Tag Archives: motorcycle

The Surefire Path to Getting Your Motorcycle License

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It’s no secret that getting your motorcycle license means jumping through a lot of hoops. But you shouldn’t let a little red tape get between you and a lifetime of riding. Here is a simple plan that you can use to get your license easily.

Motorcycle License

  1. Get the motorcycle operator handbook from your state’s motor vehicle bureau. This is simply a short booklet that contains all of the information that you will need to know in order to pass the motorcycle permit test, plus extra information to keep you safe. These books are usually downloadable in PDF format at your state’s motor vehicle bureau’s website.
  2. Make sure you have reached the minimum age for a learner’s permit in your state, and apply at your local DMV. You will need to take both a written test and a vision test.  In order to prepare for the written exam, it’s a smart idea to get a motorcycle practice test. That will allow you to have a general understanding of what questions are on the real thing before you even take it.
  3. Get a bike and start practicing. The amount of time you will have to practice and the regulations that restrict your practice time can vary from state to state.
  4. Fill out your state’s application for a motorcycle license and pay all applicable fees.
  5. Make sure the registration for your motorcycle is up to date and that you are fully insured. You will only be allowed to take the test if you are fully compliant with all state regulations.
  6. Make an appointment with your state’s motor vehicle bureau to take the motorcycle test. To prevent cancellations, check the weather report to ensure that there won’t be rain, snow, or other weather conditions that would make riding your motorcycle difficult.
  7. Before your appointment, go to the area where the test will be held (usually a section of the parking lot of your local motor vehicle bureau office). Practice all the maneuvers on which you be tested, like accelerating, turning, and braking. This will help you be extra prepared for the actual test.
  8. On test day, remember to relax, follow instructions, and rely on all the practice you have been doing. Once you have passed the tests (which, depending upon your state’s regulations, may involve a basic maneuver test, a road test, and/or a written test), you are ready to get your picture taken and receive your license.

Welcome to the club, fellow biker.

About Author

Logan Strain is a writer for I DRIVE SAFELY, the leading provider of Driver’s Ed Online in the United States. For more information about safe and responsible driving, plus some fun articles that all licensed drivers will enjoy, visit http://expresslane.idrivesafely.com/ blog.

Tip for motorcycle scratch and paint protection

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If you are determined to maintain the glow and shine on your motorcycle, then you must be prepared to do all it takes. There are a number of motorcycle paint protection products that are manufactured specifically to help you achieve this purpose. If you use the right paint protection products, you will realize that keeping your motorcycle as good as new wont be that difficult. The following are tips that will help you to keep your motorcycle free from scratches and also to ensure that the paint is in the best condition always.

Prevention is better than cure

Just as the saying goes, you should do everything within your capacity to ensure that your motorbike does not get scratches or paint damage for example through corrosion and oxidation. This means that you should begin taking good care of your motorbike from the moment you drive it from the showroom. It is important to understand that if you manage to take care of your motorbike, it will remain as good as new for a very long time. However, if you had neglected your motorbike and it now has scratches and the paint has been damaged, you should understand that all is not lost as you can fix the scratches and still make look just like a new one. The products used to maintain your motorbike and its paint may vary from waxes, paint conditioners, sealers and cleaners.

Waxing will ensure that the pain is shinning and does not fade, paint cleaners and conditioners will remove all those stubborn stains to ensure that the paint is clear and free from external coloring. Also ensure that birds droppings and tree sap are cleaned from the motorbike’s surface as soon as possible before they can cause any damage to the paint.

 

Use quality wax or paint protectants

When choosing the paint protectant or wax for your motorbike, make sure you choose a product of high quality that will not only make the paint shine but will also ensure that the paint on your motorbike is long lasting. A quality paint protectant may come at quite a higher price than ordinary paint protectants.

Paint sealer protectant and wax that contains Teflon as one of the ingredients will come with added benefits in that they will not only ensure that the motorbike’s paint is shinning, but they will also create a barrier between your motorbike’s paint job and other contaminants that may cause damage to the paint. You can look for reviews online to ensure that the product you purchase is of renowned quality.

Stay away from multifunctional cleaning products

There are many products in the market today that are listed multifunctional meaning that they do all the cleaning and waxing jobs simultaneously. There are also some manufacturers who will tell you that when you use their multifunctional product, you will not need to wax your motorbike again. you should understand that most of these products will not only give you a low quality paint on your motorbike, but will also not offer much protection the paint job. The best way to ensure that your motorbike is protected from scratches and paint damage is to wash your motorbike in the traditional way and then apply a high quality paint sealer or wax.

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photo credit: filtran via photopin cc

Article written by Kerry Blake from Immaculate Reflections – Melbourne car detailng service, Australia.

Understanding How Motorcycle Insurance Rates Are Calculated

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Motorcycle insurance is legally required of all motorcycle drivers in the United States as well as many other countries. Having insurance actually serves as both a legal and financial protection; in the event of an accident, you will be covered. The need for insurance is even greater for motorcyclists as the potential risk of physical harm in an accident is much higher.

safety for motorcycles

Insurance companies do not always make it easy, however, to understand how motorcycle insurance rates are calculated. In addition, you may be trying to find ways to reduce the cost of your insurance premiums each month. What types of insurance do you need and how are rates calculated?

Types of Insurance

Most major insurance companies will offer bodily injury liability, property damage liability, collision, comprehensive, medical, and personal injury protection policies for motorcycle drivers. There are also some optional services that you can add to your policy such as roadside assistance and accessory coverage. If you want complete coverage with low deductibles, you will have to pay considerably more for your policy.

How Policy Rates Are Calculated

There are a number of factors that insurance companies use to determine how much they will charge you for your policy. While the type of coverage you choose plays a major part in the total of your premium, the following factors will also have a clear impact:

  • Age. Insurance companies give considerable breaks to older motorcycle drivers who can show that they have been licensed for several years. That is because they have experience and have proven that they know how to handle themselves on the road on a motorbike. Younger, less experienced drivers are at a higher risk for being involved in an accident and thus will be made to pay more for insurance.
  •  Location. Where you live also affects the price of your insurance policy. Motorcycle owners who travel mostly in urban areas are asked to pay more because they risk of injury and accident is higher. If you live in rural areas where there is little traffic you are at a much lower risk level.
  • Driving History. If you have had speeding tickets in the past, expect higher insurance rates. The same applies if you have been in accidents. Insurance companies see these events as risk factors and thus view you as a high risk driver. On the other hand, a person who has never had a speeding ticket and has not been in any accidents will enjoy a considerable reduction of their insurance costs.
  • Type of Motorcycle. The larger your motorcycle’s engine is, the more you will have to pay for insurance. That is because a powerful, fast engine puts you at a higher risk for dangers related to reckless driving. Newer motorcycles are also more expensive to insure because they will cost the insurance company much more to repair than an older bike would.

Even if your age, driving history, and location seem to place you in line for a higher insurance premium, there are some easy ways to limit the amount you will have to pay. The easiest opportunity is taking a motorcycle driver’s safety course.

Every insurance company calculates insurance rates differently for motorcycle drivers. Before you decide which policy to purchase, get rate estimates from several different companies. That will allow you to choose the insurance provider that offers you the best coverage at the best price.

This post was provided by the insurance experts at AutoInsuranceInJersey.com where you can get discounts on both motorcycle and car insurance.

Motorcycles: A Movie History

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Motorcycles have always been an interesting addition to movies. Classic movies such as “Easy Rider” and “The World’s Fastest Indian” as well as modern ones like “Captain America” have made their mark in Hollywood history. These motorcycle movies have also greatly influenced biker culture across the U.S. Let’s discuss the history of motorcycle movies and how they have impacted motorcycling in general.

The use of motorcycles in films started decades ago and screen bikes have become iconic, just like the characters who ride them. Edgar Dearing was one of the earliest actors, back in the 1920s, who was typecast as a motorcycle cop in films, with notable roles in Laurel and Hardy’s short films.

From then on, the appearance of bikes, particularly Harley-Davidson and Triumph, have surged in popularity. Here are some of the most influential motorcycle movies throughout Hollywood history:

The Wild One

In this legendary 1953 biker film, Marlin Brando sports the widely known “bad boy” pose on his Triumph motorcycle. “The Wild One” is an instrumental film that permanently linked the image of motorcycle riders with outlaws and two-wheeled rebellion.

wild_one

The Wild Angels

Although the plot and acting were criticized as less than stellar, this 1966 movie inspired the outlaw biker film genre.

Wild angel

Easy Rider

“Easy Rider” shares the story of two bikers, played by Dennis Hopper and Peter Fonda, who embark on a journey through the American Southwest and the South. The 1969 road movie features the custom “Captain America” motorcycle which has become one of the most easily identified bikes of all time.

Easy_Rider

Terminator 2

Being a box office and critical success, this 1991 science fiction action film deserves a place in the motorcycle movie hall of fame for bringing the Harley Davidson Fatboy to the forefront. Arnold Schwarzenegger’s stoic expression while riding the bike made for a very memorable movie character.

Terminator2_motorcycle

Beyond the Law

This 1992 film tells the story of an undercover cop. By featuring the custom Softail, the movie introduced the concept of building motorcycles onto the big screen.

Beyond the Law

The Motorcycle Diaries

“The Motorcycle Diaries” is a 2004 movie about the experiences and journey of Ernesto Guevera, who would later become globally known as the Marxist revolutionary Che Guevara. It’s a great film in which the motorcycle serves as an iconic symbol for the character’s physical and mental journey.

Motorcycle_diaries

Mission: Impossible III

In this 2006 action spy movie, Tom Cruise rides the retro-cool Triumph Scrambler 900 that further reinforced the iconic screen image of Triumph in Hollywood. Cruise is considered one of the biggest celebrities to be associated with motorbikes, with his Kawasaki Ninja 900 in “Top Gun” and a Triumph Speed Triple in the second installment of the popular “Mission: Impossible” movie series.

Mi2

Captain America

This 2011 superhero film based on the popular character from the Marvel Comics features a vintage Harley-Davidson motorcycle in classic olive drab green.

Most of these notable motorcycle movies symbolize freedom, rebellion and independence. More importantly, the best movies portray not only stunning bikes but also a close-knit relationship between the movie character and the vehicle. In contrast to simple props, the motorcycles serve as an extension of the characters riding them.

Captain_America_moto

If you’re a motorcycle enthusiast yourself, you surely cherish your bike as a precious possession. As a bike owner, insuring your vehicle will give you financial protection in the event of an accident. AutoInsurance.US provides free insurance quotes. Make sure to compare insurance rates among different companies to get the best deal.

A motorcycle enthusiast himself, Richard Ackerman has been working in the auto insurance industry for 20 years. He enjoys combining the two by writing for a selection of motoring blogs online.

Sport Bike Vs Cruiser which is best?

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Many first time buyers of motorcycles are faced with the same question upon their first visit to their local motorcycle store: should I buy a sport bike or a cruiser?  The answer greatly depends on the kind of riding experience you want since the two bikes are very different on a number of levels.  In this article, I will attempt to give the beginning motorcycle enthusiast a brief rundown of the differences between these two bikes.

Sport Bike

Sport Bike

The sport bike is very much like you would expect by the name and by its style.  It is definitely the sportier, more active bike of the two in comparison to the cruiser style, and requires more physical upper body strength and stamina.  For those that want a more exhilarating experience, though, and are prepared to exert the extra muscle power in your upper body that the sport bike requires, this motorcycle can provide you with some serious adrenaline rushes and offer you some satisfying thrills.

Sport bikes are usually a bit smaller than cruiser’s and have a higher center of gravity.  The handle bars are usually a bit stubbier and the wheel base is also smaller.  The reason for this is the amount of control that these bikes provide you with.  Using only small movements on the handle bars, you can make huge moves either left or right.  With a small application of the brakes, you could find yourself coming to a dead stop, while only a small amount of movement on the throttle will send you hurtling forward at break neck speeds.  This all leads to a very satisfying experience for those looking for a fast adrenaline rush.  If you are not careful, however, a small loss of control or lack of concentration could send you to a very bad place as an accident could be very easily caused with these powerful bikes.

Your upper body strength is also put to the test with these sport bikes. Your shoulders, arms, wrists, and upper back could really get a workout after a long ride as the sport bikes tend to sit forward and require you to lean toward the front of the bike when you are riding.

Cruiser

Cruiser Bike

Where the sport bike excels in quick bursts of adrenalized speed, the cruiser is built for going the distance.  While the cruiser is a fast vehicle, capable of hitting highway speed with minimal effort, it is a much smoother and less aggressive ride than the sport bike.  The controls are all a bit bigger than the sport bike, and focus more on gross motor skills than on the fine motor skills required by the sport bike.  If you are into long rides across country or day trips through beautiful scenic routes, the cruiser is definitely the bike of choice.  The cruiser has a lower center of gravity, allowing you to sit more comfortably in an upright position such as you are probably already used to if you spend much time in front of a computer.  Having your arms extended out in front of you will take some getting used to, as well as the upright position, which can both cause some sore muscles the first few times to you take a long ride as you adjust to it.  Cruisers usually offer many more options for customization and are usually the bike of choice for those who see their motorcycles as hobbyist projects.  Another big difference between the cruiser and the street bike is the fact that if you have a long trip in front of you, the cruise will usually have storage for your stuff, while the smaller sport bikes are going to require you to carry it all in your backpack.

Author Bio: Jason Phillips is in love with bikes from teenage. He enjoys bike racing and car racing as his leisure. He mostly uses rockville md autobody for his automobiles.

 

Quick overview of the BikeMaster Compact Motorcycle Ratchet

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In this video last week, Greg and Kyle shows off the new ratchet. Before you view, this tool, is portable and fits in puches, saddlebags and in a pocket! So come on and watch this this video.

Check it out here : http://www.cruisercustomizing.com/chrome-ratchet-with-7-piece-metric-socket-set-38-inch-drive/part/BM-15-2137

http://www.cruisercustomizing.com/chrome-ratchet-with-7-piece-metric-socket-set-14-inch-drive/part/BM-15-2136

Does your dog ride with you?

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Call 1-888-857-5417 to speak with a motorcycle pet carrier specialist or visit http://www.cruisercustomizing.com for more information.

In this tip, Kyle Bradshaw take you an a detailed walk through of three of the best motorcycle pet carriers from three of the industry’s top brands. Each of these pet carriers have different features and benefits, so sit back and enjoy your walk through the differentiating features. The bags being discussed today are as follows:
T-Bags Pet Carrier: TB-U540
http://www.cruisercustomizing.com/pet-carrier/part/TB-U540
Kuryakyn Pet Palace: Grey KY-4198
http://www.cruisercustomizing.com/pet-palace-grey/part/KY-4198
Kuryakyn Pet Palace: Black KY-4199
http://www.cruisercustomizing.com/pet-palace-black/part/KY-4199
Saddlemen Pet Voyager: PC3200C or 3515-0131
http://www.cruisercustomizing.com/saddlemen-pet-voyager-pc3200c/part/TC-3515-…

If you have any questions, call 1-888-857-5417.

Thank you for watching this Cruiser Customizing Tip of the Week.
Until next week, take care and ride safe.

Kyle Bradshaw
Cruiser Customizing