Blessing of the bikes in Murrysville, PA

It was a great day for the Blessing of the Bikes in Murrysville, PA.  Good weather, good people and some cool motorcycles.

Qualities of a Great Saddle Bag

Qualities Of A Great Saddle Bag

A saddlebag is a bag attached to the rear end of the motorcycle. Motorcycles do not have the capacity to store any items, and that is exactly why every rider needs a saddlebag to carry around the essentials. Saddlebags have become a norm for motorcycle riders, as without a saddlebag they will have nowhere to store items.

People often tend to buy the most attractive saddlebags that are compact but this defies the purpose of having a saddlebag in the first place. The saddlebag should not only fit perfectly on the rear end of the motorcycle but should have the capacity of storing a large amount of items.

What Should You Look For In A Saddle Bag?

Never make the mistake of purchasing the first saddlebag that you come across, as there are so many innovative products out there that provide both style and efficiency. The qualities that every motorcycle rider should consider when purchasing a saddlebag are as follows:

·        Brand: In most cases, being brand conscious might be considered extravagance, but when it comes to saddlebags it is recommended that you only purchase a saddlebag from acclaimed manufactures. These manufacturers design the saddlebags to perfection by using the right material that is not only aerodynamic but is also sturdy.

·        Material: The next aspect that the motorcycle rider should focus on is the material of the saddlebag. Avoid saddle bags that are made of weak material. The material that is recommended is leather or synthetic leather, the latter is a little more cost effective for people with a tight budget. Also, there are hard saddlebags available that are mounted on the bike with bolts ensuring that they do not fall off.

·        Metal: Most saddlebags have metal used on it; these are in the form of rivets and studs. The purpose of these metal plates is either for decoration to hold the saddlebag together. Make sure the saddlebag you use has stainless steel as with time these metal rivets and studs will get rusty, which will spoil the overall look of the motorcycle.

·        Mounting hardware: The final aspect that you should focus on is the mounting hardware that comes along with the saddlebag. Many products out there have sublime saddlebags but weak mounting hardware which increases the risk of the saddlebag falling or affecting the alignment of the motorcycle. Make sure the saddlebag you choose has proper instructions and sturdy material to mount the saddlebag.

The qualities given above will help anyone choose a saddlebag that is perfect to fulfill all of their motorcycle riding needs.

What is the best gear to carry on my motorcycle?

Deciding what gear to carry on a motorcycle for a long trip can be difficult, as there’s only so much that a saddle bag can carry. Unlike cars, motorcycles do not have trunks or compartments to store items. Although some motorcycles have compact compartments that are primarily only for storing important documents such as registration papers, they do not have enough space for larger items.

This is exactly why it is difficult for riders to decide what gear they should carry in their saddle bags, as you never know what you might need on the road. For short distances, this might not be a huge issue as saddle bags normally have enough space to store the essentials. However, for long runs, there are so many items that the rider might need which makes this dilemma so difficult.

However, we have solved this dilemma by carefully evaluating the different motorcycle gear available and choosing those which will keep the rider prepared in any given circumstance.

The Six Essentials That Every Motorcycle Rider Should Carry

The most important gear that every rider should be equipped with are given below:

1)     Inflation pump:  There are few things worse than a flat or deflating tire on a long journey. One of them is not having an inflation pump. These days there are many innovative pumps out there that are compact and do not take much space. These pumps are easily available at most hardware or convenience stores.

2)     Tubes: Besides an inflation pump, every biker should also have at least two spare tubes in the saddle bag. If the tire is flat then having an inflation pump will not help at all, on the other hand having a tube will ensure that this is not a problem.

3)     Tire levers: This little item is often overlooked by most bikers; but it is one of the most important tools when changing a tire as it helps inserting a tube with ease. Replacing a tube is not an easy task, especially in the blistering heat or cold weather. However, with a tiny tire level, changing tubes can become a piece of cake.  

4)     Multi tool kit: This is probably the most important gear that should be in everyone’s saddle bag no matter how long the journey is. These days, there are many compact tool kits out there that that provide a variety of tools.  

5)     Flashlight: Another important essential gear is a quality flashlight. Imagine trying to change tubes in the middle of the night on a dark road? This is exactly why every saddle bag should have a flashlight or other source of portable light in to provide a source of light.

6)     Spare gloves: Having a spare set of gloves on you while you are riding can be a blessing as there’s nothing worse than driving around with wet or damp gloves. Also having spare gloves can help if you lose the primary pair.

These are the most important items or equipment that should be present in every rider’s saddle bag to ensure that they are prepared for any given circumstance.

West Coast Cycle Renting

One more day of winter passing is one day closer to riding season. Can't Wait. Even though winter has been pretty much non-existent this year in Pittsbugh PA, it's still not yet riding season, right?  One of my brothers told me that motorcycle rental companies in the northwest (Eagle Rider, etc) rent bikes at greatly reduced prices for people to ride them and deliver them to northern California so they can be rented there through the winter. Has anybody else ever heard this?

5 Things You Should Know About Motorcycle Clothing

“Safety first”, should be the motto for every motorcycle rider as riding a motorcycle is inherently dangerous. People often shy away from safety gear as they feel it is bulky and restrictive, or does not look cool but what they do not realize is that this safety gear can save them from a lot of pain and suffering. What’s more is that the motorcycle apparel industry has kept abreast of consumer wants. Hence, you can purchase effective gear that not only provides safety but actually looks cool.

Motorcycle clothing equipment by virtue makes riding a more safe and comfortable experience that cannot be achieved without the proper gear. What riders have to understand is that their safety is entirely in their hands as motorcycles do not have safety measures like air bags in cars. This is exactly why it is imperative that every biker equips themselves with essential motorcycle apparel and reduces the risk of injury.

5 Essential Motorcycle Apparel Every Biker Should Own

The apparel listed below are the most important gear that every biker should consider wearing in order to reduce the amount of risk involving in motorcycle riding:

1.      Gloves: People often underestimate the true potential gloves have for bike riders. Not only do they reduce the risk of damaging ones hands in an accident but actually improve a bikers grip in moist conditions. Similarly, during warm weather gloves protect the hands from sunlight and sun burns.

2.      Boots: One of the most prone areas that can be injured in a bike accident is the rider’s feet and ankles. Without proper equipment such as sturdy boots, there is almost nothing a biker can do to save his or her feet. There are many innovative boots out there that are designed to protect the biker’s feet in case of an accident. These boots also help in comfortable gear shifting and breaking.

3.      Jacket: This is one piece of motorcycle clothing that almost every rider owns. Let’s face it there’s nothing cooler than a leather motorcycle jacket. What they don’t know is that this jacket can actually save them from a world of pain in an accident. These jackets are designed to absorb impact and will also protect against sliding on the rough surface of a road i.e. “Road Rash”.

4.      Suit: These one-piece suits are not only aerodynamic but are also designed to absorb impact and provide protection when sliding on the road’s surface. These suits can be purchased in both leather and Kevlar, with each having there are unique in their own perspective.

Helmet: Last but not least, the most important gear that every biker should own is a helmet. A helmet protects the most important part of the human body, and without it, even a minor accident can turn into a life threatening situation. Also, depending on State Law, every rider is required by the State to wear a helmet while driving a motorcycle for their own safety. If you’re planning a long distance trip, it is good advice to check the helmet laws for the States that you will be riding through.

In the end, the above mentioned motorcycle clothing and gear will help reduce the risk of motorcycle riding by a huge margin. And as a motorcyclist, you should own them too. 

The Essentials for Winter Motorcycle Riding

It is a well known fact how difficult it is to ride a motorcycle in winter. Every motorcycle rider dreads even short rides on his or her motorcycle during the season due to the fact that the cold intensifies on a motorcycle. As a result, keeping a grip on the throttle becomes next to impossible while the snow makes it difficult for the rider to navigate with ease. This makes riding a motorcycle dangerous.

However, by taking a few precautionary steps, you can safeguard yourself from the cold.

Precautionary steps to take

The steps given below can help any motorcycle rider who is planning on making a journey on his or her motorcycle in difficult cold weathers.

1)     Layer up: The most obvious precautionary step that every rider should take is to layer up like an onion. Wear a motorcycle suit with other apparel items such as a leather jacket to keep them warm. Many motorcycle companies specialize in inner wear for cold weather, and every rider should invest in a pair as this has the potential of keeping the rider warm when it is freezing.

2)     Gloves: Keeping the hands warm is crucial as most body heat escapes from the hands. Every rider should wear sturdy gloves that will trap the body heat. Wearing gloves will also protect the hands from freezing up which is extremely dangerous.

3)     Visor: Another issue riders face during winters is the fact that due to moisture,  the visor often fogs up. This clouds visibility and makes driving extremely dangerous. Riders can invest in helmets that have fog proof visor or wear a mask inside the helmet combined with a windproof balaclava.

4)     Drive slow: Cold tires have less traction which makes breaking more difficult as the motorcycle starts sliding. The only precautionary step riders can take is to drive slow and give themselves ample space from the vehicle in front of them. 

5)     Heated gear: For riders who plan on driving in extremely cold temperatures, it is recommended that they invest in heated apparel. There are electrically heated vests, jackets, pants, socks and gloves that are powered by the motorcycle’s electrical system to keep the rider warm no matter what the weather is. The only drawback to this equipment is that it is attached to the motorcycle and some riders tend to forget that fact and break apart the wiring as they walk away. The other option is battery powered gear. These items will produce heat comparable to electric gear except battery life is limited to 6 to 8 hrs at max temperature. But really, who wants to ride more than 8 hours on a winter’s day? Another drawback to battery powered gear is you must remember to recharge the device before reuse.

6)     Other apparel: Riders can also invest in winter protection gear that helps provide protection against the intense cold, these items such as foot warmers, detachable windscreen and hand guards. These items are available at an attractive price and are readily available in the market.

Most importantly, if you find yourself on an icy road, don’t freak out. Drive slowly and keep the throttle at a constant speed. Additionally, make sure your motorcycle is prepped and ready for the drive. Finally, invest in the essential apparel mentioned above. This gear will help protect every motorcycle rider from the cold ensuring a comfortable ride.

Thomas J Dormer

It's Important To Have The Right Accessories For Motorcycles

Riding a motorcycle is a thrilling experience and buying one for yourself is quite exciting as you will now officially be known as a Biker. While you are deciding on the kind of motorcycle you want to get for yourself, you will obviously have a budget. Make sure that you keep aside at least $1000 to spend on motorcycle accessories. Now you may think that a thousand dollars is a bit too much to spend on biker gear. But consider this, if you happen to meet with an accident while riding your motorcycle (something that isn’t uncommon at all), what do you expect will happen? If you are lucky enough to walk out alive, you will still most probably need to spend a considerable amount of time at a hospital which will rack up a bill of a couple thousand dollars.

In order to avoid such a situation altogether, you need to invest in protective and safe biker gear like the following:

1. Helmet The first thing you need to consider while buying a motorcycle, is a helmet. It is the most vital accessory to be worn while riding a bike, especially a motorcycle. It protects your head from any damage in the unfortunate circumstance of you meeting with an accident. Since it takes the impact of the crash, you must get rid of the old one and buy a new one after an accident. A DOT approved sticker on a helmet indicates that it meets the legal standard.

2. Gloves While riding, gloves help protect your hands at all times. When you fall while riding, your hands instinctively try to break your fall. This will prove dangerous if the impact is a hard one as you can break your wrist or hurt your palms. Gloves prevent this from occurring. Of course you will need to get the gloves manufactures especially for motorcycles and not just the fancy ones without a protective layering.

3. Earplugs Sadly, not enough emphasis is placed on the importance of using earplugs. While riding a motorcycle, the noise levels increase to a large extent. Most of it is due to the motorcycle itself, but it is also due to the wind. If care is not taken to protect your ears, then the possibility of losing your ability to hear altogether is quite high. Therefore in order to avoid such a circumstance, you should get yourself a pair of earplugs. They aren’t too costly and will save your ears from major damage over time.

4. Boots Your feet are basically going to need all the support that they can receive as it is your feet that will hold your weight along with the weight of your motorcycle. Hence you need to provide your feet with maximum protection. Investing in a strong pair of boots that prevent your foot from twisting is a must. These boots will help you handle your weight along with the motorcycle on any type of terrain without a problem. For a biker, the phrase ‘Better safe than sorry’ is pretty apt.

There are several other motorcycle accessories available, but the above are the most important and should be worn whenever you get on your motorcycle, even if it is just for a ride in the city.

- GreatBikerGear.com