With the rising number of motorcyclists, despite the regular generalisations of motorcyclists always being the cause, rather than the victim, of crashes - there is much evidence to support the government's campaigns for drivers of other motor vehicles to be more vigilant in making themselves aware of motorcycles themselves and possible situations where they may encounter problems with motorbikes or other smaller form of transportation such as a scooter, moped or other powered cycle.
Most people in the UK if asked will normally answer any question regarding motorbike accidents with sweeping generalizations but more recent studies have shown that it is most likely to be either end of the motorcycles rider's scale that will cause an accident in the UK, not the general riders. In other words, the individuals most likely to cause a motorcycle crash are young inexperienced riders or older riders but with much more powerful machines than your average user. This is self explanatory really and once considered is also quite reasonable to assume even without the actual evidence available. Young riders are probably just as likely to cause a motorbike accident as their car driving counterparts are to cause a car incident. Rash driving and inexperience of the road in general will normally result in more than one motorbike crash (as long as the first is not fatal obviously) either by colliding with another vehicle or object themselves, or by being hit by another road user who did not see them due to the inexperienced motorcyclist positioning themselves incorrectly in a flow of traffic.
Of course, the more controversial motorbike accidents are those involving older drivers. Probably every road user at some point in their lives has almost collided with a motorcyclist driving like a complete idiot and that is the general image that we hold. Of course, we've all probably come across a dozen more car drivers acting like idiots but a possible motor bike accident seems to stick with us much more as the percentage of bad bike riders that we will come into contact with on the UK's roads is much higher than the percentage of bad car drivers so it feels like they are all bad. The usual suspects - overtaking other vehicles even with oncoming traffic heading towards them, driving in between lanes of traffic even though those lanes are still moving and cars are switching lanes, driving around blind corners at high speeds even though there may be stopped traffic round them and so on.
So how does this affect motorcycle accident claims? Unfortunately, when placing actual blame in a motorbike accident investigation a certain amount of bias will be automatically placed against the rider of motorbikes due to these public perceptions of these forms of transport. You have to remember, it is the police that generally provide all the statistics on fatalities and injuries for these studies so they are more than just aware of the likelihood of the incident being the fault of the motor-cycle.
So when looking for someone to blame for your motorbike accident injury you may have a slightly harder time and may have to have more conclusive evidence to prove that you were not the cause of your own demise. But, motorcycle accident compensation itself is not affected by the actual form of transportation. Even though motorcycle injuries are generally more severe than those experienced by car drivers due to how exposed you are, your compensation amounts are not penalised for having chosen to ride a bike.
In summary, motorbike claims are as standard as other road vehicle claims and despite the bias that will inevitably be in the minds of everyone who handles your case, as long as you have the proof and the documentation then your compensation will be obtained and awarded in the exact same manner with the exact same values.
Tuesday, 29 July 2008
Is The Tomtom Motorcycle Gps Worth It?
The TomTom rider was the very first GPS unit released that was designed specifically for motorcycles. Devised from TomTom's popular GO selection of GPS car devices, it does a terrific job despite some small downsides.
One of the most mooted features of the TomTom is the cell phone hands free capability. Using the Bluetooth headset for your helmet, you can receive and deliver calls on your cell phone with the telephone number and name of the caller coming up on the TomTom's screen.
Some people have reported difficulties using the LCD 3.5 inch full color touch screen while wearing thick motorcycle gloves. The larger icons can be easy to use but the more detailed displays (such as when choosing the street address to travel to) can be difficult to use when you have gloves on. Therefore, you may have to input the address without gloves before you start your ride.
The Rider ships with the following: a screen wipe cloth, wired headset, a SD card, an AC adapter, USB cable, mounting kit, 12 volt-power cable, carrying pouch, Bluetooth headset and required reference material.
Using the mounting kit, the TomTom rider can be mounted on to your motorcycle's handlebar, mirror and an flat service that you can find using the adhesive mount. The mount is secure enough to keep your GPS unit attached even off the most bumpy of rides. The 12 volt-power cable can be attached via the mount and enables you to have constant power to your unit without having to recharge it.
Its downsides? The TomTom Rider's POI database is out-of-date and intermittently inaccurate in giving wrong street names or no street at all for some side streets. What's more, the included Bluetooth headset has less than average sound quality. The screen could also have been a little larger in order to be able to see the icons more clearly when riding.
The Rider is a strong unit that can withstand the daily bumps that happens to motorcycle GPS devices. The battery last 5 hours from a single charge.
One of the most mooted features of the TomTom is the cell phone hands free capability. Using the Bluetooth headset for your helmet, you can receive and deliver calls on your cell phone with the telephone number and name of the caller coming up on the TomTom's screen.
Some people have reported difficulties using the LCD 3.5 inch full color touch screen while wearing thick motorcycle gloves. The larger icons can be easy to use but the more detailed displays (such as when choosing the street address to travel to) can be difficult to use when you have gloves on. Therefore, you may have to input the address without gloves before you start your ride.
The Rider ships with the following: a screen wipe cloth, wired headset, a SD card, an AC adapter, USB cable, mounting kit, 12 volt-power cable, carrying pouch, Bluetooth headset and required reference material.
Using the mounting kit, the TomTom rider can be mounted on to your motorcycle's handlebar, mirror and an flat service that you can find using the adhesive mount. The mount is secure enough to keep your GPS unit attached even off the most bumpy of rides. The 12 volt-power cable can be attached via the mount and enables you to have constant power to your unit without having to recharge it.
Its downsides? The TomTom Rider's POI database is out-of-date and intermittently inaccurate in giving wrong street names or no street at all for some side streets. What's more, the included Bluetooth headset has less than average sound quality. The screen could also have been a little larger in order to be able to see the icons more clearly when riding.
The Rider is a strong unit that can withstand the daily bumps that happens to motorcycle GPS devices. The battery last 5 hours from a single charge.
Yamaha Kodiak ATV Battery
If you want to find a good Yamaha Kodiak ATV battery, Apex Battery online is an excellent choice for an online site that is user friendly, always updated, and quick to use. The easiest way to find a Yamaha Kodiak ATV battery for your Kodiak ATV at the Apex site is detailed below:
- Go to the Apex Battery online site located at apexbattery.com.
- Select ATV Batteries from the navigation bar categories of batteries on the left of the webpage.
- Scroll down until you find the icon on the bottom of the page that lists all brands of ATV batteries until you find Yamaha batteries. Select the icon. This choice will take you to the next page that details all the different Yamaha ATV batteries that are for sale at the site.
- Make your selection from the list, which will include a choice of four different Yamaha Kodiak ATV batteries.
The four Yamaha Kodiak ATV batteries that are listed on the Yamaha ATV batteries page are the Yamaha 400cc YFM400FW Kodiak ATV battery, the Yamaha 400cc YFM400FW Kodiak/Automatic ATV battery, the Yamaha 400cc YFM400FW Kodiak/Automatic ATV battery, and the Yamaha 450cc YFM450FW Kodiak/Automatic ATV battery.
Yamaha RD 60 Motorcycle Battery
Are you looking for a battery for a Yamaha RD 60 motorcycle? If you are, then the Yamaha RD 60 motorcycle battery can be found at the following webpages for your convenience:
- At Batteries Plus, batteriesplus.com, you can purchase the Yamaha RD 60 motorcycle battery at this site. The Batteries Plus site offers the Yamaha RD 60 motorcycle battery for the 1975 through 1978 year of Yamaha RD 60 motorcycles and offers the same battery for the 1981 Yamaha RD 60 motorcycle.
- Also, online at one of the better-stocked stores around for motorcycle batteries, the folks at Bike Bandit, bikebandit.com, can get you fixed up with a Yamaha RD 60 motorcycle battery for the 1973, 1974, and 1975 year models of Yamaha RD 60 motorcycles.
I'm sure there are other places on the Internet that sell these hard-to-find motorcycle batteries for the Yamaha RD 60 motorcycle; however, since the only year models of the Yamaha RD 60 motorcycle battery that I could find at these two super bike battery shops ranged in years from 1973 through 1981, it leads me to believe that not all motorcycle battery stores online offer this particular battery for sale because of the age of the Yamaha RD 60 motorcycle line of motorbikes.
Wednesday, 16 July 2008
Harley 883 For Sale - Things To Consider
When it comes to wanting a Harley Davidson motorcycle the main reason many people do not end up buying one is simply that they cost too much. However one route you go down in order to own such an iconic motorcycle is by buying a used one. In this article we take a look at certain factors which should be taken into consideration when you see a Harley 883 for sale.
1. Before you actually hand over any of your hard earned cash to the seller, spend time carefully checking over the condition of the bike. If considering buying through an online auction site get the seller to send you plenty of pictures showing you the bike from various angles. Also when you visit the bike check it over to see if there are any major dents or scratches on the machine.
It is important before you start haggling over the price over the Harley 883 you get the seller to start its engine up. Plus arrange that you can take it for a test ride as this will provide you with a better opportunity to hear how the engine sounds and also if there is any problems relating to the gearing etc.
2. Along with looking at the condition of the machine you need to ask the seller to provide you with any history for the motorcycle. A good seller will often be able to quickly provide the bikes service history and log book, but if they can not or will not then walk away from the deal immediately.
Plus a seller who is able to show proof of ownership as well as how the bike has been looked after is someone who cares about their machines. In many cases with people like these, you know that the bike will have been well cared for and there are unlikely to be any major mechanical issues with it.
3. When every considering buying a used Harley 883 it is suitable that you do as much research as possible before you phone the seller or place a bid at the auction site. You need to spend comparing the costs of new and used ones against the bike you may want to buy. Doing this can often help with negotiating a far better price with the seller when you do go to buy it.
Along with comparing Harley 883's which were manufactured in the same year as the one you may want to buy, there are other things that you should take into consideration as well. Look both at newer and older models which seem to be in the same condition or which have done the same kind of mileage. Often you will find that these can also seriously effect the price at which the bike is being sold.
By keeping the above in mind when it comes to thinking about buying that Harley 883 for sale close to where you live could end up saving you quite a considerable some when it comes to negotiating the sale price. Along with looking in local newspapers and magazines for these motorcycles, another great place to get a good deal on Harley 883's, which are up for sale, is by going online.
Should I Buy New Motorcycle Engines or Used Motorcycle Engines?
It depends a lot on what you intend to use your Motorcycle Engines for. If you are going to be using the Motorcycle Engines solely for installation on motorcycles, then used Motorcycle Engines may do already (though if you really want to splurge, new ones are even better.) But what if you were going to place the Motorcycle Engines in cars (rather than car engines)? How would that work out?
Actually, this is already being done by many car assembly hobbyists. Usually, the cars to be powered by Motorcycle Engines are just small cars whose size and weight specifications are proportional to the power output of the Motorcycle Engines. As far back as the 1940s, the Cooper Car Company had been undertaking this practice - to make race cars, at that. Even BMW had tried doing that too in the 1950s. Though the general public may be ignorant of this trend, motorcycle and car assembly hobbyists know this practice works and with relatively good results. Their creations might be known as motorcycle/car hybrids.
The motorcycle/car hybrids are probably still being built today in someone's backyard with better results than those experienced back in the 1940s and 1950s – all because modern day Motorcycle Engines are stronger, faster, and better engineered than their early ancestors. Thanks to the decades of research done on how to improve Motorcycle Engines, hobbyists are reaping better rewards from their hybrid assembly efforts.
However, just because it looks like a car, runs like a car, and seems to behave like a car doesn't mean your motorcycle/car hybrid is automatically allowed on public and private roads in your country. The fact that you are using Motorcycle Engines to power the hybrids may be breaking the law for motor vehicles at some point (especially if you are one of the first to make and try to run these types of hybrids in that country.) So, unless you have some kind of special permit to run your hybrid on public and private roads, you may have to confine use of your Motorcycle Engines-powered hybrid vehicle in special areas only (like in a private racetrack or in an enclosed private family compound.)
If you are attracted to the idea of building motorcycle/car hybrid vehicles powered by Motorcycle Engines by yourself, be forewarned that the process actually entails quite an all-encompassing knowledge of how Motorcycle Engines work, how cars work, and how you can bridge any differences in the engineering of both or either with your own creativity and resources. A very smart mechanic/hobbyist can probably learn from manuals and prototypes alone – but for the less experienced and less talented hobbyist, full-time tutelage under someone very experienced in creating motorcycle/car hybrid vehicles might be more appropriate. There's no shame in asking for experienced guidance (except maybe to your ego) and in the end, you may get better results that way.
Equally surprising is that companies have been established throughout the world which concentrate on creating such motorcycle/car hybrid vehicles, many for racing. It might benefit you if you did research on how these companies do their work before you set about creating your own motorcycle/car hybrid vehicle.
Would You Ever Buy Used Motorcycle Engines?
A very picky motorcycle collector might say: “never anything used for me!” But to others, Used Motorcycle Engines are actually not so bad, provided you know how to pick them and know what you’re doing when you’re assembling your motorcycle with the used parts. Some Used Motorcycle Engines are in quite acceptable (sometimes, even excellent) condition so you would be getting a good deal, under those circumstances.
It also depends a lot on how and where you get your Used Motorcycle Engines. A very scrupulous motorcycle assembly hobbyist might not be satisfied with the promises of online suppliers (who, after all can only back up their promises with pictures until the real thing arrives at the client’s mailing address.) Such a careful motorcycle assembly hobbyist might want to look at Used Motorcycle Engines in salvage yards instead, because then he can inspect a host of Used Motorcycle Engines at his leisure until he finds acceptable ones.
Salvage yards are also better sometimes than online suppliers because they might have mechanics who can install your Used Motorcycle Engines on the motorcycle being assembled for you, and inspect the whole motorcycle for any safety issues or quality problems – sure, you may have to pay for this service (aside from the purchase price of the Used Motorcycle Engines) but at least you know you’re getting expert advice from very experienced mechanics. Hobbyists might not have as much experience as full-time mechanics (though, if you feel really confident about your assembly skills, go right ahead and assemble your own motorcycle yourself and see the results of your work.) You can always return to the salvage yard if things don’t work out.
Can Used Motorcycle Engines originally made by one motorcycle manufacturer be installed on the same motorcycle with parts from other motorcycle manufacturers? Some hobbyists would probably try this out at some time. But generally, mechanics would probably caution you against doing that, because each manufacturer has their own way of making motorcycles so you might come up with a working prototype, but the question then is: how long would that prototype function? You might have put a lot of effort making something that will last only for the short term. It is best to use Used Motorcycle Engines from one motorcycle manufacturer with parts from the same manufacturer to get consistent results.
Some salvage yards work in cohesion with one another, rather than against one another. This is great, because it means if you need a part that one salvage yard lacks, they can contact salvage yards friendly to them for assistance. Where on salvage yard is deficient, another salvage yard could be strong. It is like a marriage of convenience, with perks going to you (the customer) as well.
One downside of salvage yards is that they may have higher overhead than online suppliers. So do examine the price difference and see if it is worth it. Also, salvage yards may be limited by how far they can ship the goods you bought from them, unlike online suppliers who often have a global market. So ask if the salvage yard can ship the goods for you to your mailing address or if you have to handle that yourself.
Tuesday, 8 July 2008
Led Lights For Motorcycles - The Basics
Motorcycle accent lighting is becoming ever more popular. These lights are beginning to show up on everything from the smallest, least expensive, scooter to the “big bucks” choppers and everything in between.
If you’re thinking about taking the leap and lighting up your ride, there are some important things to keep in mind.
First, quality is everything. For most things in life, you get what you pay for and motorcycle LED lights and accessories are no exception to the rule. Make sure the light products (pods and strips) you buy are waterproof, come with sufficient lead wire for ease of installation, and have a Lifetime Warranty against bulb failure. Note, however, bulb failures are rare in the higher quality products, thus their ability to offer such a warranty.
Second, make sure the wiring for your LED lights is independent of the wiring for the rest of your bike. This will ensure your factory warranty stays in tact. Modifications to existing wiring are likely to void your warranty.
Third, make sure you get the right products for your bike and the right products to achieve the look you want. Most reputable dealers are available to take your calls and are willing to discuss your needs with you before you make the purchase. Motorcycle LED light products come in different shapes and sizes, different casings (usually chrome or black), and many different light colors. Not all light products are right for all jobs.
Fourth, don’t underestimate the importance of the accessories. Make sure fuse holders and switches are waterproof; industry proven bonding tape is used (3M VHB tape is recommended); and an adhesion promoter is also provided to increase the bonding strength of the tape.
Fifth, make sure the system is such that additional lights can be easily added in the future should you decide to do so. You may want to start out lighting your engine first and add ground effects or wheel lighting later. You want the add-ons to fit within your current LED lighting system and be easily accomplished. Plan ahead “just in case”.
Whether having your motorcycle LED lights professionally installed or buying the kits or individual units to install yourself, doing your homework ahead of time will pay off.
Remember, your bike is a reflection of you so it’s best to do it right the first time.
If you’re thinking about taking the leap and lighting up your ride, there are some important things to keep in mind.
First, quality is everything. For most things in life, you get what you pay for and motorcycle LED lights and accessories are no exception to the rule. Make sure the light products (pods and strips) you buy are waterproof, come with sufficient lead wire for ease of installation, and have a Lifetime Warranty against bulb failure. Note, however, bulb failures are rare in the higher quality products, thus their ability to offer such a warranty.
Second, make sure the wiring for your LED lights is independent of the wiring for the rest of your bike. This will ensure your factory warranty stays in tact. Modifications to existing wiring are likely to void your warranty.
Third, make sure you get the right products for your bike and the right products to achieve the look you want. Most reputable dealers are available to take your calls and are willing to discuss your needs with you before you make the purchase. Motorcycle LED light products come in different shapes and sizes, different casings (usually chrome or black), and many different light colors. Not all light products are right for all jobs.
Fourth, don’t underestimate the importance of the accessories. Make sure fuse holders and switches are waterproof; industry proven bonding tape is used (3M VHB tape is recommended); and an adhesion promoter is also provided to increase the bonding strength of the tape.
Fifth, make sure the system is such that additional lights can be easily added in the future should you decide to do so. You may want to start out lighting your engine first and add ground effects or wheel lighting later. You want the add-ons to fit within your current LED lighting system and be easily accomplished. Plan ahead “just in case”.
Whether having your motorcycle LED lights professionally installed or buying the kits or individual units to install yourself, doing your homework ahead of time will pay off.
Remember, your bike is a reflection of you so it’s best to do it right the first time.
Battery for a 1980 Yamaha Motorcycle
If you are looking around for a battery for a 1980 Yamaha motorcycle, then one of the easiest websites around to navigate and easily find what you're looking for in a battery is at Apex Battery online, apexbattery.com. At this online battery store, there are a couple of choices for a 1980 Yamaha motorcycle battery. One of those choices is the Yamaha 125cc DT125 Enduro motorcycle battery. This battery is said to work in a 1980 Yamaha motorcycle. Also listed as a battery for a 1980 Yamaha motorcycle is the Yamaha 250cc SR250 Exciter motorcycle battery. Another choice for a 1980 Yamaha motorcycle battery is the Yamaha 400cc XS 400 motorcycle battery, as well as the Yamaha 50cc LB50P Chappy motorcycle battery and the Yamaha 50cc LC50 Champ motorcycle battery.
There are other batteries for a 1980 Yamaha motorcycle listed at this website, which is an excellent resource to utilize online when looking for a battery for a 1980 Yamaha motorcycle, as well as other model motorcycles. Apex Battery sells batteries for almost every use at their online store.
Is The Tomtom Motorcycle Gps Worth It?
The TomTom rider was the very first GPS unit released that was designed specifically for motorcycles. Devised from TomTom's popular GO selection of GPS car devices, it does a terrific job despite some small downsides.
One of the most mooted features of the TomTom is the cell phone hands free capability. Using the Bluetooth headset for your helmet, you can receive and deliver calls on your cell phone with the telephone number and name of the caller coming up on the TomTom's screen.
Some people have reported difficulties using the LCD 3.5 inch full color touch screen while wearing thick motorcycle gloves. The larger icons can be easy to use but the more detailed displays (such as when choosing the street address to travel to) can be difficult to use when you have gloves on. Therefore, you may have to input the address without gloves before you start your ride.
The Rider ships with the following: a screen wipe cloth, wired headset, a SD card, an AC adapter, USB cable, mounting kit, 12 volt-power cable, carrying pouch, Bluetooth headset and required reference material.
Using the mounting kit, the TomTom rider can be mounted on to your motorcycle's handlebar, mirror and an flat service that you can find using the adhesive mount. The mount is secure enough to keep your GPS unit attached even off the most bumpy of rides. The 12 volt-power cable can be attached via the mount and enables you to have constant power to your unit without having to recharge it.
Its downsides? The TomTom Rider's POI database is out-of-date and intermittently inaccurate in giving wrong street names or no street at all for some side streets. What's more, the included Bluetooth headset has less than average sound quality. The screen could also have been a little larger in order to be able to see the icons more clearly when riding.
The Rider is a strong unit that can withstand the daily bumps that happens to motorcycle GPS devices. The battery last 5 hours from a single charge.
Despite some of the downsides listed above, the TomTom rider is a very capable GPS units for your motorcycle. The Bluetooth integration is probably its biggest selling feature but you may find yourself buying a new headset after a little time. But not to worry - the TomTom rider will serve you faithfully in all respects.
One of the most mooted features of the TomTom is the cell phone hands free capability. Using the Bluetooth headset for your helmet, you can receive and deliver calls on your cell phone with the telephone number and name of the caller coming up on the TomTom's screen.
Some people have reported difficulties using the LCD 3.5 inch full color touch screen while wearing thick motorcycle gloves. The larger icons can be easy to use but the more detailed displays (such as when choosing the street address to travel to) can be difficult to use when you have gloves on. Therefore, you may have to input the address without gloves before you start your ride.
The Rider ships with the following: a screen wipe cloth, wired headset, a SD card, an AC adapter, USB cable, mounting kit, 12 volt-power cable, carrying pouch, Bluetooth headset and required reference material.
Using the mounting kit, the TomTom rider can be mounted on to your motorcycle's handlebar, mirror and an flat service that you can find using the adhesive mount. The mount is secure enough to keep your GPS unit attached even off the most bumpy of rides. The 12 volt-power cable can be attached via the mount and enables you to have constant power to your unit without having to recharge it.
Its downsides? The TomTom Rider's POI database is out-of-date and intermittently inaccurate in giving wrong street names or no street at all for some side streets. What's more, the included Bluetooth headset has less than average sound quality. The screen could also have been a little larger in order to be able to see the icons more clearly when riding.
The Rider is a strong unit that can withstand the daily bumps that happens to motorcycle GPS devices. The battery last 5 hours from a single charge.
Despite some of the downsides listed above, the TomTom rider is a very capable GPS units for your motorcycle. The Bluetooth integration is probably its biggest selling feature but you may find yourself buying a new headset after a little time. But not to worry - the TomTom rider will serve you faithfully in all respects.
Yamaha RD 60 Motorcycle Battery
Are you looking for a battery for a Yamaha RD 60 motorcycle? If you are, then the Yamaha RD 60 motorcycle battery can be found at the following webpages for your convenience:
- At Batteries Plus, batteriesplus.com, you can purchase the Yamaha RD 60 motorcycle battery at this site. The Batteries Plus site offers the Yamaha RD 60 motorcycle battery for the 1975 through 1978 year of Yamaha RD 60 motorcycles and offers the same battery for the 1981 Yamaha RD 60 motorcycle.
- Also, online at one of the better-stocked stores around for motorcycle batteries, the folks at Bike Bandit, bikebandit.com, can get you fixed up with a Yamaha RD 60 motorcycle battery for the 1973, 1974, and 1975 year models of Yamaha RD 60 motorcycles.
I'm sure there are other places on the Internet that sell these hard-to-find motorcycle batteries for the Yamaha RD 60 motorcycle; however, since the only year models of the Yamaha RD 60 motorcycle battery that I could find at these two super bike battery shops ranged in years from 1973 through 1981, it leads me to believe that not all motorcycle battery stores online offer this particular battery for sale because of the age of the Yamaha RD 60 motorcycle line of motorbikes.
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