Tuesday, 18 September 2012

Motorcycle Drivers Never Ride Without These

Mini Tool Set
Let's start simple with a device that even the extremely inept can easily enjoy this tool collection by BikeMaster. This particular unit is one thing that almost any biker must have within his saddle bag at all times, especially if you don't carry a whole set of tool box. Whether you only driven off the road together with your new bike or you have spent the past 3 years fixing a bike that's older than you, who knows when bad things could strike.
This smart tool consists of a cross and standard (straight) head screwdrivers, can opener, 4mm square driver, file and ruler, mini saw, bottle opener, sharp and smooth awls plus a 3" cutting tool. One cool feature of this tool set is the LED flashlight snugly tucked in the whole thing. Unless you know your motorcycle and its motor engine better than the back of your hand, this pocket tool will certainly help find the initial cause on the technical trouble and make things convenient as you fix it all at once and not having the need to take up too much time and effort in the beginning.
Bike Alarm
Needless to say, you would not waste all this cash on awesome gizmos just to let them walk away with a thief (it seems people were certainly not educated concerning stranger-danger in school). Help keep your bike safe with the highest quality alert and lock system like the Electronic Granit Detecto 800 Disc Lock system. Along with a 14mm hardened bolt and 3-D location management, the alarm will make a noisy scandal if it discovers virtually any location changes or anyone tries to get rid of the lock. Bikes don't come cheap and we both know that. Keep your investment guarded with alarm systems.
GPS
Some of us are basically flat out challenged in finding our way in uncharted terrains. Well, there is a good reason why Garmin pretty much has that spot on this business centered both for automobiles and bikes.
Now, together with their new Zumo 665 Motorcycle GPS, definitely there is not a particular detail we could imagine that a driver would want in a Global Positioning System unit. It was designed particularly for motorcyclists, so it is waterproof, glove friendly and will speak detailed instructions right into your headset. And you can create speech reminders, catch XM radio stations in the U.S. and also is FM signal friendly. It's like enjoying a small helper sit on your bike and tell you everything you should know. Apparently, it won't get your dry cleaning chores for you.

Motorcycle Communications

Riding a motorcycle can be one of the most solitary things you can do with a group of friends. You're out there on your Kawasaki Vulcan 1700 Nomad and your buddy is on his Suzuki V-Strom 1000 Adventure, you're riding together, but you're alone in your own mind. If you ride for 100 miles without stopping you are occupied with your own thoughts just as if you were on a desert island all by yourself.
Unless, of course, you have a helmet to helmet communicator set. Then it's a whole other world.
Communicators come in a variety of designs. If all you want to be able to do is talk with your passenger you can get systems that are connected by wires that directly link the two of you. If you want to talk to another rider on another bike you'll need something using radio waves. Then the choices are between frequencies such as those used in citizen's band (CB) radios, which carry over considerable distance, and the newer Bluetooth systems that are more limited in their range.
Another option has to do with the microphone set-up that captures your voice when you talk. Some systems use a boom, which is an arm that reaches around to hold the mic right in front of your mouth. Others dispense with the boom. And then there is the issue of activating the mic. You don't particularly want to be transmitting endless wind noise to your buddy at times when you're not talking.
So let's run through some of the pros and cons.
If all you want to do is talk with your passenger, you can't go wrong with a wired system. They're light and inexpensive, and with no need for radio reception you are free of the interference and bleeding in of other people's cell phone conversations.
But do you want to hassle with the boom? Some systems are better than others, but the boom can be a pain. If it's not located at just the right spot it may not pick up your voice very well. And if it is voice-activated it may be necessary to say something, even "La la la" at first, so your buddy won't miss the first couple words of what you have to say.
This is where the Bluetooth sets shine. You know your passenger is never going to be out of range; they're right behind you on the bike. Plus, many of them use very high-tech systems that cancel out wind and motor noise, and they have a tiny microphone attached directly to the speakers, which are near your ears inside your helmet. Despite being up by your ears, the mics do a terrific job of picking up your voice, with the result that you just talk as if you were standing side by side. They draw very little power so the mic is always on until perhaps you haven't spoken for 10 minutes. That way, there's no "ummmmm" to activate things, and if it does shut down after 10 minutes, voice-activation does bring them back on.
And then, one additional factor is that some Bluetooth systems allow you to connect with your Bluetooth-enabled smart phone and make phone calls as you ride, or connect to your Bluetooth-enabled MP3 player and listen to music.
Bike to bike communication is a different matter. With a CB system you can have an unlimited number of riders all on the same frequency, and you can communicate even when you are several miles apart. With the Bluetooth systems the range is only about one-quarter of a mile. Plus, those systems generally only allow communication between two users at any one time.
But the CB systems, at least those on the market today, generally use the booms. For some people this is not an issue, while others find them very annoying. It's all up to you.


Monday, 17 September 2012

Motorcycle - The Economical Mode of Motorized Transport

Motorcycle is the most economical mode of motorized transport. It normally has two or three wheels. The majority of the motorcycles in the world are found in the developing countries. India and China are the largest users of these bikes. When you consider the global statistics, you will find that for every 1000 people there are 33 motorcycles as against 91 cars per 1000 people. China produces 22 million motorcycles annually. Also, at the moment China has 54 million motorcycles that are in use.
The first motorcycle with an internal combustion engine was manufactured by Gottlieb Daimler and Wilhelm Maybach in 1885. Since their main objective was to test their new engine, they didn't make it a good riding machine. However, they go on record as the manufacturers of the first motorcycle. Afterwards, many manufacturers produced such machines but many of them went their own ways without concentrating on motorcycles.
However, the manufacture of motorcycles got streamlined and after the World War II BSA of England became the largest manufacturer. From then onwards better machines were developed and Japan's Honda, Yamaha, Suzuki and Kawasaki became the leaders. Presently it is the Indian companies that dominate the motorcycle manufacture.
There are different varieties of motorcycles. The three main types are the street cycles, the ones used offroad and the dual purpose motorcycles. There are also subtypes within these three types. Sports bikes, cruisers, mopeds and scooters belong to this category. The off roaders are normally not permitted on roads but they are good for participating in events such as motor crosses. Dual purpose ones are designed for both on and offroad use.
When it comes to safety, motorcycles score poorly. Figures in the US explain this amply. In 2005 for 100,000 cars 18.62 fatal accidents have taken place. For the same number of motorcycles the rate was 75.19 more than 4 times the fatality rate for cars. When it comes to vehicle miles, for 100 million there were 1.56 of fatalities with passenger cars but the same for motor cycles was 43.47. It was 28 times more.
Fuel economy of motorcycles varies according to the engine capacity, weight and the size of the motorcycles. A powerful one may do only around 29 miles per gallon. However, one designed to be light in weight and to get better fuel economy may run 129 miles per gallon. There are also some new models that are able to provide still better fuel economy.

Wednesday, 12 September 2012

Motorcycle Product Reviews: Stuff for Your Long Drive

Bike Mitts
I'm definitely not an enthusiast of fancy, high-tech bike gloves. In fact, in the past decade, my favorite gloves are actually a set of utilitarian, multi-use Olympia bike gloves which feature an adjustable high glove, along with strengthened knuckle and palm guards. And that's about it! Basically, they're basic motorbike gloves.
However, my journey with those rugged Olympia leather gloves ultimately came to an end as soon as a couple of fingertips finally wore through. Immediately, my first thought was to change these for Olympia's best and newest release, the 410 Gel Sport, that's basically a refined type of what I had been wearing since 1999. Similar characteristics include the long glove with hassle-free hook-and-loop adjustment and strengthened (dual-wrapping leather) in crucial spots.
But the latest gloves are improved, and have silicon gel padding in the palms section of the gloves for improved comfort, plus a unique side cut in the glove for better fit over jacket sleeves. Or else, the newer Olympia resembles to what I've been using, so there aren't any bulging composite guards on the knuckles, or articulated finger pads to encumber the cruise. Even though Olympia provides a similar glove with padding (4350 All Season I), there is no lining within the 410 to further distance my grip from feeling the hand controls. To put it briefly, the 410 Gel Sport safety gloves would be the ideal alternative to the worn out and tattered safety gloves that was with me for lots of memorable miles.
Motorbike Carrying Pack
Flexibility is a useful asset for motorbike gear luggage. A carrier ought to haul enough cargo, be simple and effortless to get access to, and fit a selection of motorbikes. The Overnight bag from Harley-Davidson is undoubtedly a tote, the one that is attached to a passenger bar or, due to its 16-1/2"x 12"x 11" sizing, stows along with or inside a Tour-Pak.
The bag itself is manufactured from processed 1,680-denier ballistic nylon that retains its form and has a UV-resistant coating to help its black color resist the sun's rays. Refractive 3M Scotchlite lining improves night time visibility by other vehicles, and an integrated 190-denier, rip-stop nylon rain cover up that tucks into one of the two-zipper sided pockets helps keep your gear dry throughout foul weather biking. Curved zipper grips are really easy to utilize even with gloves, and a short nylon net inside the primary section's cavernous mouth helps prevent objects from dropping out when searching your gear.
The Overnight carrier includes a Spandex mounting system that slides over the motorcycle's passenger bar, plus a number of plastic-type D-rings (two on each corner) for affixing bungee cords, additionally two abbreviated, web-nylon bands permit you easily to set up the bag firmly to the motorbike. I always found it better to use added bungee cords to prevent load shift. A big grip makes it easy to carry your bag from motorcycle to hotel room. A removable shoulder band is also supplied.

Motorcycle Theft and Fraud - Be Aware!

49,791 Motorcycles were stolen during 2010 according to reports by the National Insurance Crime Bureau. The popularity of motorcycles has been on the rise in recent years and it's caught the attention of thieves. A gang of 3 or 4 people can make off with a motorcycle in a matter of minutes, and the bikes can be stripped down for parts in a very short period of time after that. For these reasons it's more important than ever to take precautions to protect your bike.
You are at especially high risk if you live in a state with year round riding weather. California, Florida, and Texas are all in the top 5 states with the most thefts. Interestingly enough, Honda is the top make to be stolen with the other Japanese powerhouses (Suzuki, Yamaha, & Kawasaki) not far behind. This is most likely because they sell a large number of sport bikes which can be resold more easily than a custom Harley Davidson for example. The more customized a motorcycle is, the higher risk factor for the thief. The lesson here is to customize your bike, make it less appealing for criminals while making it more appealing to you and other riders.
You've invested thousands of dollars into your motorcycle, don't let some bad guy take it from you. The recovery rate for motorcycles is quite low, so if your bike is stolen don't hold your breath for its return. What you should do instead is act preemptively. There are some things you can do without spending a dime to make your bike less appealing to thieves. Try to park in view of a security camera, and never park behind a big truck or other object that can hide your bike. You want it right out in plain sight. You can also spend a little bit of money and install a security system on your bike. If the bike is moved while the alarm is activated it will often times scare away a would be thief. Another piece of technological magic is the GPS locator. You can buy one of these little sweethearts and mount it to your bike. This works two-fold, it alerts you if your bike is moved without your consent, and it will also provide information to authorities to increase your chances of getting the motorcycle recovered.
I'd also like to touch on another problem caused by the criminal world, motorcycle fraud. Essentially people are selling bikes that are not authentic at a high price. For example, somebody might build a custom cruiser from cheap aftermarket parts and try to sell it as an authentic Harley Davidson. They could have a couple thousand into it and sell it for $15,000 and the buyer would be out all that money for a cheap knock off. Always ask to see the title when buying a motorcycle. Take a good look at the bike, often times you can tell the difference between authentic parts and chinese knock offs. Mostly just be aware, especially of deals that seem too good to be true!

Tuesday, 11 September 2012

Motorcycle Talks: Use a Bike and Help Nature

The phrase "carbon footprint" has found its way into our everyday existence, however only few understand what it means. (Almost all comprehend it as something linked to the planet, hybrid cars, and Al Gore.) Primarily, carbon footprint is the level of harm you do to nature with any choice you make. The theory is that, in the event you recycle and don't drive, your carbon footprint is decidedly smaller than someone who drives a couple of hours to work, does not recycle, and has an unlicensed battery dump in his yard.
With your 2 feet, you have two carbon footprints: a primary and (likely larger) secondary. The primary footprint is considered the actual pollutants belonging to the car engine and anything else you use that uses up fossil fuels.
Secondary footprint is much bigger because it encompasses all that you do.
Do you find yourself sporting an imported leather jacket? That jacket used to be a section of an animal in another country. That animal's feed was produced somewhere and trucked to it. In addition, the natural leather curing method can produce a few nasty by-products. The coat got to America by some means and therefore transport operation produced emissions. And why don't you consider the retailer where you bought it, which have to use electrical energy to keep the lights on?
If tested along each other, a motorbike will give off more of some exhaust gasses compared to a car of the same year. However, in regards to C02 emissions, a motorbike generates a small part of exactly what a vehicle does. This will be relevant since C02 emission levels are typically what drives the climate change legal guidelines. The truth that a motorcycle emits much more of other exhaust is to be expected. As machines and vehicles get more compact, it becomes more challenging to use a catalytic converter to find all the exhaust pollutants a vehicle can.
Aside from the principal footprint of crucial CO2 pollutants, there are many things that make motorcycles a lot more nature friendly than cars and trucks. Whenever we think about the common bike's secondary footprint, we discover a compact battery pack, longer life span, less elements used to construct it, much less oil needed, only two small tires, and, naturally, a lot less gasoline to operate. It's also important to keep in mind how motorcycles minimize blockage and don't bring about gridlock. Include those aspects up and bikes are far better for the environment when compared with any car or truck.
After you look at the big picture, it will become crystal clear just how advantageous motorbikes are for our world. The fact is, if you would like reduce your carbon footprint, drive a motorbike.

Tuesday, 4 September 2012

Probing Further on E15 Gas

The United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has already authorized a whole new gasoline formula referred to as E15 formulated with as much as 15 % alcohol by volume. Rarely heard about it? You'll probably hear quite a lot about it this season.
Ethanol based E15 gasoline could become an essential problem for the biking community in 2012. E15 will likely emerge at a gas stop in your area, which means you ought to be mindful in fact, extra careful in the event you put it inside your motorcycle's gas tank.
2 years ago, the Environmental Protection Agency approved this new type of fuel to be used in model year 2007 and more recent light-duty vehicles, which includes automobiles, light-duty trucks, and medium passenger autos. Last year January, the EPA included model year 2001 - 2006 light-duty vehicles on the permitted list. Versatile fuel autos, which are those specially designed to function on gas or any blend of up to 85 % ethanol, are authorized to use E85 (85 percent ethanol and 15 % gasoline), so they could also use E15. Having said that, what is important to us as motorbike riders are the vehicles and engines unapproved for ethanol mixed gas, which presently involves all bikes. Furthermore on the disallowed list are autos with heavy engines, like buses and trucks; off-road vehicles, such as ATVs, motorboats, and snowmobiles; small motor engine, which includes lawnmowers and chain saws; and all cars older than 2001.
However, this mix of gasoline can burn hotter than gasoline which contains a reduced volume of ethanol. In engines not manufactured to dissipate that additional heat, problems in the form of quick deterioration could very well be the outcome. Although this is a concern for all motorcycle drivers, it's particularly problematic for air-cooled engines. If you think about all things in your garage area, shed, and basement that runs on gasoline, you will most likely find you have more E15 non-approved vehicles and engines than approved ones. To check whether a motor should avoid using E15, evaluate the owner's manual for whatever you own that operates on fuel. Whenever you look into the gasoline requirements it's very likely that you'll find a reminder printed on it implying you must use only petrol with no more than 10 percent ethanol by volume level or you'll void the warranty.
Follow this dilemma and turn into a well informed consumer. A person with a monetary desire for ethanol is going to be quick to suggest we've got absolutely nothing to be worried about. Do not take his word for it; look into the details and determine for your own benefit.
Ultimately, getting in contact with your government elected officials to talk about your individual experiences with ethanol in fuel is an effective approach to affect their standing on the concern.
So what is the final outcome on E15 for motorcycle drivers? At the moment, you can not utilize it in your motorbike without having risking problems with your motor engine. Even if E15 is at some point sanctioned for use in newer motorcycles, pay attention to your maker's guidelines so you do not void your bikes warranty.