How to Ride a Motorcycle With a Passenger

Riding a motorcycle with a passenger or as a passenger is one way to intimately connect with someone. And if your intention is to develop a long term relationship with this person, it won't hurt to buy or invest in a backrest/luggage combo for your special passenger. Not to mention, buying her a set of protective riding gear like a full face helmet,motorcycle leather jacket,boots and riding gloves.
I thought riding a motorcycle with a passenger or as a passenger was a no brainer. But for safety precautions you need the basics of pillion riding (riding two-up) down pat.
For the rider or the operator here are the things you need to tell your passenger:
1. Show your passenger to wrap her both hands around your waist especially if the cruiser has no backrest.
2. Use the foot peg as a step when mounting the bike.
3. Do not mount yet until the operator is already braced. If you catch the operator by surprise, it might cause the motorcycle to fall over.
4. Avoid the hot parts like the exhaust or muffler. Both feet must be on the footrests and away from the wheel and drive system.
5. Do not put your feet down during stops.
6. Be physically in-tune with the movements of the motorcycle and the operator. Lean in during curves, hold your weight over the hips during acceleration and when braking lean slightly backward.
7. Explain and set a system of communication signals if both of you don't have a helmet mounted bluetooth communication device. For example:
- Two taps on the shoulder could mean "I have a problem".
- One tap on the left shoulder could mean "Please slow down".
- Three taps could mean "Stop right now, it's urgent".
- Thumbs up-means "I'm having fun".
Remember with added weight (your passenger) will mean that the motorcycle will handle differently. It won't steer as smoothly or brake in short distance. So it is wise to brake or accelerate gradually. Riding a motorcycle with a passenger requires more skills than riding solo.
Approach every maneuver such as cornering, accelerating, braking, swerving, shifting with careful thin ice smoothness. Also plan to stop at regular intervals just to check your passenger's emotional state and comfort.
To be sure of your passenger's physical comfort and if you can afford it, install a
backrest on the passenger section of your cruiser. There are lots of brands backrest/luggage combo in the market to choose from that fits the model of your bike. Backrest will enable the passenger to feel secure and able to relax and enjoy the scenery. Backrest also provides a barrier to sliding off the seat.
The saddle should be deep and roomy enough to allow adjustments to your position without crowding your operator. The saddle should not slope in the rear and not slope too much on the front that you won't slide into the operator.
So before hitting the road, have a pre-ride discussion with your passenger as how often will you stop, how long will be the ride, what type of roads will you be travelling on e.g. lots of curve,twisty gravel roads or winding back roads or high speed freeways.
For the passenger here are what you should do:
1. Interview the pilot or operator before agreeing to ride with him. How long has he been riding this particular motorcycle? Any experienced riding with a passenger? The answer should satisfy you enough to trust your life on the skills of the operator.
2. Suggest to ride with the operator on one or two shorter rides before fully committing to ride with him on long weekend getaways. You will want to check if you are comfortable with his skills and abilities and the motorcycle itself.
3. Do not startle the operator by making any noises or movements.
4. If you need to communicate,use the set of signals that both of you have discussed.
5. Do not ride with the pilot if he is drunk, high on drugs,sick or emotionally distraught.
6. Wait to get on and off the motorcycle until the pilot is firmly grounded.
7. If you feel uncomfortable in anyway, be assertive and signal the pilot. The pilot or operator should be finding solutions to make his passenger happy. Whether it is making adjustments in speed, seats etc. Do not be stoic and suck up to your discomfort. Fine-tuning is never ending.

The author Phil West has written many articles on Harley Davidson Accessories, and has several websites in the motorcyle riding realm. To learn more about harley davidson saddlebags, and harley davidson windshields please feel free to drop by Harley Davidson Accessories Guide.

How to Choose Beach Bikes

Beach bikes or lowriders have been around since the early 1960?s and they have been well loved ever since. The first beach cruisers were made by big names like Schwinn, Electra and Nirve. These were made in the US itself and were therefore known for their quality. Today, however, most beach bikes are made in China and imported into the US. Although this has brought down the price of the cruiser, it was accompanied by a slide in quality too. That said, the beach bikes available today are far more technologically advanced than their ancestors with multiple gears and other features. Although the beach cruiser has been constantly re-inventing itself, there are many features that they share with their ancestors. One must be very careful when buying beach bikes, particularly if you dream of using your bike for more than one season.
Terrain:
This is one of the first things to consider when buying beach bikes. A single speed cruiser is best suited for those riders who are not crazy about speed but want to enjoy their bike ride on a flat or sandy terrain. The single speed cruiser is a very simple machine. It does not have a gear and there need be no fear about sand clogging the gear. So, if you want a bike that is low maintenance, then, choose this one.
A multi speed bike is ideal for long rides and difficult terrain. The efficiency of the bike depends on the number of gears. As the number of gears increase, it is possible to make minute adjustments according to pedaling requirements. As you shift the gear up, resistance will increase. So, a bike with seven speeds, although operating on the same principle as a three gear one, is more sensitive to your needs. Multi speed bikes generally have speeds ranging from the third to the seventh gear. Some of the latest beach bikes have grip shifters, which allow the rider to shift gears by changing the grip.
Material:
Beach bikes may be made of steel or aluminum. Both have advantages and drawbacks. So, it makes sense to choose according to where you live. If you live in a place that is exposed to the salt spray from the beach, you may want to consider aluminum because it is rust resistant. Steel may be vulnerable to rust but it provides more stability and offers a smoother ride.
Style:
You need to decide on this quite early on. The right geometry and color matter a lot, particularly at a time when these bikes have almost become a fashion statement. Get the size right. You may also want to check out the right accessories for your beach bike.

Now that you're all set, it is time to sit up straight and enjoy the ride! Feel free to http://www.newsportsbikes.com/ for any information relating to beach bikes.

Safe Motorcycle Riding After Dark

When many motorcyclists first get their new motorcycles and start to ride they are often surprised at how different riding on the streets and highways is compared to the safe little area that they practiced in before getting their permit. I have been around new cyclists for years and almost without exception, they all remark how unsettling their first trip down the highway was on a motorcycle. If that wasn't bad enough then they get to face the experience of riding a motorcycle after dark for the first time.
If you have never ridden a motorcycle after dark then you cannot quite appreciate what a different experience this is compared to riding during the daytime. There are simply a large number of challenges that after dark riding presents compared to daytime riding. One of the main issues is simply visibility, both your own and the other motorists on the road. You are harder to see at night and things are harder to see at night, which is kind of stating the obvious but until you experience it yourself, you simply have no idea.
How to Be Seen Better
If you are going to ride at night very often then you want to make sure that you are as visible as possible. You have many different options including high visibility clothing, reflective tape on your helmets or reflective tape on your motorcycle itself.
You can purchase special jackets or helmets that reflect light from cars behind you and literally glow in the dark, kind of like road signs on the side of the road. If you have ever noticed how they are so easy to see and read at night then the same options are available for clothing. You also want to make sure that your lighting on your motorcycle is functional as well. You only have one taillight so you want to make sure it works. It isn't like a car where you have two and can afford to lose one.
How to See Better
In addition to being seen then you also want to make sure that you can see better. Many riders wear special glasses that have coated lenses that improve night vision. Another great alternative can be to upgrade the lighting on your motorcycle with aftermarket headlights or turn signals so that you have a brighter, cleaner and broader field of vision. Many options are available so research what is best for your motorcycle and your situation.

If you want to see better at night then consider upgrading your
motorcycle headlight with something like an HID motorcycle headlight and see your way clearly. You won't regret it.

Why Settle For the Cheap Mopeds

The majority of the people nowadays always settle for the cheap replications to be able to save a big sum of money without even being aware that they will in fact spending money little by little for the upkeep of these inexpensive yet poor performance Mopeds.
I am going to roll down a list of setbacks from buying cheap imitations of Moped most likely manufactured from countries like China and India. In the last part of this article, I am going to raise one question so make sure to actually read the contents.
Can you trust the product?
In some conditions, low-cost scooters have been found to be unreliable. Trading with a better supplier means you are more likely to be getting a high quality bike as a national company won't want to put its name at risk, and it is more probable that you have support from them if something goes wrong.
Can they guarantee quality Moped experience?
Some of the low-priced mopeds on tender are weakly made from low quality materials which imply that parts can be useless after a short period of time. This will not be your dilemma if you select bike and supplier cautiously.
Can you hunt them down for the parts?
Some traders will willingly sell you a 50cc moped and after that, when your wing mirror suddenly cracks or you need a new piece of bodywork, it can be hard to obtain replacement parts because they have to be imported from, say, China. So, make sure that the supplier keeps a supply of all parts in the UK.
What can you say about the tune-ups?
There are several bike stores that just tune-up motorbike brands that they are familiar with and they can be a bit snooty when it comes to repairing your low-priced moped. So what do you do if you have bought one and you need to have it repaired? It may be too late by then to think about this problem. You need to confirm before you buy that the supplier has a group of repairers all over the country so that you can readily get the bike to the nearest one.

Here's the question, why should you buy a cheap Moped when at the end it will be an expensive one because of the effort and money you put in trying to solve the trouble that it is bringing. Go for the high priced ones and you will definitely enjoy the advantages of the original Mopeds.
Suggested Reading: moped wheel

What Technology is Being Used For GPS Motorcycle Tracking?

There is nothing magical to GPS technology, 24 satellites orbiting at 55 degrees to the equatorial plane hammer the earth with precise radio pulses all day and night. These pulses are received by GPS receivers, and the location is derived based on the distance from the satellites.
However, not all location devices calling themselves GPS are really GPS. There is a technology called Assisted GPS (or sometimes AGPS) which is based on cell tower triangulation, having little if anything to do with GPS. Sometime also called "Location Based Servicing" (LBS) this uses proximity to cell towers to derive location. Since a minimum of three cell towers is required, it is not as accurate as true GPS. Some GPS motorcycle tracking devices being used now use the AGPS, since its cheaper for them and not necessarily going to give bike owners reliable help.
There are two advantages to LBS or AGPS, one is that its cheaper for the service provided and two the strength of the cell signal is stronger. However, if the device cannot pick up at least three cell towers, no location can be derived. Consequently, this technology works in more urban settings than in rural settings.
Once you have determined that you are dealing with a true GPS device, one has to determine which GPS Motorcycle Tracking is being used. Older GPS technologies require direct exposure to the horizon by either the device or an external antenna, which can make concealment a challenge. 3rd Generation GPS technology (SiRFStar III) works off of a reflective GPS signal. This means that the GPS device can be easily concealed without the need for the need for external antennas. This GPS Motorcycle Tracking technology can track inside garages and warehouses, where earlier generation GPS technologies could not.

Phantom Tracking is the first true GPS Motorcycle Tracking system on the market today and has a patented motorcycle crash detection that protects riders. This Motorcycle Alarm System also uses SirfStarIII Technology which no other system uses.

Motorcycle Air Horns That Will Be Heard

Are motorcycle crashes avoidable? Sure they are!
With so many hazards on the road you really need to have great motorcycle safety equipment in the event you do crash - which we hope you don't. But taking all the precautionary measures will extend your life and decrease injury in the event of a crash.
The first thing that comes to mind when I think of avoiding a crash is "motorcycle defensive driving courses". Not only do they teach you to "ride" a motorcycle - gears, clutch, breaks etc...they also teach you several defensive measures and maneuvers to avoid a crash in the event you're faced with a possible collision. If you have been riding for years, and have never taken a course, I guarantee that you'll learn something to save your life, it's what the courses are made for.
However, once you're on the road you need the right gear. You'll need a great jacket with some great protection and additional armor to help save you from a crash- you'll be amazed on which kind of a hit you can take with the right armor - a good quality helmet, gloves, boots or proper shoes. There are full suites that you can get as well. The price may vary, but like anything, you're going to get what you pay for.
One of the single most reasons someone gets hit by a car on their motorcycle is that the driver of the car did not see you. That said, there's certainly ways you can be heard. Most motorcycles come with a horn which makes a beep noise and to be honest - with the driver's radio on or talking on the phone and the A/C on - you're not going to be heard. So what to do? Install and air horn.
With the loudest air horn rated at an incredible 139 dB. That's in the range of jet engines and thunderbolts - you'll certainly not be over looked. They're easy to install and certainly worth looking into if you would like to avoid a situation.
Please be sure to explore all your safety options after you buy your motorcycle, or if you already have your motorcycle, shop around to find the motorcycle air horn that's best for you.

http://bikervault.com was created by experienced motorcycle riders, working with the best engineers, to develop, thoroughly test, and sell products that really work better than any other products. Our mission is simple: To provide the best products and service to our customers at the lowest prices possible. We take great pride in our company, our commitment to customer service and in the products we sell. Please call us, e-mail us, or write us, and tell us how we are doing.
To learn more about motorcycle safety, please check out our sister site at http://motorcyclesafetyinfo.com

Wearing Comfortable Motorcycle Jackets For Maximum Protection

While wearing your protective helmet when riding your motorcycle is essential, wearing other protective gear is just as important. You probably want to look stylish while one your bike as well, and there's nothing that says you can't be both stylish and safe. Here, you'll find a number of pointers on choosing the right jacket as well as figuring out just how important wearing motorcycle jackets really is.
There are a number of different leathers on the market you can choose from that are available for your riding needs. Typical leather that is used on motorcycle wear is pretty tough. This type of leather provides optimal protection. This is an armor for your riding protection. These jackets are made with strong seams and zippers to help fight against cuts, and other collision impacts.
There are a number of specialized areas within the jacket itself. You'll find that motorcycle jackets have increased protection in the shoulder, elbows and back areas. This means that getting the right measurements when ordering your jacket is essential. This helps make sure that all of the jacket parts fit exactly where they're supposed too on the body.
You may or may not be surprised to find out that this kind of jacket has gone off road to become a fashion statement as well. While you may want to get a great looking jacket, you also want to put your safety first. Whether you're a man, woman or you're considering a motorcycle jacket for your child, you want to keep safety, comfort and style in mind. This will help you enjoy all aspects of riding your motorcycle, from the moment you hop onto your bike to the moment you make your entrance.
Being able to move in your jacket is important. Some riding jackets are hard to move in, you definitely want to avoid this. This often is a distraction while you're driving your bike. You want to choose a jacket that will fit your body naturally without hindering your movements. This will help you keep your focus while driving, as opposed to being distracted by an uncomfortable jacket.
Your jacket is already conditioned when you receive it. However, you want to condition it regularly when you expose it to the harsh elements including the sun, wind and cold weather. These are all elements of the open road that will expose your jacket to wear if not properly treated from time to time.
You may be a new biker, or a seasoned rider, whatever the case may be you probably know how expensive motorcycle gear may be. You want to look attractive in your jacket and you want to get the best protection as well. However, you don't want to pay a lot of money to get both quality and safety.
Decide on comfort, quality and protection for an affordable price. Check out the selection available to you, get the exact measurements and place your order. It's as simple as that. Look great and make sure you're safe while paying an affordable price for motorcycle jackets.

Motorcycle jackets not only provide security but also create a style statement. Leather motorcycle jackets are available at various shops in the market but buying the best among them is necessary. Keepyourskin.com can be the one stop shop for buying perfect motorcycle jacket from a huge selection.