Accessories - Making Your Bonneville Unique

The Triumph Bonneville was introduced to the world in 1959 by the legendary Triumph designer Edward Turner. This was Turner's last Triumph, and arguably his best. At that time, Triumph had purebred racing machines streaking across the salt flats of Utah at 150 mph, so it was decided to name the new bike after this famous landmark.

Accessorizing your motorcycle with parts bought directly from the factory is actually a recent phenomenon. In times past, one had to look to the aftermarket - and even that was littered with fit and finish issues and reliability problems. Often, owners of motorcycles in the 1950's and 1960's made their own accessories or worked something from another make to fit their machine. Of course, this was also the time period of the 'chopper' and the 'bobber' as we all know them.

The Triumph Bonneville was no exception to this mentality. The owners of them modified the engines for more power, thus more speed, and they chopped the fenders and added small fairings to them, turning their Bonnies into cafe racers.

The modern - or 'Hinckley' - Bonneville is a different story. Triumph rightly recognized their customers' desires to customize their motorcycle and make it truly their own. In the interest of helping those who love them most, Triumph released a catalog of parts and accessories for the first modern Bonneville and has done so for every model since.

If you wanted to change the sound or look of your exhaust or add a windscreen for long-distance touring, they had you covered. That trip would probably be better if you had attached the optional touring luggage as well and, perhaps, a new seat for you and a pillion. And, of course, if you are worried about theft, you have the option of an alarm which includes an immobilizer. Then you come to the selection of chrome - chrome chain guards, chrome sidestands, chrome sissy bars, etc. It was all there for the taking.

The new generation of Bonnevilles, with their fuel injection, upgraded running gear, and cutting edge technology already make for a smooth and powerful ride, but Triumph offers even more performance in its parts and accessories catalog. This catalog offers longer distances, brighter body parts, customized engines, more comfort, and whatever you could possibly need or want to do with a Bonneville. The fit and finish of their parts, the quality and the performance are all top-notch. The range of Triumph Bonneville Accessories available today means it has never been easier to jump into customizing your bike and making your Bonneville unique.

Complete Motorcycle Kits

Complete motorcycle kits are just what they sound like - kits with all the parts you would need to build a motorcycle. A few extra bits and pieces in case you lose a screw or two may also be included, but basically everything inside the box will be used to make one single vehicle - wheels, engine, drive belts and chains, frame, seat, fork, handlebars, and electrical parts, they are all in there. The question that needs asking is, therefore, why offer motorcycles in kit form? Isn't it better to just sell the vehicles pre-built. Well, there are practical reasons behind this, as well as historical ones.

The motorcycle of course, evolved from the bicycle. The idea of attaching an engine to a bicycle to make a light, cheap, and personal mode of transport was the result of people wanting more speed out of and less effort into their vehicles. The motorized bicycle concept was refined, and so we have the motorcycle today. When mass production came along and revolutionized everything, it introduced parallel manufacturing. At that time, motorcycle parts were shipped to dealers and other points-of-sale, since parts consumed less space than the whole vehicles. Perhaps one day someone thought, why not sell the motorcycles as kits, since it would make them easier to transport and also trim a little off of the price as labor and warehousing would be reduced. Regardless of the actual sequence of events, motorcycle kits have become a popular offering amongst small manufacturing companies, a phenomenon to be discussed next.

Complete Motorcycle Kits - Saving Space and Money

Complete motorcycle kits are a response to the needs of small companies and consumers who want something more personal and down-to-earth. Large companies can afford large warehouses to store their products, and so they can produce huge numbers of individual units. Shipping for volume is also cheaper if you get past a certain lower limit. Smaller motorcycle companies and shops cannot compete with that, but they still want to be able to offer their products to a wider area. With the power of the Internet, it is possible to advertise your products across the world, and offer sales to a specified region. So, even if you are in a single town or city, you can basically sell products to people in faraway places, places that would ordinarily be out of sales reach. The next advantage affects how business is done. Normally when buying a vehicle, the buyer has to come to the point of sale and drive the vehicle away after paying. The business model for motorcycle kits is different - the customer no longer has to travel to the shop. They just need to send money digitally, and the product will be shipped to their home. So how does this affect costs? The seller can reduce storage and labor costs by keeping the motorcycles in boxed kit form, so they can reduce the price of the unit. These savings are offset by shipping costs, but shipping a box of parts still costs less than shipping the pre-built thing. In the end, with just a little bit of thinking and effort, the consumer can have a motorcycle that they want and save some hard earned cash getting it.

Complete Motorcycle Kits - Steps 1 through N

Getting complete motorcycle kits is just part one of the whole deal. After choosing the design, possibly selecting custom parts, transferring money as payment, and waiting for the package to arrive on your doorstep, the next part is to build the vehicle and this is where it gets interesting. Note that despite the name saying "complete" these kits will not include the tools required to build the motorcycle. "Complete" refers to the motorcycle's parts, not the construction process. Then again you will need to have the tools to maintain your ride anyway, so buying a good set is a great idea. For real gear heads, they would have tools in their garages anyway, and these are the same people who make up the bulk of the consumers for these vehicles in boxes. A set of instructions, most likely quite long, will also be included in the kit. No amount of whining about not liking to read manuals and following steps will get you around the fact that these instructions are critical. If you fail to read the instructions, you might miss something, and that something could be the one thing that spells the difference between a great ride and a nasty crash. Doing it yourself does not necessarily mean doing it your way, at least in this case. So, with the lecture out of the way, you can get on with building the motorcycle. What comes after completing it is where you can take liberties as you wish.

Complete Motorcycle Kits - Personality for Personal Utility

Having a ride of your own means you can design and customize it as you wish and this is especially true for something that you built yourself, though admittedly it was from a complete motorcycle kit. Adding personal touches to your ride makes it more personal, and more unique. It will be your sense of design and aesthetics that will make or break the appearance of the ride, so have fun with it. Maybe some fancy exhaust pipes, a few or a lot of decals and custom paints jobs, or even flashy neon lights, and you could have one sweet bike. Any customization of your motorcycle lies outside of the kit cost, and with customization the price can soon add up, but remember, after all it is all in the pursuit of enjoyment. Nothing beats being able to ride something that you designed yourself, since it is about pride, personality, and identity. Of course, there are those who prefer it straight up and simple.

Regardless of which one you are, the thrill of taking to the blacktop and riding off is something you will enjoy. The adrenaline of the moment and the rush of the wind in your face make the experience worth every cent. Just remember to stay alert and ride safely, okay?

Motor Scooter Safety

All too often, we hear about people on motorcycles and bicycles being injured or killed in accidents. Sometimes, it is clear that another motorist is at fault, but that does not change the outcome. Since a car or truck is many times larger than the two-wheeled vehicle, the cyclist pays the higher price.

The same is true with gas motor scooters. While they are faster than bicycles, they can still have the same problems: moving slower than the surrounding traffic, and being difficult for other drivers to see. Fortunately, it only takes some basic practices to make riding a scooter safe and enjoyable. Here are a few tips on how to arrive at your destination without incident.

The first safety rule for scooter drivers can be summed up in one word: awareness. Just as with bicyclists, you should always be alert and anticipating what could go wrong while on the road. For instance, when driving a scooter, you should never ride on the far right side of the lane, especially when there are parked cars or blind intersections. If you stay in the left half of the lane, opening car doors and trucks pulling out of alleys will be easier to avoid.

Sometimes, of course, it is going to be difficult to determine what might happen. When in doubt, slow down. Do not come to a complete stop, but decelerate just a few miles per hour to see how a situation near you may develop.

For example, a scooter being tailgated by a car is in a very vulnerable position. As the rider, it is tempting to move over to the right, but this may encourage the driver to try to squeeze by, passing perilously close to your scooter. Stay in the left half of the lane, but watch the behavior of the driver in your mirrors. If they show signs of agitation or anger, find the next available place to turn off, signal with both blinker and hand, and pull over to let them pass. If a left turn lane is available, make your "escape" in that direction, as it will get you out of the driver's path much more quickly and safely.

Speaking of tailgating, this is just as bad a thing for a scooter rider to do as it is for other drivers. Always leave plenty of room between yourself and the vehicle in front of you. If you follow too closely, you may not have time to miss the pothole or debris that suddenly appears from under the vehicle in front of you.

Finally, scooter drivers should wear protective gear, just as a motorcyclist would. Some scooters can reach speeds of 80 mph; taking a tumble at that velocity could have terrible consequences. Always, always wear a helmet. As for the rest of your attire, jeans, boots, and eye protection are all excellent choices. None of this gear will necessarily prevent injury, but it will help keep it from being serious.

Do not be discouraged from buying a new scooter because of these challenges, however. Riding a gas scooter is a great way to save money, help the environment and have fun. Obviously, there are other safety considerations for riding a motor scooter besides those described here, but if you start by developing the habits of staying alert, slowing down at any sign of potential trouble, and leaving room in front of you to react, you will enjoy many wonderful, accident-free hours on the road.

A Great Option For Hauling Your Bike

How to transport your motorcycle easily and cheaper ?

There are a lot ways to transport your motorcycle whether you use a transport service, a trailer or a carrier. A transport service can be expensive and if you are doing it regularly it will cost quite a bit, especially if you are traveling to the same place as your bike. Motorbike trailers are a good option, but they can be cumbersome and take up a lot of space when you are not using them. A great option if you have the vehicle size are motorcycle carriers, also known as haulers. Not only are they easy to use but also a lot cheaper than tow behind trailers.

Carriers or haulers carry your bike, or bikes, straight on the back of your vehicle. You attach the carrier to a hitch which is attached to your vehicle. Many carriers come with a load ramp and wheel choke for stabilization and then you use tie down straps to secure the bike. You don't need to tow anything, which some people are just not comfortable with or you maybe fine with it but your wife isn't who will also be sharing the driving.

There are limitations with motorcycle carriers which you should definitely know about before purchasing one. Basically you will need the ability to use a hitch class 3 or above. Along with this the hitch class and specific carrier will determine the weight you can carry which for your large cruisers and sports bikes is a problem. They are pretty good for dirt and trail bikes and you can even get double carriers, again as long as your hitch class weight capacity will allow it.

If you want to haul your cruiser or sports bike there are few other considerations. Usually you will need a much larger vehicle and a specialized carrier to allow for handlebar, bike and wheel widths. It is not impossible but you do face a few more challenges and may be forced to consider a transport trailer. Just be certain to check your vehicle specifications and hitch class options before looking at any carriers.

Reasons to Buy Pit Bikes!

1. Lets face it; they're strapped for cash and want to buy a cheap bike to either thrash till the engine stops (no oil changes required), or...

2. They want to get into the sport of Motocross at the entry level and don't want to outlay a lot of money to discover the child is not interested in going further with the sport.

Lets explore reason number 1, the most common reason. People buy cheap so they think the quality is cheap and they treat them accordingly. Nowadays there are a lot of Pit bikes out there that are cheap, say $600-$800, but still good quality. Over the past 3-4 years quality is also more stable and the price has dropped. You can buy a cheap Pit Bike with SDG style Chromoly frame, USD Forks, Adjustable Rear suspension, even alloy rims for around $800. Try looking on eBay; there are hundreds for sale. In fact, most people never change the oil; if you bought it on eBay, out of the box it's amazing what a good oil change can do for the life of the engine.

The second reason and the more valid reason: This is why Pit Bikes are so popular over recent years because motocross tracks are forced to let Chinese Class bikes run their own races due to the sheer volume of Pit bikes out there and no where to ride them. Kids can get into the sport at a ridiculously low price and still have change for dad. One Pit bike, helmet, clothing, boots, gloves, and goggles can cost under $1500. Add annual track fees and insurance and this bad boy's on the track for under two thousand. Go down to your local Honda dealer and you'll be lucky to buy half a bike for that price.

Any kids or Teenagers out there looking to Buy a Pit bike - do the maintenance, regular oil changes and your $600-$1000 investment will see you into your adult life. Best fun and don't forget to ride responsibly.

Motorcycle Safety Begins With a Helmet

In this troubled economy of 2009, a vast majority of Americans are looking for ways to save money. We are clipping more coupons, we are shopping for cheaper gas, we are shopping at second-hand stores, and many of us are turning to cheaper modes of transportation. Americans are giving up their cars and choosing instead to ride scooters and motorcycles both to and from work and around town on errands. As the number of motorcyclists increases on America's roads, so does the opportunity for motorcycle accidents. And as more and more states are repealing their laws requiring motorcycle helmets, the number of motorcyclists on the road without a helmet is also on the rise.

When we ride without a helmet, we are risking our lives to save a few bucks on fuel. We are risking severe injury and even death to look cool on our motorcycles. And it's not just the thrill-seeking crotch rockets, it's your neighbor or his wife who is looking for a cheaper method of transportation. Motorcycle fatalities have increased every year since 1996, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. And one of the biggest factors in motorcycle fatalities is the refusal of riders to wear a DOT-approved motorcycle helmet.

The Advocates for Highway and Auto Safety report that, "Motorcycle helmets have been shown to save the lives of motorcyclists and prevent serious brain injuries." Why wait until your state requires a helmet to wear one? Why not choose instead to ride safely and ride smart?! The NHTSA keeps statistics on how helmets prevent injury and death. And they keep statistics on fatalities as well. Wouldn't you rather be in the first group than the second?

Young people tend to think (and I know, because I was one not too long ago) that "nothing is going to happen to me." They tend to think that helmets are for the older generation. And they care all too much about how they look on the motorcycle instead of how they'll feel if they ever lay the motorcycle down.

According to the Motorcycle Safety Foundation, helmets "can help to protect your brain, your face and even your life." The research and development that goes into an approved helmet has resulted in a very specialized and sophisticated piece of life-saving gear. The tough outer shell is meant to compress upon impact, thereby lessening the force that comes into contact with your head. DOT-approved helmets also have an impact-absorbing inner liner designed to absorb the shock as your head hits the inside of the helmet. Helmets are actually designed to break upon impact, as another way of absorbing the shock otherwise meant for your head.

On top of the impact-absorbing liner is what the industry refers to as comfort padding. It's the layer next to your head providing comfort and fit. And the last part of the helmet, which is equally as critical as the others, is the chin strap or the retention system. It must be securely strapped to give you optimal protection.

Head injuries account for most motorcycle fatalities. But you don't have to be one of the statistics - instead, choose to be one of the survivors. For a relatively small investment, compared to the cost of medical and hospital bills, you can invest in a good (DOT-approved) helmet that is both cool and protective. Ride safe, ride smart, ride responsibly.