How do you make your Harley Davidson look and feel like an extension of yourself!
Do you think maybe it’s time to do a little customizing for that old girl of yours? Ask yourself this first.
Why do we customize and add accessories to our Harley?
Well, for me it’s simple!
We want to stand out above all else! The last thing we want is to look like every Tom, Dick, and Harry out there on the road!
You may have different reasons. You may want to add an Accessory to your bike because it fits with you and your taste.
There is an element of being practical as well. If you install a nice chrome luggage rack on your back fender, or a detachable windshield, it not only looks good but it also serves a purpose. How else would you carry your tent and keep bugs out of your teeth?
Not everyone has the same taste in customizing. Thank God for that, or it sure would be boring taking a walk down on main street in Sturgis South Dakota during the 1st week of August.
Some people go overboard on customizing their bike. Overboard for someone may be a masterpiece for someone else. It all depends on who you are and what you’re about.
How do you pick out a Harley Davidson Accessory or decide on customizing?
It’s a hard question to answer.
I would suggest that you decide on what you want out of your bike. Sit back and have a look at yourself. What kind of biker are you anyway?
Are you a speed demon that likes to lay rubber on the road every now and then. Do you get a kick out of doing a little showing off at bike rallies to friends and family? Do you like to participate in show and shine contests?
If you are this person you may want to look at getting your engine rebuilt for increased horsepower. You can’t go wrong with a lot of Harley chrome either. Just when you think you have had enough of chrome, you find some more in that catalog.
Don’t worry, there is a chrome Harley Davidson motorcycle built to date.
Your style may be a little more subdued. Your main motorcycling purpose in life may be ride the road and not waste time with anything else. You would have to agree, most people still want to look good riding a Harley.
If you are this person you may only want one or two Accessories. A nice luggage bag that slips over that backrest on your bike looks good when you are on a long trip and it serves a purpose.
Every Harley Davidson owner at some time or another has thought about adding an accessory to his or her motorcycle. You rarely see a stock Harley Davidson!
Keep in mind the kind of person you are when making Harley Davidson Accessory choices. A properly customized Harley is above all else, an extension of the owner who rides it.
by: Keith Nivon
Hello and Happy New Year everyone. As we get going on the new year we have been working on the website for the last couple of months and you may have noticed some problems and things not working right or not there at all. We are sorry or any inconvince and hope you will continue to visit us here and Mad Biker Store. We are working hard to get the changes done. Everyone have a great year and be safe riding out there.
Everyone knows that riding a motorcycle is more dangerous than a car, and it is a good idea to take a motorcycle safety course before you ever think about taking a bike out on the open road. It will really teach you a lot of things that you will never pick up on your own after years of driving a bike, and these small things really can mean the difference between eventually having a bad accident and maintaining a pristine road record. Here are some counterintuitive tips that can really help with your riding.
1. Straighten Up Before Swerving
When a rider is going around a corner and something suddenly appears in their path, like a large rock or a car, it is their typical instinct to immediately swerve out of the way. This often leads to big trouble as correcting sharply or changing direction even slightly in a deep turn can easily lead to losing control of the bike and crashing to the ground.
Whenever you are in a turn and something sudden comes of nowhere in your path, your first move needs to be to slow down, straighten the bike up, and then swerve around the obstacle or pull to the side of the road (if you can, get off the bike and remove any obstacles that are lying in the road, to protect other drivers, but be careful if it is a particularly blind corner).
It is a good idea to practice this off the road if you can—the more you do it the more intuitive it becomes.
2. Look Into the Curves
Another thing about turning that is pretty counterintuitive is that you always want to look into your curves. In fact, you want to look deep into your curves. Many riders make the mistake of looking straight ahead or to either side on a turn, but what you want to do is look up ahead and fix your eyes on the very spot you want to go, even if it’s not in visible sight. This neat trick will really surprise you when you find your bike going exactly where you look as if on its own.
3. Don’t Hug the Shoulder
I’m a big fan of defensive driving in any vehicle, and when you’re on a motorcycle, it is normal to be extremely nervous about any other vehicles around. You should be.
But one instance where a lot of motorcycle riders make a critical mistake is when they are on a fast-moving road and being tailgated, especially if there are a lot of aggressive drivers on the road. Many inexperienced riders will hug the shoulder in order to allow the other drivers to get around and go by.
But this is a mistake.
Hugging the shoulder like that doesn’t just let them go by—it encourages them to pass unsafely. And because you are on the side of the road, you are exposed to other dangers that might sneak up without warning even while you have the aggressive driver passing roadside. To make matters worse, any other driver coming from behind may not even see you because you are pulled off to the side.
Stay in the middle of the lane as if you were in a car. If the driver behind you gets too aggressive, pull off the road at the next safe turnout and then let them pass that way. Otherwise, they can use the passing lane like everyone else.
4. No Sudden Stops
Another danger in a motorcycle is stopping suddenly when we think we are about to get in an accident—much like swerving in a turn. It is always instinct to stop when we are about to hit something. After all, the last thing we want to do is hit it. But the problem is that a vehicle with two wheels is much less stable and top-heavy, and suddenly grabbing the brakes at high speed will very often lead into a slide and then a tumble. In some cases, you may even fly over the handle bars.
First off, drive at slow speeds and always be aware of what is going on. You should have a bigger safety cushion than when you are driving a car. If a danger comes out of nowhere, the best bet is to slow down and pull into a different path of movement at the same time, steering away or around the threat.
As I said before, a motorcycle training course can really do you a lot of good when it comes to learning these little counterintuitive things most riders never think of. Meanwhile, keep some of these tricks in mind and do your best to stay safe out there. And have fun!
by: James Druman
From humble beginnings rose the giant that is Harley-Davidson. Today their machines are iconic, but things didn’t always look so rosy. The company has survived two world wars, the great depression and a period of disreputability that had them teetering on the brink of extinction.
William Harley was 21 when he drew up plans for an 116cc engine, which was built and fitted to a pedal cycle. That was in 1901. He was joined by his friend Arthur Davidson, and together they worked on what was really a motor-bicycle. With the help of Arthur’s brother, Walter, they completed the project in 1903, however the boys were so dissatisfied with their first attempt, they scrapped the bike, but not without gaining valuable experience along the way.
The second machine, with a 405cc engine is classed by many as the first real Harley. The bigger engine and frame design meant this machine was something other than a motor-bicycle, and was a forerunner of the modern motorcycle. The prototype was built in a ten by fifteen feet shed belonging to the Davidson family, although the engine parts were said to be built at the West Milwaukee Railshops, where older brother William Davidson worked as a foreman. By 1905 this motorcycle was been offered to the public on a very limited basis. Three were sold that year.
The shed was eventually moved to the Juneau Avenue factory to serve as a reminder of the company’s humble beginnings, but sadly was accidentally demolished by contractors during the 1970’s.
By 1907 production had reached 150 motorcycles, and in that year they began selling their machines to police departments. Also in that same year, a prototype 880cc, V-twin engine was developed and displayed at the Chicago Automobile show, although very few V-twin motorcycles were sold before 1910. By 1909 well over 1,000 motorcycles were being produced, a tribute not only to the boys’ engineering skills, but also to their entrepreneurial attributes.
In 1917, when the USA entered the arena of World War 1, new demands were placed on the company, as the military needed a robust, reliable machine. Harley-Davidson rose to the challenge and produced 20,000 motorcycles for the war machine. This no doubt helped the company take their place as the World’s largest motorcycle manufacturer, and by 1920 they were producing over 28,000 units which were sold in 67 countries.
The depression of the Thirties hit the company hard and production fell to less than 4,000 in 1933. Through necessity, they produced a three-wheeled delivery vehicle which was named the ‘Servi-car’, a design that stood the test of time and only ceased production in 1973.
As war came again, Harley-Davidson copied the design of the BMWR71, and produced the XA model, as once again the company answered the demands of the United States Army and produced large numbers of motorcycles. They also built the WLC for the Canadian military, and sent more than 30,000 units to the Soviet Union.
After the war, the company flourished and the ‘Super 10′ and ‘Topper’ scooter were produced. In 1960 they bought fifty percent of Aeronautica Macchi’s motorcycle division and the importation of the 250cc horizontal single began. This bike wore the Harley-Davidson badge and was marketed as the ‘Harley-Davidson Sprint’. The company became sole owners of Aermacchi in 1974.
Hollywood too has played a part in the development of Harley-Davidson, sadly tarnishing the company’s image and leading the brand to be associated with groups such as ‘Hell’s Angels’. In 1969 AMF bought the company, decimated the workforce and began to produce a machine which was much inferior to its Japanese rivals. Sales slumped and the company was on the edge of the abyss. The company’s reputation became almost irredeemable.
Under pressure from Harley-Davidson, the US government introduced a 45% tariff on imported motorcycles over 700cc, but instead of going head to head with the Japanese, they concentrated on the ‘Retro’ style of bike. Many of the components for these machines were built overseas, and the quality of the finished article took a turn for the better.
In 2008, a Harley-Davidson Museum opened in Milwaukee. The three building complex contains a large collection of motorcycles and other Harley-Davidson memorabilia. This represents a huge leap from the shed in the Davidson’s backyard and the austere years of the Great Depression. Proof enough that Harley-Davidson is more than a motorcycle, more than a company; it has become a way of life for motorcyclists all over the world. William and Arthur would be delighted.
Alan Liptrot
As the number of female motorcyclists continues to increase, it stands to reason that there is an increased need for ladies leather motorcycle jackets. And fortunately for the ladies, there is lots of variety available to them–allowing them to not only be well-protected, but to look good in the process.
Regarding the safety aspect, ladies leather motorcycle jackets are not much different from men’s. This is as it should be, because an objective analysis shows that women ride their bikes just as fast and aggressively as men do. This means they need the same level of protection that the male riders need. So the main protective element in men’s jackets is also in female’s. That element is the thickness and the padding of the jacket. A leather jacket protects you because it covers the vulnerable upper body with thick animal-skin. As a result, if your bike ever takes a spill, you’re not as likely to tear your skin–if the jacket holds up.
Because safety is the most important thing with your motorcycle jacket, you need to first check the quality of the jacket’s stitching. Look for evidence that some stitches have been dropped. One or two dropped stitches is not cause for alarm, but if you see this repeatedly, this is a sure sign that proper quality-control procedures were not followed. You’d be smart to look elsewhere. Stitching is important, because it will hold the jacket together in the event of a severe impact. Therefore it should be uniform throughout the jacket.
Another consideration when you’re buying your jacket is the material it’s made of. For instance, you can buy cowhide, pig hide, even something exotic like goat or ostrich skin. Another material consideration is whether you’re buying genuine leather or imitation leather. It’s true that many imitation-leather jackets look as good as the real thing, but they won’t protect you as well.
Once you’ve considered material and quality of the jacket, you can start thinking about style options. Many women prefer a jacket that has some fashion pizzazz to it. This will allow it to become a multipurpose jacket–It can be used either on the bike or worn around town.
There are many style choices for the woman. She can choose full cut or one fitted to her body. She can buy a standard motorcycle jacket or go with a bomber or racing style jacket. She can select snap-up, button-up, zip-up, and even Velcro. There are even many choices in color: black, brown, red, white, and other colors are available.
So where does the woman shop for her motorcycle jacket? A couple of options are obvious: either at a local leather retailer or at a shop that specializes in biking accessories. More women, though, are choosing to find and buy their jacket online. This allows them a greater variety and the ability to shop while researching the product–and without pressure from a sales agent. It’s also easier to find name brands you trust, such as Icon, when you’re shopping online. And many online retailers have more inexpensive offerings than the local stores.
Ladies leather motorcycle jackets are a burgeoning market for a reason: They’re stylish and they keep you safe while riding (and protected from the elements, whether on a bike or off). Just do your research and make sure you’re getting a jacket worth the money you’re paying.
Gavin Cruise
Do you have an adventuresome sprit? Do you have the desire for something new and different? If so, then an interesting trend in vacationing is motorcycle touring. Whatever scenery you enjoy, whatever venue you like, whether it is the beach, the mountains or the cities, a Harley motorcycle vacation promises great fun and entertainment. There is nothing like the back to nature feel of the wind in your face, leaving your cares behind, and seeing the world from the seat of a Harley. If you are considering taking a motorcycle vacation, planning and preparation are important to your success and enjoyment. Below you’ll find information on how to prepare and plan a great Bikers vacation.
Preparing the Bike
Make sure your motorcycle is road worthy and reliable before setting out. Ensure all equipment is working and can withstand the rigors of the road. The tires should have plenty of rubber and be properly inflated, the oil and other fluids should be clean and topped off, and all lighting should be working. If your bike has a chain drive, the chain should be properly tensioned and lubricated, if belt driven, the belt should be inspected for wear and properly tensioned. Make sure all nuts and fastening hardware is tightened. Especially the license plate, it’s usually the first thing to fall off.
Packing for Travel
Unlike other types of vacations a Harley motorcycle vacation is one of necessities and essentials only. You will not be packing multiple suit cases for your trip. On the contrary, you will be packing several small to medium packs or bags. The type of packing you do is dependent on the bike you own. Some bikes are equipped with saddle bags, while others are only equipped for places to lash down soft packs or bags. In either case your packing space is limited; you will only have room for the essentials. So what are the essentials of the road?
Warm clothing, includes jacket and gloves adequate for the extreme cold temperatures you may face.
Helmet, this of course is an optional device but when it rains, gets cold, or some little old lady runs you over you’ll wish you had it.
Rain gear, you don’t want to get wet, and make sure your packed items are protected from rain as well.
Motor bike tool set, Basic tools for tightening nuts, turning screws, removing a wheel and don’t forget two tool essentials, electrical tape and wire.
Personal hygiene articles, this should include any medications you normally take.
Change of clothing, this is where you may have the most difficulty. An extra pair of jeans, couple pairs of undies, a pair of socks, one or two of your favorite tea shirts and a long sleeve shirt are the minimum fashion articles you’ll need.
Of course your packing should be tailored to the climate and venue you’ll be traveling, that is if going to a warm sunny climate then heavy clothing may not be needed. If traveling to a cooler or rainier climate then additional warm clothing and rain gear may be needed.
Planning Your Trip
Everyone has someplace they have always wanted to visit. This could be a beach, a mountain range, a forest, a city, a monument, a desert, an amusement park, an ocean or lake. The list is endless, heck it could even be grandma’s house, no matter your destination, you should take time to plan a travel route. This is where the adventure of motorcycling becomes fun and exciting. Instead of traveling the freeways straight to your end point try the back roads, take the alternate route that leads to places unknown. You will be amazed at the scenery, the quaint villages and towns and the friendliness of people along the way. You may not even make it to your final destination because of all the interesting things you’ll want to stop and visit along the way. It’s all just part of the fun! Beware however to ensure that while traveling your route you are not caught in a situation where lodging, food or gas are not available when needed.
Before you swing a leg over that bike make sure you know your route, it is very difficult to read a map while traveling at 60 mph on a motorcycle. Have a good idea of the areas you want to visit. Try to plan your days travel so that you end up at a location where lodging is available. In peak times of the year lodging can be hard to come by so you may want to make reservations in advance. Knowing where you are going and where you will stop helps make the trip less stressful.
Taking Precautions
As in any traveling endeavor, there is always an inherent risk when traveling on a motorcycle. Illness can befall us at any time, an accident can cause injury, a natural disaster can occur without warning or perhaps an emergency from home could take place. While these things are out of our control it is wise to be prepared in case some unplanned event does occurs. Carry a list of your emergency contacts and numbers. Put these in a safe place. Include any important medical information about yourself. Be sure your license and insurance documents are up to date and are with you at all times. By doing this, you will be better prepared to cope with any emergency that may occur. It is also wise to inform your family or friends of your travel plans and route, just in case you get lost they’ll know where to search.
By proper planning, taking your time to enjoy, and being prepared for weather extremes you can experience a vacation that you’ll remember for years to come. You, your Harley and the road, passing all those people crammed in cars, knowing the real enjoyment of travel is with your face in the wind and butt in the saddle. I’ll see you on the open road!
Woody Longacre
First, let me say that for the purpose of this article that the term “custom motorcycle” refers to any motorcycle that has been altered from its original stock format. This might include choppers, bobbers or pro street bikes. If we want to examine why we build custom motorcycles I think the reasons also cover why we customize any motorcycle. The desire to build a ground up custom motorcycle is the same desire to change a factory bike with usually other factors like finances and practicality being the variables that decide which direction we take.
Is it strictly a male thing? Doesn’t seem to be as far as I can tell. Many women immediately start customizing their motorcycles as soon as they get them. So I guess that would rule out any mating ritual psycho babble arguments as to why we can’t be satisfied with what we have. The motorcycle as an extension of our manhood doesn’t explain why females also customize bikes. And we know they do.
I notice that it’s a very rare motorcycle owner that doesn’t do at least a little customizing to their machine even if it’s only adding a few chrome parts or covers on, so maybe the reason we make custom motorcycles is closely related to the reasons we ride bikes at all. Is what makes us bikers in the first place also what drives us to change them as soon as we get them? I think it may be.
For most of us, riding a motorcycle is about our individuality, our ability to separate ourselves from the rest of the world and to some degree control our own world. When you ride a bike you’re in control of your very life: every decision you make could be a life or death one. I think that for most riders that is what we love about riding more than anything, the sense of control. And we extend that feeling onto what our motorcycles look like. By customizing our motorcycle we can assert our individuality in the bike itself. And it’s easy to accomplish. Go to any bike rally and try and find two identical motorcycles. It is next to impossible.
We build custom motorcycles so we can say to the world “Hey, I don’t care how much I blend into the background at work, or at the mall or when I driving my car; when I’m on this one of a kind motorcycle my individuality can’t be ignored. I’m different from everyone else, even other motorcyclists. We build custom bikes so we can stand back look at our bike and say “No one else in the entire world owns a motorcycle that looks like this.” We build custom motorcycles because we want something that shows our uniqueness.
Some of us may even build them for the sheer joy that comes from accomplishment, but ultimately we still want others to see them because it makes us unique. No one ever built a custom bike and then hid it in the garage. Like any form of art, it; and its builder, can’t be appreciated unless it’s put on display. In a world where people have become assets and numbers the custom motorcycle still screams “I will not be who the world thinks I should be!”
by: Scott Olewiler
There are many ways to go about getting a motorcycle insurance quote but the easiest might be doing it online. While this process of getting estimates for policies over the Internet is still relatively new, it is something that is becoming more common all the time.
It makes shopping around for the best deal on insurance much easier as you do not have to leave your home or office computer to find the best deals. You do not get the same pressures as when you shop in person for insurance nor do you need to spend hours with a salesmen as you attempt to get the best available polices for your money. It can all be done on your time, after business hours if that is easiest for you, and everything you need to know will be delivered to your email.
Some of the insurance companies are in actual fact brokers and they will do the shopping round for you by sending your information around to the companies they deal with. This will give you the opportunity to get even more quotes to compare. Remember that one of the things you are looking for is pricing but the other is what the policy offers to you. They will ask you the same questions as any other indemnity company will.
To get a proper motorcycle insurance quote they will need to know what your driving record is and will ask many questions based on this need. The online form will have places to give full answers to whether you have had any accidents, speeding or parking tickets. They will want to know how long you have been driving and specifically how long you have been driving a motorbike. These online insurance companies also have phone support workers to help you out your needs.
Another advantage to getting a web based estimate is that you can pay for your policy by the use of your credit card or debit card. This can be done by paying the entire amount at one time or with monthly payments. That can be much easier than having to write out twelve postdated checks or remembering to put a check in the mail every month.
They try to make everything easier for you and encourage their potential customers to use web based indemnity companies instead of going to an office somewhere. Convenience is how they sell you on their services. If you are concerned that this may not be the best way for you to get an estimate on the cost of your policy you can always try contacting an insurance salesmen nearby to get your motorcycle insurance quote, but you may still find online an easier route.
Craig Thornburrow
At the beginning of the twentieth century, Springfield Massachusetts saw the birth of a legend in the shape of ‘The Indian Motorcycle Manufacturing Company’; its most famous models being the ‘Scout’ and the ‘Chief.
At the beginning of the twentieth century, Springfield Massachusetts saw the birth of a legend in the shape of ‘The Indian Motorcycle Manufacturing Company’; its most famous models being the ‘Scout’ and the ‘Chief’, the latter being in production for an incredible thirty-one years.
The founders of the company, which was originally known as the ‘Hendee Manufacturing Company’, were George M. Hendee and Carl Oscar Hedstrom, a pair of former bicycle racers who joined forces to produce a 1 ¾ horsepower motorcycle. Sales began slowly, but soon increased giving the company a solid platform to build upon. These early bikes were belt-driven and by 1903 were performing well enough to allow Hedstrom to create a new motorcycle speed record of 56mph.
Aurora of Illinois supplied the engine that would power the ‘Diamond framed Single’, which carried the rich red that would become synonymous with Indian. Introduced in 1902, sales rose to 32,000 in 1913. 1907 saw the introduction of a V-twin which, along with Erwin ‘Canonball’ Baker would set many long distance records culminating with a trip from San Diego to New York in a record time of 11 days, 12 hours and ten minutes. As is the case today, competition inspired technical innovation and Indian went from strength to strength, winning the Isle of Man TT race in 1911. Not only that, but Indians finished second and third too.
The Indian Chief and Scout appeared in the early 1920’s and went on to become the flagships of the company. By this time, both Hendee and Hedstrom had left the company. Both bikes won the admiration of the public, not only for their looks, but also for their durability, hence the saying, ‘You can’t wear out an Indian Scout, or its brother the Indian Chief. They are built like rocks to take hard knocks; it’s the Harleys that cause the grief’.
By 1930 Indian had teamed up with ‘Dupont Motors’ who ended the production of Dupont cars to put every ounce of energy and resource into the development of the Indian. Their links with the paint industry saw a dramatic increase in colour choice, with 24 on offer by 1934. This is the time when the distinctive Indian head-dress logo first saw light of day on the tanks of the machines, and it wasn’t long before the Indian factory became known as the ‘Wigwam’.
By 1940, Indian has almost rivalled its major competitor Harley Davidson in sales. The company also produced engineless bicycles, air conditioning equipment, aircraft engines along with many other lines. This year also saw the introduction of the skirted fenders which were to define Indians for years to come. Another innovation that arrived at this time was the sprung frame which made the machine far superior to the Harley of the day. In its basic form, the Chief could reach 86mph, but with a little tuning over 100mph was possible.
Ralph B. Rogers was the leader of a consortium which bought a controlling interest in Indian in 1945, and on November 1st Dupont officially handed control to Rogers. Unfortunately Rogers discontinued the Scout to concentrate on models such as the 149 Arrow, the Warrior 250 and the Superscout 249. These bikes suffered from poor quality and a lack of development and by 1949 production had almost ground to a halt. In 1953 manufacturer of all Indian’s models was ceased and the import of the ‘Royal Enfield’ from England began. These models were badged and sold as Indians throughout the rest of the decade. Later, the Indian name became the property of a company that imported ‘Matchless’ motorcycles, however the Indian name wasn’t used.
In the 1960’s, one Floyd Clymer began to use the Indian name on imported bikes from Italy, apparently without buying the trademark from the last known owner. When Clymer died in 1970, his widow sold the mark to Los Angeles attorney, Alan Newman who continued to import Italian machines, and later bikes from Taiwan, but by 1975 the company was in trouble and in 1977 was declared bankrupt. A legal battle ensued for the rights of the brand name, and eventually in 1988 the Federal Bankruptcy Court in Denver cleared the way for ‘Gilroy’ to resume the production of Indians. These bikes became known as the ‘Gilroy Indians’. In 2006, a London based company took control and created a new factory in Kings Mountain, North Carolina. Plans are being drawn up to produce a new chief, something we all look forward to.
Maybe the glory days of Indian will return, but we can’t leave off without mentioning Bert Munro from New Zealand, who in the 1960’s, with the aid of a 1920’s Indian Scout created numerous land speed records as seen in the 2005 movie ‘The World’s Fastest Indian’
by Alan Liptrot
Reasons For Buying A Used Motorcycle:
Have you checked out the price of a new bike lately? It wasn’t that long ago when you didn’t have to fork out that much dough for a new car. In fact, many bikers will remember when you didn’t have to pay much more than that for a modest house. The prices for houses and cars have shot up over the years. And, so has the prices of motorcycles. The point is, the price of a new bike can take a good-sized bite out of any budget. Buying a used motorcycle is one way to lessen the dent a motorcycle will make in your wallet.
There are a number of benefits to buying a used motorcycle. The first is, of course, that you can save a lot of money. As a general rule, motorcycles lose a higher percent of their value when they roll out of the showroom than do automobiles. The possible exception to this is Harley-Davidson. Harleys always seem to retain a high resale value. The second reason is that many motorcycles are not ridden many miles each year, especially in colder climates. So, it is easier to find a good, low mileage bike. Makes such as Moto Guzzi are especially durable and a low mileage model will have many trouble-free miles left in it. A third reason is that if there are any quirks to be worked out of a new model or a particular machine, these will likely have been done by the time the second owner gets the bike.
There are a number of sources available when buying a used motorcycle. You can buy a bike from the current owner. The classifieds online and in the newspapers are filled with ads for used bikes. You can also check with a dealership for trade-ins. Bikes at dealerships will often come with a warranty.
Tips On Buying A Used Motorcycle
So, how do you make sure you get a good deal? Here are a few tips on buying a used motorcycle.
First, check out a used motorcycle price guide. There are several good ones. A good one is the National Auto Dealers Association (N.A.D.A.) price guide. The prices in this monthly guide reflect the average price of motorcycles of similar make, model and condition across the nation. The price guide is issued monthly.
Spend a little time reading the reviews of various makes and models. Many of these reviews are posted on the web and they can give you some subjective information on what these particular riders think about the bike.
Check the condition of the motorcycle over closely. What is the condition of the drive belt, chain or drive shaft? Are the tires worn or weather checked? Has the bike ever been wrecked? Does it leak oil? Is the muffler or mufflers free of rust? Is the wiring in good shape? Does it start easily and run smoothly?
If the deal likes like a go at this point, ask to take the bike for a test drive. While you are at it, if possible, take it to your mechanic and get a second opinion.
If your mechanic gives you the OK, get your wallet out and enjoy the ride.
Most makes of motorcycles these days are well engineered and high quality machines. Don’t make the process of buying a bike a bigger deal than it needs to be. Used motorcycles are generally an excellent value, especially when compared to the price of new bikes. Besides, this is one time when it is fun to shop. So, have some fun buying a used motorcycle.
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