorcycles and scooters from quality manufacturers like Yamaha, Honda, Suzuki, Ducati, Victory, KTM and Kawasaki, as well as, motorcycle servicing and repair services.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Dipika_Patel

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Motocross During the '50s

By Ted Petersson

The exciting and thrilling sport of motocross originated in the United Kingdom in the early twentieth century and has gone on to gain popularity all across the world thereafter. In the early days, however, the sport was better known as 'scrambles'. Derived by combining the French word 'moto' with 'cross-country', the sport of motocross is a form of all-terrain motorcycle racing that takes place on dirt or off-road tracks. These tracks could also be muddy, hilly, slushy or rocky routes including sharp turns and uneven rides.

During the 1920s and 30s, scrambles started becoming quite a rage with sporting events such as the Southern Scott Scramble held in 1924. This is the event that is said to have led to the initiation of motocross. Many other such renditions form possible origin tales of motocross.

The 1950s witnessed progress in the sport with certain steps toward its formalization and structuring. The early years of the decade witnessed Individual Motocross races generating interest rather rapidly. Towards the close of the year 1950, a proposal for the initiation of an event of international stature was submitted by the Belgian Federation to the F.I.M. (Federation Internationale de Motocyclisme) or the International Motorcycling Federation. It was in 1952 that the F.I.M. created the European Championship that used motorcycles with 500cc engines. This was a turning point in the history of motocross racing and the sport as a whole. In 1957, this event was upgraded to World Championship status.

Over the years, a wide variety of other motorcycle sports have branched out of motocross. One such sport that gained popularity in the 1950s was Sidecar Racing, also known as Sidecarcross. While it started off in Europe, it also went on to fetch fans in Australia, New Zealand and the United States of America. Europe, however, is the only place where Sidecarcross was actually contested at a World Championship level.

Sidecarcross involves the use of a motocross bike built with a flat platform attached on either side of the rider's seat. It also includes a handlebar that the biker on this platform, the passenger, can hold on to. The role of the passenger is to balance the vehicle as it swerves on sharp turns or bounces on rocky, bumpy terrain. This variant of motocross, has witnessed a decline ever since its glory days in the 50s.

The motorcycles used in motocross have also witness an evolution in themselves ever since the sport initiated and became popular. The major part of the decade witnessed racing in the MX3 category. While in 1952, 1953 and 1954 the winners of the Motocross World Championship were of Belgian origin, the podium gave way to British participants in the latter half of the 50s. The 1957 winner of the Motocross World Champion ship was Swedish participant Bill Nisson.

The 1950s were an era of rapid growth in motocross. It witnessed formalization of events, creation of new structures and a brand new zeal for a highly adventurous sport. It was during this decade that motocross gained its true prominence in the milieu of motorcycle racing in Europe.

If you would like to know more about motocross parts and gears, you should visit 24MX. They carry a huge selection of riding gear for motocross and a complete range of motocross parts.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Ted_Petersson

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