Top Chopper

Motorcycle Safety
Spring is here in full force, birds have returned from their southern trip, and are waking me up early in the morning, more people are outside walking and running, baseball fields are abuzz with activity, the weather is a little crazy, and of course, more and more motorcycles are on the streets and highways . . .This time of year is always good for some reminders about motorcycle safety for bikers and car drivers alike Just as car and truck drivers must get readjusted every winter to driving in snow-in the spring they must readjust to sharing the road with motorcycles Of course bike riders also go through a period of adjustment early in riding season when they are anxious to hop back on their bike . .For Bikers .1 Make sure you or anyone else who drives your motorcycle has a valid license Too many bike riders out there are not properly licensed Also, get proper insurance coverage-the costs vary quite a bit, so do some shopping around . .2 While my personal belief is that everyone should wear helmets while riding, I understand it’s a personal choice in some states Know the requirements and laws in your state, and also in other states you may be traveling to, or through . .3 Obey the speed limit Ok, let’s face it, its fun to drive fast, but for the sake of safety, stick to the posted speed limits Often times car and truck drivers can become nervous when sharing the road with motorcycle riders, so drive smart and drive safe Keep the proper spacing between vehicles-three seconds behind cars on the highway, two seconds on roads where the speed limit is 45 or below Also, always position your bike where it can be seen by vehicles . .4 Don’t drink and ride Really, did that even have to be mentioned? Sadly yes, in Illinois in 2007, 44% of the motorcycle operators killed in accidents were legally drunk . .5 Keep up with the maintenance on your bike Faithfully follow your motorcycle’s maintenance schedule as listed in the owner’s manual Furthermore, you should have all this work done by an authorized dealer to prevent potential problems . .For Car/Truck Driver .1 When you see motorcycles on the highway or streets, be aware Understand that since they are smaller vehicles, they are harder to see at times, so be vigilant in looking out for them . .2 You need to realize that bikers don’t always slow down by using their brakes Sometimes they downshift, or just ease off the throttle, so it’s imperative that you keep focused on maintaining the spacing between vehicles . .3 Understand that motorcyclists have the same rights as you do to be on the road-respect that . .4 When bikers adjust their position within lanes, they are usually doing it for a reason, whether it is to be seen more easily, to avoid debris on the road, to pass cars, or due to wind conditions Car and truck drivers need to understand that these movements are not reckless, nor are they making room for you to share a lane with them . .Hopefully by following these guidelines, and giving some thought and attention to safety on the roads, we will all have an enjoyable and safe riding season .
Source: www.rsstnx.com

Mopeds Can Be a Great Alternative
In the realm of alternative transportation, it is hard to ignore the moped A moped is essentially a bicycle-like with bearing two wheels at the back and one at the front They can either be peddled and therefore powered by human strength or be powered by battery or gas . .Because of safety concerns, most mopeds are restricted to travel only around 50 mph This is because in rough or uneven terrain, mopeds tend to tip over and this has been attributed to many serious injuries and even death This has caused many governments especially in the United States to step in and issue legislation that governs their manufacture, sale and use . .Mopeds have become popular especially in the US This is because they accrue several advantages One is the fact that they can traverse difficult terrain In the case where people are searching for something or somebody who has been reported lost, mopeds are usually used to get into places where travelling by car can be hazardous if not impossible Take for instance in a case of a missing person Mopeds have been known to play a crucial role in the search and retrieval of missing persons . .The cycle is actually an invention of one Derek Davis who thought to improve on the current styles of motor cycles and scooters While his invention was received with mixed reactions and responses, the moped sensation created a significant buzz In the UK, the technology was enhanced to create what we have today as the modern mopeds . .In the US, we see mopeds being used by adults and teens for recreational use At beaches, the beach police uses them to drive through the beach and traverse large stretches of sand This is because in this type of duty, the authorities need a way to move around slowly and also at relatively faster speeds without endangering people The moped become the vehicle of choice for these types of assignments . .The military has also warmed up to mopeds These are now used for military patrols in less dangerous areas especially where the terrain is not conducive to motor vehicles That is why the US military has shipped thousands of mopeds to their troops stationed overseas . .The cycles also have a set of drawbacks One of them is what we mentioned earlier Mopeds, because of their overall design, tend to tip over easily especially if driven by an amateur who has not yet mastered the art of balance Throw in uneven terrain and rocky territory and you have a disaster waiting to happen Since mopeds have also become very popular with teens and the younger generation, they have been associated with numerous injuries and even deaths This can resulted in the Federal Government stepping in to regulate their use and purchase . .Purchasing a moped is easy They can be purchased at any motor cycle dealer In places like the US, there are actually specialized moped dealers who sell nothing else The Internet is also an excellent place to do market research before you make your purchase .
Source: www.rsstnx.com

Motorcycle Protective Apparel
Protective apparel for motorcyclists is an important, though somewhat disregarded part of overall safety Many riders choose their riding clothes on the basis of how cool they look rather than how it will hold up and protect them if they get into an accident; or wipe out and are skidding across the road The motorcycle apparel business has been booming, and there are all kinds of great looking clothing out there, but you may have to look a little harder to find items with enough protection It’s easier to find good protective clothing in Europe because they have developed a series of standards that the apparel must meet to be sold as safety clothing They are put through tests for tearing, impact, and abrasions In the US, there are no regulations like this, so the safest clothing is a bit harder to find The following are some things you should look for . .Most motorcycle injuries occur to the legs and feet, so it’s important to wear a good pair of high boots, and protective pants with extra reinforcement around the knees and hips For added protection, you pants should have the ability to attach to your jacket through a zipper You should look for boots made of thick leather, with a hard sole . .The traditional motorcycle clothing is made of leather, but there are other materials that also work pretty well Thick nylon offers protection, as well as Kevlar reinforced apparel In the European abrasion tests, regular denim blue jeans last 0 6 seconds, while a decent pair of leather motorcycle pants or chaps will last 5 seconds . .Jackets work the same way as pants-make sure if they are made of leather that the leather is thick, and not the fashion leather you see in fancy leather stores Like the knees and hips, there should be extra reinforcement around the “impact points” of your shoulders and elbows It is also recommended that you have padding or impact protection in these areas . .A good pair of riding gloves is also very important safety-wise Kevlar gloves, or reinforced leather are solid options for protecting your hands It’s especially important that the palms of your hands have extra padding or patches-when falling, our instinct is to put our hands out with palms down, so they will be taking the brunt of the impact and sliding . .If you have questions or doubts about protective clothing, it’s usually better to look for apparel that has the degree of impact protection included After all, you don’t want to be hoping that your clothing will provide some protection in the event of an accident-it’s always better to be sure . .Finally, and most importantly, find a good helmet I know there is a lot of debate on this subject, and different laws depending on where you live, but if you are all interested in safety, never ride without a helmet I mentioned earlier that most motorcycle injuries occur to the legs and feet, however, the most serious injuries occur above the neck Don’t buy a used helmet, unless you are absolutely positive that it has never been in an accident, or otherwise damaged I always recommend a helmet with a full face mask for the maximum protection .
Source: www.rsstnx.com