Motorcycle Gear to Keep You Cool
May 28, 2014
Looking to beat the heat this summer? Well then, layer up with TwistedCore compression gear. An extra layer of long sleeves and pants might not seem likely give you a cooler ride, but this seasoned motorcyclist says otherwise:
Motorcycle Racing: Race-a-Cop Challenge
May 27, 2014
You wanna race? Fine. Race a cop.
Many sports bike fans have an uncontrollable need for speed. They get their motorcycle license, buy their first bike, learn how to handle a little bit of power and then think they’re ready for motorcycle racing. The only problem is, they’re not. And, inexperienced motorcyclists attempting to street race are the cause of far too many completely-avoidable deaths.
One solution was proposed by a few open-minded Cottonwood Heights police officers: Come on out and race a cop. No wheelie tickets, no speeding tickets, just good old fashioned motorcycle racing on a real race track. They’ll even share their safety gear.
The idea is to get more motorcyclists off the streets and onto safety-oriented race tracks. In fact, no matter what state you live in, many race tracks are open to the public and even provide racing classes for motorcyclists looking to learn.
So, if you have the racing-bug and need a fix, check out programs such as the Race-a-Cop Challenge, Texas’ RideSmart, or California’s Superbike School. Or, join the AMA (American Motorcyclist Association) and get started with their amateur racing program.
Motorcycle Tips for Riding in the Wind
May 23, 2014
The weather has been a real nut job lately, and even when the sky is clear and the sun is shining the wind never seems to die. So, if you’re planning a cruise any time soon it would be wise to buff up on techniques for riding in the wind.
Wind is a normal part of riding. In fact, the act of riding a motorcycle is much like being in a constant wind tunnel. However, the wind presents fresh hazards for riders as well.
Dirt. When wind speeds are high, dust and dirt kick up off the ground and can sting if you’re not wearing proper motorcycle gear. So, always be prepared by wearing ATGATT (All The Gear All The Time).
Turbulence. High winds can also cause the bike to wobble a bit. Don’t panic and don’t overcompensate. Just remain calm and use basic riding knowledge to keep the center of the bike straight.
Insects. Windy days are dangerous for bugs, too. High winds can send swarms of bugs across busy highways, which is quite unpleasant for bikers without any face cover. Even with a visor, splattered bugs on your helmet can make visibility difficult. However, it’s nothing a little spit-shine can’t handle.
Wind is a nuisance, however, many bikers enjoy cruising through the countryside whether there’s wind or not. Just be remember to wear ATGATT and practice safe riding skills.
A Helmet So Dangerous, It’s Like Wearing Nothing At All
May 21, 2014
A lethal batch of motorcycle helmets were seized by UK trading standards officers recently, who said the helmets were so dangerous it would be like not wearing head protection at all.
Bikers buying cheap helmets online should be on the lookout for helmets labeled “jiekai” “JK 100” or “JK 1000”, as well as other motorcycle helmets listed at prices that seem too good to be true.
According to Peter Stonely, a Principal Trading Standards Officer, the helmets “would give a rider almost no protection in a crash, increasing the chance of brain injury or death”, and wearing the helmets “would give the rider a sense of safety, which the helmet would not back up”.
Any riders who have recently purchased the helmet models should stop using them immediately.
When shopping for motorcycle helmets online, be sure they are DOT-approved. A DOT-approved sticker means they have passed a series of tests and trials to achieve the safety standards set by the Department of Transportation. It also means they are legal, since many states require a DOT-approved helmet to ride.
Why ATGATT?
May 19, 2014
To make the case for ATGATT (All The Gear All The Time), we are sharing a great post on why motorcyclists should wear protective gear. So, if you’re feeling invincible and planning on riding in just jeans and a t-shirt, then have a look at this thoughtful piece and reconsider:
http://blog.jafrum.com/2011/08/17/why-should-i-wear-protective-clothing-on-my-motorcycle/
Lo And Behold: Riders Are Actually Cooler Wearing ATGATT
May 16, 2014
The summer heat can make it hard for some bikers to follow the ATGATT philosophy – All The Gear All The Time. However, wearing full gear can actually keep a rider cooler than wearing nothing at all.
Wise riders have learned this the hard way, sweating their way through motorcycle tours and rallies in hot jeans and leather. However, with the rise of the ATGATT culture, many have learned to look for more practical (and safer) summer gear. Vented jackets and pants with built-in armour, full face vented helmets with tinted visors, as well as vented boots and gloves all block the sun while letting the air flow through, creating an air conditioning effect that keeps you cool and safe.
So don’t let that summer heat become an excuse to avoid the all-important ATGATT philosophy. Use summer-tailored motorcycle gear to turn a burning hot road trip into a cool cruise.
World’s Fastest Motorcycle Not for Newbies
May 14, 2014
Just in case any of you newbies are fans of Wired Magazine, we thought we should have a little talk about a recent story in their autopia section. A feature on the fastest motorcycle in the world, the Ducati 1199 Panigale R, highlights its 1,200 cc, 195 horsepower engine, its carbon fiber bodywork and its track-tuned suspension. And, why not? These are all quite impressive. However, the article is titled “World’s Fastest Motorcycle Is So Smart, Even Rookies Can Master It”. Just to be clear, under no circumstances should any new rider attempt to operate a 12,000 cc, 195 horsepower engine. Nonetheless, it’s a pretty amazing bike, and you can see an experienced rider (though not a “pro” by any means) take a test drive here:
Learning the Lingo
May 13, 2014
Are you a newbie, a squid, or possibly an organ donor? Do you know what these terms mean? If not, then this article is for you! We have put together a handy list of vocab words for new riders, so you can learn all the motorcycle jargon you need before hitting the big slab.
1%er – A biker belonging to an outlaw motorcycle club, like the Hells Angels. The term was coined by the AMA, when they mentioned that these biker gangs represented 1% of the biker population. You will find a “1%” patch often on their vests.
Ape Hangers – Ape hanger handlebars rise far above the mounting location so that the rider must reach up to use them, hence the name. They are popular on choppers. They are available in heights up to 20 inches. Some jurisdictions have regulations on how high the handgrips may be above the seat.
Apex – the line a motorcycle must take in order to minimize the time taken to complete a curve.
Armor – The reinforced parts of your riding gear, often found in motorcycle jackets and trousers. Armor can be made out of different materials, like Kevlar, Foam or plastic, and can often be removed.
ATGATT – All The Gear, All The Time, meaning you should always wear all your protective clothing, no matter when you ride. ATGATT Gear means helmet, gloves, vest, trousers and boots.
BAMBI – Born Again Motorbiker, a biker who having reached middle age, starts riding again after years of not riding.
Big Slab – A highway or motorway.
Brain Bucket – A helmet
Cage – A car or SUV
Cager – Someone who drives a car.
Century – 100 mph
Do-Rag – A cloth covering the biker’s head and forehead, avoiding sweat in the eyes and helmet hair. Often used by non-bikers as fashion. Examples
Duck Walking – Sitting on your motorcycle, and pushing it with your feet, usually done when parking your bike, or moving forwards a few feet (like at a gas station).
Eating Asphalt – Crashing your bike
Gearhead – Someone who is very interested and passionate about mechanical objects, like cars and motorcycles.
Highsider – Being ejected from your motorcycle while riding, above the motorcycle.
Iron Butt – An association that promotes and holds rallies aimed at travelling very long distances. The shortest distance, the Saddle Sore, is 1,000 miles in 24 hours, the longest, the Bun Burner Gold is 1,500 miles in one day. The Iron Butt Rally is 10 days riding 1,000 miles each day.
Lid – A helmet
Lowsider – A motorcycle crash with the bike falling sideways and the biker ejected sideways.
Monkey Butt – When riding for hours on end, your rear end becomes uncomfortable and becomes sore, often the result of chafing.
Newbie – A beginner.
Organ Donor – A biker who rides without a helmet, or rides likes a squid.
PMS – Parked Motorcycle Syndrome, usually the result of not being able to ride in the winter.
Popping The Clutch – Letting go of the clutch rapidly, making it possible for the motorcycle to accelerate very quickly.
Pucker factor – A very close call when riding.
Ride Captain – The leader of a motorcycle rider-out. The ride captain opens the ride, and is up front.
Ride Lieutenant – An experienced riders who rides as last in a ride-out, making sure that every thing goes according to plan with all the other bikers.
Road Rash – Marks from the asphalt left on your body after you have been thrown off your motorcycle, highside or lowside, a skidded alongside the road.
Squid – A biker who rides with no protection, and rides very dangerously.
Twisties – A part of a road that has many curves, turns and bends. Twisties are very much sought after when riding a motorcycle.
Wrench – A mechanic.
Hill Country Riding Tips
May 11, 2014
Hill country riding is an amazing experience. The lack of traffic, abundance of natural beauty, and back road bars and BBQ joints make it a trip well worth the mileage. However, there are a few road hazards to be aware of before taking off on your journey.
- Cell phone service. Never rely too much on a cell phone when riding through the hill country. Bring an old fashioned paper map and plan your route carefully.
- Wildlife. Always look out for wild animals, especially deer.
- Country drivers. On some back country roads, locals rarely see many tourists passing through and tend to drive with less caution. So, keep an eye out for lane-drifters.
- Gas. Be sure to fuel up before heading out, because some routes are seriously lacking in gas stations.
Eyewear for Night Riders
May 10, 2014
Night riding can be a great experience. There are fewer cars on the road and the air is cooler, but visibility issues pose a greater risk for motorcyclists without the right night gear. So we put together this handy list of vision-improving gear for your night cruising pleasure.
Night Riding Glasses. Improve your night vision with a good pair of night riding glasses. These bad boys are a bargain buy, starting at just 99 cents.
Night Riding Goggles. Another low-cost option for night riders, these goggles designed for motorcyclists are designed with yellow shatter-proof lenses for added safety.
Photochromatic Visor. Some helmets come with photochromatic visors. These visors darken in the sunlight and become clear at night for better visibility. There are also helmets with interchangeable visors, so you can switch to the clear visor as the sun goes down.