Archive for 'Motorcycle'

The popularity of motorcycles has grown over the past couple of decades to enormous proportions. Motorcycles have become so popular that hundreds of thousands of people meet in Daytona Beach, Florida each year for one week to show off their motorcycles and attend rallies and races at the Daytona Bike Week. Daytona Bike Week took place in 2009 from February 27th to March 8th. The Daytona Bike Week, even though it is called a week, actually lasts for roughly 10 days. More than 500,000 people attend this event each year and come from all over the country to the state of Florida. Daytona Bike Week is considered to be the most popular biking event in the country and it competes with the Sturgis Rally, which is held in Sturgis, South Dakota.

 
Daytona Bike Week can get rowdy at times, which is understandable, since there are over 500,000 people in attendance. The majority of the bikers present during this event wear a black helmet, which is the most popular color helmet for bikers these days. Helmets are sold in other colors such as red, blue, and green but the black helmet seems to be the most popular color helmet on the market. The restaurants, shops, and hotels in Daytona Beach are packed with motorcycle enthusiasts for a wonderful 10 day stretch that lasts even longer for some people who hate to leave once the event is complete.
 
 
There are all kinds of showcases, races, and other events for motorcycle enthusiasts in attendance at the Daytona Bike Week to take part in during their stay in Daytona Beach, Florida. Races take place almost each day of the 10 day stretch and the races involve some professional bike racers but the majority of the races involve the people in attendance for the event. Daytona Bike Week was absent from Daytona Beach, Florida from 1942-1947 due to World War II. The event officially began on January 24, 1937 and was known as the Daytona 200. The late co-founder of NASCAR, William France Sr., was the main promoter of Daytona Bike Week until his death.

 

 

[sc name="HelmetStoreBanner"]

The thrill and sheer enjoyment of riding a motorcycle is addictive to many enthusiasts, and it’s becoming more and more popular. With the large number of vehicles present on today’s roadways and the incredible speed at which motorcycles can operate, a motorcycle helmet is absolutely a necessity. Many riders put on motorcycle helmets every single day, and yet few people actually know its true origin.

The United States Air Force contracted with a professor named Dr. Lombard to create a helmet suitable for use by its cadets. The result was an invention that was later patented and used in many different applications, including motorcycle helmets. Dr. Lombard’s work also lead to a new race car helmet that quickly became high in demand, and work on the motorcycle helmet was placed on the back burner. The original helmets had very little padding, and it was questionable how safe they truly were.

While many companies began to produce the helmet, there really were no specific standards as to their design or manufacturing. Snell, a name very popular in the industry, developed some testing requirements in 1957 and became the only national independent motorcycle helmet testing agency. After developing several independent tests, a number of different motorcycle helmets were evaluated and miserably failed. Much more information was available as to the effectiveness of various materials, and many helmets in production were pulled from the market. Several years later, in 1961, the first helmet laws were passed. It took another 13 years for the U.S. Department of Transportation to finally set the required standards, and even now there are DOT approved stickers present on each motorcycle helmet.

Motorcycle helmets now come in a wide variety of different styles, but all of them must adhere to the same safety requirements. Many individuals prefer the full-shielded helmets in which the entire face is protected, whereas some riders seek a helmet as small as possible. No matter what motorcycle helmet a rider chooses, they can rest assured that it is made of high quality materials that have been tested and proven to withstand significant force.

Riding a motorcycle is a favorite pastime for many, and necessary transportation for others. The invention and subsequent incorporation of the motorcycle helmet into the industry has revolutionized the practice of operating a motorcycle. As a result, it is not only much safer to use a motorcycle helmet, but in many places it is the law as well.
 

[sc name="HelmetStoreBanner"]

When I was kid, my civics teacher told us how every summer, he and some of his friends drove across the country on their motorcycles. I thought it was the coolest thing. Since then I’ve had friends take similar tours and have even taken several trips myself. I recommend such a vacation to everyone. If you are lucky enough to be skilled on a motorcycle, you’d be crazy not to take advantage of your talent, the road and the fact that in America, there is always somewhere to go and a road that can take you there.

Whether you’re a lone rider or have a group of friends to plan a trip with, the first thing to do is figure out how much time you can take. Even if you don’t have a long vacation available, there’s a tour out there for you. If you’re an east coaster or a mid-westerner, consider a tour of the Great Lakes. If you have more time, you should absolutely drive across the country. You can either map a route yourself, choosing the sites you want to stop and see, or there are guided tours you can hope onto.

The key is to know your pace. Guided tours have very specific itineraries and if you tend to enjoy a faster pace, or maybe you prefer to stop and see more of the sites, you’d be doing yourself and everyone else involved a disservice by joining the tour.

If you’re looking for a more intensive experience, consider road tripping to any of the dozens of motorcycle rallies that happen around the country. Taking place throughout the year and throughout the country, these rallies can be a fun way to meet other bikers, learn about new motorcycle accessories and just have a great time.

The most important suggestion is that before you take to the road, you should know a bit about the maintenance of your bike. I’ve known several people who found themselves stranded because they really knew nothing about their bikes… they were just in it for blind adventure. Maybe invest in a garage class. It’ll make your trip more relaxed if you know you can take care of an emergency.

Seeing America is a must do for anyone, but seeing it from a motorcycle is an amazingly unique experience, so if you have the opportunity don’t miss out. Be safe and enjoy yourself.
 

[sc name="HelmetStoreBanner"]

Riding safely is an important part of owning a motorcycle. Since riding a motorcycle is so different from driving a car, the rules for safe riding are a bit different too. For starters, nobody is going to be able to take the wheel from you if you make a mistake. You’re on your own while riding a motorcycle. For this reason, getting the hang of safe motorcycle practices can be difficult unless you know what to look out for. That’s why you should familiarize yourself with the basic safety procedures before hitting the road.

A big part of motorcycle safety is paying attention to your surroundings. Motorcycles are small and can easily be overlooked by cars or trucks, so it’s up to the rider to remain alert and recognize when you may be in danger. Many motorcyclists leave their headlight on even during daylight hours. This gives them extra visibility and reduces their chances of being overlooked. Make sure you are always visible to other drivers. Never ride in someone’s blind spot.

Pay extra attention at intersections and four-way stops. This is where most accidents involving motorcycles occur. A car may not see a motorcycle crossing an intersection, with the result being that they speed right into you. Also make sure to take extra caution around driveways, in parking lots, or anywhere where someone might be backing out. New motorcyclists should prepare for some serious defensive driving.

Changes in weather are harder on a motorcyclist than they are on other drivers. Not only is your body exposed to the elements, but a motorcycle is relatively light and can sometimes be pushed around by the wind, or skid easily on slippery road surfaces.

Hitting an obstacle that wouldn’t hinder a car might send a motorcyclist flying. For this reason, it’s important to always wear a helmet, preferably the type that cover the entire face. If your helmet only covers the top of your head, you must also wear sunglasses or goggles. If you ride without eye protection, it’s very easy for the wind to blow dust into your eyes.

And finally, all motorcyclists should take a motorcycle training course. A training course will lay out the basics of motorcycle safety, as well as touching on any laws specific to your state. It’s important to always follow the local laws, mind the speed limit, and avoid drinking and driving.

 

[sc name="HelmetStoreBanner"]
 Page 15 of 15  « First  ... « 11  12  13  14  15