There’s no better time to get out and ride than during the summer; the sunshine, blue skies and dry roads are inviting to any motorcycle or scooter rider. Wearing traditional motorcycle leathers would be pretty uncomfortable in the hot weather and tempting as shorts and trainers may look, they offer little protection.
Finding the right motorcycle gear for summer is important and...
ClairMcMahon
Thursday, 12 May, 2011 - 22:21
ClairMcMahon
Wednesday, 29 September, 2010 - 23:39
Tyres are the only part of the motorcycle which are in contact with the road. Safety in acceleration, braking, steering and cornering all depend on a relatively small area of road contact and it is therefore importance that your tyres are maintained in good condition at all times and that when the time comes to change them suitable replacements are fitted.
The original tyres for a...
ClairMcMahon
Saturday, 16 January, 2010 - 15:08
Life on two wheels can be low-tech and simple – or as high-tech as you want. From GPS to a device that flashes a red light when your mobile rings (because you’ve got your ear plugs in, haven’t you) there is no end to the motorcycle gadgets you can buy to make your ride better.
Let’s start with sat-nav. There’s a reason why the major sat-nav companies are now making models specially for...
ClairMcMahon
Saturday, 16 January, 2010 - 15:04
You really don’t have to be a tough, outdoors type to ride a scooter or motorcycle. Modern gear means you can be as warm on a motorbike as you would be on the bus. And it’s not just about comfort. Knowing how to keep warm on a motorcycle gets rid of cold weather as a distraction.
There are four key ways to stay toasty on two wheels:
- Use layers to trap warm air around you....
ClairMcMahon
Saturday, 16 January, 2010 - 15:00
Some riders are free spirits. They slip a credit card into their leathers and head off around the world. But for the rest of us, things must be carried, and they won’t all fit in our pockets. So let’s look at some of the motorcycle luggage solutions out there.
If you’re on a scooter, or a motorbike designed for touring, you may have built-in luggage space. Scooters tend to have...
ClairMcMahon
Saturday, 16 January, 2010 - 14:58
Motorcycles and scooters are easy to move around and small enough to fit into a van. Unfortunately, this makes them easy to steal. New scooters and small motorcycles are especially likely to go missing, making motorcycle security vital.
So do what you can to deter the thieves. Park somewhere sensible, where it’s not easy to lift your pride and joy into a van, and where there’s...
ClairMcMahon
Saturday, 16 January, 2010 - 13:18
The law says you must wear a motorcycle helmet whenever you ride, but that doesn’t mean it’s cool to ride in shorts and flip-flops, a bikini or stilettos. The right gear won’t just help you look the part, it could also make the difference between a knock to the ego and a week in hospital. Most motorcycle accidents happen at low speeds, so it makes sense to be able to walk away with slight...
ClairMcMahon
Saturday, 16 January, 2010 - 13:14
Even if you plan to take your motorcycle back to the dealers for all its servicing, there are a few essential motorcycle maintenance jobs you should be doing regularly for yourself.
If it’s chain-driven, you need to keep the chain unclogged and lubricated, so invest in some lubricant or “lube”. If that seems like a lot of hassle, think about getting an automatic lubricating system that...
ClairMcMahon
Saturday, 16 January, 2010 - 12:54
Your hands and feet are operating important controls as you ride, so the boots and gloves you choose are doing a number of vital jobs. As well as protecting you in case of accident, they have to keep you warm and dry without hindering your free movement. To see why the right gloves matter, try texting when your fingers are numb with cold.
Boots:
Even on a...
ClairMcMahon
Saturday, 16 January, 2010 - 12:50
You may be perfectly happy with your motorcycle the way it is. But if not, there are thousands of motorcycle accessories you can get to tweak it until it’s absolutely perfect.
For example, you like your traditional, naked motorbike or your elegant urban scooter. But you don’t like the way the wind cuts through your jacket when you ride on faster roads. No problem, invest in a windscreen...