Thursday, February 08, 2007

Motorcycle Auction-Looking For Sweet Deals On Repossessed Motorcycles

Repossessed motorcycle auction have a couple of benefits for both the consumer and the seller. First, through the auction you will be certain that the price at that given time is the highest for that particular motorcycle. So as a seller you're guaranteed, in a way, of the best profit for your sale.

Meanwhile, for the consumers the auction is a great place to acquire cheap motorcycles that are in great shape and if you're really lucky, you will even get a repossessed motorcycle that's close to being brand new. A brand new motorcycle will cost you quite a fortune. That's why the best option for you is get a used bike in a repossessed motorcycle auction.

There are a lot of public auctions out there where you could get your bike at dirt cheap prices. But the best deals are actually found in government seized auctions. A repossessed motorcycle auction features motorcycles, dirt bikes and atv's that were seized by the government from owners involved in unlawful activities. You can find these kinds of auctions happening in all parts of the country.

It is held yearly, monthly or even weekly depending on the place. So you need to keep an eye out for these kinds of auctions if you really want to have a bike that is cheap. Now, the main reason why repossessed motorcycle auction offers cheap motorcycles is that the government agency got the bikes for free and they will really want to get rid of them for whatever price possible since it is quite expensive to store the vehicles and their departments would appreciate the additional cash for their budget.

There are some things that you need to remember when buying from a repossessed motorcycle auction. Just like when buying cars from auction events, you need to inspect carefully the motorcycles that are up for bid.

Come early on the auction date so you have enough time to inspect the items thoroughly. Plus, by going early you avoid the rush of people and will not be pressured or bothered when you conduct your own inspections.

Also, before you go to a repossessed motorcycle auction you need to have at least an idea of the price range of the items that are up for bid. This means you need to be familiar with the kinds of motorcycles and their current market value. Market value includes if the motorcycle is brand new and the retail value if it has been used or reconditioned.

Remember too that you need to set for yourself the highest price you will bid for the bike and once you've decided you better stick with it regardless of how much you liked the motorcycle. If you don't, you will be engaged in a bidding war that will end up with you paying more than what the bike was worth in the first place. Don't get caught with the pace. Go there with your own style and your own pace.

Don't settle for a single repossessed motorcycle auction, there are a lot of auctions out there especially online. So before you go on a scheduled auction, visit a couple of online auctions first to get an idea on how the prices of the motorcycles fare.

You never now, you might find a product that is cheaper especially in an unpopular auction due to the less number of bidders. Preparation is always the key when you opt to buy your motorcycle in a repossessed motorcycle auction event.

How to Keep Warm When Riding in Chilly Weather

The cold weather is upon us. Here in northern Florida the winter weather is snow free but the air has become chilly and the sun is not as strong as the rest of the year.

We love to ride in the winter here but we have to pull out our winter gear to keep things comfy. The trick to keeping things warm in the winter is layers and moisture control. A good set of cotton or other absorbant type of material is the best for skin contact

The first layer of clothing that actually contacts your skin should wick moisture away. This is the most important layer. We all sweat and if the layer of cloth that contacts our skin doesn't absorb and draw it away from our body than we will get cold and wet in a hurry.

Shirts and pants should be loose fitting and comfortable. A comfortable pair of jeans and a sweatshirt will provide another layer of absorbant warm clothing

The next layer is where a good set of electrically heated clothing could really chase the chill away. The selection of jackets, gloves, and socks will be sure to satisfy all your needs and wants. There are a lot of gloves, coats, and socks that are excellent products that provide adjustable heating temps to satisfy your changing needs.

The next layer should provide wind protection and warmth. A good set of riding leathers should fit the bill. Leathers not only provide wind protection and insulation, but it also provides the abrasion protection that we expect from them.

Motorcycle Storage: Is Your Motorcycle Going To Be Ready For Spring? Part I

Many of us live in areas not conducive to riding a motorcycle rear round. I know there are die-hards out there who will ride in anything, all year, I used to be one of them, rain, snow, negative temperatures, you name it. Today, however, I prefer to ride my motorcycle when the conditions are more favorable. I enjoy riding more when there are less hazards and warmer temperatures. This means that every year, just like thousands of others, I roll my motorcycle into its winter nesting place, the back of my garage.

Storing a motorcycle is not as simple as rolling it into the back of a garage though, at least if you want a effortless start to the new riding season. It doesn't have to be hard either. Just a few steps and you can insure that your motorcycle will be ready when you are.

The first and most important step would be care of your motorcycle battery. Over time motorcycle batteries slowly discharge. You might have experienced the effects on your battery after your motorcycle sat for just a week or two. Imagine if you left it alone for an entire winter. Your battery would surely be dead and depending on its age and condition before storage, it might not ever take a charge again. Buying and installing a new battery in your motorcycle on the first day of good riding weather is an easily avoidable situation. Keep your motorcycle battery charged.

In the past one would have to charge the battery periodically during the storage period. Today we have battery chargers that offer a low rate of charge only as needed by the battery. These battery chargers shut off when a full charge is reached as to avoid overcharging and damaging the battery. Most of these battery chargers supply a 'pigtail' that can be permanently attached to your motorcycle battery, thus making it easier to connect the battery charger. So convenient that you easily could, and should use the battery charger year round.

The second sign of a long stored motorcycle is the deterioration of the fuel. Like batteries discharging, over time fuel will become 'stale' and creating a gum and varnish buildup. Not just the fuel in the tank, but in the entire fuel system. To avoid hard or impossible starting of your motorcycle (and poor running if you do get it started) due to stale fuel, removing or treating the fuel in your motorcycle is a must. Draining a fuel tank is a real drag, and getting all of the gas out of carburetors is not much better. Fortunately there are fuel additives available today that will halt the negative effects of aging gas, perfect for your stored motorcycle.

Motorcycle Storage: Is Your Motorcycle Going To Be Ready For Spring? Part II

So lets re-cap. You put your motorcycle battery on a battery tender. You added a fuel stabilizer to your fuel system. You are set to hop on and ride in the Spring, right? Not so fast, take the time and consider a few more items commonly overlooked.

Where are you storing your motorcycle? Inside a heated garage is obviously the best option, but let’s face it, this is not a option for everyone. If you don’t have a garage to store your motorcycle in, a good quality motorcycle cover can work just fine. Either way consider the elements present, a heated garage can have its drawbacks as well!

If you are going to store your motorcycle outside under a cover, take the time to consider the location. A motorcycle parked in the dirt or grass for three winter months runs the risk of settling and falling over. Also, having your motorcycle tires planted in the dirt for three months while slowly going flat is not considered desirable. A motorcycle under a cover outside is likely to experience the effects of moisture, some possible corrosion and condensation in gauges and components. This can be a superficial problem, however, and by removing the cover and allowing your motorcycle to sun itself for a day here and there is an easy solution.

If you are storing your motorcycle in a garage you still need to consider its location. Does the garage have any appliances with a pilot light such as a clothes dryer, hot water heater or furnace? These are always a danger when in a closed area near gasoline or other flammable chemicals. Are there any windows that will let alot of sun in. I've seen a motorcycle in a garage, bathed in intense sunlight through a window, have all of its rubber parts dried out and cracked in one storage season. Another common problem is nesting rodents. They've been found in airboxes, seats, even exhaust pipes. These guys not only make a mess where they sleep, but also where they eat, they love to snack on electrical wires.

As always, before taking your motorcycle for a ride, make sure you complete a thorough safety check. All lights, switches, and safety equipment should be fully operational. All fluids should be clean and full. Make sure your riding gear is still in good condition, fits properly and that your motorcycle insurance policy is current.

Lastly, check your tire condition and pressures! Cold, flat motorcycle tires are not the right way to start the new season.

Looking For A New Motorcycle Helmet-Be Sure To Look For The Right Features

Let's face it: it's not a good idea to skimp on a helmet. The majority of bike-related deaths come from head injury.

A well-built helmet should offer a wide variety of benefits:

SAFETY: The shell should be made from organic fiberglass and carbon fiber in various layers. This creates a shock absorbent shell with optimum rigidity.

LINER: The helmet liner should provide optimized protection through EPS elements. The helmet should utilize a modular three-layer system with various degrees of shock absorbency.

VISOR: The visor should incorporate a variety of features that ensure easy change-ability of visors as well as resistance to fogging. The visors should also provide a high degree of impact resistance.

AERODYNAMICS: Quality helmets are designed with maximum comfort in mind. Streamlined aerodynamic shape along with the aero edge spoilers (which is race inspired) reduce drag and lift at high speed.

GOOD LOOKS: I put this last because it really isn't as important as all the safety and comfort features...but we all want to look good in a helmet, right? Well, with a huge variety of styles and colors to choose from, you can get a helmet that looks great and keeps you safe and comfortable.

What to look for when buying a quality motorcycle helmet.

There are several things to consider when purchasing any helmet. Firstly, is fit and comfort. Consider purchasing a helmet that is lightweight, and fits snugly without pinching or rubbing in spots.

Visibility is another important factor. You need to be able to see forward as well as to the sides. You might also try your prescription glasses while trying out the helmet to assure a comfy fit.

Finally, consider the ability of the helmet to manage air flow. No one wants a helmet that is noisy and constantly buffetting in the air.