Aug 16

Street Bikes and Fuel Economy
The street bike is often viewed as a recreational toy, a luxury afforded to those with the two-wheeled fever Street bikes are also associated with the daredevil, the person who lives on the edge and takes life one day at a time The reality however, is miles away from here Street bikes are ridden by individuals from all walks of life including professionals like doctors and lawyers for example The old stereotype of law breaking rebels and individuals who do not respect their own livelihood has begun to fade . .A new era in the age of environmental abuse and overpriced fuels has begun Riding a street bike for reasons such as fuel economy and reliability are taking hold around the world An economical street bike can be safely navigate through city streets, country roads, and interstate highways Prime examples are a trip to the store and transportation to and from work, the practical use of street bikes is rising at record rates Generally speaking, street bike accidents and fatalities typically draw more media attention than serious injuries and fatalities in other types of motor vehicles Because of this, the street bike is still considered dangerous by many non-riders, although it is finally beginning to emerge as a viable means of low-cost transportation . .According to the most recent figures released from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, the average gas mileage for new vehicles sold in the USA averages about 24 7 mpg This includes all vehicles from economy cars to full-size standard pickup trucks The motorcycle however varies greatly proportionately with the engine size Street bike engines range from 250cc to 1800cc therefore fuel use can range anywhere between 37 miles per gallon on the low end to as much as 65 miles per gallon on the high end The size, design, and configuration of the engines greatly affects overall fuel economy Differences in street bike engine design include liquid cooled or air cooled engines as well as single, two, or four cylinder configurations The phenomenal fuel savings of motorcycle travel versus car and truck travel is overshadowed by two very important factors, safety and comfort . .Beside exposure to other motorists as well as the roadway and the increased safety risk involved in riding a street bike, other elements can reduce the practicality of motorcycle travel Weather is of course the number one negative factor It is no fun, nor is it comfortable to ride in the rain The decreased visibility coupled with the soggy discomfort of wet clothing makes for dismal travel Air temperature can also play a part in the motorcyclist’s discomfort Temperatures above 90 degrees and below 50 degrees are not ideal for riding a street bike Higher temperatures also introduce the tendency to wear less clothing which can be catastrophic in the event of an accident Other negatives when comparing street bikes to cars and trucks would be limited capability for carrying passengers as well as carrying cargo Road hazards such as potholes and loose gravel and debris can be far more critical to a street motorcycle than to four wheeled motor vehicles also . .Although there are some downsides to riding a street bike versus an average economy car, more and more people are putting on the helmets and giving the two-wheeled experience a try The allure of open air travel combined with a real value per mile in terms of gas mileage are enough to continue to attract new riders into the world of street bikes .
Source: www.rsstnx.com

Are Motor Scooters Safe? Yes and No!
Motor scooters, both electric scooters and gas scooters, are a style of motorcycle that have a step through frame and have become a very popular method of travel all over the world. They have been scooting out of show rooms at record speed. But what many people do not realize is that motor scooters are classified as motor vehicles when it comes to highway regulations. And although they are an object of desire for many they can also be dangerous for many. They are typically regulated by state laws as either motorcycles or mopeds and are subject to many of the same regulations as other motor vehicles. With a careful and alert driver a scooter can be as safe as any other vehicle on the road. But accidents frequently occur when motor scooter drivers think they are exempt from the conventions that apply to automobiles. Motor scooters (sometimes called mopeds or go peds) are commonly purchased for use by children and teenagers, most of whom do not even possess a valid license to drive. Licensed drivers have had a certain amount of training behind the wheel of a car, unlike many motor scooter drivers under the age of 16. Without proper training children and young teenagers can easily find themselves in positions that experienced drivers normally would not. Darting in and out of traffic with little driving experience, on a motor scooter that is so small it cannot be seen by other drivers, poses a hazard to both the scooter driver and other motorists traveling the highway. To be safe a motor scooter driver must think of himself as being invisible to the other drivers making their way down the busy streets. A scooter driver cannot assume that other drivers will see them. A safe approach for a scooter driver would be to assume that they are completely invisible to other drivers and then act accordingly. A motor scooter rider must be ready to maneuver out of harm’s if another driver makes a sudden unexpected movement. Being safe means staying alert at all times. Being safe also means following the rules of the road and not making unnecessary or risky moves in traffic that would cause their moped scooter to dart out in front of another moving vehicle. Automobile drivers must have time to react to a scooter driver’s movements. There are many reasons to own a motor scooter. They are often used for traveling short distances around the neighborhood to perform errands. Due to their size, fuel-efficiency, weight, and typically larger storage room than a motorcycle, they are ideal in this situation. But in the hands of the youth, without any previous driving experience, they can be deadly. The ATV, go carts, dirt bikes and mini bikes are other vehicles that are often owned and operated by younger drivers. ATVs are usually used off road along with dirt bikes and mini bikes. Go karts are typically driven on paved tracks specifically made for the go cart. The go kart, mini bike, dirt bike or ATVs don’t usually get out on the open road where there are cars to contend with. Therefore they also avoid many of the dangers that scooter drivers must face. Motor scooters are the latest craze, especially among the youth market looking for a quick, cheap form of transportation. These youths can be too young to own a driver’s license, and the result is a dangerous situation. They are more popular than ever, but as their popularity grows, people’s awareness of driving regulations has not kept pace, especially among the younger generation. Kids often think of motor scooters as toys, not as adult vehicles. But a scooter is not a toy. It’s a potentially dangerous motor vehicle subject to certain laws and regulations. Also, youth often think of themselves as being immune to automobile driving regulations and immune to accidents as well. “It won’t happen to me” is a very common attitude among the youth. But it’s precisely this attitude that can get them into trouble. People need to be aware of the potential motor scooter dangers and take appropriate action. Scooter riders should pay special attention while driving, making sure not to drive erratically, but to be predictable and courteous to other drivers on the road. Both kids and adults need training and experience before attempting to maneuver their scooters out in traffic. If parents will take a little time to train their children, making sure they are aware of the rules of the road before they are allowed to travel on them, it could make driving a pleasure instead of a danger. With a little training and some wise words of advice we can all make a difference in the lives of the youth. Give them some training and experience and their motor scooters may be an object of fun instead of injury.J Larry Alan is an enthusiast of <a href="http://www.my-motorscooters.com">motor scooters</a>. He enjoys driving motorcycles and motor scooters. He also enjoys promoting scooter safety. For more information visit his site about <a href="http://www.my-motorscooters.com">gas motor scooters</a>.
Source: www.ArticlePros.com