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Archive for April, 2011


Published April 30th, 2011

Motorcycle Safety

Riding on a motorcycle is fun and exciting. Nothing feels better on a warm afternoon then being on one, feeling the light breeze and the sun as you travel. However, it is vital that you take motorcycle safety very seriously as it only takes a second for you to be involved in an accident. Keep in mind that you don’t have the protection of a vehicle around you. Your motorcycle and your body are going to come into direct contact with another vehicle as well as the road.

Most accidents involving motorcycles are the result of another vehicle not being able to see the motorcycle. I can remember one of the scariest moments in my life involved my husband on a motorcycle. He was about a mile ahead of me and I was traveling in my car with our children. My husband went to pass a semi truck. As he was preparing to go around the semi truck decided to pass the car in front of him. He put on his signal light and my husband had to get to the shoulder to avoid being hit. The semi truck driver never knew he was there.

The lesson here is for both the motorcycle rider and for other vehicles. Make sure you look for motorcycles behind you and on the side of you before you make a move. This is especially true during times of warmer weather. Motorcycle riders need to drive attentively, understanding that other vehicle drivers won’t always be able to see them.

Operating a motorcycle doesn’t mean you have any special privileges on the streets or the highways. I think I speak for most of us when I say that we have all seen reckless driving involving motorcycles. I have been passed on the right shoulder more times than I can count. I few times traffic has been at a complete stop when a motorcycle operator decides to weave in and out of traffic to get ahead of the mess.

Motorcycle riders often travel together, and they like to ride side by side. This is a safety hazard for everyone. Each rider needs to remain in single file and pay attention to what is going on around them. This also needs no wheelie tricks or excessive speeds while traveling.

It is very important to always wear eye protection and a helmet when you are riding on a motorcycle. In many states, it is mandatory. It is very easy to get a bug, dust, or other debris in your eye while riding a motorcycle if you don’t have eye protection on. A helmet can save your life as a head injury will be less likely than without one.

It is a good idea to always wear a long sleeved shirt and pants while riding a motorcycle as well. They will offer you protection from road rash and debris. If you ride your motorcycle at night make sure your headlight works properly and that you have on reflective tape or clothing.

Many motorcycle accidents are the result of road conditions. Pay attention to the road and watch for areas of spills, sand, water, or foreign items. We have all seen boards, wood pieces, and even furniture on the road. Can you imagine hitting such an object with a motorcycle? Likewise, watch for such items being hit by another vehicle and becoming airborne. Never ride your motorcycle in rain, sleet, or snow. The risk is too great.

Operating a motorcycle is a great way to spend your leisure time. It is also a very cost effective way of commuting to and from work. Operating a motorcycle is also a responsibility that shouldn’t be taken lightly. You need to be more assertive and observant of your surroundings on a motorcycle than you do when operating a car. Make sure you have plenty of experience on how your motorcycle functions before you attempt to ride it in a location where there are other vehicles.

Published April 27th, 2011

How to Negotiate the Best Price on a Motorcycle

Getting the motorcycle you want is very exciting, but you need to know how to negotiate the best price. Why pay more for it than you have to? Don’t get so absorbed by the idea of having it that you will stop at nothing to get it. In most cases, you will be purchasing a motorcycle on credit with monthly installment payments. Do your best to reduce the number of payments you have to make as well as the amount of each one.

Take your time deciding what type of motorcycle you really want. If it doesn’t fit into your budget then you may have to decide to save up more money to get it or decide to go with a less expensive model for the time being. You always have the option of trading up in the future. However, many motorcycle enthusiasts find half of the fun is owning the exact motorcycle they want, regardless of the cost.

Start by finding the retail price on the motorcycle you want. This information can be found at various online sites including that of the manufacturer. Most dealerships add at least 10% to that base price. You can expect them to add on another 15% to cover delivery fees, documents, and taxes. Most dealerships will also try to get you to purchase an extended warranty for the motorcycle. This is optional, so make sure you take a look at what it is offering. If you don’t think you need the coverage then don’t be pressured into buying it.

Most motorcycle deals will allow you to trade in an older model on your new one. It is very important that you do your homework in this area as well. Find out exactly what the book value of your trade in is worth including the accessories it offers and the mileage of the bike. You can also find this information on the internet. Of course if you owe anything on the trade, make sure the amount you get for it is sufficient to cover the loan. You may find it to your advantage to sell your used bike first to a private individual, then use that money as a down payment on a new one. Most dealers are more likely to offer you a price break if you have a substantial down payment to offer.

Financing is a key issue when searching for a motorcycle. It is to your advantage to get a loan pre-approved before you start negotiating with a dealership. This will allow you to know the maximum amount of money you can finance. You can also look for financing that offers the lowest interest rates for your credit rating. This is going to save you money over the term of the loan. In most cases you will get lower rates securing financing from a lender on your own rather than those the dealership offers.

Taking the time to do your homework and compare prices will assist you in obtaining the motorcycle you want at the best possible price. You can use that extra savings to buy motorcycle accessories with or for planning a motorcycle road trip. If a dealership isn’t willing to negotiate with you once you have decided the maximum amount you will pay for a bike, then go find a dealership that will.

Published April 26th, 2011

Selecting the Right Motorcycle Helmet

Having the proper safety equipment is very important when you are operating or riding on a motorcycle. While a helmet is the most important piece of safety equipment, it will only protect you if it the right type of helmet and it fits properly. Have you ever seen a young child riding on a motorcycle wearing an adult size helmet? In the event of an accident, the helmet would offer no protection to the child’s skull at all.

It is very important that you try on any motorcycle helmet to ensure a proper fit. If you decide to make a purchase over the internet or from a catalog, make sure you are able to return it for a refund if it doesn’t fit well. Keep in mind that each manufacturer sizes their helmets differently. Just because you currently own a size large doesn’t mean that is what you will wear in a different brand. For best results through the mail or internet, measure the circumference of your head and ask them to give you the helmet dimensions. Never purchase a used motorcycle helmet because it may have been involved in an accident and it won’t protect you as it was designed to.

For the best results, try on motorcycle helmets with any accessories you will generally have while riding. For example, many women like to have their hair in a ponytail but may have it straight while trying on a helmet. If you wear prescription glasses while operating your motorcycle, then make sure you take them with you when you are trying on helmets.

A motorcycle helmet needs to fit very securely. Make sure it surrounds your entire head. The chin straps are adjustable but put them in place to ensure you can get them tight enough to fit your face shape. You should also try on the same brand of helmet in one size larger and one size smaller just to make sure you do in fact have the best fitting helmet for your head. For added comfort, consider getting a motorcycle helmet that offers air vents. You can easily slide them opened or closed to allow more air to circulate while wearing it.

You will find motorcycle helmets made from a variety of materials. For the best in safety and quality, choose one that is made from organic fiberglass and layers of carbon fibers. This combination creates a very powerful shock absorbent shell. You also want to make sure the liner features a three layer system. This will offer you additional shock absorption.

If you plan to ride your motorcycle a great deal, consider getting a motorcycle helmet that allows you to easily change the visor. This is a great option for riding during the day and the night. Make sure the visors are fog resistant and offer impact resistance.

Investing in a quality helmet that offers the protection you need while riding a motorcycle isn’t going to be cheap, but it may well be one of the most important investments you make in your life. Statistics show that motorcycle riders who wear a helmet have a 35% less chance of suffering from a head injury. You can fit a helmet that fits well and even have it custom painted to match your motorcycle.