Motorcycle Accessories For The Smart Rider

A motorcycle is incomplete without accessories. You need to pep up your motorbike with smart exhausts, chrome rims, air cleaners, sleek saddlebags, transparent windshields and shiny fenders if you want your bike to be noticed. These motorcycle accessories go on the bike. But what about you?

You too need to buy a full set of motorcycle gear for yourself. These accessories should include DOT certified helmets, protective leather jackets, motorcycle boots, motorcycle gloves and UV protected sunglasses.

You have the option to buy the accessories prescribed by the manufacturer. Or you can have them custom-designed. The latter will cost more, but will give your bike a completely personalized look.

Most riders love to change the exhausts first. It is not because the exhausts are sub-standard. On the contrary, the exhausts give bikes a style of their own. That’s why most riders prefer to install exhausts like M4, DD, and Cobra. These exhausts come in a variety of styles and finishes, and can be bought both offline and online.

It is important that when selecting an exhaust you should look at both performance and style. A good idea is to take the advice of experienced riders or bike mechanics. There’s no point in installing an exhaust that may look good but may not last long.

Chrome-plating, of course, is another ball game. You can select the parts that need to be chromed, and get the work done at standard chrome plating shops. Make sure that the plating is smooth, and there are no bubbles on the surface.

You can also consider installing windshields. These are especially useful in windy conditions. The only thing that you must make sure is that they should be made of clear plastic and should not obstruct vision.

You also need to spend some time on helmets. More than looks, you should see that the helmets fit your head closely. They should also stay on the head, and not roll off on impact. Also, if you want to go for a full face helmet you must ensure that you have a clear view. It should not be blocked by the helmet’s shield. A good way is to keep the helmet on for about 20 minutes or so. This will give you an idea of comfort levels.

Sunglasses are equally important accessories. They not only keep out glare but also protect your eyes from dust and flying insects, not to mention harmful UV rays. Also, you should not forget gloves and boots. Both are critical. Without good quality leather gloves, your fingers will go numb in the winters. Similarly, the boots not only protect you from serious injuries but also keep your ankle and feet protected from rain. Finally, you should go for leather jackets that have some armor protection on elbows and shoulders.

You are ready to ride out – in style and safely -- once you have all this.
Motorcycle Accessories For The Smart Rider By: James Gunaseelan

Motorcycle Gloves: Warmth Exists Within

Seeing a motorcycle being ride amidst snow clad valley is soothing to the eyes of viewer but it is harsh for the rider. The motorcycling enthusiasts are fanatic about riding motorcycles. Sometimes due to uneventful circumstances, motorcycle riders have to face the chill of winters. The sore winters become intolerable for the riders. They need a proper type of thermal clothing, which can provide exceptional endurance against these weather conditions. Motorcycle gloves are one of the few effective thermal gears available. This clothing is available online.

The motorcycle riders are likely to encounter freezing winds and snow. Such conditions require a few protective measures to overcome the harsh effects of sub-zero temperatures. The use of thermal wear and motorcycle gloves can keep the rider in perfect condition. Be it willingly or unwillingly, the rider cruising on the bike comes across bad weather experience. Using such a gear, avoids permeation of cold air and moisture inside it. Putting on these gloves gives an ease to the rider at manoeuvring his motorcycle.

The motorcycle gloves are all comfort and defence from cooling effect of winters. The chillness of the weather so harsh that it is enough to affect the engines of the motorcycles but this clothing is efficient in resisting the winters to create problems for rider. These gloves are more efficient when you go for the battery heated options. The heating element united within the gloves provides a framework of heat and puts the rider at an ease of riding. These gloves give good backup on recharges.

Riders witness freezing fingers while riding in winters. The impact of cold air also creates difficulty in taking control of the motorcycle gloves. These gloves are worth finding online, as you may come across discounts, variety and free shipments. The frosty weather does not stop playing havocs with the riders but you can give it a skip with effective motorcycle gloves.

Motorcycle Gloves: Warmth Exists Within:James

Motorcycle Line Rider

DUI and Motorcycles

Alcohol intoxication is a leading factor in motorcycle accidents and fatalities. Law enforcement officers have been trained to identify driving patterns that indicate a probability that a motorcyclist is driving while intoxicated. The driving patterns that police typically look for have been outlined by the National Highway Traffic and Safety Administration (NHTSA). NHTSA has delineated a number of "cues" that police officers can look for in detecting intoxicated motorcyclists. The list presented below represents, in descending order, the visual cues giving rise to the probability that the motorcyclist observed is driving while intoxicated. Often, police officers will observe several cues in conjunction, which increases the probability that the driver is intoxicated, that is, driving with a blood alcohol content (BAC), over the legal limit. Studies have indicated that cues by themselves or in conjunction with other cues, give rise to a statistical probability of intoxication.

The following cues have shown a 50 percent or greater probability in predicting impaired motorcycle operation. However, it is also 50 percent as likely that these cues do not reflect intoxication.

Drifting During Turn or Curve

Drifting during a turn or curve is the most common cause of single vehicle, motorcycle crashes. This occurs when the motorcycle and rider continues in a straight line instead of turning with the road, ultimately resulting in hitting a stationary object.

Another way this cue represents itself is where the motorcycle appearsto drift to the outside of the lane, or into another lane, through the curve or while turning a corner.

However, drifting in a lane is not uncommon where a person is distracted or is unfamiliar with the landscape.

Trouble with Dismount

Law enforcement officers look at the dismount as a helpful field sobriety test, as it is reflective of coordination and judgment. First, the motorcyclist must decide upon a safe place to stop the bike. Then the motorcyclist must turn off the engine, locate and deploy the kickstand, then balance on one foot while swinging the other foot over the seat to dismount. Officers look for any problems in the preceding sequence as evidence of alcohol impairment.

However, trouble with dismount is not necessarily an indication of intoxication. Where the officer pulls over the motorcyclist has a lot to do with the location of dismount. Plus, most people are rather nervous when pulled over, which is distracting. These factors have a lot to do with a dismount that takes place in front of an officer while he is waiting to write you a ticket.

Trouble with Balance at Stop

There are two general methods of balancing at a complete stop. One, where the rider places one foot on the ground to keep the bike upright, while leaving the other foot on the peg nearest the gear shift lever. Two, where the rider places both feet on the ground for stability. Law enforcement officers look for a shifting from side to side, in a rocking motion, in an effort to maintain balance at a stop.

However, there may be several reasons a rider cannot maintain balance, for example, if the road is not even, the bike is unfamiliar, or the rider is of small stature

Turning Problems

1) Unsteady During Turn or Curve: Law enforcement officers look for a motorcycles wheels to wobble when making a turn.

However, when the motorcycle is undergoing a turn or curve, it must slow down, which makes it less stable in an upright position. At higher speeds the gyroscopic effects of a motorcycle's wheels tend to keep the motorcycle "on track" so long as the speed is maintained. At slower speeds, the motorcycle is unsteady, so there is a higher probability of wobbling while turning.

2) Late Breaking During a Turn: Law enforcement officers look for the application of break lights during the turn as opposed to prior to the turn, as indicating impairment due to intoxication. The rationale here is that a motorcyclist normally breaks prior to entering a turn or curve, so the motorcyclecan accelerate through the maneuver for maximum control.

However, there are many reasons a rider would break during a turn as opposed to prior. For example, the rider may just drive that way, or is unfamiliar with the streets and the street he needs to turn on comes up faster than expected, or any number of reasons, which are not alcohol-related.

3) Improper Lean During Turn: Law enforcement officers look for the rider to be in an upright position during a turn, instead of leaning into the curve.

However, NHTSA indicates that this cue is observable by a "trained" observer, meaning it is not apparent otherwise. Also, where the turn is made safely, there is no indication of impairment due to intoxication.

4) Erratic Movements During Turn: Law enforcement officers look for any sudden correction of a motorcycle during a turn or curve.

However, there are many other factors which would cause a sudden movement during a turn. For example, the condition of the road may necessitate such a maneuver.

Inattentive to Surroundings

Law enforcement officers look for such things as:

1) Failing to notice the light has changed. However, people do this everyday. Getting lost in thought may cause you to not notice that the light has changed: This is not an indication of intoxication.

2) Failing to scan the area around the bike in traffic. However, this is not a requirement required by the DMV and is not necessary where the driver is experienced and the traffic is light. The motorcyclist decides based on road factors, traffic flow, and surroundings how vigilant to be; it is subjective and not an indication of intoxication.

3) Failing to respond to officer's emergency lights or hand signals. However, this cue can be negated by many reasonable factors, like the motorcyclist concentrating on the road, waiting to pull over on a safer stretch of road, or simply not observing the hand signals.

Inappropriate or Unusual Behavior

Officers are looking for any sorts of behavior which are "unusual" or "inappropriate."

However, this is a matter of subjection and is not necessarily an indicator of intoxication, but matters of circumstance.

Weaving

Weaving includes weaving within a lane and weaving across lane lines.

However, weaving may occur to avoid road hazards.

The following cues have been shown to have a 30-50% probability of indicating intoxication. However, at the same time, they are 50-70% times as likely of not being an indicator of intoxication.

Erratic Movements While Going Straight

Law enforcement officers look for any sudden corrections while attempting to ride in a straight line.

However, the NHTSA studied reflected a 51-70% probability that there is no impairment reflected in this cue.

Operating without Lights at Night

Because of the danger involved in motorcycles drivingwithout lights at night, the NHTSA studies indicated that there is a good chance that the operator is intoxicated.

However, there is a higher likelihood that this cue is not due to intoxication, but rather just an oversight of the rider.

Recklessness

Officers look for riding too fast as an indicator of impairment.

However, motorcyclists tend to ride faster than autos, so speeding is not necessarily an indicator of impairment.

Following too Closely

Officers look for a rider following at an unsafe following distance.

However, the distance between the motorcycle and other cars is not totally within the motorcyclist's control. Cars slowing would naturally decrease the following distance.

Running Stop Light or Sign

Officers look for the motorcycle failing to stop at a light or sign.

However, cars and motorcycle riders run lights and signs all the time, for a variety of reasons which are not indicators of intoxication.

Evasion

This cue occurs when an officer attempts to pull the motorcycleover and the motorcycle rider attempts to flee the officer instead.

This is a common occurrence which has nothing to do with impairment, 50-70% of the time.

Wrong Way

This cue occurs when the motorcycleis riding into opposing traffic, such as going the wrong way on a one-way street or crossing a center divider line to ride into opposing traffic.

However, 50-70% of the time this cue is not an indicator of impairment. Going the wrong way on a one-way street occurs with drivers everyday and is usually a matter of mistake. Crossing the divider line also occurs as a sudden movement to avoid another car going into the lane which occurs frequently to motorcycles because other driver's do not pay attention to the presence of motorcycles.

DUI and Motorcycles by Darren Kavinoky