A Harley Motorcycle

By Phil Reusch

Your motorcycle tires will last longer if you do weekly or monthly checks of your tires. You need to ensure that the walls of the tires are not cracked or have cuts in them.

One important check is the air pressure of your tire. Always maintain the proper pressure and you will have a safer ride. Also, the motorcycle will ride better and perform as it should. Never let the air pressure get so low that you have a hard time controlling the bike.

Also, when the tire has low air pressure it can cause the tire to separate and cause blowouts. The cause of the blowout is due to the tire heating up because of not maintaining proper air pressure.

Tread wear of your tires is very important. Without enough tread you are asking for a accident. Most manufactures recommend that a tread depth of 32 seconds of an inch is low enough. When they are at this depth its time to replace the tire.

I know people ride in their car with bald tires but its not a good practice with a motorcycle. You only have two tires and you need them both to prevent an accident. Play it safe and make sure you have the correct tread depth.

Your rims play a important part in helping your tires last longer and in shape. If you have spoke rims its a must to ensure that the spokes are tighten correctly. I would recommend a professional tighten them because they have the right equipment and know how. You may have tighten the spokes on your bicycle but there’s more at stake when you have a motorcycle.

If you have solid rims they can become dent or out of line which will cause your tire to wear faster and cause them to wobble. This will make it very unsafe to drive. Replace them immediately; never ride a motorcycle with bent rims.

Don’t mix your tire because this can cause problems. When you replace your tires they should both be the same size, rating, and type. The performance of your motorcycle will be better with tires that are the same. Safer also.

When you purchase your tires you need to decide what kind of riding you will be doing. Motorcycle tires are designed for the type of riding the individual will do. Maybe you ride on dirt roads alot. In that case you would want a tire with softer rubber. To ride the open road you need a firmer tire for better traction and control. So be sure and purchase the right tire for the right pavement.

Deciding and mainting your motorcycle tires is a very important decision. Don’t take it lightly and you will have many safe miles.

About The Author

Your safety and others will be enhanced if you provide proper tire care to your motorcycle tires. Choose the correct one at Best Mororcycle Tire Store

By Christine Harrell

Are you considering Iron Butt, dubbed the “world’s toughest motorcycle rally”? If the idea of riding 11,000 miles in 11 days seems like a fun challenge, you first need to get your bike in shape.

What Is Iron Butt?

The Iron Butt Rally was first run in 1984, a brutal 11,000-mile ride around the perimeter of the United States in 11 days. It was held every year at first but organizers have had to change that to every two years.

Not only do competitors face a grueling ride, but routes run through extreme climates like blistering deserts and freezing mountain tops. Riders can gain bonus points by visiting certain landmarks along the trip. The more difficult the landmark, the more points a rider earns. Stops in Hawaii and Alaska add lots of points but also lots of miles.

If the rally seems overwhelming, the Iron Butt Association sanctions smaller events such as the 50CC (from one US coast to the other in 50 hours) and the Saddlesore 1000 (1000 miles in 24 hours).

Iron Butt isn’t just about long-distance riding; it’s about safe long-distance riding. Organizers recommend against stimulants, even coffee, to increase riding time. Routes are set up so riders can drive the speed limit and still have plenty of time to stop and rest along the route.

Getting Your Bike Ready

Perform routine maintenance before your trip. Stopping to replace tires or oil along the way wastes time and will probably cost more than at home. Worse, you might get stuck on bad tires with no replacements available nearby.

Don’t install cool new Harley parts right before your trip. This kind of grueling trek isn’t the time to test out new equipment.

That doesn’t mean you shouldn’t add custom Harley parts. New headlights or replacement motorcycle tanks or, of course, a comfortable seat can make the trip easier. Install them well before the trip to have time to test them. Do you really want to break in a new seat on an 11,000-mile ride?

Not only do new Harley parts need break-in time, but you want to be sure they are installed correctly. No matter how experienced the mechanic, people make mistakes and a forgotten screw could spell disaster on a highway in the Mojave forty miles from town.

One of the most important new Harley parts you can get is a tool kit. Buy high quality tools to last a lifetime rather than a junky kit for cheap. Again, you are often going to be far from help and you need to be able to fix problems yourself.

Finally, take care of anything about your bike that irritates you. An annoyance on a 300-mile trip is infuriating on a 3000-mile one. This distracts you from the road and brings on fatigue much faster. Fix that funny rattle in the engine or that vibration against your thigh and you will find the ride more pleasant.

About The Author

Author is a freelance writer. For more information on a harley parts please visit http://www.jirehcycles.com

By Jay Gaulard

Motorcycling is cool. Motorcycling is fast. Motorcycling gives you a rush. There is no doubt about it. I don’t think anyone can dispute the fact that there is a certain breed of person out there that just loves the feeling of being out in the fresh air, cruising down the highway. I suspect there are a lot more people who would like to ride than we know about. The question is, how do they get going?

It’s like a lot of things; take it one step at a time. Later on, I will give my 5 top ways to get into riding, but first, I am going to tell you about my own experience learning to love motorcycles.

I would say I was about 14 years old when I purchased my friend’s tiny Honda Z50R. It was very small, but very fun. I used to ride it around the block and travel to friend’s houses on it. I grew out of that bike fast, but I did learn a few things; how to balance and corner a motorcycle.

My next few motorcycles were all dirt bikes. They were a Suzuki RM80, Honda CR125 and a Suzuki RM125. These were bigger machines and worthwhile investments. They taught me how to ride taller motorcycles and how to ride on a dirt track.

There were many other smaller learning experiences that went along with owning and riding dirt bikes. Those came with time. Some of them included learning where the best dealerships were located, how to repair and maintain a motorcycle, how to purchase the right parts and where the best places to ride were. It was a lot of fun and I wouldn’t give up those experiences for anything.

When I turned 17 years old, I purchased my first street bike. It was a Suzuki GR 650 Tempter. This was a big change for me, because I had never ridden a street motorcycle before. I have to say, it was a great learning bike. There was enough power, but not too much to do anything stupid or get in any trouble. The bike was smooth and just enough to get my feet wet on the streets.

There were a few years during college where I didn’t own a motorcycle, but knew I would soon. After college, I went ahead and bought the bike I own today, a Suzuki GSXR 1100. This is one serious motorcycle, and yes, one I could easily get in trouble on. Sometimes I get shaken by its unexpected power. I would only recommend this type of motorcycle to the most mature and experienced rider.

I love my current motorcycle, but will admit that it does get on my nerves at times. I sometimes wish I owned a laid back highway cruiser. Now that I am getting older, I don’t enjoy hunching over the gas tank as much as I used to. Style is not as important to me anymore and comfort is becoming more. Also, having a larger seat for a passenger is becoming a necessity. No passenger likes riding so high up and having to hold on for dear life.

With all the experience I have gained on a wide variety of motorcycles through the years, I feel that I am in a position to offer to some great tips on how to get into riding.

1. Visit a dealership. Yes, it seems so simple, but a huge hurdle to get past is deciding if you really can feel it in your blood. If you are like me, you will leave the dealership panting like a fool. If you leave still undecided, motorcycling might not be right for you.

2. Talk to people. If you have ever heard a group of riders talk about a trip they have taken or are about to take, chime in. Ask them questions and notice how easily they will include you in the ride. Some of them might even offer to take you as a passenger. The community is friendly and always welcoming to new riders.

3. Think about costs. Motorcycling can be an expensive hobby if you are just getting by already. You need to be ready for the financial side of things. You can expect the cost of the motorcycle, insurance, registration, maintenance, apparel and the cost of fuel. It’s easy to get sucked in to buying every after market part available for your motorcycle, so be sure you can afford the hobby first.

4. Go for a ride. Try to find someone who owns a motorcycle and ask them if you can hop on the back during their next ride. Try to find someone with a larger motorcycle for this, especially if you are larger yourself. You’ll know if motorcycling is the right thing to do once the wind hits your face.

5. Take a training course. I am one of those types of people who just want to get a bike and hop on, but friends of mine have told me how important a training course really is. They thought they knew all there was to know about motorcycling, but each day they came away with new knowledge. It’s important to learn how to ride properly.

After considering and completing the tips above, you should be in a position to purchase your first motorcycle. Look through the motorcycle classifieds or visit your local dealer. Find the right motorcycle for you and make the purchase. Since you made some riding contacts and are somewhat familiar with motorcycling in general, you should be in good shape. Just remember, safety comes first and when it comes to riding, patience is a virtue.

About The Author

This article was written by Jay Gaulard on behalf of http://www.cycleclassifieds.us, a popular motorcycle classifieds website.

By Christine Harrell

Most of us like to turn heads with our bikes and the exhaust is a big part of that. A cool looking exhaust system can really enhance the appearance of your motorcycle. Plus the distinctive throaty roar of a Harley-Davidson engine comes from the exhaust.

But there is more to Harley exhaust systems than gleaming chrome and bestial growls. Understanding the function of your exhaust lets you choose the best one for your bike.

Dealing with Emissions

The full Harley exhaust is designed to deal with the output of an engine, dealing with environmental, aesthetic, and legal issues.

The converter is designed to change harmful chemicals in the emissions into something less damaging to the environment. It uses a catalyst to convert dangerous gasses, including carbon monoxide and unburned fuel into carbon dioxide, water vapor, and other innocuous compounds. Reducing harmful emissions is not only environmentally friendly - it is also required by the EPA.

The muffler control sound and sparks. Although many Harley owners like the roar of their engine, many communities have noise ordinances that limit how loud your bike can be. Mufflers don’t necessarily just suppress sound. They can also be used to control sound to get the noise you want from your bike.

Performance Enhancement

Your Harley exhaust system has a strong effect on engine performance and power. A clogged or poorly designed system restricts the flow of exhaust and reduces engine efficiency. Consider a path from the gas tank through the engine to the exhaust. If any part of that path is restricted, the whole system slows down and that means less fuel to your engine and less power.

Most people understand that a clog in the fuel line reduces power but may not realize that a clogged exhaust can do the same. Clogs aren’t the only problem. An inefficient Harley exhaust restricts the flow from the engine and that creates a backup which cuts performance. Well designed systems with smooth curves rather than sharp corners allow the exhaust to vent more easily and the engine to run better.

High vs. Low Mounting

Where you put your exhaust, a high vs. a low position, will generally be determined by the bike’s use. High-mounted Harley exhausts are used for bikes that will be used on trails and off-road. These bikes get a lot of dirt and water coming their way and the pipes are mounted high to keep these contaminants from getting into the exhaust and clogging it.

The problem with high-mounted exhausts is that they aren’t very passenger friendly. Street bikes are more likely to carry passengers and don’t need the protection of high mounts. These motorcycles are more likely to opt for low-mounted exhaust systems.

Choosing the right exhaust system is key to both the look and performance of your bike so consider all of your needs before making your choice.

About The Author

Author is a freelance writer. For more information on a Harley exhaust please visit http://www.jirehcycles.com