Motorcyclists spend hundreds of hours studying, thinking and shopping for their motorcycles. Yet, if they are really smart it is more important to attempt to buy your motorcycle from a place who will give you the best service too. However, if you are solely shopping for price or buying used then this may not be totally possible.

Next order of business after your purchase is to consider the preventative maintenance for your bike and which company or motorcycle shop can help you keep your cycle in pristine shape. This is about as important or perhaps more important than your actual purchase of your iron horse.

How can you tell if you have found a good motorcycle shop? Well when you ask questions they will know the answers completely. You can also tell because they are busy and all those waiting in line are happy and satisfied with the service they have been getting, rather than bitching and moaning about the wait, excuses and lack of parts inventory.

Now then, just because someone is upset in the lobby or hanging out in the show room in a piss poor mood does not mean they are mad at the service. So, realize there are hard to deal with customers and ask them if the service is good or bad and exactly what is wrong.

If you get many horror stories of service, then leave. If on the other hand people are chatting up a storm about motorcycle riding experiences and having a good time in the waiting room, then you have found a good motorcycle shop and stick with them.

Jeremy has been a member of the California Highway Patrol for the past 6 years. This individual wanted to serve the public and ride on the bike as a kid and got the opportunity to do both after graduating from secondary school.

The job did not pay much but the rewards came when the roads this officer patrolled on were safe. One of the things that this person always had on to remind other bikers of safety first is the police motorcycle helmet.

Law enforcement riders are not the only ones required to have a helmet. State law requires bike owners to have one on every time the individual decides to hit the open road. The reasons for this are simple that is to protect the biker during an accident.

Highway patrol officers are given a helmet before going on the road. The best ones are those made of thermo plastic composite material that uses high pressure compression giving it strength and making it lightweight.

The helmet is about three pounds. When the police officer puts this on with the radio and the utility belt mounted on the waist or shoulder, this will be an additional 6 pounds to the individual’s normal weight.

There are two types of visors that can be chosen for the motorcycle helmet. The person can choose to get the standard snap on visor or the fixed patent leather version.

The individual can easily put this one or take it off because of the quick nylon tubular chin strap that is adjustable. This means that it can fit any officer who will be patrolling the streets using a motorcycle.

The interior of the helmet can be removed and is hand washable. This will keep it clean and smelling good even if the person sweats due to extreme heat especially in the hot summer months or during rainy weather.

Those serving in law enforcement can only purchase the police motorcycle helmet. This means people who want to have one should pass through the rigorous process of applying then training to be one of the few with a badge and a gun.

It takes courage to get on a bike and join the ranks of others in the service who have been doing this for a number of years. This is the reason that people like Jeremy still prefer to patrol the streets so that ordinary motorists can always be safe.

People who are thinking of donating their cars for a variety of foundations or programs aimed at helping other people now have more reasons to think about donating their used cars. While the act of donating something should be done for proper motivations, the recipients of these car donations have just devised a way to cerate more motivations for future donors.

Car donors can donate their used cars and receive a receipt for tax deduction. Not only that, they can also donate their cars in exchange for a free vacation in any of the places identified by the recipient foundation or group.

Some people who want to donate their used cars hesitate because of the belief that there would be too much paperwork involved with the donation process. However, they should contact their identified recipient because there are foundation and group recipient that offer a hassle-free donation process for future donors.

Organizations that are accepting used car donations usually do all the work like picking up the used car to be donated. The only thing a donor has to do is to fill up the car donation form and take the accompanying benefits like the tax deduction certificate and the free vacation certificate. There are organizations that give out hotel and resort tickets in exchange for a used car donation.

These organizations accept car donations in all forms, including jet skis, recreational vehicles, trailers, boats or motorcycles. They also accept cars that are no longer running or in good condition for as long as the value of the car comes out greater than the value of towing the car from the donor’s place. To emphasize the convenience of donating your used cars, there are organizations that will pick the donated car even if the owner is not at home, provided he leaves behind the necessary papers and the keys.

The used cars that are donated to these organizations will be used depending on the condition of the car. One thing is however sure; the donor gets a tax deduction equal to the value of the car with a maximum of $500 or in cases when the car is resold, he gets a tax deduction equal to the amount of the resell price of the car.

There is an even easier method of donating one’s used car and this is through the internet. You just need to fill out the forms online and then the deal is closed.

The proceeds of car donations will go to different foundations or organizations that provide for the needs of children and other sectors. There are groups that take special care of distressed children. In most organizations, a hundred percent of the used car proceeds are used to fund their programs on unemployed youth, recovering youth or youth in hazardous situations. Other organizations used the proceeds to fund projects on genetic and clinical research and outreach programs. Some use the funds to provide supplies and other resources for doctors and their families.

There are two aspects of ATV'ing that can really make your next ride an incredible adventure as opposed to just average. Better performance is the first and comfort is the second. To better aid you in enjoying your next ride we have assembled the top 8 atv accessory ideas to give you both an upgrade in atv performance and comfortabiltiy.

The bumper is the first part of the atv accessory list that has to be considered. Originally a bumper was a separate metal bar or blade at each end of a vehicle to prevent damaging the atv. The bumper is one of the more upgradable aspects of an atv. ATV bumpers com in different colors, shapes and materials. Which can give your atv a much more streamlined appearance and make your ride faster, thusly more enjoyable.

Another atv accessory is a cabin enclosure. What you use your atv for dictates which cab enclosure that you should purchase. If you use it for fishing expeditions. The weather becomes stormy and you are far from shelter. All you need is a atv cabin enclosure installed to make this atv problem go away. A good cabin enclosure has 3 windows, one entry door, and is made of a flame retardant material.

Another atv cabin enclosure is what is called a hunting blind. It is 5 zippered gun ports. Some hunting blind atv cabin enclosures have a zippered gun port in the roof for goose and duck hunting.

The third must have atv accessory can be broken down into several categories. This particular atv accessory is a holder for your spotting scope, camera, and 8mm and VHS camcorder.

Want to carry small things with you without losing them? A fender organizer atv accessory will do the trick. For bigger items think about purchasing a bucket hugger controlled cargo tray. The bucket hugger atv accessory securely holds two 50-gallon buckets and tools.

The next atv accessory no active ATV'er should be without is good grip. During a ride in the summer your hand may get slippery from the seat and you can easily lose control of the vehicle. You want grips that are made of non-slip soft rubber. Look at high-density foam. This can deaden vibration and prevents the dreaded "tingling" in your hands. Ask for anti-vibration pads, which minimize fatigue and prevent slippage.

Helmets are way to show your individuality. Helmets come in a multitude of styles, shapes and colors. But no matter what helmet you decide to purchase make sure have a lock for the helmet. A great atv accessory are slip through standard "D" rings which will help secure the helmet to your ATV.

Last but not least atv accessory which will give you the ultimate in comfortability while atving are handlebar mitts. Fitting easily over the handlebars they keep your hands warm and dry when the weather is not that favorable.

Many motorcycles can travel up to 165 mph in sixth gear. The average Cessna private airplane, which has a single-engine takes off at about 40 miles per hour. So why can't a motorcycle fly? Only one reason; it does not have wings and it does not have a propeller.

However both of these problems are easily solved. The rear wheel of a motorcycle could easily be retrofitted with a propeller adapter and NASA has already designed unmanned aerial vehicles with foldout wings, which blow up. Many home built aircraft are open cockpit and many ultra-lights have no cockpit in all. You sit in a seat and basically buckle in and go for it.

How would a motorcycle rear wheel propeller adapter work? Well, consider if you will the little lights that that are used on bicycles, which would run on the tire as it went around and make electricity. Similar to this but, a small rubber wheel attachment on a lever could be pushed onto the back motorcycle wheel.

The smaller wheel would have a short chain on it and spin a propeller. When you give it throttle, the propeller would go round faster and the wheel would move even if it were not touching the ground. Building a motorcycle rear wheel propeller adapter is a key component to getting your motorcycle to fly.

Although most people do not actually consider them as essentials and will in fact buy them last, motorcycle helmets are one of the most important accessories when you have a motorcycle. In fact, state laws have included the wearing of motorcycle helmets. This, lawmakers say, will be able to prevent major injuries should accidents happen. Helmets protect the person from suffering from head injuries that are potentially dangerous and even fatal. Passengers are even asked to wear helmets especially when cruising at high speeds.

Below are some tips that will help you buy the right motorcycle helmet.

1. Does it meet the DOT standard?

Before buying a helmet, make sure that what you have chosen meets with the criteria set by the Department of Transportation’s Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard 218. You can determine this by looking for the symbol of the DOT on the helmet.

You will also find a label inside the helmet that provides you with essential information about the helmet such as the manufacturer’s name, the year and the month the helmet was manufactured, the model number, the size of the helmet, the materials used for its construction and of course some information about the company. Make sure that both the logo and the label is present.

2. Is it quality-made?

Helmets should be made from a firm polystyrene layer or Styrofoam layer that will help protect your head from injury. The layer should be an inch thick and should weigh about three pounds. It should be simple constructed with none of the embellishments that will only cause injury in your head such as spikes or other protruding decorations. Chin straps with sturdy rivets should be also be present as this will help keep the helmet in place.

3. Does it fit your style?

A helmet need not be out of style just because it is considered as a safety gear. It can also be an avenue where one can make a fashion statement. Try looking for great illustrations on the outer shell of the helmet. Some people even have the illustrations custom-made.

4. Does it offer full protection?

Helmets that protect the whole face will of course serve you in good stead during collision. The plastic face shields will also protect you from the wind, the dust, rain, insects and road debris that are thrown up by passing vehicles. If you do not want helmets with the shield on them, buy a separate goggles that will help protect your eyes. One thing that you should know is that windshields are not enough to protect you.

Both OEM and aftermarket motorcycle parts have their own sets of advantages and disadvantages. The former may be expensive compared to the latter however, buyers can be assured of its quality since they are equivalent to the parts that are already in the motorcycle when they are purchased. On the other hand, aftermarket motorcycle parts may be cheaper than the OEM parts. Moreover, they can be of equal or lesser quality than the latter.

Whatever motorcycle parts you choose, there is still that degree of caution and responsibility. Let us take motorcycle clutch as an example…

The usual problem with a motorcycle clutch is that it drags or slips. You may be driving confidently then suddenly surrounding circumstances tell your mind to hit the clutch but it won’t work because it slips? What do you think will result? This is pretty dangerous since it can spell a terrible crash, bump or worst loss of life.

To preclude these things to happen, there are several things that we can do. First, you can drill holes in each friction plate. Might as well, clean and chamfer the holes and notches located at the edges of the steel plates. This way they will not slip without getting caught. Then, replace the rivets on inner clutch hub liner with nylatron. In order to do this, you have to remove the hub off the shaft and knock the rivets out. Clean up the surfaces. After cleaning, put the hub and basket on. Now you need not worry about your clutch because these things keep the clutch from dragging and slipping. It will allow its smooth and accurate release.

If you still have slip problems after assembly, before you crank the spring tension, you must take out the friction plates and examine whether there are shiny spots. Friction happens in these shiny spots. To eliminate them, use emery paper and sand off the spots then make the plate flat. When all plates are in good and uniform contact with each other you have a very good chance of running very light spring pressure without slip. Thus, it creates a nice easy shifting at your pleasure and safety!

Aligning the wheels is universally regarded as a sound bike practice. It is a good thing to have both ends of the motorcycles aligned so as to make cornering smooth and predictable. In addition, alignment makes less wear and tear for the wheels.

It is rare for riders to do alignment on new bikes. This is because innovations greatly improve production tolerances over time. Thus, most bikes now are pretty straight.

However, we have to do the aligning to most of the models we have these days. Before you proceed to the aligning, be sure that the motorcycle parts are free from flaws and the basics are fine.

Traveling in a straight line will definitely bring you to your desired destination with lesser effort and calculation. If the wheels are not aligned, the bike may have the tendency to pull on one side or steer in one direction easier. These circumstances can lessen the bike’s tyre span.

If you are using the squiz at your conventional chain-drive bike, you can change the back wheel’s position through the adjusters. When you move the wheel or tension the chain, you line it up against the alignment marks on the swingarm. If the axle is back on one side at about three and a half notches, be certain to bring it back to the same extent to the other side. Always double check.

To test the alignment of your bike, you can use the string lining technique. All you have to do is to use two straight edges or strings that are longer than your bike. Let your bike stand still on the sidestand and closely prop up to vertical. A race stand is also a good alternative. The next thing to do is to wrap the string around the front wheel and connect it under-bike hardware under the machine. To achieve best results, you must have a bike buddy to assist you. Another, you can also use oil cans and jackstands to hold the loose ends of the string while you are fiddling. To make it all lined is quite a hard thing to do but to make it easy, stop when the bike is already assumed straight.

Accurateness is not that critical. If ever, you find it really difficult to align, check on the frame or perhaps the bike might have been designed with the rear wheel offset from the front.

There has been a lot of puffing going out in the motorcycle market. Some are talking about horse power advantages. Nonetheless, be cautious of what you believe in, chances are they are just flowery words thus, misleading.

In order to avoid this, we have to bear in mind some pointers about this motorcycle parts.

First, always go with the motorcycle parts manufacturer’s recommendations. That way, you can never go wrong.
Second, if you have qualms over the parts, call the manufacturer to save you from further trouble. Do not experiment with parts, especially if you have little knowledge about them. They can go wrong in just a flick of the finger and can catch you off guard without any assistance and remedy.

For instance let us consider common motorcycle plug number: DPR9EA-9. This is a 12 mm thread 18 mm plug socket, P stands for projected electrode, R for resistor, heat range 9, E for 19mm thread reach, A for specials and 9 for .9mm plug gap. The next suffix letter is for thread reach. It can make you come unstock. If you put a plug with a too long thread reach then it puts a motivating impression in the top of the piston, if it is otherwise, it will not reach inside the combustion chamber. The next letter is again for construction features. There may appear another number after it. It refers to the plug gap which it is set at.

NGK plugs are good. The first letter prefix stands for the thread type and socket hexagon size. Their size ranges from 14mm thread to 8mm on the little 4 cylinder 250 imports. The second and third letter prefix refers to the construction feature.

With this kind of spark plugs it should be known that the higher the number the colder the plug. What’s the significance? Well, racing bike engines use cold plugs because they generate enormous heat. On the other hand, if fowling is one of your problems, use a hotter plug. Remember though that other motorcycle spark plugs have inverted heat range. Just consult the manual or your manufacturer to be sure that you are getting the right plugs.

Motorcycle parts like saddles are provided with products that can make them look new and desirable again. These repairs are very easy. In fact, sometimes it only takes a visit to your reliable motorcycle store or home depot.

Saddle bag with cracks on it are not pleasing to the eyes. In addition, it contributes to the overall unattractiveness of the bike.

How do I do repairs? Actually, a friend taught me how to. First, for cracks, you can use tape on the inside and pressurize thick glue with a piece of flexible plastic into the crack. You need not use sand paper because the glue and plastic will be almost unseen. For best results, you can use plastic pipe glue that can be found in the plumbing section. This glue dries up even without heat application.

ABS shavings can also be used to repair saddle bags. It dissolves effortlessly into the liquid within five to ten minutes. If you want a richer mixture, add more shavings. Mix it properly. To make the surroundings of the crack rough, use some 220 grit sand paper. When it is already rough, apply the mixture over and into the repair area. In order not to seep out or at least minimize the chance, begin from the inside of the bag and place some foil on the other side. You can clean messy edges with wet or dry sandpaper. Make sure that ventilation is good. If you can have a fan blowing away from you - the better. It helps in achieving easy and mess-free repairs.

Other miracle products are the liquid plastic by melting ABS in a solvent, thick black plastic that repairs without the application of heat and black ABS Cement. Repairing can be that easy even without heat!

I have repaired saddle bags before - some having cracks and some are far worse. My tools are the tape, plastic pipe glue, shavings and the likes. They can make miracles. Fiberglass is also a solution. Nonetheless, it is hard to have permanent bonding to the plastic since it is slippery. However, you can try them too.