Metric Motorcycle Holidays Tours

The first electric motorcycle vests made an appearance in 1971. But they are yet to become a rage because most riders suffer from electrocution fears. They would rather brave the cold than put on electrical clothing. This is a most unfortunate psychology. The riders must realize that the electrical clothing is wired by 12-volt charge. It is not strong enough to give them a shock, far less a fatal one.

There are some riders who fear that the electrical apparel will drain away too much amperage. This too is a misconception because electrical apparel uses too little power to affect any of the normal motorcycle functions.

These two are the main reasons why most riders avoid using electrical apparel. But there are some who take pride in their physical well being. To them it is an anathema to wear artificially heated clothes. They love to ride out in the cold in normal winter wear.

There is nothing wrong in such an attitude. You can surely avoid electrical clothing if you feel that your body is strong enough to resist even the bitterest cold weather. However, you must remember that electrical clothing can surely improve your riding experience by keeping your torso warm.

Today, manufacturers not only sell electrical vests but also jackets that have an electrical lining on the sleeves and the inside. The heat generated by such clothing increases the body temperature not only in the torso region where the vital organs are located but also keeps the fingers and toes warm.

Almost every rider knows how difficult it is to control a bike once the fingers go numb. Even the best of winter gloves can't stop the chill creeping into the fingers, and slowing down a rider's responses. This is where electrical clothing can prove very useful.

A good practice when wearing electrical vests is to wear it on top of a full-sleeved cotton shirt. This will ensure that the electrical vest does not touch the body. Also, the heat that is generated is retained by the cotton liner, and does not get dissipated.

The only danger of electrical clothing is that you may get too used to it. Even in moderate conditions you would like to put on your electrical vest. This is not a good practice. Like warm clothes, electrical clothing should be used to ward off cold. The body should not be made dependent on artificial heat sources.

Electrical Clothing Is Not Dangerous by James Gunaseelan

Some people look for travel discounts that are based on the mode of travel. Some people like to travel by automobile, train, boats, motorcycles and last but not least by a wide assortment of airlines. The discounts that are offered for each of these modes will make travel more affordable but they will also give the traveler pleasure because it is their chosen mode of travel.

Some people are very uncomfortable with the idea of traveling by air. No matter what type of discounts are offered on their flights, people still have the preference of remaining on the ground and arriving at their destination on time. Some people are completely different and choose airline schedules because they know they can save many hours of their vacations if they travel by air.

There are some people who can travel in a variety of ways and not give it a second thought. These travelers know what to look for when they visit travel websites because the travel opportunities offer them a wide assortment of departure times to pick from and amazing travel packages that make any type of travel mode seem very fair and reasonable and certain to please any type of traveler at sometime during the year.

When people choose to travel by boat, there is always a place on the itinerary that they have always wanted to go. They find that the ship's itinerary is the most important part of their travels and pricing for a particular stateroom is usually the last thing they consider when booking their reservations. Some people will book last minute cruise deals to enjoy their vacations even more.

Some people use their memberships in travel clubs to gain the best airline fares and discounts on hotel rooms and fine dining. The discounts begin to add up when they are also given discounts that encourage them to rent a car somewhere along their travel route. The discounts from shopping at certain stores will give travelers discounted gift cards that can be used to pay for gasoline or a variety of souvenirs that they find along the way.

Some foreign countries promote the use of scooters and motorcycles in various travel packages. These modes of transportation will allow visitors to travel through streets that are noticeably smaller and difficult to manage for some travelers. They reasonable prices that this mode of travel affords will make travel in the foreign city much more exciting and fun to do. Some vendors in foreign countries will give families large discounts for renting several scooters at one time and this makes travel modes for the whole family very affordable.

Travel Discounts By Mode Of Travel:Jim Brown

Having had my Driver's License for 47 years now and having driven manual transmissions and automatics from Volkswagen bugs, to Corvettes, to Nissan 300 ZX Turbo's to more refined Lincoln luxury cars you would think that I could drive anywhere in the world.

My driving record is excellent. No accidents and no points off in the last 6 years and that qualifies me for the best rating and the best insurance rate in Canada. An experienced driver with the best driving record.

Coming to Chiang Mai, Thailand and renting a car to see the sites and get around town should be a breeze you would expect. Well anyone who thinks so is dead wrong.

Driving here has to be seen to be believed. Do not try it unless you know someone here who has educated you as to What to Watch Out For.

Here is my list:

The lines on the roads do not mean a thing here. You can drive on them, you can drive on the side of them, but do not expect drivers to drive between them. Why? Because on the left side of the road you will find motorbikes so cars move over knowing that this is the preferred route of the motorbikes. That is one reason. Another is that both red taxi's (converted pick up trucks used as taxis) and tuk tuk's (three wheeled motorcycles used as taxis) move over from the fast lane to the middle of the two lanes in an attempt to pick up more passengers and yet not lose out on positioning in a fast lane of traffic.
Traffic signals do not mean a thing here. Vehicles can jump the green and make a turn against the flow of traffic if they are hmmm. the first, second, third or even the fourth vehicles in line at a red light as you want to cross an intersection with the light just having turned green. Expect vehicles to run the red if it just turned red hmmm. what one, two, or perhaps three seconds ago.

Watch out for the 3 wheeled bicycles. These are normally driven by slim men in their sixties who have doing this for years. This may have been a fashionable and popular means of transportation 50 years ago or so but now it is a danger out on the roads as they move along at 4 mph on streets full of cars and motorcycles, all of which are in a hurry to go somewhere.

Watch out for vendors pushing their carts at 2 mph down the street on the left hand side of the road.

Watch out for dogs who lay on the road and refuse to move or move reluctantly as the last second.

If you are keeping up with the flow of traffic on a fast moving road at 45 mph in bumper to bumper traffic EXPECT someone to tailgate your vehicle. Oh maybe 10 ft from your rear bumper or perhaps 5 ft. from your bumper. Nice, polite, quiet people that they are Thai's when they get behind the steering wheel change they make a transition from Mr. Hyde to Dr. Jekyll.

In my opinion most drivers here only have the mandatory basic insurance which is almost useless should they have an accident. So they try to be careful and not hit other cars by driving 3 ft away from vehicles on their passenger side. Either they cannot judge the distance as they are inexperienced drivers or they are extremely careful, either way they will drive down the street using part of your lane forcing you out of your lane.

Overtaking can be done regardless of whether you do it by passing the vehicle in front of you on the left or right side. So if you drive down the road EXPECT to see a vehicle coming straight for you in your lane passing a slower vehicle. They will pass and expect you to slow down or move out of your lane as they are going somewhere in a hurry.

Overtaking another vehicle will happen by vehicles going uphill and not seeing what is ahead of them, overtaking will occur on turns and the drivers not seeing what is ahead of them, overtaking will occur whenever and wherever.

Pedestrians crossing with the traffic light green DO NOT HAVE THE RIGHT OF WAY, vehicles go first and you should cross when you it is safe to do so.

Now having said all of that you may be thinking to yourself, Is this guy trying to scare me, is he trying to be funny, does he not want me to drive in Chiang Mai? The answer to these questions is:

I want you to know what you will be facing should you decide to drive here. I want you not to injure yourself or someone else thinking you can go ahead and rent/drive a vehicle without having driven here before or without some advice.

When I first arrived and saw the traffic I thought that I would never be able to drive here. Well now I do drive here. I know what to watch out for and drivers running greens or red lights does not surprise me or anger me. I merely expect it.

The Thai drivers here have probably not had any formal driving instruction, they may not have any decent insurance coverage, and they may be pushy when it comes to driving as they may be in a hurry to earn money so that they can feed their family. So nothing against them, I try to understand their driving habits and adjust mine accordingly. No matter how they drive they are happy go lucky, cheerful, hard working people and I love them.

If you are interested in learning more about living here, moving here, Thai foods, about Thailand and Chiang Mai visit our website.

Driving in Chiang Mai, Thailand. - Can I, should I?:George Dowhan

If you enjoy motorcycle trips, then a motorcycle trip to Mexico can be one of the best cycling adventures on the planet. Mexico has thousands of miles of scenic coastal highways, and the interior is full of quaint little villages and exciting terrain to explore. But before the fun begins, you need to first make sure you have Mexican insurance for your trusty steed.

Mexican insurance is required for all vehicles driving to Mexico. As most people know, US and Canadian insurance is not recognized in Mexico, so you need to purchase Mexican insurance for your vehicle before entering Mexico.

You can choose to purchase either a Mexican Liability policy which only covers damages you cause to third parties (it will not pay for damages to your motorcycle), or you can choose to purchase a full coverage policy which also includes theft and physical damage coverage for your motorcycle. The liability policy will fulfill your legal obligations in Mexico in the event you are in a traffic accident, and the full coverage policy will cover both liability and damages to your motorcycle. Obviously, the liability only policy will be less expensive.

Where to purchase Mexico motorcycle insurance

These days, most customers are finding the internet to be the easiest tool for shopping for Mexican insurance. You can also purchase Mexican insurance at the border, but this means you will have to wait until the last minute to get your Mexico insurance, and you may not be able to easily find a border insurance location that actually covers motorcycles.

Online Mexican insurance websites allow customers to get an instant quote in less than a minute, then you can purchase and print your policy in less than five minutes. Before using a Mexican insurance website, make sure to check for a visible valid insurance license and a phone number. As an added precaution, you may want to call the customer service phone number just to make sure there are live humans there ready to help you. Almost all of these websites are run by US based insurance brokers who have contracts with the Mexican insurance companies, so these brokers are regulated by US laws.

Full Coverage or Liability Only?

Only a handful of Mexican insurance companies will insure motorcycles, so it is highly recommended that you secure your Mexico motorcycle through an insurance broker before you leave for your trip. There are even less Mexican companies who will provide full coverage for motorcycles, so you may need to do some shopping around.

Of the few companies who provide theft and physical damage Mexico insurance for motorcycles, this coverage is usually limited to street motorcycles. Race bikes and off-road motorcycles are usually only eligible for Mexico liability insurance. Harley Davidsons, Honda Goldwings, and other non-racing type motorcycles are usually eligible for full coverage Mexico insurance.

What to look for in a Mexican motorcycle insurance policy

If you are only getting liability only, the difference between insurance companies are very small. Make sure to get at least $50,000 worth of liability coverage, and make sure legal services are included with the policy.

If you are looking for theft and physical damage coverage, then you need to be a bit more careful with your shopping. There are a few coverage categories that could make a huge difference in how your Mexican insurance claim could be handled.

Deductibles: Make sure you know exactly what your deductibles are for both physical damage and theft. The best Mexico motorcycle policies will usually have a $500 physical damage deductible and a $1,000 theft deductible.

Hourly Labor Rates for Repairs Made in the US or Canada: First of all, make sure the Mexico insurance policy allows you to repair your bike in the US or Canada. Then check to see what hourly labor rate the Mexican insurance company will pay for these repairs. If the Mexican company does not disclose this amount, then you can guess that it could be as low as $15 per hour. Only select a Mexico motorcycle insurance policy that pays at least $35 per hour for repairs made in the US, and try to find a policy that pays a higher US labor rate.

Medical Evacuation and Travel Assistance: Some of the better Mexican insurance brokers will bundle in free medical evacuation and other travel insurance services. If you are going to buy the insurance, you might as well get one that includes these extra features. An emergency medical evacuation runs anywhere from $15,000 - $50,000 these days, so this is a great coverage to have.

Once you have your quality Mexican motorcycle insurance secured, you are ready to get on with your Mexican motorcycle adventure.

A few driving tips for motorcycles in Mexico:

Never drive at night. The roads are not well lit, and debris and live stock are often on the roads at night.

Drive much slower than you would on US roads. Many of the Mexican roads are not well maintained, and it is not unusual for debris, sand, or gravel to accumulate on the roads.

Jeff Nordahl is an avid traveler to Mexico and a motorcycle enthusiast. He is also president of Adventure Mexican Insurance Services who specializes in Mexico motorcycle insurance. He has over 10 years of experience in the Mexican insurance industry, and he continues to work with Mexican insurance companies to improve the insurance products they offer to visitors to Mexico.

Mexico Motorycle Insurance For Road Trips to Mexico By Jeff Nordahl

1. Just what the tanker truck was carrying that caused whole neighborhoods to be evacuated.


2. Just how toxic that cloud of gas was after the truck caught fire.


3. How many hours the truck driver had been driving since his last rest.


4. What kind of deals the casinos offer the truck drivers if they stop.


5. What really goes on at those truck stops.


6. If truckers still use CB radios.


7. Whether your call would get routed to India if you call the number on the back of the truck that asks you to call if you don’t like the way they’re driving.


8. What happened to all the mud flaps with the girl on them.


9. Whether truckers will still honk if your kids motion for them to do it.


10. What the truck driver who hit you was doing just before he slammed into you.

Here are ten actual tips of advice from a truck accident lawyer to follow if you have been in an accident.

Obviously, if you have had an accident, and you are reading all of this advice, it’s probably been at least a few days since the accident. However, if it’s only been a few hours or if you ever have another accident, here’s what you should do the next time from the start.

First, take a look around and determine if you or anyone, are hurt. If so, taking steps like trying to prevent further injury or loss of blood are the most important thing you can do. Even if some other driver caused you to be injured, it’s just good manners to help the other driver if they are hurt. They may even be so thankful that they admit their fault to you. The worst thing you can do is get angry or start a fight.

Second, make sure everyone is safe from being injured further. If you are in the middle of traffic, and you are dizzy, sit down away from traffic. If your vehicle is a traffic hazard and you have accident warning devices like flares or triangles, put them out on the road to warn other drivers and get away from the car. Let the police an other emergency personnel investigate the scene with the vehicles in place and move them more safely at a later point.

Third, call the police. Accident reports are extremely helpful if the police will do such a report. Let the police know you are injured immediately. Answer the police questions honestly. But if you are dazed or confused, let them know you need medical treatment and answer only what you feel sure about. Remember, your statements can and will be used against you if you admit fault, and it will be too late and too fishy to later say you didn’t know what you were saying at the scene. Police know that your best recollection is immediately after an accident.

Fourth, get the other driver’s information including their names, addresses, driver’s license numbers, make and model of their vehicles, license plate numbers, and their insurance company name and policy number. If there are witnesses, get their names, addresses and telephone numbers as well. If the other driver makes any admissions of fault, write those down as well.

Fifth, if you have a camera on your cell phone or in the car and you aren’t too injured, take some photos of the vehicles and the scene. If you can’t do it right away, do it after you are released from the hospital.

Sixth, if you are hurt, obtain medical treatment. Don’t decline the ambulance or hospital examination to save your insurance company money or to be stoic. Take your valuables out of your car if you can and get checked out at the hospital. If you are not hurt, don’t get treatment you don’t need. However, remember, after an accident, you may feel a rush of adrenaline that causes you to only start feeling symptoms of pain a few hours later. If you have a health plan that requires you to obtain permission first, call them and find out where you are allowed to seek treatment.

Seventh, call a good truck accident attorney as soon as you have had your initial treatment, so the lawyer can gather other important evidence and prevent the insurance company from taking advantage of you and obtaining such things as recorded statements that you feel fine, when many of your symptoms have yet to manifest themselves. A good truck accident attorney can save you from making a great deal of mistakes and can shoulder much of the hassle of knowing what to do about car repairs, car rentals, medical treatment, witness statements and the like. If you think you will save money by not having an lawyer, think again. A good truck accident attorney can almost always obtain much higher settlements, obtain reductions of medical bills and insurance liens and prevent you from making costly mistakes. Also, most truck accident lawyers advance costs of obtaining police reports, medical records and the like and are paid and reimbursed for these costs only out of any settlement.

Eight, you will need to report the accident to your insurance company, but since they will want to take a recorded statement from you, just like any other driver’s insurance company, it’s good advice to retain an attorney first. And if the other driver did not have insurance, remember that it is your own insurance company that will be your adversary. You will also need to report the accident to the Department of Motor Vehicles and your lawyer can give you the form for this.

Ninth, do not agree to settle your claim privately with the person at fault for the accident. This almost never works out to your advantage. Don’t agree not to call the police. Police reports that determine the fault for an accident are golden. Your agreement to not involve the police only affords an opportunity for the other driver to change his story and blame you when the police will no longer investigate the accident.

Tenth, don’t pay a traffic ticket without a fight if you weren’t at fault or agree to accept a small payment for your vehicle repairs without knowing that the amount will in fact cover the cost of all the repairs.

If you’ve had a truck accident in Palm Springs, Palm Desert, Indio, Coachella, Rancho Mirage, La Quinta, Indian Wells, Cathedral City, Desert Hot Springs, Thermal, Yucca Valley, Joshua Tree, Twentynine Palms or anywhere in Southern California, we have the knowledge and resources to be your Coachella Truck Accident Lawyer and your Palm Desert Truck Accident Attorney. Be sure to hire a California law firm with auto, motorcycle, truck, bicycle, pedestrian, car, bus, train, boat and airplane accident experience, wrongful death experience and insurance law expertise who can ensure you are properly represented and get the compensation you deserve.

If you have a personal injury legal matter, a dog bite or if you’ve lost a loved one in a wrongful death accident, call the Law Offices of R. Sebastian Gibson, or visit our website at http://www.SebastianGibsonLaw.com and learn how we can assist you.

Coachella Truck Accident Lawyer’s Top Ten Things You Wish You Would See Reported in the Press After a Truck Accident by R. Sebastian Gibson

Visit our website at http://www.sebastiangibsonlaw.com if you have a personal injury legal matter of any kind. We have the knowledge and resources to represent you as your Coachella Truck Accident Lawyer and Palm Desert Truck Accident Attorney or your attorney in and around the cities of Corona del Mar, Laguna Beach, Huntington Beach, Irvine, Anaheim, Santa Ana, Carlsbad, Oceanside, La Jolla, Del Mar and Escondido. We also serve Orange, Fullerton, Costa Mesa, Corona, Temecula, Murrieta, Westminster, Buena Park, Mission Viejo, Garden Grove, Riverside, San Bernardino, Moreno Valley, Fontana, Chula Vista, El Cajon, Vista, San Marcos, Solana Beach, Encinitas, Laguna Niguel, Chino Hills, San Clemente, Pacific Beach, Tustin and Yorba Linda.

The Blue Ridge Parkways is the longest rural parkway in the United States. It runs 469 miles, connecting the Great Smoky Mountains in southern North Carolina to Shenandoah National Park in northern Virginia and stretches across the southern Appalachian Mountains. That fact alone promises a very scenic ride. So why don't you give yourself a break and on a motorcycle road trip along the Blue Ridge Parkway!

If you want to get the most out of the beauty of Blue Ridge Parkway, you will need to allot four days for this motorcycle road trip. Take the time to stop and explore nearby towns that have existed since the first settlements in America.

Starting from North Carolina, the beginning of your road trip is kicked off with a movie-like dramatic setting as the from the Smoky Mountains is so visible. Ride to Boone, the Firefly Capital of the World. If you are feeling like being a child again, stop by at Boone's major attraction, the Tweetsie Railroad. Moving along to Asheville, treat yourself with cultural and historic attractions. In Asheville, you will find the famous Biltmore Estate, the most technologically-advanced home during the time it was built. You might want to spend the night at Biltmore Estate for their wine and experience the life of the rich and famous.

If you are a fun of the Wild West, you might want to go on your motorcycle road trip with a stop at Maggie Valley. In Maggie, there's the Ghost Town in the Sky theme park. Relax and enjoy staged gunfights. Explore more of Blue Ridge as you head to Humpback Mountain. Deep inside, you will find Linville Caverns. Be sure to look around Linville Caverns and brace yourself to see oddities after oddities in each room.

Leaving North Carolina, you get a chance to see Native American culture manifested in such towns as Cherokee where the Cherokee Indians settles. From another group, however, the Oconaluftee Indian Village, you can even learn words from their native tongue and participate in some of their activities like mask carving and canoe hauling. Reaching Virginia, stop by for a live entertainment with local actors giving life to the 1800's Appalachian skills, customs and traditions, all complete with costumes and other props. This performance is held at the Humpback Rocks. The same entertainment lies ahead at Mabry Mill as performers also demonstrate old Appalachian lifestyle. As you relax in Mabry Mill, a bite the town's specialty, the fresh apple butter, will make this motorcycle road trip all worth it.

As dramatic as the Smoky Mountains mist has provided for the beginning of your motorcycle road trip, so does the roaring sound of the Crabtree Falls for the ending. Take one more stop before finally concluding your trip at the Blue Ridge Music Center and listen to some old folk songs dating back from the time of the early settlers.

A four-day excursion via Blue Ridge Parkway will make you realize that there are really so many beautiful places in the United States. As you think of your journey, it encourages you to explore more of the country's four corners to see its beauty with a motorcycle road trip.

To plan your next motorcycle road trip, please use our ultimate road trip planner, which leverages the collective wisdom of thousands of users worldwide, and makes road trip planning interactive and enjoyable. http://www.tripwiser.com

When you’re ready to sell your car, truck, motorcycle or boat, how will you get it before potential buyers? Most people will pay hundreds of dollars to list their car, truck, motorcycle or boat in their daily or local newspapers. There are even some magazines that specialize in selling used vehicles. For a fee, you can list your car, truck, motorcycle, boat or any vehicle in their pages. You may get the exposure you’re looking for, but you will have to answer countless phone calls. You’ll most likely spend hours giving out your address and directions to your home to total strangers. Hopefully, they’ll show up when they say they will but it’s pretty common for some of these ‘interested’ customers to fall by the wayside.

You could save your advertising dollars and spend your time going to countless dealers trying to trade-in your car, truck, motorcycle or boat. Most people simply go the route of a trade-in because it saves them time and effort. But they may not be getting as much as they could for their car, truck, motorcycle or boat.

If you’re looking to get the full value of your car, truck, motorcycle or boat, avoid losing money at trade-in by listing your car, truck, motorcycle or boat with CapitalAutoAuction . When you list your car, truck, motorcycle or boat with Capital Auto Auction hundreds of people will see it. The professional staff at Capital Auto Auction know how to show off your used car, truck, motorcycle or boat at its best.

You will be getting the full value of your car, truck, motorcycle or boat. And think of how much safer selling your car, truck, motorcycle or boat through Capital Auto Auction is. You can avoid having strangers coming to your home.

To get started selling your car, truck, motorcycle or boat through Capital Auto Auction, you can visit our website at www.capitalautoauction.com. In order to get started the title to your car, truck, motorcycle or boat must be free of liens and in your name. Capital Auto Auction takes consignments on a first come first serve basis. There are a limited number of consignments taken each week so you will need to fill out the short questionnaire at our website. You will be asked which auction location site you wish to sell your car at. You will also have to supply us with your car, truck, motorcycle or boat’s vehicle year, make and model as well as mileage. You can then list your asking price.

When you sell through Capital Auto auction we do all the advertising and take all the phone calls. We know how to show off your car , truck, motorcycle or boat to get you the full value. We take the worry out of selling your car, truck, motorcycle or boat because if there is ever a problem we do everything possible to make sure both the seller and buyer are satisfied.

Get the Most for Your Used Vehicle by Selling it Through Capital Auto Auction:search rankpros

Most Asian countries have problems in their big cities, like Bangkok, with over-population, traffic congestion and pollution. There are several modes of transportation in Bangkok, with the automobile being the most popular. Bangkok is a large city that possesses only the beginnings of a mass rapid transport system such as can be found in Singapore or Hong Kong. Traffic in Bangkok is also notoriously bad, and it is often impossible to ascertain just how much time is needed to go from point A to point B if you are travelling by road. There are ways to get around the city however, and the best method of transport can very much depend on the time of day, or other circumstances such as start and end points of travel. Although not expensive in any case, cost can also be a factor in selecting the best method of transport.

The colourful taxis that dominate the traffic in Bangkok are cheap and plentiful, and these days they are all fitted with meters. Nevertheless, some unscrupulous drivers will refuse to turn on the meter and quote you a flat, inflated price. This particularly happens in certain tourist areas. In this situation, it is best to get out of the taxi and flag another one down. In order to try and avoid this situation completely, it is usually better to walk just a short distance away from the tourist spot and flag down a moving taxi. It is normally the case that it is the stationary taxis who most frequently behave in this manner, although it has to be said that the vast majority of taxis will turn on their meters straight away without you having to ask. For short trips, outside of rush hour, a taxi is probably easiest and quickest, and is particularly economical if you are a group of 3 or 4. It also has the advantage of taking you from door to door. In rush hour, you will probably find that the taxis will, in any case, refuse to take you to certain areas because they don't want to be sat in a traffic jam either. Taxis are also good for longer journeys at weekends when traffic is usually much lighter.

The ubiquitous and photogenic tuk tuk is probably something every tourist wants to try once, but as a regular way to get around the city they are to be avoided. They are often involved in scams with the intention of taking you to specific shops where they get free petrol and you get ripped off. The usual approach, is to quote you a very low price per hour, and then to take you on a tour of places where they get their commissions and kickbacks. Don't be fooled! Even if there is no scam, they will almost always quote you a price more expensive than a normal taxi. Add to this, the fact that they are dirty, noisy and just a little dangerous, then there is little reason to use them in preference to taxis.

Equally dangerous, if not more so, are the motorcycle taxis often preferred by the locals. They are quick to get around the streets as they negotiate the traffic, sliding between cars and buses, and even taking to the pavements in some areas! They can be useful for short journeys as long as you are prepared to take the risk of travelling on the back of a motorbike without any protection in the form of a crash helmet. Costs are generally less than a taxi for short journeys, but can be more, depending on the state of the traffic.

Since 1999, the Skytrain has weaved through the streets of central Bangkok on just 2 routes. Initially empty, it is now crowded, especially at rush hour, but it is a fast and convenient way to get around if your journey coincides with one of its two routes. Expansion has already started, but it will be some time before there is greater coverage of Bangkok. 2005 saw the addition of an underground system known as the MTR but as yet there is only one line, and, in typical Thai fashion, there is no cooperation with the Skytrain, for example, in the use of a single ticket. This is despite the fact that the two systems are somewhat integrated with connecting stations. As with the Skytrain, if your starting point and destination happen to coincide with the MTR's route, then it is probably the best choice, although if there are 3 or 4 of you it will cost more than a taxi. Safety and speed are however assured which cannot always be guaranteed with a taxi.

The Skytrain (BTS) connects, not only with the MTR, but also with the express boat services at Saphan Taksin. They ply their trade up and down the Chao Phraya River through central Bangkok, and all the way up to Nonthaburi. Incredibly cheap, it is something of an experience to take one of these boats. They only stop for a few seconds at each landing stage, allowing passengers to jump on and off, before speeding on to the next pier. They are definitely the preferred mode of transport for any destination along the river, and are particularly good for tourists wanting to visit the sites, most of which are situated close to the river. Boats also head off river, down the klongs (canals), and provide a convenient and fast mode of transport through some parts of the city. Other boats service some of the larger klongs through the city and, of course, there are long tailed boats available for hire that will take you on a site seeing trip through the klongs and to some tourist attractions such as the snake farm.

Large and small buses are everywhere in both air conditioned and non air conditioned forms. They are very cheap, and although they can suffer the same traffic delays as taxis, they are an economical way to get around the city centre and to the outlying districts of Bangkok. Bus route maps are available free at BTS stations. At certain times of the day, they can be very crowded on certain routes. Given this and the traffic situation in Bangkok, they are, therefore, not always the best option.

It is often worth spending a few minutes studying the options available when travelling from one part of the city to another, and considering using a combination of the different methods to get to where you want to be. For example, if you are located near to BTS or MRT station and wish to go to Chinatown, you could take the BTS to Saphan Taksin, and then take the express boat. Alternatively, you could take the MRT to Hue Lampong, and then take a short taxi ride or even walk. It really all depends on time of day, your personal preference and the number of people in your party as to which is the best method.

Until expansions to both MRT and BTS are completed, Bangkok will remain a traffic clogged city, suffering the pollution caused by exhaust gases from cars and ageing, diesel fume belching buses. These expansions, however, point to a cleaner, easier to get around city in the future. It will, however, be some time before Bangkok can begin to match the efficiency of the transport systems of Singapore and Hong Kong.

Transportation Guide in Bangkok:Daniel Jowssey

An overlook-area is a prohibited area for rock climbing but still this area is home to some great climbing, which is no longer permitted. Coopers rock climbing was done primarily in the 70's and early 80's until a ban on the park were imposed in '85. It is still an awesome place to take pictures while visiting the park.

Problems with boulders are more in Motorcycle Rocks. In fact actual climbs are lesser than the boulder problems. These blocks contain boulder problems which are exhilarating and interesting.

Haystack Block is the block which is home to some of the best slab climbing in the park. The left line consists of two sport routes rebolting and the right line of bolts consists of Needle on the Haystack. Trad routes are to the back of the block and there is a project to the left of the rebolting development.

Greenback wall is a very high quality climbing. It has several thrilling climbs on it that are just great which is very similar to climbing at the New River Gorge. This clean face of rock climbing is of the finest quality. It has 1 trad climb Greenback 5.6, and several thrilling stellar 5.11 faces climb.

Roadside Rocks, the most popular, congested and trampled area of the park. You can get a map at the stand. This map will be helpful in providing details about various routes on the cliff or the Sunset Wall.

This area is also a famous bouldering cooper's rock climbing destination. Another popular climb is the one known as the Tendon Repair Kit. Huge boulder problems such as the Greenblock Testpiece, Woody's Arete, The Mountaineer Route, and many others are present in Roadside.

Sunset Wall Extension is the area which is beyond the standard Sunset Wall. This extends all around the woods and upstream up to the Raven Rocks. Coopers rock climbing is one of the finest in the park.

You can park your vehicles either at the main parking lot or at the lot before the main parking lot located on the right and follow the maintenance road on the opposite side of the road. Some of the popular blocks there are High Intensity Block with the super popular Pump it out and Funday Bulge both are top roped routes.

The Good Block in coopers rock climbing has several bolted and mixed climbs on it. A Very Good Climb 5.9 and A Good Climb are very famous here. Around the left side of this block is one of the tougher and thrilling uncompleted projects in the park. Chains and bolts are used to mark the peak of the climbing expedition project as well as to indicate the fall from the peak.

Green Acres is a place of little bit of a hike into, but really worth the hike. There is nearly as much traffic as most of the other areas of the park. Out in the woods with the Rattlesnakes and other critters this cliff is home to quite a few good varieties of rare species.

Raven Rocks is the favorite destination for the tourists of the park and home to very little quality climbing. A good overlook with not as much traffic as the main overlook, this area is near to the Green Acres so can be climbed the same day.

The Various Coopers Rock Climbing Areas by Muna wa Wanjiru

There's been a lot of publicity about custom built choppers, but is building a motorcycle from the ground up the right thing for you? Building custom choppers from scratch or from custom bike kits can definitely be a gratifying journey, but you must be certain that you're prepared for the amount of work, skill, and perseverance it will take to build a bike from nuts and bolts. If you're not sure you want to go the road of custom bike kits, there is a middle ground between a complete build and a stock bike through refurbishing with custom parts.

Custom bike kits:
If you want full bragging rights or a really unique design, custom bike kits are probably the best choice for you. With custom bike kits, you can choose a frame and get all of the necessary parts in one package while still having full reign on every ounce of the customization.

Whether starting from scratch or from custom bike kits, there really are no design limitations unlike when refurbishing a stock bike with custom parts. The more unique the bike, the higher it's resale value will be if you ever decide to part with it. Unlike stock bikes that are a dime a dozen and lose resale value, custom bikes hold or even increase in value.

The potential downside is that even if you're using custom bike kits, building a motorcycle from the ground up is not as simple as many kit manufacturers and producers of DVD training guides make it out to be. Starting from custom bike kits and working your way up is going to be a challenge-which isn't a bad thing, but something you'll want to be honest with yourself about. If you think you won't see the project through for one reason or another, you can still build a killer bike by customizing a stock bike with custom chopper parts.

Refurbish with custom chopper parts:
With the right custom chopper parts, you can easily give an old bike a completely custom look without the time and frustration of building every single intricate element. Refurbishing with custom chopper parts also means that you're going to experiencing the freedom of your bike a lot sooner than those who chose custom bike kits.

When choosing a bike to refurbish with custom parts, the most important thing to look for is the frame style. There are chopper parts that can easily replace just about anything on an existing bike, but the frame is essentially the backbone of the bike and won't be easy to replace. The gas tank however, is among the custom chopper parts that can be replaced and can make a big impact on the overall look and feel of your bike. Find a shop that will paint your tank with your design concept and you're well on the way to owning a bike that reflects your personality.

Other chopper parts that make a major impact in the overall look and feel of the bike are the wheels, tires, mirrors, exhaust, pedals, and handlebars. A brief look at the huge number of styles of custom chopper parts out there are you'll soon realize that it's feasible to completely change the personality of a stock bike with a few select custom chopper parts.

The decision to build from scratch, from custom bike kits, or to refurbish with custom parts is as unique as every individual is. If your goal is to get out there on the open highway and enjoy the freedom of riding, you may want to spend less time in the garage and make your bike your own with a few select custom chopper parts. On the other hand, if motorcycles are your life, if you want to challenge yourself, or if you desire to create a truly unique machine, then building a bike from the ground up is probably the route you'll want to take.

Build a Bike from Scratch or Refurbish with Custom Chopper Parts? by Christine Harrell

The biker jacket is by far the best part of the biker's wardrobe. You can see a good looking jacket a mile away. So why is it so important and how should you choose it? There are a few foolproof ways.

Find your Style

When you are looking for your perfect jacket, you need to find the style that fits who you are. This can be anything from the color of it to the way it looks on you. There are all kinds of styles that you can pick from and chances is one of them will look great on you. That way you will have the best looking motorcycle gear that you can. Take your time finding your style because it really is very important to your image as a rider.

Color and Design Are Important

When you start looking for your favorite style of motorcycle gear, you will notice only a few great looking colors. These are usually the browns and the blacks that are very popular in the motorcycle look today. You should also pay attention to the design that is on your jacket because it will be one of the first things that anyone you are around will see. Picking the right color and the right design with your motorcycle gear is really crucial to your style.

Comfort Is Important

When you look at a motorcycle jacket for the first time, you should pay attention to the cut of it as well as the color and style that you may see. A great looking piece of motorcycle gear is nothing without being able to be comfortable in it. You don't want to look great but not feel great because then you won't want to wear it out or to the next great motorcycle event.

There are many things that you should consider when you are choosing that perfect jacket. You need to think about how it will look on you and how you will feel in it after a long day of riding. Feeling good and looking good is the key to having a great ride and a great end to your fun filled day. Keep looking if you can't find the jacket that's for you or you can take another route and create your own jacket. Some more famous bikers have done this in the past, but be careful and make sure that you know what you want in your motorcycle gear and your jacket.

The Importance Of The Biker Jacket by Victor Epand

The Lost Coast

The day had finally arrived to ride the Lost Coast. Immediately upon being stationed back in Northern California I traded in my BMW RT 1100 for a 2008 KLR 650. What better route for an inaugural ride? After many years of “hotel” touring I was transitioning back to my “pack it light, freeze at night” mode of travel. The Usal Road and Lost Coast road conditions were an unknown. The winter months of 2008 had seen a lot of rain on the North Coast near Eureka California and my research indicated that the roads could be impassable if wet. Would the KLR be able to conquer what the King’s Range and Sinkyone Wilderness threw our way in late March? To hedge my bets I packed two motorcycle tie down straps that could possible double as tow straps. My riding partner for this trip would be a college roommate from 19 years ago. Glenn had called the day prior with a cryptic, “I’ve bought something that will handle anything the road will throw at us.” Cryptic messages are usually never good. Maybe the extra space the straps would take was cheap insurance. Where we were going Triple A would fear to tread.

Sunday’s early morning start was delayed until 3:00 pm due to Easter commitments. The afternoon came and went. I received a call from Glenn that his new mystery machine would not start. Certainly a dark harbinger of things to come. The afternoon ticked by and 5:00 pm turned to 7:00 pm. Glenn limped into Rohnert Park, CA around 8:30 pm, cold, lost but armed with a hearty appetite and an equally hearty and upbeat attitude; definitely the kind of partner and attitude you need when venturing into the unknown. The said mystery machine came in the form of a 1985 KLR 600! The $800.00 museum piece was a steal until the hard starting bike continued to flood the aftermarket two stroke carburetor and killed the battery (steal was the right term but only time would tell who the victim was). Ever resilient, Glenn fixed the problem that Sunday and forged ahead from Sacramento to Sonoma County. My mom was all too happy to feed the tired road warrior with a home cooked meal. We modified the game plan that night and decided not to ride the Trinity Heritage National Scenic Highway (also known as Hwy 299/3) and the Bigfoot Scenic Byway (Hwy 96) loop out of Eureka. The bikes were prepped and ready despite a little incident with my newly purchased mount. I realized I shouldn’t have procrastinated in purchasing a center stand. While filling the tires earlier in the day the bike fell over as I pushed on the stems with a bit too much vigor. To the KLR’s credit, the new plastic radiator shrouds withstood the tip over and the “Bug” (as my daughter calls it) came away with only two minor scratches.

The next morning we headed north on Hwy 101 in the early Northern California chill, the two extremes of the KLR spectrum thumping along in harmony. At 8:30am we decided to pull into Cloverdale and have a quick bite at the local McDonalds. An old timer took an interest in our trip and told us how he used to race his Harley Davidson against the British invasion of BSA’s back in 1949 but lost to the lighter, faster bikes when it came to cross country racing. Over coffee talk turned to younger days. We shared our experience in the Cavalry (Glenn a pilot in the Air Cav, I a ground scout, and Don a sixteen year old Horse Cavalryman back in 1938). Soon after his horse cavalry days Don was prowling the South China Sea. His new ride was the USS Snapper, a 1928 era sub that made it out of Manila Harbor prior to the fall of the Philippines. He wished he could join us on our bike trip but his knee replacement was in a few days. Any adventure we would encounter paled to his depth charge experiences during the war. We thanked him for his sacrifices and service to country as we headed northwest.

The bikes made quick work of Hwy 128 to Mendocino as we fell into a smooth pace through the vineyards and redwood trees. At Fort Bragg we attempted to find a dirt route east towards Glenblair and back to 101 in order to shake down our load plans and bikes. We were thwarted by dead ends and gated access but rewarded by the single lane dirt roads. Doubling back we proceed up Hwy 1 picking up the pace, energized by the crashing waves and redwoods. Passing Rockport we scanned for Hwy 435/Usal Road but were so enamored with this part of Hwy 101 that we were nearly in Leggett before we discovered we had missed our turn. Backtracking we found 431. If it wasn’t for the fact that we knew it was at mile marker 90.88 we never would have found it. The start point looked like a private dirt drive. How this used to be a stagecoach route is beyond me. They must have gone through multiple teams given the steep hills and rough conditions. The views were stunning as we peered down on the Pacific. Accompanying the breathtaking scenery was a chance encounter with a bear cub ambling across the road. Startled by the “Bug’s” growl he ran back to mama and we continued our journey. The KLR weren’t challenged by the roads and we thought the estimated 3 hrs to reach Shelter Cove was an erroneous estimate. We would soon learn 6 hrs was barely enough. I also discovered that years of “hoteling” had taught me to over pack my Givi top case. The first and only flaw of my KLR became evident when Glenn yelled for me to stop. Rolling down the hill was my Givi and half my KLR luggage rack! The tie down straps were pressed into service sooner than I had expected.

Soon we encountered the first of many delays. Mud, and lots of it. The KLR’s could not make it through the think soup, rear ends spinning out of control and flopping on their sides. Glenn and I ported our gear when necessary and then manhandled our mounts, pushing and cursing the machines through the muck. At the worse point, after we found a bypass to a seemingly impassable portion of the road, Mark from San Jose (in a tricked out Jeep-the only other human encounter on the scenic roadway), destroyed the bypass (for bikes at least) as his Jeep chewed up the ground. Bouncing off a tree he succeeded but erased any notions of turning back. For better or worse we were committed. No further than 200 yards down the Usal Road we were forced to unload the KLR’s again and push our mounts as the rider “paddled” along a foot and half wide path. A fall to the right and the bikes would disappear below the murky surface like the USS Snapper did to evade the Japanese warships seeking revenge. A fall to the left and the KLR’s would tumble down the cliff face to the Pacific. Riding the bikes across the narrow path was too risky as the path itself was muddy and the tires could possibly slip. A few adrenaline filled heartbeats later, the bikes were safely across, loaded and moving at speed. Usal Road might support KTM Adventures and BMW GS’s in the dry seasons but in the winter months anything larger than a KLR would be difficult to navigate the numerous mud bogs. The bigger bikes would be exhausting to manhandle through calf high mud. When we finally reached Usal Beach we were rewarded by pristine beaches. The ocean front was all but abandoned and the KLR’s proved capable of crossing numerous streams as we explored the beaches. The “Bug” loved the fresh ocean air but the KLR 600 began to show her warts. On the last stretch prior to reaching Shelter Cove the KLR 600 quite running on one of the steepest parts of the route. Glenn rolled his chicken bones and sprinkled blood on the carburetor with no luck. Un-strapping one of the tie down straps from my Givi I hooked it to the 600 and the “Bug” transformed to “El Burro” as I towed the 600 up the hill. A day of many first. A quick dance to the motorcycle gods and the 600 fired up and we were Shelter Cove bound. The night at Shelter Cove was one of the most beautiful I have spent on the Northern California coast. The wind was totally absent and the stars shone brighter than the light in the decommissioned lighthouse. A couple of touches of Kentucky Bourbon made the night complete.

A late start on day two due to Glenn locking his clothes in the dryer room and a non-responsive “steal of a bike” delayed us until 10:30. I began to sense who was the victim on this purchase and it wasn’t the “master mechanic” in Sacramento who sold Glenn the bike. Another quart of chicken blood and his bike roared to life. We entered King’s Range Road and crossed into another world. The range had received more than its average share of rainfall that winter. The fog shrouding the greenery reminded us of the rainforest of Costa Rica and Ecuador. Taking a wrong turn we followed the rocky dead end road to the Lightening Trailhead. The rocks took a toll on our tires but the scenery was worth the cost in rubber. The tight, twisty, uphill, climb on the way to Honeydew was one of the best parts of the trip. It was only challenged by the route from Petrolia to Ferndale. This portion of road twisted along the shore and then paralleled the crashing waves. Glenn played the part of ranch hand as he herded an errant cow off the road and back into the field on his temperamental steed. Anything can be thrown your way on the Lost Coast.

Leaving the ocean behind us, we quickly climbed 2,400 ft. to Bunker Hill and then descended into a beautiful valley. As we crossed Bear River were it emptied into the ocean, Glenn pointed to the switchbacks climbing the hill. I pumped my arm in response and rolled on the throttle. In the ensuing climb we became one with our machines to the point where it felt as if the bikes disappeared and we were “skiing” through the picturesque Northern California scenery. The environment was a mix of Switzerland and Southern England, the narrow two lane roads lined with shrubs, trees, and cattle racing by. We were sad to see the Lost Coast disappear in our rear view mirrors but looked forward to exploring Humboldt Redwoods State Park, the Avenue of the Giants, and the Eel River.

Unable to find a camp ground in Eureka we headed to Fortuna were the KLR 600 died on Main Street. Coaxing the bike to life Glenn met me at the RV park were we secured a log cabin for a pittance. Money well spent considering the rainfall that night. After filling our belly’s with our fair share of ale at the Eel River Brewery, Glenn filled his ego flirting with the very attractive female body builder bartender. We needed sleep as the road began to take its toll. Tomorrow would be very trying for us both.

The next morning the KLR was DOA but Glenn was loathe to admit it. After coaxing him into getting a U-Haul we doubled up on the “Bug” and made our way through Ferndale. We were already pushing 11:30 am so time was a factor as work loomed the next day. In route Glenn spotted an ATV and Tire shop. Tom, the owner and mechanic, took pity on us and gave us the keys to his truck and the KLR 600 received a new lease on life. In two hours we were rolling south on Hwy 101 thanks to Tom and his prompt attention. Although this was my fourth time down the Avenue of the Giants, I was amazed by the 40 miles of beauty. The coup de grace was when we received a free “Drive thru Tree” experience by a fellow KLR rider.

The low point came 11 miles north of Laytonville. The KLR 600 gave up its ninth life and died on the west side of 101. Suspecting fuel starvation I made desperation run to Laytonville for gas. False hope as the bike had pulled itself off of life support. A CHP officer radioed a tow truck which arrived at 6:30 pm and Glenn was on his own. Facing 35F weather and a 2 hr plus ride from Laytonville I raced south. Two things helped me survive that trip; the Hotgrips on my KLR and singing every cadence at the top of my lungs. By 8:40 pm I was eating hot chow on the objective while Glenn was writing a new chapter on motorcycling on the edge. A day and a half later he made it back to Sacramento. A story best told over several cold beers.

For pure diversity of terrain, vegetation, animal and road conditions nothing can beat the Lost Coast of California. Dual purpose riding milks the most fun per mile than pretty much any bike I have ever ridden. Despite all the web noise about the fairing falling apart due to vibration and the new KLR consuming quarts of oil, it is simply has not happened with this bike. Despite an operator induced tip over, the KLR fairing survived an encounter with a concrete parking block and after 2,000 miles the “Bug” has not consumed any oil. The KLR will remain in the stable regardless of whatever type bike comes along in the future. For pure versatility and “bang for the buck” fun, this bike cannot be beat.

Dual Purpose Riding the Lost Coast by Edward Ospital