Buying Your Bike Online

Riding a motorcycle is a visceral kinesthetic experience that can never really be described. There are no real words to explain it. It must be lived. The same is true in some ways for buying a motorcycle. It's hard to put into words the kind of bike you are looking for, or set up the deal when you aren't standing beside the bike with your hands on it.

Yet a growing number of people each year are managing to buy their bikes online and find it a satisfying and helpful experience. You can't go down the road with the wind in your face on a website, but you can set the process to that experience in motion. There are some important things to know if you're thinking of buying online.

Check The Treads

Check out the website you are planning to purchase your motorcycle from. Make sure the site is reputable and has a history of dealing fairly with customers. You can check your better business bureau or online agencies to make sure complaints haven't been filed against the site you are using.

Dealer sites are typically safer than independent ones because they have a whole business to maintain. Many motorcycle manufacturers also have online sites that show and sell motorcycles. Those are safe, but sometimes have higher prices because they can't offer you dealer incentives. Still, if you live far away from a dealership of a specific type of bike you want, a dealer site is the best choice.

Look In The Side Mirror

Even if you have the model name and number down, don't buy a motorcycle until you know more about it. Having a good experience riding your neighbor's bike doesn't mean it's the perfect motorcycle for you. The best way to check up on your future road companion is to go to review sites. One of the best online review sites is Motorcycle USA at motorcycle-usa.

The site features motorcycle related news, pages for racing motorcycle and street bikes, reviews of all the major motorcycles available, a garage area with tips and repair hints, and a link to custom bike manufacturers. It is funded by advertising so you will see commercials and ads for bikes on the main page but it's not annoying and you can click the link to the place you want to go at any time.

Find The Starter

Of course for most buyers the second thing to do after picking the bike you want is arrange the financing. If you are shopping from a dealer's site they often have links to arrange financing for you or will give you a list of online financers so you can compare rates. The other thing that's necessary is to learn the laws and regulations for motorcycles and motorcycle licensing in your state. The MSF "

Motorcycle Safety Foundation " has a link for state laws and also shows where the nearest Rider-Course is for you to be trained if you are a first time rider. They even have a review site to test your basic motorcycle knowledge.

All the online time in the world can't really replace the feeling when you start that bike and feel the power as it propels you along. But your online time can help you wisely secure the ride of your dreams.

Article Directory: http://www.articlecrash.com/
By: Jim Brown
James Brown writes about Performance Bike coupon, Nashbar coupon and The Sports Authority coupon codes

Choosing The Right Type Of Motorcycle

You have made the decision to purchase a motorcycle online, but before you do, you should know a little bit about the different types of motorcycles that are available. You will be surprised to learn that there are different motorcycles for different purposes, and it is important for you to choose the right one for your riding requirements.

The Different Bikes

You more than likely have heard the term dirt bike used. This kind of motorcycle is specially designed to be ridden off-road. This motorcycle has tires that are knobby to give you excellent traction on dirt and mud, as well as a light frame and bodywork so it can travel quickly over rough terrain.

A cruiser is like the old folks of motorcycles. It is typically a sedate motorcycle and is popular for those who are just looking to take a long, leisurely ride. They are usually durable and handsome motorcycles that appeal to the older generation of riders.

A motorcycle that is meant for touring and adventure is also called a dual sports motorcycle. These bikes are inspired by the more rugged dirt bike as well as motorcycles that were made for long tours. They are comfortable for long rides and they boast a lot of suspension travel and postures that are upright.

Enduro bikes are designed for off-road competitions that also involve long distances. They usually have lights for night riding. They are made to be outfitted with chart reading devices, timers and other gadgets that aid the riders in keeping time and navigation.

A motorcycle that is called a chopper is the image of bikes that most often comes to mind whenever we hear motorcycles being discussed. These bikes are long and lean and often have handlebars that are high in the air. Their seats are reclined and they have forks that are extremely raked. A chopper is bike that usually has a lot of flashy chrome.

Sport bikes are made strictly for performance. They have powerful engines and the handling is tight. These motorcycles are not for the casual rider. Purchase this type of bike only if you are interested in motorcycle competition.

Touring bikes almost bring to mind a car on two wheels. These motorcycles were designed with comfort and convenience in mind for long trips. They will often have backrests, a windscreen and many other creature comforts to make the ride more enjoyable. They even come with a radio and navigation system if you desire.

I only mention a scooter because it too can be considered a motorcycle. Vespa made these types of scooter/motorcycle popular all across Europe. They are small and easy to handle. They are made so that the rider doesn't get their clothing stained with oil, so are perfect for commuters where this type of machine is allowed.

There are many designs of motorcycles and you want the perfect bike for the perfect ride. You can find out all the information you will need to successfully purchase a motorcycle online when you go searching. You can find excellent deals and bargains that may end up saving you hundreds of dollars on your new purchase.

Article Directory: http://www.articlecrash.com/
By: Jim Brown
James Brown writes about HelmetAudio.com coupon, MotoLeather.com coupon code and Racerwheel promo code

Why The Electric Scooter Is So Popular Among People Of All Ages

While there are a lot of people who love riding motorcycles and the great fuel economy they offer there is also a large number of people that are afraid of them and who just will not ride them regardless of the fact that gas prices are sky rocketing right now.

For those who are apprehensive about riding a motorcycle a great alternative is the electric scooter and with the popularity of these right now it is a good business to get into if you can find a reputable wholesale scooter vendor to buy them from. They are a great option for teenagers instead of a car.

Even though electric scooters are slower than motorcycles you still need to keep safety in mind and always wear a helmet and long sleeve shirts and pants so that in the event that you have an accident or fall off it will help to prevent injury. People tend to think of scooters as a motorized bicycle than as a motor vehicle but the fact is that they are considered a motorized vehicle and in many states you must hold a motorcycle license to be able to legally operate one on the street. You also need to check the laws of your state to see what age one must be to operate one. If you are selling them this is good to know as well.

Another name that the electric scooter may be called is a moped; this is a term that many are familiar with. Unlike gas powered scooters the electric variety is very friendly to the environment and do not pollute the air. The basic features of a scooter are much the same as motorcycles such as the turn signals, brakes, and even the seat. These fun vehicles are a lot easier to learn to ride than motorcycles but do not expect anywhere near the speed. They are designed to be ridden on streets where the speed limits are relatively low. You do not want to ride them on an interstate or highway because you will be going too slow compared to the rest of the traffic.

By now you should be starting to see that selling scooters can be a very profitable business and you can get them wholesale from under two hundred dollars to as high as one thousand depending on what type you go with. There are numerous styles and colors to choose from as well as many different engine sizes. You can also choose stand up or sit down types. The stand up are very popular with young children and teens but for most people they will prefer the sit down variety as they offer much more comfort.

When looking for a wholesale scooter dealer be sure to research them thoroughly by checking out their longevity in business, their standing in the business and try to get testimonials from satisfied clients. Be sure you know up front what their price breaks are for quantities and what their shipping costs are so that you don't have any surprises. You also want to know what kind of warranty and guarantee they offer as well as their return policy.

Article Directory: http://www.articlecrash.com/
By: Gregg Hall
Gregg Hall is an author living in Navarre Beach, Florida. Find more about wholesale sources as well as wholesale electric scooters at www.buywholesaleclub.com

Enjoy Pocket Bikes But Also Embrace The Responsibility

Remember going to the circus and seeing some 6 ft tall clown riding into the center ring on a mini-bike with his knees hunched up around the top of his head. Everyone laughs at this sight because it seems so ridiculous. What a sight: Grown man and women riding around on such a tine vehicle.

Well, it isn't funny anymore with the introductions of the pocket bikes or as some refer to them as pocket rockets. Whether you are an adult, teenager or a young adult, it will draw the same response...Wow! These small versions of full motorcycles weigh between 45 and 90 pounds and seat their driver about 18 to 24 inches off the ground. These are not something to laugh about. They are serious machines. They are not toys even though looking at one; you are tempted to dismiss the pocketbike as a toy.

Pocket bikes or pocket rockets can be deadly since they aren't toys. It is easy to get in the mindset that because the pocket bikes are not only small and fast but they can be ridden anywhere--on sidewalks, in bicycle lanes, and on the street. Get rid of that though immediately. These gas-powered models have been modified can reach speeds up to 45 mph or even faster.

The bikes are usually imported without your typical safety features for motorcycles. They don't have brake lights, mirrors, turn signals, right kind of tires or even reflectors. They are fun pocket rockets but they don't meet current federal safety standards for street-legal vehicles. Because of their size, adults will let their children operated them unlicensed and many times underage. Unfortunately there have been reported deaths operating these pocket bikes and unless responsible adults step up to the plate, the fatality rate will on increase.

There is a lot of debate going on whether these pocket rockets ought to be ban. Both sides have put a lot of energy into their arguments. The ones who are in favor of allowing these motorcycles to be ridden are faults who blame the parent who failed to supervise their child.

Responsible adults need to take the horse by the rein and assume responsibility for their children safety. They need to make sure they understand beyond any doubts that their pocket bike is not a toy but a vehicle that could cause them serious body harm.

"You're a lot safer putting a 13-year-old on a full-size motorcycle than on one of these things," said Steve Gibbons, a plaintiff attorney from Kansas City, KS. Steve believes they should be banned. As any experienced motorcycle ride knows, the real danger riding a motorcycle is that car drivers don't see you. With these pocket bikes sitting so low to the ground, the problem is going to be greater."

Admit it! You know when you see one of the pocket bikes, you can't help but grin and think about giving it a ride. The risk of the pocket bike is the fartherest thing from your mind. You combine how cheap they are, the coolness factor, and the fact they really are fun to ride, then it makes it hard to keep your mind clear about potential dangers lurking if you start riding one of them.

Stop, clear your mind before you go buying one. Ask yourself are you responsible enough to ride this thing? Do you have the protective gear you need? Are you aware of the characteristics of the handling of the pocket bike? At high speeds, fast turns can cause the pocket bike to overturn. Is your child old enough to understand that this is not a toy? Are you going to spend the time to supervise your child on a pocket rocket?

All of these questions are very important to ask. If you are willing to spend the time instructing your child, drilling them over and over about safety and most importantly you will physical be there to watch them ride, then go buy this entertainment. If at anytime, you can't do any of them and I mean "any", then buying one is not the responsible thing to do.

What will happen if I'm caught riding my "Pocket Bike" on Public Land? Recent legislation allows for peace officers to seize the bike and hold it for a maximum of 48 hours. The violator shall be responsible for all costs associated with the removal, seizure and storage. Additionally, new legislation requires the manufacturer of the pocket bike to place a sticker on the bike that reads:

The pocket bike you have purchased or obtained is strictly prohibited from being operated on a sidewalk, roadway, or any other part of a highway, or on a bikeway, bicycle path or trail, equestrian trail, hiking or recreational trail, or on public lands open to off highway vehicle use. A violation of this regulation may result in prosecution and seizure of the device.

I am not trying to put a damper on your fun. Just take a few minutes to think about the responsibility of owning a pocket bike or as some like to call them "pocket rockets". For me, I love them but I am afraid if I get down on one, I might not be able to get up again. If you buy and there is nothing wrong with that, just remember, your responsibility requirements have now increased significantly.

Article Directory: http://www.articlecrash.com/
By: Jerry Johnson
Jerry Johnson owns the Motorcycle Clothes Store and Deals On Pocketbikes as well as several other successful webstores. Visit MotorcycleClothesStore.com and Deals on Pocketbikes for great values on your cycle apparel and pocketbikes.

Can You Be Styling While Wearing Protective Motorcycle Clothing?

How do you vote? Styling or protection? What do you need to consider about the type of clothing to wear when riding your motorcycle? First and foremost, repeat, you need protection from injury. However, you can still be styling while riding your bike!

There nothing like laying your bike down on asphalt, rapidly skidding down the black hell with visions of I am going to die in your head, plus leaving lots of your skin on the street to get you to think about wearing protective clothing while riding your motorcycle. If you are like most people, you think about injuries from falling (impact) or abrasions from skidding. Both of these types of injuries can be very painful especially if you survive them. Good news, clothing can play an important part in reducing the injury level in both types of these injuries.

Did you know that 30% (50% at night) of drivers involved in accidents with motorcycles claim they didn't see the bike? I can't count the times I have had to dodge cars who I know just didn't see me. If they had been watching for cars, it would not have been an issue. How many times have you not seen a motorcyclist and you are even more aware of them than the average driver? Driving in your neighborhood on your bike could be highly dangerous. Approximately 90% of urban motorcycle accidents are caused the other driver not by the motorcyclist. Riding with your headlights on is very important to being seen. Bright colors or reflective stripes can help a lot.

For those of us who are into styling, there are some great looking motorcycle clothing on the market these days. However, not all of the motorcycle clothing offers as much protection as you think. Protective motorcycle clothing are not created equal. In Europe, they have a standard for motorcycle clothing. For it be lawfully sold as "safety" clothing, it has to pass a series of European standards and bear the CE mark, which are pretty lengthy. How does the clothing performance hold up in abrasion, tearing and impact tests. Once they pass the test, then the manufacturer are allowed to sell the motorcycle protective clothing with the CE mark. Unfortunately, USA has no such regulation is available in the USA. Cheer up, all is not lost. Just requires you to pay attention to what you are buying.

Not many people realize that most motorcycle injuries occur below the belt. You love your legs and feet but when you are riding a motorcycle, the are extremely vulnerable to injuries. Make sure you wear a decent pair of high boots and protective pants. Leather, thick leather is a good choice. Check the pants for reinforcement at the knees and hips. The better safety pants should attach to your jacket by a zipper. Boots should be thick leather, with a sole that can flex with the foot but has a resistance to crushing across the foot. Heard of steel toe shoes? Well not a bad ideal for when you are riding.

The history of material normally used for motorcycle protective clothing has been leather. The thick nylon and other synthetic materials will work well too. Look into Kevlar reinforced jeans which hold up much better than normal jeans while skidding across asphalt at 70 m.p.h. Here is an interesting fact. According to the European standard abrasion test, normal jeans last 0.6 seconds, while protective motorcycle pants will last 5 seconds or more. Think about 5 seconds of protection versus about 0.5 seconds. If you have to think very hard, you have been riding your motorcycle without a helmet again. Go with the Kevlar protected, re-enforced jeans.

You apply the same principles to jackets. You are looking for hard wearing jackets, preferably thick leather not the fancy thin fashion leather like some jackets. Pay attention to the stitching which should be uniform with no dropped stitches. All your stress areas, your elbows and shoulders should be reinforced, ideally with some impact protection included. This means, not a bad ideal to have some protective padding in your jacket.

Want to keep those fingers looking good and attached? You must have a decent pair of gloves. When you fall, you instinctively put out your hands palm side down to stop yourself in a slide, so the palms of your gloves should made of thick leather or knitted Kevlar and reinforced with patches. Knitted Kevlar is especially good for this kind of abrasion resistance, but reinforced leather works well too.

That old saying it only hurt when I stop. Well, apply that saying to when you hit the pavement. Impact protection can be bought separately like back protectors. If you buy it, make sure you wear it. Depending on your personality, it might be best motorcycle protective clothing with a degree of impact protection included so that you know when you put on your jacket and pants, the protection is there and you don't have to remember to put it on.

I know this is a cliche but helmets really do save lives. Your head is not as hard as you think. Head injuries are not easy to recover from and in a motorcycle accident; they tend to be really severe. A helmet may not stop the injury but it is very possible it might reduce the impact of an injury.

If you are like most people, they try to avoid pain. Give some serious thought to your protective motorcycle clothing the next time you go shopping.

Article Directory: http://www.articlecrash.com/
By: Jerry Johnson
Jerry Johnson owns the Motorcycle Clothes Store and Deals On Pocketbikes as well as several other successful webstores. Visit MotorcycleClothesStore.com and Deals on Pocketbikes for great values on your cycle apparel and pocketbikes.

A Review Of The 2006 Yamaha Raptor 700

One weekend at Gordons Well (Imperial Sand Dunes Recreation Area), I had the opportunity to take a ride on a 2006 Yamaha Raptor 700, and Oh My God! That quad is one of the best I've ever ridden. I typically drive a VW short travel sand rail with a 2276cc motor, which has all the power I need to go just about anywhere in the dunes, but it doesn't have the suspension to go on hard pack or to jump.

Lately I've been considering buying another dirt bike so I would have more versatility than I do with the rail. I have a Suzuki DR350 Enduro but can't really ride that in the dunes. Last weekend I had what was quite possibly the second best weekend at the dunes in my entire life.

I got to follow behind Cardiac Dan, his 11 year old daughter Cassy, and Big Mike, (my eldest son's teacher's husband who's been riding all his life). Dan rides the Raptor 700, and his daughter rides a Suzuki 400. Mike brought a Banshee and a Warrior 350, I rode the Warrior.

I was able to keep up on the Warrior for the most part, and it was a real pleasure to follow Cassy who had no problem keeping up with her dad. In fact she was able to go a couple places I couldn't on the smaller, less powerful machine.

Anyway, on the tail end of one of the "experienced only" rides we did, Dan let me ride the Raptor for a while. It was like riding in an easy chair on a rail with a jet pack strapped to the back. I was literally yelling and laughing under my helmet, at times throwing my arms up in the air and cheering at myself because of the rush I got from that quad. I decided (before I got off the Raptor) that another dirt bike was not in my immediate future. I'll be picking up a Raptor this coming summer.

Here are some specs for the 2006 700cc Yamaha Raptor

Engine Type: 686cc liquid-cooled, SOHC 4-stroke single w/fan, 4-valve
Bore x Stroke: 102mm x 84mm
Compression Ratio: 9.2:1
Carburetion: Yamaha Fuel Injection (YFI), 44mm
Ignition: Digital TCI w/16-Bit ECU
Starting System: Electric
Transmission: 5-Speed manual clutch w/reverse
Drive Train: 2WD; sealed o-ring chain, eccentric adjustment
Suspension/Front: Independent double wishbone, 9.1" travel w/piggy back with high/low speed compression, rebound and threaded preload adjustment
Suspension/Rear: Cast aluminum swingarm, 10.1" travel w/piggy back with high/low speed compression, rebound and threaded preload adjustment
Brakes/Front: Dual ventilated hydraulic discs, twin pistons
Brakes/Rear: Ventilated hydraulic disc, self adjusting park brake function
Tires/Front: AT21x7-10 radial
Tires/Rear: AT20x10-9 radial
L x W x H: 72.6" x 46.1" x 44.5"
Seat Height: 32"
Wheelbase: 50.4"
Ground Clearance: 4.4"
Fuel Capacity: 2.9 gal.
Dry Weight: 396 lb.
Lighting: Dual 30W Krypton multireflector headlights & 3.9/0.5W brake light

Article Directory: http://www.articlecrash.com/
By:
The author writes about Learning To Ride A Motorcycle and blogs at www.undermyhelmet.com/.

Buying A Motorcycle Faq Part One

You have decided to buy a motorcycle. Maybe you have visions of yourself flying down the highway, the wind whipping past your head as you wave and grin at all of those poor people still trapped in their little tin boxes. Maybe you haveve always wanted a motorcycle, and now, finally you are ready to purchase. Whatever the reasons, the decision to purchase a motorcycle leads to the questions what kind should I purchase? Suzuki, Yamaha, Kawasaki, Harley the choices are limited. Should I buy a new motorcycle or a used one? What should I look for in a new motorcycle? What should I look for in a used motorcycle? Read on to find out the answers to these questions, and more.

FAQ Which type of motorcycle should I buy?
A) Some people just love Yamaha bikes, others think that Suzuki bikes or Honda bikes or Kawasaki bikes are the best on the market. Still others prefer Harley Davidson bikes or other brands. The main thing to keep in mind when buying your first motorcycle is that if you have had little or no previous riding experience, you are going to fall, quite a lot in fact. With this in mind, be sure that the bike that you choose is one that can be fixed easily. Some experts recommend the Suzuki GS500 for learners, since it is small and free of excess chrome and farings that can be costly to replace.

You should expect to invest much of your new bike fund in high quality safety gear, like helmets, knee pads, elbow pads, etc. Since you already know that you will be falling down a lot, you should plan ahead and minimize damage by choosing, first and foremost, an affordable, well made helmet. There are many different types of helmets, but first time riders shouldnt give into the temptation to skimp on quality. Many companies, like Scorpion helmets, offer lower priced options as well as the high end products used by commercial racers.

FAQ) Should I buy a new motorcycle or a used motorcycle?

A) This depends on your personality and your budget. For first time riders, used bikes are often recommended because of the increased risk of repair costs. Finding a used bike isnt difficult, thanks to the Internet, newspapers, magazines, etc, but you should plan on bringing someone with you who knows more about motorcycles than you do when you begin to look at used bikes for sale. This person can ask questions that you may not think of, and can help you inspect the bike properly.

Article Directory: http://www.articlecrash.com/
By: Terry Parker
Terry Parker is an avid Motorcycle rider and recommends www.SuperSportsRacing.com for products like Yamaha Bikes