Harley-Davidson CVO Road Glide - Santa's Vehicle For Christmas

Since it is Christmas time and Santa Claus will be preparing the gifts for all of the good children out there, the time is definitely short, as all of the cool stuff has to be presented on the night before Wednesday, December 25. Therefore, riding on the sleigh will not be a very good option for the mythical figure.

An interesting option for Santa would be to go for a cool motorbike that is fast, reliable and can carry the weight of all the gifts to be distributed. Although there are plenty of such options, yet the best one would be the Harley-Davidson CVO Road Glide, recommended by RiderWear Clothing. The CVO (Custom Vehicle Operations) models are different from the mainstream ones and have got some unique features.

They are not produced in bulk because of the fact that they are made for a special purpose rather than being available to the general public. There is no doubt that Santa can get one model easily for Christmas. What makes these models so special? Well, there is not one particular feature of the CVO bikes that make them unique and interesting for the buyers.

They have got different engines, eye catching paint designs and other accessories that are not seen on a common Harley-Davidson. Coming back to Santa, it is about time that he gets an upgraded vehicle and gets rid of the sleigh. So, why would the Harley-Davidson CVO Road Glide suit him more than anything else?

First of all, this machine has got very good handling, which is extremely important, especially when there is a need of distributing gifts to children. Speed is another factor that makes the Harley-Davidson CVO Road Glide stand out compared to other models. It has got 15 percent additional torque than a regular Harley engine, which helps the rider reach three digits sooner rather than later.

Furthermore, there are some entertainment facilities offered with this model, as it has a custom made powerful stereo system with a total of six speakers. Other than that, there is an eight GB iPod loaded with the bikes that can be plugged into one of the plugs located on the vehicle. Finally, the Harley-Davidson CVO Road Glide weighs over a staggering 800 pounds, which will definitely allow Santa to carry all the gifts on it without overburdening it. So, it will be ideal if Santa gets this bike for Christmas and rides on the streets with ease.

2013's Best Motorcycle In Review - KTM 1190 Adventure

There is no doubt that the motorcycle industry is being ruled by some of the Asian manufacturers like Honda, Yamaha and Kawasaki in Japan, but it is nice to see that they are being given a tough time by some of the American and European brands as well.

Just like each year, there were some quality motorbikes launched in 2013 and they were really great to ride. Some of them failed to get the attention of the public either because of their design, specifications or simply because they were too expensive. For a manufacturer, it is quite important to develop a machine that is within the reach of the common users. This way, the sales can be boosted and one can judge the vehicle in a better way after listening to the people who use it.

Nevertheless, every brand has got a specific purpose and not all bikes are built for general usage. Some of them are developed keeping other things in mind. A good example is of electric motorcycles that are being developed keeping the future in mind. They are not available for sale at the moment and even if that happens, there price will be really high.

Therefore, we will only have a look at the motorbikes that were within the reach of common riders. Although most of the times the best two-wheeler of the year is a Honda or Yamaha, yet things are starting to change now. This time, the best of all, according to RiderWear Motorcycle Helmets, was the KTM 1190 Adventure.

Looking at the Austrian bike, you simply get awe inspired because of its design. It has got uniqueness about it and does not look like some of the other adventure bikes out there. Amongst some very cool features, it has got a low windscreen setting, which looks really impressive. Although this is not the first time that such a setting has been done on a two-wheeler, yet the way it has been done makes a lot of difference.

Another thing that really made the KTM 1190 Adventure stand out was the performance of its brakes. They are really important for safety purposes as well, so the manufacturers pay special attention to this area. Moreover, the bike also featured the Anti-Lock Braking System (ABS), which is seen in most of the modern day machines these days.

Talking about handling, the KTM 1190 Adventure once again scored more than some of the other bikes launched at the start of this year. Taking the corners can be difficult if your vehicle is not well balanced, but this lovely machine was so smooth on the bends.

Apart from these features that were most impressive, there was no real fault that could force the buyer to look towards another machine. The KTM 1190 Adventure had simply got everything from engine to chassis, it was a very well developed bike and you should definitely try it if you are looking for a new vehicle.

Common Motorcyclists vs Racers

There has been a lot of debate on the safety of riders on a motorbike, but no one really realizes the fact that this situation is not an easy one at all and needs proper planning. If it was so easy to ensure rider safety, it would have been done by now, as we have all of the latest technology available and people are aware of the risks these days better than ever before.

Nowadays, racing has become a lot safer than it was in the past, as the organizers are fully aware of how to manage things properly and they provide the latest medical aid to the riders on the track in case there is an accident. Moreover, the tracks are laid out as per the safety laws and they have to get approval from the respective governing bodies before any action takes place on them.

Just like the organizers, riders are also aware of the situation they face. They have learned how to control their aggression on the track and do not make any dangerous maneuvers during a race, which can result in serious injuries for them and their competitors. Apart from that, the racers are equipped with the latest safety gear in order to minimize the risks.

There is no doubt that some mishaps do take place without all of this, but that is the nature of this sport and one cannot simply make it 100 percent safe. Still the safety standards have improved significantly over the past couple of decades and you can see clear improvement in the statistics.

However, the real concerning thing is the safety of a common motorcyclist, who takes the road for several reasons. Whatever reason that may be, whenever a person hits the road on a motorcycle, he is risking his life to a great deal because he will have to face multiple issues that a racer never does.

The biggest of those problems is that there is traffic on the road unlike a racing track. Ni most of the cases there is one way traffic, but sometimes you have to cope with the vehicles coming from the opposite direction as well. No matter what the case is, it can be hard to keep your cool and continue riding safely.

Secondly, there are plenty of distractions other than the traffic. You have to be aware of the signals, road signs, pedestrians and there can be animals on the road too. If you lose your focus for once, you might end up banging your bike into a vehicle in front.

Then you have got untrained riders, who really spoil the party for others as well. Since they are unaware of how to control a bike, they can easily cause any accident if they get confused. Such people are often unaware of the rules and regulations, so they make plenty of violations such as over speeding, not riding in their lane etc.

The mindset of a common motorcyclist also makes a huge difference. Since it is a compulsion for racers to go out with the safety gear, they have got no choice. However, the common man does not feel this to be necessary, which results in serious trouble. Some people prefer not wearing a helmet, let alone other safety equipment.

Finally, the riders on the road do not get immediate medical attention like the racers. There is a team of doctors present at every race circuit, so that the necessary action can be taken to save the rider’s life. If the situation is worse, ambulances and helicopters are also available to carry the racers to a nearby hospital.

This is not the case with the common man though. There are countries that have got highly efficient ambulance services, but they only come in motion once they are informed about an accident. Then they have to find the exact place, assess the person’s condition and finally take some action. All of these things cost some time, which can lead to the death of the fallen rider.

Overall, it is pretty much clear that racers are way safer than the common motorcyclists. Therefore, we at Riderwear.net open face helmets suggest you to buy all of the necessary safety equipment available before hitting the road.

A Look At The 2014 Moto GP Calendar

The recently concluded Moto GP season was full of entertainment and the fans were able to see a great battle amongst three Spanish riders, who finished in the top-three comfortably in the end with two of them fighting for the title until the very last round.

In the end, it was youngster Marc Marquez, who succeeded. He had been racing in the lower classes over the past several years, but got a promotion to the premiere class with Honda, a team that was really the best in 2013. Although the start to the season was not that much dominant for them, yet they developed their machine brilliantly and got the upper hand with the passage of time.

As always, Yamaha were not far away and provided a great bike to their riders Jorge Lorenzo and Valentino Rossi. The latter of the two had returned to the team after a two year absence, during which he rode for Ducati. His experiment with the new team did not reap any positive results, thus he decided to come back to his old squad.

However, the veteran rider failed to impress his fans, as he only managed to win a single race. Other than that, he was only good enough for fourth place and got onto the podium occasionally when any of the top-three had an accident. His team-mate, Lorenzo, was a completely different story altogether, as he battled for the championship towards the very end.

 

Despite all the efforts from Yamaha, Marquez and Honda went onto seal both the Riders’ and Manufacturers titles. There was immense pressure on them and things were not as easy as they appeared to all of the Moto GP fans out there.

The young rider will be looking to retain his title in 2014 as well. Since the provisional calendar has been announced, it has been confirmed that Marquez will kick start his defense from Qatar in March, which will host the first round of the next year. All teams will then head to America and Argentina for the next couple of events that will be held in April.

 

During May, the teams will battle it out in Spain and France before heading to Italy, Catalunya and the Netherlands in June. Germany will host the final race before the mid season break starts in July. It will certainly give some time to the teams to relax and come back fighting on the track once again in August for three GPs in Indianapolis, Czech Republic and Great Britain respectively.

There will be three more races held during September and they will be held in San Marino & Riviera Di Rimini, Aragon and Brazil. Then, there will be three more events during the month of October, hosted by Japan, Australia and Malaysia.

If, by then, you do not have the championship decided, all teams will head to the season finale in Valencia in November. At the moment, almost all of the rounds are confirmed. However, RiderWear has learnt that the Brazilian GP is not yet given a green signal. The track needs some repair work and if that is completed in time, the race will go on.

Useful Tips For A Motorcycle Passenger

Normally, you will find quite a lot of tips for motorcycle riders, but there are almost none for the passengers. Although quite a few of the two-wheelers are not designed to facilitate anyone than the rider, yet most of the bikes are designed in a way that they can easily carry one passenger alongside the motorcyclist himself.
Sports bikes have got a unique seat compared to the conventional machines and no passenger can sit on them. Such motorcycles are quite heavy and they can easily carry some more weight, but they are not designed to do so. The reason for this is that they are only made for racing and it is dangerous for a racer to carry any passenger alongside him.

People who buy the sports bikes just for fun might get a custom designed seat in order to facilitate one passenger, but that will neither look cool nor be cost effective. If you ask the manufacturer to make a few changes, he will definitely charge you more. Since these types of bikes are already quite expensive, they can simply go out of your reach in case of customization.

However, you don’t need to worry at all, as you are not required to buy the sports bikes in case you want to carry a passenger with you. There are numerous street bikes available in the market and that too at a very reasonable price. They are fuel efficient and durable, which increases their resale value as well. In case you are looking to buy a new motorbike, simply sale out the older one, so that you don’t have to spend much.

Apart from all these benefits, the best feature of such machines is that they can carry one passenger. In case you are the one sitting behind the rider, you have to remember a few important things. It may sound quite easy to be on the passenger’s seat while the rider controls everything, but you have to be very careful.
Riderwear.net brings you some important tips that will ensure safety being a passenger on a motorcycle. Follow these tips and pass them onto others in order to make them understand how important it is for a passenger to stay focused during a journey.
 

First of all, your dressing needs to be proper. Although this tip is for everyone, yet it is particularly more important for females. Men often wear jeans or other types of pants, which are safe for the passengers. However, women sometimes wear loose clothes, which might get stuck in the rear wheel of the motorcycle, resulting in an accident.

Therefore, never opt for such dressing in order to avoid the dangers. You can either wear jeans or other dresses that come in skin fitting. This will keep you safe and sound no matter how quick the rider goes on the road.

Moreover, it is important for the passenger to wear a helmet. This practice is often followed by the riders only, but the passengers ignore it. This is not the right approach at all, as the passengers are under the same level of threat of sustaining head injuries as the rider. So, there is no point taking any risks. If you don’t have a helmet, avoid going out on a bike no matter how much experienced the rider maybe.

Grab onto something tightly so that you can maintain your balance. If you don’t see any lever or bar that you can grab, go for the rider himself. Put your arms around his belly, as that will protect you from getting off balanced.

Furthermore, you have to stay focused on the road and keep informing the rider of any nearing objects. Sometimes, the person controlling the things might lose concentration, which can result in serious consequences. In that case, you can help him out by telling him about the possible dangers ahead.

Top 10 Vintage Harleys Which Shall Ever Be Remembered

At the start of the 20th century, William S. Harley and his childhood friend, Arthur Davidson, planned to fit a small engine on a regular pedal-bicycle in order to develop a unique motorcycle. It took them a couple of years to complete their project, but they ultimately found out that their machine was not powerful enough to climb the hills without the use of pedals. As a result, their experiment did not work out the way they would have liked, but this gave birth to the giant American motorcycle manufacturing company, Harley-Davidson.

Over the years, the company saw some difficult times, as it had to go through the ‘Great Depression’, which preceded World War II and lasted more than a decade. Moreover, there was competition from the Japanese motorcycle manufacturers, so things were not easy at all. Despite that, Harley-Davidson survived and kept on developing some great machines for the users.

The vintage Harleys were all about class and even the latest motorcycles are designed based on the classic models. Here is a list of some outclass vintage Harleys, which you might not have ever seen in your life.

5D (1909)

Before the year 1909, Harley-Davidson did not produce any V-Twin engine bikes. They continued focusing on the conventional machines in order to achieve perfection. However, model 5D was the one that really revolutionized things for the company. It was not successful by any means, as there were quite a few technical flaws in it, yet it was the first motorbike with twins, so one has to put it into this list. The idea behind this bike was what made Harley-Davidson the company it is today. An improved version of this V-twin motorcycle was launched in 1911, which went onto become a success.

8-Valve Racer (1921)

This Harley model was never designed to be sold in public. It had a price of $1500, which was far too much during the 1920s. However, this model was specifically manufactured for racing purposes. It used four valves per cylinder and had all of the latest technology available back then. It became the first ever bike to win a race at over 100 miles per hour, which was considered as a great achievement in the early 20th century.

Scooped-Tank V-Twin (1925)

After the success of the flat-track racing bikes, Harley-Davidson launched the Scooped-Tank V-Twin in 1925. It was not manufactured for racing, but had quite a few similarities to the racing bikes. This model had a scooped fuel tank, which made it look quite dashing.

JDH (1928-1929)

The JDH was definitely a trend setter and became really famous among the motorbike lovers back in the late 1920s. With a powerful 1200cc, 74-cubic-inch engine, it could go up to 100 miles per hour comfortably, which made people go crazy about it. Before the launch of this machine, people really did not care about speed. Design wise, it looked pretty similar to the scooped version, but had completely different features and it also set the trend for wire spoke rims.

EL Twin (1936)

This bike is often regarded as the first ever modern designed Harley, as it consisted of quite a few features, which made things easy for the riders and are still used in the modern machines. RiderWear motorcycle accessories are always here for you to fetch information about such brands. The model EL had both front and rear brakes, foot-clutch and suspension built in the seat. The paint used for this model was also double-tone, which was not seen in any of the previous Harley models.

WLA ‘Liberator’ (1941-1945)

It was difficult to run any business during the World War II, as the globe was hit by a terrible economic recession. Some companies failed to survive these tough times, but Harley-Davidson continued developing bikes throughout this period. When they saw the opportunity, they start remodeling their machines for the U.S army. The Liberator was almost similar to the civilian models of that time, but a few changes were made to its design in order to make things easy for the soldiers. 

Elvis Presley’s KH (1956)

The Harley-Davidson KH model certainly became famous because of the late great pop artist, Elvis Presley, who really loved riding the two-wheelers. He bought the KH model right before the launch of his song, ‘Heartbreak Hotel’. Later on, Presley went onto purchase some more Harleys, but none was as famous as the KH.

Early Sportster (1959)

After passing the difficult times, Harley-Davidson finally had the opportunity to focus more on the sports bikes. Therefore, the American manufacturers launched the Early Sportster, which was light weight, fast and had a shorter wheelbase compared to the previous models, which made handling easier for the riders. The model went onto become so much successful that it was never discontinued and its line is still a strong seller.

Electra Glide (1969)

This Harley was the first model to feature an electric start. It had the standard kick-start option as well, but the power of the engine and the design attracted so many people over the years that its production as still not stopped. Interestingly, the designing has also remained pretty much the same, but the love for this model has continued to increase.

XLCR Cafe Racer (1977)

With a unique design and all-black color, the Café Racer was really a stylish machine. It was inspired by the custom café bikes built during the 1960s. The main highlights of the design were the coffin-like fuel tank and the joined exhaust pipes.

2013 Moto GP - Title To Be Decided In Final Race

Although the Formula 1 Championship has been decided with three races remaining in the season, the Moto GP fans are yet to know who their new champion will be. The best part is that there is just one race left in the 2013 season, which is scheduled to take place in Valencia. As a result, things are way more interesting in the two-wheel racing right now. Looking at the interest of the fans worldwide, Riderwear.net bikes shop has decided to provide an in depth analysis of what might happen in the final event of the Moto GP season.

At the moment, the situation is pretty much clear that the title fight is between defending champion Jorge Lorenzo of Yamaha and Honda’s Marc Marquez. Both riders have been fantastic throughout the season and have delivered some exciting races for their fans. The former of the two has managed to win seven races, the most by any rider this season. On the other hand, Marquez has also been up there with six victories to his name. Despite winning one less event than his title contender, the young Spaniard is currently in the lead by 13 points.

This margin seems good enough at the moment, but there is no certainty, especially if you have witness the action in the past few races. This gap was a big one at one stage and Honda’s superiority in terms of race pace meant that their rider would end up sealing his maiden title way before the final encounter in Valencia. However, one mistake from the team made things interesting for the Moto GP fans. During the Australian GP, the riders suffered heavy tire degradation, which forced the organizers to make some changes, citing safety.

One of those changes saw the race length to be shortened whereas the other required the riders to make a mandatory pit stop for a bike change. Since Honda got late in reacting to this rule, Marquez was black flagged, getting no points from the race. The debutant rider could have easily won that event, meaning that his difference to Lorenzo would have been enough to make his champion by now. However, he came out with no points in Australia and failed to win in Japan, leaving him under immense pressure at the moment.

One thing is certain, Marquez needs to finish the next race otherwise he will end up losing the chance of becoming the youngest Moto GP champion ever. His motorbike is strong enough to earn him a podium, which will be more than enough for him to seal the title. However, he might get a bit too aggressive and think of wrapping things up in style with a victory. Although there is no issue in doing that, yet we have seen that the Spaniard has been over the top on a few occasions this season.

If he does anything silly, his race might be over and with it his title chances will also end. Let’s assume that the 20-year-old does not do anything amateur in the race and stays within his limits, he will have to finish no less than fourth. This way, he will earn 13 points, which means that Lorenzo will be unable to defend his championship even after finishing first on the eighth time this year. From what we have seen in the season so far, the Honda's and Yamahas have been superior compared to all of the other teams.

As a result, one thing is quite certain that their riders will always finish in top-four unless something unusual happens. Above that, veteran rider Valentino Rossi has been the weakest of the four, so he is always expected to be down in that list. Therefore, it is quite clear that Marquez only needs to finish this race without breaching any rules in order to secure the title. He should try winning it only if he gets a clear chance of overtaking otherwise he need to keep his cool.

From Lorenzo’s perspective, things are pretty much straightforward. He will have to win the race and hope that something goes wrong with the championship leader like the past few events. Surprisingly, the points difference between Honda and Yamaha is also 13, which means that both the Riders’ and Manufacturer’s title will be decided in Valencia.