10 gasoline buying tips

Here are ten gasoline buying tips to help you do that.

1. Shop Around

Prices vary among stations that sell the same brand. Find astation that sells your favorite brand cheaper. Pricesbetween brands can vary. You can save money by switchingbrands.

2. Use a Gasoline Credit Card

Some give a 5 to 10 percent rebate on purchases.

3. Buy Gasoline in the Morning

Gasoline is denser during the morning when temperatures arecolder. Gas pumps measure and charge by volume, notdensity. You’ll be getting more solid fuel rather thanvapors for your money.

4. Buy Gas from a Busy Station

Busy gas stations refill their underground tanks often.Slower stations don’t. Therefore, their tanks may havestale contaminated gas. Older fuel is poorer on fueleconomy and performance.

5. Turn the Nozzle

Twist the gas pump nozzle 180 degrees when done. This canadd up to an extra four ounces to your tank.

6. Stop Using High-Octane Gas

High-octane gas costs more than regular. If you car isn’tpinging, use regular unleaded. You’ll save up to 20 centsper gallon.

7. Avoid Topping-Off

The pump needs time to draw out the full amount. It doesn’tget it when you Top-off. You pay extra for these short-burst of fuel. Wait until your tank is at least half-fullbefore you fill it up.

8. Avoid Stations That Just Refilled Their Tanks

The refilling of underground tanks stirs up particles thatlay at the bottom. If these particles get in to your gastank, they can cut the fuel efficiency of your car.

9. Pump Your Own Gas

Use the self-serve rather than the full-serve pump. Full-serve gasoline costs more. You save money pumping gasyourself.

10. Tighten the Gas Cap

Twist the cap until you hear it click. This preventsgasoline from evaporating and escaping.

Final Thought

These ten tips are easy to apply. Remember to use them eachtime at the gas pump. You’ll be stretching your gasdollars.

By Here are ten gasoline buying tips to help you do that.

1. Shop Around

Prices vary among stations that sell the same brand. Find astation that sells your favorite brand cheaper. Pricesbetween brands can vary. You can save money by switchingbrands.

2. Use a Gasoline Credit Card

Some give a 5 to 10 percent rebate on purchases.

3. Buy Gasoline in the Morning

Gasoline is denser during the morning when temperatures arecolder. Gas pumps measure and charge by volume, notdensity. You’ll be getting more solid fuel rather thanvapors for your money.

4. Buy Gas from a Busy Station

Busy gas stations refill their underground tanks often.Slower stations don’t. Therefore, their tanks may havestale contaminated gas. Older fuel is poorer on fueleconomy and performance.

5. Turn the Nozzle

Twist the gas pump nozzle 180 degrees when done. This canadd up to an extra four ounces to your tank.

6. Stop Using High-Octane Gas

High-octane gas costs more than regular. If you car isn’tpinging, use regular unleaded. You’ll save up to 20 centsper gallon.

7. Avoid Topping-Off

The pump needs time to draw out the full amount. It doesn’tget it when you Top-off. You pay extra for these short-burst of fuel. Wait until your tank is at least half-fullbefore you fill it up.

8. Avoid Stations That Just Refilled Their Tanks

The refilling of underground tanks stirs up particles thatlay at the bottom. If these particles get in to your gastank, they can cut the fuel efficiency of your car.

9. Pump Your Own Gas

Use the self-serve rather than the full-serve pump. Full-serve gasoline costs more. You save money pumping gasyourself.

10. Tighten the Gas Cap

Twist the cap until you hear it click. This preventsgasoline from evaporating and escaping.

Final Thought

These ten tips are easy to apply. Remember to use them eachtime at the gas pump. You’ll be stretching your gasdollars.

By Leroy Chan

Taking A Motorcycle On Your Camping Trip

By Gray Rollins

Traveling across the country on a motorcycle can be exhilarating. You have a greater sense of your environment and immediate surroundings on a motorcycle and can have a sense of freedom when riding. It’s a wonderful way to explore the countryside. Camping with your motorcycle though, takes some planning and adjustments from other, more traditional forms of camping.

Because you won’t have as much space on a motorcycle as with a car, you have to pack lightly and include only the essentials. This is easier then it sounds, but will take some planning. Make sure you choose items to take with you that are small and have multiple uses. A good multi-tool knife is great and will allow you to do repairs and maintenance, cooking and preparing.

Take a small bag for personal items and choose travel size bottles of everything needed. These are readily available at discount and grocery stores and will help save storage room. Use saddle bags for storing food, clothing and personal gear. You’ll have to economize, so be prepared to wear the same clothing several times. Take re-closable plastic storage bags or plastic trash bags for disposing of items and for storing dirty clothes.

You should have ample room in your saddlebags and the glove compartment for small items. For sleeping and camping equipment, use the luggage rack or passenger seat, and secure these items with bungee cords. Make sure to bring compact equipment that can tightly fold or roll up. You should easily be able to store a collapsible tent and sleeping bag. You can even add a sleeping mat for added comfort.

If you intend to cook while camping out, pack only what you’ll need. Look for camping recipes that require only one pot. There are many available and this will help conserve space. You can get eating utensils to store in a saddle bag. These do not take up much space.

For safety, make sure your motorcycle is serviced and in good working condition before embarking on a trip. Chart your route so you know where gas stations and restaurants are on your route. These can be valuable in restocking food supplies and in emergency situations. Keep a map and compass handy so you don’t get lost on the road or while camping.

You may not be able to camp in the lap of luxury when you bring your motorcycle, but it will be a fun experience. Your motorcycle has ample room to store the necessities, and if you can accept sleeping outdoors and only packing essentials, this can be a highly rewarding experience. Having a motorcycle available also gives you a lot more flexibility in traveling in and out of campsites. It is easy to pack all your gear and leave or go on a short sight seeing trip.

Gray Rollins is a featured writer for www.DreamCamping.com. To learn more about motorcycling camping trips, and other camping information, visit us. Article Source: http://www.articlerich.com

The Truth about Drinking and Riding

While no one will publicly declare alcohol consumption and motorcycling are OK, there remain definite problems in a culture offering mixed messages.

Despite campaigns to raise awareness that drinking and riding don’t mix, the incentive to consume alcohol and ride a motorcycle has done anything but gone away.

Included in the allure is a sometimes quietly accepted, revenue-generating subculture enabling such behaviors as riding to the bar, or bar hopping, or participating in massive regional rider festivals where drink (and sometimes drugs) are plentiful.

Or, it could be simply individuals who ride after drinking for their own reasons.

To be fair, some more progressive and safety-minded motorcycle clubs have a rule that no alcohol may be consumed until the side stands are down for the night.

But even so, drinking and riding is more than a blip on the radar screen for transportation safety officials. About 46 percent of riders killed in accidents, according to the Motorcycle Safety Foundation (MSF), have alcohol in their system at the time of their death.

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), motorcyclists involved in fatal crashes are 2.5 times more likely to have consumed alcohol than passenger vehicle drivers.

In 2007, the number of alcohol-impaired motorcyclists in fatal crashes increased by 10 percent while the number of alcohol-impaired drivers of passenger cars declined 6 percent.

NHTSA defines “alcohol impaired” for vehicle operators over 21 with Blood Alcohol Content (BAC) measured over the 50-state legal limit of 0.08 grams/deciliter.

As in previous years, the 2007 analysis of motorcycle riders and passenger vehicle drivers killed showed about 83 percent of the alcohol-impaired accident fatalities were males.

Recreational riding and recreational drugs, unfortunately, may be seen as compatible, including by those already predisposed to have alcohol problems.

According to Kelley Tway, media relations manager for Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD), drinking and driving for car and motorcycle operators is habitual. Tway said first offenders surveyed after being arrested for drunk driving anonymously admitted they had gotten away with drinking and driving an average 87 times prior to being caught.

The statistically worst time periods for those who drink and ride are nights and weekends. These are when the bulk of the crashes happen. In 2007, about 57 percent of alcohol-impaired operators (motorcycle and car) were killed in weekend crashes. Most died between 6 p.m. and 9 p.m.

Responding to these and more troubling statistics, the MSF continues its efforts at attempting to wake up riders to the "pure folly" of riding with alcohol in their bloodstream. There is no safe recommended limit, according to the MSF Director of Special Projects, Ken Glaser. He advises “zero” BAC.

The MSF estimates that even the least amount of alcohol increases a rider's chance of crashing five times. And a (still potentially legal) BAC over 0.05 percent increases chances to crash 40 fold.

While there have been fewer studies for motorcycle riders than for auto drivers, alcohol use and riding are known to be a lethal, self-deluding combination. With a BAC as low as 0.01 to 0.04 percent, riders’ judgments are reduced, while at the same time, they become less critical of their own actions.

With inhibitions diminishing, and sensory stimuli affected by the alcoholic buzz, anecdotal accounts suggest some might even think riding feels more fun as their qualifications to do so continue to dangerously degrade.

From 0.05 to 0.07 percent, thinking and reasoning powers further diminish, and ability to perform complex skills continues to decrease. By the time the legal limit of 0.08 percent is crossed, reasoning powers are severely hampered, and even common simple tasks are done with errors.

A study performed last year by the University of Minnesota Center for Transportation Studies confirmed a BAC within the legal limit of 0.05 percent affected performance.

Riders on outrigger-equipped bikes that could not fall experienced measurably decreased abilities on a controlled test course after only one or two drinks.

While some riders studied could realize when alcohol was affecting performance, the researchers concluded trying to “self regulate,” or be extra careful was no guaranty of not crashing.

A scary reality

Some riders continue to think they can handle alcohol, as evidenced by bikers who ride to bars, and other phenomena in the American motorcycle scene. This is not exclusive to cruisers, or any particular lifestyle. Some sportbike riders, especially relatively younger ones, may hop on their crotch rocket after having a drink or two – or several.

Their decreased abilities, which they cannot adequately judge, combined with decreased sense of inhibition, may yield an increased sense of (false) confidence. While riders may typically try to be careful, anecdotal accounts of those who feel the thrill of ripping through several gears well over 100 mph while drunk are not unheard of.

In the mid-90s, NHTSA conducted focus groups of 70 men and 15 women who admitted they drank and rode motorcycles.

NHTSA stressed these interviews could not be used to draw conclusions for a larger group, but they revealed at least some people entertain seriously sketchy attitudes regarding drinking and riding.

For example, one motorcyclist from Denver said a little alcohol improved his riding.

“I know that when I ride and I have a beer it feels better riding. It loosens you up – it relieves tension,” he said, “It feels more exciting riding. You enjoy your ride better if you have one beer.”

A particular belief was that even if a rider has had several drinks, if he could at least start the motorcycle and get it moving, he would be fine.

”If you don’t fall down within the first few feet, you’re going to be okay,” said the rider from Denver, “I’ve seen guys do that. There’s something about being on a motorcycle – you focus yourself. When you get on your motorcycle and hit the road, the wind and the air just seem to go, “Boom, I’m okay now.”

And another rider from Boston concurred.

“If they’re totally wasted, then you worry about their safety,” he said, “If they’re just a little bit wasted then it’s, ‘Watch out for the cops.’”

Other misconceptions among these riders were that 0.08 percent BAC may barely be a problem, and some said it usually was not the rider’s fault, but another motorist’s, if a crash happened.

While depending on your experience, you may find such accounts incredible, foolish, not applicable to you, or all of the above, it is nevertheless true that some riders think and do dangerous and crazy things.

Why? No doubt more studies are needed for conclusions, but it seems apparent that culturally held attitudes continue to be problematic.

If nothing else be warned: Don’t listen to influences to drink and ride, and never allow yourself to compromise for any reason.

Jeff Cobb is the editor and publisher of Motorcycle Safety News. Comments, and questions can be directed to jeff@motorcyclesafetynews.com.

Group Riding 101

Riding with others presents unique challenges

By Jeff Cobb, Sep. 01, 2009

Group riding is a whole other endeavor compared to solo riding. Where it is like solo riding is that some riders may instinctively do a good job of quickly figuring out the way to do it well, enjoy themselves, and have no issues. Others have found out the hard way that there are new rules to be observed when riding collectively.

“Group riding” is actually a catchall term. More specifically, are you and a few friends planning a day trip on your cruisers or a mixture of bike types? Are you and some friends heading across country? Are you and 11 other strangers riding a guided tour through new environs? Are you and some buddies and your hot sportbikes going out to look for some fun?

In other words, who is in your group? Do you know everyone and their habits well? Is everyone sufficiently experienced? Or are you riding with novices trying to keep with a herd for the first time in traffic?

Are you new to riding? If you are, think twice. Riding with a group presents challenges to an already demanding learning process, and probably should be avoided until you have at least 1,000 miles experience.

But even assuming you are up for it, depending on the dynamics, and number of riders, it will be necessary to pay greater heed to some fundamentals.

A truly organized ride is of necessity a tamer endeavor. Usually, the most experienced two riders will want to play leader and sweeper (the sweeper rides in last place to look out for stragglers). The leader sets the pace, but before even starting out, everyone in the group ought to do a few things to help make sure you all stay on the same page.

First, is everyone's bike fueled up? Has each rider done apre-ride check?

If you break down ten miles into it, you'll put a damper on everyone's day.

The leader's job is to sets the rules. There is a variety of pretty standard hand signals, and it's a good idea to have everyone agree up front on the ones you'll be observing. This will minimize confusion.

Exchanging cell phone numbers with the leader is also advisable in the event someone gets lost or has a problem. If it's possible to utilize an intercom between lead and sweep or others in the group, that also can help keep things together. Another good idea is sending out the route in advance via email with a GPS route attached. The directions could then be printed, and placed in a map holder on your tank, or other convenient location.

According to the Motorcycle Safety Foundation, a standard formation is staggered, giving everyone enough room to negotiate the road. The leader typically rides in the left third of the lane, followed by the next rider at least one second behind in the right third of the lane, and so on alternating and evenly at about one second intervals. In inclement weather, a larger space cushion is advisable. On narrow or curvy roads, a single-file formation is advisable with more space between bikes.

Groups larger than five to eight riders, while impressive to behold, are not always such a terrific idea. More riders mean more variables for someone to mess up. It also can be intimidating to motorists, and present difficulties in passing situations either for your group to pass a driver, or for motorists to pass you.

Larger groups can create other awkward or hazardous situations besides. For example, if a column of 20 motorcycles is dominating the right lane of a highway, a car driver in the left lane wanting to make a hasty exit may do something risky in trying to get off the road in time.

If you have many riders, breaking into more manageable sub-groups may be the way to go. Keep in mind, while there is strength in numbers, large groups do not have right of way or own the road in any sense.

Other standard procedures are, when exiting a highway or coming to a tollbooth, it's recommended you go single file. Likewise, in corners, do not go side-by-side for obvious reasons.

When taking off from a light, your group should be fairly close together, but not too close. Each rider should go one after the other. All riders should not leave as a group at the exact same time, but in staggered formation. Leaving a light or stop sign as a single cluster may be illegal depending on local laws, and could get you a ticket.

Another pointer to help avoid some of the bad habits riders can get into when in a herd: When the lead rider correctly stops and goes from a stop sign, that does not mean he stopped for the riders near him. Each rider needs to do the same thing as an individual.

Whether at intersections, in the twisties, the highway, or no matter where you are, there is one cardinal rule when riding in a group of any size: always ride your own ride!

In short, exercising restraint, common sense and respecting everyone's space helps create a rhythm, builds trust, and is part of the art of making this all work.

Pros and cons

As mentioned, group riding can elicit a gooddeal of ambivalence with experienced riders. To be blunt, some dislike group rides and recommend against them. Many have stories to tell where someone – even an otherwise highly experienced rider – screwed up and crashed, or took someone out.

No demographic is exempt from these stories either. Cruiser riders or tourists not minding their blind spots, or blithely cornering without leaving enough room for their fellow riders have forced others off the road, or collided.

Packs of sport riders pumped with testosterone are also known as a recipe for craziness. The temptation to use that rocket between your legs can lead you into doing all sorts of things you'd be less likely to do alone when your wits are fully with you.

Regardless what kind of bike you are on, if you find yourself with a sketchy crowd, or are tempted to get in over your head, you ought to just gracefully bow out and save it for another day.

On the positive side, if you can follow the program, and exercise restraint, the camaraderie and fun can add a whole other dimension to your life as a rider.

Another upside to riding with others is, if something goes wrong, you'll have help readily available. Before starting out, each rider could agree to share resources. For example: one person carries a first-aid kit, another a flat repair kit, another could carry a full complement of tools and hopefully have knowledge of what to do with them, etc.

Picking your riding partners should be like picking your friends: Be selective, keep your wits with you at all times, and make sure it is win-win all the way around.

If you do that, then sharing the road can be safe and rewarding.

While some consider group riding good, and others consider it not so good, like a lot of other things in life, it really is what you make of it.

Jeff Cobb is the editor and publisher of Motorcycle Safety News. Comments, and questions can be directed to jeff@motorcyclesafetynews.com.

2012 Honda CRF450R Off-Road Comparison

Honda’s CRF450R has always been at the top of the score sheet in every shootout we’ve thrown it into for the past half decade, so we had the same expectations for its finish in this off-road battle. On the track the Honda is light, nimble and confidence inspiring for just about anyone that throws a leg over it. For 2012, Big Red continued refining the CRF with a handful of changes to the suspension and handling in a bid to remain at the top of the heap in the always-competitive 450cc Motocross classification. How did these slight changes pan out for off-road duty?

Click link above to read more.

by Justin Dawes