Beat The Heat

Soak Down That Shirt

Ever seen a guy all bundled up with his jacket on and a smile on his face - when it's ninety eight degrees outside?

Some riders know the secret to air conditioned riding, some don't. While it might seem more comfortable to take your jacket off when it's hot out, think again. If you like the protection your coat offers you can have it and keep cooler at the same time.  Soak down your tee shirt.

This wet tee method actually offers a cooler ride at 90 plus degrees than you'd have if you didn't have a coat on at all. By soaking down your tee your body is able to more easily disperse of it's heat and not have it collect in the fibers of your shirt. Loosen your coat as much as you can and button up the front if you have buttons. With a loose coat and air moving into through the front between the buttons you'll have a real live water cooling system on your body and feel much better rolling down that hot highway.

What about your legs? There's no need to soak your pants, they'll probably get a little wet anyway from the wet tee and your body will be doing a better job of loosing it's overall heat so you'll notice your legs aren't so hot anyway.

As for your head, you can try a wet bandana between you and the brain bucket. But keep in mind; air may not be flowing through there quick enough to make a difference so experiment.

It's a good idea about a half hour before sunset to open up your coat and let your shirt dry out so it won't be wet when the evening temps drop down.

Happy Riding.

TM/Aug99

http://www.soundrider.com/archive/tips/wettee.htm

MOTORCYCLE MAINTENANCE

Keep your motorcycle or scooter up to date on repairs – just like you would with your car. Talk with your mechanic to get maintenance tips specifically for your brand, make and model of your scooter or motorcycle:

GET IN GEAR

Before each and every ride, do a quick maintenance check make sure things are in working order.

1. Take a look at or test:
   • Brakes
   • Chain – check lubrication and if aligned properly
   • Lights, turn signals
   • Oil and fuel levels (not all machines have fuel and oil gauges so you may need to check these manually)
   • Safety gears
   • Tires – check the pressure, traction, look for tears or holes. (Prevents cupping, premature wear, and poor handling)

   WHN TIP: Lights and Safety Features

   Make sure the lights work, specifically the brake lights (both front and rear) and the headlights. You must be seen!!
   – Mark Alsip, Expert & Service Manager for Fox Valley Cycle, Aurora, IL
2. If you notice a problem, don’t ignore it. Either fix the issue or call your mechanic to see what action steps you’ll need to take.
3. Schedule a tune-up or regular maintenance check each year. “We recommend getting a tune-up before the cycle is put away from the season,” says Thom D’Angelo ofMotosport brokerage. “That way, you’ll get rid of old oil, check for problems and get the battery charged so that way the motorcycle will be ready to go in the spring.” Also, if you’ve reached over 3,000-4,000 miles you should schedule a tune-up.

COMMON MOTORCYCLE PROBLEMS

We asked motorcyclists and mechanics from across the country for a list of the top maintenance problems they encounter. For sound mechanical advice, talk to your mechanic about your motorcycle questions:

1. Fuel contamination.
   “The most common problem we see is the fuel system suffering from stale gas because the motorcycles or scooters aren’t used enough. The gas just sits and clogs the fuel system,” says D’Angelo. “If you don’t use your motorcycle on a regular basis (less than 25 miles a week), there’s an additive called a fuel stabilizer and you can add that in.”
2. Premature tire wear.
   “To prevent tire wear or cupping, you must regularly check and run the proper tire pressure,” says Mark Alsip, Expert & Service Manager for Fox Valley Cycle, Aurora, IL “Follow your Owner’s Manual and you may even want to go a pound or two over if you ride with passengers or if your motorcycle is heavily loaded (saddlebags, etc.).” You should plan to replace your tires every three years, regardless of the mileage, says D’Angelo.
3. Neglected batteries.
   “If you do not use the machine more often 25 miles or at least 5 hours per week, then you may need to have a battery tender/charger hooked up,” says Alsip. “You need to plug the machine into this every time you finish using it or within a day or two.”
4. Not reading the manual.
   “Follow the maintenance schedule in your owner’s manual. Maintenance may just be as simple as an oil change or cleaning filters, to an advanced valve adjustment,” says Alsip.

Pre-ride guide

Take Care of the Unexpected

Before each ride, it’s important to inspect your motorcycle and make sure any problem you find is corrected. A careful pre-ride inspection and good maintenance are especially important, not only for safety, but because having a breakdown, or even a flat tire, can be a major inconvenience. Always perform a pre-ride inspection before every ride and correct any problems.

Preparing for a Ride

A safe and enjoyable ride begins with good planning and preparation. Always ride with at least one other person in case you have trouble, and let someone know where you’re going and when you expect to return.

Before riding, take time to get acquainted with your motorcycle and how it works. To protect your investment, we urge you to take responsibility for keeping your motorcycle well maintained. Scheduled service is a must, of course. But it’s just as important to observe the break-in guidelines, and perform all pre-ride and other periodic checks detailed in your owner’s manual. We also recommend that you read your owner’s manual before you ride. It’s full of facts, instructions, safety information, and helpful tips.

What to take with you

When preparing for a Ride, what you take with you during a ride depends how long you expect to ride, how far you might go, and how experienced you or your companions are. We recommend that you always take water, a snack, a first aid kit, and your owner’s manual.

How much weight you put on your motorcycle, and how you load it, are important to your safety. Improperly loading your motorcycle can affect its stability and handling. Anytime you ride with a passenger or cargo, you should be aware that there are guidelines and other information in your owner’s manual. The weight of added accessories will reduce the maximum cargo weight you can carry. If you require more information on the cargo you can carry on your motorcycle, speak to your Honda dealer.

PRE-RIDE INSPECTION

For your safety, it is very important to take a few moments before each ride to walk around your motorcycle and check its condition. If you detect any problem; be sure you take care of it, or have it corrected by your Honda dealer.

• Engine oil level - add engine oil if required. Check for leaks.
• Fuel level - fill fuel tank when necessary. Check for leaks.
• Coolant level - add coolant if required. Check for leaks.
• Front and rear brakes - check operation; make sure there is no brake fluid leakage.
• Tires - check condition and pressure.
• Drive chain - check condition and slack. Adjust and lubricate if necessary.
• Throttle - check for smooth opening and full closing in all steering positions.
• Lights and horn - check that the headlight, tail/brake light, turn signals, indicators and horn function properly.
• Engine stop switch - check for proper function.
• Side stand – check ignition cut-off system for proper function.

For more information refer to your owner’s manual and speak to your local Honda dealer.

http://motorcycle.honda.ca/parts-service/pre-ride-guide

Reasons for Buying a Motorcycle

Motorcycle riders have their reasons for buying that first bike. There is no single demographic or description that fits all bike riders. In fact, the popularity of motorcycles is growing, and you may be shopping for a bike for any number of many good reasons.

The Thrill

Driving a motorcycle is different than sitting behind the wheel of your car. Motorcycles offer you a more intimate driving experience―with the road just inches from your feet and the wind blowing past your face.
Often, driving to work or school is just a chore you endure because it is your responsibility to make that commute every day. If you can spice up that ride, just a little, by connecting more with the driving experience then you might want to consider getting a motorcycle.
The thrill of driving a motorcycle, balancing the two wheels on the pavement while riding atop the powerful engine, is a whole new driving experience. What was once a routine drive becomes an adventure.
And you can mix up the thrill even more by traveling on your motorcycle. Looking for a new way to see the country? Traveling on a touring bike or cruiser is a fantastic experience filled with adventure, newness, and fun.

Speed and Power

Motorcycles offer drivers a lot of speed and power that can't usually be found in a car or truck. If you are craving speed and power, then you may want to look at sports bikes with large engine capacities.
Experienced mechanics or even weekend hobbyists are always looking for new ways to explore equipment. Motorcycles come in so many different designs and styles that you can shop for a bike based on power, speed, drive, and transmission.
You might even develop such an appreciation for the motorcycle that you collect more than one bike.

Fuel Efficiency

Fuel prices can drain off as much as 10% of your monthly budget if you drive your car a lot. Motorcycles, on the other hand, can get upwards of 80 miles per gallon―that is real fuel savings.
Today, drivers are jumping on motorcycles as a way to keep down their gasoline spend. If you are a beginner rider buying a bike to increase your miles per gallon, consider taking a motorcycle safety course to introduce you to driver safety.
Fuel efficiency varies from bike to bike, depending on the size of the engine and the bike design. If your reason for buying a motorcycle is fuel savings, then you'll want to pay careful attention to the fairings―plastic used to improve aerodynamics.

Custom, Culture, and Region

Finally, some people just drive motorcycles. Geographically, there are regions in the country where motorcycles are extremely common. If you live in one of these regions, then buying a motorcycle is as natural to you as gardening or skiing is to someone else.
Getting around is easier on a motorcycle if you live in a congested area where traffic bogs down the roadways. You might consider a small engine or moped to help you maneuver through urban areas.
If you are lucky enough to live in a scenic part of the country (rural or seaside), then you may want to buy a motorcycle to better view the natural beauty. Racing down a windy road with a picturesque view and a friendly passenger is a lovely way to connect with your environment.
The reasons for buying a motorcycle are varied, ranging from economics to pure pleasure. As the population ages and total leisure time grows, you may even find more motorcycle drivers on the road.
Regardless of whatever motivates you to buy that first bike, select it carefully and always put safety first.

By dmv.org http://www.dmv.org/how-to-guides/motorcycle-buying-reasons.php