Motorcycle insurance is no different to getting insurance for your car or boat , a minimum amount of coverage is required and you can customize your policy to suit your needs.

Motorcycle insurance is defined as the insurance of motorcycles and liabilities arising out of the use thereof.

Motorcycle insurance is a way of sharing the risks of driving between you and your insurance company. Motorcycle insurance is one of these things you need to worry about… You need insurance to ride a bike.

Insurance is not only a sound judgment, but also required by law. Motorcycle insurance is one of those annual bills that there really is no escaping.
The insurance coverage helps pay for financial losses or obligations resulting from the use or ownership of your motorcycle.

Motorcycle insurance is specifically designed to give customers the coverage they need giving them peace of mind out on the open road. The purpose of motorcycle insurance is to protect you from financial loss if you have an mishap while driving your motorcycle.

In a previous article I talked about the impact a clean, well polished motorcycle can have on your price when selling a used bike. I also discussed the effect of including any unneeded parts and accessories in your bike sale. Here are a few more simple steps that can help you get the most cash for your current bike.

The tasks below should only take an hour or so to accomplish and should help to increase the value of your bike to prospective buyers. Just a bit of preparation will differentiate your bike from all the other used bikes for sale in your area.

Find Your Old Maintenance Records

If your old maintenance receipts are floating around your house, see if your can dig them up. Having records for all your past oil changes, tune-ups, tire changes etc. will set you apart from almost all other bike sellers. Since very few bike owners hold-on to their receipts, it’s just another way to demonstrate to buyers that you have taken very good care of the bike you’re selling.

When buying a bike, I’m always pleasantly surprised to find a seller with repair records since it usually means the bike has been meticulously maintained. So, if you have your receipts buried in a drawer somewhere, take a few minutes and round them up to show to prospective buyers.

Research your Bike’s Current Worth

If you do just one thing before you put your bike up for sale, this is it. This step will take just a few minutes and go a long way to insuring you’re getting a good price for your bike.

There are many sources to check used motorcycle prices but I have a favorite – the N.A.D.A. Appraisal Guide. You can check the motorcycle section of N.A.D.A. out online to get the current retail value of your bike, including many popular options – very helpful! The site gives “Low and Average Retail” pricing for each bike model. If your bike is in good shape and you’ve followed my earlier advice, you should be able to get their top price.

I also recommend that you pick-up your local motorcycle classified publication or auto trader to compare your pricing with the other bikes for sale in your area. Usually, this will confirm the pricing you got from the N.A.D.A. Guide and you can be confident that your bike is priced right.
(more…)

There are customized bikes…and then there are custom-built bikes.

What’s the difference between the two?

Cusstomized Bikes
Well, anyone who goes to a bike store and has the clerks there help him, or her, fit the bike properly, will usually "customize" their bike by choosing the kind of saddle they like (narrow or wide, gel-filled, etc.), different stem lengths for handlebar height, v-pull or disc brakes, etc.

You can continue to customize your bike with accessories such as bells, compasses, and lights - and you can even give it a paint job if you’re good at that sort of thing. (Indeed, I’ve got a Schwinn Sierra that’s about four years old, and I’ve been thinking of giving it a new coat of blue paint with yellow highlights. Unfortunately, I know I don’t have the skill to make it look even halfway decent.)

Road bikes are, obviously, built specifically to ride on roads, and aren’t suited for cross-country travel. The tires are very narrow to provide as little resistance as possible to the road, and the handlebars are of the drop-down type which force the rider to lean forward at an acute angle. However, there are various additions to the handlebars one can get so that when resting is more important than speed, it’s possible to sit up straight and still control the bike properly.

Lowriders are another type of road bike, though not one used for racing, but rather for cruising around showing off their paint jobs.

Custom Built
What does custom-built mean? A custom-built bike is one that is built for you from the ground up - and hand-crafted more often than not. Your every measurement is taken and the frame is built to those measurements. Cranksets will fit your legs, top tubes will be just the right length, and it’ll be built out of the space-age material you prefer.

And in addition to that of course you can choose the types of shifters and breaks you’d like as well.

Custom-built bikes are the most expensive bikes you can get, but they will fit you like a glove and if you are a serious bike rider that is the type of bike you’ll want.

Serious road bikers have many different activities in which they can indulge, from"ultra long distance riding" (Randonneuring) to triathlons - where one of the three segments of the race is biking. These type of athletes have to have custom-built bikes.

Ducati manufactures a series of motorcycles that are perfect for everyone from casual riders to professional racers. Their current line of bikes includes the super-popular Superbike 1098. This 2007 model has been designed for performance on the road and on the racetrack. Other models in the Ducati line include the Desmosedici RR, Monster and Sportclassic.

In addition to a superior line of motorcycles, Ducati also offers a great line of accessories. These accessories include items like racing bike upgrades, exhaust pipe upgrades, engine performance upgrades, wheel upgrades and bike covers. Ducati also offer a selection of apparel. Their apparel line includes helmets, caps, shirts and racing gear.

There are a lot of ways to get your hands on Ducati motorcycle parts and accessories. The first way is to visit a local Ducati dealer. Here you will find new and remanufactured parts for your bike. If you don’t have a Ducati dealer in your area then you can order directly from the Ducati company. If you use this method for shopping for motorcycle parts you will have access to upgrade kits, racing gear and authorized parts.

If you are interested in finding used Ducati motorcycle parts then you will need to do a little digging. You can search classified ads listed in your local newspaper, or you can search the classified ads posted in sporting and motorcycle publications. You can also search websites that offer used products like eBay. Motorcycle service shops are another great source for finding used and remanufactured parts for your Ducati motorcycle.

Owning a motorcycle can be a dream come true. They offer you freedom, excitement and affordable travel. In addition to being a great recreational vehicle they can also be an affordable commuting option. Motorcycles are inexpensive to drive because they don’t use very much gas and because they don’t require a lot of upkeep. However, to improve the quality of ride that your motorcycle delivers, to extend the life of your bike and to reduce the maintenance and repair costs associated with owning your motorcycle, you may want to invest time in learning how to replace, install and upgrade motorcycle parts and accessories by yourself.

There are several types of motorcycle parts and accessories that most motorcycle owners shop for on a fairly regular basis. The most common parts shopped for are those parts that deal with lubrication and friction reduction. These parts include oil filters, pumps and air filters.

Tires and wheel rims are two other motorcycle parts that most motorcycle owners shop for. Upgrading or replacing your motorcycle’s tires and rims can be a quick way to improve the look of your bike and to improve the smoothness of its ride. They can also be a great way to transform a bike from a street bike to a track bike, or from a street bike to a touring bike.

In addition to motorcycle parts, hardcore motorcycle gearheads also spend a lot of time and money shopping for motorcycle accessories. These accessories can either be for their bikes or for outfitting themselves. Accessories that are designed for outfitting bikes include bike covers and saddlebags. Accessories that are designed for outfitting the rider include helmets, caps, apparel and motorcycle gloves.

With the increase in attention of motorbikes (thanks to the likes of Ewan McGregor and Charley Boorman), more and more people are considering buying a motorbike for use as their main mode of transport. While buying a motorbike may be a hassle in itself, getting insurance for it is another thing to worry about. However, there are certain factors insurance companies use to see if you qualify for their insurance policies and also to calculate your premium rates.

One of the first things they consider is you, the driver. The most common issues are your age, where you live, where you work and your driving history. Age is considered because the older you are, the lower the premium rates would be. However, this rule would be null and void if you’re a beginner in the world of motorcycling. Where you live and work is also an issue in terms of where you would park your motorbike when it’s not in use. Is it in a secure and well-lit area or parked beside a kerb on an open road? If it’s possible to store in a garage, or even a shed, do it. The idea is behind this is to lower the level of danger your vehicle might come into contact with when you’re not using it. The mileage also counts - low mileage equals lower rates.

Your driving history will acknowledge any past accidents, regardless of what type of vehicle you’ve driven in the past, while a clean licence would also mean lower premium rates. An additional factor is the bike itself. The common rule is that the newer the bike, the more you would have to pay for it.
(more…)

’If you got a $50 head, then get yourself a $50 lid!’

That’s the advice I was given before buying my first motorcycle helmet. It’s the best buying advice I’ve ever had too! Choosing a motorcycle helmet is, in the end, a personal choice but it’s pretty obvious that you generally get what you pay for.

There are various types, all of which have their strengths and weaknesses. Here’s a list of the those available:

Motorcycle Helmet Buying Tips

Try on motorcycle helmets a number of times to detect possible ’problem’ areas with the fit. Use a mirror to see how the helmet looks on your head; make sure that the helmet rests just above your brow. Make sure the helmet rests tightly against your forehead, you shouldn’t be able to get your thumb between the helmet and your forehead. Always check to see if any red marks are showing after you’ve removed the helmet.

Always make sure that the motorcycle helmet you buy has been Snell certified, or is a DOT approved motorcycle helmet. If not, your insurance cover may be affected - check with your insurance company about this.

Noisy helmets are to be avoided as they distract the rider and cause extra fatigue. Lower quality ventilation systems are chief cause of noisy in helmets. The more aerodynamic the helmet and the better the vents, the less noise there will be. Generally, cheaper helmets are noisy helmets.

One of the best assets of the KBC helmet is the noise level. The VR series KBC helmets are among the quietest that I’ve ever worn. KBC uses a proprietary visor sealing system that contributes to the low noise levels of the helmet.

Comfort levels are adequate. The VR series KBC helmet is not the most comfortable you will ever wear, but you also won’t be complaining about it except maybe on the longest of rides.

The weight of the helmet is very good for this price range. You can find a lighter helmet, but you’ll pay more for it. Additionally, the helmet "feels" light. Moving your head around for a quick traffic check feels very natural.

The sub-par ventilation system is a major reason that this helmet does not get two thumbs up in the comfort department. KBC helmets seem to have a reduced airflow compared to competitive helmets. Combine this with a restrictive wind blocker under the chin and the KBC helmet is a little on the warm side. Again, not necessarily a deal breaker, but something to be aware of.

The finish of the KBC helmet is average. I have heard reports of slight flaws in paint and have even seen some of these for myself. In my opinion, these types of flaws are typical for helmets in this price range.

There’s no complaining about he price of the VR series KBC helmet. It is less expensive than most helmets of this quality and if you shop around, you can find a good deal. I use MCGearDeals.com. They have a listing of the best deals on KBC helmets, so I don’t have to spend my time searching the web.

The VR series KBC helmet is a great mid-level helmet. Venting could be better, but superbly low noise levels and a low price tag combine to make this helmet a pretty good value. I don’t think KBC helmets deserve the “best value for the money” crown, but it comes pretty darn close and is a worthy consideration for your head. If you can find one on sale, all the better.

“If you’ve got a Shoei head, get a Shoei lid”

Shoei has been manufacturing motorcycle helmets for over 40 years and their current flagship model, the X-Eleven, continues their tradition of high quality helmets that work as good as they look. The X-Eleven designers gathered real-life feedback from top Moto GP riders like Chris Vermeulen and refined their ideas in the wind tunnel to perfect it’s aerodynamic profile and ventilation system.

Appearance
It may seem odd to begin with the look of the thing but, when you think about it, it’s the look that catches your attention, isn’t it? And, if you’re honest about it, the look of the lid plays a big part in whether you choose it or not. The X-Eleven comes in a large enough variety of paint schemes (including solid colors, original paint schemes and some replicas) that everyone should be able to find one they like.

As befits a flagship product, the X-Eleven are partially hand-painted and, as usual with Shoei, the quality of the paintjob is brilliant. Many owners will say that, even after heavy use and a few “scuffs”, the varnish and colors bear up exceptionally.

When wearing the X-Eleven for the first time, most riders remark on the comfort of the fit.

The first thing you notice about the X-Eleven is its comfort. As I said earlier, different helmets fit different riders, but if the X-Eleven fits your head shape (as it does mine), you’d be hard-pressed to find a more comfortable piece. The padded mesh inner liner (removable for washing) has a smooth texture and is firm enough to keep the helmet safely in place without being uncomfortable.

Ventilation System
Ventialtion is one of the most important aspects of any helmet. There’s nothing worse than having your head “boil” inside your lid because of poor ventilation. There’s no chance of this happening with the X-Eleven though as the ventilation system is absolutely top-class. It’s got five vents:

• one directly in front of the wearer’s mouth
• one at the top edge of the visor,
• one high on the front of the helmet (this one has two intake holes),
• two placed on the back of the helmet, high up, one either side)

The vents work together in perfect harmony to create an airflow around your as well as across the inside of the visor to prevent the dreaded fogging. A certain amount of wind noise is inevitable with any vented helmet but, even with five vents the X-Eleven isn’t a “loud” helmet.
(more…)

Dull grey skies today, a steady heavy rain, poor visibility. An opportunity to impress the crowd with a textbook demonstration of wet weather riding skills.

Starting with hardware. Motorcycle in good condition, especially tyres, the grooves good and deep to channel away water, no letting them wear flat with constant upright motorway riding, no messing about trying to extend their life because they look okayish. A helmet that won’t mist up. Clothes waterproof and breathable, they’re four years old now, never had any maintenance, I can ride through a downpour all day and not have a speck of moisture on me, miracle of modern fabrics. No trivial matter, comfort, a safety issue, you can tough stuff out for a while but it wears you down, you need your attention on staying alive not whether your feet are cold. Hi viz belts and bands, you can’t tell how many times you stay alive because some unnoticed driver sees you and doesn’t mow you down, but over time it’ll be quite a few.

Fifty percent increase in the safety bubble in front. Partly to stay out of the spray. Partly because braking distances are longer. Partly because if there’s trouble, you don’t brake, you accelerate. Braking puts the weight on the unstable front wheel, accelerating puts it on the stable back wheel. So you need space to accelerate into. Also, ride in a lower gear, use it to slow down without braking or accelerate without delaying.

Be real careful changing lanes, cars often leave their headlights off and they’re damn near invisible. Otherwise don’t worry about what’s behind you, let the hi viz stuff protect you there, concentrate on the trouble up front.

Ten mph slower than normal. That’s the deal. If you abrogate speeding limits to your own judgement, your position is a lot more compelling if you sometimes go slower, not always faster.

The game is, every time you hold back, you get a gold star. Here’s a gap I’d normally take, not today, one gold star. That doesn’t mean you have to be cowed and subdued, in fact often in the rain there’s an even greater need to filter past stuck traffic, just do it with less relish. Then collect the gold stars. But any rashness or impetuosity, all gold stars cancelled, start again.

Ten minutes later than normal for work, but a half hour margin allowed anyway, just for such contingencies. And about fifteen gold stars. Good start to the day.

Motorcycle riders use a number of motorcycle accessories like helmets, jackets, gloves etc. which can protect them from injuries in case of any accident. Motorcycle gloves are one of the most important accessories for motorcycle riders.

Motorcycle gloves have much wider utility as compared to ordinary leather gloves that are just used to keep hands during winter and to maintain grip. Motorcycle gloves act as jackets for hands and in case of any accident they take the hit instead of our precious hands. The palms of hands have number of nerves and blood vessels and if we imagine your bare outstretched hands hitting the concrete and sliding at speed, we will clearly understand the importance of motorcycle gloves.

Gloves come in many styles, colors and materials. So one can choose a glove according to his/her choice and need. Mesh or perforated leather gloves are best suited for people who ride in warm weather these gloves offer ventilation to keep hands cool and thus one won’t tempted to ride without gloves. Water-resistant gloves are suited for people who ride during rain. Rain gloves that cover regular glove when those downpours hit are also available. Manufacturers are providing wide varieties of gloves of various shapes, size, and colors depending on the choice of the consumer. While shopping for a glove one can even look for glove that offer good knuckle protection. Gloves should have metal or plastic armor over the knuckle area. A heavy duty palm with Kevlar, metal or thick leather will provide protection to one’s hand. Number of brands are available in market so no matter which glove one decide to purchase, one must make sure to wear gloves all of the time.

Modern sporting motorcycles can come with a near dizzying array of suspension adjustability. Pre-load, compression damping, rebound, high-speed damping, low-speed damping, etc. Where to start?

Before you start looking over your bike to see what we’re talking about, please note this article is primarily intended for the sport bike rider. Most cruisers have little or no suspension adjustability. You either live with what the factory gave you, you have your suspension components upgraded with after market units, or have the internal bits replaced by a professional.

The easiest and most important adjustment you can make is to set the static sag. Sag is just what it sounds like - how much the bike sags when you’re on it.

Ideally your sag should be from 25 to 30 mm, or 1 to 1 ½ inches, on most bikes. To find out where your sag is, you’ll need a helper. Dress up in all your usual riding apparel, including helmet, leathers, boots, etc. You want to set your sag using the same weight as when you ride. While standing next to the bike, push down on the tail once or twice to make sure the suspension is at its normal resting position.

Using a dowel rod, yard stick, or similar device, measure the distance from the ground to a particular point on the motorcycle. Turn signals or a point on the seat or frame will work fine. Just make sure the point you measure from is not covered up when you’re on the bike. OK, got the measurement? Either write down the measurement (in inches or millimeters) or simply mark the spot on your rod/stick.

Now get on the motorcycle, in full gear. This is where your helper is needed. For the most accurate measurement, try to hold the bike fully vertical with both your feet on the pegs. In this position, take another measurement. See the difference? That is your sag. If it’s smaller than 1 inch or greater than 1 ½ inches, you’ll need to adjust the pre-load on your forks and/or shock to get the desired results. Increase pre-load (usually a clockwise turn of the adjusting screw or collar) a little at a time to reduce your sag. Decreasing pre-load will increase the amount your bike sags.
(more…)

So, you’ve decided to buy a Harley. Excellent. Owning a Harley Davidson motorcycle is like having your very own slice of the American dream. You know the one, the one that involves having a ’57 Chevy or an original Ford Mustang. It gives you a feeling that really is hard to explain, but you feel the pride of ownership from your rear-end sitting comfortably in the saddle all the way to your fingertips as you twist the throttle. You feel it from the sound of those pipes going blap, blap, blap down the road to seeing kids and/or adults waving at you as you pass by on a long stretch of country road.

Unfortunately, buying a Harley at a dealership can be a daunting task. The pressure you get from the salesmen can sometimes scare you right back out the front door. It’s not their fault, they are simply trying to make a living. Heck, most of them are paid by 100% commission. If they don’t sell, they don’t eat and unfortunately our bodies require food every day to get by in life. So what do you do, you want to make sure that you’re getting a good deal, but you don’t know how to negotiate. The sales staff knows which bikes to push at you that have the highest commissions for them; but is this the right bike for you, maybe, maybe not. Is it the right bike for them, darn tootin’.
(more…)

The next step to getting a full motorbike licence is to pass the motorcycle theory test. Finally, you must successfully complete a motorcycle practical test. If you pass the practical test you will be issued with your full motorcycle licence.

There are some situations in which you are exempt from having to do the CBT and the motorcycle theory test. There are also different types of motorcycle licences. I will cover the options in detail.

Provisional Motorcycle Licence

If you are 17 or over, you can obtain a provisional motorcycle licence by submitting an application to the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA). The application form is called the D1 form and you can pick one up at your local Post Office. Alternatively you can request the form from the DVLA itself. You can also apply online for your provisional motorcycle licence on the DVLA website. After you receive your provisional motorcycle licence, you may only start riding on the road upon completing your CBT. Note that if you have a full car driving licence, then you probably have a provisional motorcycle entitlement on that licence - check it for category A provisional entitlement to find out.

There are a few situations in which you will already have a provisional motorcycle licence through having gotten a full car driving licence or a moped licence. For these and the exact process of applying including how to apply, the fees and payment methods, photographs and the identification requirements
(more…)

Are you thinking about buying a brand new motorcycle that you have always dreamed about? Apart from the power and speed that the motorcycle possesses, another very important thing that everyone looks for in a good motorcycle is a comfortable seat. Different kinds of motorcycles are equipped with different kinds of seats. The comfort of the seat determines the how convenient the journey would be. Imagine being on a long distance journey on your motorcycle, with a seat that is so uncomfortable that you hardly sit for a short while, without getting tired. Wouldn’t that be quite annoying?

There are many different types of motorcycle seats. Most of the seats of the motorcycles are made from leather. However, there are many custom made seats that are made from exotic skins, like elephant skin, alligator skin, shark skins, ostrich skin and many others. The custom motorcycle seats are made according to the customer’s specification and preference.

The motive behind creating custom motorcycle seats is to increase the comfort level of the rider and make the journey a smooth one. A comfortable motorcycle seat is responsible for increasing the riding pleasure. In order to make the motorcycle seat much more comfortable, there are a number of motorcycle seat covers that are available in the market. These seat covers are installed on top of the seat, making it a lot more comfy. The collection of the seat covers ranges from sheep skin covers, cobra skin covers, and many more.
(more…)

Moped Licence If you have reached the age of 16 you can get a moped licence. Before you can start riding a moped on the road, you must first get your provisional moped licence and then complete your compulsory basic training (CBT). You can then start riding a moped on the road as a learner with some restrictions in place e.g. your moped must have L plates. A moped is any motorcycle which has:

* an engine capacity of no greater than 50cc
* a max speed of 31 mph (50 kph)
* a weight no more than 250kg

The next step towards getting your full moped licence is the motorcycle theory test. When you’ve passed this test you can book your practical moped test. Success in the practical moped test will get you a full moped licence (also called a full category P entitlement). This allows you to ride your moped without the provisional licence restrictions.

Provisional Moped Licence

To get a provisional moped licence, you must submit an application to the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA). You can do this by applying online or by post. If you want to apply by post, you can get the provisional licence application form (the D1 form) at your local post office or from the DVLA itself. The fee for your provisional licence is £38.00. When you receive your provisional licence you may not ride on the road until you complete your CBT.

For more details on the exact process of applying for your provisional moped licence, including the required fees and payment methods, the identification process and the required photographs.

Compulsory Basic Training - CBT

The CBT is a day’s training in the basics of riding a motorcycle. You must have a provisional licence to do your CBT. You do not need any previous motorcycling experience to do your CBT. You can do your CBT at any DSA approved training body. There are many such training bodies all over the UK, see my directory.

After completing the CBT you will get a DL196 certificate which validates your provisional moped licence. Your DL196 certificate is valid for two years. Your provisional moped licence and valid DL196 certificate allow you to ride any moped on the road, but with the following restrictions in place:

• Your moped must have L plates (D plates in Wales)
• You may not ride with a passenger on the pillion
• You cannot ride on motorways

Exceptions to applying for a Provisional Licence or doing the CBT

• If your full car driving licence was issued before 1 Feb 2001, then you already have a full moped entitlement on that licence (full category P entitlement), so you are not legally required to do the CBT and can ride a moped without restrictions. I strongly urge you to do the CBT anyway as it is proven to significantly reduce the number of accidents that new riders have!
• If you passed your car driving licence from 1 Feb 2001 onwards, then you do not need to apply for a provisional moped licence as your driving licence was issued with a full category P entitlement. However you must do your CBT to validate the moped entitlement on that licence. Once you’ve completed the CBT you have a full moped licence and can ride mopeds without the learner rider restrictions. The DL196 certificate that you receive from doing your CBT in this case only expires with your driving licence when you turn 70.

Motorcycle Theory Test

If you have a provisional category P entitlement and you have done your CBT then you can go for your full moped licence. This is a good idea because your CBT certificate expires after two years and redoing it wastes time and money.

To get your full moped licence you must first pass the motorcycle theory at a Driving Standards Agency (DSA) test centre. You must pass the motorcycle theory test before you can book your practical moped test. For exact details on the theory test including how to prepare

Practical Moped Test

The last test is the practical moped test. During this test an examiner will examine your riding skills on the road. If you pass you will be issued with a full category P entitlement which means you can toss the L plates and carry a pillion passenger.

The Routes to Your Licence

This can be a little overwhelming considering the choices of material, quality and brands available in the market. Here are some things you should know (that might save your skin or life!) before you make your purchase:

1) Your motorcycle shop should be your first place to start your shopping, If you’re buying a bike, see if can get the clothing into the financing deal. This way, you can negotiate a better deal and do not have to pay up front for the gears.

2) Get a full set of motorcycle clothing which includes helmet, jacket, boots, pants, gloves and glasses. A complete set gives you complete protection. Why would you want to risk any parts of your body with injuries? Each piece of the clothing plays an important role in protecting the specific part of the body they are supposed to.

3) Aesthetics should always be secondary to protective quality. If you have to choose between looking good and having your fingers or toes intact after a ride, what would it be? The answer is obvious, but try to go for bright colored clothing as it is shown in a study that wearing eye catching gear reduces the risk of having an accident significantly (up to 37%!). However, finding motorcycle clothing which also looks good is very much a possibility with the amount of gear out there from so many manufacturers.

4) Buy clothing that offers superior protection to areas of the body where the bone is just below the surface of the skin e.g. knuckles shoulders, hips, knees and ankles. Try to look for clothing that has added thick body armor stitched on these areas. Protect areas more vulnerable to injuries; an obvious and sensible choice to make.

5) Explore other options besides leather. Leather has over the years been proven to be the best material for motorcycle protective clothing, due to its resistance to tear, its natural warmth, and its acting as a first layer of defense, coming between the biker and the rough asphalt road. Although it’s the more common materials, it is by no means the only choice. Protective clothing from man-made textile is becoming popular and may be more suited for certain weather and conditions (e.g. Cordura, Kevlar).

6) Be prepared to fall. Consider adding other impact protection gear: Extra impact protection can be bought separately like back protectors. For an important area like your back, it might just save your life! If you worry that you may forget to put the extra gear on, buy clothing that already has a degree of impact protection included.

7) Be sure to check out the internet to look for great deals. It’s a vast marketplace to shop for the clothing. You can compare prices and qualities from different brands and manufacturers, as well as read reviews from other buyers. There are some pretty good deals lying around waiting for you to discover, so do some research online.

Essentials of the Direct Access Scheme

* Most motorcycle schools will offer a free evaluation if it has been a while since you completed your CBT

* The DAS will run from 3 days – 6 days depending on your experience

* Most motorcycle schools will offer a guaranteed pass with the 6 day course; however I would recommend clarifying this before you book

* It’s not cheap, so set aside about £300 for the 3 day, and add an extra £100 for each day you add onto that

* The price should include insurance, bike hire and test fees

* Don’t forget that there is a requirement that you are able to read a number plate at 20.5 meters

* Don’t forget to take your theory test & provisional licence with you

Essentials of the Accelerated Access Scheme

* This is for riders who have already obtained a standard category A license and turn 21 before the two year qualifying period is complete who want to qualify to be allowed to ride all motorcycles

* This is the licence you receive once passing the Practical Test on a 125, allowing you to discard L plates, ride on motorways and carry pillion passengers. You are limited to a machine of 33bhp for two years, and then this restriction falls away and without doing anything further, you can ride what you like

* A rider can prepare for this test on motorcycles above 25kW if accompanied by a certified motorcycle instructor on another motorcycle

* ’L’ plates need to be displayed while preparing for the test on motorcycles above 25kW

* The CBT or any other theory test does not need to be taken again
Essentials of the Advanced Training
(more…)

Dirt Biking has always been a popular sport among the young and old alike but in recent years, more and more kids, elderly people and women are taking up dirt bike riding as a recreational sport. Now, how does this translate into a viable business for a dirt bike dealer? A big market to tap into, of course! Many people want to enter the dirt bike dealership business but hesitate because lack knowledge about the dirt biking industry.

But now we know that the market for dirt bike dealership is HUGE. One thing you have to bear in mind, if you’re looking around for a dirt bike manufacturer, is that you have to find one that produces top quality dirt bikes! No two ways about it. The reason is because you want to bring only high quality dirt bikes to your customers and if the dirt bike manufacturer produces low quality dirt bikes, you won’t be able to retain your regular dirt bike customers.

If you take a look around at some of the dirt bike dealers around your area, you’ll notice that most of them offer small dirt bikes made for young kids as young as 4-years-old. Yes, that is how young dirt bike fans are getting these days. Many dirt bike dealers also hold a lot of dirt bikes designed for ladies who keen on taking up the sport.

Opening a dirt bike retail shop is an important step and it’s essential to your business that you develop a stable and long-lasting working relationship with your preferred ATV manufacturer. Having a stable source for your dirt bike supply ensures the smooth-flowing running of your business. When you get regular dirt bike customers coming to your store, they do expect a certain level of consistency in your supply.
(more…)

If you are going for your full moped licence then you can take the test on bike with automatic or manual transmission - a scooter or a moped. Either way, you will get your full moped licence if you pass the test and be allowed to ride both scooters and mopeds regardless of transmission type.

A full moped licence allows you to ride any motorcycle with:

* an engine capacity no greater than 50cc
* a max speed of 31 mph (50 kph)
* weight not exceeding 250kg

You can carry a passenger on the pillion, but only if there is an appropriate seat and foot rests for the passenger. It is not legal to ride a moped on motorways, even if you have a full moped entitlement.

If you already have a full motorcycle licence then you can ride a moped without restrictions - a moped is just a class of motorcycle with low power output.
Category A1 - Full Light Motorcycle Licence

If you are happy to stick to riding a 125cc motorbike, then you can do your practical motorcycle test on a motorbike with:

* An engine capacity between 75cc and 125cc
* A max speed of at least 63 mph (100 kph)

A full light motorcycle licence allows you to ride any motorbike with:

* An engine capacity not exceeding 125cc
* A max power output of 11 kW (14.6 bhp)

You can carry a pillion passenger and you can ride on motorways.
Category A2 and Category A - Standard Motorcycle Licence

If you are 17 or older but have not turned 21 yet or you are 21 or older but are not interested in getting your standard motorcycle licence via the Direct Access route, then you must do your practical motorcycle test on a motorcycle with:

* an engine between 120 cc and 125 cc
* a max speed of at least 63 mph (100 kph)
(more…)

This article will discuss the characteristics of motorcycles in everyday traffic situations. Automobile drivers, also known as Cagers, need to be aware that a motorcyclist will often slow down their motorcycle by down shifting or by simply rolling off the throttle. What this means is that the brake light is not activated. Given this knowledge, we advise that motorists allow more following distance to give motorcyclists and yourself more room to maneuver. Common sense also dictates that you predict a motorcyclist may slow down at intersections without visual warning.

Motorcyclists use both their turn signals and hand motions to announce a lane change or turn. Some motorcyclist forgets to cancel their turn signals. Although newer models have built in self-canceling turn signals, some beginners and experts may still forget to cancel their signal. So, make sure a motorcycle’s signal is valid.

A motorcyclist will often adjust their position within their lane. This is mainly for better visibility, to avoid debris, and to minimize affects of weather and other vehicles. This behavior should not be interpreted as reckless driving. If anything, it will help you, the Cager, be aware of the motorcyclist.

Since a motorcycle is obviously smaller in size than an automobile, although the rider may be quite large, please be aware that because of its small size a motorcycle may seem to moving faster than it actually is. Also because of this small size, a motorcycle may look farther away than it is. When checking traffic to turn at an intersection, always predict that a motorcycle is closer than it looks. A car pulling left in front of an oncoming motorcyclist causes the number one motorcycle and automobile accident. Please do not do this; it tends to ruin everyone’s day.
(more…)

You must have a provisional moped or motorcycle licence to book your motorcycle theory test. The test is run by the Driving Standards Agency (DSA) and you can do the test at one of almost 200 DSA Theory Test Centres around the UK. The motorbike theory test is comprised of two parts, the first being 35 multiple choice questions and the second a hazard perception test. You must pass the theory test before you can do your moped or motorcycle practical test.
Exemptions

If you got your full moped licence on or after 1 Jul 1996, and you did the motorcycle theory test as part of getting your moped licence, then you do not need to redo the motorcycle theory test when upgrading to another category of motorcycle licence.

You do not need to redo the motorbike theory test if you are upgrading from a lower category motorcycle licence to a higher one e.g. from a Category A1 motorcycle licence to a Category A motorcycle licence.

Note that the car theory test and the motorcycle theory test are two distinct tests. Hence you must do the motorcycle theory test to qualify for doing your motorcycle practical test, even if you have already done a car theory test as part of getting your full car driving licence.

If you got your full moped licence by doing your CBT to validate the moped entitlement on your car driving licence, then you must still do the motorcycle theory test to qualify for the practical motorcycle test (since you’ve gotten your full moped licence without doing a motorcycle theory test).

Preparing for Your Theory Test

With your first theory test booking confirmation letter, the DSA will send you a CD ROM which explains the process of taking the theory test.
Multiple Choice Preparation

The multiple choice questions are based on the Highway Code and road safety topics. The DSA have a list of about 1000 questions from which 35 are chosen for your test. To prepare for the multiple choice part of the theory test, there are four books known as the source material which I recommend that you get your hands on:

Hazard Perception Preparation

The hazard perception test is a screen based test in which you watch road scenes unfold and have to click whenever you spot a riding hazard. You’ve got a better chance of success if you practice the hazard perception test. You can buy interactive hazard test practice software packages and DVD’s cheaply online:

What Happens At The Motorcycle Theory Test

You must bring your licence with you for inspection at the theory test centre. You must take both the photo card and paper counterpart. If you have an old school paper licence with no photo, then you must also take some form of photo ID, like your passport. You aren’t allowed to take any belongings into the test room, but there are lockers provided. Mobiles must be switched off.
Multiple Choice Questions

The test is done on a computer touch screen. You get 15 minutes practice time to get used to the screen before the real test starts. When the test starts the questions are shown one at a time and you enter your answer by touching your choice on the screen. You can scroll back and forth between the questions and change your answer if you wish. You have 40 minutes to answer the 35 questions.
Hazard Perception Test

The hazard perception test is also done on the computer touch screen. Road scenes are shown and you have to click when you see any potential hazards develop. The quicker you notice the hazard the higher your score. Each candidate will be tested on 14 film clips chosen at random from a series of 200.

Overall the motorbike theory test will take about one hour. You will get the motorcycle theory test result on at the end of the test.
Motorcycle Theory Test Pass Certificate

If you pass your theory test you will be given a pass certificate which is valid for two years. You must have a valid theory test pass certificate to book your practical moped or motorcycle test. If your motorcycle theory test certificate expires before you obtain your full moped or motorcycle licence, then you will have to redo the theory test before you can book your practical test.
If you fail

In the very unlikely event that you fail the motorcycle theory test, study the feedback given on your letter and identify why you failed. If you want to book another theory test you can do so from the day after your test onwards, but you cannot take the test again for another three clear working days.

# Don’t book your motorcycle theory test until you are well prepared and feel confident of achieving a pass. Being well prepared will save you time and money
# Most motorcycle training centres e.g. where you do your CBT offer courses to help you prepare for your theory test. You can’t go wrong getting some help from expert trainers
# You can do your compulsory basic training and theory test in any order, but you must have a provisional moped or motorcycle licence to do either
# You must give three full working days notice if you wish to cancel your postpone your motorcycle theory test, otherwise you will loose your fee. You can cancel or postpone by phone or online

Motorcycles with flat tires . . . roll hard! If your motorcycle is cruising along at 55 mph and your rear motorcycle tire suddenly deflates [has a blow out!] you now have a tremendously, dangerous challenge ahead of you. Avoiding other vehicles, controlling the steering, a swaying rear-end making everything unstable makes for a sizable victory when you roll off the side of the road and come to a stop. Congratulations, job well done! More riders than not end in an accident or something worse. All because of their motorcycle tires. Who knows your thoughts if it is the front tire to blow? You better be prayed up.

We all want a sharp looking bike. Once you select your make and model, your interest is on chrome, color, accessories, personal appearance, dress etc. but let us not forget about the importance of the rubber motorcycle tires that get us around. Frame, structure and engine all work together and hopefully are worry free for years. Motorcycle tires keep moving and we need to often watch for wear and safety.

There are two critical places that motorcycles need to be checked before each ride or at least once a month. Both are easy to do and both are many times overlooked. One area is brake fluid. If the pedal is mushy, bleed the lines or have someone else do it. Two, motorcycle tires need to be inspected. Why do we forget these?

Our safety depends on it. We trust our life to the two motorcycle tires under us that have at best two patches of rubber in contact with the ground the size of our two hands at any given moment. Move that along at 55 mph or even at 15 mph and each of the motorcycle tires is taking on a serious responsibility. The attention and care we offer towards our motorcycle tires can help us tremendously with our safety and enjoyment of biking.

Here are some areas where things can go wrong with your motorcycle tires:

- Tire Pressure: Under-inflation may cause uneven wear, loss of control [stability], wears the motorcycle tires out faster and increases the chances of the motorcycle tires failure. Over-inflation allows motorcycle tires to heat up, limit traction [although a slight 10% over-inflation may actually increase traction in wet conditions] and affects the wear. To correct these, use a good tire gauge and check the motorcycle tires when it is cool. Keep the motorcycle tires pressure at the recommended PSI.

- Fluids: Brake fluid, gas and lube spills need to be cleaned immediately. It deteriorates the rubber. Many of the cleaner protectants used on motorcycle tires harm the finish rubber. The best way to clean is to use old-fashioned soap and water.

- Bumps: Potholes, curbs and stones may slash or crack the tire. Look for any problem.
(more…)

Directing most of this through the manufacturing process is usually a person who has the ability to keep the machines moving, as the manufacturing process becomes much more mechanical to save costs on the materials being combined with the effort, and the brands that create their own spin on the leather motorcycle jacket become more unique as the times begin to shift trends in a new direction. It can be difficult to condense all the processes into a short synopsis to explain appropriately the way in which a design becomes a reality, and the creation becomes a wearable good that can be shipped all over the world.

In America, where this look really seemed to take off, the leather is still hand-cut from premium-quality American leather to be custom-tailored to a rider’s personal measurements. Perfected over sixty years of designs, these jackets are still popular with riders the world over, and can be shipped to any destination relatively easily and affordable. Ordering information can be just as easily acquired over the Internet, as well as through any number of catalogs that will give the shopper a good choice of materials, and can make the most of the amount of money that the average consumer would be willing to spend.

You do not need any previous riding experience to do your compulsory basic training.

The CBT is not a test which you can fail, so if you complete the day’s training you will be issued with your DL196 certificate. The DL196 certificate is a legal document which you must have to validate your provisional motorcycle or moped licence.

When you receive your provisional moped licence or your provisional motorcycle licence, you must do your compulsory basic training before you can ride a motorbike on the road.

If you hold a full car driving licence and it has a provisional category A entitlement (provisional motorcycle licence), then you must also do your compulsory basic training before you can ride a light motorcycle as a learner on the road.

If you gained your full moped licence prior to 1 Dec 1990, then you must do your compulsory basic training again to validate the provisional motorcycle licence and be allowed to ride a light motorcycle as a learner.

If your full car driving licence was issued from 1 Feb 2001 onwards, then it has a full category P entitlement (full moped licence), but you must first do your compulsory basic training before this entitlement becomes valid. A DL196 certificate gained in this way has no expiry date.
CBT Exemptions

* If your full moped licence was issued from 1 Dec 1990 onwards, then you can ride a light motorcycle as a learner without having to do your CBT again (you must be at least 17 to ride a light motorcycle).
* If your full car driving licence was issued before 1 Feb 2001, then your licence has a full category P entitlement (a full moped licence), meaning that you can ride a moped on the road without having to the CBT first.

Before You Book Your Compulsory Basic Training

To do your CBT, you need one of the following:

* A provisional moped licence (Provisional category P entitlement)
* A provisional motorcycle licence (Provisional category A entitlement)
* A full UK car driving licence showing a category P or category A entitlement

Note that you cannot do your compulsory basic training if you have a non-UK driving licence. If you have a European licence you can get a UK equivalent licence. If you have a licence from outside of Europe, then you can exchange your foreign licence for a UK licence. You can also simply apply for a provisional moped or motorcycle licence.

What Happens At Your Compulsory Basic Training
What to Bring to the CBT

If you are doing your CBT on a motorcycle provided by the training company, then you only need to take your licence with you. For mopeds, this can be your provisional moped licence or full UK driving licence. For compulsory basic training for light motorcycles, this can be your provisional motorcycle licence or full UK driving licence with provisional category A entitlement.

Be sure to take both parts of your licence, the photo ID card and the corresponding paper document. A valid D441 (temporary driving licence) or an old school paper licence are valid substitutes for an ID card licence, but you must take an extra form of identification, like your passport with you when taking one of the above.

If you are doing compulsory basic training on your own motorcycle, then you must also take proof of insurance, have a valid road tax disc on your bike and, if the bike is more than three years old, proof of MOT status. Your motorcycle will also need to have L plates fitted.

Note: You must pass an eye sight is test at the start of the CBT to qualify for completing the course. So if you wear glasses or contacts, don’t forget them!
What to Wear for your CBT

Most training companies will provide you with a helmet. You cannot ride without a motorcycle helmet so double check if it is provided. If you take your own helmet, it must be legal which means it must adhere to the BS 6658 and ECE R 22-05 standards (displayed on the helmet). A high viz waistcoat should also be provided. Some companies also provide riding gear like gloves and water proof trousers. I advise you that you dress sensibly wearing a pair of trousers, a durable jacket and robust boots.
The Five CBT Elements

The Compulsory Basic Training is a full days training, approximately 09h00 to 17h00. There are five elements that make up the day which are completed in sequence and you will only move on from one element to the next when the instructor is satisfied that you have learnt the practical skills being taught. The five elements are:

* Introduction (30 to 45 min)
First your required documents e.g. you licence will be inspected (requirements are discussed above). For the eye sight test you must be able to read a licence plate from 67 feet away. The introductory talk is about the goals of the CBT and general road safety.
* Practical On-Site Training (45 min to 1 hr)
During this element you will learn the controls of the motorcycle and the checks that you must perform on the bike to insure that it is safe to ride. You will also be shown how to use the stand of the motorbike, how to wheel the bike and how to brake properly. Finally you will start and stop the engine.
* Practical On-Site Riding (2 to 3 hrs)
This is when you learn how to actually ride the motorcycle. You will practice changing gears, observation and indicating, manoeuvring and braking as well as parking.
* Practical On Road Training (45 min to 1 hr)
This is a classroom style lesson which covers many of the dangers on the road and teaches you the techniques required for riding safely. You will cover defensive driving, correct position on the road, observation and other relevant topics.
* Practical On Road Riding (at least 2 hrs)
Now you can hit the road. You will follow the instructor on your motorcycle and ride in the traffic. The instructor will check that you can perform the basic manoeuvres that you were taught during the practical on-site riding on the actual road.

What You Can Ride

If you complete the day at an acceptable level of competence, then you are issued with your DL196 certificate.

* If you have a provisional moped licence you can now ride a motorcycle classed as a moped on the road. This is any motorbike with an engine capacity of no more 50cc and a maximum speed not exceeding 31 mph (50 kph). You must have L plates (D plates in Wales), cannot carry a passenger on the pillion and may not ride on motorways.
* If you have a provisional motorcycle licence you can now ride a motorbike which has an engine capacity of no more than 125cc and a maximum power output of 11 kW (14.6 bhp). You must have L plates (D plates in Wales), cannot carry a passenger on the pillion and may not ride on motorways. Learner riders over 21 can practice on bigger bikes under the supervision of an approved instructor who is in radio contact with the learner rider.
* If you have a full car licence then you can now ride a moped without L plates and with a pillion passenger, but not on motorways as mopeds are never allowed on motorways.

Note that if you have a valid DL196 certificate, it validates any provisional motorcycle entitlement that you may hold. For instance, if you did your compulsory basic training to validate your provisional moped licence and then got your provisional motorcycle licence at a later stage, then your provisional motorcycle licence is also valid - just as long as the DL196 certificate has not expired!

Your DL196 Certificate

The DL196 certificate is a legal document which is valid for two years. If you do not pass the theory and practical tests to get a full licence in this two year window, then you must redo your CBT to get a new certificate when it reaches its two year expiry date.

However, if you completed your CBT to validate the category P entitlement (full moped entitlement) which came with your full driving licence, the certificate does not expire after two years and is valid for the life of your driving licence. This makes sense because if you have a full moped licence issued from 1 Dec 1990 onwards then you can ride a light motorbike as a learner without having to redo the CBT.

If you have a valid DL196 certificate and then get your full car driving licence, the certificate automatically validates the moped entitlement that comes with your full driving licence.

You can see that it is well worth to continue on doing the theory and practical tests to obtain a full licence, otherwise you have to keep repeating the CBT, which costs time and money! Besides, you don’t want to ride with L plates forever.

Since the CBT is not a test, you can ride a light motorcycle even if you did your CBT on a moped (automatic or manual), just as long as you have category A entitlement on your provisional or full driving licence.

You’re probably itching to get you full licence by now! Check out my section on the motorcycle theory test where I’ll help you get prepared. I also cover the motorcycle practical test. Since the CBT only covers the basics of motorcycling, it is advisable that you seek out further training before doing your practical test.

Compulsory Basic Training Tips

* Although you need no riding experience to do your compulsory basic training, you could familiarise yourself with the Highway Code before you go. You’re going to have to go through the Highway Code at some stage, so get it out of the way early on. Buy the Highway Code
* It is well worth it to continue on to doing the theory and practical tests to obtain a full licence; otherwise you have to keep repeating the CBT, which costs time and money! Besides, you don’t want to ride with L plates forever. Your motorcycle insurance will also be cheaper when you have a full motorcycle licence
* Ensure that you book your CBT at a DSA approved training body . When you book your Compulsory Basic Training, look for a training centre that offers:
Flexible training - good training centres will take you through each element at your own pace
Riding gear - you probably don’t have your own motorcycle helmet or gloves at this point
Guaranteed Pass
* Compulsory basic training was introduced to curb the high number of accidents that new riders were having. Motorcycling is much more of an art than driving a car. Training is essential for your safety, but also to increase your riding skills which makes your riding more relaxed and fun and lets you push your boundaries without loosing control
* If it rains on the day of your CBT you still have to go, after all you will have to be able to ride in all sorts of weather conditions. Ask your training centre whether they provide waterproof gear, if not, take your own. If you fail to show up for your CBT you could loose your fee.
* You must present a valid DL196 certificate to be allowed to do your practical moped or motorcycle test.

Note: I decided to buy myself a 125cc and get some riding experience before continuing with the Theory and Practical Tests, something that I would personally recommend. There are some great 125’s on the market, and second hand prices won’t set you back all that much. With enough power to enjoy yourself and at the same time build on the skills you have learned during the CBT, it’s a good way to start your motorcycling. Through the DAS course it is possible to go from Compulsory Basic Training to Full Motorcycle Licence within 6 days! However I think this is rushing the process and it is much more likely that you will get yourself into a dangerous situation.