Metric Motorcycle Holidays Tours

So you want to go on a motorcycle road trip to Sturgis this year. You've made all of the travel arrangements for the trip. You have your hotel room reserved. You have the local hot spots during the week all mapped out. Your job knows that you are taking your vacation. Everything is set. Or is it? Did you remember to pack everything?

When planning any motorcycle road trip, it is good to plan what and how you are going to pack your motorcycle. Make a list of supplies you are going to need . Lay out everything and check off the items on your list as you pack them into your motorcycle luggage. Remember to take an extra change of clothing, just in case. Pack your motorcycle rain suit in last, so that you can get to it easily. The last thing you want is to have to search for your gear in the rain.

Take the time to research different motorcycle repair shops along your route. Keep a list of these shops in your wallet, or even better in your motorcycle tool bag. You did remember to pack that right? Take as many tools that you might need for any minor repairs. A phillips and standard screwdriver, a pair of needle nose pliers, some cable ties, a couple of combination wrenches that fit majority of the sizes on your motorcycle, and a repair manual might even be handy too.

Make sure to pack some easy to eat snacks for the road. Granola bars, trail mix, and candy bars are a good idea. You can also purchase MREs, (Meals Ready to Eat), from a local army surplus store, and use these on the road as a quick meal. Use a large gallon sized sealing bag to store your food to keep the mess to a minimum.

A road map is essential. You can buy folding maps for the trip, no matter your destination. Even better, consider buying a navigation system for your motorcycle. These are great, and can be easily adapted to work with your motorcycle. If you don't want to use a navigation system, consider using a cell phone with broadband internet access, to use free services like Google maps or Mapquest.

Think about the other essentials of the road. Personal toiletries like travel sized tooth brush, tooth paste, shampoo, soap, and deodorant can all be obtained and stored in a small travel bag, easily stored in your motorcycle luggage. Consider even packing a small roll of toilet paper, for when nature calls, and you are in the middle of nowhere. You are going to some remote locations at times right?

When packing your motorcycle luggage, try to keep the weight balanced on each side of the motorcycle. You don't want to have a bike that wants to lean to one side or the other. Taking a long trip with a lopsided motorcycle will wear you out quickly as you try to fight to keep the motorcycle upright. The best way to do this, is to have someone help you pack the luggage, while you balance the motorcycle. After packing, take your motorcycle out for a short test ride, and make adjustments.

Make your Next Motorcycle Road Trip a Success by Jafrum

When you do get your motorcycle, you may not know how important a chain is. This is really the most important motorcycle part that you may have on your bike. The trick is to know where to get a replacement if yours goes bad.

When you get your motorcycle for the first time you really should check the motorcycle chain and make sure that it doesn't need replacing. If you find that it does there are many places that you can go to find those motorcycle parts. You just really need to know where you need to look to find the right one.

The first place that you will probably look to find the right chain in all the motorcycle parts is a motorcycle parts store. They'll have everything that you need for your motorcycle and more. If you don't see the right chain for your model of motorcycle, you can have them order it for you. This can be a great idea for people that don't want to travel to get the right motorcycle parts.

Another good place that you can look to find this very vital motorcycle part is on the Internet. There are many stores as well as individuals that still keep motorcycle parts for you to purchase. A good way to find them is a search engine and if you can't find what you need that way, you can also Google the name of certain companies and can get routed right to them. You also should make sure that you compare the prices between motorcycle parts stores that are on the Internet so that you can get the best deal for your money.

When you have found the right chain for your motorcycle, you may want to consider the thought of hiring someone to put it in for you. This will keep the motorcycle running well and it will also make sure that the bike has the right motorcycle parts for it. If you are a good enough mechanic, you may be able to put it in yourself, but you don't want to mess this part up on the motorcycle. This is the one motorcycle part there that really makes the bike run and run well. So it's important to get it right the first time instead of messing it up, and having to do it over and over again just to get it right again.

Motorcycle Chain And Where To Get It by Victor Epand

Please stay alert and take notice! The following information could be life-saving. Long-distance motorcycle road tripsprovide an array of benefits. There is the open road, the panoramic views, and the feeling of truly "getting away from it all." However, before you strap on your gear, including a helmet, jacket, riding pants, and motorcycle bikes, be aware of one of the biggest enemies of long-distance motorcycling: exhaustion. Motorcycling exposes you to the elements and can be quite fatiguing. Here are some tips to keep the sandman at bay as you hit the roads:

1. Be aware of the danger of fatigue

For motorcycle trips lasting at least three days, fatigue becomes a major factor. The good news is that in general, fatigue is less of a factor in motorcycle accidents, as it is in automobile accidents. However, exhaustion still exists as a major factor in lengthy motorcycle trips. It is important to:

• know your body's requirements for sleep
• be aware of signs of exhaustion that your body gives
• take appropriate action when you are drowsy

2. Plan to get enough sleep

This seems like an obvious objective, but it can be quite challenging. Many people set a departure time for their road trips, and set it at the same wake-up time as roosters. It is advisable not to set a departure time. Instead, before departing on your trip, get to bed early enough and do not set a departure time. Waking up by unnatural means (i.e. alarm clock or a bucket of water in your face) means that you did not get an ample amount of sleep. Also, make sure to get a full-night's sleep every day on the road. If that is not possible, sleep well every two or three days.

3. Adapt your body to the long journey

You may need to adapt your body to long rides. Unless you take lengthy motorcycle rides during the week, or ride your motorcycle every day, your body is not accustomed to the rigors of long trips. In fact, your muscles will speak for themselves within the first full day or two of riding. It is advisable to take a break each 1-2 hours, to make the transition smooth.

4. Be ware of your "tired times."

The research of sleep experts has indicated that we experience "tired times" every cycle of 12 hours. Typically, this happens between 3:00 and 5:00 in the morning and evening. In the early morning, you are probably sleeping during that timeframe. Meanwhile, in the afternoon consider taking a break at that time. Catch a catnap, eat a snack, etc.

5. Wear comfortable gear

One way to keep exhaustion at bay is to wear comfortable gear. In particular, ensure that your helmet and motorcycle boots (such as Harley Davidson boots), fit snugly but not too snugly.

A long road trip on your motorcycle can be one of the greatest thrills of your life. However, make sure to take certain precautions, to minimize exhaustion and accidents due to exhaustion. Stay alert and alive!

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Motorcycles have a higher rate of fatal accidents than automobiles. United States Department of Transportation data for 2005 from the Fatality Analysis Reporting System show that for passenger cars, 18.62 fatal crashes occur per 100,000 registered vehicles. For motorcycles this figure is higher at 75.19 per 100,000 registered vehicles – four times higher than for cars. The same data show that 1.56 fatalities occur per 100 million vehicle miles travelled for passenger cars, whereas for motorcycles the figure is 43.47 – 28 times higher than for cars. Furthermore for motorcycles the accident rates have increased significantly since the end of the 1990s, while the rates have dropped for passenger cars.

The two major causes of motorcycle accidents in the United States are: motorists pulling out or turning in front of motorcyclists and violating their rights-of-way and motorcyclists running wide through turns. The former is sometimes called a SMIDSY, an acronym formed from the motorists' common response of "Sorry mate, I didn't see you". The latter is more common when motorcyclists mix drinking with riding. Motorcyclists can anticipate and avoid some of these crashes with proper training, increasing their conspicuousness to other traffic, and separating alcohol and riding.

The United Kingdom has several organisations which are dedicated to improving motorcycle safety by providing advanced rider training over and above what is necessary to pass the basic motorcycle test. These include the Institute of Advanced Motorists (IAM) and the Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents (RoSPA). Along with increased personal safety, riders with these advanced qualifications often benefit from reduced insurance costs.

Motorcycle Safety Education is offered throughout the United States by organisations ranging from state agencies to non-profit organisations to corporations. The courses, designed by the Motorcycle Safety Foundation (MSF), include a Basic Rider Course, an Intermediate Rider Course and an Advanced Rider Course.

In the UK and some Australian jurisdictions, such as New South Wales, the Australian Capital Territory and the Northern Territory, it is compulsory to undertake a rider training course before being issued a Learners Licence.

In Canada, motorcycle rider training is compulsory in Quebec and Manitoba only, but all provinces and territories have Graduated Licensing programs which place restrictions on new drivers until they have gained experience. Eligibility for a full motorcycle license or endorsement for completing a Motorcycle Safety course varies by province. The Canada Safety Council, a non-profit safety organisation, offers the Gearing Up program across Canada and is endorsed by the Motorcycle and Moped Industry Council. Training course graduates may qualify for reduced insurance premiums.

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Wikipedia:Motorcycle safety and Motorcycle safety clothing

A motorcycle (bike, motorbicycle, cycle or motorbike) is a single-track, two-wheeled motor vehicle powered by an engine. Motorcycles vary considerably depending on the task for which they are designed, such as long distance travel, navigating congested urban traffic, cruising, sport and racing, or off-road conditions. In many parts of the world, motorcycles are among the least expensive and most widespread forms of motorised transport.

Legal definitions and restrictions

A motorcycle is broadly defined by law in some countries for the purposes of registration, taxation or licensing riders as a two-wheel motor vehicle "fit to drive." Other countries distinguish between mopeds and other small bikes and the larger, more powerful vehicles. In Canada and some U.S. jurisdictions, three-wheeled motor vehicles fall under the auspices of motorcycle regulations.

In the United Kingdom, the rules on which motorcycle may be ridden by whom are complex.[30] A "moped", which can be ridden at age 16, has a maximum design speed not exceeding 50 km/h (31 mph) and engine capacity no greater than 50 cc. A "learner motorcycle", which can be ridden from age 17, has an engine up to 125 cc with a power output not exceeding 11 kW (15 hp). Only a Compulsory Basic Training (CBT) licence is needed to ride a learner motorcycle with an L plate. A "large restricted motorcycle" has a power output of not more than 25 kW (34 hp). Riders are restricted to riding large restricted motorcycles or smaller for two years after passing their initial motorcycle test. A "large motorcycle" has a power output of at least 25 kW.

For riders over age 21 there is a direct access route to gaining a licence to ride a large motorcycle, which allows somebody with no motorcycle experience to train and pass a test in around five days. All motorcycle riders in the UK must first take a one-day CBT course, regardless of which class of motorcycle they intend to ride. In addition a theory test must be taken prior to taking a practical test for any type of motorcycle licence.

In the United States, licencing requirements vary widely among the states and territories, but generally riders are required to pass written and practical (on-cycle) competency tests. In about half the states, successful completion of a rider education course (such as those offered by the Motorcycle Safety Foundation) is accepted by state licencing agencies in lieu of examination.

In New Zealand, "learner" and "restricted" motorcycles may only have a 250 cc engine capacity. This distinction draws some criticism, as it allows 15-year-old learner riders to operate bikes capable of reaching speeds in excess of 250 km/h (160 mph).

The legal age to be eligible to apply for a New Zealand motorcycle licence is 15 years and over. New Zealand employs a three stage system for motor vehicle licensing. At age 15, an individual can gain their first licence known as their "learner licence". They must hold this for at least 6 months before they are able to move on to their "restricted licence". They must then hold this "restricted licence" for one and half years. After a period of 6 to 18 months, depending on age and additional training, a holder of a restricted licence may sit the third and final stage known as the "full licence". Until an individual has their "full licence" they are only able to ride a motorcycle which has an engine capacity of 250 cc or less.

A similar system is used in most states of Australia, with some variations. "Learners Permit" and "Provisional" license holders must not have bikes that exceed a power to weight ratio of 150kW/tonne or 660cc, whichever comes first. All 250cc bikes (with a few listed exceptions) are automatically included in this LAMS (Learner Approved Motorcycle Scheme) list.

Before getting a "Learners Permit" a Pre-Learner course is required, which issues a certificate of completion, valid for 3 months. Upon passing a computer test, the rider is granted a Learners Permit, which is valid for 12 months. Whilst on a learners permit, the rider may not carry a pillion or side car and may not exceed 80km/h or the posted speed limit, whichever is lower.

To progress to a Provisional License, the rider must successfully complete a Pre-Provisional riders course, followed by a riding skills test called MOST (Motorcycle Operator Skill Test). The rider is then able to obtain a "Provisional License". Provisional licenses can be renewed and must be held without suspension for 12 months, after which time it can be upgraded to a full license.

The laws of some countries allow anyone with a car licence to legally ride mopeds not exceeding 50 cc in capacity, meaning that they do not need to show any competency in handling such a vehicle.

The laws and regulations for legal moped usage in the U.S. vary by state. The specifics of the motorcycle and moped laws in the U.S. can be obtained from each individual state's Department of Motor Vehicles' websites.

Wikipedia:Best Motorcycle routes