Posts Tagged “Motorcycles”


I need rain gear, you guys got any suggestions? … Sportster Iron 883 motorcycle Rain Gear Harley Davidson

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Riding with Rilke: Reflections on Motorcycles and Books

From Publishers Weekly
English professor Bishop trades “tweed for leather” and hurtles away from the University of Alberta (Canada) on his Ducati, which he rides south through the Western U.S. all the way to the University of Texas at Austin. His professional objective was research on Virginia Woolf’s novel Jacob’s Room at the UT archives of British modernist writers, but his pledge along the way was “To seek out the smallest roads possible, to avoid the direct route, to eat in mom-and-pop diners.” For Bishop, riding “is an inward experience. Like reading,” a parallel that loosely links the elements of this discursive but engaging account—part travelogue, part ode to his bike and part literary criticism. He temporarily abandons his Woolf scholarship for a project on Joyce’s Ulysses, a venture that sidetracks him to New York City and Europe before he heads back to Austin to pick up his Ducati. The ride home ends in disaster when he wipes out at 105 mph, breaks his back in two places, but survives to walk again—and write this easygoing, romantic memoir infused with joie de vivre. (Sept.)
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

From Booklist
Written while the author was recovering from a spectacular motorcycle crash, this unusual memoir chronicles Bishop’s road trip from Edmonton, Alberta, to Austin, Texas. While this trek offered a chance for Bishop to get his prized Ducati motorcycle out on the open road–to really see what she could do–it was also a business trip: when not astride the Ducati, Bishop is a university professor and Virginia Woolf scholar, and he was going to Austin to view a collection of Woolf manuscripts. This is a story of a man seduced by twin passions, travel and scholarship, and it tracks twin adventures, into the literary past and the uncharted present. It’s a joyful book, a celebration of intellectual pursuit and carefree exploration. If you can name another book about motorcycling that tells you about the tortured life of Virginia Woolf, or another book about the Bloomsbury Group that describes the rush you get from pulling a slow U-turn on a small-town Main Street in full biker regalia, then you probably don’t need this one. For the rest of us, Riding with Rilke is a one-of-a-kind treat. David Pitt
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved

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If you’ve recently bought your first motorcycle, you’re probably in the market for a lot of gear right now. The task may seem daunting. You need a lot of things before you can ride safe, most importantly, a helmet. It doesn’t have to be difficult to find the right equipment to protect yourself. First off, take it from me, you’re going to want a full face motorcycle helmet. There are other options, but nothing else out there is going to give you the comfort and protection of a full face motorcycle helmet from Splat Hat.

There are many reasons that you should go with a full face helmet, but let’s start with comfort first. One of the first thing’s you’ll notice when you take your bike out for a spin is how loud it is. Your bike is loud, the road is loud, the other cars are really loud. It can all take a toll on your ears, and eventually, on your hearing. With a full face helmet, your ears are both encased and covered in padding, ensuring protection from the noises of the road, which is an excellent added bonus.

If you’re a rider who loves the winter roads, then a full face motorcycle helmet from the Splat Hat website is by far your best option. When the winter wind is whipping, you’re going to want your face protected by a lock down visor. It’s also a great way to protect yourself from burns in the summer and from rain and snow. And regardless of the season, the visor will keep insects out of your face.

When you want to ride safe, which we all do, then you know that your helmet plays a key role. It can seem attractive to leave your face open to the wind in the summer, but for the best protection, you’ll want a full face motorcycle helmet. In the event of a crash, nothing else can offer you the same high level of protection. Not only will your entire head have coverage, but so will your face and eyes. Because the helmet fits your entire head, no area is left unprotected.

When you’re out their riding, you want to know you’re looking your best. You didn’t spend that much on your bike just to skimp on your gear. With a full face motorcycle helmet, you’ll know that you’ve got the best, sharpest looking helmet there is. There are many options to choose from, including a wide variety of colors, finishes, and graphics for you to choose from. So you can get the shiny silver helmet of your dreams, of go with a slick red matte helmet, whatever matches your bike!

So when it’s time to choose your new motorcycle helmet, you know what to do. A full face motorcycle helmet offers you superior comfort as you ride. It offers you great protection as well. And when you want to look stylish, there’s nothing better. So head over and order your full face motorcycle helmet today.

When you’re faced with the task of buying a helmet it can seem like a lot. How do you know what style is best for you? Well, if you like to be comfortable, safe, and look great at the same time, I’ve got your answer. A full face motorcycle helmet is just the ticket! Get your full face helmet helmet today, in fact a good choice is a HJC full face helmet.

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Motorcycles are cheap to run, exciting to ride and a quick way to travel through traffic. Styles of motorcycles vary depending on the task for which they are designed, such as long distance travel, navigating congested urban traffic, cruising, sport and racing, or off-road conditions.

In many parts of the world, motorcycles are among the least expensive and most widespread forms of motorised transport. After the Second World War, the BSA Group became the largest producer of motorcycles in the world, producing up to 75,000 bikes a year in the 1950s.

Almost all commercially available motorcycles are driven by conventional gasoline internal combustion engines, but some small scooter-type models use an electric motor, and a very small number of diesel models exist. Liquid-cooled motorcycles have a radiator (exactly like the radiator on a car) which is the primary way their heat is dispersed. Liquid cooled motorcycles have the potential for greater power at a given displacement, tighter tolerances, and longer operating life, whereas air cooled motorcycles are potentially cheaper to purchase, less mechanically complex and lighter weight.

Only the largest touring motorcycles and a few models that are routinely used with a sidecar or converted to tricycle configuration are fitted with a reverse gear. At one time, motorcycles all used spoke wheels built up from separate components , but, except for dirtbikes, one-piece wheels are more common now. Brakes can either be drum or disc based, with disc brakes being more common on large, modern or more expensive motorcycles for their far superior stopping power, particularly in wet conditions.

Modern designs have the two wheels of a motorcycle connected to the chassis by a suspension arrangement, however ‘chopper’ style motorcycles often elect to forgo rear suspension, using a rigid frame. As can be seen from the streamlined appearance of new performance motorcycles, there is much aerodynamic technology included in the design. Modern fairings on touring and sport-touring motorcycles dramatically improve a rider’s comfort and attention on long rides by reducing the effect of the wind and rain on the body.

While the reasons for people choosing to ride motorcycles are many and varied, those reasons are increasingly practical, with riders opting for a powered two-wheeler as a cost-efficient alternative to infrequent and expensive public transport systems, or as a means of avoiding or reducing the effects of urban congestion.

Motorcycles from a number of manufacturers now have electric windshields, which raise and lower the windshield with the push of a button to the optimum height for conditions.

In England, motorcycles are exempt from the £8 per day London congestion charge other vehicles have to pay to enter the city during the day.

In many cultures, motorcycles are the primary means of motorized transport.

Electric motorcycles are emission free during operation, producing the electricity that charges the batteries in them can be a cause of pollution. Street customs: Highly customised motorcycles with wild paint jobs also built for show, but constructed from a sport bike frame instead of a cruiser-style frame.

The chassis (or frame) of a motorcycle is typically made from welded aluminium or steel (or alloy) struts, with the rear suspension being an integral component in the design.

Steve Harris

New and Used Motorcycles can be found at http://www.usedmotorcycles-4u.com

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You’re cruising down your favorite country road on what started out to be a text-book-perfect day for riding. Without warning, the sky turns an ominous shade of grey. A huge menacing cloud , swollen and black, suddenly releases a torrent of rain. In a matter of moments you’re drenched and shivering from the cold….


Like most seasoned bikers, I’ve been searching in vain for the the ideal rain-gear to protect myself from the elements without having to compromise on freedom of movement. Luckily a few months back, a friend, who is an avid horseback rider, turned me on to the perfect solution. The oilskin coat:


From it’s humble beginning as the monsoon cape worn hundreds of years ago by sailors worldwide, Australian oilskin coats, jackets and pants have evolved into the emblem of those looking for the ultimate in harsh weather protection.


It all began in 1890 when a Scottish sailor by the name of Edward LeRoy discovered that torn sails from his ship could be recycled into long coats by treating the canvas material with a mixture of various oils. This transformed them into superb wet weather gear.


Word spread land-side about the effectiveness of LeRoy’s coats in rain and cold, and settlers of the outback acquired this legendary waterproof material to protect themselves from the severe weather of the Australian Bush.


The oilskin coat was further adapted to life inland by adding an extension in the back of the garment to protect the seat of the horse rider’s saddle, in addition to leg straps to keep the coat securely in place during strong wind, and sleeves that were extra long to protect the arms while extended.


Continuing on with this tradition, modern oilskin clothing is designed with the same wet weather-proofing techniques in mind.


Made of tightly woven 100% cotton that is infused with a unique natural oil based formula, oilskin apparel offers maximum defense against snow, wind, and rain. Oilskin coats, jackets and pants provide an impenetrable water barrier that keeps you bone dry and able to keep riding, even through the heaviest rain.


Unlike many synthetics this material also has a very natural feel, and offers excellent breath-ability, allowing body moisture to escape, ensuring the driest ride possible.


The drawstring waist and gusseted rear vent enables you to slip the jacket over the back so water runs off the bike, leaving your seat dry. Snap together straps also secures the coat around your legs when the wind kicks up.


And since the oil blend is not water soluble, any incidence of water touching the fabric simply runs off, ensuring total weather protection for motorcyclists who need to stay warm and dry, even under the most challenging conditions.

Jim Sherard is a motorcycle enthusiast who has been riding for more than 20 years. For more information on the benefits of oilskin coats visit his website at http://www.jackaroohome.com/longrider.html

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So this is something i have considered for a while. I own a gs500sf, ive had it for about a little over a month and a half now. I have put almost 3300 miles on so far (i love riding :) ) anywho, today the weather was particularly ugly as it was 35 and rainy, but that just means you get a free cooling when riding right? :D well, great for me, not so great for my engine. I finally decided to call it quits when the bike would idle in 900-1000rpm range, and stall a couple times at lights. It would groggle coming out of first gear almost everytime. I DO give hte bike about 20+ minutes to warm up for every ride. Is this common in most bikes? just curious. But it wouldnt quite make sense as i have ridden in 14 degree weather with her, and she ran great. Perhaps it was just the rain cooling both of us off?
Well, aside from weather, its just getting on my nerves now, and i really would appreciate fuel injection (no more timing the exact moment to warm up the bike before picking up the ol date from her work :D )

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I need rain gear, you guys got any suggestions?

Comments 4 Comments »


I need rain gear, you guys got any suggestions?

Comments 4 Comments »


I need rain gear, you guys got any suggestions?

Comments 4 Comments »

I need rain gear, you guys got any suggestions?

Comments 4 Comments »

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