Motors & Drives Information

It is particularly important to be aware of motorcycle safety when it comes to the youth. You might have a child who likes to ride motorcycles. To ensure his safety, try to invest in a youth motorcycle helmet that provides good protective coverage and excellent retention to help lessen your worries.

Youth motorcycle helmet safety also involves proper fit and sizing. Every motorcycle helmet dealer should have an expert available to help you find a youth motorcycle helmet that perfectly shaped to your child's head.

In looking for the perfect fitting motorcycle helmet for your child, it is better that you should bring him with you when you do your helmet shopping. This way, you can have him determine for himself if such a helmet would be perfect for his own use. Here are some tips that would be able to help you find that motorcycle helmet with the perfect fit.

Let your kid try on several motorcycle helmets for at least five minutes to check for any bothersome areas. Have him look in the mirror to check for symmetry and ensure that the motorcycle helmet rests just above the eyebrows and to check for red marks after taking off the helmet.

The comfort liner of a motorcycle helmet can form to the shape of your head so the helmet typically becomes more comfortable over time and use. Be sure that you start with a good fitting helmet. You should also make sure that the helmet you choose has undergone anti-scratch and anti-fog treatments. In addition, make sure that the visor doesn't touch the helmet’s outer shell that can result in scratches or fuzzy vision areas on your visor.

When choosing a youth motorcycle helmet, remember that a lighter model may be more comfortable than its heavier counterpart, but is perhaps less equipped to ensure motorcycle safety. You must be able to strike up the perfect balance over both features to ensure that your child enjoys comfort while wearing the helmet along with the features to provide the protection that you look for.

After you have purchased a helmet for your child, try to be cautious and careful in storing them. Avoid placing them in a high or unsteady location where the helmet could come crashing to the ground. Avoid the risk of scratching or busting an expensive motorcycle helmet by taking very good care of it. Avoid placing the helmet on the motorcycle saddle or the side mirrors. Doing so can damage the interior padding which can make the helmet unusable over time.

# posted by Medical Information : 1:51 AM

If you are considering building a custom bike, you'll need to determine whether to select a hard tail frame (also called a rigid frame), or a swing arm frame. Deciding on a frame is not to be taken lightly because there are some significant differences in the frame styles.

The hard tail frame is a single piece frame. The rear motorcycle wheel assembly attaches directly to the frame, as opposed to a soft tail frame which is made of two pieces of tubing connected at a pivot joint. That is the source of the nomenclature; the frame really does have a hard tail. The result is that there is no rear suspension to give that 'floating' feel to the ride.

Initially, all motorcycles were hard tails. The bent tubing frames allowed the rear hub to be attached through the one piece frame. That is still the way hard tails are put together today.

The Harley-Davidson Duo-Glide, released in 1958, gave riders the first option of purchasing a bike with rear suspension. Purists, however, still love the ride and feel of the hard tail frame.

Jesse James custom bike builder and owner of West Coast Chopper, in a recent documentary about the history or motorcycles, stated that he loves the hard tail ride because it allows the rider to truly become part of the road. There is no 'bounce' and the road vibrations are not absorbed by shocks, providing a hardcore sensation unlike the swing arm motorcycle frames.

Hard tail frames provide a somewhat rougher ride; people that experience back pain during long rides almost always avoid this frame style. Kidney-jarring jolts can result from hitting bumps. Yet in this modern day, most roads are relatively smooth.

Some people simply love the ride provided by the rigid hard tail frame. Others really hate the differences in ride. The bottom line is that you want to select the right frame for your motorcycle based on your personal needs, expectations, and planned use.

If you want a cross-country touring cycle, a hard tail may not the right choice be for you. If you want to build the ultimate custom show chopper, this frame style could be perfect for you. If you are young, have lots of stamina, are in great physical condition and don't mind a bit of kidney jolting, the hard frame is a viable option. However, if you want to ride from New York to California when you retire, most likely you'll be much happier riding a soft tail.

The choice of hard tail frame or soft tail frame is entirely a personal choice. Just remember, it takes a lot of work to change frames, so think through exactly what you expect from your motorcycle before making a decision about whether a hard tail frame is the best solution for your custom motorcycle.

# posted by Medical Information : 1:51 AM

Often when I use to race motorcycle street bikes I found myself feeling more like I was strapping on a fighter plan as I suited up and started the motor and watched it come alive, knowing full well that what I did in the next hour would determine if I would live or die that day.

The adrenaline rush was well you know, excellent and indeed worthy of mention and yes like most hard core street racer motorcycle riders, I understood the movie Top Gun more than most as I am one with the saying; The Need for Speed.

Sometimes I felt I was going so fast it seemed like I was flying as the ground went by under my knee scraping anything that was even close and yet that got me thinking, what if we could build a motorcycle that could fly, lets say wings that used the exhaust to inflate and a system for elevator control? Perhaps a canard in front to help steer too.

How would that be possible? Well consider how strong the front axle is and the forks. A canard system could fold down and become the elevator-horizontal stabilizer and canard system and it could be controlled by levers on the handlebars like the shift levers on bicycle racing bikes. Then you could have the control in the air that you have on the ground? Well anyway that is how I would design it.

# posted by Medical Information : 1:49 AM

Are you looking for women’s motorcycle helmets? Before you do your search, you should be aware of what makes them different from the men’s. First of all, most of women’s motorcycle helmets are made as slightly smaller than your average men’s motorcycle helmets. The designs are made to match the likings of the women to provide more appeal. But all of these should not take away the protection that such helmets should offer.

Women’s motorcycle helmets come in more attractive colors such as bright pink to polished purple. Women’s motorcycle helmets do not hinder any woman from trying to flaunt her femininity while wearing such headgear. In fact, sex appeal comes into consideration also when designing motorcycle helmets geared for women riders.

Looking for the right motorcycle helmet for women would require you to know about the proper sizing and fit. Men and women helmets follow different size measures to prevent one from mistaking the other. But when looking for the best size, nothing still beats fitting them personally before purchasing any helmet. There are some tips that you can follow in order to determine the proper motorcycle helmet fit for you.

First of all, you should try to make use of the manufacturer’s fitting chart to guide you with the sizes available. Find the corresponding helmet size categories that are made available to you. Put them as small, medium, large or extra large. When fitting a certain motorcycle helmet, tug at the chin straps outward in order widen the helmet and place it over your head. Once worn, keep in mind that it should fit snugly and comfortably without moving.

To determine the right fit for your motorcycle helmet, it should be resting tightly on your forehead. It should be tight enough that you will not be able to wedge your thumb between the helmet and your forehead. Once you have made the right fit, adjust and fasten the chinstrap. Do not allow it to restrain your neck.

Once you have the helmet fastened, give your head a little shake to make sure that the helmet doesn’t shift unnecessarily or fall off your head. Once doing that, try mounting your motorcycle in your riding position. Make sure that the top of the helmet won’t be affecting your field of vision while doing this. Along with this, you should also have an unhindered field of vision from both sides while mounting your motorcycle.

If you wear glasses, make sure that your helmet is able to accommodate your corrective eyewear and still fit comfortably. Try pressing down on the helmet and check if the helmet feels comfortable and is able to surround your head. Also check for added comfort, convenience and other safety features before you purchase and take that motorcycle for a ride.

# posted by Medical Information : 1:50 AM

In 1901, the 21 year-old William S. Harley had created the blueprint of an engine that was designed to fit in a conventional bicycle. Two years later, William together with his friend Arthur Davidson started and developed a one-cylinder engine that was installed on a conventional bicycle during that time. However, this motorized-bicycle was proved to be incapable of climbing through the Milwaukee hills without pedal assistance. Harley and Davidson developed further their motor after that experience.

Immediately, they have created a bigger engine (405 cc or 24.74 cubic inches) that was become the very first and real Harley-Davidson motorcycle. Meanwhile, the first Harley-Davidson factory was in a 10 x 15-foot wooden shed. The two friends were helped by Arthur’s older brother Walter.

After a year, the Harley-Davidson motorcycle entered its very first motorcycle race at Milwaukee.

The first years came in so quickly for the company that after 3 years, Harley-Davidson motorcycle production was transferred at Chestnut Street (that was later become Juneau Avenue). This is still the Harley-Davidson headquarters up to this time.

In 1907, William received a degree in mechanical engineering at University of Wisconsin. This helped them to development of better Harley-Davidson engines in the future. The same year also provided them a much needed factory expansion for the growing motorcycle demands. The year 1907 introduced the 45-degree V-Twin engine which has become the sole Harley-Davidson engine for a very long time.

Over the years, the company has gained so much popularity that was converted into sales output. During the First World War, Harley-Davidson was commissioned to provide more than 20,000 units for military use. The story of the Second World was the same for the company. They produced thousand upon thousands of motorcycle.

Before the entry of the 70’s, AMF or the American Machinery and Foundry bought Harley-Davidson. Policies had changed that resulted to labor strike and substandard bikes. The popularity and reputation of the company was severely damaged.

In the 80’s, it was sold to a group of investors headed by Willie G. Davidson and Vaughn Beals. The provided innovations such as the introduction of the "Sturgis". The costumers began to return and the company had seen clearer promise.

Since then, the popularity of Harley-Davidson motorcycles was unquestionable. They regained their leadership in motorcycle industry as they create a unique line of motorcycles, different from the conventional Japan made. Now, after more than a hundred years of existence, Harley-Davidson motorcycles have become an attraction in every road around the world.

# posted by Medical Information : 1:50 AM

For those who own or race street bikes you know that the rider becomes one with the bike and together you make those high-speed turns. But what happens when you leave the ground? No I am not talking about going off the cliff near the Rock Store in the Canyons above Malibu, CA, what I am suggesting really is turning our motorcycle into an aircraft.

What you say? I thought this was a legitimate online article. Oh, but it is my good friend and fellow rider, it is indeed. You see I want to take a lightweight motorcycles, perhaps an F3 Honda Hurricane a strap on some extra equipment. Such as a propeller adapter and an expandable wing using the exhaust to blow it up. Okay now you know I am serious and do not tell me you have not thought of this, because all these bikes are missing is wings, obviously they can fly.

To maintain rider balance in high speed aerial turns you will need to have a strap harness incase you go negative “Gs” in a flight maneuver you do not want to fall off and you will have to work with the bike and the gyro affect when turning and keep the skidding to a minimum, but this can be done better and better with practice, although you must never forget once you leave the ground you no longer have that friction to keep you in place, things are different up here.

# posted by Medical Information : 2:47 AM

Motorcycle street bikes are blast and you feel as if you have all the power in the world right at your wrist, give it a little juice and Seee Ya! The responsiveness and speed indeed make you feel like you are one with the gods. So with all this adrenaline rush and power, why not take it all to much higher level? How so you ask? Well, why not make a motorcycle race bike, which can fly.

With expandable blow up wings and a propeller adapter and as we do this lets us consider how we will maneuver the aircraft/motorcycle once airborne and some of the aerodynamic and flight control characteristics we must consider. First, race bikes already have a very good center of gravity and as the rear wheel drives it pushes the bike forward on the ground, so we would want the propeller in the rear also and we would want to make sure it was solidly attached to the swing arm holding the rear wheel hub.

We would put the chain to spin the propeller and the system coming off that swing arm and thus this would give us a solid centerline thrust to help with stability once airborne. This also makes sense because this is how the motorcycle is currently set up and we simply are adding another feature; one that allows us to fly!

# posted by Medical Information : 2:47 AM

Japanese Motorcycle Street race bikes or crotch rockets as they are commonly called are indeed in a World of their own. For those who are proficient riders they know that you are one with the balance of all forces when riding or racing. But what if we could take all that technology and bring it up a notch, as in take it to another level; making a motorcycle fly?

Did you know that many experimental aircraft use motorcycle components in them? Do you know why? Well look at the raced out performance lightweight parts they use sometime and it is completely evident why. Now then NASA did a really interesting experiment with an unmanned aerial vehicle which they dropped out of an aircraft and it had expandable wings, which unfolded using a couple of compressed canisters.

So, the wings supported this little aircraft, which means we could do the same thing using a special valve and the hot exhaust of the motorcycles muffler. Once the wing has been expanded it is time to fly! All you would need is a propeller adapter and a few flying lessons and you are good to go.

Imagine getting pulled over by the cops and then saying, I don’t think so and literally flying away to avoid a speeding ticket? Maybe someday in the future it might all be possible, of course then they might want to run your pilots license to see it is suspended?

# posted by Medical Information : 2:46 AM

Many people like to go for long distance bike rides, I know I use to all the time. I have ridden from Los Angeles to Las Vegas to Reno and back to LA. I have ridden from LA up the coast to San Francisco and then up 101 and Highway 1 too. Riding long distance on a motorcycle is fun indeed. It is even more fun to test your skills on canyon roads far away that you have never ridden before. Of course if you are a motorcycle touring type chances are you like to ride a nice big comfortable bike.

Of course whenever you get to your destination you are still on a big bike instead of a very fast maneuverable type. So, one option is to ride long-distance on a race bike instead. Indeed this can be a real assflatener and therefore you need to figure out how to make the ride as comfortable as possible you see?

One way to make a long-distance ride more pleasurable is to go with friends and stop more often along the way 40-50 miles per leg or maximum of 75 miles per hour. Of course when you are out in the middle of nowhere you can open it up and make tracks so maybe 100 miles at 120 mph plus is not a very long-distance ride with regards to the time factor. Perhaps you will consider all this in 2006.

# posted by Medical Information : 2:46 AM

If you are looking for a German motorcycle helmet, there are many quality choices available for you. You can check out your local helmet shop and you will be able to check out a number of German motorcycle helmets.

There are helmet makers that offer you a wide selection of attractive German motorcycle helmets. There is the Biker’s Choice Skid Lid for you. This helmet is made of super strong ABS Thermoplastic Shell that offers you the protection and durability that you need. It also has D-ring fasteners for a more secure enclosure and is manufactured to meet and even exceed DOT standards for motorcycle helmets.

There is also the Cyber U-69 motorcycle helmet from that has a new polycarbonate shell and a redesigned shape to offer a sleek and streamlined motorcycle helmet for you. This helmet also comes with a 3-snap visor and meets DOT standards to ensure you total safety and protection.

There is also the Jockey motorcycle helmet for you designed with rubber trimming and steel rivets to offer you classic styling. It has a nylon Y strap and D-ring enclosure to ensure that it stays in place all the time. There is also the Big German motorcycle helmet available for you made of fiberglass shell with rubber trim and steel rivets. Then there is the Eagle 100 motorcycle helmet designed with traditional styling using a fiberglass shell and equipped with a D-ring enclosure. This helmet also has a sun visor and has plush moisture absorbent interior to offer you comfort and a hassle free riding experience.

Now that you have seen your choices, there are still some things that you need to know before you buy that German motorcycle helmet. You must be able to find the right sizing that would be comfortable for you. Whether you plan to buy a full face motorcycle helmet or a shorty, you must know what will fit best and comfortably for you.

Different types offer you different levels of comfort and protection. You must be able to know what type would fit you best and ideal for your kind of riding lifestyle. If you are a motorcycle speed demon, then a full face motorcycle helmet would be the right choice for you. It will provide you with the overall head protection that you would look for.

If you are the occasional motorcycle cruising enthusiast, open face and shorty motorcycle helmets would be ideal for you. Such helmets will offer you the comfort and fit that you would welcome for your cruising enjoyment on your motorcycle. But be aware that such helmets may not give you total protection and you might need to add some goggles or sunglasses as part of your headgear to provide some added protection.

# posted by Medical Information : 2:45 AM

When you go for a ride on your motorcycle, you’re out to have fun. And hey, you’ve never had a crash before, so why would it happen now? Here are the government statistics about motorcycle helmets.

A brief history of the Law
In 1967, the US federal government said that it would take away funding from any state that didn’t have a helmet law. By 1975, 47 states had complied with the federal government. However, in 1976, they repealed the law, ruling it unconstitutional. Most states softened their helmet laws.

Kentucky and Louisiana
In the late 1990s, Kentucky and Louisiana repealed their helmet laws. While the helmet laws were in effect, nearly 100% of the people wore their helmets. When the laws came off the books, it fell to only half of people wearing helmets. The rate of fatalities per number of registered motorcycles rose 37% in Kentucky, and it rose a staggering 74% in Louisiana.

Don’t mess with Texas
Similarly to Kentucky and Louisiana, Texas took its helmet law off the books in 1997 for riders 21 or older who have insurance or training. Helmet use dropped from 96% to 66%, and motorcycle related deaths went up 1/3rd. This means that the death rates corresponds almost directly to the proportion of people who do not wear helmets.

Florida’s Example
Florida repealed its helmet law in 2000. From 1997-1999 (three years while the law was in place) 515 motorcycle riders were killed in crashes; 48 of those deaths were people not wearing helmets. From 2001-2003 (three years after the law was created) there were 933 motorcycle riders killed in crashes; 566 of these were not wearing their helmet.

What we can learn from this is that more people die when helmet use becomes optional. There were roughly 400 deaths in each three year period of people who wear helmets. However, the rate of people who died not wearing helmets went up more than 10 times. This is not coincidental.

Helmet Law Defense League
The Helmet Law Defense League is a group of people who lobby against laws requiring the use of helmets. They claim that it anti-constitutional to force people to wear helmets. They also argue that the word “helmet” is too vague.

Bells and Whistles
Even if you don’t choose to wear a motorcycle helmet for safety reasons, there are other reasons. The face guard allows you to see more clearly and prevents damage to your eyes when you go at high speeds. It also offers ear protection. Some helmets can be equipped with intercoms so you can communicate with your friends while you’re on your bike.

The Source
The mortality rate statistics are taken directly from The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration and the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety. The figures can be accessed through their annual reports, and some are available on their websites.

# posted by Medical Information : 4:12 AM

Trying to find motorcycle insurance with the right level of cover and at a price you can afford can become frustrating and time consuming.

There are so many motorcycle insurance companies out there with quite a significant range of prices for what can prove to be essentially a similar package.

The first thing you need to decide is what type of motorcycle insurance policy you are interested in and obviously your final decision will most probably be based on cost.

The most basic motorcycle insurance you can get is ‘Bodily Injury & Property Damage Liability’. This level of motorcycle insurance is a legal requirement and covers your legal liability for third party damage and bodily injury in the event of an accident. It will not cover the cost of repair of your own motorcycle.

If you want motorcycle insurance that will cover the cost of repair to your motorcycle if in an accident and pay you for the cost of replacing your motorcycle in the event of fire or theft then you need to take out a Comprehensive Motorcycle Insurance Policy.

You can take out ‘Uninsured Motorcycle Insurance’ which will cover you for the cost of medical care and loss of earnings in the event of being hit by an uninsured driver. Uninsured insurance will also cover the repair costs for your motorcycle up to your insured limit in the event of being hit by someone who is not insured.

It’s advisable to make sure that you include medical payments in your motorcycle insurance policy which will usually cover you in the event of a motorcycle accident regardless of who is at fault. Medical payments insurance only tend to kick in at the point when you have no other medical cover.

Comprehensive motorcycle insurance will normally cover some of the cost of custom parts but not necessarily all the cost. It is advisable to check this before taking out motorcycle insurance and if your level of customisation is not covered take out further Custom Parts Motorcycle Insurance.

The cost of your motorcycle insurance will vary from company to company and depend on such things as your age, the length of time you have been riding a motorcycle and whether or not you have had any previous accidents or claims. You will generally be able to influence the cost of your motorcycle insurance to some degree according to the level of deductibles you choose. The higher the deductibles the lower the cost of your motorcycle insurance.

# posted by Medical Information : 4:12 AM

Motorcycle engine design and innovation has long surpassed that of the automotive industry, and industry observers agree that the big companies like Yamaha, Honda and Suzuki can muster considerable R&D prowess here, which can then be applied to their automobile engines.

Competitors are especially aware of this. Says former Oldsmobile chief engineer Ted Louckes: "That's where the leading edge of piston engine technology is today. It's not in automobiles; it's not in aircraft. It's in motorcycles."

The Goal: Better Combustion

When considering the advantages of a combustion chamber crammed with more than four valves-per-cylinder, the first inclination is to think, aha! Flow area! Five valves equals more flow area! True, to a degree, but that's only part of the Yamaha's design strength.

In the reigning days of the two-valvers, engine designers would control pinging by incorporating squish bands into the combustion chambers. By the 1960s, the four-valve heads of Cosworth and Honda racing engines were allowing narrow included valve angles and thus shallow combustion chambers. Put the spark plug in the center, and voila!, good combustion.

Yamaha looked beyond four valves to unlock even better combustion. In the early '80s (Yamaha had only been a serious producer of four-stroke engines for about ten years!) it experimented with a variety of head and valve configurations, even trying a seven-valve-per-cylinder (four intakes, three exhaust) design.

Finally, five valves per jug was found to be the right combination. This design gives the engine extra intake valve perimeter, which allows it to flow more air at low-to-medium valve lifts -- exactly where valves in most production automotive engines spend most of their operating time.

Honda of America Mfg., Inc., has combined plant and production engineering with advanced manufacturing techniques to become one of the leading engine producers in North America.

The million-square-foot plant manufactures 500,000 high technology engines and drive trains a year. Kinzer noted that the plant produces everything that makes a car "go and stop." He said that even Japan has no Honda facility comparable to the Anna plant. Its production, he reported, equals the total of seven similar Honda manufacturing units in Japan. At present production levels, a Civic or Accord engine is produced at the Anna plant every 27 seconds.

Honda's iron foundry operates three shifts per day. The ferrous casting and machining operations include the production of engine cylinder sleeves and brake discs and drums. Aluminum casting operations include high pressure casting of engine blocks and transmission and torque converter cases, low pressure casting of engine cylinder heads and gravity casting of pistons.

# posted by Medical Information : 4:11 AM

Like the Harley-Davidson motorcycle, the Harley-Davidson helmet has its distinct look that compliments the total effects of riding a Harley. Although the purpose remains the same like any other helmets in the market, the Harley-Davidson in effect projects style that makes the Harley rider feel what should be felt. But, many would still ask: is a Harley-Davidson helmet worth wearing?

Year after year, many motorcycle accidents have been reported all over the country. These resulted to severe head injuries to the people involved. Or worse, these accidents claim lives. Why? Majority of people involve in motorcycle accidents do not wear helmets. And some would say that if these people only wear helmets, their fate may have been different or the damage created may have been minimized.

Just recall the motorcycle accident of the football star "Big Ben" Roethlisberger. (Oh, for those who do not know Big Ben, he is the star quarterback of the Pittsburg Steelers.) Many say that if only Big Ben wore a helmet, would only walk away with minor bruises.

It was said and will be said over and over again: Helmets protect you.

For people who think that wearing helmet while riding their Harley-Davidson would mean removing their freedom that the motorcycle projects, they might disregard its importance. But the fact still remains, in case of accident, a helmet would come in handy.

Here’s the statistics: In the State of California, study shows that out of 900 accidents involving motorcycles, 980 necks have been injured. Most of them are not wearing helmets. Here’s another fact. In Canada, nobody can ride motorcycle without wearing helmet. Sadly (well, it may not be sad at all to most riders), here in the United States, many states would let riders to exercise their freedom whether to wear helmet or not.

It is a given fact that helmet is the most important accessory to buy after buying Harley-Davidson motorcycle. And it must be worn when riding a motorcycle at all times. So, thinking of skipping a Harley-Davidson should not be on the list of things to do.

To wrap up, owning a Harley-Davidson takes a lot of responsibility. Unlike 4-wheel vehicles, when your ride motorcycle, you are exposed and more prone to injuries during accidents. And the best way to protect yourself from any damage that can be resulted from this accident is to wear a helmet.

# posted by Medical Information : 3:35 AM

Looking for full face helmets can be a challenge. There are many choices available for you with hundreds of makers creating designs that would have you attracted instantly when you see them. But more than their striking features, full face motorcycle helmets are used for a purpose. They are manufactured and made in order to protect your head from serious injuries that may arise from a motorcycle accident.

A full face motorcycle helmet is designed to cover the whole head. Its rear extension covers the base of the skull while the front portion aims to protect the chin. Each full face motorcycle helmet is equipped with a plastic face shield (which can be clear or tinted) that rests over the cutout eyes and nose section to as protection from glare and the effects of wind at high speeds. This face shield is usually retractable to allow access to the face if pushed up.

Most full face motorcycle helmets provide airflow vents to provide necessary ventilation to the helmets interiors, which can get hot. Paddings inside the helmets are also used not just for comfort but also to block outside noise. But not all seem to like using this type of motorcycle helmet.

There are a lot of critics complaining of heat, poor airflow, claustrophobic sensation and reduced hearing when wearing such helmets. Despite all these sensory drawbacks, a full face motorcycle helmet boasts a high rate of head protection; hence it is more popular than a 3/4 motorcycle helmet or open face helmet. Safety conscious riders prefer it to half motorcycle helmets.

Choosing a helmet that perfectly suits your head and your riding experience is as important as being safety conscious. A properly fitted motorcycle helmet would assure you of total protection and safety. A badly fitted one would surely compromise the safety features of your helmet and may not be able to protect you more effectively. Here are some tips that will help you find a motorcycle helmet that would be perfect for you.

Try on motorcycle helmets for at least five minutes so that you may be able to detect bothersome areas. See yourself the mirror with the helmet on to check for symmetry. This will ensure that the helmet rests just above your brows and to see if any red marks remain after you take off the helmet.

Try to observe motorcycle helmet safety standards when you look for your motorcycle helmets. Be aware of how motorcycle helmets are being certified for safety and protection. This will help save you the trouble in the long run. If a cheap motorcycle helmet you come upon has not been Snell certified, or is not a DOT approved motorcycle helmet, your insurance company may refuse to provide accident coverage.

After you have bought your motorcycle helmet, avoid storing it in a high or unsteady place where it could come crashing to the ground. Refrain from placing your helmets in the motorcycle saddle or the side mirrors. This can damage the interior padding which can compromise your helmet’s protective features. Don't risk scratching or busting an expensive motorcycle helmet, which can be costly on your part.

# posted by Medical Information : 3:35 AM

If you like to ride your motorcycle on the two-lane highways through the most scenic areas in our nation then you know there are deer on the road. I guarantee you; you do not want to hit a deer because motorcycles and deer do not mix.

Let me tell you a story about a couple of friends of mine and how we use to rip through the Malibu hills on our motorcycles; you see, all of us had high-tech fully raced out race bikes and we had square headlights and if you have ever ridden a motorcycle with square headlights in fast canyon sweeping corners in pitch black conditions, then you know that as you turn so to the edges of where the light goes and once you get use to it is not that big of a deal. Actually, you know it is such a rush and we had a blast doing it, but there are times when a deer could pop out on the road and you would not see it right away because of the angle of the light.

Well this happened to my friend Scott and we were behind Scott and we saw the deer, and beeped our horns. Scott had already passed the threshold and the deer jumped because it was afraid of our light and the winding sound of our race bikes, Yoshi pipes have a unique sound. Anyway, the deer's back legs hit the handlebars of Scott's motorcycle twisting them sideways and he flew forward, he was going about 40-45 mph on the turn and had just downshifted so maybe he hit the deer at 30 mph, remember it was pitch black and all this happened in a tenth of a second or so. Well one of the legs of the deer hit his helmet so hard it put a hole in it, ouch! Drain Bramage!

The deer crashed onto the pavement and rolled around and it was stunned for a second and a half and then the darn thing popped up on its feet and ran almost running into Scott who was now laying on the pavement. Scott had a lot of damage to his bike and it cost him $1200 in plastic and another $900 in other parts to fix it. Luckily, he had no personal injuries other than a sore wrist and he could not ride for two weeks or sit home and you know? Poor bum, we have never stopped teasing him about that. Scott is fine now and takes it in stride, but it could've been a lot worse. Trust me when I tell you that Deer and motorcycles to not mix. One more story of a 100 told to you digitally.

# posted by Medical Information : 3:34 AM

When we talk about bikes, especially the touring class, there is one model that would leave everything behind: the Harley Davidson Sportster.

From its first release in 1957 until today, everyone would agree that the Sportster is undoubtedly the best touring bike ever created. Not to be very flaunting about it, whether you are a Harley fanatic or not, you, in one way or another, you would want to have a Sportster in your garage.

Why?

Here are the reasons…

Versatile – Imagine a bike that could be added with sport windshield, Harley's flush mount leather saddlebags, overnight rack bag, sport rack, a tank bag, and low sissy bar with passenger back rest, and will have a unique and sport-looking touring Harley-Davidson Sportster. Worried about the effect? No problem at all. The Harley-Davidson Sportster will definitely look great with all these accessories.

Ride – Sportster is at its best when moving, while you are on it of course. With a low center of gravity, suspension geometry, and excellent basic frame, coupled with the infamous V-twin engine, the Harley-Davidson Sportster will bring you wherever you want to go with great comfort and stability. Steering is superb on a Sportster without requiring you to lean from side to side like you normally do on a sports bike. What about the sound? Distinct to every Harley is the sound the engine produces. While riding a Sportster, each mile is a proud ride.

The final touches – There are several thousand Harley-Davidson Sportsters and other Harley models out there. You may see several of them but you will never see 2 Harleys that look exactly alike. Why? It is because each owner adds a little something out of his personal taste to dress up his Harley. And with all the accessories ranging from appearance accessories, comfort and convenience accessories, general performance and safety accessories, to engine performance modifications, each Sportster will remain unique for as long as it can hit the road.

It’s a Harley – Well, there is no question about it; a Sportster is a true-blooded Harley-Davidson with unique qualities and special features, no other motorcycle can imitate. Each Sportster is unique of its own. Each Sportster is crafted by history and heritage of a company.

The Harley-Davidson Sportster has been in the factory line for almost 50 years. Designs, parts and displacements have been changed, but the true legacy of the original Sportster remains on each Sportster.

# posted by Medical Information : 3:34 AM