Looking to supplement that gas-guzzling SUV and purchase an economical scooter? There’s a good chance that you’ll return home with a model that will do nothing more than act as a clothes hanger in your garage unless you follow a few quick guidelines.

Power

Motor scooters might come in a wide selection of shapes and sizes, from small-engined “knock abouts” to large motorcycle replacements. Consider your needs and where you’ll be using the scooter. If it’s only for neighborhood riding, there are any number of small, cheap scooters that would fit the bill. Perhaps a 125 or 150 would be the largest to consider.

Fit

Many scooter shoppers choose a style, rather than purchasing a fit. This is the surest way to ensure that your scooter receives little to no use. Fit becomes increasingly important as usage increases and is one of the main determinants of safety, so don’t ignore it!

Ensure that your hands are in a good, comfortable position when riding, and that the controls, clutch, and brakes are well within reach. And don’t forget to check the seat. While soft seats initially seem to be more comfortable, they usually result in soreness faster than firmer seats.

Style

Check out various models online before you head into a showroom where buying pressure can result in you leaving with something you would not have purchased otherwise. There are plenty of slick, new models, but you’ll also find a wide variety of vintage models for sale.

Price

Like cars, motor scooters lose their value immediately upon leaving the lot. What makes this situation worse is that scooters generally don’t receive the same level of yearly mileage as cars or even motorcycles, so the immediate depreciation is a harder hit. In a year, you could see a 25 percent or more decrease in resale value for a scooter that has barely been ridden.

For this reason, be sure to look at more than just local dealers. There are several good resellers online who will provide you with a good selection at good prices. And you can find these motors scooters without putting up with pushy salesmen!

So remember, before you got to your local dealer and buy that flashy new model, be sure that you’re clear on how you intend to use your new scooter, and then consider the power, style, fit, and price.

Your motorcycle is something you take pride in. You spend hours washing and shining it, everything on it is high end and highly customized. So doesn’t it make sense that you’d want all of your motorcycle gear to be awesome as well?

If you’re a serious rider with a serious bike, than shouldn’t you have some serious gear to accent your amazing ride? Motorcycle helmet customization can help you to do that, so you’ll be looking your best.

You may be asking exactly what options are available for motorcycle helmet customization. There are so many different ways you can customize your bike that they can’t all be listed here, but following are some of the more popular options.

For the rider who wants all of their gear to match their bike, it can be easier than you would think. If you got your bike from a big manufacturer, look on their website to see what helmets they offer in your bike’s style.

If you love a particular sports team, there are motorcycle helmet customizations to show that you’re their biggest fan. Your local bike shop can give you a helmet painted in any team colors.

If you are willing to spend some cash, there are many personalized graphics options. A designer can copy your favorite tattoo and make it into a decal that can be attached to your helmet.

The only thing stopping you from the perfect motorcycle helmet customization is your own imagination. If you can think it up, your local bike shop can find a way to make it happen for you.

Motorcycle helmet customization isn’t cheap, but it’s a great way to show off what you’re interested in while you’re riding. It’s also a good way to stand out from the crowds on the road.

One of the most enjoyable parts of being on a motorcycle is feeling the wind in your face as you ride down the back roads and highways. This is why for a lot of riders, gear that covers their face isn’t interesting to them.

If you love feeling the wind in your face, an open face helmet may be right for you. It offers much of the same types of protection as a full face helmet, while giving you more freedom while you ride.

When you’re using an open face helmet, you are enjoying many different levels of protection. Always make sure to check the specific safety features on your helmet, because not all features discussed her are found in all helmets.

One of the great advantages to an open faced helmet is that while it leaves your face open and free, it is still protecting the top and sides of your head. This will prevent many different types of injuries.

That protection is made of many different elements. The first is of course the hard shell surrounding your open face helmet. This is designed to withstand impact, and keep your head from damage.

Inside your helmet, if you invest in a high quality one, there will be shock absorbing layers, specifically created to help keep your head from being damaged during and impact or fall from your bike.

When you are ready to purchase your open face helmet, you need to make sure that it is safe. You can do this easily by checking that it meets the standards that the Department of Transportation sets forth for helmets.

Open face helmets are a great way to get the experience of riding with a minimal helmet, which still getting serious protection. Always remember to wear a helmet for safety, and in accordance with local laws.

If you’ve been riding a motorcycle for years, it’s likely that you’ve been riding with an older helmet. You may be wondering just how safe your helmet is, and when it should be replaced with a new motorcycle helmet.

There are many reasons why you would need a new motorcycle helmet immediately. If you are very safety conscious, you should get a new helmet if yours suffers a hard fall, say from a high shelf. This can weaken it.

After you’re involved in an accident that includes impact, you should also immediately replace your helmet with a new one. Any impact can damage the helmet and leave it unable to protect you.

You should also replace your helmet every few years, out of safety concerns. Most helmets should be replaced every five years because of breakdown in their materials caused by age.

You must also be wary of damage to the liner of your helmet. Your own skin and hair oils will cause break down over time, as will glues and resins found in your helmet, as they age and deteriorate.

If your helmet looks as if it’s been dropped or damaged, even if you haven’t done so, go get a new helmet. Someone else may have dropped it, and not realized that this can lead it to become unsafe.

Always keep in mind that your helmet is only designed for one impact. After one impact, your helmet will be much less safe. After any impact it is time for you to buy a new motorcycle helmet.

If you now know it’s time to get a new motorcycle helmet, don’t worry. There are many safe and cool looking new helmets too choose from, in any price range. And who doesn’t love new gear.

Whether or not to buy a helmet with a face shield can be a difficult question to answer. What makes for a more comfortable ride? And more importantly, what makes for a safer rider?

The consensus among riders is that wearing a motorcycle helmet face shield is the safest way to ride. This will mean that if you are ever involved in an accident, your face will be protected.

A motorcycle helmet face shield protects you while you’re riding as well. Any rocks or other debris are deflected by the shield, instead of hitting your face. It will also stop weather from hitting your face.

You can easily ensure that your face shield meets safety requirements. If you have a Snell tested helmet, your face shield will meet their standards. You should also find the certification molded into the shield.

You should look for a few different things when buying a helmet with a face shield. It should form a tight seal with the helmet when it is lowered. It should also stay locked when it is raised.

You should always try on any motorcycle helmet face shield before buying it. Check for signs of optical distortion, for example a straight line that looks curved. If this happens, buy a different helmet.

If you are going for a high quality face shield, you might be surprised at how expensive they can get. However, they will offer several benefits, such as being scratch resistant, and having UV protection.

A motorcycle helmet face shield will give you a safer ride and a more comfortable one. They may be somewhat expensive, but you will get enough added benefits to make the expense worthwhile.

There was a time when most motorcycle riders didn’t wear helmets. They also tended to get into unfortunate accidents. Protect yourself and look awesome doing it with the many types of cool motorcycle helmets.

If you have a bike with a slick finish, a metallic helmet may be the best choice for you. As far as cool helmets go, these are the top of the line. You can choose from a variety of colors and visor options as well.

If you’re into racing, either motorcycles or cars, a racing helmet may be just the thing for you. These helmets have a great stylish flair, and also offer superior protection, like any excellent cool motorcycle helmet.

For a unique and flashy look, there are many great graphic print helmets that are sure to please and protect. There are flames, stripes, and many other awesome designs for you to take a look at.

You also have many different styles to choose from when it comes to helmet design. If you’re interested in an open face design, there are many cool motorcycle helmets to choose from. A lot depends on what look you’re going for.

There are also many great options for full face helmets. These can come with visors which are attached permanently, or which can be switched in or out, depending on your mood during a ride.

Any parent planning on riding with their kids should be sure to get a child sized helmet. Making sure that the sizing is right will ensure your child’s protection while you ride, and you can use your own helmet wearing as a good example.

If you’re in the market for a cool motorcycle helmet, finding the right one is a piece of cake. There are a wide variety of finishes, colors, graphics and styles which will help you to protect yourself and look good doing it.

Catskill Mountain Thunder Motorcycle rally 2008

Most of us know that when the first settlers came to America they where following a dream! What most do not know is that many of those dreams where inspired by paintings of the Catskill Mountains. At the beginning of this country’s history artists where mesmerized by the beauty of these mountains and painted many pictures of them. These pictures where sent and sold all over the world and they had a large part in creating what later became know as the American dream.

Fast forward a couple Hundred years to September 10th through the 14th 2008 and now what draws hundreds of American Bikers every year to the Catskill Mountains is the Blackthorne Resort in East Durham and the Catskill Mountain Thunder Motorcycle Rally. This event which is a weekend get away for some and a week long party for others has just about everything a biker dreams of. Even though the Blackthorne Resorts grounds are large, they do fill up fast and Bikers reserve there Cabins, RV sites or Camp sites up to a year in advance just to make sure there is room for them on the grounds. (There are plenty of other resorts in the area who welcome the Biker overflow from the Blackthorne) Me and my Brother Mopar Tom arrived on Thursday Night and the first thing We did was to check out what seemed like a million vendors, Who where selling every thing from Motorcycle pins to fully Custom Motorcycles.Then of course it was time to grab some cold beverages. First drink was at the Tikki Bar by the large in-ground pool. The Second was at the Blackthorne’s on premise full service bar. Not wanting to over do it on my first night there (I would save that for my second night) I called it an early night at around 2am and was off to get some shut eye.

On Friday the fuse was lit and the weekend festivities got into full swing. I spent the day wandering around the Blackthorne checking ever thing out drinking and partying with Hundreds of new and old friends. As the sun went down and the Night began things just got better! I watched Bikers take their Motorcycles up in the air and do Ariel Burn outs as I listened to the Music of Molly Hatchet LIVE !

The Nights at Blackthorne Run late and the Mornings come early! Some Choose to start their days off riding around the incredible Catskill Mountains, either in a group on a guided tour or by themselves with no destination at all. The roads in the Catskills go on forever and even after many years of riding them each trip still offers something new ! My favorite spot to ride to has been for many years Nicks Waterfall House in Gilboa, In my opinion no ride threw the Catskills is Complete with out a big burger and a cold beer at Nicks!

Others who don’t wake till the afternoon can spend their day’s at the Blackthorne checking out the vendors buying new Biker gear, Watching Rhett Rotten and his amazing vintage Wall of Death Motorcycle stunt show, Looking at the art work of Ron Finch, Placing their votes for their favorites in the Bike show, participating in the Bike games or enjoying a list of many other wickedly fun Biker activities. Saturday Night again offered Bikers more then they could handle plus Gorgeous Women Spaghetti Wrestling, Live Ultimate Fighting bouts, Lots more live music and plenty of late night partying. On Sunday some Bikers headed home while others hung around for another day of fun including the great pig roast!

I have been a biker all my life and to this day the bond of Brotherhood that is shared by bikers still stuns me. I’m not sure if the fact that the Blackthorne is a family resort every other week of the year has anything to do with it, But I found the feeling of Brotherhood and Family to be very strong at this event. When I can hangout and party with Bikers I have just met and feel like I have known them for Twenty years, It strongly reinforces all the reasons I love being a Biker!

I have intentionally left out a lot of great things about the Blackthorne and its Catskill Mountain Thunder Motorcycle Rally, The reason for this is because if you missed this event you do not deserve to know all its secrets until you have attended it for yourself !!! Check out CatskillMountainThunder.com and reserve your spot for next years party today!

I’ll see you there! Your Bro L.J. James AmericanBikerX.com

The Corporate Takeover of the Motorcycle Club World

Everyone who has been reading any of what I have been writing over the past few years, Knows I fight for Bikers Rights , Safety and Unity. In the past few months my big concern has been the new Biker Movies and TV shows coming out like “Hell Ride” and “Sons of Anarchy” I knew these shows would have people wanting to join Motorcycle Clubs for all the wrong reasons! One thing I know will happen is many people will go out and put patches on there backs and think they are now a Motorcycle Club and start acting the way they saw the Clubs in the Movies act. As I have stated in other articles, most Clubs for many years have been working for the betterment and unity of the Motorcycle Club world. Most Motorcycle Club’s want to put the Hollywood Biker Gang image way behind them. They want to focus on the Brotherhood that is the heart of all Motorcycle Clubs.

Many Clubs make good money selling their Support Shirts and gear. Over the past few years I have seen a lot of large chain department stores selling T-shirts that are Dangerously Close to the Colors/Patches of Some of the worlds Major Clubs. It does not take much for one to assume these Stores know what they are doing and they just do not care about the people who buy these shirts or any of us in the biker world, All they care about is the cash flow! When Motorcycle Clubs contact these stores about copyright infringement the response from most if not all of these companies to the clubs is one of you don’t count or matter! When I see a person who knows nothing about the biker world wearing one of these shirts I understand that person just does not know better, But when I see a person who is a biker wearing one of these shirts I let him know “He is selling us all out ” There are too many who use the excuse they are only weekend warriors! I understand cash runs the world so these companies are going to try to skate the line by changing these shirts just enough so they can’t be sued under copyright laws and all the wannabe bikers will buy these shirts and wear them! In my opinion it is a big FU to every biker out there!

Well as if those shirts where not bad enough I was recently informed of a jean company who has come out with T-shirts that are Motorcycle Club Member T-shirts of Fictional Motorcycle Clubs ! Go to the websites emoda.com/item.asp?prodid=129470 and emoda.com/item.asp?prodid=129464 to see these shirts. Anyone from the new rider to the old time Club Member who saw a person wearing one of these shirts could easily think that person is a member of a real Motorcycle Club . These Shirts are made by some foolish corporation who probably does not care what they are doing ! The shirts go for around $52-$65 ! For $20 you can go out and buy a real Motorcycle Clubs Support shirt and Support the Biker World. The final insult to all in the Biker world is on the left sleeve there is a Diamond, this leads me to believe that the Manufacturers of these shirts knows at least a little bit about what they are doing. From the pictures I can not see if it says 1% inside the Diamond, But even if it does not it can be mistaken for one. The 1% Diamond is supposed to mean you are part of an elite Motorcycle Club the best of the best, and if you are wearing the shirt of a fictional Motorcycle Club that you paid $60 for, Well then you do not even rank as high as a wannabe Biker in my Book!

Motorcycle Clubs do not all always get along, But we all have always taken great pride in what we are and what we stand for! We true Bikers are the ones who know what “Freedom” really is! We are the ones who feel it for the rest of the world every time one of our rights are taken away. The mass population walks around blindly not caring about the things they are no longer aloud to do!

My one concern about posting this is that more people will see these shirts and buy them and wear them! If you respect anything about the Biker world not only will you not buy these shirts you will speak out and let those who make these shirts know you think this is an insult! When you are at a store and you see a biker looking shirt that looks like the patch of a Motorcycle Club you will speak out, Even if its a club you are not a fan of ,It is still an insult to all Clubs and all true Bikers! I remember hearing as a child that all Bikers where “Brothers in the wind” No matter what they ride. I always figured that even if you did not like your Brother you would always fight along side him when he was under attack! I feel this is an attack on all of us at the very heart of what we are ! So I ask those out there that came before for me, what they think and what do we do next ?

I am Your Bro L.J. James AmericanBikerX.com

For many people, the internet has become a ground for gathering information about saving gas. Websites such as this contain lots of helpful information that most people don’t know about how to save gas. Take advantage of the body of knowledge on the Internet on how to save gas, and spend less than you should on gas.

In the course of driving, if you jackrabbit too often your car will lose gas. An inconsistent road speed can cause you to spend more cash buying extra gas which you could have saved if you had maintained a constant speed.

Gas credit cards are often given out with a zero percent APR in a bid to attract clients. You should bear in mind that the APR of a gas credit card often goes up after sometime. Always investigate the initial APR and the standard APR of any credit card before you sign up for one.

When you are filling up your car with gas, don’t let the gas left in the hose to dribble all over the floor. An estimated half a cup of gas is often lost at gas pumps due to poor use of the pump. To get the most of gas from a gas pump, you should slant the pump handle at a hundred and eighty degree angle to empty all the gas left in it into your tank.

You can walk instead of using your car all the time in order to save gas. As an alternative to using your car, walking comes with tremendous health benefits such as the loss of extra fat, leaner muscles and a healthier heart. Walking to closeer destinations instead of driving can keep the gas in your car much longer.

Why should you continue to take the very long routes to work or take those routes that always have traffic jams? If you really want to save gas, then you should take shorter routes or those that don’t have traffic jams. The time you spend in traffic jams result in unnecessary use of gas. If you can avoid it, don’t take long routes and don’t get stuck in traffic.

A car that is kept in excellent shape often works better and saves less gas. If you fail to maintain your car, you will work with a car that uses up more gas. Regular car maintenance is the key to saving gas.

Gas prices are going to continue rising whether we like it or not. If you want to combat gas prices effectively, you should strive to use your car less by walking, riding or taking the bus once in a while. The neighborhood carpool can also help you save extra costs on gas.

You can obtain a car that saves gas and contributes to a ‘green’ earth. You can get second hand hybrid cars that are environment friendly.

If you are looking for a used car, you can start by asking friends or colleagues if they want to sell their cars. You will be surprised how many will say they want to sell theirs. After all, if you don’t ask, you can’t know.

Sometimes, used car auctions feature higher priced cars because of bidding competitions. To avoid bidders competition in a used car auction, know what you want and set a particular amount that you can afford to spend on the car that you want. If you aren’t a strong willed person, you may find yourself in debt after attending a used care auction and bidding for a car you can’t afford.

As a certified used car owner, you get to enjoy almost all the same privileges as a new car owner. A new car owner gets perk such as free maintenance, oil changes and lower loan rates; a certified used car owner also gets the same perks as the new car owner because of the extended warranty.

If you purchase a used car at an auction, you ought to make sure that the insurance details of the car are transferred to you. Don’t purchase a used car without getting the ownership particulars or documents because you may have problems fully possessing it if you do. Always make sure that your purchase of any used car can be approved of by the law.

The pricing of used cars can be influenced by the exterior and interior of the car. You can get a solid idea about how much used cars go for by reading the guide book provided the National Automobile Dealers Association (NADA). The internet can also provide you with an idea about the various costs of used cars.

If you purchase your second hand car from an auction deal, you should always ensure that the ownership papers are transferred to you to avoid any misunderstanding.

It makes more sense to buy a brand used car than a new car from the same brand because it is cheaper. Used cars from brands such as Chevrolet or Lexus are not exorbitant but are slightly higher in price than other used car brands.