Archive for the ‘Motorcycles’ Category

Caring For Your Motorcycle When It’s Being Stored

As the weather gets cooler, is your motorcycle ready to be put up for the winter? Even if you plan to ride your bike through the cold winter months, here are some ideas on winter care. Or, maybe your have another reason for not riding your bike: travel, business or family commitments. The good news is that this shouldn’t take more than a few hours of work to be sure that your motorcycle will remain in tip-top condition in terms of looks, mechanical condition and trouble free riding.

First, be sure the fuel system is drained and conditioned. The best way to do this is to get the level as low as you can, then add a fuel stabilizer additive. Then run your bike for a few miles to be sure the additive gets into and through the entire fuel system. Then, when your ready to ride, simple fill up with fresh gas and you’re ready to go.

Next be sure and clean you motorcycle thoroughly. Use a good degreasing agent to get rid of all that grime that collected over the past several months. Be sure to remember to get the brakes and suspension systems. Clean out the brake calipers with a brake cleaner and re-lubricate.

Make sure that your bike is completely dry. If you have compressed air available, use it.

Next re-lubricate the motorcycle. Be sure to cover the brakes (calipers and discs) to protect them during this process. Be sure to get all of the joints and pivots points. Regular chain lube is usually good enough for moving parts and surfaces. Finally, the use of a corrosion treatments is recommended (not for brakes).

Use a good wax to coat and polish the surfaces. Again, avoid the brakes.

Get the tires up and off of the ground. If you have a center stand, great. If not, invest in a pair of stands to get the bike up. They will pay for themselves numerous times.

Save yourself the grief of needing a new battery come spring by using a battery tender. Like getting the tires up, this investment will pay for itself over and over again.

Finally, invest in a cover for your motorcycle. Make sure it breathes so condensation won’t occur.

These are just a few ideas to keep your bike in great shape when not being ridden for an extended period. A small amount of time and investment will result in a huge time and money savings later.

Breaking the Habit

We can greatly appreciate the enormous benefit of motorcycle brakes the moment we are faced with our most nerve-racking and supposed-to-be dreadful ride. This is the reason why we have to maintain it well.

We must be certain that it will not keep us hanging whenever we need it. It can turn out to be our last feasible resort – no second chances because what we can be battling in the situation is our loved one’s life or our very life.

Every part of the brakes must be carefully examined so as to prevent troublesome incidents in the future. We also have to consider the brakes’ good wear characteristics, kind – whether OEM or that of an aftermarket motorcycle parts, its price and of course its function and performance.

According to the expert, the best motorcycle brake is that of an OEM. That is true. However, there are aftermarket motorcycle brakes that are equal to the OEM’s quality but of lesser price. When you know you have a better option, why will you settle for less? Why not grab the chance to own the best?

The common motorcycle brake pad design depends upon the disparaging process of dragging the pad against the disc to create the heat or friction in order for the bike to stop. For the braking fluid not to boil or denigrate, heat must be dissipated. Thus, the pad has to have a lot of ‘fill’ material for heat dissipation and the friction portion of the pad chemistry must be very severe. This will reduce the amount of actual friction-producing material. Nonetheless, this may lead to short rotor life, noise, brake “dusting” degradation, and reduced effectiveness of the pad itself.

There are other manufacturers that undertake on a totally different principle in creating bike’s friction. The brake pad material is adequately heated to embed into the brake disk. This material transfer from brake pad to disk continues as long as the pad is in use. Cushioning effect will become apparent as the embedded material gets thicker with use. This effect dampens the tendency for the friction material to seize the rotor. This system is called the carbon brake system.

Bear in mind that an excellent motorcycle brake has a good bite, dissipates heat well, and is durable. These qualities must be your basis in choosing your brakes. This is the neutral ground where we decide what brakes to use.

Best Find Motorcycle Eyewear

Motorcycle apparel is crucial to keep you safe and to minimize risks and injuries. Motorcycle eyewear, for one, is important to keep our eyes from harmful elements like glare, dust and smoke. With motorcycle eyewear, hazardous elements are precluded from freely penetrating our eyes.

Best find motorcycle eyewear have some things in common. First, they have UV protection that protects the eyes from harmful rays of the sun. The most advisable protection is that having a UV 400 filter. Second, they have shatterproof lenses in order for them to be tough and hard to break. Even if the eyewear is hit by hard debris, the same will not be easily damaged.

You are in need of special motorcycle goggles if you are fond of rugged riding. This is to keep pebbles, road dirt and other elements from entering your eyes. In addition, you can use an eyewear with interchangeable lenses so that you can change them to adjust with the varying driving conditions. Good ventilation is also needed to avoid misting of lenses. Polycarbonate material is better than glass. This is because the former is shatterproof.

Another tip from the experienced riders is to choose an eyewear frame made of nylon or plastic and never metal. The reason is comfort and nice fit. Nylon and plastic encourage contoured bend that goes well with the head. Choose also a lightweight eyewear so that they will not be that burdensome.

Motorcycle eyewear must have a snug fit. It must rest on the ears comfortably – not too tight nor loose. Nose piece, on the other hand, must not leave marks on the nose. Otherwise, each ride will be uncomfortable.

To be sure of the motorcycle eyewear’s quality, you can rely on some of the established names in the eyewear industry. They are Chanel Sunglasses, Rayban Sunglasses, Gucci Sunglasses, Discount Sunglasses and more. You can pick in their wide range of sunglasses to get the right fit and protection. However, it will be best if you have physical presence since the best way to ascertain the best fit is to personally try it.

Now, your best find motorcycle eyewear is no longer vague and elusive motorcycle apparel!

Beginners Guide When Looking To Buy a Pocket Bike

When looking to buy a pocket bike (miniature motorcycle) be sure to do your research. You need to find reliable sales professionals, dealers, or Internet connections to make this purchase. There are many ‘knock-offs’ or imitations out there and to purchase them would be a waste of your money and time. The parts for these imitations are not typically found and in the rare event that you can find them they will be extremely costly and are typically not guaranteed.

To assist you in making the best buy, talk to others that have already have a pocket bike such as a trusted friend or co-worker, your local pocket bike league, local dealers, etc. You can use the Internet to assist in you in your research as well. This will allow you a more time efficient method of comparing prices as well as obtaining information for various bikes. You will be able to compare the price of the actual bike as well as any amenities offered, allowing you to see which has the best offer.

Also note that when you buy a pocket bike, the laws vary from state to state and country to country. Speak with your local law enforcement agencies and local pocket bike league so that you understand all local rules, regulations, and laws. You are making an investment and it would be a waste of money as well as your time to lose such an extraordinary machine because you failed to get all the correct information.

Once you have done your research and have decided to make your purchase, make sure of any safety equipment and/or gear you made need. You are making this purchase to have fun and fulfill some dreams, so your safety should be a priority so that you may continue to do so.

And now that you have done everything you need to make your purchase wisely and ensure your laws and safety, go out there and have fun. This is why you why you want to buy your pocket bike to begin with.