Motorcycle And ATV Tips

Archive for the ‘Motorcycles’ Category

Getting Back on Your Motorcycle After Winter Storage

The anticipation of a new riding season for the motorcyclist can sometimes be a little nerve wracking, especially if you’ve been waiting for the time to come for months because you’ve had to endure the cold winter months which have been filled with snow and ice and all of the conditions that would make riding a motorcycle completely impossible.

When the time does finally come to hop back on your motorcycle for the first time of the season, the feeling of relief overwhelms you like a huge weight has been lifted from your shoulders and you’re finally free to go about your business. At least, that’s what I feel like when I get on my motorcycle for the first time during the spring riding season. It’s hard not to feel a wave of excitement come over me as I take the helm of the rumbling beast and fly off into the business of every day life without a care in the world.

Before I head out on my motorcycle for the first time of the season I always remember to perform all of the post storage checks to make sure all is well and operational, and then I always check my gear to make sure I’ve got everything I need to be safe on the road. Riding a motorcycle is not just about hopping on and taking off without regard for safety or concern, there is a planning process involved that has to be considered before you head out. Once you’ve made all of your checks, you’ll be ready to head out without any worries.

Getting back on the motorcycle after winter storage is a great feeling for many that happens year after year and when that time finally comes, are you going to be ready? Make sure you are so you don’t miss a single minute of that well deserved riding time.

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A Brief History of Harley Davidson’s Past

The first Harley-Davidson motorcycle was produced in 1903. Although the sale of their motorcycles were very slow at the beginning. The single cylinder motorcycle that they created in 1903 sold very quickly and this motivated them to bigger and better things. But in 1905 sales dropped way off, as a matter of fact the only sold 11 motorcycles the entire year. So they knew they had to make some drastic changes and after trial and error in 1908 their business began to grow they sold a total of 154 motorcycles that year. The founders of Harley-Davidson motorcycles decided to move their production from the tiny barn that they were working in too a factory where they can have more space to build their motorcycles. They also hired their first employees a total of about 22 ramp-up your motorcycle production.

In just four years their business was booming they had over 200 motorcycle dealerships in the United States. Japan was also demanding a lot more bikes from Harley-Davidson as the interest for the motorcycle was really gaining popularity in Japan. Harley-Davidson was best known for its strong power in it’s motors it made a great racing bike, but that was not the reason the United States military chose to have Harley-Davidson build them 20,000+ motorcycles for the first world war. His huge contract made with the United States military pushed Harley-Davidson to the top they were the top motorcycle producer of that time and would stay that way for many years.

During the second world war the United States military again called on Harley-Davidson for their motorcycle needs they placed an order with the company for a vast amount of motorcycles. Although this was good for Harley-Davidson it was a bad time for anyone that was looking for motorcycle to buy from them because it was nearly impossible for any normal citizen at that time to purchase a motorcycle. This would be the Achilles’ heel for Harley-Davidson for a while as people got tired of waiting to be able to buy one they went to other companies to satisfy their needs for two wheeled transportation. This led to turbulent times for Harley-Davidson in the early 1950s but by 1957 they came out with a new brand called the Sportster and this would set them back on the top of motorcycle production companies. The Sportster seem to be what consumers were looking for at the time because of its sleek styling and it’s raw power.

From 1957 up until 1980 Harley-Davidson only made minor tweaks and adjustments in the style and design of the bikes they created but in 1980 they decided that they need to make some drastic changes in their selection of motorcycles. And in late 1980s they introduced the FLT it was equipped with a five speed transmission and instead of being chain driven Harley-Davidson went to a belt drive system. Then in 1984 they introduced what is known today as the V-twin motor. This helped them stay ahead of the competition.

Harley-Davidson has been one company that has always prided itself on feedback from its consumers. They would take into consideration all their consumers suggestions to make their product even better. In 1987 Harley-Davidson did something no other company had ever thought of they introduced their buyback plan which meant that they would give the consumer the full trade in value when they came in to purchase a newer model motorcycle. This was a big success with the consumers.

Since 1987 up until present day they have produced various new models that appeal to their customers wants and needs. They still have their popular Sportster, now made in various styles. The Dyna, a bike made for simplicity and speed, but they also have motorcycles made for comfort and cross-country rides such As the road king, the heritage classic soft tail, the electra glide, the Road glide, and many more and you can guarantee with the demand for a Harley-Davidson out there today there will be many more models created each and every year.

One thing that stood the test of time is that their consumers are definitely loyal customers because they won’t even consider riding any other type of motorcycle and I guess this is the reason that Harley-Davidson now has almost 65% of the market. With their attention to detail plus their commitment to keeping their customers satisfied you can guarantee Harley-Davidson will be around for a long time to come.

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Customize Your Ride With Motorcycle Accessories

With so many motorcycle accessories to choose from it’s not hard to customize your ride. Nope, the hard part comes when you try to decide what exactly you want and need.

Some accessories are safety related while others are strictly for fun and appearance. It’s probably a good idea to balance the two.

Number one in safety accessories should always be to purchase a quality helmet that meets or exceeds government standards and that fits properly. This is not the place to settle. Buy the best you can afford. Helmets are available in many colors and lots of designs so you shouldn’t have trouble finding one that matches your bike.

There are a number of other motorcycle accessories available that you can invest in that are safety related. There is everything from goggles, sunglasses, leather gloves, chaps and jackets, right through to full riding suits. It’s probably not a bad idea to buy some rain gear as well. This will make rides in inclement weather more comfortable.

If you take a lot of trips there are accessories to make carrying gear a lot easier. You can choose from a variety of pouches and bags that attach to your bike and can be removed when you reach your destination. For short trips you may want to leave the saddle bags at home and get a motorcycle back pack.

If you want to really enjoy your motorcycle, you’ll want to be comfortable. You have the option of changing the handlebars or even the seat to add to your comfort. Adding an extra set of foot pegs so you can stretch out your legs is an option many riders opt for. If you often carry a passenger on the back, you may want to think about installing a back rest for her.

Now if you want to customize the appearance of your bike there are a ton of accessories you can choose from. Almost anything chrome is a popular choice. But how you customize your motorcycle is really a matter of personal preference. Each manufacturer has certain unique accessories that reflect their brand. There of course are all kinds of after market accessories available as well.

If you are not sure what exactly you want to do, spend some time going through showrooms to see what the newest accessories are. Motorcycle magazines will give you lots of ideas and advertisers feature their latest products.

Best of all might be to attend a motorcycle show or swap meet. Sometimes just seeing a bike that is all decked out can solidify your own plans in your mind. Once you know what you want it’s easy to customize your ride with the right motorcycle accessories.

Sometimes you want to transport your motorcycle to another area before you ride. To load your bike onto the back of a pickup or other vehicle, it’s a good idea to use good, solid motorcycle loading ramps. Why trust your pride and joy to a makeshift ramp? For a good source of the very best ramps, check out http://www.aluminumloadingramp.org/.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Chris_Station