Wednesday, November 01, 2006

Why Choose a Honda Motorcycle ?

When you are looking for a great motorcycle, you may want to try the Honda motorcycle. You will get this good dependable and quality product many years from. There is not doubt that you will be happy with your choice for many years to come. You will feel good and look good when you are riding down the road on your cool ride.

For a lot of the riders, finding the right motorcycle is going to be a difficult decision. They will take their time and find the right motorcycle that will be right for them. It will take a long time to search and find the one that will fit your personality and your lifestyle. It is important to make the best decision that you will be happy with and be comfortable with as well.

Most bike riders will ask their buddies what is going to be the best bike for them. They will take their information and advice and try to make the best decision for them. A lot of times the bike riders will discuss their problems with the bikes and find out what they like most and least about the bikes. For most of the Honda motorcycles, you can almost guarantee that you are not going to hear anything bad about them.

Most great Honda motorcycles can be found at a Honda dealership. There are lots of people that can find the right bike for them and not have to worry about getting a bad deal. For most people, they can get a good bike at a good price and be happy with that Honda Motorcycle for a long time to come.

There are many colors and styles to choose from when it comes to Honda Motorcycles. You can find the right ones to fit your style and your body too. You do not have to worry about not getting exactly what you want when you choose a Honda. There are so many to choose from and so many place that you can look.

Even used Honda motorcycles are a great bargain. There are many that you can find for a good price and ones that you can be happy with for a long time to come. Many times you can get a better deal with a used bike than you can get with a new one. It is all up to you and what you want to buy with your money.

Year after year, you can trade in your Honda motorcycle for a new one. This is a great way to get a new bike and get a good deal on your old one. You will not have to worry about the value of your bike going down. You are going to be able to have a good investment in your Honda motorcycle for a long time to come.

Tuesday, October 31, 2006

Forget the Bike and Accessorize Yourself with Harley Davidson Clothing

After you have purchased your priceless Harley-Davidson, it is now time not to think about modifying it. Your Harley-Davidson has its own image of toughness and ruggedness and would not need any alteration. What should you be thinking of is how to match yourself to the bike and not the other way around.

Of course you would buy things that match your personality- that of course include your bike. And you somehow have to think what type of Harley should you buy based on who you are. Well, you have done that already. Now, its time to dress up and hop in your Harley.

Having said that, you should start looking Harley-Davidson clothing.

Here are the Harley-Davidson clothing must haves that should be included on your shop list:

The Black Leather Jacket - It may be quite obvious to you that you should wear something that would protect you from the wind, dust, and sand. And you might be aware of the trademark Harley-Davidson black leather jacket. Have it and you are almost a complete transformation.

The Black Leather Pants – After the jacket comes the pants. Black leather pants is extremely popular clothing not only because it complements the jacket but also because it completes that whole Harley-Davidson rider effect. Be mindful that you are not a cowboy and you do not ride a horse for you to wear jeans. You are riding a Harley it deserves only the black leather pants.

The Black Leather Boots – You must have watched at least one of several “Terminator” movies. And you must have noticed what Arnold Schwarzenegger is wearing on all of his “Terminator” movies. And oh, don’t forget the bike. Have you bought the same model? Anyway, “The Terminator” is wearing black leather boots aside from his black leather jacket and pants. Have you seen yourself in that look?

The Harley-Davidson Helmet – Of course, while you ride, you need some head protection; thus the helmet. Many might not feel like wearing one but you must accept the fact that you can never tell when would accidents strike. And when it does, you should come prepared. And the Harley-Davidson helmet is the one you should have.

The Goggles – Whether you use it to keep the dust out of your vision or have it as an added Harley look, goggles are good Harley accessory.

These five would be enough complete the list of your Harley-Davidson clothing must haves. Your tasks is to search for them whether online or offline.

Motorcycle Helmets for the Youth

It is particularly important to be aware of motorcycle safety when it comes to the youth. You might have a child who likes to ride motorcycles. To ensure his safety, try to invest in a youth motorcycle helmet that provides good protective coverage and excellent retention to help lessen your worries.

Youth motorcycle helmet safety also involves proper fit and sizing. Every motorcycle helmet dealer should have an expert available to help you find a youth motorcycle helmet that perfectly shaped to your child's head.

In looking for the perfect fitting motorcycle helmet for your child, it is better that you should bring him with you when you do your helmet shopping. This way, you can have him determine for himself if such a helmet would be perfect for his own use. Here are some tips that would be able to help you find that motorcycle helmet with the perfect fit.

Let your kid try on several motorcycle helmets for at least five minutes to check for any bothersome areas. Have him look in the mirror to check for symmetry and ensure that the motorcycle helmet rests just above the eyebrows and to check for red marks after taking off the helmet.

The comfort liner of a motorcycle helmet can form to the shape of your head so the helmet typically becomes more comfortable over time and use. Be sure that you start with a good fitting helmet. You should also make sure that the helmet you choose has undergone anti-scratch and anti-fog treatments. In addition, make sure that the visor doesn't touch the helmet’s outer shell that can result in scratches or fuzzy vision areas on your visor.

When choosing a youth motorcycle helmet, remember that a lighter model may be more comfortable than its heavier counterpart, but is perhaps less equipped to ensure motorcycle safety. You must be able to strike up the perfect balance over both features to ensure that your child enjoys comfort while wearing the helmet along with the features to provide the protection that you look for.

After you have purchased a helmet for your child, try to be cautious and careful in storing them. Avoid placing them in a high or unsteady location where the helmet could come crashing to the ground. Avoid the risk of scratching or busting an expensive motorcycle helmet by taking very good care of it. Avoid placing the helmet on the motorcycle saddle or the side mirrors. Doing so can damage the interior padding which can make the helmet unusable over time.

Monday, October 30, 2006

A Look At Some Of The Different Motorcycle Engines

Motorcycles have been around for more than ten decades. During this time, motorcycle engines have developed through tweaking and reworking items to get the best performance. There have been more than one dozen engines, but some never met with success. Cost efficiency and customer satisfaction brought failure to a number of motorcycle engines.

All motorcycle engines are fueled by gasoline. To best understand engine types, it is important to understand how an engine works.

A pole called a rod cranks inside the engine and creates a draft that pulls both gasoline and air into a chamber called the cylinder. Inside the cylinder, a piston and rod quickly move up to push the gasoline and air into a smaller space where it meets the spark plug. The spark plug produces a spark between its two metal pieces.

Once the spark plug gives off a spark, the gasoline and air explode. This pushes the piston down, which in turn drives the belt or chain. This action is called torque. The movement of the belt or chain causes the rear wheel of the motorcycle to revolve. A motorcycle's performance is determined by how many cylinders are inside the engine and how they are arranged.

Single cylinder engine:

A single cylinder engine has one cylinder and one piston. Single cylinder engines are used in all off road motorcycles. The single cylinder provides a lot of torque, but also a load of vibration. The vibration is loud and one of the qualities that dirt bike race fans crave during a race.

Twin cylinder engine:

Logically, twin cylinder engines have two cylinders. The cylinders are placed together at an angle. Usually the cylinders are positioned at a 90 degree angle, but there are exclusions to that standard. A twin cylinder engine produces more power because there is more torque and more fuel used. Twin cylinder engines do not vibrate as much as a single cylinder engine.

Now, as stated above, there are exceptions. The boxed or boxer design finds cylinders placed side by side. This produces even less vibration, but adds a new issue. The cylinders tend to jut out the side of the bike, which makes it hard to take sharp corners. Another issue is the tremendous heat that the cylinders project; it makes leg protection a necessary evil.

Triple Cylinder Engines

A three cylinder engine finds the cylinders included in a head. This type of engine offers a load of power, but it also requires more parts. Each cylinder requires an additional fuel injector and carburetor. The more cylinders included on an engine, the higher the engine RPM. More RPM means more power. Triumph makes motorcycles using three cylinders and boy can they fly!

Four Cylinder Engines

The four cylinder engine is just like the three cylinder engine only it has the additional cylinder and therefore weighs more. As is true of any engine, more cylinders equal more power and smoother sailing.

It is important to consider how much size and power you require in your motorcycle. If you are taking your bike off road, you need a bike with plenty of torque and a low rpm to make it up hills and quickly navigate corners. For off roading, stick with a single cylinder. A double cylinder is your second choice.

If your main purpose for riding a motorcycle is riding through traffic and along roads, do not purchase a bike with less than a twin cylinder engine, although a three or four cylinder engine is a better idea.

All Motorcycle Riders Aren't Hell's Angels, A Look At Reality

It is a common belief that motorcycle clubs are formed to commit horrible acts of crime and terrorize neighborhoods. Thankfully, this is rarely the case. One or two notorious groups (think Hell's Angels) have painted a stark image of motorcycling.

In reality, there are thousands of groups in the world today. Starting in 1903, the Yonkers Motorcycle Club was formed. The group met to share their love of motorcycles. The Yonkers Motorcycle Club is the oldest of its kind. San Francisco followed suit a short while later. These two dominated the scene until the 1950s when more groups formed.

There are dozens of motorcycle groups throughout the United States and Canada. Sizes vary greatly from just three or four members to hundreds of members. Membership can be open or limited to only approved applicants. Many show their pride in motorcycling by creating jackets or shirts with their club logo.

Even today, new groups form daily. All it takes is for a few people to find they have common ground whether it is a passion for the area where they ride or the style of motorcycle they ride. Motorcycle clubs can focus on one specific model, the riders' profession, a love for mountain roads, or dozens of other reasons.

There are many clubs scattered throughout the world. The Saskatchewan Motorcycle Club in Canada spends their time touring Canada's remote areas. Harley Davidson Clubs meet to share their passion for the Harley Davidson brand. Vespa Riders of Rome spend their time cruising the city streets. Florida Brothers Of The Bike cruise the beaches of Daytona. These are only a few of the groups out there.

Women find a niche for themselves in the Women On Wheels Motorcycle Association. This women-only group has more than 100 chapters throughout the United States, Canada, and Switzerland. These adventurous women plan their routes in advance and then explore new areas as a team.

Police and military groups are also common. As police and military units have relied on motorcycles since World War I, it is not surprising that they would form their own clubs dedicated to the machine that makes their job easier.

Regardless of the group, the rules never change. The important factor is having fun in a safe manner. Motorcycle riders will team up to help others repair their motorcycle, find pleasing routes to take, and even recommend restaurants who cater to bikers.

The knowledge that comes from motorcycle club members is tremendous. You can guarantee that this brotherhood will tell you where to find the least expensive parts, greatest destinations, and best hotels. Advice is happily given and someone always has an answer to your question. For these reasons, motorcycle groups are key to enjoying and sharing your passion.

Sunday, October 29, 2006

Honda Isn't Just A Popular Car Company They Are Also One Of The Biggest Motorcycle Makers

Known for their relatively inexpensive, fuel efficient cars and trucks, Honda has far more to offer. You may not know that Honda is also one of the world's largest motorcycle manufacturers. Better yet, their motorcycles are some of the finest made.

As early as 1949, Honda began turning out high quality bikes. By the year 2005, there were manufacturing plants in more than twenty countries and more than 150 million bikes were sold to eager riders. As years passed, their bikes became better and better. Many of the best motorcycle models were created at the hands of Honda.

Perhaps the greatest of all Honda models, the Valkyrie offered a six cylinder, inline engine. Liquid cooled with a 1520cc boxer, the bike soon became a top selling model. There was no V Twin design here. Instead, Honda went for power by using six different carburetors and lining the cylinders up in opposite directions instead of at angles.

Unfortunately, the great engine noises and smooth idle was not enough. In 2004, the final Valkyrie model, the limited edition "Rune" was sold. Only used Valkyrie's remain on the market, otherwise you must choose from other excellent bikes.

Honda offers both large and small motorcycles. Their bikes are also suited for both street or off road biking. The CR85R, with its 85cc engine, is an excellent starter bike for a teen. Off road models like the CRF50 or XR650L also deliver strong performance and a powerful ride. Meanwhile, the Interceptor is a dream bike for handling daily traffic. If a larger bike is more to your liking, the Goldwing is the man’s bike with plenty of size and power.

Beginners are probably best on the CRF50. The 49cc engine and automatic transmission offer a great bike for honing skills. With three speeds, a 21 inch seat, and a weight of around 100 pounds, youth riders will soon have the training they need to tackle larger motorcycles.

XR650L is a much larger off road bike. It is a single cylinder model that delivers plenty of torque and a low rpm. No bike can beat the XR650L at hill climbing and hairpin turn performance.

The aforementioned Interceptor is an award winning bike and has not lost its title for eleven years. It is one of Honda's motorcycles that are currently on display in New York’s Guggenheim Museum. Even without awards, that does not stop millions of riders from relying on Honda for their riding pleasures.

Regardless of your needs, big or small, on road or off, Honda is sure to have a model that suits your fancy. You are guaranteed many years of top notch performance at a price you cannot resist. With a Honda, you know you are in for a real treat.

Why The Harley Davidson Motorcycle Is More Popular Than Ever Before

With more than one hundred years notched on their belt, Harley Davidson is praised with building the best motorcycles on the planet. There is little doubt that they deserve the acclaim.

Arthur Davidson and William Harley dreamed of creating a "motorized bicycle" in their early adulthood. Test models were created and failed miserably, but this never deterred the boys from achieving their goal. Despite early models requiring foot power on hills, Harley and Davidson continued striving to create the "motorized bicycle" that they knew would become a success.

By 1906, the first fifty motorcycles were manufactured. A few years later, they followed with a line of motorcycles for police and military use. Short of a slowdown in the 1970s, Harley Davidson never stopped tweaking and improving their models. Today, Harley Davison produces millions of motorcycles for use on every corner of the world.

The distinct engine roar and loud vibrations through their tailpipes allow onlookers to hear the motorcycle far before it is visible. Listening to the strength of a Harley Davidson engine is an experience few will forget.

Three motorcycle nicknames were established courtesy of Harley Davidson. "Choppers" were born when the angle of the motorcycle's front fork was extended allowing the handlebars to sit further back. "Hogs" became aptly named for the extra room used to transport racing pigs without switching to a larger vehicle. Who said people are the only ones who can ride a Harley? "Harleys" offered a shorter, catchier way to name a motorcycle manufactured by Harley Davidson.

Every March, Harley Davidson takes the Daytona by storm. June brings the Harleys to New England by way of Laconia, New Hampshire. Sturgis, South Dakota becomes a home away from home for many riders every August. Thousands of Harley Davidson's enthusiasts attend these gatherings. Many leave with dreams of having their own bike customized to match what they have seen on other bikes.

In 1983, H.O.G., The Harley Owners Group, formed its first chapter. Today more than 1,000 chapters are in existence and more than one million members share their love of these bikes, whether they own one or not. The devotion to this fine brand is proven, and you do not have to be among the elite to enjoy all there is to Harley Davidson. There are also a slew of online forums and websites devoted to Harley Davidson. Not even Yamaha, BMW, Victory, or Honda come close to having the same fan base.

Even if you cannot afford a Harley, you can still show your enthusiasm for the maker by purchasing items from their merchandise line. All of these items help contribute to Harley Davidson's $5 billion revenue every year. Hey, the advertising helps too! Not that Harley Davidson is hurting for promotion.

Harley Davidson truly is the reigning champion of motorcycle manufacturers. What others strive to achieve in their lifetime, Harley Davidson has conquered.