Hints and Tips to Make Sure Your Day is Successful

Sport bike track days are becoming more and more popular. Twenty years ago it was nearly impossible to ride your street-legal motorcycle on an actual racetrack, but today you can find dozens of organizations and tracks that put on track days. Some track days are put on by brand-specific clubs, such as Club Desmo, while companies such as Fastrackriders invite all brands.

Once you've done a day of open practice at a racetrack, you may not go back to riding on the street. With no cops, no cars, no stoplights, and no speed limits, riding at a track can quickly become addicting. After a few track days you might even decide to start racing with a local club, such as the Willow Springs Motorcycle Club.

Here are a few tips, from a track day veteran, to help you have a successful and fun motorcycle track day:

1. Don't ride your bike to the track. While a few foolhardy individuals ride their bikes to track days, its really a bad idea. If you crash, how will you get home? How will you carry your tools and supplies for the day? And you'll likely be exhausted at the end of the day, the last thing you'll want to do is duke it out with the cages on the freeway for two hours. Put your bike in the back of a pickup truck or on a trailer, you'll be glad you did.

2. Don't be late. Get to the track nice and early, particularly if this is your first time. It will take a few minutes to figure out where to set you your pit, and to locate registration and tech inspection. You'll probably need a few minutes for last minute bike preparation as well. It's way better to have a little extra time, rather than be hurried and risk forgetting something.

3. Make sure you have medical insurance. While you're unlikely to run into a car out on the track, there's a small chance you'll go down. People have crashed at every track day I've ever been to, and chances are your club or organization will require that you have current medical insurance.

4. Prepare yourself. Get a good night's sleep. Don't drink alcohol for at least 1 hours prior to getting on the track. Make sure you're in decent medical condition, and good mental condition as well. Your fun will come to a rapid end if you're worrying about that paternity suit while entering Turn One at 120 miles per hour.

5. Bring things to make your day relatively comfortable. Lawn chairs, a cooler, maybe a small canopy or shade structure if you have one. You'll have some down-time in between track sessions, and its nice to have a place to sit down and relax for a few minutes. Bring some light food and snacks, and enough drinks to keep you hydrated thru the day, especially if its going to be a hot one.

6. Prepare your bike. Check with your local track day organization to see what their bike requirements are. Common requirements include:

a. New or nearly new tires

b. Tape off or remove lights, mirrors, turn signals.

c. Remove license plate.

d. Duct tape over wheel weights.

e. Replace coolant with water or Water Wetter.

In the past many track day organizers required bikes to have safety wire installed in crucial places such as the oil drain plug and brake calipers. These days, tho, few if any clubs require safety wire, as it's a pretty big pain to drill thru bolts. Again, check with your local club to see what they need you to do.

7. Bring gasoline and tools. Fill your tank before leaving your house, and bring an extra 5 gallons of gas, at a minimum. You could go thru 2 tankful's of gas during one day at the track, and gas may be very expensive, or unavailable, at the track. Bring a few tools, at least enough to adjust your chain and suspension settings. Bring an air pump and a tire gauge.

8. Most important: safety equipment. Make sure you bring a good quality DOT approved full face helmet, a set of riding leathers, good gloves, boots and back protector. Don't skimp on your safety equipment, it could literally save your life. Two piece zip-together leathers might be OK if you're not sure you'll ever ride on the track again. One piece racing type leathers are preferable.

Your day at the track will likely begin with a tech inspection and riders meeting. These are mandatory, not optional! Ask an instructor for tire pressure suggestions. Typically you'll want to run less tire pressure at the track than you do on the street.

Take it easy! Many crashes occur during the first laps of the day, when riders go out on cold tires and push the bike too much. Take it easy your first session. Learn the track, watch where other riders brake, accelerate, and turn. If available, take the new riders class, this will pay huge dividends in your riding, not to mention possibly saving you thousands of dollars on repairs to your bike.

I've often said that sport bike track days are the most fun you can have with your clothes on. It's not without risk, of course, but then what worthwhile activity is?

The Kawasaki Monster Traction Captivates Imagination

The Kawasaki Quad electric kids ATV is a fast and tough looking ATV that resembles an adult ATV but is actually a kid's toys with built in safety features. Kids will certainly enjoy the fun that comes with riding this electric ATV for kids. This is a great toy that will fully engage the senses and motor skills of a child as he or she rides in the outdoors. This item is backed by the quality standards of Fisher-Price, the well-known toy manufacturer of this item. Besides the fast speed and realistic exterior, this kids electric ATV also includes power lock brakes and speed controls for added safety.

Electric Kids ATV - Kawasaki Monster Traction

Although there are many electric ATV for kids, this Kawasaki model comes in red simply rises above the crowd for its realism and power. When compared with the Batman kids electric ATV, the Kawasaki version has more speed and power. It comes highly recommended for more mature kids who have grown tired of toddler level kids ATVs.

This electric kids ATV is suitable for any kid within the range of 3 to 5 years, and a maximum weight of 65lbs. The Kawasaki ATV is sturdily built and has wheels with lots of traction so that it is suitable for use in rough terrains such as gravel, wet grass and mud. With this ATV, kids can feel the real experience of riding an ATV even going tough and wet terrains.

The ATV uses a single 12 volt battery to move it forward as well as in reverse. This model of electric ATV for kids gives the slightly more matured kids of 3 - 5 years old a better driving experience as compared to the entry level ATVs which are more suitable for the younger kids, runs on lower power and can only move in one way, forward.

Why Buy This Kids ATV

Comparing to the other electric ATV for kids from the same price point, parents will be wise to choose the Kawasaki for several reasons. First, this ATV is a 4 wheel model by Fisher-Price, a renowned toys manufacturer has the capability to maximize the speed of the ATV at 5mph. The ATV comes with 2 speed selections; 5 mph and a slower 2.5mph. When the kid is new to the machine and not accustomed to it yet, parents should turn off the faster speed selection. It is also important that at whatever speed, kids should not ride out of sight and away from the easy reach of an adult supervisor.

Second, the Kawasaki ATV has really good brakes and it easy for the kids to control. Other factors supporting this purchase are the fact that installation is extremely easy and the kid can enjoy the experience in no time. Parents should have no problem setting it up the machine as well.

In conclusion, those who have bought the Kawasaki electric kids ATV for their kids gave the ATV a 4.6 rating out of a maximum of 5. Many parents consider this machine a bargain for the price of around $200. The main positives of this machines are the features and because it is very sturdy, providing optimum protection for the kid. This electric ATV for kids is comparable or even better than some of the most expensive models out there.

The Famous Kawasaki GPz900R

In the 1980s was all about power and speed. British motorcycles are pretty much faded from scene having been overtaken by the innovation and design of the Japanese manufacturers.

It was the 1968 Honda CB750 that really broke the mould as far as bikes went, taking the Japanese motorcycle industry away from the light and middleweight market and up into the heavyweight section. The British motorcycle industry, consisting at the time mainly of Triumph and BSA had underestimated the Japanese competitors by assuming that they would never dare take them on in the 500 cc plus market.

By the time the Kawasaki GPz900 came into the market, Honda had built up a huge reputation for power and innovation having already produced the VF750F which not only saw the introduction of its V4 engine and over 85 brake horsepower, it was also one of the first Japanese machines that was capable of doing more than simply travelling in a straight line, i.e. it could handle.

In recent years, Kawasaki have developed a reputation for developing powerful bikes, a reputation that back in the 80s had not yet been formed. It could be suggested that the big change occurred in 1981 with the launch of the GPz1100. Kawasaki were clever here, there was nothing particularly special about it is 1100 cc eight valve engine, but ensure performance terms it completely annihilated the competition and then Kawasaki built on this in 1984 with the introduction of the GPz900R.

Recently I was looking at these two bikes standing in a showroom side-by-side and in the same red colour. The bikes look almost identical, and although the rear tyres are somewhat thinner than you expect on the equivalent machine today, they still looked pretty cool.

Of the two however, it was the GPz900R ever became a true classic, with Kawasaki continuing to make them for 15 years. It saw off the two models it was intended to replace, namely the GPz1000RX and the ZX-10, both of which were discontinued before the GPz900R.

Powered by a liquid cooled four-cylinder 16 valve engine, a the bike achieves a sub 11 second standing quarter at Laguna Seca when the bike was launched, and hid in excess of 150 mph on the track. However, the speed wasn't simply confined to the straights, and despite having what many other manufacturers considered to be an outdated tubular steel spine frame, the GPz900R was one of the first bikes that could combine both power and handling, which was actually part of the original design brief.

Motor Scooter Reviews

 

A guide to motor scooter brands, prices and engine size to save you time before you start reading motor scooter reviews.

Motor scooters are a relatively new market in the U.S. and with over 50 brands available it's a good idea to spend some time reading the many online motor scooter reviews before you buy. However, nobody has got time to read through hundreds of reviews in the hope of finding the best quality, performance and price. This general motor scooter review will help you by explaining a little about which countries produce the best scooters.

For example, it's no good going to the motor scooter reviews looking for an American brand, because there are very few scooters made in the U.S. Almost all scooters are imported from Italy, Korea, Japan, Taiwan and China. When you talk to a dealer he'll always tell you what country the scooter comes from, but how will you know which country makes the best scooters?

Well most motor scooter reviews agree that Italy and Japan produce high quality scooters. Scooters from Korea and Taiwan are usually judged to be in the middle range and Chinese scooters are amongst the cheapest, but with a mixture of good and bad brands. So if you decide to buy a Chinese brand because you have a small budget, this is where motor scooter reviews will really help you to find a decent model.

Amongst the Italian brand names, Aprilia, Piaggio and Vespa are the ones that get the best motor scooter reviews for quality and reliability, but they are also the highest priced. And the well-known Suzuki, Yamaha and Honda brands are also reckoned to be high quality but expensive. Yamaha mopeds and Honda mopeds are also know as gas motorized scooters.

You can also buy a good quality scooter from little-known brands like Hyosung, Genuine, SYM or Kymco; they are a bit cheaper than the famous brands and are nearly as good. Your choice of brand may be restricted to what's available in your local dealership and if you read some motor scooter reviews before you talk to a dealer, it will help you with your final decision.

If you're looking for the best you can get at the cheapest price, have a look at the online stores. Their prices for decent brands are a lot cheaper than dealers because they have low overheads. Names like: Wildfire, Roketa, BMS, RoadRunner and Tank are discussed in plenty of motor scooter reviews and can be shipped right to your door. The drawback is that the guarantee on these scooters only covers parts.

Discount scooter brands like the Chinese: Schwinn, Lance, TNG and Flyscooters are not available online and you can only buy these from a dealer. But you should know that decent online brands are up to 500 dollars cheaper than these.

It's also possible to buy discount gas powered motorized scooters as second-hand deals and Vespa scooters for sale as used, are also available in some dealerships. Look out for the Yamaha Razz scooter, the Yamaha Zuma scooter and Cushman motor scooters which I can personally recommend as good gas motorized scooters.

Before you start consulting the reviews you need to decide what engine size is right for you. If you'll mostly be on roads with a 40 mph limit, a 50cc engine will do the job with a top speed of about 35mph - 40mph. They are pretty economical with a gas mileage of up to 100 mpg. Cheap mopeds are great for short neighborhood trips.

A 150cc engine will give you a top speed of 50mph - 60 mph and this is powerful enough to use on a highway occasionally and give a mileage of about 70 mpg. If you need a scooter to use regularly on the highways, a 250cc engine is the best choice. It has a top speed of 75 mph and a gas mileage of about 60 mpg.

Top Five Scooters to Buy

 

When looking to buy a scooter most people search for the top scooters to buy. Here is a list of the top five scooters in the marketplace and reasons why they are top scooter brands.

Honda Scooters
Honda has been producing both scooters and motorcycles longer than most of the competition. One of the most popular choices among scooters today is the Honda scooter since Honda is synonymous with high quality and durability. Honda produces numerous scooters with quite a variety of designs and options that you can choose from, which allows you to build a scooter that is perfect for you!

Yamaha Scooters
Another Japanese scooter manufacturer, Yamaha, creates a high quality scooter. Yamaha scooters are a great choice if you're looking for a powerful scooter that's fun to ride. Yamaha has been manufacturing scooters for some time so they know how to build a high quality scooter. Yamaha scooters come with a surprisingly price tag; the prices are surprisingly competitive.

Vespa Scooters
When looking at Vespa Scooters you need to ask yourself two questions: Does style matter? Is the Vespa name worth the money? You should also know that Vespa scooters give you more than just style and a name you also get a compact yet powerful engine and a sturdy steel frame. If price, style, power and durability is really what you're looking for in a scooter, Vespa is your choice.

Aprilia Scooters
Aprilia Scooters, another Piaggio owned brand, is manufactured in Italy and falls in line with most Italian scooters. You can expect a high detailed, full powered, two seater scooter that handles exceptionally. The acceleration is smooth yet extremely powerful. If you're willing to accept a price tag and looks similar to the Vespa, Aprilia Scooters may be the scooter you should buy.

Kymco Scooters
Looking for a low cost scooter, enter Kymco, a Taiwanese manufactured scooter. Kymco scooters have risen in popularity with the young crowd partially due to the curvy retro design and low cost. While Kymco scooters are affordable, what you gain in reduced price you lose in speed and power. However, the speed power does not seem to stop people from buying Kymco scooters.

Motor Scooter History

 

The history of motor scooters dates back to the 1800s. Gottlieb Daimler's Reitwagen of 1885 was one of the earliest scooter models but only served as an experimental application for the engine. It was not manufactured in a series or developed any further. The first well-documented and successful example of motor scooters that was available for purchase was the Hildebrand & Wolfmueller. This scooter was patented in Munich, Bavaria. The Hildebrand & Wolfmueller was one with a step-through hollow tube frame which used a twin cylinder water-cooled engine, both of which were well advanced for that day and age. The rear wheel was driven by pistons similar to those of a train, and used heavy rubber bands to provide a return impulse rather than rotational inertia. Only a few hundred of this model were ever built. This scooter though not a significant commercial success, did pave the way for power driven transportation. Apart from the high purchase price, there were some technical issues with the model such as absence of a clutch. This venture ended up as a financial failure for both Wolfmuller and Hildebrand, and no further improvements were made until post WWII.

The Vespa

Following our second world war when technological advancements and development were at an alltime low in Italy, financial support was granted by the Italian government to companies which were engaging in producing innovated vehicles. Ferdinado Innocenti of Milan brought forth the modern scooter. Along with the designer Corrandino D'ascanio, Piaggio's engineer designed, constructed, and flew the first modern helicopter, and based on the earlier military motorcycles, the first blueprint designs were produced of a motor scooter resembling the one that we know today.

D'Ascanio couldn't stand motorcycles, so he set out to design a simple, sturdy, and economical vehicle that was comfortable yet elegant. The first Vespa was produced in 1946, and had a 98cc engine and a top speed of 47mph. In 1948, the first 125cc Vespa was manufactured. Upon seeing the vehicle, Enrico Piaggio remarked "Sembra una Vespa!" ("It looks like a wasp!"), because it did not at all resemble an uncomfortable and noisy motorcycle. The steel frame's shape protected the rider from road dirt and debris and the shape was elegant. By 1949, 35,000 motor scooter units had been produced and a million by 1960. By that time they were also manufactured in Germany, Great Britain, France, Belgium, Spain, and of course, Italy.

Vespa has had several images. It was first the two-wheeler of the post war economic boom, then, during the anti-Vietnam war years, a symbol for revolutionary ideas and social alienation.

The Lambretta

Back to early scooter beginnings, Innocenti, in collaboration with Pierluigi Torre, went on to produce the Lambretta, which made its first appearance at the 1947 Paris Motor Show. When gasoline was strictly rationed, the new Lambretta was highly economical getting better than 160 mpg. With a 123cc engine and achieving a maximum speed of 45 mph, the new scooter was extremely successful.

Scooters in Asia

In Japan, Taiwan, Tailand, and much of the Orient, motor scooters rule the roads. Taiwan has a population of 23 million, of these 23 million 11 of them own registered motor scooters.

Scooters in America

Following Cushman in the 1950s, many manufacturers all over the world have come out with fascinating designs for the American scooter market. The Italian scooters Vespa, Lambretta, Benelli, Piaggio, Gilera, and Malaguti followed a grand tradition but were later joined by China, Taiwan, Japan, Korea, Spain, England, and Germany who produced such scooters as Honda, Yamaha, Suzuki, Phantom, Aprilia, Annata, Roketa, Peugeot, Tank Bandit, and many more.

What to Buy Now

The is a current battle between the revival of the classic motor scooters ; the somewhat cheaper established brands of Japan and Taiwan: Honda, Suzuki, Yamaha, Kycmo, with their dealers and worldwide support; and several inexpensive lines of Korean and Chinese scooters. Support with some imports can be irregular and sometimes non-existent, so it is essential for one to do business with a reputable dealer who will handle registration and other details. The Chinese models, Roadrunner, Tank, Phantom, Annata, Roketa, Rascal range in price from 1/3 to 1/2 those of equivalent Japanese models. Roadrunner, Tank, Annata, Roketa, Chaunl, and Phantom come from reputable companies.

For more information on current vintage gas & electric motor scooters see: vintageannatascooters.com

Ducati:A Brief History

In 1926, Adriano and Marcello Ducati founded a company that specialised not in motorcycles, but the production of radio components. During the war years, they turned their attention toward electronic military equipment. This move made their factory a target for allied bombing, but despite frequent, serious damage, they managed to remain in production. In 1950, Ducati launched their first motorcycle, which was based on the already well established Cucciolo engine. This power unit, designed by Aldo Farinelli, was originally created as a strap on motor for push bikes. By the time Ducati adopted it, 200,000 units had been produced. This first creation by Ducati was capable of 40mph and 200 mpg and weighed in at 98 pounds. These bikes were badged as 55M or 65TL.

Post-war economic growth put more money in Italians' pockets and with it the need for something more sophisticated, so at the Milan Show of 1952, the company introduced the 65TS and the cruiser, which was the first four-stroke scooter in the world. Unfortunately, the public didn't embrace the idea as Ducati had hoped, and the model was withdrawn the following year with sales barely reaching the 2,000 mark. At this time, Ducati were still making electronic equipment, so the decision was made to split the company and Ducati Elettronica SpA was created under separate management.

Ducati Meccanica SpA, led by Dr Guiseppe Montano, became the motorcycle manufacturing company that we know today, and by 1954 were turning out 120 units per day as the factory was modernized with government aid. Although Montano was appointed by the government, he was a genuine motorcycle lover and realised the potential of racing to induce customers to buy his machines. By 1956, the Desmo Ducati 125 won its first race in Sweden. The Grand Prix at Hedemora saw the Ducati lap every other motorcycle. Sadly, the man who achieved this feat, Gianni Degli Antoni, died during practice for the following race. This unfortunate accident hit Ducati hard, and it wasn't until 1958 that they could once again challenge MV Agusta.

As the 50's drew to a close, the Berliner Brothers picked up the American franchise and pushed Ducati to the forefront in the USA. With no little flair, they began punching above their weight and mounted a serious challenge to the wave of Japanese machines that were coming into the country. At this time, the company was also enjoying success in other export markets as well as at home. In the mid sixties, Ducati became the Italian outlet of Standard-Triumph cars and Leyland vans and trucks. It seemed as if they could do no wrong, but the American market was about to give them a reminder of the fragility of success. Ducati insisted on pushing their 50cc two-strokes on the American public. Although these machines had accrued many sales in Italy, the contrary was true of the USA, as the nation snubbed what were in fact very good machines. Rather than heed the warning, the company pressed ahead and created a 100cc two-stroke, when they really should have been developing their much loved sporting four-strokes. Berliner suffered to such an extent, that they refused one shipment of bikes because they didn't have the money to pay them, even if they could have sold them in the States.

As Ducati struggled to compete with the mass produced Japanese motorcycles, the future looked gloomy, but once again they turned to their racing roots, creating 750's which took first and second places at Imola in 1972. A major coup for the company was the securing of the services of rider, Paul Smart, who was at that time racing for Kawasaki. The story goes that he wasn't at home when the call came, but the financial lure was so strong that his wife accepted the offer on his behalf. Success at Imola sparked the beginning of the love affair between big racing bikes and Ducati.

Today, Ducati riders are some of the most loyal when it comes to brand allegiance. Their reward is to be the owner of one of one most strikingly beautiful machines available. The company has achieved success by following its racing roots. At the company's headquarters, you can visit the museum and re-live over 50 years of racing history.

The Magnificent Ducati Monster

I don't know about you but I like them beautiful, naked, noisy and lively; bikes that is!
If you're the same then you'll love the Ducati Monster range.

The Ducati Monster was originally designed by Miguel Angel Galluzzi (god bless him!) and was first launched by the Bologna superbike firm in 1993.
It is a testament to Galluzzi's vision that the Monster now accounts for half of Ducati's overall sales.

Like all of the best Ducati's the Monster is an 90 degree v-twin, often called an L-twin. It has the now infamous desmodomic valve engine lovingly cradled within a tubullar steel trellis chassis.
With its initial launch in the early 1990s Ducati introduced three Monster options; M600, M750 and M900.
The M900, was the first model released in in 1993

The M600 followed a year later in 1994 and the M750 finally graced our shores in in 1996.

Later on a smaller displacement model, the M400, was developed for those countries where the tax system punishes the ownersof large capacity, high performance bikes.

The M400 was mainly aimed at the far east and pacific rim,although it was also sold in Ducatis native market;Italy.  The M400 had the same engine components as the M600 but had a shorter stroke crankshaft and smaller diameter pistons.

The design of the Monster remained pretty much unchanged until around 2000, when fuel injection was added to the M900. In 2001 Ducati unveiled the S4, adding a liquid-cooled 4-valve Superbike to the range.

2001 also saw the addition of improved braking capacity using semi-floating front disc brakes with Brembo four-piston callipers, weight was further reduced with much lighter Brembo wheels, and suspension was upgraded to 43 mm Showa inverted forks.

In 2002 a special edition, the first of many; the S4 Fogarty was offered. To guarantee exclusivity it was limited to a production run of 300.

Between 2005-7 the Monster freak could choose from six basic models: the 695, 696, S2R 1000, S4R Testastretta, S4R S Testastretta, and S4R S Tricolore.

The Monster 695 replaced the Monster 620 and was the foundation of the range and offered the greatest power per CC of any Ducati air-cooled engine to date.

The new flagship model;the S4RS Testastretta was a beast and employed the engine from the 999 Superbike and was supplied with Öhlins suspension front and rear and radial front brakes.

The Monster 696 was officially launched in early April, 2008 in Barcelona. It soon became the best selling Monster in the history of the range.

Ducati Followed rapidly with the awesome Monster 1100 in September 2008.

http://www.ducatimonster.org

This was Based on the Monster 696, but came with a much larger 1100cc engine, radial brake callipers and a single-sided swing arm.

A sportier edition,the 1100 "S" came with upgraded Öhlins suspension.

Weight savings such as a lighter crankcases and a single-sided swing arm that is 11lb lighter than the

1098 sports bike's, contribute to making the 373lb bike the lightest in its class.

The Monster has lots oodles of torque much of which is delivered well before the 6,000rpm peak.

It is the torque, combined with lightness that make the Monster so popular.Above 2,000rpm the bike is a delight to ride on tight twisting roads.There may be more powerful bikes but show me something more fun to ride than the Monster and I'll eat my crash helmet.

For a Ducati the Monster is well priced and relatively cheap to maintain and run.The tank is quite small but even the 1100 will see 50mpg if you don't strangle the throttle too much.

The Ducati Monster

Credited as the bike which saved Ducati in troubled times the Ducati Monster was first launched in 1993 to critical acclaim. Sharing parts from several model ranges it took the frame from the 916 family, married to a carburetted aircooled engine ranging from the M400 through to the M900 (M400, M600, M750, M900). With bodywork designed by Miguel Angel Galluzzi it was an instant hit with its back to basics design remit, light weight, sports bike handling and awesome exhaust note.

Early in 2000 Ducati added fuel injection to the M900 and in 2001 shoehorned the watercooled 916 engine from the 916 superbike into the Monster creating the S4, a brutally fast and fun naked bike. Adding premium components from the likes of Brembo, Marchesini, Showa and other manufacturers they created a bike which would become legendary for it's versatility and ability.

In 2005 it was all change again with the retirement of the famous 916 power plant, only for the engine to be replaced with the Testastretta engine from the 999 Superbike creating the top of the range S4R. Adorned with Ohlins suspension, Marchesini alloy wheels and radial brakes it took the performance and handling of the Monster to the next level. At the same time coinciding with an all new engine range for the Super Sport range the Monster inherited the all new 2 valve 800 and 1000 engines becoming the S2R 800 and S2R 1000 respectively, although, it could be argued that the term "all-new" is incorrect as the engines were modified 750cc and 900cc power plants from the Super sport ranges.

Moving to the current Monster Range, there are three models: the 696, 1100, and 1100S. The Monster 696 was announced in November 2007 and officially launched early April 2008 in Barcelona. The Monster 1100 was announced in September 2008. Based on the Monster 696, it comes with a larger 1078 cc engine, a single sided swing arm, radial brake callipers, larger diameter forks and taller suspension. The 1100 "S" model features fully adjustable Öhlins suspension components, a different colour scheme and aluminium brake disc carriers reducing weight. All models have been praised by the press and public alike, and in what is quite a rare achievement actually take the best of the older models and improve upon them both technically and aesthetically.

Like most enthusiast marques, there is a very active trade in aftermarket performance parts and customisation with a lot of owners choosing to fit freer flowing exhausts, premium suspension, lighter wheels and carbon fiber accessories from manufacturers such as Termignoni, Arrow, Fast By Ferracci, Akrapovic and Ducati Performance, ohlins, Marchesini and Showa to name but a few, all of these parts taking an already good standard bike and making it better.

The Monster range has also spawned several signature products including Monster watches and clothing, but most notably the Ducati Burton snowboard, a collaboration between two of the hottest brands of the present day, Ducati and Burton snowboards. The Ducati Monster snowboards were produced in strictly limited numbers, appearing in a gloss red or matt black, adorned in both cases with a stomp pad manufactured to look like the fuel filler on the Monster road bike. Both are very rare and very collectable.

The Euro-Spec Streetfighter We Don't Get Stateside

Europe is the birthplace of the original streetfighter motorcycles, stripped-down sportbikes that engendered an entirely new class of production bikes termed "street-nakeds" or "sport standards," among other names. Europeans still love sporty bikes that come from the factory sans fairings, and in the last couple of years, Kawasaki has really hit the market sweet-spot with their Z750.

After the global financial crisis, however, sales began to taper off. Fortunately, Kawasaki has responded aggressively, introducing the new 2011 Kawasaki Z750R. New styling is the most marked departure from the bike's predecessor. There is an all-new bikini fairing up front, as well as new instrumentation in the gauge cluster. There is also a new muffler, or you can opt for an Akrapovic system for an additional cost. Other options include a spoiler and faux carbon fiber design pieces.

The Z750R will be powered by a 16-valve, DOHC inline-four that displaces 748cc. Power is claimed to peak at 106 hp at 10,500 RPM, along with 58 lb-feet of torque at 8300 RPM. The standard Z750 chassis will remain unchanged; however, much has been updated and enhanced in terms of suspension and braking. The fork will be a 41mm inverted model - a carryover from the 2009 Z1000 - and the swingarm will be an all-new element with a piggyback-style shock adjustable for both preload and rebound.

Front brakes will feature 300 mm rotors coupled with four-piston, radial-mounted calipers. The rotors will also be thicker than standard Z750 fare at 6.0 mm as opposed to 4.5 mm. ABS will be available - for a price.

In terms of paint schemes, the Z750R will be available in either two-tone or a very cool matte-black. Now if Kawasaki would just bring this sport-naked to US shores! Suzuki is bringing the GSR750, a very comparable machine in terms of concept, performance, and design.

Aprilia RS 125 Finance - How Should You Finance a Motorcycle Purchase?

If you are after an Aprilia RS 125, finance can seem like a superb idea when you are there in the showroom, surrounded by beautiful machines and dreaming of your first blast on a deserted road. The important thing to remember is that finance companies can only exist by making money. They make money by lending you money.

If you purchase a bike outright at $4000, buying it on finance could mean you end up paying $5000 for it. It will also mean that you are paying for your bike for several years during which time you might want to move onto something else. You also need to be aware that if you can't keep up with finance payments, your bike could get repossessed.

Having debts hung around your neck is never fun. Even if you can keep up with your payments the thought of owing so much can be quite stressful. Nobody can predict what financial position you will be in a few years from now (what happens if you can't work or get fired?) and overstretching yourself on a financing plan today could put you in a terrible position tomorrow. Bad credit history can follow you around for a long time and affect you when you try to get a mortgage or bigger loans down the line.

Getting quotes for Aprilia RS 125 finance (or finance for any other motorcycle) can seem overwhelming. Ultimately, you need to ask how much you will repay. If it seems reasonable, establish how much you will be paying each month and how many months you will be paying the loan off for.

Ultimately, Aprilia RS 125 Tuning does not recommend getting your motorcycle on finance. Aprilia RS 125 finance is a bad idea for young people and it can land you in a pretty bad situation. If you are itching to get a bike, cut back on what you don't need, work harder and start saving. The reward and feeling of throwing down cash for your new bike and owning it outright will be sweet.

Used Harley Davidson Bikes

If you are desirous to acquire a Harley Davidson bike, it's not only you but there are plenty of buyers looking for them to buy. Even in unsatisfactory conditions of economy, Harley Bikes you will find to keep selling preferably used than new ones. The Harley Davidson logo is being admired and accepted as one of the highest popular tattoos globally. Really, there's no other one pretty like a Harley bike model.

So you may be not clear whether to go down to the local merchant and ride home over a shimmering new model of Harley bike or you maybe possible to go for a used Harley Davidson bike. There are some positives and negatives for both options, but most probable that you will seriously mull over going to a resale market. Here are certain reasons why:

Of course a brand new Harley bike will include all the latest advancements, but procuring one used just some years old can actually save you thousands. Motorcycles are similar to cars, once a buyer signs a sales agreement, it starts losing value.

As scores of Harley bike holders expend some serious money over tailoring their bikes, large numbers of used bikes have several really fresh, luxurious trimmings. The good news for a buyer is that these alterations or modifications don't generally hold their value any longer than the rest of the bike. So a new buyer can get both the bike and the entire upgrades for enough less than the original possessor has invested in the Harley Davidson bike.

One another reason to think about some used Harley Bikes is to be a bit special in the crowd. When a quantity of models is built year after year like clockwork, other bike versions are only made available for short periods. Acquire one of them and you will adjoin something a little more exceptional than the majority people. An illustration of this could be the 100th Anniversary model that was presented with some extraordinary paint and spruce to celebrate the anniversary of the Harley Davidson Bikes.

It needs to do some homework if you want some reasonable priced used Harley Bike. Go through the blue book price catalogues online and see what the middling price is for the Harley Davidson model you are in search of. Visit a number of the websites selling used Harley Davidson bikes and find what some have sold for currently. When you have hit upon a candidate, ask to provide its maintenance records or also consider bringing the bike to a mechanic for detail checking. Check the tires plus brakes. Check narrowly for scratches, dents including other damage.

When you have had complete checking of your desired model of used Harley Bike, request for a test ride. You must be prepared to present a valid motorcycle license, because the owner may be justifiably unwilling to give a beginner his Harley bike for a ride. Locating some precise used Harley Davidson Bike can be a bit more than just going to a dealer and picking out a new bike, however the additional effort can truly pay off.

What to Look for When Buying KTM Graphics

If you are the owner of a KTM dirt bike, motocross or trail bike, if you want to look differently from everyone else, the best place to start is buying your own set of graphics. Should you think you are good enough to join a team, one of the best things to make you stand out apart from skill - is a set of KTM Graphics that makes you really stand out from the others, and catch the eye of prospective teams.

When you buy a set of KTM Graphics, you then have to decide if you are going to put them on the bike yourself or get a professional to apply them for you. A badly attached set of graphics does make a motorbike look tacky. Luckily there are a lot of videos to give you advice on how to apply graphics. If you follow them and always use a hairdryer when installing or removing old graphics of the bike you should doalright.

You should also check out all your plastic cover for cuts or damage. It is better to replace damaged plastics before applying graphics (Not like I did). As the marks can still be seen through the graphics which makes it hardly worth the time putting them on. You can repair smallish marks on your plastics quite successfully.

You can do a lot of searching and find a set of KTM Graphics that you consider shows off your personality. You can get a set of graphics to go onto your bike, car, trailer or anything else helmet etc. . that will give you a standardised look right throughout your whole set of equipment. You can buy removable graphics, that can be used more than once.

Also if you want to sell your bike, if the new owner doesn't like your graphics, you either have to take them off or lose the sale. That is a bigger problem if you get an artist to paint permanent graphics. You may think they are great but a prospective buyer may not like them at all. So good luck and go and have a look to see what type of graphics you consider suits your personality and not your "friends"

Jimmy is a newbie internet marketer. I have owned several motorbikes and fitted graphics to all of them. Some more successful than others. But with Utube you can pretty well find out how to install new or remove old graphics.You can find out more here:

http://www.ektmgraphics.com

BMW Motorcycles - Sleek And Sexy

When most people hear the company name BMW, they usually associate it immediately with the high end automobiles that the company is well known for. Often they picture sleek sports cars and luxury sedans that epitomize an ideal blend between safety and high speed performance.

What most people don't know, however, is that BMW had it's beginnings in 1923 not with cars, but with motorcycle production. To this day, BMW constantly comes out with new models of motorcycles employing cutting edge technology. Their racing teams see constant action in the international racing circuits, and win quite a number of these races with regularity.

As a matter of fact, some BMW racing teams like to show off the specs of their machines by beating modified motorcycles from other groups, but they do so using only stock motorcycles that can be bought straight off the showroom floor by regular people. This impressive fact stands out and is something to bear in mind if you're considering buying a motorcycle.

BMW has enjoyed such a high level of popularity that almost every country in the world has exclusive BMW motorcycle clubs for racers, owners, and enthusiasts. These clubs promote the popularity of BMW motorcycles by holding races, rallies, showroom events, and regular meetings among it's members.

Aside from the high levels of speed and overall performance of it's cars and motorcycles, however, BMW machines are also well known for one other thing. Sheer durability. BMWs are some of the toughest vehicles around, and their motorcycles also bear this same stamp of durability. Despite looking like racing bikes, which in the mind of most people means that a bike is delicate and can only function at top specs on a race track, BMW bikes have actually seen action in quite a number of off-road and all-weather competitions.

The only drawback perhaps to the BMW is it's price tag, which tends to be higher than the average motorcycle. However, most BMW owners feel that the price is a worthwhile trade off for all the perks of the bike. As a matter of fact, it's price and quality have made owning a BMW a status symbol.

The price actually works to the advantage of some of the more knowledgeable motorcycle enthusiasts, who have made a livelihood out of restoring BMWs or selling them to collectors. Because of the popularity and prestige of BMW, older model beemer bikes have become vintage units that can fetch a hefty price with the right people.

A Review of Ducati 1098 Carbon Fiber Termignoni Exhaust Silencers - Money Well Spent?

One of the first changes that a lot of Ducati owners make to their bikes after being run is to change the stock exhaust silencers for less restrictive aftermarket ones. This has the twofold effect of making the bike louder and also releasing a few extra straining ponies (as if a 1098 really needed it!) - Oh, and they look great as well! Bonus!

There are a dazzling array of manufacturers who are producing both full systems and slip on silencers for the Ducati range, however due to the success of their products in racing, and the fact that they are the weapon of choice for the factory Corse Racing team, Termignoni has arguably edged it's way into pole position as the number one Ducati exhaust manufacturer.

Termignoni have a wide selection of systems to fit the 1098 family, from slip on silencers to full titanium and carbon fiber race systems at a full 70mm diameter. It is the carbon fiber 1098 silencer kit that we are having a look at today and is the focus of this review.

Contained in the kit is the complete inventory required to fit the less restrictive carbon silencers including an updated race ECU to adjust the fuelling to match the increased airflow, and also a high throughput performance air filter to balance out the additional fuelling. In addition there are the mountings and bands to support the pipes under the seat, so in summary this is an entire turn key solution.

Fitting isn't beyond the realms of a competent home mechanic, the pipes are precision made and as such fit without the need for any tweaking, the only tricky bit being the installation of the air filter which requires tank removal. Other than that the ECU replacement is exactly that - remove old, insert new (with battery disconnected PLEASE!!), pipes bolt into place and job done.

So how do they work and sound? Well, starting with the easy answer first - they sound awesome, deeper, more boomy but without the muffled sound of the stock pipes. The kit does include a pair of decibel killers in case your neighbors are members of the sound police but it sounds good even with these inserted.

Now to the harder question, do they work? Well, without putting every bike on the dyno it is impossible to comment fully, suffice to say that typically you will see up to an 8% increase in horsepower, impressive given the already high state of tune on the stock engine.

As a conclusion, these are an absolute no brainer, lighter than stock which is always good, sound absolutely fantastic, release a few more horsepower, are easy to install and look like they should be on the grid of a world superbike race. Final bonus is that they are some $700 cheaper than the titanium variant.

My only reservation, and it is a small one, I am not a fan of race ECU's as there is a massive variance in output of stock bikes so a one size fits all approach isn't ideal - I prefer the infinite tuneability of a Power Commander, however these pipes do work well with the race ECU so wouldn't worry too much about the later as it is all within tolerance. So yes, money well spent indeed!

For reference they are Ducati Part No: 9115707B and fit the following bikes -1098 2007/ 2008, 1098 S 2007/ 2008

To read reviews on more Ducati Tuning parts, FREE tips and information on all aspects of Ducati performance tuning and ownership visit our website at http://www.ducatiperformanceparts.net.

Simon Cliffe is a Ducati fan having owned a dozen different models over the past 20 years. Currently the proud owner of a 2000 Ducati 996SPS and mid way through a project to assemble a 999 based track bike, he also runs http://www.ducatiperformanceparts.net a website dedicated to the tuning and maintenance of all Ducati motorcycles and accessories, from the aircooled bikes of the 70's through to the latest superbikes.

Visit the website for more tips, information, reviews and inane banter on all things Ducati.

BMW Motorcycles - A Brief History

It was the Treaty of Versailles that changed the face of BMW. Up until the end of World War 1, BMW was a manufacturer of aircraft engines. Its famous blue and white circular badge, which is said to represent aircraft propellers in motion, being a reminder of the company's past. The fact that the logo actually derives from the colours of the flag of Bavaria, and was used a good 12 years before BMW began to build aircraft engines, has done nothing to interfere with the popular myth.

When the German Air Force was disbanded and outlawed after the war, BMW had to turn its attentions elsewhere to put bread on the table. After briefly flirting with the manufacturer of agricultural machinery and even office furniture, they began building motorcycles. At that time, the chief designer was a man named Max Friz, who was responsible for the famous Boxer engines, the first of which was based on a British Douglas design.

In 1923, the R32 was born, which was to become the basis of future Boxer powered BMW's. This motorcycle used the shaft drive system which would feature in all BMW motorcycles up until 1994.

BMW motorcycles were to prove invaluable in North Africa during World War 2. Not having a chain that could clog with sand, they were so successful that Harley-Davidson were requested by the US military, to copy the machine, which they duly did and produced the Harley-Davidson XA. With the German war machine insatiable for motorcycles, the company flourished during the war years, but as Germany's fortunes declined, so did BMW's. Its Munich factory was razed to the ground by bombing and after the war the Russians dismantled the Eisenach plant and re-assembled it in Irbit. Not only that, but the cream of their engineers were taken to Russia or the USA to work on jet engines research.

As the restriction on motorcycle production was eased, BMW had to go back to basics. None of the old plans had survived, so the engineers were forced to use pre-war motorcycles as a template for their new machines. The bike that came off the production line was the R24, which incidentally had no rear suspension. In 1949 over 9,000 R24's were built, a figure which rose to more than 17,000 by 1950. The R68, a sports motorcycle was introduced in 1952. This 594cc machine was to become something of a collector's piece, as less than 1,500 were produced.

The 1950's saw a downturn in motorcycle demand. This period saw a reduction in output from 30,000 units to less than 6,000 by 1957. By the late 50's the vast majority of BMW motorcycles were being exported to the USA, Butler and Smith inc. having the sole distribution rights, but although American sales were strong, the company was struggling to survive. With the financial help of Herbert Quandt and the blossoming automobile division, BMW pulled through, and in 1959, cementing it's American reputation, John Prenton rode a BMW R69 from New York to Los Angeles in 53 hours and 11 minutes, and in doing so, shaved over 22 hours off the existing record.

The R27, the last of the single cylinder models was introduced in 1967. Times were changing and the public demanded different machines, and so BMW's were built, not with Sidecars in mind, but sporty performance. In 1970 the company introduced an entirely re-vamped range of motorcycles; the R50/5, the R60/5 and the R75/5. In 1974 the 500cc model was removed from the catalogue and replaced with a 900cc bike. In 1975 the R90S was introduced and soon earned the tag of the best 'Supersports' motorcycle of its day.

1977 saw the arrival of the first one litre engined motorcycles from BMW. This year also welcomed the first 'Full Fairing' to a BMW machine. In 1978 the R100T was thrown into the ring to compete with Honda's Goldwing.

1986 brought the world's first electrically adjusted windscreen on the K100LT, which at first seemed a little eccentric, but is now used on various BMW models and has in fact been copied by Honda, Yamaha and Kawasaki.

It was BMW who in 1988 introduced ABS to the motorcycle world when it became standard on all their K models, the R1100S acquiring it in 1993. It is now fitted to almost all the company's shaft driven bikes.

Despite the near demise of the company after World War 2, the company has risen to be unquestionably one of the finest motorcycle manufacturers in the world.

Harley History - The Amazing Harley J Motorcycles

Harley introduced the first of its J model F Head, V-twin motorcycles as a 1915 model. It was a 61 cubic inch, F-head, V-twin engine with a three-speed transmission and electric lighting. It was the only year model to feature the Remy Model 15 magneto-generator with vacuum-operated battery cutout. The J Model Harley retailed for $310, making it the most expensive Harley motorcycle on the market at the time. Harley built 3,719 Model J motorcycles in 1915.

The price for the 1916 Harley J dropped $15 from the previous year to $295, and sales climbed to 5,898 motorcycles. There were some subtle changes over the previous model, including gas tanks with rounded edges, wider front forks, stronger wheel rims and an improved front wheel hub, and an upgrade to the Remy Model 250 generator with mechanical switch. This was the first year Harley-Davidson stamped the model year into the engine identification number.

1917 saw the Harley J increase back to the original 1915 price of $310 as sales soared to an impressive 8,527 Harley J motorcycles sold. Options included a Schebler Deluxe carburetor, 26 inch wheels, choice of Goodyear Blue Streak or Firestone Non-Skid tires and either the Troxel Jumbo saddle or Troxel Wizard saddle.
In 1918 the Harley J was renamed the J-Solo. The price climbed to $320 as sales trimmed to 6,571 motorcycles.

In 1919 Harley-Davidson added the JS Sidecar Twin to the J Solo motorcycle for the street and on the specialty side - the JA, JB, and JF motorcycles. The JA featured the Harley A motor, the JB featured a Harley B motor, and the JF featured a "500" motor. The J-Solo and J Sidecar each sold for $370 and sold 9,941 machines between the two.

1920 was the year Harley expanded the J series to include the J-Solo and JS-Sidecar (which now has sidecar gearing) plus the JF ("500" motor), JB (B motor), JE (E motor), JA (A motor), and the first JD with the larger 74 cubic inch F-Head V-twin as well as a sidecar version - the JDS. The J and JS sold for $395 and Harley sold 14,192 J model motorcycle.
1921 saw more larger displacement JDs move into the line up, which consisted of the J Solo, the JS - Sidecar, JD Solo and JDS - Sidecar on the street side, and on the specialty side the JA, JDA, and JE. The J and JS models sold for $485, and the JD and JDS sold for $520. Sales declined to 45,26 J models, and 2,321 JDs. The Harley "A" motor was specified as a high speed Police model. The "B" motor was a high compression motor for high altitude use, and the "E" motor was a special racing one.
The J Solo, JS -Sidecar, JD Solo and JDS - Sidecar machines continued in production as 1922 models, as did three specialty models - the JA, JDA and JE. Prices dropped considerably to $365 for the Harley J and JS, and to $390 for the JD and JDS. Production dropped considerably also to only 3,183 Harley J motorcycles and 3,988 Harley JDs.

The line up stays about the same in 1923 with the J, JS, JD and JDS. Specialty models are the JDA, JE and JDCA. Prices continue to drop to $305 for the Harley J and JS and to $330 for the JD and JDS. Sales increased tio 4,802 Harley J motorcycles and to an impressive 7,458 Harley JD motorcycles. The hinged rear fender was added to these motorcycles for convenience when changing the rear wheel.

1924 finds the addition of the aluminum alloy pistoned E series Harleys. The line up includes the JE, JES Sidecar, JD, JDS Sidecar, JDCA *aluminum alloy piston) and JDSCA Sidecar. The JE and JES priced dropped to $320, the JD and JDS increaed to $335, and the JDCA and JDSCA sold for $345. Harley sold 4,994 JE models, 2,995 JD models, 3,034 JDCB models and 3,014 JDCA motorcycles (including and original pint one thet I own). This was the only year Harley used the large box shaped muffler.

In 1925 Harley offered the JE, JES Sidecar, JDCB and JDCBS Sidecar motorcycles. The JE models retailed for $315 and sold 4,114 motorcycles. The larger displacement JD series price was $335 and Harley sold 9,506 of them. The new Harley J frame lowered the saddle three inches compared to earlier years. Harley moved to larger and rounded teardrop gas tanks and added wider but smaller diameter tires to gave the Harley JD series a huskier look. Color choices did not change since 1917 - anything the customer wanted, as long as it was Olive Drab.

The 1926 Harley line up for the J series motorcycles did not change - the proven 4 remained - the 61 cubic inch J Solo & JS Sidecar - which retailed at $315, and the larger and more expensive 74 cubic inch JD Solo and JDS Sidecar which sold for $335. The smaller J motorcycles sold 3,749 and the larger and more expensive JD Harleys sold 9,544 about the same as the previous year.It was the first year Harley offered a muffler cutout to deflect the exhaust gasses away from the rider. These models also featured a switch panel with a key lock and control levers.

The line up did not change for Harley in 1927. The same four J and JD models for the street but several new ones on the specialty side. They included the Harley JK Special Sport and the Harley JDL both with generator ignition. in 1927 Harley sold 3,561 J models for $310, and 9,691 JD motorcycles for $320. Harley introduced the "wasted spark" ignition this year with the distributorless ignition using a circuit breaker and single coil to fire both spark plugs at the same time.

The J models dominated Harley's offerings in 1928. It icluded the following: J Solo, JS Sidecar, JX Sport Solo, JXL Special Sport Solo, JH (61 cubic inch 2 cam), JD Solo, JDS Sidecar, JDX Sport Solo, JDXL Special Sport Solo, JDH Solo (74 cubic inch 2-cam). Costs were $310 for the J, JS, & JX models, $320 for the JD, JDS, and JDX models, $325 for the JXL, $335 for the JDXL, $360 for the JH and $390 for the JDH. 4,184 Harley J models sold and an impressive 11,007 JD motorcycles too. This was the year Harley introduced the front brake and the hot rod 2-cam JH and JDH models.

1929 was the last year for Harley to sell the J series motorcycles. In 1929 Harley offered the following J series models: J Solo, JH 2-cam Solo, JS Sidecar, JD Solo, JDS Sidecar, JDH 2-cam Solo. Harley also offered the JXL, JDXL and JDF motorcycles. The J series sold for $310, The JD models for $320 and the JDH sold for $370. All told they sold 13,068 J and JD series motorcycles in 1929. It was the only year the J series were factory equpped with the dual bullet headlights, the electric switch panel and ammeter on the handlebars, and the 4 tube "Pan o' Pipes" exhaust muffler set up.

For more information on classic Harley motorcycles, visit http://www.caimag.com, where is article was first published.

New Or Used Motorcycle Buying Guide - Seven Great Tips

Buying a motorcycle? Find out what are the essential seven things you need to know about before you rush into purchasing that bike.

SELECT BEST MOTORCYCLE FOR YOU

The most common question I hear is "What's the best bike?"

It's easy when you only have one choice, like Ural in the former Soviet Union. But here, in the land of opportunities and freedom, you've definitely got much more to choose from. There are over 300 motorcycle models you can consider!

Whether you're new to motorcycles or you've been a rider for a long time, you have to do your research first. Look online, in the magazines, read reviews, look at the visual appeal, specifications. If you're a new rider, don't pick an expensive motorbike or a big motorcycle. If it's too big, it might be too hard for you to handle.

If you are a beginner rider, don't fall for the expensive and loud Harley-Davidson motorcycle. While these cruisers are extremely popular, this is definitely not the bike you want to start with. I wouldn't recommend you starting with a sport bike either, unless you are mature enough to handle the power of the sport bike. Consider starting with a used standard motorcycle or even a scooter.

Go to your local motorcycle dealer and work with him to help you in selecting that best bike for you. Sit down on the model you picked, and make sure you're legs are not dragging on the ground. A good dealer will have truly knowledgeable sales people. First, they should be riders themselves. Second, they should be able to answer any and all technical questions. You're not looking for a salesman; you're looking for an adviser.

Now you know what kind of bike you want, think about the price and whether you can spend the money for a new motorbike or you'll be happy with a used one.

NEW OR USED MOTORBIKE

Many people do not realize what a huge mistake it is to buy a brand new motorcycle. Sure, everyone wants a nice, sparkly, clean, shiny brand new motorcycle, but as soon as you drive it off the showroom floor, you have lost a LOT of money.

This is a mistake many people make when making the decision to purchase a new motorcycle. Buyers feel they are choosing something that is safe from breaking down, they feel they are getting a better deal that way. In reality, if you choose to buy a slightly used motorcycle, you are getting a much better deal.

Think about it this way, the original owner, paid full price, may have used the motorcycle very few times, but he/she (the original owner), took all the depreciation on it. You are now able to buy it for a LOT less than the original owner, yet it still has a warranty, looks new, and IS new to you! You get the best of both worlds that way.

BEST MOTORCYCLE PRICE

The best price for a used motorcycle is $0. Yea, it's when you get it for free. You'll be surprised, but I know this guy who's got a talent in getting used motorcycles for free. Well, yea, he's talking about motorbikes all the time, whoever he's with at the time, and where ever he is at. He got 1976 Honda CB750 from a friend of his good friend which only needed a minor fix (not the friend, of course). Another bike he got from his aunt's third husband or something, I think it was 1973 or 1975 CT 70. Smoke is coming out of it when you start, but my friend still rides it sometimes (the smoke goes away after a minute or two). Recently he told me he pulled next to a guy pulling an old motorbike behind him and started talking. He ended up with the bike, for free. I don't know how he does it or what he says.

Seriously, you need to take your time and investigate the current prices for the brand, year and model of the motorcycle you're about to buy. You can check the blue book value of the motorcycle at many web sites such as Kelly Blue Book or Nada. I personally like to use eBay to research the prices for the used motorbikes. You have to register with eBay (doesn't cost anything), then you'll be able to view completed sales for all motorcycles and other things. eBay often has good deals, but you have to look for them.

If you ended up buying a new motorcycle from a dealer, most of the time you should be able to buy your cycle for less than the advertised price. Take a look at sites like CycleBuy.com to learn the invoice price - what the dealer pays the manufacturer. Most dealers will be happy if they can sell you a bike and make a 10% profit.

MOTORCYCLE INSPECTION

When I hear that one of my friends is ready to buy a motorbike, I always offer to go with him. And you should too, bring a friend who can inspect the motorcycle you're about to buy. Of course, it would even be better if you bring a mechanic with you, that way you can concentrate on the price negotiations while your friend mechanic is making sure the motorbike is in a good condition. If you don't know any mechanic (hard to believe, I know), you can probably find one that will come with you for a service fee. Or maybe you can take the bike to a certified motorcycle mechanic and have him do a thorough inspection. It will cost you a few bucks, but it could also save you hundreds of dollars.

When you inspect the motorcycle, take your time. You don't want to miss that scratch on the gas tank which you will find later just to get yourself upset that you rushed through the inspection. Ask to go for a test ride for a 20 to 30 minute, don't just go up and down the road and think the motorcycle is in good condition. Make sure you ride different speeds for at least 2-3 minutes each.

FINANCING YOUR MOTORCYCLE PURCHASE (CASH VS LOAN)

I always try to pay cash for my cars and bikes. I'm sure lots of people would argue with me on this, but many people would agree with me. Why would you want to pay $1000 in interest for over 3 years to the motorcycle loan company if you don't have to? Of course, if you don't have enough cash but still want to ride a motorcycle, consider a cheaper motorcycle or even a scooter to start with. Or, don't buy a new motorcycle, buy used and save yourself thousands.

If you're going to finance the purchase, check out your loan sources before you go to the dealership. The dealer may have a low-interest finance package to offer you. On the other hand, they may work through a bank and actually charge you a few percentage points more - their profit - than you'd get by going direct to the bank..

MOTORBIKE GEAR

You've bought your cycle and are raring to go. All set? Not quite.

A motorcycle purchase isn't complete without a Department of Transportation (DOT)-approved helmet. Most states require that motorcyclists wear them. Study after study shows that helmets are the most effective piece of safety gear available to a rider. After all, it's protecting your head!

When choosing a helmet, consider these attributes: helmet type (full face, open face, hybrid, etc), safety, comfort, helmet shell material, helmet weight, size, ventilation, helmet safety liner, visor.

Make sure your motorcycle gear is comfortable. Comfort and safety are always my priority.

MOTORCYCLE INSURANCE

Rates for motorcycle insurance can vary a lot. Motorcycle insurance depends on your age, the motorcycle model, your driving record, your home location and other factors. If you're 19 years old and you bought a brand new Harley, your motorcycle insurance will be much higher than if you're bought a used 3 - 4 year old one or if you've been riding a bike for a couple of years or more (other things being equal).

Motorbike insurance payments can differ a lot between different motorcycle models. From one bike to another, they can be five to ten times different. For example, $200 for insuring a small commuter-type motorcycle can easily inflate to more than $1,000 for a high-horsepower, canyon-racer sport bike.

Think about what coverage you need. Maybe you can save on collision and comprehensive if your bike is old. Also, check with your regular medical insurance at your workplace, it may already cover your major medical expenses. Compare costs between different insurance companies and on different motorcycle models. Most insurance companies will give you a free quote online, for some you'd have to call.

If you need more information, please stop by and read our comprehensive Motorcycle Buying Guide at our site.

Also, please stop by if you are looking for a used Honda Motorcycle. Our listings often include many vintage Honda motorcycles such as 1960s CL77 305 and 1970s CB 350 models as well as other older and newer Honda models.

Harley Davidson is giving bikers the opportunity

Harley looking for bikers custom rides at Daytona

While many riders attend the legendary Daytona Bike Week to check out a showcase of motorcycles, Harley Davidson is giving bikers the opportunity to show off their own personal two-wheeled pride and joy.

At Daytona Bike Week 2011, Harley-Davidson motorcycle owners are invited to enter their customized bikes in the all-new H-D1 Custom Bike Showcase presented by Best Western.

Harley-Davidson motorcycles have long been known for the statements they make about their owners’ unique personal style. Riders can enter their motorcycles any time during Daytona Bike Week (March 5 to March 12) from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Harley-Davidson Beach Street location at Riverfront Park.

Laying out their plans for the 70th year of turning a Florida beach town into a two-wheeled mecca, Harley-Davidson has announced where they will be and what the Milwaukee manufacturer is offering.

Promising a dynamic display of motorcycles and more at Riverfront Park on Beach Street and at Daytona International Speedway for Bike Week 2011, Harley has a full schedule of events.

And the company is ready to kick off the motorcycle calendar.

“Daytona Bike Week launches the motorcycle riding season, and Harley-Davidson will be there at full throttle,” said Steve Piehl, Harley-Davidson Director of Customer Experience. “Our location at the Speedway gives riders a chance to enjoy any of our 75 demo bikes and we’re excited to be part of the thriving scene at Riverfront Park on Beach Street focusing on custom Harleys, cool clothing and great motorcycle experiences.”

Harley-Davidson activities at Riverfront Park on Beach Street will run from Saturday, March 5 to Saturday, March 12, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily.

Highlights include:

Harley-Davidson H-D1 customization tools and lifestyle interactive experience: Check out the latest options for lighting, exhaust systems, audio and more.

Harley-Davidson MotorClothes displays with demonstrations and seminars on helmet fit, Force Flex eyewear and Hi-Vis gear.

Women’s Area daily and 4th Annual Harley-Davidson MDA Women’s Ride Daytona, Tuesday, March 8 with registration at www.mdarides.org.

The Jack Daniels Experience

XR1200 Race Experience

Muscular Dystrophy Association (MDA) raffle

The Bike Showcase allowing riders to enter their own creations is named for H-D1 to celebrate the most comprehensive and personal customization process in the motorcycle industry that provides customers with a variety of tools to design and style their motorcycle. Elements of H-D1 include Parts and Accessory catalogues, the Bike Builder tool on harley-davidson.com, Fit Shop, dealer consultation, and the new H-D1 factory customization for the 2011 Sportster 1200 Custom.

Winners will be selected daily by a random drawing for a total of eight winners, who each receive two nights lodging at a Best Western Hotel and a $200 H-D gift card. For those who can’t make it to Daytona or just want to see more entries, select bikes from the Showcase will be posted online.