Archive for the 'Bikes + Bikers' Category

Keep Fit Transport: the Humble Push Bike

Biking is a superb method to increase your cardiovascular capacity, save money, while helping in keeping the air clean at the same time. Bicycling also does not impact your muscles that jogging and using gym equipment can. It’s also pragmatic because one is able to keep fit by travelling to work, or doing the shopping, so it’s not like you’re having to make time for exercise as virtually all other kinds of work out impose on your schedule.

However, there are numerous various sorts of bicycle - what one is right for you? One that’s comfortable for you as you’re biking, and has plenty of gears so you can ride up slopes with general ease - after all, not everybody lives in Cambridge! One ought to also be able to lift your cycle with comparative ease as you’ll find yourself needing to do so occasionally, e.g up a few stairs.

Further more, ensure you buy decent add-ons for your cycle : a bicycle pump, front and back light, bike mudguards, reflector lights, reflective jacket, helmet and strong lock. Such cycle accessories aid you in staying safe at nighttime, and your bike secure from thieves. Ensure you lockup the bike in a moderately public location.

And finally, it’s a smart idea to invest some time into studying how to fix your cycle. You don’t need to be a cycle repair guru, but it’s handy if you can work out how to adjust the brake cables and brake pads as these frequently demand calibrating following use. Also make sure you keep the cycle well oiled and the tyres pumped up to a reasonable pressure to make it that much easier to actually bike. And of course, be sensible on the roads - use your arms to indicate while turning, and keep to the left-handside at all times.

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Scooters and Sourcing them Online

You should also be aware that scooter specialists and other people who may often work with or have some involvement with scooters can easily be discovered via the regional telephone books, there will be no shortage of individuals who are in some way linked with the subject of scooters and they can save you a sizable amount of your valuable time by helping you with your scooter related queries.

For people getting merchandise such as extreme scooters or gas powered mini bikes, it is best advised to speak to a variety of motorcycling experts before you embark on your search, you might very well be searching for a special item like a scooter tire or a tyc euro tail light but because of a lack of details take the wrong racing scooter.

This scooter research tip is extremely useful, instead of just searching for a search term such as “scooters “, you should definitely use of a longer search engine phrase like”scooter part supplier” or “gas scooter repairs”, by searching this way your results will be highly focused to your individual scooter requirements.

The topic of scooters might be particularly bewildering however the primary concern is to make an effort to stick with the product you initially wanted to purchase, don’t set about looking for bladez scooters but end up buying cushman motor scooters, this could easily happen if you lose track.

If it turns out you are buying an product like a victory scooter it does not always mean buying a scooter from a scooter or motorcycling focused internet store, pretend for a moment you are residing in Vermont for instance, a scooter internet directory should be able to give the contact information of closely situated scooter merchants who will hopefully be able to help you to find the scooter you require.

Quite a bit of scooter expertise with the aid of the internet can be acquired in the United States, Canada and a whole host of nations, motorcycling directories should supply anyone with the details of nationally located scooter suppliers so purchasing scooters from your global region is faster and more convenient than in times gone by.

A wide range of scooter related searches might possibly have led you to a scooter or motorcycling targeted directory, queries like “deals on italian vespas” or “reviews on 50cc scooter parts”, the real trick with any motorcycling portal is to navigate directly to the site menu, if you take this advice you should hopefully not be side tracked by scooter articles which are about an area of scooters that is not applicable .

Now if you should seek data on diamo scooters it may possibly be better to use the information in a scooter website in order to initiate contact with a scooter specialist, by doing this you will doubtless get access to a fair amount of scooter help for free.

A whole host of scooter related searches could possibly have led you to a scooter or motorcycling associated portal, searches such as “find itailian vespas” or “guides on altezza taillights”, the real trick with any motorcycling portal is to go immediately to the site menu, if you do this you should not be side tracked due to scooter guides that are not connected to the motorcycling product you need.

Free Scooter Tricks tips by Gustav Cronell the author can be located at : www.atozscooters.com

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To Scooter or Not to Scooter

Scooters are an increasingly popular way to zip around town to do errands, make parking a snap, and cut down on fuel costs.

· Want to make a fashion statement ride a scooter, even large companies are using TV ads showing a pretty girl ridding a pink scooter wearing a pink helmet with scarf blowing in the wind to peddle their wares with scooter appeal.

· Forever being popular in cites in Europe, Asia, and Latin America they are smaller and easier to use than their motorcycle cousins, and have long been popular in cities in Europe, Asia, and Latin America.

· But lately, the economics of scootering has helped them gain fans here in the U.S. With a final bill that won’t exceed most credit-card limits, a scooter makes a great substitute for a spare vehicle for errands. That’s why sales are soaring in urban hot spots such as Miami and New York as well as in the suburbs. These cities are setting the pace along with Seattle with huge parking problems and its urban generation adding to a real scooter fad.

· With a basic operation of twist and go plus brakes like a bicycle first time time find the ease of ridding a scooter delightful. Unlike a lot of motorcycles of today scooters have a step through design that allows you to sit upright for all to see.

· Many scooters have built-in storage space under the seat. They also have rear racks, bag hooks and options for more carrying capacity.

· Storage capacity is just one important consideration when deciding on the proper scooter, and there are many models and options on the market.

Mishael Milstead owner of http://scootertronics.com has seen the scooter market grew even bigger within the last few months with ths soaring gas prices with scooters ever increasing in more cities plus the outer communities with the rise of 150cc scooters that can keep up with the speeds of more traffic.

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Is Somebody Stealing Your Motorcycle!

“You can never be too paranoid”. That sums it up when talking about someone wanting to relieve you of your hard earned Harley Davidson motorcycle.

Bike thieves have nothing but time and imagination when it comes to stealing bikes. It is up to you to know how bikes are stolen and what you can do to prevent it.

Most bike thefts occur after hours under the cover of darkness. The vast majority of bikes are simply rolled away out of sight into a waiting truck. A locked up front forks and a lock on the front wheel can help to prevent this type of theft.

In the past, some thieves have used devices like skateboards under the front wheel in order to move the bike where they want. In reality, four strong men can pick up a bike up off the ground and toss it into the back of a pickup in mere seconds.

High quality chain or cable can be used to anchor your bike to a power pole or even to other bikes. This method can be effective to the thief who wants a clean and quick getaway. It takes a bit more time to use a bolt cutter or chain cutter can to slice through these devices.

An audible alarm can signal you and others nearby when your bike becomes disturbed. This type of device can be very effective. Some of these alarms will even call your pager or telephone when your bike has moved. These devices are generally more effective to prevent night thefts.

The bottom line is if somebody wants to steal your Harley Davidson motorcycle, somehow or someway it will likely happen no matter what prevention measures you take. No one special has designed these theft prevention devices. Professional thieves always have a way of getting around them.

The idea behind all these security gadgets is only to deter the would be criminals and send them to down the street looking for easier prey.

All or a few of these security devices I talked about used in combination can be very effective in preventing motorcycle theft!

I guess if all else fails, you can always bring your bike with you in your bedroom at night.

Keith Nivon is an avid Harley Davidson Motorcycle Enthusiast! His website contains information on all things Harley Davidson. http://www.everything-harley-davidson.com is a great resource for anyone who shares a passion for Harley Davidson Motorcycles. Have a look at http://www.everything-harley-davidson.com for more information.

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To the Catskills & Back on a 2004 Victory Kingpin

How easy is it to ride 400 miles in 7 hours? Piece of cake on my Victory Kingpin. Heading out from the Maryland Base camp, I was greeted with 90 plus degree temperatures. It was Mississippi hot and humid too. I decided to remove the lower wind deflectors and my soft leather lowers I had on my highway bars. Now I would get some direct air flow. Albeit it felt like I was in a dryer. I contemplated removing the main windscreen, but decided that for such a long ride, I would benefit by keeping it in place.

First things first, I checked the tire pressure, checked my oil. The Victory Kingpin is oil cooled so no worries about overheating. The thing that I was most worried about overheating was my butt. I still had the stock Victory seat on the bike and was concerned that on such a long ride, this would prove to become unbearable. This fear is based upon my Kawasaki motorcycle purchases. It seems Kawasaki puts on the most uncomfortable torture inducing seats known to man. Maybe these bikes are designed for the smaller Japanese riders. But us manly Americans want comfort and do not appreciate a seat that slams our jewels into the fuel tank every time we hit a bump.

Well, I digress. Let’s put this fear to rest since the stock Victory Kingpin seat proved to be one of the most comfortable seats I have ever had on a motorcycle. Note, that the stock Victory Vegas seat is notoriously uncomfortable. Not sure why since the Kingpin and Vegas are pretty much identical motorcycles. With the bike passing its checklist, I was ready to prepare myself and head off.

I started out slow, topped off the fuel tank, and set my trip meter. On the Victory Kingpin there is no fuel gauge. So I tend to know it is time to refuel when I put approximately 160 miles on a full tank of gas. I stuck mainly to two-lane roads. Heading up old route 97 through Howard County, Maryland. Riding into Westminster and on up into Pennsylvania. Passing through what is left of the rapidly disappearing farm land, through some small towns in Pennsylvania. I decided to take breaks every hour. This coincided perfectly with my arrival into Gettysburg, PA — Excellent place to pull of and rest. There is even a Harley shop to checkout. Mind you, there are not many bikes on display. It seems the new Harley Davidson dealership business model is to sell clothing and Harley hats for your dog. You go Harley. Why you are selling Harley Doggles, Victory will out perform and outsell you.

After my break and back on the road, the Kingpin is performing flawlessly and I feel really comfortable on the bike. As I pass through the dreaded Harrisburg, Pennsylvania I hold my breath. The Harrisburg area has some of the most congested and dangerous roads in the nation. They totally suck and I hate that I chose this way to get up top the Catskills. Nevertheless, I survive the bypass. I take a much-needed rest at a roadside stop in Linglestown, Pennsylvania. The birthplace of one of the greatest Americans ever born, James E. Noss.

No the fun part of the journey begins, I start to enter the mountain region of Pennsylvania on Rt. 81 headed up to Honesdale. I jump onto some two-lane roads and enjoy the sunny day and scenery. The bike is running flawlessly. It truly is all about the journey.

As I approach the Poconos, I enjoy the smell of the mountain pines as I pass the ski areas. I pull into a pit stop right off the turnpike exit. Lots of travelers complimenting me on the Victory Kingpin. What do you say in these circumstances? I bought it, I wish I would have thought of designing and making it, but I simply spent my twenty thousand and took her home. But I graciously accept the compliment.

Now back on the road I remember a Victory shop I want to visit that is on my route to the Catskills. It is Baer Victory in Honesdale. A beautiful little town with loads of Power sports stores. I stop into Baer, say hello and buy me a T-shirt to commemorate my visit. I am only 1 hour away from my destination in the beautiful mountains of the Catskills. The remaining 60 plus miles were the most beautiful. Hardly any traffic, beautiful scenery, and a great motorcycle.

My next to last pit stop is in Hancock, New York. A sleepy little town that time forgot. I have another 30 minutes to go. Heading up to East Branch and onto route 30 towards Downsville, New York. I cannot say this enough, these roads and the scenery are by far the best I had ever seen. It was a little disappointing to know that I was nearing the end of my journey. But the cabin and the 4-wheelers need to be ridden as well.

The Kingpin did great, no problems and it was a very comfortable ride. I was not sure or numb. I had to ride back in a few days and was looking forward to the return trip. Bottom line, the Victory Kingpin is a very good motorcycle – reliable, comfortable, and just plain fun.

Contributing author to Cycle Solutions:
http://www.cyclesolutions.net

And Kingpin Cruisers:
http://www.kingpincruisers.net

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Wear the Perfect-fit Helmet

Motorcycle accessories like helmet, are a matter of personal choice. In that case, aesthetic side often succeeds over anything else. At any rate, this has contributed why safety is overlooked.

To shun misconceptions in choosing motorcycle helmets, here are some of the factors that you have to consider:

Shape

This is the most important factor that you have to understand before purchasing a helmet. Riders come in varying head shapes. These shapes include round, oval, egg, reverse egg and earth. Helmets are also particularly made to cater to these varying head shapes. Thus, the choice is given to the purchasers. They must select the most appropriate helmet shape that will greatly support their head.

Visibility

Be sure that your helmet gives you appropriate peripheral vision. This is simply to avoid accidents and other untoward incidents.

Liners

Liners vary depending on the design, material and shape of the helmet. Liners must give comfort and protection to the rider. Thus, it must be compatible with the rider’s needs.

Liners that give pressure points must be avoided. Pressure points are usually located against the temples, forehead and cheeks. Helmet liner ‘skull cap’ is preferable. Moreover, it is better if you personally try the helmet before purchasing it. This is to ensure that it will not be burdensome in the future.

Color

Color is important in the sense that it affects conspicuity. Bright colors are preferable over solid and dull ones. The purpose is to make the rider visible even during nighttime. This is to avoid collisions and the like.

Before you purchase a helmet, make sure that you are knowledgeable of all the factors involve. You do not purchase simply because it is hot or at the moment hype.

Also, before purchasing, wear it first for an extended period to be sure of the fit and feel. Wear ear plugs to be acquainted with the surrounding sounds.

Some of the leading motorcycle helmet manufacturers are Arai, Bell, Icon, AGV, Nolan, Thor, Erex. The helmets they are releasing are mostly tested and approved by Snell and DOT. Choosing is using your mind and your senses…

Please visit Street Motorcycle Accesories site at www.streetmotorcycleaccessories.com/ for comments and inquiries regarding this article.

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A Guide to Buying Used Bikes in Cape Town

Buying a used bike can be a real challenge. You’ve looked around, your phone bills are through the roof and last thing you need is a new ball and chain. So here are a few pointers…

Buying second hand motorcycles from a dealer can be a safer option. Contrary to popular belief, dealers offer a range of benefits you’re not likely to receive from a private seller including:

· A 30 day warrantee on the clutch and gearbox
· You receive the maximum protection of the law
· Obtaining credit is easier
· The bike usually comes fully serviced

Buying Privately

While buying privately can save time and money, it carries more risk.
A number of people have actually purchased used bikes in Cape Town that were stolen. In some cases the vehicle has belonged to a finance company, as it was used as security for a lone. A few more pitfalls include:

· The bike may not have been serviced and does not normally come with a warranty.
· Remember that the buyer also has fewer rights
· Unscrupulous dealers often pose as private sellers when wanting to rid themselves of a no-seller.

When buying second hand motorcycles…

Check the mechanical safety of the vehicle; there should never be any compromise on this point. Also, keep in mind that anyone who buys a stolen vehicle in South Africa has no rights.

Check the identification numbers. These are the number plate or vehicle registration number, the vehicle identification number (VIN) and last but not least the engine number.

Grey Imports

Many of the used bikes in Cape Town are grey imports, sounds bad but that just means they were not imported by registered dealer. Most of the time the bikes are fine. However, the clock readings on many of these are not accurate.

The best bet would be to consider the condition of the bike over what the clock reads. Here you will need the help of someone who knows the mechanics of motorcycles.

Take it to the AA

If unsure about the bike, but sure it’s a great deal you’d not like to miss. Take it to the AA for a check up. It’s worth the few hundred Rands you’ll spend.

BikeFinder presents users with photos of used bikes in Cape Town. Motorcycle dealers and their showrooms can be accessed via the BikeFinder website.

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A Beginners Guide to 110cc Bikes

A 110cc bike is a powerful mini sport bike for more
experienced riders who want a faster mini bike for
competition or personal satisfaction. Mini sport bikes are
all the rage and there are many varieties from very small
to medium size and most can reach speeds in excess of
30mph. A 110cc bike is a great bike for racing and all
types of competition for riders with a higher level of
experience. You can find great deals on mini sport bikes of
all sizes and styles. You could save potentially hundreds
of dollars on a 110cc bike and sport mini bikes of all
sizes from many wholesalers and retailers who are offering
great deals and fast shipping.

110cc bikes are equipped with powerful engines, automatic
transmissions, and disc brakes that provide safety and
precision handling. Younger riders are not encouraged to
ride a 110cc bikes, but a seasoned mini bike rider will
love the power and speed that a 110cc mini bike provides.
Sport mini bikes have become incredibly popular and it is
often difficult to find a large selection and low prices.
Mini bike dealers are currently offering great deals on
110cc bikes that could save you hundreds of dollars.

Sport mini bikes are a great way to have fun, compete, and
live life to the fullest. Adventure seekers everywhere love
the thrill that comes along with riding a 110cc bike with a
powerful engine that is built for speed. Check into the
great deals and prices that are being offered now on all
types of sport mini bikes, including the ultimate 110cc
bikes.

You can now buy Pocket Bikes online. To view our complete and comprehensive selection of Pocket Bikes, visit http://buy-pocket-bikes.partnersinsuccess.net/

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Popular Dirt Bikes

The most popular Dirt Bikes are those manufactured by Honda, Kawasaki, Suzuki, Yamaha, and KTM. Some of these products can be very expensive since their demand is very high with professionals and amateurs alike.

When Kawasaki started mass-production of perimeter frame Dirt Bikes in 1990, the two-stroke, single-cylinder 249cc engine KAWASAKI KX250, along with KX125 became the first ones to be manufactured. A new KX250 can cost you around 6,000 dollars while you can get a used KAWASAKI KX250 for 1500 to 3000 dollars. A KX125 costs slightly lower.

The 449cc, liquid-cooled, single-cylinder, four-stroke Honda CRF450R is rated highly by owners due to its versatility, speed and power. This motorcycle costs around 6,000 to 7,000 dollars. However, not all Honda Dirt Bikes are as expensive. The HONDA CR 250 Motocross Dirt Bike, for example, costs only around 2000 to 4000 dollars.

Suzuki has been manufacturing a series of Dirt Bikes called DR-Z and a recent addition to this family is the Suzuki DR-Z125, available in two versions - DR-Z125 and DR-Z125L. These 124cc, 4-stroke, single-cylinder models feature the traditional, five-speed transmission and the 2004 models cost 3,000 dollars.

The Yamaha YZ series is the most popular Yamaha Dirt Bike model. The 2006 models will cost you around 3,000 to 7,000 dollars or more than that. Of these, the 85cc, liquid-cooled, reed valve-inducted, 2-stroke YZ85 is the cheapest (3,099 dollars) while the 4-stroke, DOHC, 5-valve titanium, liquid-cooled engine YZ450F costs around 6,500 to 8,000 dollars.

The most popular KTM Dirt Bike, the KTM 200 EXC, has power band of the 200cc engine but weighs similar to a typical 125cc Dirt Bike. The KTM 200 EXC costs around 6,000 dollars. KTM also has a similarly popular family of Dirk Bikes the KTM SX series. There’s not much difference in price between the EXC and the SX series and they continue to some of the most popular off-road vehicles.

Dirt Bikes provides detailed information about dirt bikes, dirt bike parts and more. Dirt Bikes is affiliated with Maui Snorkeling.

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Pressure on Pedals’ Tires - You’re More than Spinning Fast!

Experienced bicycle riders know that fatigue comes from how hard you press on the pedals, not how fast you turn them. Novice racers may try to ride with maximum force on the pedals, but they quickly exhaust themselves and often can’t even finish the race.

Cycling is a power sport. The number of times you spin your bicycle pedals in a minute is called your cadence, and your power is the product of the force that your feet apply to the pedals time your cadence. A study from Ithaca College in New York shows that a very high cadence does not help in shorter races (International Journal of Sports Medicine, Volume 26, 2006). Competitive cyclists were asked to ride a 5-mile time trial at their usual fast cadence. For most racers, this is more than 90 rotations per minute. They then rode a second 5-mile time trial at a 10 percent lower cadence and a third trial with a 10 percent increase. The riders raced far faster at the 10 percent reduced cadence.

A study from Toledo, Spain also shows that spinning the pedals too fast slows you down (Medicine and Science in Sports and Exercise, May 2006). Most bicycle riders do best when they chose gears that allow them to pedal at a cadence of 80 to 90. You want to pedal as fast as you can with the greatest force you can maintain on your pedals, but if you spin too fast, your brain cannot coordinate your muscles so you lose efficiency. Try to choose a gear ratio that allows you to spin as fast as you can and still feel some pressure on your pedals. If you have to push on your pedals so hard that your body moves from side to side, you need to reduce the gear ratio and pedal faster. If you are spinning faster than 100 times a minute, you are probably losing coordination. Bicycle computers that show your cadence are available in bike shops and online bicycle catalogs.

When you are going out on a long ride, try to keep a comfortable fast cadence. However, if you are going to sprint or race for less than 30 minutes, you will ride faster by putting more pressure than usual on you pedals, which will slow your cadence by about 10 percent. You can also use this technique to pick up the pace when you want to catch up with another rider.

Gabe Mirkin, M.D. - EzineArticles Expert Author

Dr. Gabe Mirkin has been a radio talk show host for 25 years and practicing physician for more than 40 years; he is board certified in four specialties, including sports medicine. Read or listen to hundreds of his fitness and health reports at http://www.DrMirkin.com

Subscribe to my FREE weekly newsletter on fitness, health, and nutrition at http://www.drmirkin.com/email/newssign.asp

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