Friday, August 18, 2006

Tires for Street Motorcycles

Buying tires for street motorcycles is only the beginning of the process of owning a pair of tires. It should always be remembered to buy good tires for street motorcycles, and to keep them properly inflated. This is because, however well constructed a tire may be, it may fail in its use as a result of punctures, improper inflation or overloading. New tires should never be subjected to maximum power or hard cornering, as this lessens the life of the tire.

When buying tires for street motorcycles, never mix radials with non-radials. Nor should a tube be fitted in a radial motorcycle tire, nor a radial tire be fitted on a rim requiring a tube. To maintain tire safety and mileage, always maintain the motorcycle’s recommended air pressure in both tires. Riding on tires with too little air pressure is dangerous, builds excessive heat and also increases fuel consumption. Similarly, riding on tires with too much air is dangerous, as the tires may break or puncture on sudden impact. Overloading a street motorcycle causes excessive heat to the tires, which may inflict serious personal injury.

All street motorcycle tires have the tire size specified by the manufacturer. The letters S, H, V and Z found after the size marking on tires are the speed ratings. It is very important to correctly match front and rear tires, as riding motorcycles with improper mix of radial construction tires is dangerous. Even fitting a new front tire with a worn rear tire may cause instability. All tire manufacturers recommend their tires not be used in excess of legal speed limits. This is because riding at high speed is dangerous, and can cause motorcycle accidents. Some tires for street motorcycles have letters bearing ‘speed rating’ designations that indicate the tires’ design speed capability. This is to allow comparison of the different speed capabilities of tires, to replace speed-rated tires with another tire of the same speed rating.

Gerbing Heated Motorcycle Gloves

Who says riding your motorcycle has to be limited to warm weather? You can have a lot of fun riding your motorcycle in the rain at a mere 40 degrees. And all you need it some Gerbing heated motorcycle gloves and heated clothing

If you've ever taken a ride on a chilly rainy day you know it doesn't take long before you've lost most of your body heat and you're wet and freezing and just plain miserable. But with heated clothing it doesn't have to be like that.

Back in 1975 Gerbing was busy creating aircraft parts for the military. Many of their workers rode motorcycles to work in the cold so Gerbing decided he would design gear that would keep them warm by running a flexible heating wire through the clothes. And so Gerbing heated clothes came to be.

Today they have a full line of jackets, pants, vests, and gloves. And recently they've even added socks to the list. These heated garments are used by motorcycle riders, snowmobilers, hunters, and trades people working out in the cold.

If you love to ride all year round you aren't alone! Many die hard riders love to use their motorcycles all year round and with the ever increasing price of fuel it makes good sense.

Trouble is riding while you are cold increases your risk of an accident. Don't believe me just have a look at the stats. Your extremities get cold, your reflexes decrease, and so does your alertness. But just some heated clothing and you'll be snug as a bug and riding safer during those colder months. And keeping your hands warm is the perfect place to start. Definitely worth the investment!

So are you wondering where to get Gerbing heated motorcycle gloves? You can purchase direct by phone, mail, or online or you can purchase from one of the many sites that offers such products.

Of course there are other great sites where you can find heated gear and there are other manufacturers as well. Be sure to check all of them out.

And they are very easy to hook up and start using. Whether you are buying jackets, gloves, socks, or pants you will only need one battery that's no more than 150 watts. Attach a fuse connector wire to two points on the battery then make your connection to the clothing. Just follow the instructions provided. It takes about five minutes to get all hooked up and operating. That's not too bad at all.

Although you can hook directly from the battery to the clothing this method is very difficult to regulate the temperature so adding a thermostat is a great option. It allows you to regulate the temperature and keep you comfortable whether you are sitting at a light or whipping down the road.

If you generally pull your bike off the road when the weather turns colder, with the fuel prices continuing to climb perhaps this is the year to think about keeping it on the road. Heck start with a pair of heated motorcycle gloves and see where that leads. Soon you will be heated from head to toe and loving your longer cruising time.

Monday, August 14, 2006

Motorcycle Accident Statistics

Motorcycle accident statistics are gathered and calculated after much intensive and detailed study on motorcycle accidents. They are immensely important for all, authorities as well as motorcyclists, and serve many functions. The data gathered by studying the statistics offered helps in effectively combating accidents, or at least in taking steps to try to combat them.

Studies indicate that motorcycle accident rate is on the rise in our country. Brain damages, soft tissue damage, joint, bones, and shoulder breakage are often caused by motorcycle accidents.

Some studies conducted by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration and Hurt Study findings, along with statistics provided by the Motorcycle Industry Council, have shed much light on the rate and causes of motorcycle accidents in our country.

A report by the National Highway Traffic Administration states that between 1975 and 1999, motorcycle accidents claimed the lives of 38,000 motorcyclists. The Fatality Analysis Reporting System has analyzed possible reasons for the increasing accidents. Some causal factors include the following: rural roads, high percentage of alcohol content in blood, night driving (which accounts for 60% of fatalities), vision problems, and undivided roadways, among. Weather does not account for most accident cases.

Head injuries top the list for causing deaths. Lack of helmet use or a proper license were found among many who were fatally injured. For instance, the report states that ‘one out of five motorcycle riders’ who were fatally injured in 1996 did not have a valid license. Hence, less trained riders get injured frequently.

Statistics show that wearing safety gear as well as taking defensive driving lessons reduces one’s chances of an accident. The Motorcycle Safety Foundation provides safety lessons for new drivers.

Motorcycle accident statistics are extremely important, supplying relevant data and making us understand how to effectively reduce accidents and injuries.

Motorcycle Racing Jackets

Motorcycle racing jackets are stylish, classy, and extremely functional. Combining glamour with protection and comfort, such jackets form an essential part of motorcycle racing gear. Today, motorcycle jackets are available in plenty of different sizes, material, styles, and brands.

Some brands which are particularly popular among motorcyclists include Arlen Ness, AXO Gear, First Gear, Icon, Moose, Shift, Alpinestars, and Joe Rocket. Others are Ride Gear, San Diego Leather, Motor Helmets, Motorcycle Superstore, Brockton Cycle Center, Eagle Leather, Jamin Leather, Fox Creek, and Vanson Leathers. All the aforementioned companies offer jackets made up of textiles or leather, in different sizes and types.

Racing jackets have combine comfort with protection for the convenience and safety of the rider. Usually such jackets have CE-rated armor in the shoulder and elbow areas, and other hard-impact places. Padding or foam is also provided for the comfort of the rider. Such jackets also have better fits than other jackets, to enable comfortable sports riding.

Some brands, like First Gear, provide features like ‘CE certification’; ‘Hypertex, a material used for abrasion prevention’; ‘cuff vent system’; ‘Kwik- Dry, which makes jacket water-proof and prevents staining or shrinking’; and many other features.

An amazing collection of racing jackets can be found at Motor Helmets. Besides offering nearly all popular brands, it also provides discounts on some products, allowing huge savings on high-quality leather and textile racing jackets. Some popular ones include Joe Rocket 2006 jackets, Alpinestars men’s and women’s jackets (around $699.95), Icon ($350 - $380), First Gear ($289.95), and many more. Ride Gear also has a number of brands to choose from. It guarantees safe shopping and the best price.