For safety reasons, it is essential that you buy the appropriate motorcycle riding gear. The most important piece of gear is a quality motorcycle helmet. When purchasing a new helmet, there are a few considerations to keep in mind. In addition to any stylistic concerns, you must concern yourself with the overall safety of the helmets you are considering. Don't just take the seller's word about the safety features. Is the helmet DOT Approved? Choosing only DOT approved helmets ensures that your helmet has passed certain safety standards implemented by the Department of Transportation.
DOT approved helmets have been certified by the DOT as meeting rigorous safety standards. If you do not choose a DOT helmet, it will not protect your head if you should crash. Most areas also require DOT approved motorcycle helmets if you are riding on the road; you can get in trouble with the law simply on the basis of using a non-DOT helmet. Plus, the bottom line is that non-DOT approved helmets won't go very far in protecting you from injury. This is not a helmet that you should trust with your life.
To identify DOT motorcycle helmets, first look for a DOT sticker, which is usually found at the back of the helmet, towards the bottom. There should also be a DOT label sewn into the helmet lining. Every motorcycle helmet sold in the U.S. must be evaluated by the Department of Transportation, but not all models will gain DOT approval.
How does a helmet become DOT approved? Each helmet model undergoes rigorous testing to ensure that it meets or exceeds safety regulations. These include impact test, drop tests, and other methods to simulate a crash situation. The results of these tests must show that the helmet offers adequate protection, including impact and penetration protection and the ability to remain securely on the rider's head during an accident. All motorcycle helmets sold in the U.S. must have at least a 210 degree field of vision to qualify for DOT approval. By choosing approved helmets, you can be sure that you are getting the best protection possible.
We are a small family owned business offering DOT approved motorcycle helmets and related accessories. Being a small business has it's advantages. Some of which are being able to offer our products at affordable prices without having to sacrifice the quality of the product. We believe that if you aren't happy with a purchase you've made from us, we do not deserve your money, it's as simple as that. Find DOT approved helmets 20% off retail.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Rex_Holman
January 15, 2010
DOT Approved Motorcycle Helmets - Make the Right Choice
Posted by admin at 8:42 AM 0 comments
January 12, 2010
Harley Davidson Shovelhead Motorcycle Engines
For those of you that would like to learn a bit more about the Shovelhead Engine, this article will teach you the basics. For starters, the shovelhead engine is a type of V-twin engine that was manufactured by the Harley Davidson Motorcycle Company between 1966 and 1985. The design for the shovel head engine was developed based on the design of the Panhead engine. The difference is that the shovelhead engine includes more powerful cylinders and pistons as well as a modified look.
What some of you may not know is that the shovelhead engine received its name from the unique look of the engine's rocker box covers. These covers bear a resemblance to the heads of coal shovels. That is how the name "shovel head" came into existence...
Back in the mid-sixties, the Panhead engine was initially developed to fit Sportster choppers. As time went on, the Panhead lost its attraction and went out of style due to the fact that Harley Davidson began developing bikes that required more horsepower.
Around that same time, the shovel-head engines entered the scene with newly designed top ends that were created to give you more acceleration and power. Unfortunately, many motorcycle experts now say that the weight of the new shovel head engine detracted from the speed and power of certain models in the sixties. In fact, the shovel head engine was originally designed as an engine for an outboard motor (a motor for boats), but it did not function in water or in moist air.
In the 1970's, minor changes were made to the shovel head engines that helped fix some of the problems demonstrated by the weight of the sixties shovel head model. However, most Harley specialists would say that even these revisions did not quite catch the shovelhead "up to speed." This was mainly due to that fact that Harley Davidson had to stick by government regulations that basically said choppers could not have more than a top speed of 90 miles per hour.
Another interesting tidbit of info is that if the engine came with a feature called the FLH Electra-Glide Package, it was identified as a shovel head engine for police bikes. Sometimes this feature is called the Police Option. It definitely made it easier for Police to run cars off the road.
Additionally, The FLH Electra-Glide package also enabled the engine to turn over longer while the machine was in idle. Unfortunately, it made for a heavy bike that was not easy for the average rider to maneuver or brake instantly. It's very hard to find a Harley shovelhead engine with the original FLH Electra-Glide package. It's very rare and is prized by motorcycle and chopper part collectors.
For more information on Shovelhead Engines, Parts, and Accessories check out http://www.shovelheadparts.com/ . Or check out Used Hog Parts!
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Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Liz_Wood
Posted by admin at 2:08 PM 2 comments
January 05, 2010
Know About Motorcycle Battery Charger
A motorcycle battery charger can really help you to charge your motorcycle and your snowmobile. The charger can really help you to charge your battery anywhere and everywhere you go. These chargers are very cheap and you can even carry them around while charging. There are various advantages of keeping a battery charger with you because they can be used for Utility Vehicle, Snowmobile, Riding Mower, mobility scooter, solar deep cycle and Personal Watercraft.
If you buy motorcycle battery charger then it would be very beneficial for you in the long run. In this article, my main focus would be to tell you about various things that you should keep in mind while purchasing a charger.
1. They are portable
Motorcycle batteries are small as compared to car a battery that is why they loose there charge very easily. It becomes very essential to charge them on a regular basis. There are also wet cell batteries available in the market that requires to be filled with distilled water regularly to bring them to their correct voltage. You will see that motorcycle chargers take very less time to charge the battery as compared to car battery-chargers. You do not even have to wait for one night to get your battery charged.
2. Motorcycle batteries loose their charge easily
It is must for you to purchase a motorcycle battery charger because motorcycle battery loose there charge easily in very cold weather. These batteries easily loose their charge as compared to car batteries. These chargers are designed in a great way and have various good functions and features. They can rapidly charge the battery in extremely cold weather and helps you to start the engine battery easily in very less time.
3. This charger is compact
This battery charger is very compact and you can easily store it in your garage. If you have a little knowledge then you can service the battery just by yourself. Carry out a full charger check up on a regular basis so that it is ready at any time you want to charge your battery.
4. Keeps up the efficiency of your battery
One great advantage of this charger is that it helps you to keep your battery is a great condition. If you have a charger at home then you even do not have to worry about going to a garage on a regular basis to get your battery charged.
Battery chargers are greatly advantageous for you because they are compact, portable and highly efficient.
Head towards Motorcycle Battery Charger for everything you need to know about Motorcycle Battery Chargers.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Sharon_Hudson
Posted by admin at 8:42 AM 0 comments
Labels: Motorcycle Battery Charger
January 01, 2010
Motorcycle GPS - Boon Or Bane?
Most of us are very addicted in collecting things. But now, we are fond of collecting gadgets for things as well. One of the things that we put much attention is the motorcycle. The sat nav for motorcycles are now becoming very important accessory for riders who wish to travel to other place. With a motorcycle GPS device you will no longer need to worry about getting lost. You will be able to discover new country sides, sceneries and destination all with the confidence of knowing exactly where you are any time.
The tracking may be of Satellite Based Real-Time Tracking, Cellular Based Tracking, and Wireless Passive Tracking. It leads you in the right direction. It helps improving individual's mapping skills. Anyone can come out his/her hallucinations if they are in danger or in accident because tracking is much easier. A lot of people using this device say how satellite navigation changed their experience in motorcycling to an adventurous one.
You will have a new freedom in exploring the open road. Sat nav systems for motorcycles is the trend that all riders should get stick on to. When you install the sat nav unit to your motorcycle you can have a problem-free and easy trip. While you are in need of meal or drink, or if you want to fill up fuel, the GPS will show you the right path. The voice guided instructions and maps filled with points of interest will ensure that you know where the nearest fuel station, restaurant or hotel wherever you are. Using a motorcycle sat nav unit brings more excitement to the outdoor adventurous riding.
Don't just follow any trail or road, as a GPS user you can now plan and plot your trips on your own home computer, downloading new routes to your handheld GPS unit, and using the same to guide you to trails or roads which are very new to yourself. Once you start using gps navigation unit, you will find interesting to learn and use the gps navigation unit, on referring electronic or printed maps, investigations about new landscape resulting in finding amazing new places to explore that you would never come across. If you get lost anywhere, no need to worry. Your satellite navigation system will "back-track" you to any one of the nearest spot to get yourselves back to any one of the correct path. It will give a lot of benefits just like the countless paths your journey using the motorcycle entails. In fact, it is a good investment on your part.
Sat nav devices purposely built for motorbikes have everything that a motorcyclist will need and are also vibration resistant, ensuring that the reverberation from your motorbike won't affect its internal workings. They offer all the navigation basics, including text- and voice-guided turn-by-turn directions, automatic route recalculation, and points of interest, as well as integrated Bluetooth so you can make hands-free calls with your Bluetooth-enabled cell phone.
As every coin has it's other side, GPS Navigation also have some drawbacks such as the cellular devices used can track other cellular device users, it should be used as backup map but used as first resource, it requires external power or it may need batteries, needs good care and handling because the internal parts will be miniature and fabricated in a single board and therefore small damage can cause major problems in the handheld device. One more major limitation is that people focus on sat nav system more than road and thereby the chance of accident increases.
Therefore GPS for motorcycles will be a boon or it may be bane according to the usage of an individual. If one handles it with care in the right path happy journeys will be the result. So handle the system with ease and care while traveling by keeping attention in the road.
Visit satellite navigation site to find latest sat nav offers and read unbiased reviews on Acer sat nav systems, Blaupunkt, Gizmondo, Kenwood gps systems.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Fredrick_Joy
Posted by admin at 8:39 AM 0 comments
Labels: Motorcycle GPS