BMW Recalls 2008 F650GS Motorcycles for Brake Disc Fastener Defect

BMW has issued a recall of certain 2008 F650GS motorcycles.

Due to production and assembly tolerances, the length of one or more of the front brake disc fasteners may be insufficient. If the length of a fastener was insufficient, this could result in the fastener not being tightened according to specifications. If this happened, the fastener could work loose from its threads. In some cases involving multiple fasteners, the brake disc could loosen, increasing the risk of a crash.

373 units are affected.

Check out my Motorcycle Recalls feature for more details.

BMW Recalls 2008 F650GS and F800GS Motorcycles for Chain Sprocket Problem

BMW has issued a recall of certain 2008 F650GS and F800GS motorcycles.

The tightening of the chain sprocket fasteners may have resulted in various levels of torque being applied. It is possible for the fasteners to work loose from the sprocket, increasing the risk of a crash.

509 units are affected.

Check out my Motorcycle Recalls feature for more details.

Triumph Recalls 2008 Rocket III Touring Motorcycle for Pannier Rail Weld Defect

Triumph has issued a recall of certain 2008 Rocket III Touring motorcycles.

There could be a missing weld on the back of the pannier rail. The pannier rail may, after time, be weakened leading to a full fracture of the rail and possible loss of pannier and rail from the motorcycle, increasing the risk of a crash.

8 units are affected.

Check out my Motorcycle Recalls feature for more details.

Top 10 Motorcycle Pictures of the Year 2008 from Motorcycle Views

The top ten motorcycle pictures were picked from pictures submitted to Motorcycle Views in 2008. The pictures are not ordered. They include three pictures of women on motorcycles, four pictures of men on motorcycles, and three pictures of motorcycles only.

The pictures were chosen for a variety of reasons. I looked at each picture, read each description, and picked those pictures that held my interest.

Check out the Top 10 Pictures for 2008.

Harley-Davidson Guarantees Sportster Trade-in Value

Even in these tough economic times, Harley-Davidson has found a way to lure more customers into their showroom: Allow trade-ins at the original sale price.

Harley has a plan to allow their customers who have already purchased a recent Sportster to trade it in on a larger model but essentially cancel the depreciation on the Sportster. Here's an excerpt from an article by Rick Barrett of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel:

"Harley-Davidson Inc. (HOG) has announced a new motorcycle purchase program that guarantees the trade-in value of a Sportster when traded for one of the company's more expensive bikes.



Harley riders who either buy a new Sportster or trade in their recently purchased Sportster between Dec. 26 and March 31 will get the bike's original manufacturer's suggested retail price when they trade up to one of Harley's Big Twin or VRSC motorcycles." -- Rick Barrett, Milwaukee, Wisconsin Journal Sentinel

Read the complete story.

Harley-Davidson Recalls 2009 FXD, FXDB, FXDC, FXDF, and FXDL Motorcycles for Jiffy Stand Defect

Harley-Davidson has issued a recall of certain 2009 FXD, FXDB, FXDC, FXDF, and FXDL motorcycles.

The jiffy stand spring anchor may have been built with a defective weld that may allow the jiffy stand assembly to not retract as intended. This condition could lead to a crash which could cause injury or death to the rider.

3285 units are affected.

Check out my Motorcycle Recalls feature for more details.

Ducati Recalls 2007-2008 1098 Models and 2008-2009 848 and 1098R Models for Charging System Problem

Ducati has issued a recall of certain 2007-2008 1098, 1098 Tricolore, and 1098R motorcycle models and 2008-2009 848 and 1098R motorcycle models.

The motorcycle charging system may be adversely affected by engine heat and stop operating. This results in damage to the voltage regulator and ensuing battery discharge.

7130 units are affected.

Check out my Motorcycle Recalls feature for more details.

Will Shiftless Motorcycles Become Mainstream?

An article in the New York Times by Stuart F. Brown examines why shiftless motorcycles may bring new life to motorcycling. Consider the fact that many potential riders have never even driven a car with a stick shift. Riding a motorcycle without an automatic transmission becomes a daunting task. Here's an excerpt from the article:

"CAR sales, already in a deep funk, would probably be slower yet if automakers decided to offer no alternative to manual transmissions. Makers of street motorcycles have largely painted themselves into that corner. And with the effects of stalled credit markets flattening out a 14-year streak of steady growth — despite the allure of good gas mileage in a wobbly economy — it’s no surprise that manufacturers are mounting an effort to introduce more rider-friendly bikes." -- Stuart F. Brown

Read the full story for all the details.

Motorcycle Pictures of the Week - Mel and Comanche

Here are my Pictures of the Week as displayed on the Motorcycle Views Website. These are taken from the Moto Pic Gallery. See Mel on her 2004 Honda VTX1800. Also see Comanche with his 2008 Suzuki Boulevard C50T. Note the artistic treatment in this picture. For details, see Motorcycle Pictures of the Week.

If you'd like to see your bike as Picture of the Week, submit a picture of you and your bike along with a description of the bike.

Kawasaki Issues Recall of 2008 ZG1400 Models for Rear Brake Problem

Kawasaki has issued a recall of certain 2008 ZG1400A8F/A8FL and ZG1400B8F/B8FL motorcycles.

Trapped road debris may interfere with free movement of the rear brake pedal, preventing full release of the rear brake which can lead to overheating damage and possible brake failure.

4628 units are affected.

Check out my Motorcycle Recalls feature for more details.

Harley-Davidson Issues Recall of 2009 FXD Motorcycles for Fuel Leak Possibility

Harley-Davidson has issued a recall of certain 2009 FXDB, FXDC, FXDF, and FXDL motorcycles.

These motorcycles have a fuel tank vent tube assembly, part no. 27389-04A, which may have been produced with a defective ultrasonic weld on the anti-slosh valve. If the valve separates and the bike is tipped over, it may leak fuel. Fuel leakage in the presence of an ignition source could result in a fire.

349 units are affected.

Check out my Motorcycle Recalls feature for more details.

Triumph Recalls 2008-2009 Thruxton for Brake Caliper Defect

Triumph has issued a recall of certain 2008-2009 Thruxton motorcycles.

The installed front brake caliper bracket bolts may be too short, reducing thread engagement of the bolts into the brake caliper bracket.

87 units are affected.

Check out my Motorcycle Recalls feature for more details.

Buying a used motorcycle or vehicle (Motorcycle Helmets tangent alert!)

We’re not gonna talk about motorcycle helmets today. Why? Because tangents are fun.

Instead, we’re gonna talk about buying a used motorcycle. Really, the advice in here applies to buying any sort of used vehicle, but I suppose I’ll keep things mainly focused on motorcycles today, since, you know, this is the motorcycle helmets guide, after all.

The first thing to consider in buying a used bike is simple enough: what kind of bike do you want? An easy way to figure this out is to ask yourself what you primarily want to be using the bike for. Is it just going to be a commuter bike to ferry you to and from work? Do you want a touring bike for long weekend rides? Or are you looking for a supercharged crotch-rocket for the track? Obviously the answer to these questions will significantly affect what kind of used motorcycle you’re looking for.

The next decision you have to make is whether you’re going to buy from a dealer or a private party. Buying from a private party can often seem appealing, because the prices you can find are often lower. But you have to recognize the trade offs. A reputable dealer will have fully refurbished your motorcycle before you buy it, and will typically also offer some sort of warranty. A private party transaction will usually offer no such guarantees, and you’re generally stuck with whatever you get, good or bad.

Notice I used the words “reputable dealer” above. This is key. Buying from a dealer is no better than buying from a private party if it’s not an honest dealership that you’ve checked out ahead of time, whether by word of mouth, online reviews, or whatever. In fact, buying from a dishonest dealership could be worse than buying from a private party, because you’ll end up paying more for the same bike.

If you do decide to go the private party route, also remember that whenever you’re buying or selling a used vehicle, it’s important to use a quality bill of sale to document the transaction. If you don’t already have one, visit auto bill of sale for an inexpensive, quality form you can use for this purpose.

Before you buy, you want to check out the condition of the vehicle. Inspect the drive chain and sprocket, making sure they’re in good condition and have a bit less than an inch of up-and-down play. Make sure the tires are in good shape with sufficient tread. Inspect all visible components and body framework for signs that the bike has been in a crash. Is anything bent or broken? How does the bike feel when you sit on it? Check the tank for rust. And of course, ASK the seller about the bike’s history. If the seller is honest, they’ll be able to give you a rundown of just what this motorcycle has been through. You’ve gotta take it with a grain of salt, of course, since they *are* trying to sell you something, but this can still be a useful source of information.

Alternatively, if you have a friend who is mechanically saavy, bring them along to inspect the motorcycle (or car) with you. There’s nothing like an expert inspection to help you make up your mind.

And, of course, turn the bike on. Does it start up quick? How does the engine sound? Are there any ugly clanks that could be a sign of internal problems? 

Basically you want to get a realistic overview of the condition of the motorcycle or car before you buy it. Remember that you are buying a used vehicle, so things may not be perfect, but even though perfection isn’t the goal, you still want to know what you’re getting before you buy it. This should help you arrive at a reasonable price point as well.

So there you have a few tips for the next time you go to buy a used motorcycle, and like I said, more broadly speaking these suggestions can be applied to any car or other vehicle as well.  We’ll get back to motorcycle helmets in the next post!

Motorcycle Pictures of the Week - Ackme

Here are my Pictures of the Week as displayed on the Motorcycle Views Website. These are taken from the Moto Pic Gallery.

See Ackme with his 2005 Triumph Tiger. For details, see Motorcycle Pictures of the Week.

If you'd like to see your bike as Picture of the Week, submit a picture of you and your bike along with a description of the bike.

Modular Motorcycle Helmets - Types of Helmets, Part 3

Alright folks, it’s time for a quick post about Modular Motorcycle Helmets.  Modular Helmets are also known as flip up helmets, or hybrid helmets. Given that it’s Turkey Day I’m thinking a lot of you may have a long weekend to do some good riding, and if you’re looking for a new motorcycle helmet, you may find that a modular helmet is exactly what you’re looking for.  

Flip Up aka modular helmets are a relatively recent invention in the motorcycle helmet world.  These hybrid helmets first came onto the scene as an answer to the problem of riders wanting the protection of a full face helmet but the convenience of an open face helmet.  For this reason you’ll often see a lot of motorcycle cops wearing modular helmets.  It gives them the ability to lift up the face of their helmet to talk to their victims, ahem, motorists, when they pull someone over.

 The pros and cons of modular helmets are actually a great combo.  With a flip up helmet you do indeed get most of the protection of a full face helmet.  And on the “flip” side (ba dum, ching!) you get some of the pros of a half helmet (though not all of them).  Due to their relatively recent emergence onto the motorcycle scene, there aren’t a lot of crash statistics yet as to how, precisely, modular motorcycle helmets compare to their “official” full face cousins.  However, they do generally seem to offer most of the protection of their non flip-up kin.

Most of the major manufacturers now offer hybrid helmets in their product line. Shoei, hjc, and gmax all offer modular helmets, just to name a few. And, naturally (because it’s now the law), these are all DOT motorcycle helmets, safety approved.

The major downside of a modular helmet is what you would expect: price.  Flip up helmets are generally more expensive than normal full face helmets, so the convenience needs to be worth it to you.  However, if you are willing to shell out a few extra bucks, a modular motorcycle helmet may be a great way to get some of the best of both worlds.

Motorcycle Half Helmets | Types of Helmets - Part 2

Alright folks, today we’re gonna talk about motorcycle half helmets, especially the pros and cons.  I’ve gotta run out the door, so today’s entry is gonna be a short one.

By the way, the image shown is an hjc motorcycle helmet, the model is the CL-21 Reign Half Helmet.

PROS:

- Style.  Lots of riders like the look of motorcycle half helmets, and there’s a lot of truth to this.  When you’re cruising along the highway, there are few helmets that have as cool a “low rider” feel to them as half helmets.

- Visibility.  A half helmet doesn’t obstruct your peripheral vision as much as a full face helmet.  There have been a lot of advances in full face helmets with respect to visibility.  I know my Gmax helmet has great peripheral vision.  Nevertheless, a half helmet doesn’t have any material around your eyes, so again, you’ve got that real sense of unobstructed vision.

- Experience.  Riding a motorcycle is a lot about the experience of getting onto that bike and feeling connected with the road and the world around you.  A motorcycle half helmet lets you get that wind in your face without completely sacrificing safety and protection.

- Ease of putting it on.  Sometimes when you’re hopping on your bike for a quick ride, it can feel like a hassle to pull on a full face motorcycle helmet, even it is that pretty little Shoei helmet sitting on your table.

CONS:

- Safety.  This is the obvious number one con.  A half helmet simply doesn’t afford you nearly as much protection when you get on your motorcycle as a full face helmet does.  A huge percentage of motorcycle crashes involve impacts to the chin and mouth area, and a half helmet provides exactly zero protection.  So, not to be too graphic or anything, but if you’re unlucky enough to be involved in such a crash, you’re pretty much gonna get your mouth and jaw bashed in.  On the other hand, there are always risks to getting onto a motorcycle.  We should all know that and accept it.  So for many people, the risks involved in wearing a half helmet are simply an extension of the risks we all accept when we get onto that bike and ride away.

- Bugs and rocks.  There are few things as unpleasant as getting a fat ol’ bug in the mouth or eye when you’re cruising down the highway.  Unlike a full face helmet, a motorcycle half helmet ain’t gonna do a thing to stop this from happening.  The same can be said for rocks.  Broken cheek bones are not unheard of when a rider comes up beside a semi and gets a flung rock in the face.

- Cold weather.  Trust me on this one, if you live in a cold weather state, you do *not* want to wear a motorcycle half helmet during the winter months!!  It’s cold, and you can get frostbite in about two seconds flat.  (On the other hand, if you live in a hot climate, a half helmet may be a welcome relief from the sometimes stifling heat of a full face helmet).

Well folks, there ya have it.  The short and sweet overview of motorcycle half helmets.

Polar Bear Grand Tour - Port Jervis, NY Ride

Last weekend, the Polar Bear Grand Tour ride was to Port Jervis, NY. I was feeling a little under the weather so I opted to take the car instead. After this ride I drove to a special Thanksgiving party held by my GWRRA NJ-F (F-Troop) chapter at Old Man Rafferty's in Hillsborough, NJ.

I encountered few bikes on the road to Port Jervis as I passed through three states (NJ, PA, and NY) to get there. However, when I arrived, the parking lot was filled with bikes whose riders were waiting for the flight leaders to show up with the sign-in books.

Usually, I'm riding Jane's white trike in memory of her but the trike was in the shop getting two new U-joints installed. I plan to have it on the road for the run to Hopewell, NJ on November 23rd.

Motorcycle Pictures of the Week - Herb

Here are my Pictures of the Week as displayed on the Motorcycle Views Website. These are taken from the Moto Pic Gallery.

See Herb with his 1997 Honda Gold Wing SE. For details, see Motorcycle Pictures of the Week.

If you'd like to see your bike as Picture of the Week, submit a picture of you and your bike along with a description of the bike.

Yamaha Motorcycle

Yamaha Motorcycle

Shoei Helmets

Many people tend to think of Shoei helmets as the best of the best.  To understand why, it’s important to explain a bit of the background of these motorcycle helmets.  Shoei is a small, quality Japanese helmet manufacturer that’s been making their helmets since 1958.  So the first thing Shoei helmets have going for them is a decently long-standing legacy.  Even more than history, however, is that fact that Shoei helmets have a reputation as being at the leading edge of motorcycle helmet innovation.

The main driving force behind the technological innovations you’ll often find in Shoei helmets is the fact that the company history is firmly rooted in motorcycle racing.  As is typically the case, intersections between the commercial and racing industries tend to trickle down to the consumer market in the form of highly advanced, over-engineered motorcycle helmets.  In other words, because most Shoei helmets were first designed for motorcycle racing, their features, shape, weight, etc all tend to be substantially more than what’s needed by most riders.

And, naturally, that’s exactly what many riders want.  And make no mistake: Shoei helmets are great helmets.  Hands down.  This little company makes a top-notch line of motorcycle helmets that can be a true joy to wear and behold.  The thing is, this isn’t without its price.  And the price is, well: price!  If you want a Shoei helmet, you’re gonna pay.  Shoei helmets often cost three, four, even five times as much as more economic alternatives.  If you’re one of those lucky people for whom price is no issue, then by all means, spend to your heart’s content.  

But for the rest of us mere mortals, there’s a critical point here you need to understand: just because Shoei helmets are more expensive doesn’t mean you’re getting better protection for your head.  These days, there is such an abundance of less-expensive, quality motorcycle helmets on the market that you simply don’t need to spend all that money on Shoei helmets if you don’t want to.  And it’s more than just competition too.  As I’ve discussed in other posts, and will continue to discuss in the future, finding the best motorcycle helmet for you isn’t a question of finding the most popular brand.  Rather, it’s a question of learning the unique characteristics of your own head, and then matching those to your own particular “best motorcycle helmet”.

So, yes, it’s true that Shoei helmets are great.  And I’d be lying if I said I didn’t drool over them sometimes.  But the simple fact of the matter is that as long as you’re dealing with DOT or SNELL approved motorcycle helmets, you’re not going to be getting much (or any) additional safety by simply buying a more expensive helmet.  In fact, if you spend more money but get a motorcycle helmet that’s ill-suited for your head, you may actually get *worse* protection than if you’d bought a less-expensive, better-fitting alternative.  So, for those of you who don’t have money to burn, I leave you with this.  Next time you’re at the store, walk right on by those pretty little Shoei helmets and find something uniquely best for you.

Motorcycle Pictures of the Week - Doug

Here are my Pictures of the Week as displayed on the Motorcycle Views Website. These are taken from the Moto Pic Gallery.

See Doug with his 2007 Harley-Davidson Ultra Classic. For details, see Motorcycle Pictures of the Week.

If you'd like to see your bike as Picture of the Week, submit a picture of you and your bike along with a description of the bike.

2009 Motorcycles

I've just updated my Motorcycle Makes and Models feature to include the major 2009 motorcycle models. Take a look.

Polar Bear Grand Tour - Old Bridge Ride

I've been a little behind in posting Polar Bear Grand Tour rides.

The first was to Cape May, NJ on October 26. The members of GWRRA Chapter NJ-F (F-Troop) accompanied me and waited while I took pictures.

The second ride was to Lewes, DE on November 2. This was a 360 mile roundtrip for me. I took six videos in addition to the usual pictures.

Last weekend, the ride was to Old Bridge, NJ, a staggering 26 mile roundtrip for me. I decided to stay for the complete sign-in from 11:30 to 1:30. I took four videos.

These Polar Bear runs will be helping me greatly to get through this winter season without Janie. She was always with me on these runs. Back in 1992 when I first decided to join the Polar Bears, I really didn't think she'd be interested in riding a motorcycle in freezing weather. But as soon as I brought up the idea, she said, "I want to do that too!" Thus began 16 years of winter riding, meeting hundreds of new friends and encouraging others to join the ranks of the Polar Bears.

I have dedicated this season to Janie. I'll be riding her white trike and displaying information about her Jane Ann Kern Memorial Web site where her life is discussed and her charities listed along with donation links.

God Speed Jane Ann. She loved polar bears, in general, and the Polar Bear Grand Tour, in particular. I hope you have some time now in your new celestial position to watch out for all of us and help us to stay safe.

Motorcycle Pictures of the Week - Ed

Here are my Pictures of the Week as displayed on the Motorcycle Views Website. These are taken from the Moto Pic Gallery.

See Ed with his 2003 Honda Gold Wing GL1800. For details, see Motorcycle Pictures of the Week.

If you'd like to see your bike as Picture of the Week, submit a picture of you and your bike along with a description of the bike.

Motorcycle Pictures of the Week - Jonquiers

Here are my Pictures of the Week as displayed on the Motorcycle Views Website. These are taken from the Moto Pic Gallery.

See Jonquiers on his 2007 Yamaha YBR125. For details, see Motorcycle Pictures of the Week.

If you'd like to see your bike as Picture of the Week, submit a picture of you and your bike along with a description of the bike.

karburator smash

remer karburator

remer karburator standart 17 mm menjadi 20 mm lumayan mendongkrak tenaga motor standart......

diikuti pemakaian BB dengan oktan tinggi....pertamax plus...

karburator smash

remer karburator

remer karburator standart 17 mm menjadi 20 mm lumayan mendongkrak tenaga motor standart......

diikuti pemakaian BB dengan oktan tinggi....pertamax plus...

Motorcycle Pictures of the Week - ThFireman's Wife and Keithva99

Here are my Pictures of the Week as displayed on the Motorcycle Views Website. These are taken from the Moto Pic Gallery.

See ThFireman's Wife with her 1976 Honda CB750F Super Sport. Also see Keithva99 on his 2000 Kawasaki "Indian Drifter." For details, see Motorcycle Pictures of the Week.

If you'd like to see your bike as Picture of the Week, submit a picture of you and your bike along with a description of the bike.

BMW Recalls 2005-2006 HP2 Enduro Motorcycles for Paralever Problem

BMW has issued a recall of certain 2005-2006 HP2 Enduro motorcycles.

The front threaded fastener of the Paralever link may not have been tightened to correct specifications. If the fastener was not tightened according to specifications, it could loosen. Over time, it is possible for the fastener to separate from its housing. If this were to occur, then the final drive of the motorcycle would not be properly supported.

365 units are affected.

Check out my Motorcycle Recalls feature for more details.

Ducati Recalls 2008 Desmosedici RR Motorcycles for Fuel Tank Drain Hose Defect

Ducati has issued a recall of certain 2008 Desmosedici RR motorcycles.

The fuel tank drain and breather hose clamps may be installed incorrectly. This nonconformity may cause the fuel lines to weaken and break. This can result in damage to the motorcycle and a potential hazard to the rider.

289 units are affected.

Check out my Motorcycle Recalls feature for more details.

Buell Recalls 2009 1125CR and 2008 1125R Motorcycles for Cam Chain Problem

Buell has issued a recall of certain 2009 1125CR and 2008 1125R motorcycles.

These motorcycles can experience a premature failure of the rear cylinder cam chain tension guide (part number F0020.1AM). This can cause plastic debris to block the oil pump screen, possibly leading to oil starvation and engine seizure.

140 units are affected.

Check out my Motorcycle Recalls feature for more details.

Buell Issues Recall for Windshield Problem on XB12XT and XB12XP Motorcycles

Buell has issued a recall of certain 2008-2009 XB12XT and 2009 XB12XP motorcycles.

The windshields may become dislodged and allow the windshield to either strike or distract the rider while the vehicle is being ridden at a high speed. This could result in a crash, which could cause injury or death to the rider.

624 units are affected.

Check out my Motorcycle Recalls feature for more details.

Habitat for Humanity Ride - I Ride for Jane

Since the death of my wife, Jane, just 49 days ago, I've received a "circle the wagons" type of protection that never seems to leave me. I receive telephone calls almost every evening from my three grown children wanting to know how I am, what has happened that day, and if there's anything they can do for me. Well, my family has tried to stay close in the past but this new communication blitz is different. I guess it is expected when a tragedy occurs that affects all members of the family equally. Before, telephone calls from the kids were normally short calls taken after the kids had already talked to their mother and just wanted to ask me for some kind of advice that only a dad can give. Now, the calls are very personal lasting from 20-60 minutes with all subjects fair game. In a way, this is kinda nice.

In addition, the motorcycle community has been providing me with a zone of security when I ride. For example, the members of my Gold Wing Road Riders Association (GWRRA) chapter often go on dinner runs. They try their best to make sure that I'm getting out of the house on a regular basis and getting a decent meal so I get calls to remind me that an event is coming up. Such was the case when I got called to go to Big Ed's BBQ on October 2, 2008. Mike calls and says that they will be over to pick me up. That means that at least two motorcycle riders will show up in my driveway at an appointed time. I pull my trike out and fall in behind the lead rider while the second rider falls in behind me. I am now in the protected position. All moves in traffic are communicated over the CB radios we have on all the bikes. Lane changes are announced as the rider in back seizes the lane first and then notifies me and the lead rider to move over. We move as a unit with military precision. This is a very neat way to travel.

We had a great time at Big Ed's and on the way back to my house -- again in the protected mode -- Mike says over the CB, "You know, we'd really like to see you come out this weekend for the Habitat for Humanity Ride."

I knew about the ride. It was to be an escorted ride of up to 1000 motorcycles. Each rider had to register and make a donation or get sponsors to pledge money for their participation in the ride. The goal was to raise enough money to buy materials to build a new house for a disabled military veteran in the Freehold, NJ area -- a worthy cause, indeed.

I told Mike, "I'll think about it."

Mike came back with, "Well, listen Walt, this will be a great ride and you won't want to miss it."

The wheels in my head were going round and round as I arrived home and said my farewells and thanks for the escort to Mike and his wife as they headed back to their own home five miles away.

There were only two more days until the Habitat ride and I hadn't registered or donated anything yet. So I got an application by emailing another chapter member, "Just Bob."

I decided that I would ride my wife's white 1998 Honda Gold Wing Motor Trike with the pegs down in her honor. Jane was going to take this ride with me.

On Sunday, October 5, 2008, I rode Jane's trike -- without any security detail -- two miles to where we were to assemble at 8 a.m. This picture was taken just after I arrived at the chapter staging area. You can see the white trike on the right. Note my red helmet on the seat with special tiger ears and tail affixed. My chapter, known as F-Troop, often rides with these tiger ears and tail to attract attention and be seen better (and to just have fun). Jane always wore these so I wore them also for this ride.



One of the members of F-Troop, known as Blondie, likes to carry the tiger tail and ears to its extreme manifestation and rides with a full-size tiger character in the pillion position. Also, note the tiger ears and tail on her helmet.



After all the F-Troop riders had arrived, we rode over to the main parking lot at the local theater and parked up front so as to be near the beginning of the parade. Seen in front of the two columns of F-Troop bikes is "Just Bob."



There were several people who wanted to ride in the parade but were not motorcyclists. A few sidecar rigs were provided to give these folks a ride to remember. Here is another Bob with his sidecar top up, waiting for a guest passenger.



The parking lot quickly filled up with motorcycles. Riders registered, got coffee and donuts, and chatted waiting for the opening ceremonies.



Here's a closeup showing F-Troop members in red.



Here's a picture up front showing the mass of machines.



There were many beautifully painted motorcycles with military themes. The following two pictures show one such motorcycle.





The color guard formed and a young woman prepared to sing the National Anthem.



A local priest gave the invocation and blessing of the bikes and prayed for a safe ride for all.



Then the ride began. This was an escorted ride. That means that all traffic on the side streets is stopped and the police stand at all traffic lights and stop signs to allow us to pass without stopping.

The problem with parades of this sort is that the riders in front will get way ahead of the riders in back forcing the riders in back to speed up to extremely high speeds to keep up. Therefore, it's necessary for riders in front to go slower to keep the group together.

We proceeded on a route through western Monmouth County that covered approximately 70 miles before turning onto the Route 33 Bypass at Millhurst Mills. From there it would be a straight ride for 5-6 miles before leaving that road and winding around country roads to reach the destination at the Colts Neck Firehouse on Route 537.

But before that, we traveled over scenic, winding country roads past horse farms and protected farm land. F-Troop members had a great time chatting on the CB about various points of interest along the way and making jokes and side comments. It was a great way to spend a fall Sunday afternoon.

At times, we were in open areas with curves both ahead of us and behind us. You could look forward and see 50-100 bikes winding left and right in front of you and you could look in your rear view mirrors to see similar movements behind you. There were no interspersed cars, just motorcycles for as far as the eye could see in front and to the rear. Quite a sight!

When we arrived at Millhurst Mills and turned onto the Route 33 Bypass, there was some confusion and slowness of the motorcycles ahead of me. When I turned onto Route 33 and headed east, it was a straight stretch of highway and since our speed was well under the speed limit, the bikes had bunched together in a mass formation. It was beautiful. A solid mass of machines tightly formed and moving with precision. I thought of Jane whose spirit was riding with me in the pillion seat. She would have loved this ride. She loved formations like this that displayed the beauty of motorcycling to non-riders. I had to wonder what the people in the cars on the other side of the road were thinking seeing a solid mass of motorcycles traveling in the other direction. Would they know that we were out raising $55,000 to build a house for a disabled veteran? Probably not. We were the ones who knew what we were doing and that's all that mattered. Did anyone know that I was riding with Jane's trike and Jane's spirit on the back. Not a chance. But I knew and many of my fellow riders knew. That's all I cared about.

When we arrived at the Firehouse and parked on the grass, we lined up for a great lunch put on by a local restaurant, The Cabin. Here's a few pictures of that scene.





It was announced that $55,000 had been raised by the ride and that was enough to buy the materials to build a house for a disabled veteran. Also, there had been 767 bikes in the ride -- a new record.

Here's a picture of that great F-Troop group that accompanied me on the Habitat Ride. That's me, second from the left. Jane wasn't riding with me this year but her spirit surrounded us for the whole trip and made her trike run the smoothest it's ever run.



Thanks Jane for 47 years of wedded bliss. It was quite a ride. Godspeed.

All pictures ©2008 Walter F. Kern

Motorcycle Pictures of the Week - Laurie and Terry

Here are my Pictures of the Week as displayed on the Motorcycle Views Website. These are taken from the Moto Pic Gallery.

See Laurie on her 2008 Yamaha V-Star Silverado 650. Also see Terry on his 1998 Suzuki RM250. For details, see Motorcycle Pictures of the Week.

If you'd like to see your bike as Picture of the Week, submit a picture of you and your bike along with a description of the bike.

Piaggio Recalls Aprilia Scarabeo 500 for Fuel Hose Problem

Piaggio has issued a recall of certain 2006-2008 Aprilia Scarabeo 500 motorcycles equipped with Bitron Spa fuel pump/fuel filters. The fuel hose connecting the fuel filter to the fuel pump/fuel filter mounting flange may come loose. If this connection is loose, or has become completely disconnected, there will be a drop, or loss of, fuel pressure to the engine.

850 units are affected.

Check out my Motorcycle Recalls feature for more details.

Full Face Motorcycle Helmets (Types of Helmets - Part 1 of 4)

Full Face Motorcycle Helmets

A full face motorcycle helmet is the most common type of helmet you’ll see on the road. This is the style most traditionally associated with what a motorcycle helmet “looks like.” It’s also the style that provides you the best protection.

It seems odd that this is a claim which would need to be defended, but one common claim you’ll hear among “anti-helmet” riders is that full face motorcycle helmets actually increase your risk of serious injury or death in a crash. The reasoning of this urban legend tends to go along the lines of “wearing a motorcycle helmet increases the odds of a broken neck” then citing such reasons as “the size of a helmet creates more leverage against your neck in a crash” or “the helmet adds weight that makes your neck break more easily, like an orange on a toothpick.” Most people who tell this also cite some personal experience like “I knew a guy who had a motorcycle helmet and broke his neck.”

So, rather than arguing, let’s look at the statistics.

First, let’s just deal with the broken neck claim. The first thing to say is that, yes, a motorcycle helmet increases the weight of your head. But the question is whether that increases your risks. Interestingly, some surveys of the medical literature show a wash when it comes to neck injuries. According to these reports, motorcycle helmet use seems to neither decrease nor increase the incidence of neck injury. And yet, that sort of makes sense. A helmet is protecting your head, not your neck.

Other reports, however, show a large decrease in neck injury amongst riders wearing motorcycle helmets. There is no support, however, for claims that motorcycle helmets actually increase head or neck injury. And most studies show significantly LOWER neck injury amongst helmeted riders involved in a crash. (see Sarkar, S., Peek, C., & Kraus, J.F. (1995) Fatal Injuries in Motorcycle Riders According to Helmet Use. Journal of Trauma, 38(2): 242-245. )

So if wearing a helmet doesn’t pose an increased risk to your neck, what about your head?

The leading cause of death in motorcycle crashes is head injury. Period.

(see: U.S. Department of Transportation/National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, State Legislative Fact Sheet)

Second, the NHTSA (National Highway Transportation Safety Authority) estimates, based on cold hard crash statistics, that a rider without a helmet is 40% more likely to suffer a fatal head injury and 15% more likely to suffer a nonfatal head injury than a helmeted motorcyclist. Add that up and an unhelmeted rider is 55% more likely to suffer either a serious or fatal head injury in a crash.

Is that a coin flip you’re willing to take?

Some would say yes, and there are understandable reasons some people choose to accept that risk. But please understand that the claims that wearing a motorcycle helmet actually INCREASES the odds of injury or death are just plain false. The facts support the undeniable conclusion that you are far, far safer with a motorcycle helmet than without one.

But look, I get it. There are some reasons people don’t want to wear a motorcycle helmet. And I sort of forgot that this post was going to be about full faced helmets, so let’s get back to it. How bout a convenient transition:

Some of the reasons people don’t like to wear motorcycle helmets have to do with the experience of using a full faced helmet.

There ya go, now we’re transitioned. Right then. Here’s a picture of a full-faced motorcycle helmet to the left, in case you're a newbie and need a visual here. (The helmet pictured is an Arai RX7 Corsair Full Face Helmet by the way).

So, let's talk helmets. A full faced helmet provides the best possible protection in the event of a crash, but for certain people there are some downsides.

First, if you live in a warmer climate, a full faced motorcycle helmet can get hot. Really hot. Fortunately manufacturers have provided some creative solutions, mostly involving vents in the helmet. These can do a lot of good, and a vented helmet is critical if you have to ride in hot weather, but it’s still true that these helmets can get hot.

Second, there is the “purity” argument. Part of why we all love to ride is the feeling of being connected with the experience. You all know what I mean. There’s a sense of being at one with the road and with the ride that you get when you’re on a bike that just can’t be reproduced in a car. And there are people who feel that a full face motorcycle helmet disconnects them from this experience. You lose the wind on your face, you’ve got a shield between you and the world, and you feel less connected with the ride. These are legitimate arguments, and they need to be balanced against the risks incurred by wearing a less protective helmet. I’ll be discussing all these other sorts of helmets in the posts to come.

There’s one final point before I wrap it up. And again, it’s not about telling you which motorcycle helmet to buy (though obviously my own opinion is clear). Rather it’s about understanding the risks and making your own decision with complete knowledge.

So the fact is this: statistics show that 35% of crashes involve severe impact to the chin area. The full face motorcycle helmet is the only design which provides protection in this type of crash.*

Ultimately the decision is yours, but it’s at least important to understand the consequences of the decision. So one consequence of not buying a full face helmet is a statistically significant increase in the odds of severe trauma to your mouth and jaw in the event of a crash.

Again, I’m not trying to scare anyone here, I just fully believe in helping people understand the variables involved in important decisions.

So, let’s recap.

Full Face Motorcycle Helmets - Pros and Cons

Pros: Hands down best possible protection. Keeps you warm in a cold climate. Huge variety of styles and colors.

Cons: Can get hot. Feeling detached from the “pure” riding experience. Some say reduced hearing (disputable).

*Much of this discussion also applies to “hybrid” helmets. Also known as modular or flip-up motorcycle helmets, which I’ll discuss in the next post. They’re sort of a variant of the full face motorcycle helmets, not entirely apart from the discussion here.

Motorcycle Helmets Guide - Privacy Policy

Nothing here has anything to do with motorcycle helmets. If you want to be entertained, don't read this.

Privacy

I value privacy. In the use of this blog I am fully devoted to protecting your privacy. The below statement describes how I use data and personal information for this site.

Email Updates and RSS Feeds [NOT YET IMPLEMENTED]

I may request contact information (name, email address, etc) when a reader wants to subscribe to Email Updates or my RSS Feed. Your personal information will NEVER be sold or given to any third party. I will never spam you. Period. I hate spam like everyone else

Stats and Log Files

I use a log file called Statcounter, which stores various sorts of NON PERSONALLY-IDENTIFIABLE data on my visitors (IP address, browser used, internet provider, referring and exit sites, length of stay, etc). Again, none of this data can be used to personally identify my visitors.

Cookies

I don’t use cookies with this blog. 

Links

If you follow a link to another site from this blog, I have no control over the practices of these other sites, privacy or otherwise, and I take no responsibility for their actions. I strongly recommend my readers be aware of this fact, and carefully review the privacy policies of those other sites. I can only speak for my own.

Contact Information

If you have any further concerns, comments, or questions please contact me at motorcycle <> helmets <> guy <> gmail <> com.

Privacy policy updated October 2008 for Motorcycle Helmets Guide (motorcycle-helmets-guide.blogspot.com).

Motorcycle Pictures of the Week - Roger "ThFireman"

Here are my Pictures of the Week as displayed on the Motorcycle Views Website. These are taken from the Moto Pic Gallery.

See Roger "ThFireman" with his 1982 Honda CB900 Custom. For details, see Motorcycle Pictures of the Week.

If you'd like to see your bike as Picture of the Week, submit a picture of you and your bike along with a description of the bike.

Kawasaki Issues Recall of 2008 KL650E8F/KL650E8FL for Turn Signal Defect

Kawasaki has issued a recall of certain 2008 KL650E8F and KL650E8FL (California) motorcycles.

The turn signal stalk(s) can break, resulting in the signal assembly hanging by the wire harness. This could create a possibility of a crash resulting in injury or death.

5804 units are affected.

Check out my Motorcycle Recalls feature for more details.

suzuki skywave 12

SISTEM KELISTRIKAN

Pada dasarnya sistem kelistrikan untuk UW 125 adalah sama dengan model sepeda motor tipe underbone Suzuki lainnya namun ada sedikit perbedaan pada sistem starting motor. Berikut ini akan diuraikan beberapa sistem kelistrikan pada UW 125 :

Ø  Sistem Pengapian

Sistem pengapian UW 125 menerapkan sistem pengapian DC-CDI, yangmana dengan sistem pengapian ini, besarnya api pada busi tidak dipengaruhi oleh putaran mesin. Dan pada kecepatan rendah sekalipun, api yang dihasilkan busi tetap besar. Waktu pengapianpun diatur dengan tepat oleh ignition timing control circuit sesuai kebutuhan.

Ignition System

Ø  Sistem Pengisian Dan Penerangan

Sistem pengisian dan penerangan pada UW 125 memiliki sistem yang sama dengan model sepeda motor tipe underbone Suzuki lainnya. Pada sistem pengisian, UW 125 mengaplikasikan stator assy 1 fase yangmana tegangan yang dihasilkannya digunakan untuk melakukan pengisian tegangan terhadap battery berkapasitas 12V 3.5 Ah/10HR dengan tipe maintenance free. Sedangkan untuk sistem penerangan, UW 125 mengaplikasikan sistem penerangan AC untuk penerangan lampu depan dan lampu belakang

Starter System

KOMPONEN KELISTRIKAN

Berikut ini akan ditampilkan letak dari masing-masing komponen kelistrikan pada UW 125

Ø  Lampu Depan & Lampu Sein

Lampu depan UW 125 dilengkapi dengan dua lampu utama dan dua lampu senja yang di tempatkan pada sisi kiri dan kanan front leg shield cover dengan desain reflektor yang lebih besar. Letak lampu sein UW 125 menyatu dengan lampu utama dengan desain yang trendy dan dinamis.

Ø  Speedometer

Speedometer UW 125 di desain lebih menarik dan dilengkapi pula dengan fuel level gaug

Ø  Battery

UW 125 mengaplikasikan maintenance free battery untuk memudahkan pengendara dalam hal perawatan battery. Pengendara tidak perlu lagi melakukan pengecekan kapaitas air accu dan pengisian air accu seperti yang dilakukan pada battery konvensional. Selain itu posisi battery terletak di tengah frame front cover hanya membuka frame side left cover sehingga mudah dijangkau.

	Posisi Battery

Ø   Regulator/Rectifier Unit

Regulator/rectifier unit pada UW 125 terletak tepat di bawah fraame front cover

	Regulator/Rectifier Unit

Ø  Lampu Belakang

Lampu belakang UW 125 di desain tidak menggunakan bohlam biasa, sehingga tidak terjadi kerusakan filament, yang membuatnya bebas perawatan serta konsumsi listrik yang kecil sehingga lebih menghemat battery.

suzuki skywave 12

SISTEM KELISTRIKAN

Pada dasarnya sistem kelistrikan untuk UW 125 adalah sama dengan model sepeda motor tipe underbone Suzuki lainnya namun ada sedikit perbedaan pada sistem starting motor. Berikut ini akan diuraikan beberapa sistem kelistrikan pada UW 125 :

Ø  Sistem Pengapian

Sistem pengapian UW 125 menerapkan sistem pengapian DC-CDI, yangmana dengan sistem pengapian ini, besarnya api pada busi tidak dipengaruhi oleh putaran mesin. Dan pada kecepatan rendah sekalipun, api yang dihasilkan busi tetap besar. Waktu pengapianpun diatur dengan tepat oleh ignition timing control circuit sesuai kebutuhan.

Ignition System

Ø  Sistem Pengisian Dan Penerangan

Sistem pengisian dan penerangan pada UW 125 memiliki sistem yang sama dengan model sepeda motor tipe underbone Suzuki lainnya. Pada sistem pengisian, UW 125 mengaplikasikan stator assy 1 fase yangmana tegangan yang dihasilkannya digunakan untuk melakukan pengisian tegangan terhadap battery berkapasitas 12V 3.5 Ah/10HR dengan tipe maintenance free. Sedangkan untuk sistem penerangan, UW 125 mengaplikasikan sistem penerangan AC untuk penerangan lampu depan dan lampu belakang

Starter System

KOMPONEN KELISTRIKAN

Berikut ini akan ditampilkan letak dari masing-masing komponen kelistrikan pada UW 125

Ø  Lampu Depan & Lampu Sein

Lampu depan UW 125 dilengkapi dengan dua lampu utama dan dua lampu senja yang di tempatkan pada sisi kiri dan kanan front leg shield cover dengan desain reflektor yang lebih besar. Letak lampu sein UW 125 menyatu dengan lampu utama dengan desain yang trendy dan dinamis.

Ø  Speedometer

Speedometer UW 125 di desain lebih menarik dan dilengkapi pula dengan fuel level gaug

Ø  Battery

UW 125 mengaplikasikan maintenance free battery untuk memudahkan pengendara dalam hal perawatan battery. Pengendara tidak perlu lagi melakukan pengecekan kapaitas air accu dan pengisian air accu seperti yang dilakukan pada battery konvensional. Selain itu posisi battery terletak di tengah frame front cover hanya membuka frame side left cover sehingga mudah dijangkau.

	Posisi Battery

Ø   Regulator/Rectifier Unit

Regulator/rectifier unit pada UW 125 terletak tepat di bawah fraame front cover

	Regulator/Rectifier Unit

Ø  Lampu Belakang

Lampu belakang UW 125 di desain tidak menggunakan bohlam biasa, sehingga tidak terjadi kerusakan filament, yang membuatnya bebas perawatan serta konsumsi listrik yang kecil sehingga lebih menghemat battery.

Best Motorcycle Helmet

Finding your Best Motorcycle Helmet starts with head shape.

The best motorcycle helmet for you might not be the best motorcycle helmet for someone else. That should come as no surprise, because we’ve all got different shaped heads! So a motorcycle helmet that fits me great, even if it’s your size, might feel strange or uncomfortable for you. Which conveniently brings us to an important point: wearing a motorcycle helmet is about safety, but if you’re not comfortable you can’t be safe.

Just think about it: if you’re riding along the highway with a painful pressure point on your forehead, that’s probably not the best motorcycle helmet for you. Because apart from being painful, it’s distracting. And distraction adds unnecessary risk to your riding experience.

Right then, so if our ongoing quest to help you find the best motorcycle helmet FOR YOU, we start with head shape.

Humans have all sorts of different head shapes, but the mains ones are: round, earth, oval, egg, reverse egg. And since motorcycle helmets have different internal shapes, it’s important to find one that fits your head shape.

Round heads look roughly circular from the front; earth heads are wider than they are tall (think Stewie from Family Guy); oval heads are taller than they are long (like an oval :) egg heads are wider at the top and skinnier at the bottom, and reverse egg heads are wider at the bottom and skinnier at the top. Finding your best motorcycle helmet means finding one that doesn’t fight against your head shape.

Unfortunately, there are no hard and fast rules here. Most motorcycle helmet manufacturers give only spotty information at best on the internal shape of their helmets. Which means (dum da dum!) you have to try them on! (Imagine that, eh?)

Oh rather...you might have to try them on. Older folks don’t tend to be comfortable buying a motorcycle helmet sight unseen. But in my experience if you’re willing to do your research, you can actually buy a motorcycle helmet online without ever trying it on. That’s what I did. And I love my helmet.

So if you’re trying to find your best motorcycle helmet online, you need to find reviews that discuss head shape. Now, like I said, the manufacturers with the best motorcycle helmet websites will already have this information available. But if you can’t find it there, you have to do some more digging. Luckily for you, in the weeks and months ahead I’ll be posting a lot more useful information right here on my website on how to find the best motorcycle helmet for you, including the internal shapes of different brands of helmets.

In my next post, I’ll get deeper into how head shape and sizing should factor into finding your best motorcycle helmet.

Motorcycle Pictures of the Week - Joan and SpyderTom

Here are my Pictures of the Week as displayed on the Motorcycle Views Website. These are taken from the Moto Pic Gallery.

See SpyderTom on his Ironhorse Legend Trike. Also see Joan on her Piaggio MP3 250 motor scooter. For details, see Motorcycle Pictures of the Week.

If you'd like to see your bike as Picture of the Week, submit a picture of you and your bike along with a description of the bike.

Motorcycle Helmets

If you're confused trying to learn about Motorcycle Helmets, read on!

Shopping for Motorcycle Helmets can be a stressful ordeal. After all, Motorcycle Helmets aren’t like shoes, right? When you're shopping for Motorcycle Helmets, you are, in a way, shopping for your life! No one wants to trust their cranium to just any old piece of plastic, after all. And with so many Motorcycle Helmets on the market, it's easy to get overwhelmed.

But there's good news. Most Motorcycle Helmets out there actually do a similar job of protecting you should the worst happen IF you do your homework to find the right Motorcycle Helmet for you. "Homework??" You say. Don't worry, it's the fun kind. After all, Motorcycle Helmets are an important part of our riding experience, and why are we out there to begin with? Most of us would say, at least in part, to have fun. So when we're shopping for Motorcycle Helmets, that should be fun too!

Alright, enough rambling.
So, first and foremost, you only want to shop for Motorcycle Helmets that are certified. What does that mean? Well, there are two types of certification for Motorcycle Helmets: DOT and SNELL.

DOT Motorcycle Helmets 

These have passed the "minimum" safety requirements as stipulated by the Department of Transportation. Motorcycle Helmets that have been through this process will have a DOT sticker somewhere on the helmet (usually at the bottom rear).

SNELL Motorcycle Helmets 

These have undergone the additional certification process of the SNELL organization. And (surprise surprise), SNELL-certified Motorcycle Helmets will have a SNELL sticker on the helmet.

"Important Point 1" (dramatic music): there are custom Motorcycle Helmets out there that haven't been through any safety certification. These Motorcycle Helmets can look really cool but I suggest against buying them. Why? Because there are plenty of cool-looking Motorcycle Helmets on the market that *have* been safety approved, and looking cool is never more important than riding safe.

Important Point 2:

SNELL Motorcycle Helmets are not necessarily any safer than DOT Motorcycle Helmets!

"But I thought SNELL motorcycle helmets were tested more rigorously??"

Well...yes, they are. But due to a lot of boring technical details I won't get into here, the gist of it is that certain design features of SNELL Motorcycle Helmets may counteract any additional safety gained. There are differing opinions on this, and studies have been done by different groups, but the basic point is:

Both DOT and SNELL Motorcycle Helmets are safe enough to wear confidently on the road.

And that's really what we're looking for, right?

So, we’ll leave it there for today. Next time I’ll look at what to consider when shopping for Motorcycle Helmets. Until then, remember that Motorcycle Helmets are the most important gear we wear, so wear it proud!

Motorcycle Helmets Guide Online

Welcome to the Motorcycle Helmets Guide!  This site provides information on Motorcycle Helmets, as well as reviews and tips on buying a Motorcycle Helmet.  If you have questions not covered here please feel free to email your question to motorcycle.helmets.guy@gmail.com  My goal is to provide you with quality content that can make your process and decision much easier.  Buying should be fun, not stressful.  So enjoy, and thanks for reading!

Kawasaki Recalls 2008-2009 Vulcan Models for Gas Tank Leak

Kawasaki has issued a recall of certain 2008 Vulcan VN900C8F and VN900D8F and 2009 Vulcan VN900B9F and VN900B9FL motorcycles.

Fuel can leak from between the tank filler neck and the fuel cap gasket. Fuel leakage in the presence of an ignition source can result in a fire.

604 units are affected.

Check out my Motorcycle Recalls feature for more details.

Motorcycle Pictures of the Week - Bob

Here are my Pictures of the Week as displayed on the Motorcycle Views Website. These are taken from the Moto Pic Gallery.

See Bob with his prize-winning 1982 Honda CB900 Custom. For details, see Motorcycle Pictures of the Week.

If you'd like to see your bike as Picture of the Week, submit a picture of you and your bike along with a description of the bike.