3 Reasons Why Wearing a Motorcycle Helmet is a Good Idea

Executive summary about helmets by Cody

Here are three reasons why anyone on a motorcycle should never even think about not wearing a helmet.

1. A helmet can save your life – During a crash, the difference between death or crippling brain damage is this: was the rider wearing a helmet?

2. It probably is required by law – About half of all states require anyone riding on a motorcycle to always have a helmet on. If protecting your noggin isn’t enough to convince you to wear a helmet, maybe the legality issue will convince you to wear a helmet!

3. Helmets help prevent distractions – If it’s raining, snowing, super windy, motor cycle helmets can help prevent the elements from making your ride dangerous.

So please motorbike riders… wear a helmet!

Scorpion EXO-900 Transformer Modular Helmet review STG

1. Quickly convert your EXO-900 to an open face 3/4 helmet, visor included.

2. KwikWick moisture-wicking breathable helmet liner and cheek pads.

3. AirFit helmet pump air inflation system for a custom fit.

4. EverClear No-Fog Faceshield and Retractable SpeedView Sun Visor. Anti-scratch hardened coating.

Price: $ 279.95

Gifts for Dirt-Bike Riders

Executive summary about dirt bike riders by Dan Chruscinski

Gifts for dirt-bike riders can range from equipment for both him and his bike to those that can be enjoyed when he is off his bike. Start by asking your dirt-bike rider what his favorite brand of gear and dirt-bike clothing is, such as Fox Racing, Icon. When your dirt-bike rider isn't riding, he can read about the sport. If your dirt-bike rider is also a gamer, pick up some video games about the dirt bike and motocross sport. For a bit of fun, purchase some toys as a gift for your dirt-bike rider. Finger bikes are available in brands matching those found in real nonmotorized dirt bikes such as Redline and Sunday! and cost about $8 per bike as of September 2010.

Travis Pastrana

The lifestyle and mind boggling antics of Travis Pastrana as we know it. Travis began riding motorcycles at 4 years old and is now quite possibly the most famous person ever to have mounted a dirt bike.

What makes Travis Pastrana so special and respected? And why is he such a huge icon in the dirt bike world? What strikes me about Travis is how lighthearted, friendly and easygoing he is.

On June 10th 2003, Travis Pastrana narrowly and freakishly avoided The Grim Reaper after a serious car accident that left someone else paralyzed. Travis wasn't wearing a seat belt and was thrown from the flipped vehicle, miraculously sustaining only minor wounds to his hand. Well Matt, being an athlete, did walk and compete again, but Travis has had to live with the pain of knowing he caused this accident.

Some other injuries Travis Pastrana has sustained to date throughout his dirt bike career are... a broken collarbone, torn ACL in his left knee, broken tibia, broken fibula, surgery on his shoulder, wrists and elbow, 9 surgeries in his left knee, 8 in his right knee, 2 on his back, 1 on his thumb, multiple concussions, and as he says, so many more broken bones he can't remember. Phew! Travis's dad Robert Pastrana, a native Puerto Rican is an ex US Marine Corp and both he and Travis's mum used to ride motorcycles. Travis even managed to get them to try flipping a bike into his foam pit.

T.P loves to race and motocross. He was 5 times National Amateur Champion and turned pro at the young age of 16 when he won the AMA 125cc National Champs. And then he won the 125cc East Coast Supercross Championship in 2001 - both on a Suzuki with the number 199. #199, like Suzuki, has stuck with and become synonymous with Travis Pastrana.

But it is through freestyle MX that Travis has become so famous. He was world freestyle champion at 14 and claimed the gold medal in the first ever X Games freestyle event in 1999 with the highest ever run score of 99 points. In the following X Games he has won gold in 2000, 2001, 2003, silver in 2004, gold in 2005 and won 3 golds in 2006 for freestyle, best trick and rally car.

PERSONAL STATS:

Full Name: Travis Alan Pastrana

D.O.B: 08/10/83

Home Town: Annapolis, Maryland, U.S.A

National MX/SX #: #199

Height: 6' 1"

Buying Cheap Motorcycle Helmets

Buying cheap motorcycle helmets that perform the way you need them to is easy. If you are a new rider, buying discount motorcycle helmets may be more difficult than choosing a bike.

As a result, you may simply buy a cheap motorcycle helmet that looks like you want it to. If you do that, your riding experience will be much less enjoyable than if you get a helmet that fits your head like, well, like a motorcycle helmet should!

A helmet that meets the D.O.T. standard, even a cheap motorcycle helmet, offers serious levels of protection if you crash. A full-face helmet can keep you from being distracted when a large insect hits your face.

Low cost motorcycle helmets are of no use if they don't provide protection, and that D.O.T. sticker on the back is your assurance that when the day comes, the helmet will perform. If the manufacturer certifies that its helmet passes the D.O.T standard, it can make and sell that helmet with a D.O.T. sticker. You can make a strong case that it's worth looking for cheap motorcycle helmets that meets some of the other standards, notably those of the Snell Foundation. The Snell Memorial Foundation has useful information for helmet buyers on its website. The full list of Snell certified helmets can be found here, but performing a quick price check I can tell you that the cheap motorcycle helmets on the list are at $110 going up to $800 for the top of the range models.

In a crash, the polystyrene is permanently crushed, so if you hit your head with your motorcycle helmet on, the helmet is no more use to you than a baseball cap. Unfortunately, the best temple protection results in compromised peripheral vision and proper jaw protection requires a full-face motorcycle helmet. Eye socket protection is critical in an impact. One point is not in doubt however, full face helmets offer more protection than any other, and you can definitely get cheap motorcycle helmets in this style from plenty of outlets.

Whether you manage to get your hands on cheap motorcycle helmets or not, your helmet should be replaced every 5 years if you are a road user. So make sure you replace your helmet on that timescale and more frequently if you are racing.

Price is NOT the best reason for buying a motorcycle helmet. Current prices online for the Snell certified helmets range from $110 up to $700 and more for certain Arai helmets. The larger online stores have a fast turnover of stock and also some great closeout deals. Be wary though, if a motorcycle helmet is on sale that probably means it is slow moving stock. The helmet will deteriorate just as easily on the retailer’s shelves as it will in your closet at home, so if you buy a closeout deal, try and find out what the helmet life is likely to be.

Helmet Noise

Noise levels under motorcycle helmets can be very high. Daily noise exposures of working motorcyclists may regularly exceed 90 dB(A).

The measurements in the wind tunnel showed the main source of noise to be the turbulence at the edge of the windscreen's wake acting on the helmet. Low windscreens direct the turbulence to the base of the helmet, and modifications to improve the helmet seal around the neck can reduce noise levels on motorcycles with low windscreens.

Wind tunnel tests with a flying helmet containing active noise reduction earmuffs demonstrated that noise levels as low as 70 dB(A) at 80 km/h and 80 dB(A) at 115 km/h were achievable at the ear. We recommend you consider wearing earplugs under the helmet.

How to Care for Motorcycle Helmet Visors

Executive summary about motorcycle helmets by Kayar Sprang

Tinted visors help shield your eyes from the sun and blinding vehicle lights.

Things You'll Need:

1. Soft, clean cloths

2. Mild baby shampoo

3. Rain-X® X-treme Clean™

Instructions:

1. Not all helmet visors can be cleaned the same way. Manufacturer's instructions vary.

2. Wash the visor immediately after each use to easily remove dust, dirt and grime. Some manufacturers only allow their visors to be cleaned with warm water and a soft cloth because chemicals can harm the surface. Rinse it thoroughly and dry it to a streak-free shine with a clean cloth.

3. Clean the helmet visor with mild baby shampoo, water, and a soft cloth if the manufacturer allows you to use soap. Rinse the visor off with clean water first. Then, place a few drops of shampoo in warm water. Swish it around, then wash the motorcycle visor with a soft cloth. Pat it--don't rub. Dry with a clean cloth.

4. Use a cleaning product like Clear Shot Visor Motorcycle Helmet Visor and Lens Cleaner if the manufacturer allows it. This kit includes a spray cleaning fluid and two microfiber cleaning cloths.

5. Treat the motorcycle helmet visor with a water repellent and protectant such as Rain-X® X-treme Clean™ if the manufacturer allows.

6. Store the visor in a soft bag when it's not in use to protect it from scratches and damage.

7. Set the visor down on its edges--never on its face--when it's detached from the helmet.

8. Keeping a visor clean will go far in reducing scratches. Never clean a motorcycle helmet visor with an abrasive cleaner.

3 Important Tips About Motorbike Safety

Executive summary about motorbike safety by Kevin S Hamilton

Let's face it, riding a motorbike can be dangerous. However, you can minimize the risk you face by following these 3 very important tips about motorbike safety.

1. Protection

Always wear your safety gear. Your motorbike riding gear consists of:

a. DOT approved motorbike helmet: OK, the DOT part of that is really important.

b. Long sleeved shirt/jacket: Depending on where you are riding and how fast you plan to ride may influence your thoughts on whether to wear a long-sleeved shirt or a long-sleeved leather jacket.

c. Full fingered leather gloves: Not much more to add here, just make sure they are comfortable and completely cover your hands. I have worn everything from leather work gloves to leather motorbike gloves.

d. Long pants: Please, please, please, I beg you, wear LONG pants when you ride.

e. Leather boots: Over the ankle leather boots are the best protection for your very vulnerable ankles. Riding boots, work boots, cowboy boots, what have you.

2. Visibility

a. Wear bright colored gear: When you wear bright colored gear you stand out. Get and wear a reflective motorbike vest.

b. Blind spot riding: Stay where other drivers can see you.

3. Take a riding class

Many states are now requiring that motorbike riders take a motorbike safety course before they can get their licenses. The Motorcycle Safety Foundation also has classes in off-road riding and ATV riding.

With these 3 important tips about motorbike safety I think you can expand your enjoyment of riding as well as staying alive. Wear your protective gear, make sure you are seen while on the road, and take a motorbike safety class. Enjoy the ride!!

Summer Riding Gear

Executive summary about motorbike Riding Gear by Iron Chef

Packing away my winter gear that served me well overseas I take a moment to examine my summer riding equipment which I use here for most of the year. I have shorty Alpinestar shoes and Rivers brand leather hiking type boots that I like for summer.

I am going to retire my Alpinestars Jeans. I also have my BMW City pants which have substantial hip and knee padded armor and are fully lined as well as constructed from a blend of material nylon reinforced.

I have two summer jackets, an older lightweight Dryrider mesh item and a newer Cortech hybrid mesh/textile/leather jacket.

My gloves are the mesh/synthetic leather summer light weight type that has become common of late. Almost identical to good spec moto-x gloves, which I also have used here for summer. In comparison they are a bit light weight for the task being mostly a single layer and lacking armor whereas the Held are multi material and multi layer armored items.

Can Motorbike Performance Parts Help?

Executive summary about a motorbike by Mark Sinclair

If you are trying to make your motorbike faster, stronger, and more expensive, then should you invest in motorbike performance parts? Some of the manufacturers that usually put out really high quality motorbike performance parts include Suzuki, Triumph, Honda, Harley Davidson, and Kawasaki. You should avoid upgrading your motorbike if you are someone that cannot handle the responsibility of owning a high powered motorbike. At the end of the day, motorbike performance parts are only a good idea if you are responsible enough to handle them.

A Review For The Fox Racing Pants And Gloves

Executive summary about fox racing apparel by Nico B Rama

Fox Racing is a renowned industry leader for quality performance racewear and racegear. Here is a quick review of the Fox Racing 180 pants and racing dirtpaw men's motocross motorcycle glove in black.

The main features of the racing 180 pants are the stretch panels at the back, knee, crotch and lower back area for a freedom of motion that does not skimp on build quality with its utilized double-needle stitching that provides it with the strength and durability to take a beating. There's the important heat and abrasion-resistant leather inner knee panels which can really take a thrashing but also fits just right and can accept large honkin' knee braces and knee pads.

The Fox Racing dirtpaw men's motocross motorcycle glove in black is a somewhat mixed animal all together. The Velcro strap is so tough that it can literally tear your glove off your flailing hands.