Motorcycle Maintenance

Posted on January 1st, 2009 in Motorbikes by admin

Motorcycle Maintenance

Maintaining the motorcycle is an important part of owning
this type of vehicle, or any vehicle for that matter. Doing
this ensures that the motorcycle is running smoothly and
efficiently.

Also, a well-maintained motorcycle is relatively safe from
accidents and breakdowns compared to those that are not.

Below are some of the things that you should look into when
maintaining your motorcycle.

1. Tires

- this is one part of your motorcycle that you will have to
replace often so you should check it regularly. Before
riding your bike, you should always check the tire pressure
since too much or too little air can have a significant
negative effect on your motorcycle.

So buy a pressure gauge to accurately check your tire
pressure. Also if the tread on the tires are already
shallow (around 1mm) replace them immediately.

2. Oil

- it is essential to keep your motor running smoothly. You
should therefore check it periodically and replace it every
so often (2,000-4,000 km or every 3-6 months).

3. Fuel

- keep your fuel filter clean and replace it after every
two years. Also, if you notice any damage on the filter,
you should change it with a new one immediately.

4. Battery

- is important to run the electronic parts of your vehicle
such as the lights and the horn. If you notice a decrease
in its performance, then it

Types of Motorcycles

Posted on December 31st, 2008 in Motorbikes by admin

Types of Motorcycles

Motorcycles come in different flavors and it has added to
the popularity of this type of vehicle. Because of its
variety, it is able to cater to a wide range of customers.

Below is a list of the most popular types of motorcycles
and a description of how one is unlike the other.

1. Road bike

- is a type of bike that is designed to run on paved roads.
Under this are several sub-categories which include
cruisers and sport bikes. Cruisers are the ones that are
usually associated with the leather-clad group of bikers
called Hells Angels. Sport bikes meanwhile are those that
are capable of high speeds.

2. Off-road bike

- while road bikes are for paved roads, this type can take
a lot of punishment in rough-road situations. To do this,
they are equipped with smaller engines and with a design
focused on the suspension. They are typically used in
sporting events such as the motocross and enduro racing.

3. Dual-sport

- is a marriage between road and off-road bikes. A
dual-sport can handle rough roads very well and at the same
time has the ability to be used in paved road conditions.

4. Scooter

- is a much simpler type of motorcycle compared to the ones
mentioned above. They usually don

Motorcycle Safety

Posted on December 30th, 2008 in Motorbikes by admin

Motorcycle Safety

One of the issues that concern motorcycle riders and
manufacturers alike is the safety of riding it. Since
two-wheeled vehicles are less stable than those with three
or more wheels, safety becomes a top priority because of
this.

But there are some ways to keep riders safe when riding
motorcycles. Below are some of them.

1. Wearing protective gear

- this is one of the most basic ways by which riders can
protect themselves while riding their motorcycles.
Protective gear includes a crash helmet, motorcycle
clothing, gloves and boots.

These accessories ensure that the impact of a crash is
lessened. Bright colored clothing is also advised so that
riders will be easily visible to drivers of other vehicles.

2. Checking the bike before riding

- accidents can be prevented by making sure that every
component of the motorcycle works well. This is especially
the case with the brakes and the lights. So before taking
the bike for a ride, they should first be checked.

3. Perform periodic maintenance

- to ensure that the bike is in tip-top condition, owners
should bring it to a certified mechanic to be inspected.
Motorcycles generally need to be maintained more often than
cars, so a regular schedule of trips to the mechanic should
be made and followed by owners.

4. Riding safely

- some motorcycle-riding accidents are caused by
incompetent riders. Observing traffic safety rules like
using signals should therefore be done. By doing this, not
only accidents are prevented but also the hefty fines that
come with traffic violations.

The History of Motorcycles

Posted on December 29th, 2008 in Motorbikes by admin

The History of Motorcycles

Motorcycles have come a long way from the early designs in
the 1800s to the different types available in the market
today. This article takes a look at the history of these
machines to see how much they have changed throughout the
years.

The early motorcycles were essentially motorized versions
of the safety bike, a bicycle which has wheels of the same
size.

Several inventors tried their hands on creating their
version of the motorized safety bike but none would be as
significant as the one invented by German inventors
Gottlieb Daimler and Wilhelm Maybach in 1885.

Their bicycle was powered by a petroleum-fed engine. Later
designs by other inventors chose to use the internal
combustion engine which was a relatively new invention at
the time.

But not all early motorcycles were run by
fossil-fuel-powered engines. In 1867, an American inventor
Sylvester Howard Roper created a steam-driven engine.
Another was by a Frenchman, Louis-Guillaume Perreaux
created a motorcycle based on the same concept in 1868.

By the early 20th century, the race was on for the
production of motorcycles. Different companies included
motorcycles into their line of products such as Triumph
which originally produced bicycles.

Several companies were also created that specialized in
motorcycle production such as Harley-Davidson and the
Indian Motocycle Manufacturing Company.

The use of motorcycles gained even more popularity after
WWII when veteran soldiers rode these vehicles to give them
the sense of adventure they felt during the war. In the
1950s to the 1960s, a new player came into the market.

Japanese motorcycles went in and later on dominated the
world of motorcycles. Japanese brands still have a large
share in today

Motorcycle Subcultures

Posted on December 28th, 2008 in Motorbikes by admin

Motorcycle Subcultures

One of the roots of the motorcycle

Famous Motorcycle Manufacturers

Posted on December 27th, 2008 in Motorbikes by admin

Famous Motorcycle Manufacturers

The motorcycling community has a host of subcultures that
range from the brusque image of the bikers riding cruisers
and choppers to the stylish ones who prefer the smaller
motor scooters.

But aside from the love of a particular type of bike, there
are also those who prefer a specific brand over another.

Here are some of the well-known motorcycle manufacturers
that have gained fame because of their performance, class
and significance in history.

1. Indian

- was the oldest motorcycle brand in the United States
until it ceased production in the 1950s. It was also the
biggest motorcycle manufacturer in the world until the
First World War.

At the peak of its production, it was making around 20,000
bikes annually. There is a recent attempt at reviving the
brand in 2006 and the company will now be known as the New
Indian.

2. Harley Davidson

- overtook Indian in being the largest bike manufacturer
some time in the 1920s. Although it has since then lagged
behind Japanese brands, it maintains a high-degree of
popularity mostly due to its rumbling V-twin engines which
are used in the classic models of this brand.

3. Ducati

- is an Italian brand that specializes in high-performance
motorcycles. Their bikes have the patented desmodromic
valve design which allows for a faster operation of the
valves without risking valve-float.

4. Yamaha

- originally a producer of musical instruments, this
company has branched out into motorcycle production. Today,
it is the second-largest producer of motorcycles in the
world.

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