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Motorcycle Safety & Motorcycle Subcultures

ecar — Tue, 25 Aug 2009 21:41:40 +0000

One of the issues that concern motorcycle riders and manufacturers alike is the safety of riding it. Since two-wheeled vehicles are less stable than those with three or more wheels, safety becomes a top priority because of this. But there are some ways to keep riders safe when riding motorcycles. Below are some of them.

1. Wearing protective gear : this is one of the most basic ways by which riders can protect themselves while riding their motorcycles. Protective gear includes a crash helmet, motorcycle clothing, gloves and boots. These accessories ensure that the impact of a crash is lessened. Bright colored clothing is also advised so that riders will be easily visible to drivers of other vehicles.

2. Checking the bike before riding : accidents can be prevented by making sure that every component of the motorcycle works well. This is especially the case with the brakes and the lights. So before taking the bike for a ride, they should first be checked.

3. Perform periodic maintenance : to ensure that the bike is in tip-top condition, owners should bring it to a certified mechanic to be inspected. Motorcycles generally need to be maintained more often than cars, so a regular schedule of trips to the mechanic should be made and followed by owners.

4. Riding safely : some motorcycle-riding accidents are caused by incompetent riders. Observing traffic safety rules like using signals should therefore be done. By doing this, not only accidents are prevented but also the hefty fines that come with traffic violations. One of the roots of the motorcycle’s popularity is its ability to cater to a wide variety of consumers. Proof of this is the different subcultures among motorcycle fans and owners. Below are some of them.

Motorcycle Subcultures : One of the roots of the motorcycle’s popularity is its ability to cater to a wide variety of consumers. Proof of this is the different subcultures among motorcycle fans and owners. Below are some of them.

a. One percenters : are several motorcycling groups that are famous for their law-breaking activities. Their name is in reference to the American Motorcyclist Association’s statement that the troublemakers only comprise one percent of the motorcycling population. Some of the notorious groups are the Pagans, Hells Angels, Outlaws MC and the Bandidos. Known as the ‘Big Four’, they are labeled by North American intelligence agencies as Outlaw Motorcycle Gangs.

b. Mods : short for modernists, this is a subculture that originated in London, England. It became popular in the 1950s towards the middle of the 1960s. One thing that is associated with this group is their penchant for riding motor scooters, especially the Vespa and the Lambrette which are both Italian brands.

c. Extreme sports : the thing associated with this group is their love for adventure. The subgroups that fall under this are the motocross riders, drag racers, and the stunt and trick enthusiasts.

d. Groups according to brand : then there are groups that prefer a particular brand of motorcycle. They typically go out on weekends or on special events and hold exhibits of their bikes.

e. Groups by model : this is a more specific group which prefers a particular make of a motorcycle made by a particular brand. There are other biker subcultures all around the globe by the ones mentioned above are by far the most popular.

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Motorcycles History And Gear

ecar — Sun, 16 Aug 2009 21:39:42 +0000

Motorcycles have come a long way from the early designs in the 1800s to the different types available in the market today. This article takes a look at the history of these machines to see how much they have changed throughout the years. The early motorcycles were essentially motorized versions of the safety bike, a bicycle which has wheels of the same size.

Several inventors tried their hands on creating their version of the motorized safety bike but none would be as significant as the one invented by German inventors Gottlieb Daimler and Wilhelm Maybach in 1885. Their bicycle was powered by a petroleum-fed engine. Later designs by other inventors chose to use the internal combustion engine which was a relatively new invention at the time.

But not all early motorcycles were run by fossil-fuel-powered engines. In 1867, an American inventor Sylvester Howard Roper created a steam-driven engine. Another was by a Frenchman, Louis-Guillaume Perreaux created a motorcycle based on the same concept in 1868. By the early 20th century, the race was on for the production of motorcycles. Different companies included motorcycles into their line of products such as Triumph which originally produced bicycles.

Several companies were also created that specialized in motorcycle production such as Harley-Davidson and the Indian Motocycle Manufacturing Company. The use of motorcycles gained even more popularity after WWII when veteran soldiers rode these vehicles to give them the sense of adventure they felt during the war. In the 1950s to the 1960s, a new player came into the market. Japanese motorcycles went in and later on dominated the world of motorcycles. Japanese brands still have a large share in today’s motorcycle production, but American and European brands like Harley-Davidson and Ducati maintain a high degree of loyalty among its users.

Motorcycling Gear and Accessories : Motorcycles are unlike any other type of vehicle because of their design. They typically have two inline wheels which make them inherently unstable. Aside from that, each type of motorcycle aims to tackle a particular need or situation. Because of that, there are several accessories that protect the rider and address the demands of his/her bike. Below is a list of some of them.

1. Crash helmet : this is by far the most important accessory that any motorcyclist should have. Since the bike is unstable, there are more chances of a fatal crash than any other type of vehicle. For example, there are no airbags to cushion the impact, not even a seat belt. A crash helmet is the one which absorbs the impact to the head in case of an accident. Riding without it could have fatal consequences.

2. Gloves : are essential to any rider. For one, they help keep off cold from the hands when driving in colder climates. Also, they are tough enough to protect hands from abrasion in the event of a crash. And there are specialized varieties that are designed to be weatherproof.

3. Boots : more than just adding to a rider’s cool factor, a pair of motorcycling boots protects the feet of the rider in the event of a crash. That is why the boots should be tough enough to protect the feet from abrasion and impact.

4. Clothing : motorcycle clothing of old used to be made of tough leather which does well in protecting the rider from abrasion during a crash. But more and more riders now choose clothing that is made of synthetic materials since they are breathable and addresses some safety issues associated with riding motorcycles.

About the Author

For more on motorcycles, news and accessories visit :
motor cycle news

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Finding Great Deals On Used Motorcycles

ecar — Sat, 15 Aug 2009 21:32:33 +0000

There are many little-known resources for finding pre-owned motorcycles for sale. If you have decided to start your search for the perfect bike, there will be many factors to consider. If you want something very specific, you may be better off hiring a broker to help you track down and acquire that special motorcycle. If you are not as picky or find yourself on a budget, you may find the following list of resources very helpful in finding a suitable bike at a great price.

Police Auctions

Motorcycles, dirt bikes and scooters that have been seized at crime scenes or confiscated for other official reasons usually become government property that is then sold to the public at auction. Most of the time you don’t hear about these auctions because they generally have very little publicity. Many municipalities have information about police auctions on their Web sites. They may post auction dates or even list individual property for sale. If your local government’s Web site doesn’t have this information posted, you can call the Sherriff’s office or highway patrol to inquire about auctions. Make sure to ask about special requirements and other information you may need to purchase a motorcycle at auction.

Ebay

When using Ebay Motors or other popular auction Web sites to search for a used motorcycle, keep in mind that the bikes you come across can be located anywhere in the world. Of course, there are search parameters you can determine to ensure that the results delivered are all within a certain number of miles from your home. You can decide how far you are willing to drive to pick up your motorcycle and search Ebay for bikes within that distance.

If you are into restoring vintage bikes or customizing Harley Davidson motorcycles, you may be willing to pay for shipping costs provided you find a great deal. If this is the case, Ebay and other auction sites are great places to find what you are looking for.

Online Classifieds

Because posting ads on online classifieds sites is free or very cheap, the best deals can generally be found here. One of the benefits of using online classifieds to find your motorcycle is that you can search locally or regionally. Depending on which site you use, you can search the top two or three larger cities that are closest to you. Again, this will depend somewhat on how far you are willing to travel to check, test drive and ultimately pick up your used motorcycle.

Another benefit of online classifieds is that you can post a listing yourself. For little to no money, you can actually place an online classified ad stating exactly what you are looking for in terms of a used motorcycle. Responses will typically come in the way of emails or telephone calls from prospective sellers who may have a used motorcycle that you may be interested in. Consider this “putting out your feelers,” and do it regardless of what other (more aggressive) search methods you employ.

Yard/Garage Sales

Looking for a used motorcycle by visiting yard sales or garage sales in your local area can be fun, but very time consuming. Unless you live in an area where there are very many motorcycles, you may spend a long time looking at yard sales. On the other hand, if you have already placed an online classified ad, are searching Ebay daily, and also happen to visit yard sales in your neighborhood on the weekends, then you’re only helping to increase your chances of finding a truly great deal on the motorcycle of your dreams.

Also keep in mind that by visiting yard sales, you may come across an opportunity to buy a bike that the seller hadn’t yet considered selling. Many people invest in motorcycles on a whim, without truly weighing out all the pros and cons. Having a motorcycle takes a lot of time and money, and many people end up dropping the hobby. If you visit a yard sale and notice a motorcycle parked in the garage, looking like it’s just gathering dust, it doesn’t hurt to ask about it. You may stumble across a great deal!

Used Bike Lots

Used bike lots are a great place to see many used motorcycles in one place. As with cars, you must realize that buying from a dealership will generally be more expensive than buying your motorcycle from a private seller. On the other hand, buying your motorcycle from a bike dealership will give you the opportunity to purchase a warranty.

If there isn’t a used motorcycle dealership near the town or city where you live, you may need to travel a bit to get to one. This might be well worth it if you’d like to choose from a large selection, be able to test drive your new bike, and deal with an established business.

Motorcycle Message Boards

Motorcycle message boards are a great forum for finding information on where to get certain bikes or bike parts. The motorcycle enthusiasts that frequent these message boards can be novices or very knowledgeable, but they share your passion. Posters may have great ideas about where you can find a great deal on a used bike, they may actually know of a motorcycle for sale that is a great deal, or, they may even have a motorcycle for sale that you might be interested in.

Newspaper

Your local newspaper is a great place to search for motorcycles for sale right in your area. The motorcycles advertised in the newspaper classifieds may be listed by dealerships or private sellers. The benefit is that every motorcycle listed here will be close to your geographical location.

Shopping for a Deal

No matter where you decide to start your search for a used motorcycle you will increase your chances of finding what you want if you employ two or three of the methods. Make sure to do your homework by having an idea of what you want and what to look for. Also, make sure that you test drive the motorcycle and feel comfortable with the price and deal.

About the Author

To find the best deals on used motorcycles, motorcycle parts and motorcycle gear, visit CycleLeeg, a popular online used motorcycles for sale website.

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Top 10 Motorcycle Blog

admin — Fri, 10 Jul 2009 22:08:28 +0000

Here is a list of Top 10 motorcycle blogs from blogs.com.

Motorcycle Safety & Motorcycle Subcultures