How to Buy Motorcycle Accessories, Parts, and More

How to Buy a Motorcycle Helmet - Get the Right Size That Fits

2009-06-13T11:28:00.012-04:00

How to Size a Motorcycle Helmet Properly

There is nothing worse than wearing a motorcycle helmet that doesn't fit. Not only is it very uncomfortable, but it can be dangerous. So it is very important to be sure you get a helmet that is the right size, and fits correctly.

A poorly sized helmet will catch air under it and blow around if it is too large. If it is too small, it will pinch and could give you a headache. It will also ride too high and not give you the protection you need in a crash.

First, you need to decide if you want a regular helmet, or a full face helmet.

There are two types of full face helmet, the true full face and the modular. Both protect your entire head, face and chin.

The difference is in the chin bar. In the regular full face helmet, this fixed, but in the modular, it is hinged so that it can be rotated up and down. Some people think this is more convenient and offers more freedom. By being able to rotate the chin bar, you can eat, drink, smoke or put on your lipstick without having to remove your helmet.

Second, make sure it is DOT (Department of Transportation), or SNELL approved. Do not just look at the sticker on the helmet, but look at the label inside to see if it says it meets DOT standards or SNELL certification. NOTE: The modular helmets are DOT approved, but do not meet the more rigorous testing to be certified by SNELL.

After you decide which kind you want, you need to measure your head.

In order to measure your head correctly, you need a cloth measuring tape. It would help greatly if you had someone to help you.

You need to measure around your forehead, approximately one inch above your eyebrows, or wherever your head is the largest. It is important to measure at the largest part of your head.

After you have gotten your measurement (size in inches), you need to translate that in the size of helmet you need. Helmets usually come in extra small (xsmall), small, medium, large, and extra large (xlarge). It is possible to find extra, extra small(xxsmall), and extra, extra large (xxlarge).

Here are some guidelines: If you have under a 20 inch measurement, then you would require an xx small. If your measurement is 20 inches, you need an xsmall, a 21 inch measurement would translate into a small helmet. If your head measures 22 inches, then you would want to buy a medium motorcycle helmet, and a 23 inch head would require a large. Anything over 23 inches and you need an xlarge or an xxlarge.

After you are armed with the size to start with, go to a local dealer and try on some before buying. Even if you plan to buy over the internet, it is a good idea to try some on first, to make sure that is actually the size you need, as most peoples heads are not exactly 20, 21, 22, etc. inches.

In addition to sizing a motorcycle helmet correctly, check the straps or fastenings. There are several different type of fastenings. Most people like the quick release type, as that doesn't require having to re-thread the strap each time you put your helmet on, and it make removal easier too.

Most straps are made of some type of nylon, and can irritate your skin if it has any frays or bad places in it, so check out the strap to make sure is of good quality.

If your helmet is always flopping around, or irritating your neck and you have to constantly readjust it, then it doesn't fit. This can also be a danger, especially if you are driving and you remove your hands from the handlebars to make the adjustment.

After you buy your helmet, you may want to buy some accessories for it, such as locks,

helmet hangers, helmet bags, or a bluetooth or intercom headset.

So be sure you get a proper fitting helmet, be safe and ride happy!

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How to Buy Sunglasses or Goggles for the Motorcycle Rider

2009-06-04T22:04:00.006-04:00

How to Buy Sunglasses or Goggles for the Motorcycle Rider

Anyone who rides a motorcycle should be wearing some kind of protective eyewear, be it sunglasses or goggles.

Eyewear looks cool, as well as protecting your valuable eyes, and should be considered standard equipment.

Sunglasses or goggles help reduce glare and keep the bugs, dust and dirt out of your eyes.

There are as many different kinds of sunglasses and goggles as there are tastes. You will be able to find something that fits your personality.

Good protective eyewear will help block UV (ultraviolet) rays from the sun, which can damage eyes. Protecting your vision is very important, especially if you want to keep on riding your scoot for years to come. If you can't see, you can't ride, so you want to do everything possible to save one of your most precious senses.

All protective equipment such as leathers and helmets is important, but your eyes are the most important of all.

A full face helmet will also protect your eyes, but many people don't like to wear them, so good goggles or sunglasses just make sense.

Not only will they protect your eyes, but they could even keep you from having a wreck. Just think what would happen if you got hit in the eye with a big ol' bug? You wouldn't be able to see and that could cause you to wreck.

Here are some things to look for when searching for a good pair of sun glasses. These are features you want in any sunglasses used in any outdoor sport or activity.

I stated above UV protection is very important to the health of your eyes. The lenses in your sunglasses should have close to 100% UV protection. You might think that since most motorcycle riding is done on sunny days, that is when you need the most UV protection. However, the sun's reflection off of snow can be more harmful to you eyes that sun alone (Think snow blindness). Almost all high quality sunglasses will filter out 99% - 100% of UV sunlight. It used to be that you had to buy very expensive sunglasses to get that kind of protection, but today, even relative inexpensive sunglasses will offer at least some UV protection.

You might also want to consider impact resistance. Not only do you want to protect yourself from insects and dirt, but also rocks and sleet. Any of these can break a lens, and a broken lens, especially at high speeds can make an already dangerous situation even more so.

Don't forget comfort. On long road trips, you probably will be wearing your sun glasses for several hours at a time, so you want to make sure that the sunglasses or goggles you are wearing are comfortable. You most certainly don't want sunglasses that keep slipping. Don't forget the wind will be adding pressures on them that you won't have just sitting still. You don't want to be wearing something that is going to put pressure on your nose or behind your ears, causing discomfort. What is uncomfortable for an hour can become a real pain after several hours.

Some sunglasses come with interchangeable lens so that you can change from dark to light lenses. Some have adjustable telescoping ear pieces to make it easy to fit your size, while others have an elastic strap to help hold them securely to your head. Some come with an anti-scratch coating. You can even buy bifocal prescription sunglasses.

Goggles are also a good form of eye protection. Because they fit snugly against your face, they also protect your eyes from wind, rain and bugs that might come in from around the sides of your sunglasses. Make sure they ones you buy have vent holes to allow them to "breathe", otherwise they could fog up.

Goggles are also a good option if you wear prescription glasses and don't want to buy prescription sunglasses. There are goggles made to fit over regular eye glasses.

If you wear prescription glasses, consider buying a second pair of prescription sunglasses. It it well worth the investment. Many optometrists sell a variety of prescription sunglasses. Although they look really cool, the wrap around type can distort your vision, so be sure to check them out before you buy.

So before you take that next ride, make sure you have some eye protection so you will be able to ride safely and have more fun knowing that you don't have to worry about your eyes.

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How to Buy Windshields for Motorcycles

2009-05-18T16:08:00.027-04:00

How to Buy Windshields and Accessories for Motorcycles - What You Need to Know

Windshields are a functional accessory for your motorcycle, but are not necessary. They are a matter of individual preference.

The main and obvious function of a windshield is to shield the rider from wind, but they also shield you from rain and sleet and snow and bugs and birds!

Beyond the functional aspect, windshields can also make a statement by changing the looks of your bike.

x xxx xxx

Of course, it depends on what type of bike you have whether you want a windshield or not. If you have a dirt bike or do a lot of hill climbing, then you would not want a windshield, but if you do a lot of riding on the open road, then you definitely want to consider adding a windshield to your scoot.

On a dresser (or touring bike), windshields are practically a necessity, especially if you are preparing for a long trip, as they can make riding a lot more comfortable.

What if you are not sure if you always want to have a windshield on your bike? Then the answer is a detachable windshield (if available for your model). These are made with quick release pins that allow you to put on or take off your windshield in a matter of seconds.

A windshield can change the looks of your motorcycle, so choose the kind you want carefully, or if you can get the quick release kind, and you have the money, buy several and change them to fit your mood.

There are short ones, tall ones, clear ones and tinted ones. They are made of several different types of material including polycarbonate, Lucite®, and Lexan®. These are all types of 'plastic' and require special cleaners that won't scratch or etch your new windshield.

Instead of spending a lot of money on special cleaners, however, I have found Shout to be a good alternative. It doesn't scratch and is easy to use. Just spray it on, wait a few seconds, and rinse off. You may have to use a little elbow grease on the bug splats, though. Just be sure not to use a cloth that will scratch. Believe me, with all of the bugs, dirt, and grime that your windshield will collecting, you will be wanting to wash it often.

After you purchase your windshield, you may want to add a windshield bag. These are bags that attach to your windshield and allow you to carry small things that you need to be handy, or that you don't want to pack in your saddle bags or tour pack. Mostly they are made of leather, but some are made of cloth. For the convenience, they are well worth the money. They come in various sizes and styles to fit all of your needs.

xxx xx x x

The bags are ideal for carrying cell pones, pens, paper, lighters, pills, sunglasses, goggles, garage door openers and a large assortment of other small items.

There are dozens of styles to fit every need.

As windshields can be expensive, you will want to shop around to get the best deal for a quality product. I recommend that whenever possible, you buy OEM (Original Equipment Manufacture) parts instead of after market parts, but whichever you choose, you will add function and style to your motorcycle.

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Accessories for Motorcycles

2009-05-15T23:46:00.022-04:00

Motorcycle Accessories

What You Need to Know Before Buying

Accessories make the bike. So you have a motorcycle. Maybe you bought it brand new, or maybe you bought a used one. It doesn’t matter: you now want to make it your own, not like every other one on the street.

How do you do that? You accessorize!

There are hundreds of ways you can change your bike to make it uniquely yours. You can change the windshield, handlebars, exhaust pipes, seats, saddlebags, crash bars, or lights.

You can change something, such as the gas tank, or you can add on something, such as adding additional lighting.

Whatever you do, you will transform your bike from the dull, ordinary stock bike to an exciting new-looking motorcycle that reflects your tastes.

In addition to changing the looks of your motorcycle, adding accessories can make your motorcycle more functional or safer. For example, you might upgrade to LED (Light Emitting Diode) lights to make it more visible, or you might add highway pegs, or change the seats to make it more comfortable on a long ride. Handle bars can make a big difference in comfort, especially when you are riding for a long time.

Luggage racks and tour packs allow you to pack more stuff, especially if there are going to be two people going on that dream trip.

Changing the wheels can make a big impact on the way your cycle looks.

Perhaps you want to change your stock pipes to custom pipes to change the sound or the performance.

Maybe you want to change the fairing so you can have a radio or clock, add an alarm system, put on a GPS system, or add driver to passenger communications, bike to bike communication, or a cell phone to headset adapter.

First you need to decide what you want from your accessories. Do you want to change the looks of your bike, make it safer, or make it perform better, more comfortable, or more functional? Whatever you decide, you have thousands of options and resources. The web is a great place to search for your particular add on.

There are sites that sell parts and accessories for every kind of motorcycle on the market and some that aren’t: Harley Davidson, Honda, Suzuki, Triumph, Kawasaki, Victory, Big Dog, Indian, Yamaha, or BMW, old or new. Two sites I like are J and P Cycles (search the internet for coupon codes), and JC Whitney.

Another thing that you might want to do, but which isn’t really an accessory, is to give your bike a new coat of paint. Custom paint jobs can be as simple as adding flames to your tank, or to completely repaint the whole bike with custom colors and designs, which can run into the thousands of dollars. If you can’t afford that, maybe you can dress it up a little by adding some chrome.

After you decide what your goal is, you need to do a lot of research to find just the right accessory for your bike and your taste.

The next thing is to buy the best quality you can afford. I always adhere to the old saying, “You get what you pay for.” Now days it is hard to always buy American, but you can at least buy a high quality accessory. There is nothing worse than spending your hard earned money on something, only to have it break the first or second time you use it. So go ahead and find what you want and then buy from a reputable dealer.

In addition to buying parts for your bike, there are tons of stuff for the rider, too. There are helmets, coats, gloves, hats, leathers, chaps, boots, and so very much more! So, after you get your bike all fixed up, you can start on yourself.

Tip: Search the internet for "motorcycle coupon codes" to get some great discounts.

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History of Motorcycles - The Early Years

2009-05-14T23:14:00.005-04:00

A short history about the very first motorcycles ever invented, going all the way back to just after the Civil War!

A Look at the History of Motorcycles

The Beginning

In researching this article, I found some conflicting information. I tried to incorporate all of the information I found, indicating where the information didn't match.

The first motorcycle was a bicycle with a two cylinder steam engine, which was powered by coal or charcoal, and the connecting rods directly drove a crank on the rear wheels. It was built in 1867 by an American, Sylvester Howard Roper, who also invented a steam car.

He took his steam-powered bike and demonstrated it at fairs and circuses in the eastern United States in 1867, but it did not catch on. However it did use many features that are still being used today, including the twisting hand grip throttle control.

1869 Steam Cycle by Sylvester Howard Roper

This early cycle predates the invention of the safety bicycle by many years, so its chassis is also based on the "bone-crusher" bike. Bone-Crusher's appeared around 1800, used iron-banded wagon wheels, and were called "bone-crushers," because they had a very jarring ride, and they also caused their riders to fall off.

It is thought that the first true gas engine motorcycle forerunner was built by Gottlieb Daimler (yes, that Daimler of Daimler-Chrysler fame). The engine may have been invented by an engineer named Nicolaus August Otto, who also invented the first four stroke internal combustion engine. Otto called it the Otto Cycle Engine.

There is some confusion as to whether Daimler used Otto's engine or built one of his own. Whichever, Daimler powered his “bicycle” by attaching an engine to a wooden bicycle about 1885.

The reason this may not be considered the first true motorcycle is because it had two small wheels, used to stabilize the bike, much like training wheels on a child's bicycle today. Therefore, it was actually a four wheeled vehicle. However, today there are three wheeled vehicles and bikes for the disabled with stabilizing wheels and these are all considered motorcycles, so who is to say whether Daimler's four-wheeled vehicle was a “motorcycle” or not?

Daimler quit building powered bikes and went on to establish himself in automobiles and left the development of two wheeled motorcycles to others.

1885 Daimler Reitwagen,world's first gasoline-driven motorcycle

There were many engineering difficulties to overcome. Should the engine be on the rear of the bicycle, the front, or off to the side? After many trials and errors, it soon was understood that in order for the bicycle to be stable, the engine had to be centered between the wheels and close to the ground.

How many cylinders would be the best? Should the designers incorporate a two stroke, or a four stoke cycle? Did it still need to have pedals? Some early bikes were started by peddling, then after it was started and balance was achieved, the engine took over. What about the pedals – should they be dispensed with? What about the chain, should it be kept, or some other method used?

In the decade from the late 1880s, dozens of designs and various machines emerged, particularly in France, Germany and England, and soon spread to America. During this early period of motorcycle history, there were many manufacturers since bicycle makers were adapting their designs for the new internal combustion engine.

In 1894, the Hildebrand & Wolfmüller became the first motorcycle for sale to the public. However, only a few hundred of this motorcycle were ever built. I couldn't find any information about whether production was halted due to lack of sales, financial reasons, or some other problem.

Engines became more powerful, and designs were started to veer away from bicycle origins, and the number of motorcycle-oriented makers increased.

It is said that the first motorcycle (other than Roper's) in the United States was taken to New York in 1895 by a French circus performer. It weighed about 200 lbs and was capable of doing 40 mph on a level surface. I don't know if he used it as part of his act, or for personal transportation.

In the same year, E. J. Pennington demonstrated a motorcycle which he designed in Milwaukee. He said it would do 58 mph. He is credited with coining the term “motor cycle” when describing his invention.

Motorcycle Accessories Team

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Privacy Policy

2009-05-13T20:17:00.005-04:00

privacy Privacy Policy

Motorcycle Accessories, Parts and More

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