Chopper

Choosing Your New Chopper

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Choppers have become the hot trend among motorcycle enthusiasts and are finally making a place for themselves in the mainstream biking world. A long time ago, these bikes were ridden by feared biker groups but now doctors, lawyers and accountants are seen riding choppers. These bikes’ popularity can be partly attributed to hit television shows such as “American Chopper.” Today, there is a wide array of standard and kit-customized choppers. If you are in the market for a new chopper, the first decision to make is the type of chopper you want.

Bobber

The Bobber has looks that are similar to the original choppers of the 1970s that were mainly manufactured from servicemen who were returning back home to the United States after World War II. These bikes are known for their distinctive looks created by removing unnecessary parts in order to decrease their weight but also improve their performance. The Bobber chopper has seen a significant increase in popularity over the past five years.

Rat Bike

The Rat Bike made its first appearance during the late 1970s and early 1980s. These bikes first piqued the public’s interest when they were shown in “Max Max,” a popular movie of the time. People who own Rat Bikes try their best to keep them road worthy without investing too much money. Many times Rat Bike owners will remove parts from other bikes in order to put the parts on their own chopper. While other types of choppers tend to come in a wide selection of colors, Rat Bikes are usually only made in a Matt Black color.

Pro Street Chopper

Pro Street Choppers are currently the most recognized type of chopper available on the market. The highest quality Pro Streets have a fat rear tires and long extended forks. These bikes jack their style from drag bikes but because of their design, Pro Street Choppers are difficult to handle, particularly on winding roads. Regardless, these bikes really shine when they run down a straight, open road.

Do Not Forget the Rear Suspension

After you have come to a decision regarding the type of chopper you want to buy, you need to decide on its rear suspension style, which will either be a soft tail or a hard tail. Hard tails do not have an actual rear suspension so you will definitely feel the bike seat’s springs. Soft tails have excellent rear suspension in order to make for a comfortable ride. If you plan to spend a lot of time on your chopper, soft tail suspension is the best choice.

Motorcycle Helmet

The Motorcycle Helmet Buying Guide

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It is not recommended to buy a motorcycle helmet based solely on its appearance, material and size. There is much more to consider when buying this key piece of safety equipment. There are some brands that are know for safety more than others, such as Arai, Bell, Erex, HJC, Nolan, Shoei and Suomy. Most of these companies manufacture helmets that carry the safety approval of SNELL or the DOT. There are four main aspects for which to look when choosing the right helmet. These aspects are color, liner, shape and visibility.

Color

Most people think that color is an easy decision; however, these people are mistaken. When it comes to safety, you need to be highly visible to other people on the road. Bright colors tend to stand out better than dark colors such as black. This is why motorcycle safety experts always recommend bright colors above any other color, especially for riders who like to take their bike out at night.

Liners

Liners are another important safety consideration in terms of choosing a helmet. The main function of a helmet liner is to give you not only comfort but also a snug fit. You can tell whether or not a liner is the right one for your head by the pressure points. If the points on your head feel an uneven distribution of pressure, you should avoid that particular liner. Generally, skull cap liners are known for being the most comfortable and evenly distributing pressure over the head’s surface.

Shape

The helmet’s shape is also a vital purchasing point. No two rider’s heads are exactly the same. Some people have slim, oblong heads while others have oval-shaped heads or round heads. The only way to really determine if a helmet is the right shape is by wearing it. The helmet should fit comfortably and securely. In addition, the helmet’s weight must be properly distributed in order for your head to easily support the helmet.

Visibility

The last aspect on this motorcycle helmet buying guide is visibility. The manner in which some bike helmets are designed make it difficult for the wearer to see from their peripheral vision. A helmet that allows full visibility is one that will help you see the road better, allowing you to avoid accidents.

Always Try On the Helmet

Once you have finally found a helmet that seems to meet all of the above purchasing criteria, you need to try it on before buying the helmet and using it. If you plan to buy a helmet online in order to save money, try the brands on that interest you in the store first and then buy your final choice online.

Ducati Monster

Installing a Frame Slider Kit for the Ducati Monster

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The frame sliders made for Ducati Monsters are manufactured in a manner that offers superior protection for S2R, S4R and 600/620/900/1000 Multistradas in the event of a tip over or low-side. The frame protection kits are designed by the same company that makes frame sliders. Every model of is thoroughly tested for slide and drop protection. These kits are known for being tough, durable and able to absorb large impacts.

Before Your Start

Before you start the installation process, read all included instructions. Frame sliders are meant to fit on certain engine mounts of a bike. This is why it is strongly encouraged for riders to look at their manual before starting an installation. Check the manual to find out the tightening torque; there is also information available online if you do not have a service manual.

Included Parts

* Two Frame Sliders and Aluminum Inserts
* One 10mm Stainless Steel Threaded Rod
* Two Washers and Locknuts

Needed Tools

* Two 17mm Deep Sockets
* A Ratchet Drive
* A Torque Wrench
* Pliers or a Vise Grip
* Rubber Mallet Read more »

Purchasing a Harley Davidson

Buying Points for Purchasing a Harley Davidson

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The process of buying a Harley is enjoyable and unforgettable. But new riders are usually intimidated by the sheer selection of bikes. Most beginning riders gravitate toward Harley’s Sportster models because of their light weight. All in all, Harley-Davidson carries 31 motorcycle models that can be categorized into five various families of bikes. Regardless of the model, there are a few points to keep in mind when purchasing your Harley-Davidson motorcycle, which all revolve around the three contact points your body will make while sitting on a Harley. These points are the bottom, feet and hands. As you sit on a motorcycle, pay attention to the way your hands fit around the handlebars and remember that while holding the handlebars, your heels should touch the ground and your knees and elbows should remain slightly bent.

Foot Pegs and Floorboards

Motorcycles with floorboards are definitely the most comfortable for the rider’s feet. However, some bikes only have foot pegs. For foot-peg bikes, there are accessories that create a greater width and are made with rubber inserts that allow the rider to feel less vibration and enjoy greater control.

Handlebars and Risers

In order to get just the right fit, you have to test out and find the ideal combination of riser, the piece connecting the fork to the handlebar, and handlebar. Always take into consideration the bars’ width because wider-set bars provide additional leverage.

Seats

Perhaps one of the most important points, in terms of comfort, is the bike’s seat. There are numerous seat accessories available for purchase, some of which sit high and have extra padding. However, lower-profile seats are better for shorter riders. The seat height for some accessories can be lowered by two inches, which makes more of a difference than you might think. The type of bike trips you plan to take should also influence your purchase. Thick, wide seats are best suited for long-distance trips, especially if the seat is shaped like a chair. These seats have optional suspension lowering kits so the rider can not only enjoy a more comfortable trip but also better control.

Other Accessories

After you have finally chosen the right model of Harley, you can purchase accessories to better fit your style of riding, such as rain gear, saddlebags and windshields. Of course, be sure to thoroughly compare products and talk to fellow riders. Perusing bike magazines can also give you great ideas. Soon enough, you will be enjoying a long relationship that so many Harley-Davidson bike owners have.

Harley-Davidson Motorcycle

Customizing Your Harley-Davidson Motorcycle

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If your interested in transforming your standard chopper into a roaring, loud, customized machine, you can buy a few custom parts to do the job. Aftermarket custom parts usually run from $100-$500 and do not require a wealth of motorcycle mechanical knowledge to install. Take a look at the four modifications that you can install yourself. Each one will make a noticeable difference on how your Harley sounds and performs. In most cases, custom aftermarket motorcycle parts tend to be superior over stock parts in terms of performance and looks. The best places to make modifications are the exhaust, engine and ignition. Afterward, you can replace the mirrors, handlebars, tires, gas tank and even the paint job in order to give you bike a unique look as well as tons of noise, power and speed.

Carburetors

Aftermarket carburetors are among the first parts people replace when customizing their Harley. The main function of a motorcycle’s carburetor is to mix the ideal amount of air and gas in order to create the torque needed for fueling the bike. An engine will run too lean when there is not enough gas and it will flood when there is too much gas. There are several aftermarket carburetors from which to choose but Mikuni is arguably the most effective at pulling air. And the more air that flows, the more peak power you will enjoy.

Big Growler Exhaust

What good is a chopper if it does not make that “rumble” sound? Big Growler Exhaust systems are sure to catch the attention of those who are stuck driving cars and they will make them envy the freedom only a Harley can give. This system creates an non-muffled amplification due to its long, straight pipe; every grind and hum will be heard as you cruise and accelerate. These exhausts cost several hundred dollars and are worth the price.

Yost Power Tube

For a little bit of money, you can get tons of power with Yost Power Tubes. Since increased power comes from a greater amount of combustion efficiency, the Power Tube is the best way to achieve your power goals. These kits made by Yost have a spacer that provides more throttle and power and will work with Harley-Davidson’s B, E, and G S&S Series. This is among the easiest custom part for bike riders to install on their own.

Spyke Ignition

Ignition kits are popular custom motorcycles because of the huge impact they make. The aftermarket ignitions manufactured by Spyke carry a lot more power than factory-made ignitions, aggressive ignition curves and dyno-proven power gains. Spyke ignitions will reduce strain and kickback while simultaneously allowing for customized timings that rely on engine modifications.

Luxurious Additions for Your Motorcycle

Luxurious Additions for Your Motorcycle

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Luxury. Say it out loud, and it’ll sound even better. Now, you might wonder how you could possibly add luxury components to a luxury item like a motorcycle, but you would be surprised. Indeed, motorcycles have become half-luxury and half-necessity as people look for ways to make their overall gas budgets stretch in tight financial times. It can feel like there is just no way that you would ever be able to find something that can really make your motorcycle stand out, but again — don’t be surprised when you do.

The rise of the Internet has made it even easier to get a great set of additions for your motorcycle, but how do you really narrow down what luxurious additions for your motorcycle you should pick up first? Well, it’s just a matter of thinking about the purpose you have in mind for your motorcycle. For example, if you know that you will want to ride your motorcycle at night more than any other time, then it just makes sense to invest in high intensity lighting that can light up the road for you. For the rider going through those long country roads, then you definitely know what we’re talking about.

On the other hand, maybe you want something a bit more flashy and “in your face”. This is where custom mini floorboards can come in handy, as well as everyone’s favorite modification: chrome! There’s nothing like looking at a chromed out bike, especially when you have the work done by a professional.

This leads to a pretty good point. No matter what accessories that you want to add to your motorcycle, you might want to bring them out to your favorite motorcycle mechanic for actual installation. The motorcycle culture is very DIY, but if you know that you can’t handle that right now there’s no reason to feel like you have to go down this path if you don’t want to. It’s better to take things to a professional that can show you how to install it properly than to do it yourself and end up causing more damage than you would if you had just gotten it done right by a professional the first time.

Moving on, another point that you will nee dot consider when it comes to luxurious additions to your motorcycle is that luxury is relative. It all depends on your budget and what you want to get accomplished. Of course, if you’re still not sure what type of modifications you want to make, you can always hit up a good motorcycle forum. The nice part about motorcycle culture is that it’s not only very social, but it’s also very approachable towards newcomers. Yes, there is an elite circle that prides itself on riding for years, but the reality is that that same circle had to start somewhere — as beginners. The key here is to make sure that you reach out and show respect when you’re asking questions. Trying to ask the same questions over and over again will only make it hard for other people to take you seriously.

Overall, it’s really all about getting the type of customizations that you ultimately want. While you can get inspiration form other people, you shouldn’t let other people make you feel pressured to get a certain addition to your money. As a famous commercial once said, “It’s your money; use it when you want to!”

Bild 1611

3 Steps to Getting the Most Out of Your New Motorcycle

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If you’ve just purchased a motorcycle, then you’re definitely off to a great start. However, there are a few things that you will need to make sure that you purchase in order to make sure that you really get the most out of your new motorcycle. It might seem like all you need to do is jump on your motorcycle and take off, but this isn’t the case at all. In fact, it’s better to make sure that you will be able to really squeeze every last drop of power and performance from your motorcycle before you even leave your driveway?

Why? Well, in a nutshell, it’s a matter of trying to get the most for your money. The last thing that you will want to do is end up not getting the value that you deserve from your motorcycle. You’ve spent enough money on it, so it just makes sense that you get the most out of it.

Yet that doesn’t answer the most important question on our minds here: just how do you really get the most out of your motorcycle without all of the hassle? There are about three steps that you need to take in order to really get the ball rolling, so let’s get to that point.

As a side note, when it comes to purchasing the items listed in this guide, you will need to make sure that you actually go online rather than going into an expensive motorcycle shop. The rise of the Internet has made it easier than ever before to get the motorcycle gear that you need, so why not just dive right in?

That’s what we thought, too — so, onward:

First and foremost, you will need to think about safety. You just can’t go out of your house without getting safety gear. The last thing that you will want to do is end up hurting yourself just because you want to look cool in front of your friends. The basic safety items when it comes to a motorcycle are a good helmet, a good set of motorcycle protective clothing, and strong boots. Now, everyone has seen motorcycle riders in shorts and sandals, but this isn’t safe at all. The reason why is because if the motorcycle were to drop from underneath them, they would end up getting seriously injured — “road rash” springs to mind immediately.

From there, you will want to make sure that you look your bike over and see about adding things that can increase the performance of your motorcycle. This is something that you might want to wait on if you’re not truly serious about owning your motorcycle. However, if you really do want to get all of the performance that you have come to expect, then proceed ahead.

The first thing that you will need to get if you really want to add to your motorcycle’s performance is a good set of aftermarket tires. Now, you might feel that stock tires give you everything you need, but this isn’t the case. Better tires enhance your motorcycle’s ability to make contact with the ground, and that’s definitely an important thing! Make sure that you consult with your owner’s manual on this, as not all tires are made equal, nor are they all created for your motorcycle!

Another thing that you will want to look into is stainless steel brake lines, as well as aftermarket brake pads and discs. These are all features that not only help you stay safe on the road, but will give you a much better experience when you’re actually trying to ride.

Finally, the last thing that you will need to do in order to get the most out of your motorcycle is to make sure that you actually get it looking the way you want. If you want chrome, then chrome it out — but make sure that your type of motorcycle actually looks good with more chrome. For a “racer” style bike, all that chrome won’t look very appealing. This is a great chance to really use your imagination to make your bike look one of a kind– much to the envy of all of your friends.

At the end of the day, a motorcycle truly is what you make of it. With the tips in this guide, you should have no problem getting the most out of your motorcycle in virtually no time at all!

Top Notch Motorcycle

The Identifying Markers of a Top Notch Motorcycle

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If you’re thinking about getting a great motorcycle, chances are good that you’re not sure where to actually begin. Don’t worry; this isn’t your fault at all. In fact, it’s simply part of the entire process of getting a great bike. The selection of motorcycles on the market today is simply massive, which means that it is even more important now than ever before to really put some time into choosing the best motorcycle possible.

One of the things that you need to start out doing is identifying the top markers of great motorcycles. This will enable you to pick the best motorcycle for your needs no matter what type of motorcycle you have your eye on.

So, let’s get started.

The first thing that you will need to do is think about the weight of a good motorcycle. Naturally, this is one of the first things that you have to think about for a bike for your own use, but in a more general sense, weight is very important. If you’re a new rider, then you will definitely want to get a light weight motorcycle. It will make it a lot easier for you to control, which in turn will cut down on your level of accidents with the motorcycle.

Another thing that you will need to think about is the type of motorcycle that you will come across. A lot of newcomers to the world of motorcycles forget that motorcycles come in all different types, which each type corresponding to a specific purpose. For example, if you’re trying to go for something that you will be able to commute with, you don’t want to go with a touring bike — they are designed for long distances more than anything else. On the other hand, a touring bike is exactly what you need for a motorcycle-based road trip — not an urban-oriented bike that won’t get you over those long distances very well.

Another marker of a top notch motorcycle is power, but not just any type of power. Otherwise, every motorcycle rider would be thinking about “rocket” style bikes instead of the bike that they already have. It’s controlled power, which is done through a system of torque control. You can’t just jump on the throttle continuously. Part of a good bike is how it allows the rider to use their skill. This is something that might not be as easy to tell through pure specs alone. That’s why the Internet is full of sites that give reviews on bikes. You will want to key in on those reviews as you make your purchase. Don’t forget to keep your body shape and weight in mind s you pick out a bike, because these factors will play a role as well.

As you can see, there are numerous markers of a great motorcycle — handling, speed, power, control, and technology — but only you can decide what motorcycle you will ultimately purchase. Why not get started today?

3 Hot Motorcycles You Want To See Underneath Your Christmas Tree

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The holidays are right around the corner, and this means that if you’re looking forward to Christmas, you’re definitely in for a treat. Why? Well, the holiday season is a great time to see a good motorcycle underneath your Christmas tree. Now, we are being a little facetious — today’s bikes will be pretty hard to fit underneath a Christmas tree. But it’s the thought that counts, right? We’re pretty certain that you’re not going to complain if you find the motorcycle outside in the driveway instead of underneath the tree.

Not sure about the best bikes that could be hiding underneath the proverbial Christmas tree? Don’t worry — we definitely have you covered. Check out the three bikes below — all hot motorcycles that you would definitely want to see underneath your Christmas tree.

1. Kawasaki ZX-6R

It’s hard to pass up the Kawasaki ZX-6R. For starters, it’s a bike that is definitely made for speed freaks. You aren’t going to have to worry about running out of power, considering that you’re getting a 600cc engine. That’s a lot of power, and there’s plenty of RPMs that you can squeeze out of this bike. The bike is designed from top to bottom for aerodynamics, giving you a smooth ride. Is this bike for beginners? Definitely not — only advanced riders need to covet this thing of beauty. All others need to get a little more experience under their belts before they think about a motorcycle.

2. Ducati Multistrada 1200 S Sport

If you like luxury motorcycles, you can’t help but hope for the Ducati Multistrada 1200 S Sport to be underneath your Christmas tree. It’s a versatile motorcycle that actually can transform into four different motorcycles due to the power of technology. Instead of trying to decide between whether or not you want a touring bike or an enduro bike, you can actually get both of them simply by adjusting a few settings.

Safety is the name of the game with this bike, considering that traction control is assisted by technology — no longer will you have to try to figure out how to get everything running smoothly again.

3. Honda GL1800 Gold Wing

Our final pick for motorcycles that you’ll love finding underneath your Christmas tree is the Honda GL1800 Gold Wing. If you’re looking for a top of the line touring bike, you can’t go wrong with a Goldwing. There’s something symbolic that just stands out when people start talking about this bike. It’s a motorcycle that was born for long road trips and plenty of head-turns. Is it the newest type of bike out there? Definitely not — Honda has been pumping out Goldwings for a long time. There’s something a good reason for it — 104HP and 109 pounds of torque are two pretty good reasons, you know. All around, this is a stunning bike that would surely electrify your world if you found it underneath your Christmas tree. Considering the price tag for a new Goldwing, it’s pretty safe to assume that someone loves you a great deal if they gave you one of these!

Could we have chosen three other motorcycles? Sure we could have. There are a lot of different bikes on the market, and your tastes might bring you to one of those instead of one of these. Just remember that these are bikes that you might want to see underneath the Christmas tree — in other words, they’re gifts more than anything else. So if you do get one of these nice motorcycles as a gift, don’t hesitate to say thank you — they’re all worth unwrapping and enjoying for many years to come!

Getting a Fast Motorcycle

Getting a Fast Motorcycle

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Sometimes the attraction of a motorcycle is the speed that it can do. Being able to do a fantastic speed can be something which many people think is important.

It can be great to be able to show off to your mates that your motorcycle is really quick. However, it is worth being realistic about this. How many opportunities will you get to be able to go that quickly? You should not go above the speed limit and even if you do, you will not be able to go that much above it. It is therefore worth wondering whether being able to go massively fast is something worth paying for.

It tends to be the more expensive vehicles which go faster. It could be worth saving some money or getting some other good features that you will be able to use, rather than being able to go fast when you will not be able to use that. It is like any feature in that it is only worth money if it is something that you will use. Make sure that when you make a list of the specifications of what you require form your bike, that you prioritise them and think about how useful each feature will be to you as well as how cool it will be.

Your budget may not stretch to all the features that you need and so you will need to be able to work out what is the most important and what is not, so that you can get something which is suitable for what you need it for. Think about what you will be using it for most of the time and what the requires. It may be that you will be able to afford some more extravagant features but make sure you get the practical ones sorted out first.

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