Posts Tagged ‘Motorcycle’
OnGuard Boxer 5047 Motorscooter and Motorcycle Disc Brake Lock
June 15th, 2011 | 
Author: 
- Double steel ball locking mechanism, armored hardened steel case, touch lock system and special titanium plating
- Includes 5 laser cut keys and 1 light key for night time use
- Carrying pouch with belt clip and reminder cable included
- Five star plus security level rating makes this lock the ultimate theft resistance for high crime areas
- Boxer 5047 – 72mm x 13mm 2.8″ x 12″
Product Description
OnGuard Boxer Series 13mm Lock Double steel ball locking mechanism, armored hardened steel case, touch lock system and special titanium plating
Includes 5 laser cut keys and 1 light key for night time use
Carrying pouch with belt clip and reminder cable included
Five star plus security level rating makes this lock the ultimate theft resistance for high crime areas
Size Info Boxer 5047 – 72mm x 13mm 2.8″ x 12″
… More >>
OnGuard Boxer 5047 Motorscooter and Motorcycle Disc Brake Lock
Related posts
Posted in Motorcycle Accessories | 
Tags: 5047, Boxer, Brake, Disc, Lock, Motorcycle, Motorscooter, OnGuard | 
Comments Closed
Simple Steps To Ride A Motorcycle In Heat Rain And Snow
First and foremost, evaluate the situation before deciding to stop or continue riding. be patient and wait until the weather clears or the situation resolves.Although some of us likes to challenge the elements because it fires our instincts,sharpens our focus and makes us feel more like a gladiator. Be that warrior on a bike and survive these wild roads.
For starters you need to plan ahead. Browse the weather channel and check in advance the area or region you are going to be traveling. Be aware of altitude changes or elevation of any mountain ranges. Because altitude will change temperatures as well. The standard rate of temperature drop is four degrees for every 1000 feet you climb. Crossing the Rocking or Sierras can involve a temperature drop of thirty degrees Fahrenheit. That means it can be sunny at flat land and snowing !5 miles up the road. Altitude changes can catch unprepared riders by surprise. To combat this, you should be ready to layer for the cold. Be ready and anticipate what the weather will be.
Dense Fog
In case of dense fog, use the side of the road to guide your way. If not pull over and find a safe place. Use your motorcycle’s blinkers and high beam headlight. In dense fog you are absolutely invisible and that could be dangerous. You can’t see what’s in front of you and you can’t be seen by those behind you. If you are in the mountains, you have no choice but to push on to the summit.
Hail
You must remember, it won’t hail for very long. It is wise to pull over and seek shelter. Even with protective gear and helmet the hail pellets will keep pummeling and it will surely hurts.
Extreme Summer Heat
On a very hot day,make sure you stay hydrated. Not noticing you may be losing fluid and you don’t even feel thirsty. A hydration backpack will come in handy in weather condition like a hot summer day.
If you are thinking of touring across the Mojave desert with over 100 degrees F in temperature, do not make the mistake of stripping down your clothes and exposing you bare skin to the sun, just to deal with the heat. Hot,dry moving air can literally suck fluids out of you, if you expose your skin to the elements.
You can get awfully sunburned,dehydrated,windburned and fatigued in less than sixty minutes. Mimic how the natives dress, those that live in the desert areas. The trick here is to hose down your clothes with water and then wrap yourself with a vented jacket. This way, it slows down the movement of air over your skin and drying of perspiration. We don’t want a lot of air over the soaked clothes, just a little circulation to provide a bit of evaporative cooling. A soaked scarf tied around your neck would spell a lot of difference when it comes to comfort. So i repeat. Hose down your clothes and then add layer to it like a jacket with venting system, to keep the cooling water from drying so quickly in this Southwestern desert.
Desert- crossers are advised to wait until late afternoon or early morning to begin riding. It is a good time to travel in any hot climate and you are less likely to experience thunderstorms.
Snow
When snow begins to fall it is pretty.But when snow gets to a point that is deep enough that you can’t maneuver your motorcycle, it is time to find a place to pullover. Also, your primary goal here is to avoid hypothermia. So wear layers of clothing,electric clothing and your full face helmet. To lessen the wind that leaks in wear a ski mask,scarf or leather bandanna. Ideally, a little fresh air should get in or you may run out of oxygen. To prevent your face shield from fogging up pr worst yet, the fog will turn to frost, buy Fog City’s Pro shield. Another option is polishing a thin film of soap in the interior surface of a faceshield will do the work. If you get caught in the cold unexpectedly you can always do the old trick of putting newspaper under your jacket for insulation and cheap rainsuit that will reduce the amount of air that reaches you. Just always keep in mind to cover the important areas-head and torso. If you get caught in a snowstorm,stay calm. Don’t panic. Riding in the snow means drive slow and allow plenty of space to stop. Ultra -gently squeeze the brakes,clutch,steering and throttle, with more rear brake than front especially if you hit on a patch of black ice in shady areas. Also,watch out for those bridges that freeze before the roads do. Because traction is lost and sudden braking will send you skidding and it will be nasty if there’s a car following right behind you. So if it snows or rains drag along your rainsuit to seal out the wet stuff and provide additional wind barrier if it gets colder than expected.
Wind
The lightest sport bike with a rider weighs appropriately 500 pounds. The wind is strong enough but not enough to generate a tornado, trust that you are not going to be blown away. You just going to have to improve your foot aerodynamics. Lower your head just inches below your windshield, pull in your knees and become “one” with your motorcycle. Ride through the wind, even if the motorcycle moves a little with the gusts. Just stay calm, don’t panic.
Also, wind makes condition feel colder than they are. Especially if you ride at 30 mph. That is when the most of the chilling effect occurs. As moving air pass your body, it would suck the moisture,perspiration and warmth out of you. That is why you will even feel colder and more fatigue. So don’t take wind chill for granted. Bring along dry togs to provide barrier from the effects of wind.
Rain
If you are prepared, heavy downpours need not ruin your ride. It is more uncomfortable than dangerous to ride in the rain. You just need to be alert than you need to be in sunny weather. Just slow down. Give yourself plenty of distances between vehicles, take tuns a little easier. Ride with a little extra courtesy of others and wear the proper rain gear with reflective qualities,helmet with face shield that is been pre-treated with Rainx or other commercial rain resistant invisible coating so that raindrops will not accumulate and formed a single film.
Do be aware of the middle of the road where the oil and rain mix and collects, the stretch before traffic lights, the white lines and arrows on the road which can be deceivingly slippery. If there is continuous lightning around the area where you are riding it is time to pull over and seek shelter.
You have the tendency to skid if you grab a heavy uneven pressure front brake. It will send you crashing into the ground in no time. If you hit a patch of wet leaves,black ice,dirt or gravel traction is lost if you abruptly brake over non-tractable substance like rain that have frozen up, it will send you fishtailing into a kind of wild ride.
If you ever get in a deluge unexpectedly and you haven’t invested yet in a favored Harley Davidson rainsuit, you can always have the option to drop by your local 7-eleven and buy cheap rainsuits or even a trash bag. Cut a hole at the bottom and wear it like a poncho. Once it stops raining you can always rip off the trash bag.
Make it a habit to check your tires before riding. Sometimes motorcycle tires don’t have enough tread to manage safely on wet,slippery conditions. You won’t want to experience a situation where in your rear tire will be stripped down to its belt, where you are many miles away from home in a rainstorm. You have to realize, when you only have two-wheels, you need both of them in order to survive.
Safe handling of a motorcycle is about being in control,being aware and staying calm. Know how to use both wheels properly particularly in wet,slippery roads. Other road hazards like wet leaves,patch of black ice, other vehicles etc. can be predictably dealt with, without damage to yourself, others and your bike. You just need to sharpen your survival skills.
So which are you going to be? The motorcycle guy who would keep his bike neatly tucked in the garage all covered up and locked in the cozy,warm boring darkness as rain begins to pummel and ping the helmet and nose like pellets out of an airsoft gun? Or are you the road warrior who does not give a damn, rolls his bike out like a gladiator proud of his chariot as the sky spits on his face? Of course, that does not mean, the old tough guy biker rides stupid. He is now more knowledgeable and skilled to navigate through the fickle weather.
Related posts
Posted in Motorcycle Jacket |
Tags: Heat, Motorcycle, Rain, ride, Simple, Snow, Steps |
Comments Closed
Tips For Safer And More Enjoyable Long Motorcycle Tour
In this day and age touring by motorcycle seems basic. It is because it really is. If your bike is well prepared( that means you have done your pre-ride motorcycle inspection), you drag along a few motorcycle tools ,if you have common sense, wear proper riding gear and always bring your owner’s manual, you should be able to overcome most emergencies and all kinds of weather conditions that you will encounter during your long motorcycle tour.
For some riders, the perfect vacation is riding long days on their bikes. For them the road is simply a way to merge points of interests which are best experienced on a motorcycle. The ride is the destination.
Riders with rigid schedule and who strictly stick to it will not only fore go and by pass chances to stop and smell the roses like, taking leisurely meals and see some exotic sites. It will also expose them to dangerous situations because they force themselves to ride even if they lack sleep and tired.
Experienced riders normally ride 300 to 500 miles a day and usually already have developed systems and routines for long motorcycle trips. They usually ride alone on major roads and interstates and can still do it leisurely. But if you have never taken a long ride before, you should start carving away a few miles on the first day. The first day of your tour will involve some adjustments and delays to your gear and motorcycle. The second day will probably be the best day for beginner motorcycle tourers because you are still fresh and most bugs will probably be worked out. After the third day, fatigue is likely to become a major factor.
Minor things such as a flapping jacket collars, loud pipes, uncomfortable helmet and motorcycle seat, wind noise,scratched face shields or windshields, continuous exposure to sun and wind can dehydrate you faster than you may have realized. These situations can easily wear you down and can be a tremendous source of fatigue.
Here are what you need to fight fatigue:
1. Adequate sleep-If you plan to rack up numerous miles on your long motorcycle tour, you need to strategically plan your sleep and rest. You can have a sleep deficit if you ride long and hard by day and not get enough sleep and waking up for early departures. Plan to have a catch-up on sleep every two or three days and set a flexible riding routine. Do not make the mistake of drinking liquor thinking that it is a sleep aid. Alcohol actually reduce the quality and quantity of your sleep. Give your body a chance to adapt. Take breaks as often as you can.
2.You will need ear plugs and good quality full face helmet to protect against wind noise. A windshield that you can comfortably see over can also reduce wind noise.
3. You will need a vented or mesh jacket and helmet to protect you against sunburn and windburn. Some riders mistakenly wear only a cotton tshirt or even go top naked in dealing with the scorching heat. They don’t know they are more likely to fatigue faster.
4. Modifications on your bike like adding a comfortable saddle, a sissy bar bag with a combination backrest,small windshields with no visual distortions. These things can contribute to a more comfortable and more fun long motorcycle tour.
And of course a few calisthenics( before and after a ride), proper nutrition and constant re-hydration by drinking a lot of water will increase your energy, makes you more alert and consequently enable you to experience an enjoyable journey on a bike. These tips are boring i know, but these are time tested solutions for fighting fatigue.
One of other major concerns of riders who are planning to embark on a long motorcycle trek is gas mileage. How many miles does a tank full of gas cover? You would not want to be stranded in a strange deserted road and as darkness fall ,waiting for someone who would come by and help you.
The main idea here is to find ways to maximize the gas tank’s capacity. Make sure to load up a full tank of fuel before a long leg. Some bikes will take a minute or two before the air escapes around the filler baffle and adding a squirt or two will get much more fuel to the tank. Another way is to straighten up the motorcycle instead of leaning it on the side stand will get significantly more fuel into the tank.
If you have 5.0 gallon tank, it will take about 4.0 gallons of gas consumption when the low-fuel light blinks for the first time. You have about 1.0 gallon of gas left and you can go approximately 40 miles at 45 mph after that. You have to pull over and fill up the tank completely when the low-fuel light comes on.
Speed changes mean more mileage especially if you are riding on little country back roads compared to a long stretch of straight roads.
Leave some time in your itinerary for the unexpected. As the saying goes” you experienced nature first hand on a motorcycle”. It also means motorcycles are susceptible to weather and mechanical delays than cars. Give yourself extra time as buffer, just in case you get held up surprisingly by traffic, weather and motorcycle problems etc. This particular riding tip is for riders who must be back at work on a given day.
These long motorcycle tour especially if this is your first time, might turn out to be rides of exploration and discovery. This might be the occasion where you learn what moves you to travel by motorcycle. You might realized that the scenic roads is the highlight of the trip or meeting new people or nonetheless you will decide that only few activities can ever match the adventure of a long motorcycle tour.
Related posts
Posted in Motorcycle Jacket |
Tags: Enjoyable, Long, More, Motorcycle, Safer, Tips, Tour |
Comments Closed
Group Motorcycle Riding : Pros And Cons
It feels good to do activities with people who likes to do same things that you do right? If you like motorcycle riding then think how fun it would be if you join a motorcycle convoy. There is this kind of camaraderie and security as well as risks if you choose to ride in groups.
Motorcycle riding with a group feels great because you have people to share your experiences and expectations. The number of people you ride with makes you feel secure especially when unexpected things happen.
Some motorcyclists like to do camping weekends, some like riding down scenic highways, others like speed,some like hair pin turns,others prefer great sweeping curves or prefer to ride in the dirt. So it is important to seek company of like-minded people. Other motorcyclists only wants to ride a bike of a particular brand like Harley Davidson motorcycles for example.
Once you find a group, there should be a pre-ride discussion and establish the basics down like your destination,preferences and talk about signals,pace and details like gas stops and routes. Make sure that everyone in the group understands these symbols before heading out to avoid surprises. Use those signals liberally on the road so that other riders are aware of your intentions. Set a meeting place in case someone gets cut off from the group.
It is always good to ride in sub-groups like four bikes riding together is safer than larger numbers where it can get confusing and frustrating. So think in multiples of five.
Have the group’s leader lead the pack and should signal early and slow gradually. He should know the way ,well ahead of time and should have a plan not to disrupt other traffic and get everyone safely to their destination. Ideally a seasoned rider should be at the back of the road to ride sweep and take care to those who have problems. Everyone should have a cellphone to call for help just in case. Side-cars or trikes should be best at the back of the group or in a group of their own.
There should be a gap of four or more car lengths between each sub-groups of motorcycles. This formation leaves room for each bike and sub-groups to swerve to the side and provides reaction time to brake. When threat arises riding side to side limits routes to escape when you are close to any other vehicles. It would present a potential risk. If you are in close proximity with other riders, there’s a tendency to wander into each other’s zones and can cause you to be rear-ended or if not, two or more bikes in a group would collide.
When everyone is stopping for fuel have one rider mans the nozzle (provided you use the same kind of fuel) and the rest of the bikers can simply march through and later figure out who owes what. This system saves time compared to each rider has to get off his bike, picks up the nozzle and pays independently. I mean, riders should avoid wasting time because no rider wants to spend more time than he has to in gas stations. But what about the rider who does not want to ride with a bunch of other motorcyclists? The rider who thinks that riding with a group slows him down,changes the rhythm of his riding and gets in the way of the freedom that is the heart of why he rides? The fact is, some riders want to go it alone or ride only with one other rider he knows and trusts.
Motorcylce riding with more additional people will slow you down. You can only go as fast on the road, at lunch or in a gas station as the slowest member of the group. Give yourself plenty of margin if you are not comfortable with riders you wind up riding with and to discover you companion’s habits as well. A common issue is speed differential. Faster folks often complain that slower riders are slowing them down. On the other hand slower riders feel uncomfortable trying to keep up the pace with faster riders. Well both kinds of riders shouldn’t try to. We don’t want accidents or the tickets.
Basically if you feel uncomfortable with what others in the group are doing, drop out by all means, before it causes trouble, or better yet tell them to go ahead or go ahead yourself or take a side trip. So before committing totally to spending hours and days riding with a convoy, it is a good idea to do some shorter day or weekend rides with a certain group. There are riders who jive with others personality-wise but contrast in their riding styles just plan to meet each evening and have leisurely meals but get from one point to another at their own pace and on their own routes.
In motorcycle group riding, each rider is responsible for the one behind him. If you don’t see the rider behind you for a few minutes, signal the rider ahead, then slow down, pull over and wait for the riders behind you. You can avoid the three digit miles of backtracking if everyone in the group look out for the one behind him. But it is still possible to get lost from the group, such as when the rider wandered off the intended path or missed turns than those ahead. To help your group stay intact, give everyone an emergency phone number in writing to call, agree on the next stop every time you all pause for gas, meals or scenic viewing. Be specific. And let everyone knows the day’s destination.
Riding with a group is worth the initial adjustments to your companions habits. Who knows you may find someone you enjoy riding with and form a special bond.
Related posts
Essential Motorcycle Gear For Your Motorcycle Trip
When you get ready to take a ride on your motorcycle, there are a few things you should probably keep on your list with regard to what type of gear you are going to bring. These items are not required, but can greatly increase the likelihood that you will enjoy the ride more.
First off, you should always have a motorcycle helmet when you head out for a ride. Helmets not only keep you protected in the event of an accident, but they also keep you warm in chilly riding conditions and weather. You can choose to bring a half helmet, three quarter, or full face helmet, whatever you prefer. Each type has its own benefits, and one style is not necessarily better than the others. Each one does have its own advantages over the other. One advantage that full face helmets has over the rest is that they protect your entire head, which can be good especially in cold conditions as they provide more warmth. On the flip side, half helmets provide more room for air, which means you are going to stay cooler wearing this type in warm riding temperatures. So really you might benefit from bringing both types just in case you experience both kinds of riding conditions.
Motorcycle jackets are also very important when it comes to the equipment that you bring along on your trip. They protect you from the cold and also protect you from abrasions that you would get if you were to skid along the pavement. If you want to wear leather, but don’t want to wear a jacket, then you might consider bringing a leather motorcycle vest, which can also provide you comfort in cooler conditions, but not to the extent that a jacket would provide.
If you want to be the most prepared that you can be on a motorcycle trip, you would have to bring just about everything that you have in your motorcycle apparel collection, but that’s probably not possible. If you consider these few items, you’ll definitely be at an advantage and will most likely be more prepared for your ride.