The environment of motorcycling engulfs all the senses. You need to be constantly aware of all around you, because there is little room for worrying about tomorrow. If you're new to motorcycling, then you need to read this before the salesman bombards you with the jargon.
Motorcycle Gloves: Typically made of leather. Keep the fingers warm at high speed, cool at low speed!
Frame: The major component of a motorcycle that holds everything together...including you, the rider.
Swingarm: The bit that holds the rear wheel to the frame. Will allow your suspension to "plunge" when you screw open the gas with your motorcycle gloves, when hitting the bumps in the road.
Clutch lever: On the left of the handle bar, under your left motorcycle glove.
Throttle: On the right handlebar, under your right motorcycle glove, along with the front brake.
Rear brake: In front of right footrest.
Gear selector: In front of left footrest. Now, some older bikes had shift lever on the right and brake pedal on the left.
Monocoque: A fancy word for a one-piece frame.
Engine: May be single, twin, four or even six cylinder. Two stroke or four stroke...in a four stroke, the piston moves four strokes, igniting on the third and expelling gases on the fourth. Two stroke engines are simpler and fire in two strokes.
Forks: You look down at your front forks when you are riding. They connect the front wheel to the frame.
Centre of Gravity: The overall factor that determines how a bike handles. Different bikes require different riding styles. A high centre of gravity leads to quick steering and agility eg. sportsbikes. Footpegs are raised for racing to increase ground clearance when leaning the bike over. Whereas a low centre of gravity leads to a more relaxed cruising style of ride.
Plain enough for ya! Now that you've stiffened up your rear end and added wheels and tires, pull on your leather motorcycle gloves and head over to:-
http://www.leatheronhand.com/motorcycle_gloves/
Monday 26 December 2011
Tuesday 20 December 2011
How To Ride Fast and Live
1. Look ahead! The most important aspect of riding a motorbike is looking ahead. Don't look at your motorbike gloves as you twist the throttle...keep your eyes on the horizon!
2. The second most important thing is look where you want to go. Try this when cornering. As you enter the corner, keep your eyes on the exit.
3. Relax! If you're tense, holding the 'bars with the death grip through your motorcycle gloves, you are not going to ride smooth. Learn to hang loose!
4. Be smooth! Don't jerk at the throttle through your motorbike gloves. Don't stab at the brake or yank at the steering.
5. Love the rear brake! Although many riders ignore the rear brake in preference to the front brake...the rear brake is essential for cornering. Learn to use the rear brake and twist the throttle through your motorbike gloves at the same time. It helps to balance the bike.
6. Keep the throttle on! Also essential for bike balance when cornering. Keep opening the motorbike gloves and when the time is right crack it open to exit.
7. Keep your head level. Imperative for your balance to keep your eyes parallel to the ground (when cornering as well!)
8. Keep your line! Use the road properly. Enter corners better, exit faster.
9. Anticipation! Goes hand in motorcycle glove hand with looking ahead. Be aware. When approaching an intersection or the crest of a hill...set your brakes up. Get ready for the unexpected.
10. Ride fast and safe and get some rider training...bad habits can kill!
Wear leather motorcycle gloves with confidence:-
http://www.leatheronhand.com/motorcycle_gloves/
2. The second most important thing is look where you want to go. Try this when cornering. As you enter the corner, keep your eyes on the exit.
3. Relax! If you're tense, holding the 'bars with the death grip through your motorcycle gloves, you are not going to ride smooth. Learn to hang loose!
4. Be smooth! Don't jerk at the throttle through your motorbike gloves. Don't stab at the brake or yank at the steering.
5. Love the rear brake! Although many riders ignore the rear brake in preference to the front brake...the rear brake is essential for cornering. Learn to use the rear brake and twist the throttle through your motorbike gloves at the same time. It helps to balance the bike.
6. Keep the throttle on! Also essential for bike balance when cornering. Keep opening the motorbike gloves and when the time is right crack it open to exit.
7. Keep your head level. Imperative for your balance to keep your eyes parallel to the ground (when cornering as well!)
8. Keep your line! Use the road properly. Enter corners better, exit faster.
9. Anticipation! Goes hand in motorcycle glove hand with looking ahead. Be aware. When approaching an intersection or the crest of a hill...set your brakes up. Get ready for the unexpected.
10. Ride fast and safe and get some rider training...bad habits can kill!
Wear leather motorcycle gloves with confidence:-
http://www.leatheronhand.com/motorcycle_gloves/
Monday 12 December 2011
How To Stay Dry On The Cheap
Are you worried about the rain?
Sure, it’s only water!
Are you concerned that your new motorcycle gloves will get wet in a downpour?
Wear dishwashing gloves under your normal motorbike gloves and keep your fingers dry, or, wear them over your gloves and keep everything dry.
Keep a selection of zip-lock plastic bags under your motorcycle seat with your extra pair of motorcycle gloves and keep stuff like cell phone, wallet and cigarettes dry.
Plastic bags in general are always good to have. Wear them over your socks and inside your motorcycle boots to keep your feet dry. If your feet do happen to get wet, then simply store the wet gear in the bags.
When you’re twisting open the throttle with your motorcycle gloves and the rain is beating down on your visor, then turn your head from side to side and let the wind blow away the water.
If you’re opening up the bike with your motorbike gloves and rainwater is pouring down the front of your leather jacket, then shove an old newspaper down the front. If you’re a big bruiser then get the broadsheet!
Wear jeans in the rain and always have a spare pair handy; in a plastic bag. Wear a foggy mask and neck warmer to stop your helmet from misting up.
Next time it’s pouring with rain, jump into your wet kit and go out riding with motorcycle gloves at the ready…you’ll be amazed at what you will learn.
Learn more on where to buy leather motorcycle gloves at:-
Monday 5 December 2011
How To Look Cool and Stay Cool with Motorcycle Gloves & Leathers
How do you Beat the Heat?
Black leathers might be cool on the outside, but on the inside, phew, they are NOT!
"In the Summertime
when the weather is fine..."
...the only thing on your mind is riding. Bear in mind...this is not an excuse not to wear your protective gear - including your leather motorcycle gloves. Mesh panel jackets, suits and gloves are invaluable. BUT, be careful!
Because they ventilate so well... they can give you a false sense of dehydration, simply because they work so well. You get hot, you sweat, the airflow evaporates the sweat and you feel cool. But you still sweat & you're losing fluids which you may not realise. Drink plenty of water when biking in the summer!
If you tuck a few under, the night before you strap on the motorbike gloves, make sure you drink plenty of water at breakfast. Replace that second cup of coffee with a glass of water. Coffee is a diuretic. They strip fluid out of your body and you'll be stopping for a pee a few miles up the road. Coke can have the same effect.
Riding in hot weather is tiring. Riding in bright sunlight can give you sunburn. Slap on the sunscreen at the beginning of the day. Don't forget those important places that are uncovered...the wrists where your motorcycle gloves and jacket sleeves don't quite overlap...the neck...the face through the visor. There is nothing worse than riding through the day and then getting your faced burned at the end of it!
Eat right and eat light! Hitting the diner for a beer and steak 'n' chips for lunch always sounds like a good idea when you're on the road. Just make sure you can get your leathers and motorbike gloves on when you finish eating. And beer is a diuretic too! If you feel like a siesta in the middle of the day...take it! Enjoy it!
You'll feel better when you jump back on your bike and head of into the sunset!
Check out my mesh gloves at:
http://www.leatheronhand.com/short_racing_gloves/
Black leathers might be cool on the outside, but on the inside, phew, they are NOT!
"In the Summertime
when the weather is fine..."
...the only thing on your mind is riding. Bear in mind...this is not an excuse not to wear your protective gear - including your leather motorcycle gloves. Mesh panel jackets, suits and gloves are invaluable. BUT, be careful!
Because they ventilate so well... they can give you a false sense of dehydration, simply because they work so well. You get hot, you sweat, the airflow evaporates the sweat and you feel cool. But you still sweat & you're losing fluids which you may not realise. Drink plenty of water when biking in the summer!
If you tuck a few under, the night before you strap on the motorbike gloves, make sure you drink plenty of water at breakfast. Replace that second cup of coffee with a glass of water. Coffee is a diuretic. They strip fluid out of your body and you'll be stopping for a pee a few miles up the road. Coke can have the same effect.
Riding in hot weather is tiring. Riding in bright sunlight can give you sunburn. Slap on the sunscreen at the beginning of the day. Don't forget those important places that are uncovered...the wrists where your motorcycle gloves and jacket sleeves don't quite overlap...the neck...the face through the visor. There is nothing worse than riding through the day and then getting your faced burned at the end of it!
Eat right and eat light! Hitting the diner for a beer and steak 'n' chips for lunch always sounds like a good idea when you're on the road. Just make sure you can get your leathers and motorbike gloves on when you finish eating. And beer is a diuretic too! If you feel like a siesta in the middle of the day...take it! Enjoy it!
You'll feel better when you jump back on your bike and head of into the sunset!
Check out my mesh gloves at:
http://www.leatheronhand.com/short_racing_gloves/
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