For a change I decided to do a smaller ride sticking to the roads in the Gold Coast hinterland which I have not been riding much lately. Dawn over the saw tooth skyline of the Gold Coast Today was the first proper Winter ride and I noticed more than a few new riders looking a bit cold so I will try think of a half a dozen or so tips for cold weather riding for people who may not have, or want,
More about → North of the border
New Motorcycle or New Motorcycle Accessories? Ways to Cure the Craving For A New Bike!
Posted by Unknown
When we get a new toy, the main interest is in the fact that it's NEW. A new car, a new bike, a new 'whatever'.... Ever notice your kids when they get something new? Yup, you guessed it. They unwrap the present, play with it like mad for a couple hours, days, sometimes, even months, but, the eventual end is that the 'newness' wears off and it becomes yet another mundane item in our neverending list of 'things". Well, here's an idea for you!
For motorcyclists, this should be a 'no brainer'! Even if you've been riding the same old bike for a couple years, there are lots of things you can do to make it 'feel' like new.... For instance, take a look at the paint. Motorcycles are not big, huge items, like a car. So, you can take your motorcycle to your local paint shop and have the 'entire' bike painted for a mere fraction of what a new one would cost. Now, I'm not talking about doing a complete, custom graphic, multi-zero's in the cost, paint job. I'm talking about changing the color, or adding a graphic, or even adding a pin stripe or two. All of those things will make 'ol faithful look different and therefore, make you feel different about your bike.If you've been toying with the idea of a new motorcycle, think about "renewing" your existing motorcycle first. Motorcycles are one of the most "accessorizable" vehicles out there. You can literally create a whole new bike just by using accessories! The best way to do this is to take a look at your existing bike. What are you trying to do? If you're considering selling your bike for a bigger one, what's the reason for going bigger? Are you looking for more power? Or, are you looking for something a bit more comfy with some storage capability, like a cruiser? If you are wanting that smaller bike to be a bit more comfortable and offer you some more storage, and even if you're just looking to get that feel of a big, comfy, cruiser, there are lot's of things you can try before you go out and spend the money on a new bike.
Let's look at some examples.... We recommend a good accessory dealer for starters, so J&P Cycles - Motorcycle Seats
has some great seating arrangements for H-D here too. Now, please don't think I'm only speaking about H-D here, I only chose the Sporty because it's an easy bike to customze. You can customize ANY bike and I promise I'll cover those a little later. Back to the seating arrangement, start by considering what other items you want to add to your Sporty and make sure that your seat will work with those items. I recommend looking at something very comfortable for both you and your passenger. Back rests are important if you're going to be doing any long distance riding, so be sure to consider that, and there are many seats that have removable backrests that take only seconds to put on and take off. I would consider one of those simply because of the veratility. The example below is taken from Motorcycle Superstore
They have some great choices too! The seat below is a touring seat that can be had for almost any bike and offers you the ability to have a removable driver backrest and is comfy for both the driver and passenger giving you lots of versatility. Add a passenger backrest with a small luggage carrier and you're in business!
Once you've picked out your new seat, let's take a look at adding some other "creature comforts" like storage. Adding some really great saddle bags to your Sporty does two things. Of course, the obvious is that you'll gain some serious storage space. But, adding bags to your bike will give your Sporty that "bigger" cruiser look, which, if you remember is what we're looking for too! I personally prefer soft bags for a Sporty because they have a different, softer look and you can get bigger bags that will expand when you need the room, but, also won't look out of place on your Sporty when they're flattened out and not filled to capacity. Also, if you're looking to get that "new" look on a budget, soft bags will save you money because they don't need to be painted. Hard bags usually need to be painted to match the bike and paint costs money. Going with soft bags will save you the cost of painting and you can use that money to add some additional accessories to help maximize the new "cruiser" look you're going for. J&P Cycles - Motorcycle Saddlebags and Luggage
has some great ideas here and this is just the start. Don't forget, bags come in all styles and shapes. If you're the kind of person that changes their mind often, you might want to go with a "rear bag" that is removable. That way you can have your storage when you need it and lose the baggage when you're just out riding.
There's lots of other things too. Take a look at some of the other accessories available for motorcycles nowadays! There are literally thousands of things to add to your bike to give it and yourself a little lift. Do you like chrome? Even little bits of chrome added here and there can give a bike a 'new' look. Chrome gas caps, fuel shut off knobs, handle bar grip inserts, are just few of the chrome adders that will help dress up an older bike.
Take a look at handle bars too! Handle bars can change the entire look of your bike without a whole lot of work. Make sure that whatever you choose is comfortable to you. With all the different configurations out there, you are sure to be able to find one that fits your body style, the look you're going for, and last, but not least, your budget.
So there you have it! You can take your existing ride and turn it into a whole new experience without having to go through selling it and buying new. Of course, there will come a time when you just want to replace your ride, and that's always an option. But, in these economic times, sometimes just making a few changes can satisfy the craving for something new. And, remember, any options you add to your ride will also add to it's value, so, when it does become time to trade it in or sell it, you can get a return on your investment too!
Happy Motoring!
Larry and Dee
A tale of two rides
Posted by Unknown
My last two rides have been opposite temperatures. A couple of weeks ago it was hot and humid inside my helmet on a Sunday that was the last hurrah of warm weather. Today I reluctantly allowed a chilly dry air to demist the visor and closed all other vents as I tried to keep the warmth inside. In reverse order then, today I visited Queen Mary Falls and the south west. I wanted to ride the area
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Women Gearheads? Do They Really Exist?
Posted by Unknown
My own experience isn't that different than most, at least I don't think it is. My appreciation for cars dates all the way back to my very early childhood. I was the "first born" of the grandchildren and, I suppose, a little bit of a disappointment to my grandfather, who obviously, would have preferred a grandson.... But, being the trooper that he was, and not about to let a little thing like the "Y chromosome" put a damper in his day, grandpa just decided to make the best of it! He raised his little "tomboy" just like any other grandfather would. Point being, I learned to fish, hunt, and last, but not least, turn a wrench with the best of them! Yup, grandpa loved his cars, and, by the time I was old enough to get a grip on my Craftsman 1/4" socket, so did I...
I think the stigma that the only people who like to get greasy or who give a damn about the foot lbs. of torque being produced by the rumble under their hoods are men, has always been something that men have been trying to create! In fact, I'm not so sure that the stigma ever really existed... Somehow, all the hype about cars and motors and horse-power and other automotive cliche have managed to escape the gender war. Now, admittedly, most mechanical ads and advertisements for auto parts and such will usually show a picture of a "male" working on the car or motor involved,instead of a woman, but, the reason for that is quite different than the fact that women are not really interested in cars!
My thoughts on this are that men are afraid to let women into that elite society of beer drinking and garage socializing because if they let us into that little niche, they won't be able to use the "honey, I'm heading over to soandso's garage to work on his whatever" to escape without the little woman! Right? Seriousy, think about it. If the "little woman" was just as juberant about tweaking someone's "ported head intake to exhaust ratio", she just might want to go with him! Now, that could cause some real problems if hubby was just lookin to get out with the boys and throw down a couple beers while watching the "rear end" of some blonde walkin down the street while making immature gestures and whistling noises.....LOL! :)
Let's hear from some of our readers out there! Tell us what you think! Let's hear from some women gearheads too! I'll be there's a lot more women around that can appreciate the smell of a good, "high-octane" top fuel nitro mix. Hmmm, that might even make a good perfume idea!
Happy Motoring!
Larry and Dee
Spring Time IS Auction Time!
Posted by Unknown
To all of our readers who've become interested in the auction scene since we introduced Iron Planet Motors a month or so ago, I decided to run a monthly regular article at the beginning of each month showing the monthly schedule for Iron Planet Motors, our auction affiliate. You'll find this feature at the beginning of each month so you can plan your auction buying ahead of time.
As we told you in the last couple of articles, Iron Planet Motors Auctions is a great auction for beginners and seasoned auction buyers alike. And, their easy-to-use sign-up forms are always available here on our blog. With easy to read reports of all the auction vehicles, a super support team, and transportation and financing help, you couldn't ask for anything more! They are definitely our choice for auction buyers everywhere. Couple that with their IronClad Assurance program that assures buyers that the vehicles have been quality inspected, and their new Mobile App, you just can't beat the great service they offer.
Along with our monthly auction report, we'd love to feature some of the vehicles that our readers have purchased. Send us pictures of your purchases and tell us about your auction experiences.
Buying at auction, whether you buy on-line or go to the auction, is always lots of fun. It's exciting to participate and even more exciting to win an auction. Along with the excitement, there are always good buys available and auctions are always a great way to save money, especially when you are looking for a special vehicle or something that might be a little out of the ordinary. When looking for special vehicles or vehicles that are hard to find, keep in mind that auctions, like Iron Planet Motors, give you the opportunity to broaden your shopping area and still be able to rely on their reports to know that you're getting a good solid vehicle even though it may be too far away to look at in person.
See you at the next auction!
Larry and Dee
More about → Spring Time IS Auction Time!
Along with our monthly auction report, we'd love to feature some of the vehicles that our readers have purchased. Send us pictures of your purchases and tell us about your auction experiences. See you at the next auction!
Larry and Dee
