The Evolution Of Today s Dirt Bike
By admin On December 7th, 2009The Evolution Of Today s Dirt Bike
The evolution of off-road motorcycles, commonly called dirt bikes, is a long and complicated story The first motorcycles were actually nothing more than modified bicycles with attached gasoline engines These powered bicycles were amazing inventions in their day Unreliable, but amazing methods of transportation, these motorcycles began captivating people across the globe Since paved streets were not quite the norm at the time, motorcycles generally could be considered dirt bikes right from the start No single person or company has been credited with the invention of the dirt bike Off-road motorcycling is really an evolution of many years, with better tires, better suspension and seats, stronger frames, and better control features being credited to many individuals who were essentially modifying their own bikes for better off-road use Triumph motorcycles did however design a motorcycle specifically built for dirt riding in 1914, although this model is not actually credited with being the first dirt bike . .Motocross racing seems to have had it origins in Europe, very possibly France with these early motorcycles being raced through wooded trails or racing to the top of a mountainous road for publicity Many of these early races were not races of speed but races against time where riders simply competed against each other on an individual basis Racing expanded as did the production of motorcycles to include scrambles and cross country events which excited and entertained spectators Incidentally, the word motocross was derived from the words motorcycle and cross-country The races would eventually be moved to a shorter, closed track for easier viewing by the spectators and better monitoring of the racers themselves With the world at war and the Great Depression, off-road motorcycles may not have been a priority concept with people for many years but the interest in dirt racing wasn’t about to go away Then Soichiro Honda came along in 1946 with his idea to produce cheap transportation for people after the second world war Honda became the most predominant name in motorcycles and dirt bikes in particular, undoubtedly due to the fact that they are the largest motorcycle manufacturer in the world They were joined by other manufacturers over the years who would eventually become household names as well Suzuki produced their first motorcycle in 1954, Yamaha in 1955, and Kawasaki in 1960 Although dirt bikes were still far in the future for the big four, this was the beginning of the onslaught of a motorsport unlike any other Dirt bikes and dirt bike racing would eventually become one of the most popular motorsports in the world . . .After a mix of both two stroke and four stroke motors in various models through the years, Honda finally designs and builds a competitive two stroke motocross motor in 1972 It reached the USA in 1973 and is called the Elsinore CR250 It immediately becomes the fastest production off-road race bike in its class and placed Honda alone at the top of the heap in regard to motocross racing In the 1970’s, motocross racing would finally do what motorcycle manufacturers hoped it would Off-road motorcycling would become a recreational activity not unlike bicycling with its popularity exploding among the general public The big four Japanese manufacturers would eventually produce a full product line of dirt bikes in a variety of sizes for various racing classes and ages Children’s dirt bikes would become available for those early starters and dual-use motorcycles would also become available with dirt tires and suspension along with street-legal features Other manufacturers also joined the specialized dirt bike market including Maico, Gas Gas, and KTM . .To this day, dirt bikes continue their evolution with almost constant improvement in weight reduction, suspension, engine reliability, and overall performance They are used as weekend recreational vehicles by millions of people around the world The world of motocross racing has become more popular than ever before thanks to dirt bike riding basically evolving into an art form Freestyle riding and stunt riding are captivating more young riders every year and the manufacturers continue to respond by producing high quality, cutting edge dirt bikes .
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Leather Motorcycle Accessories As Protective Gear
Motorcycle accessories are a broad term and include items from protective gear up to stuff that make your motorcycle move faster Leather accessories usually include just (protective) gear, clothes and luggage items that you use when you ride It depends on the type of bike you own what type of leather motorcycle accessories you’ll need But it also depends on how much you ride, if you ride all year round or just in summer and of course it depends on your budget . .To be honest there are leather accessories for every budget and with online auction sites these days you can also buy second hand gear If you are a typical weekend only rider on a small budget that might be a very good option Its better to safe money then to see your expensive motorcycle accessories sit around unused . .On the other side if you are the type of bike rider that likes to show of their bike and gear and takes pride in complementary style bike and leather accessories then there is also enough to enjoy In that case it does not matter if you are a frequent rider or if you like to show what you own you need the very best quality stuff . .If your the kind of motorcycle rider that rides often and in many different types of weather then you should look for motorcycle accessories made out of leather that will protect you like safety gear, helmets and gloves because your life could depend on durable and reliable gear . .Leather motorcycle accessories for beginners . .Most people who just have bought their first bike get carried away and would like to buy all of the motorcycle accessories they see and like Most of the time this is not the the best choice they can make because your tastes and knowledge will grow when you ride more However, there are several accessories that you will need immediately and that you should purchase right away . .Wear a helmet at all times, this is an absolute must There are states that don’t have a helmet law, but it’s essential that you do wear one A helmet will protect your head and face from the trauma that usually occurs with a crash Without a helmet a crash can cause extensive damage, even at slow speed, so it is necessary to wear a helmet at all time Luckily there are great leather helmets available, some will look kind of retro but will have the latest protective technology underneath . .Another essential motorcycle accessories is the leather jacket, it’s not just to look cool, it also protects you from the elements while you are riding and from the damage in case of a crash You are completely exposed on a bike, so you need to protect yourself when riding . .The last leather accessories that are essential are a good pair of gloves that will keep your hands protected from the elements and help you keep a strong grip Leather gloves often overlooked because many people don’t believe they need them In fact they are essential to help keep you safe and on the road . .As you see there are many leather motorcycle accessories that you’ll need and there will be even more that you want to add as you become more experienced, but as a beginner these three are the most important You can buy new gear or you can look online for used motorcycle accessories made out of leather This can safe you a lot of money and because it is leather it will even look better when it is used Just make sure that it is in good condition .
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A Buyers Guide to Motor Scooters!
With so many different types of motor scooters available today buyers must do their homework before making a purchase. Vespa, Honda, Piaggio, big engine, small engine, gas, electric, mobility, foldable, seats, handgrips, where do I start? Before the 1920s it was an easy decision, a foot-powered push scooter or none at all. But once Gino Tsai from Shanghai, Taiwan developed the Razor scooter it changed everything. His motor scooters became popular so quickly there were people waiting in line for six months before they could get one. In the 1950s companies like Vespa in the UK started selling the first of their gas motor scooters. It was a big hit at the 1950 Motorcycle Show and quickly became a big hit in the UK as well. Vespa sold over 125,000 in the UK between the years of 1950 to 1958. Piaggio from Vespa and Lambretta from Innocenti started selling their models in Italy and France too, quickly becoming the vehicles that everyone had to own. By the early 1950s the sale of motor scooters topped 1 million a year in France alone. Because of its popularity other countries such as France and Germany decided to get in on the boom by manufacturing their own models. Today, after more than 50 years since the first gas scooters appeared, there are many different makes and models. We have electric, gas powered, foldable, mobility and utility motor scooters dotting the globe. There are specialized scooters for just about every task. They have become a worldwide phenomenon because they are cheap to own, economical to operate, are very handy and functional, and most of all they are a lot of fun. But with all of the makes and models which one is right for you? Let’s start with the different types. Gas motor scooters are the fastest around. They will take you longer distances and reach higher speeds than any of the other varieties. There are smaller and lighter models that will be perfect for running errands around town while the larger and heavier touring models will take you on longer trips. Plus, the larger the gas tank the farther you can travel before needing to stop at a service station. Electric varieties are a little more economical to run, but will usually travel only about 10 or 15 miles before needing a recharge. Their battery capacity has improved dramatically over the years, but they cannot be taken for long trips due to the fact that their batteries will need recharging periodically. However, for short trips around the city they are wonderful little vehicles. Plus, most scooters have a large storage capacity under the seat so they are ideal for trips to the grocery store or for other light shopping sprees. The elderly or handicapped typically use what is referred to as mobility scooters. These are usually electric models and have 3 or 4 wheels for extra stability. These models give the elderly or disabled the ability to get about in their homes or around the neighborhood more easily. Without mobility scooters many of the disability-impaired would be confined to their beds. Another very popular type is the foldable scooter. These are very small and are made for short trips around town. They are particularly popular among the younger crowds. The beauty of these models is that they are extremely compact and can be folded for storage in small places. If you work just a few miles from your home you can travel to work on your folding scooter and then fold it up and put it underneath your desk at work. Very handy. There are also utility scooters which can be used for many different purposes. They can be used as golf carts or for hauling things. Many big businesses use these types for getting around their factories. Schools use them for driving through the parking lot, checking for cars that shouldn’t be there. Major league sports stadiums use them to drive people from one place to another. These are wonderful vehicles that can be used for a variety of reasons. Once you’ve decided which type is right for your needs the next step is to figure out what options, if any, you would like included on your vehicle. Of course you can choose from many different colors and designs, but there are other options available to you. You can choose from the many varieties of covers, locks (for security), cases or side bags for storage, helmets, seats, handgrips, windshields or windscreens, backrests for touring, chrome kits, rear luggage racks and many more options. The list of accessories can go on for quite some time. As a rule of thumb first choose the type of scooter you want, whether it be electric, gas, foldable or utility. This is the easy part because the type you purchase will depend upon your needs. Once that decision has been made look at several popular models in your area and decide which one looks and feels right to you. Most have accessories that are manufactured for a specific model so accessories cannot be decided upon until you know which motor scooter you are going to buy. Once you’ve decided which accessories you want for the model you chose it’s a simple matter of driving your scooter out of the dealership. And it’s nothing but fun from there on out.<a href="http://www.my-motorscooters.com">Cheap motor scooters</a> are lots of fun, which is why Larry Johnson is a motor scooter fanatic. He not only loves to ride motor scooters, but loves writing about them as well. For more information visit <a href="http://www.my-motorscooters.com">My Motor Scooters</a>.
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