It will if Victor Cabanas, founder of Chopper Nation in Miami, Florida, has anything to do with it. He's the "Henry Ford of choppers." Because most choppers are hand made one-off customs requiring hundreds of hours to build, average prices hover around $60,000 and go up from there. He, like Henry Ford, realized you could open up the market to more buyers if you could reduce the price of the product. Henry Ford did it through the invention of the assembly line.
Victor Cabanas is doing it by replacing time intensive sheetmetal work-- such as pounding out gas tanks and fenders by hand-- with "stamping" those items from steel presses-- just like they do in automobile plants around the world. Henry Ford is quoted as saying, "You can have any car in any color as long as it is black." Chopper Nation will get you onto a chopper for as little as $25,000 as long as it is black-- the company's bare bones introductory model.
Despite using interchangeable parts, even the "Model T" version is unique enough to stand apart from the crowd with its unusual "twisted" downtube, a signature of every Chopper Nation bike. Choices in custom paint jobs and accessories will cost more. For those with more discretionary income, the sky is the limit. At the top of the line is a chopper that uses nitrous oxide (NOS) for an added rocket blast when needed.
More things we like about Chopper Nation:
They make their own distinctive frames. Many custom bike shops-- including the Discovery Channel's famous Orange County Choppers-- buy their frames already pre-made.
The location. If you live in south Florida, it couldn't be easier to get to their facility. It's right on the west side of I-95 at NW 108th Street in Miami.
They will be introducing a "soft tail" design at a comparably low price.

According to the Oxford Compact Dictionary, the definition of a sidecar is:
sidecar. noun, a small, low vehicle attached to the side of a motorcycle for carrying passengers.
Well, I guess that's not a bad definition, although I have seen some sidecars that definitely could not be described as "low" in any sense of the word. Nor are all sidecars particularly small. In fact, when you boil it right down, the Oxford Dictionary's definition of a sidecar sucks! Maybe I should write and let them know.
Anyway, this article isn't about the Oxford dictionary's accuracy or lack of it, but about sidecars.
Where did they all go? You hardly ever see a sidecar nowadays, unless you are an afficionado, of course. When I was a teen, in the mid-late 60s, the law in the UK said that you could ride a motorcycle on a provisional licence up to a certain cubic capacity. I think it was 250cc or thereabouts. But, if you stuck a sidecar on, you could ride anything! So that was one reason why you saw a lot of sidecars in those days, although to be honest some of them really weren't any use for anything except making the rider legal - just extra wheels stuck on the side on whatever attachment they had managed to juryrig together.
The other reason sidecars used to be popular was because it was much cheaper to run a motorcycle combination than a car. In those days, insurance on motorcycles was not as prohibitive as it is today. It wasn't uncommon to see an elderly couple going out on a motorcycle (or even a scooter) with the husband on the bike, and the missus in the sidecar, well wrapped up against the cold.
I suppose the little group of fledgling bikers I belonged to should have had more respect for them, but we used to laugh at the pensioners next door with their Lambretta and its matching sidecar. Well, they did make such a picture. And anyway, they used to take it to a mechanic when it needed a service! We just didn't understand that at all, as we spent almost every weekend stripping down one bike or another, just because we enjoyed it.
The standard type of sidecar on sale in those days wasn't much to look at, in fact they could be downright ugly, but if you can get the balance sorted out properly when you hook them up, they are very practical. In the late 80s, we took one down to the Kent Custom Bike Show from East Ham in London, him and me on the bike, and the two kids AND all our gear for the weekend, including a whole crate of Budweiser, in the sidecar.
It was unbelievable just how much this thing would hold. We took with us a 4-man auto-erect tent, another smaller dome tent with a separate flysheet, the Budweiser, a two-burner camping stove, sleeping bags and mats for all of us, clothes, food, a water carrier... plus the kids, of course, sitting on the seat (the luggage all went inside the nose and in the space behind the seat). The weight of all this stuff actually helped it to grip the road, as it was normally a bit light, particularly on right-hand bends.
That outfit is long gone, as is the guy on the front, and I have to say sidecars have become something of a niche market. To be honest, they were already that when we took ours down to Kent, but at least you saw them around reasonably often. I used to know a guy in Ilford who had a Triumph outfit. He got it after he became paralysed from the waist down, to help keep the bike upright! I would often see him flashing by (his injuries didn't seem to have affected his enthusiasm for speed one little bit). But I moved away, and recently the sight of a sidecar outfit on the road has become rare enough that you get the impulse to flag them down for a chat, not that I ever actually do that.
Rare beauties So, what's out there? Can you still buy a new sidecar in the 21st century? Well, you may be surprised to hear that you can. In fact, there are at least a dozen different models available in the UK alone, mostly home produced.
If you're interested, there are three main sources available that I've been able to trace, although there may well be more.

The present article has been read by many of our visitors and greatly appreciated. Hopefully you will enjoy it likewise.
There are any number of people who have heard about Harley motorcycles. Buying this particular motorcycle is a dream for many people. They dream of driving over long stretches of road with no obstacles in their path but the wind. The way to see about this is to see what Harleys for sale that you can find.
The classifieds can give you an opening to look for the Harley motorcycle that will be suited for you. The price range of the various Harleys for sale can be either affordable or widely expensive. You must remember that Harley is not just a motorcycle it is also thought of as a lifestyle.
So if you do like the idea of owning your very own Harley then you need to be prepared to pay for all of the accessories that will make your Harley extremely comfortable for you to go touring anywhere that you want. You can find various dealers who will be more than willing to find you Harleys for sale that you want.
Sometimes you may want to see the various Harley showroom dealers on the internet as they maybe able to cut out the middleman and give you a great price bargain. You will need to understand that Harley motorcycles have been around for a very long time now. For this reason each model will have a different price range altogether.
You will have to select the Harley that you want from the various models and makes of Harleys that are available. The many Harleys for sale will be in a very good condition as they will be restored to a top quality finish that will attract many customers.
You can find dealers who will be able to sell you Harleys for sale can sometime mean that you can see what the lowest price for these living legends cost. Any additions that you might want to place on your prospective Harley can in most cases purchased at affordable prices.
Since Harley is considered as a long distance traveling motorcycle or a touring motorcycle you will need to consider the level of comfort that you want and buy the various accessories that will go with any of the Harleys. The showrooms that have Harleys for sale can sometimes have the accessories that will give you the look and comfort feel that you want.
Remember that Harley motorcycles are a way of living. The people who own these motorcycles think of traveling as a luxurious art that is slowly dying. When you look at any of the Harleys for sale means that you too have the chance to live that dream as well.

There is a television show called, American Choppers, on the Discovery Channel that’s helping to revive the motorcycle industry. It’s a reality television show that focuses on the custom bike building shop owned by Paul Teutul Sr. and his sons. Since 1999 the shop has been building bikes for people in New York and making a pretty penny at it too. It seems that as the show grows in popularity more and more people are willing to pay a lot of money for one of the Teutul’s custom creations.
The bikes that they remake are more like pieces of art with fins, chrome and flames painted along the sides. Those possibly looking for a new bike should know that their bike shop is called, Orange County Choppers, even though they are based in New York, they are also sometimes called the OCC. A funny play off of the name of the dramatic television series about young teens in California.
Since they’ve gone on television with their bike shop business the Teutul’s have made a bike for the United States Air force, lovingly called ‘The Raptor’ for $150,000. They have also created a custom made bike for NASA. The show has only been on for a few years but its done wonders for the Teutul’s bike shop and brought in lots of business. They have their name on all kinds of promotional materials and party products. You’ll find that there are lots of party supplies available with the American Choppers theme for your next party event.
If you have young kids who like watching them rebuild old bikes into new ones the American Chopper theme is perfect for you to use at their party. You’ll be able to create an entire decorated party with plates, napkins, and tablecloths. There are even related party theme supplies to supplement the decoration if you find that you need something for the décor that doesn’t have the American Chopper theme.

Chain is an essential part of a motorcycle and keeping it clean and lubricated ensures that you have a trouble free smooth ride, at the same time it helps increase the life of the chain as well.

Cleaning the Chain

While there are various ways of cleaning your motorcycles chain as well lubricating it, I prefer to use the good old kerosene (if not available then petrol) to clean the chain. A small brush dipped in kerosene cleans out most of the sludge. Although it is a bit time consuming, but it usually does the trick and leaves a thoroughly cleaned chain.

However if you wish to clean the chain even more thoroughly then the best option is to remove the chain, dip it in a pot filled with kerosene and then clean it with the help of a brush. After the chain is cleaned, wipe it with a clean lint free cloth and let it hang for half an hour to dry up properly.

Lubricating the Chain

For lubricating the chain I prefer to use 90w gear oil, it is thick enough to stick to the chain properly and usually is good enough to keep the chain lubricated for roughly 1500-2000kms if the chain cover is on.

Once again the best way to lubricate the chain is to remove the chain and dip it in a pot filled with 90w oil, this way the oil penetrates all the parts of the chain. Let the chain remain inside the oil filled pot for 10minutes and then hang it for half an hour to ensure excess oil drips out (put a pot under it else the you will be left with a lubricated floor). After the excess oil has dripped out, put the chain back on and ensure you put chain lock back on properly.

If you do not wish to go in to the trouble of lubricating the chain in the above mentioned manner, then you can simply apply the oil to the chain with the help of a brush. While applying oil ensure you put a coat of oil on each side of the chain to lubricate the chain thoroughly and ensure rusting doesn’t take place.

2 stroke oil: You can also use 2t oil to lubricate the chain in the event you are unable to find 90w gear oil. However the 2t oil is only good enough for 400-500kms if the chain cover is on.

WD 40: WD 40 can also be used to clean as well as lubricate the chain; it is usually easier then above mentioned option. However it is an expensive affair and requires quite a lot of WD 40 spray to clean and lubricate the entire chain.

Chain lubes: There are chain cleaner cum chain lube spray available in the market from Motul and cleans and lubricates the chain at the same time, also it is quite easy to apply since it is only a spray. However it is quite expensive to use it on a regular basis.

Chain Cover: Removing chain cover reduces the life of the chain drastically especially in monsoon months. If you have removed the chain cover then inspect the chain on regular intervals for signs of dirt and also keep on the look out for the chain noise as a hint that chain needs to be adjusted and/or cleaned.

I love touring the Rocky Mountains and experiencing it in all of its glory on two wheels. Riding the sweeping curves, tight switchback, and conquering the high mountain passes. Of COURSE you say, and I hear the rest of that sentence,,,,,"I live 2000 miles away, and don't have time to spend 3-4 days getting there, and 3-4 days back". Solution: FLY AND RIDE!!!!!!

Fly into Salt Lake City, pick up a late model Harley cruiser or "bagger", or even the "Cadillac" of tour bikes, a Honda GoldWing, and set off for your experience of a life-time. Utah has some of the best riding in the country. You can ride through the canyons of Bryce and Zion National Parks, or head west to the Bonneville Salt Flats and watch some amazing machines hitting speeds unimaginable anywhere else.

By using the FLY and Ride approach, you eliminate most of the time spent getting to what you really want to do,,,RIDE. Compound that with the fact that you don't put the wear and tear on your "baby" (and yes, we mean your ride), let the rental company take care of all the maintenance like those oil changes, tires, etc., and renting a bike at your destination becomes a very viable option. Utah has everything from the the Rockies to the Bonneville Salt Flats. A good day ride will get you to the Grand Tetons and Yellowstone or to the Grand Canyon, depending on the direction you set out. So think about the 1 or 2 weeks of vacation time you want to use this summer, make a commitment to explore the Rockies and West US, and give Kim or Steve Ray a shout at Escape Motorcycle Rentals, and they will help you make all the arrangements necessary to book a shiny late model Harley or Honda GoldWing. www.escapemotorcyclerentals.com

Steve Ray is a certified Motorcycle Safety Foundation RiderCoach who has a background with a variety of motorcycles. He enjoys touring and has crisscrossed Utah, Colorado, Wyoming, Idaho, South Dakota, Arizona, and as far east as Wisconsin. He is also has qualified for the Iron Butt Assoc. Saddle Sore (1000mi in 24hrs) and Bun Burner (1500mi in 36 hrs) Awards. He is a co-owner of Escape Motorcycle Rentals loves to share his passion.

For the motorcycle enthusiast, a motorcycle rally is a place to gather with other cyclists and have a good time. Such is the case with the Harley Davidson rally each year in Daytona, Florida. Of course, for those who go constantly, it is said the men are never sober the whole time they are there, but as a party planner, you can change that. Give the men and women something to look forward to after they have spent the entire day looking at all of the other motorcycles that have come to see the event, and they have checked out all of the new models that are being prepared for release.

Motorcycle owners are probably the most difficult to please because they are used to the thrills and chills of speed and fun on the open road, so you have to find some happy medium that will please them. That means finding something that is appealing to everyone who will be attending the party, and of course, you want to make sure you have decorations that are typical of a motorcycle rider and base it on the manufacturer such as Harley Davidson, Honda, Suzuki, Yamaha, etc. Most of them have product stores where you can shop, and those stores usually include a variety of things with the insignias on them such as mugs, lamps, and other kinds of trivia items. Use these to create the theme of the party that you are hosting. Other items that you have at home such as leather jackets, belt buckles, and the like can be placed ornately throughout the room to give it the aura of a pit stop of motorcyclists.

Join in the party yourself and see how much fun you can have when you join that significant other in the parties with other motorcycle riders. By hosting a party, you can be sure that you will be included, and you can control how many people come. Make it private, make it fun, and you’ll be the hit of the night.

While the old adage ‘if it ain't broke, don't fix it' holds, it's the thorough checking that 'it ain't broke' that counts. Many modern bikes have very long service intervals, and are vastly more reliable than machines of the past. But don't let this make you complacent, regular checks are essential to the well being of your bike and yourself.

Easy scheduled maintenance

Doing the simple work yourself not only keeps your bike running well and safely, it saves you money - especially if you choose pattern service parts as an alternative to their hard to get and expensive 'Genuine' counterparts. Often made in same factory as the originals, pattern service parts are generally as good as or better than original equipment.

While these recommendations are applicable to most motorcycles, always check manufacturer's recommendations for correct service intervals for your machine.

Daily checks

* Lights, indicators and horn
* Speedometer
* Tyres and tyre pressures - valve caps that indicate correct pressures are available
* Fluid levels - oil and coolant if applicable. Quality synthetic oil should be used for newer performance bikes, semi-synthetic for older bikes. A specific quality motorcycle oil like 'Rock Oil' should always be used
* Chain - if you're doing 100 or more miles per day this should be lubricated and adjusted as necessary
* Steering Does it operate freely without notches and uneven feel? Does it interfere with the operation of any cables at full lock?
* Kill switch functionality
* Side and centre stands - do they return to their correct position for riding?
* Brake hoses - can you see any chafing or banjo bolts causing weeping?

Weekly or 200 miles (whichever is sooner)

All the above, plus:

* Check oil level - does it require topping-up?
* Check tyre pressure - check with an accurate gauge
* Check battery - if not maintenance-free, then check electrolyte level and top up with distilled water if necessary. If you have an alarm or immobiliser fitted it may be worth giving it a charge (this is especially true if the bike is not being used regularly). The best solution is getting an intelligent charger, and having it plugged in permanently whilst the bike is garaged for any period of time. A battery left uncharged will have a shorter life
* Check control cables - lubricate as necessary
* Check brakes - pads and disks should be checked for wear and replaced if necessary; check and top-up fluid. Adjust drum brakes as necessary
* Make a full visual inspection - check for loose nuts & bolts and spokes if applicable. Fork seal leaks and any other oil leaks.

Monthly or 1,000 miles (whichever is sooner)

All the above, plus:

* Check spark plugs - clean and adjust or replace, anything other than a light/medium brown deposit may indicate problems
* Check control cables - adjust free play
* Check Idle speed - adjust as necessary
* Lubricate control lever pivots

Every 3 months or 2,500 miles (whichever is sooner)

All the above, plus:

* Change oil & filter
* Change air filter
* Check wheel and steering head bearings - grease and replace if necessary
* Check exhaust system for leakage

Every 6 months or 5,000 miles

All the above, plus:

* Adjust carburettor synchronization - if applicable
* Check overflow pipes - replace any that are blocked or missing

Every 12 months or 10,000 miles

All the above, plus:

* Replace spark plugs
* Check suspension linkages - for play, replace linkage, bearings, bushes as necessary

Laying up a bike over the winter:

* Regularly charge the battery - better still, invest in an intelligent charger
* Leave on the main stand - if your bike doesn't have one, kits are available for most bikes. Or invest in at least a rear paddock stand to get the weight of the bike off of the tyres, which should be kept correctly inflated
* Consider draining the petrol as this can deteriorate over time and can, in extreme cases, evaporate leaving a nasty deposit which can block the carburettors. At least turn off the fuel tap and run the engine until the float bowls are empty. Fuel stabilisers are available that can help with this
* Wax well and lubricate - all parts that generally need lubricating. Make sure the bike is completely dry, then cover with a dust sheet and keep somewhere dry, preferably not in the same room as a tumble drier or other condensation causing machinery. If you have to keep it outside, then invest in a good quality, breathable waterproof cover and cover the exhaust outlets with plastic bags

A quick guide to some common service parts:

* Brake pads - Generally for road use brake pads are available in two types: GG and HH, related to the friction coefficient of the braking material. HH offers more stopping power for a given force on the brake lever than the GG. But that doesn't make HH pads better - it's more a matter of balance, taste and riding style.

Some people find HH pads too 'grabby', especially on lightweight machines. Don't fit HH pads to the rear of bike and GG to the front, this will make the overall braking balance too rear biased, which isn't good. However many people find the reverse: HH on the front and GG on the rear very comfortable and effective.

Many newer sports bikes should only use HH pads, so check the manufacturer's specifications. A noticeable downside to using HH pads is that they tend to wear the brake rotor more quickly.

* Chains and Sprockets - there's a lot of misleading information given about chains and sprockets (sometimes even by manufacturers promoting their own products), whether X-ring lasts longer than O-ring, or whether one manufacturer is better than another.

It's actually a question of your riding style, how much use your machine gets, your weight, if you lubricate and adjust the chain correctly, the weather and road conditions. Suffice to say, if you pull wheelies, weigh 35 stone, don't oil or adjust your chain and only ride on wet salted roads your chain won't last very long! That said, if you don't do many miles in a year, you may find that an X-ring will last you longer than an O-ring - or if you ride like Barry Sheene, why bother buying an expensive heavy chain that will cause extra drag?

On a modern sports bike fitting a new chain and sprockets could give you 8bhp over the old ones, sometimes more, possibly about the same as an expensive 'go faster' ignition system, and it'll make the bike feel like new.

You have gone and searched at the many different motorcycles that there are for sale. While you know what you want many of these are just too far out of your budget for you to spend. This means that searching for that ideal motorcycle of your dreams is out of the question unless you know someone who is in the business of doing custom motorcycles. Now even this option may be a little more than you can afford. So how can you get that motorcycle that you have always desired? The answer could lie with the many custom motorcycle kits that are now available.

When you shop around you will discover that there are many different custom motorcycle kits. With all of these kits you will find the necessary equipment that is needed for you to begin the task of designing your own custom motorcycle. This means that the idea of having a custom motorcycle of your very own is no longer a dream.

You now have the potential to make the dream a reality. There are many types of custom motorcycles kits that are available but you need to think realistically about the money that you can spend on these and the time that you have available to build this motorcycle.

The upside of custom motorcycle kits is that the time you invest in making your new motorcycle means that you have an intimate knowledge of the inner workings of this vehicle. Therefore if something goes wrong you have the knowledge and the experience to fix the problem yourself.

This also means that you are not going to be spending time and money on repair shops or the massive costs that they will be charging to you. Instead you will be able to buy the various parts that you need or get something entirely new and rebuild your motorcycle. Custom motorcycle kits are a great way to release your inner creative abilities and you have the knowledge and ability to change the look of your motorcycle time and time again.

Of course you should not expect to assemble your custom motorcycle within a day or two. Just as Rome was not built in a day it will take some time to build your custom motorcycle. Now unless you are a mechanic, the fixing time of your motorcycle will take maybe a few months even though you have all of the instructions and needed parts.

The waiting period however will reward you with a custom motorcycle that is unlike all the others that you see on the road. Once you get hooked you just might decide to build a few more motorcycles from the many custom motorcycle kits that are available. Imagine owning a fleet of custom designed motorcycles that were built by you.

Tuning your Harley Davidson carburetor is simpler than most think and can be performed with a few common tools. This simple procedure is a great Harley tech tip that applies to all Harley models from 1989 to 2006 that use the CV (constant velocity) style carburetor. Earlier models equipped with the older butterfly style carburetors (pre-89 Evo's, Shovelheads, and Ironheads) are excellent candidates for upgrading to a newer Harley CV carburetor.

Before you rejet your carburetor it is recommended that you perform the following tuning procedure first. Once the mixture has been properly tuned as described here you may not need to rejet the carburetor.

Preparing the carburetor for tuning will require removal from your Harley-Davidson's engine but this is easily accomplished. The entire removal and installation procedure can be found in your service manual. With the carburetor removed, place it on a sturdy work surface upside down. The carburetor has a small cylindrical tower protruding from the base of the rear throat against the back side of the bowl. The tower is plugged with a soft metal insert covering the idle mixture screw. Gaining access to this screw is key to fine tuning and must be drilled out. The metal plug is very soft and only requires a household drill and a 1/8" bit. Secure the carb in either a vise or clamp and drill a hole into the plug making sure not to "punch" through too fast. You don't want to damaged the mixture screw just below the plug.

Tip: I found to keep from drilling too far into the plug is to wind electrical tape around your drill bit to form a thick band about 3/16" from the tip creating a stop point.

With a small hole now drilled into the plug, pry the plug out using a pick or awl. You can also thread a sheet metal screw into the drilled hole and use this to pull the plug out. With the plug removed, clean the area around the mixture screw so no metal fragments remain.

Adjustment Method: Using a small flat head screwdriver, turn the screw clockwise until it gently seats. Do no tighten as this will damage the screw or seat. Now turn the screw outward 2 turns to establish a starting point.

Reinstall the carburetor back on your bike making sure to replace the fuel hose clamp and vacuum lines. It may be a matter of dexterity but I prefer to install the cables before pushing the carb back onto the manifold. Test the throttle for any binding and double check all connections.

The air cleaner assembly MUST be installed prior to starting the engine, not only to hold the carb in place but to prevent any backfire while tuning. With everything back in place start the engine as normal and bring up to operating temperature. Do not overuse the enrichener (choke) and don't let the bike idle for more than 5 minutes.

With the engine warmed up and at idle you may now fine tune the idle mixture screw for optimal performance. With the engine idling slow (no more than 900 rpm) turn the screw inward (clockwise) SLOWLY until the engine starts to stumble. Note: you are working with the screw upside down so think about the orientation.

Raise the idle speed if necessary. Now turn the idle mixture screw outward until the engine begins to run smoothly + 1/8 of a turn. Maintain proper idle speed and repeat the adjustment each time you adjust the idle speed. Blip the throttle a couple of times and observe the results. If the engine responds quickly with a smooth blast and no backfiring through the carburetor, you have your idle mixture set correctly. If backfiring occurs through the carburetor then adjust the idle mixture screw out another 1/8 turn. Normally, the idle mixture screw should only be between 2 and 3 turns out from it's seated position.

Adjusting the mixture screw out too far will result in an overly rich, low RPM fuel mixture. Avoid tuning the idle too rich, thus leading to poor gas mileage and fouled plugs. Set this just beyond the point of backfiring (coughing) through the carburetor. Never remove the mixture screw with the carburetor upright as the spring, o-ring, and washer will fall out.

Take your newly tuned bike for a ride and note how it idles and responds off idle. If you experience any coughing through the carburetor not experienced before, adjust the mixture out another 1/8 of a turn. Black smoke seen from the exhaust at idle or a feeling of sluggishness off idle indicates you may have set the mixture too rich. If your bike is now idling steady and responds well from a start then you are all set. If your engine still runs lean (coughs or hesitates) you should move on to rejetting your carburetor. The same stock Harley Davidson carburetor has been used on all production bikes since 1989 due to it's reliability and ability to adapt to different conditions. With just the right amount of tuning the CV carburetor will support any stock to mildly modified Harley.

Thinking of buying a scooter for the first time? Here are a few things for you to think about.
Getting on the road
Firstly you have to pass CBT (Compulsory Basic Training). This was introduced on 1 December 1990 for all new provisional licence holders of both mopeds and motorcycles. All learner riders need to complete CBT before riding on the road (with the exception of riders who have passed a full moped test since December 1990).
Full car licence holders qualifying after 1 February 2001 must also complete a CBT course before riding a scooter on the road.
CBT is not a test, and there is no exam - it's a day course of training that you are required to complete satisfactorily and all test centres will try their hardest to get you through it first time.
Your CBT will last for 2 years and you must display L plates during the whole of this period. You may retake CBT before this period is up or you can go on to get a full licence.
There are 3 categories of full licence to aim for:
Category P – moped.
Sub-Category A1 – light motorcycle licence, which restricts riders to any bike up to 125cc and a power output of 11kW.
Category A – standard motorcycle licence.
Moped and Motorcycle tests normally consist of two separate parts – a theory test and a practical test.
Finance
Buying a scooter on finance is a great way to be able to get yourself on the road very quickly. However, it may be worth working out if you can afford to pay for it outright, as you may end up paying almost double what the bike is worth. Make sure you look into the deal properly before you agree to it.
Power
A 50cc scooter will reach a top speed of around 30-40mph. 100cc will reach about 50+ mph, 125cc will reach 60+ mph and 250cc 75+ mph. You have to remember that if you’re riding on a provisional licence you cannot ride anything more powerful than a 125cc.
Theft
Theft has always been something to think about when owning a scooter. It is so important to store your scooter safely and always ensure it has some sort of chain or lock on it. It has been known that people selling scooters have had phonecalls from “buyers” organising a time to view the bike, then not turning up and coincidently the bike being stolen within the next few days.

Motorcycle helmets may not seem all that important when you think about it. It is heavy, hot and even suffocating. The material may even cause break-outs on the skin and even allergies. Motorcycle helmets also keep you from enjoying the wind on your face as you ride. So why the hell should people wear them? The answer is actually fairly simple. It can keep you from having a permanent disability or even keep you from dying.
Take for instance the story of Don Koening who died when his head hit a tree. He left his helmet on his front porch.
There are a lot of people who have suffered from permanent disability, some even died, just because they have forgotten one tiny detail, to wear their motorcycle helmet. What is more saddening about this is the fact that most of these people are between the ages of 16 and 24, people who still have a full life ahead of them.
Laws requiring helmet use
This is perhaps the reason why legislators have included the wearing of the motorcycle helmets in state laws. The law also states that the helmet worn must also pass the criteria that are set by the Department of Transportation’s Federal Motorcycle Vehicle Safety Standard 218. It is one of the three laws that require motorists to wear safety gears while in motor vehicles. The other two are the use of a child-passenger safety restrains and the use of seatbelts while inside the car.
Differences in some state laws
Although the same basic law is stated in all the states, there are slight differences as to the enforcement especially with the monetary fines. In California for instance, motorists must wear helmets all the time. Helmets should not only be worn but also securely strapped in. In Florida, the law is somewhat a little bit more complicated.
Although all motorists are encouraged to wear helmets when they ride, people over 21 years old and are covered by an insurance policy that provides for at least 10,000 dollars in medical assistance should an accident happen are exempted.
The helmet law also does not apply to people who are 16 and older and are operating a motorcycle that have a displacement of 50 cubic centimeters; does not have an excess of two brake horsepower or those that are not capable of operating it beyond the speed of 30 miles per hour.

The tires of your motorcycle are just as important as the engine. The tires are the only connection to the road. Well maintained tires grip the road and make riding much more pleasurable, they allow the rider to go faster and maneuver better. Tires are often bought because of how they make the bike look. But beauty is only skin deep or in this case tread deep. Having the proper tread for the terrain you are riding can be the difference between a great day and a trip to the hospital.
The backbone of the tire is a carcass. Then there is a layer of cords, the angle of these cords determine the overall strength and flexibility of the tires. If you could look inside the plies of the tire you would notice they form an x shape. On the outside of this is the tread. The amount of tread determines the use of the tire. High tread or knobby tread is used for off road riding. The smoother tread is used for regular roads or highways. This tread has grooves to channel water and prevent hydroplaning.
Since there are only two tires on it is important to maintenance them and change them at the same time so they wear the same. It usually takes about 100 miles to break in new tires. You should check the air pressure in your tires regularly. It is the air in the tires that cushions the bike from the roughness of the road. Proper inflation can add life to the tire. The valve stem should be capped with a nice tight fit so they can't come off when driving at high speeds.
Tires should have proper balance and alignment. These two things have the most effect on the handling of your motorcycle. If they are not done properly steering can become difficult or dangerous in some situations.
Keep your tires clean. There are many products on the market to clean tires, even good old soap and water works. Clear the debris from the treads looking for nails or screws, anything that could cause the air to leak.
Before you ride it is a good idea to do a quick visual inspection of your tires to make sure they have the proper air pressure and there aren't any cords showing from too much tread wear. You should never mix the treads on the front and rear tire. They should be the same style and tread type.
Taking the time to care for your motorcycle tires is as important as changing the oil. It doesn't take long to make sure they are functioning properly and it will add to the riders' enjoyment.

Here are some common sense tips for what to wear while you are out tearing it up on your brand new motorbike.
First off, and I know this is old but it always bears repeating, get a helmet. Which would you rather have to do; hammer a few well earned dents out of your bike, or have the doctor hammer a few dents out of your skull? Besides, with all the technological advances in helmet engineering, you might actually look pretty cool with one on your noggin. Oh yeah, and make sure it fits snugly on your head.
Next, you will want to invest in clothing that will protect the rest of your body. With motorcycling, falling is inevitable. Get a jacket, pants, boots and gloves that will be sturdy enough to take a beating, but will still allow your body to stay cool and breathe well. It can get a little toasty under all that leather. Keep in mind also that you do not want your clothing to inhibit the operation of your machine, so make sure that the stuff you get fits well. Oh yeah, and fit is more important than style, ok?
Protective gear has come a long way, offering benefits like waterproofing, special kevlar composites and padding to protect those, um...sensitive areas. Be willing to invest in a quality set of protective gear and you won't regret the extra money spent. Next we need to talk about boots.
Boots come in an amazingly broad variety, and they are an absolute must for riding a motorcycle. Forget about wearing anything else unless you really aren't concerned about protecting your feet, ankles, and lower calf. Remember that comfort and fit are important, just as much as the new, fancy kevlar lining and neat zippers and buckles are. The boots should be fairly stiff, but only pro racers need boots that are completely rigid.
There are plenty of other handy tools and add ons that you can get for your bike. Be sensible and choose the ones that would be best for the kind of riding that you will be doing. Do your homework and go for quality.
After you have fitted yourself with the latest in motorcycle apparel, including a more than just decent pair of boots, the next thing to equip yourself with is a riding buddy. Never go riding alone, because even if you have the fancy global positioning instrumentation installed, with the emergency radio built into your well fitting helmet, it will be kind of hard to operate any of that stuff if your neck is broken and you can't move or speak. Riding buddy...if you don't have one, get one!