Archive for April, 2011
Gift Ideas For The Motorcyclist In Your Life
Some people are nearly impossible to buy gifts for. However if someone has a hobby that’s always a good source for gift ideas. There are countless options for motorcycle riders no matter what your gift budget is.
Safety Equipment:
Some riders are very serious about safety equipment while others just wave it off maybe obeying helmet laws by buying the cheapest helmet around but nothing else. This can be frustrating for people who worry about them zipping down the freeway completely unprotected.
There are plenty of helmets for the rider in your life that combine protection with style but there are more safety choices than just helmets.
Leather jackets are the classic rider outfit and are functional as well as attractive. Get one with a spine protector for the best chance of surviving an accident with no longterm injury. Leather boots are another great accessory that provide protection if the bike goes down.
Are you on a small budget? Try a pair of motorcycle gloves or a helmet lock.
A rider who might not wear full safety gear normally will often wear it if it’s a gift. The rider gets a great gift and you get peace of mind.
Aftermarket Motorcycle Parts:
Most riders want to customize their bikes and the aftermarket motorcycle parts industry has never been bigger.
Custom chrome options give bikes an eyecatching accent. Look through aftermarket motorcycle parts catalogs to find chrome accessories from screws to trim to wheels. For those on a bigger budget there are kits that let your rider chrome the whole bike.
Seats are always a good choice; after all that’s where the rider spends the most time! A more comfortable seat takes the strain off and makes the ride more enjoyable. Or give the rider more storage with saddlebags and luggage racks.
For a really special occasion try something extravagant like one of the many custom bike kits. It’s a onceinalifetime gift but it’s certainly something that will be remembered.
Talk to Riding Buddies:
If you just don’t know what to buy you can always go for a gift certificate at an aftermarket motorcycle parts shop but those are so impersonal.
Instead talk to your rider’s motorcycle enthusiast friends. They probably have great ideas and can help with the details. They can steer you to the right brands so you don’t end up with a chrome accessory that doesn’t fit on the bike or a helmet that looks pretty but doesn’t protect well.
Of all the gift choices for the motorcycle enthusiast one of the best is to become genuinely interested in the hobby. It will bring you closer together and you just might find an exciting new pastime.
About the writer:nbsp;nbsp;Author is a freelance copywriter. For more information about motorcycleparts visit http://www.jirehcycles.com
Patches For That Custom Motorcycle Look
When it comes to motorcycles and motorcyclists patches and emblems are one way to both set yourself apart and define yourself as part of a group. Many motorcycle clubs both formal and informal use patches and emblems to identify themselves. You can use these patches to locate other chapters of your motorcycle club express your interests and proclaim your allegiances and lifestyle decisions. Motorcycle patches are most popularly placed on jackets and they are great way to locate other people who are “in the know.”
Many motorcycle clubs have unique patches and emblems that are used exclusively by their members. These patches are often custommade and commissioned from embroidery shops. Then they are distributed among the members. Some clubs use ceremony or hazing techniques while other clubs are a great deal more casual. While some clubs have uniforms for other clubs the motorcycle patches are the only way to denote membership.
It is difficult to discuss the use of motorcycle patches without discussing the “one percenters.” After a rash of unfriendly and unflattering media regarding the motorcycling lifestyle was produce the American Motorcycle Association declared that 99 percent of all motorcyclists were law abiding citizens; only 1 percent participated in any sort of criminal or antisocial activity. Individuals and groups began to adopt the moniker “One percenters” to separate themselves from the mainstream motorcyclists and their club patches are cut into three pieces. The top piece features the name of the club the middle section features the club’s emblem and the lower piece designates the chapter that the member hails from.
As time has gone on the distinction of a one two or three piece motorcycle patch emblem has come to signify certain things. A single whole patch states that the wearer is in a law abiding motorcycle group while a three piece patch indicates active service in Outlaw Motorcycle club. On the other hand a two piece patch can indicate that the motorcycle club one belongs to is being considered for acceptance into the Outlaw Motorcycle Club.
A complete discussion of motorcycle patches might prove to be impossible; every year the club change the emblems change and the meanings are in a constant state of flux. No matter what a person is wearing remember that making assumptions regarding their status in a motorcycle club or their participation is not only unrealistic it can also be considered rude.
Whether you are designing a motorcycle patch or you have recently become a full fledged member of one it is important to take a look around and see what motorcycle patches mean to your club. Find out the local language is in terms of motorcycle patches and make sure you are fluent!
About the writer: Joe has enjoyed outdoor sports for over 2 decades and knows which ones bring the greatest health benefit as well as proper accessories needed. For his latest motorbike articles see: Accessory Motorcycle.
Simple Motorcycle Maintenance Tips
If its your first time to own a motorcycle you should be aware that motorcycles are slightly more troublesome to take care of than cars. While cars can survive a long time of neglect the same thing cant be said for motorcycles. Worse just one instance of neglect can immediately cause peril to your life.
1. Inspect Your Motorcycle Regularly
Make up a checklist of the important things you should inspect regarding your motorcycles safety and performance. Send it to the service center as well every time you cover 5000 kilometers. Regular visits may cost you a small amount of money but this amount is certainly nothing considering that its equivalent to the price of your life!
2. How Oily is Oily?
Make it a habit to check your motorcycles oil level when youve stopped for gas. While checking the oil make sure that no foreign material will accidentally fall into your motorcycles oil storage compartment. Avoid subjecting your motorcycle to constant exposure to extremely hot or cold weather as this can affect your oils quality.
3. Batteries are a Motorcycles Best Friend
Do you know that one of the most common causes for motorcycles to cease operating or malfunction is due to battery problems? As such you need to take excellent care of your battery at all times. Firstly never remove or replace them if the engine is still running. Dont change batteries by yourself if you dont have any experience.
4. Adding Fuel to the Fire
An absence of care and precaution can easily add fuel to the fire and lead you to experiencing an unfortunate accident. To avoid fuel troubles start by learning the various locations and uses of your motorcycles fuses. When changing fuses always subject it to testing to ensure that its in good working condition. Damaged fuses put you at the risk of having your motorcycles blow up while youre on the driver seat.
5. Clean Up Your Act
Believe it or not the mere act of cleaning can significantly reduce future maintenance costs and the chances of having an accident while youre riding your motorcycle. If you dont like the idea of regular cleaning just think of it as killing two birds with one stone: cleaning will let you enjoy a safer and cooler ride on your bike!
6. Your Motorcycles First Aid Kit
Always have a properly equipped toolbox strapped to your motorcycle. Even the worlds slowest and safest driver can still be an unfortunate victim of an accident so having a toolbox will just be your way of preparing for any eventuality!
About the writer: Max Manroe is motorcycle mania There are thousands of sites online offering information on all things about motorcycle. Some provide very helpful information about very good products and some are a total waste of your valuable time and money. Please check out another motorcycle guide on http://www.motorcycleguideline.com