Fast But Friendly

by : rachmad mulyo

In the competitive world of racing motorcycles, most companies tend to bank on their racing teams to promote their street bikes. Heavy duty motorcycles with obscene amounts of power inside the chassis run across the tracks, and motorcycle racing fans find that they can own a little piece of the excitement by buying themselves civilian versions of the racers that their favorite bikers are running.

More often than not, this marketing approach has led most motorcycle manufacturing companies to come up with barely street legal specs for their civilian bikes, and the results are machines that are grossly expensive, difficult to maintain, and wind up causing accidents in the hands of bikers who don't possess the necessary skill level to handle such high performance bikes.

Honda has taken a different approach from it's competitors in this department, and has instead taken a people-friendly focus in their motorcycles. Their teams still continue to run - and win a lot - in motorsports events, but their civilian bikes aren't simply powered-down versions of their racers. They customize their civilian bike designs with the average person in mind.

One of the things that shows this approach is the price of a Honda motorcycle. Their price ranges both for the bikes and parts are considerably more affordable for people who just might want to ride a fast bike for fun without the need to cleave along the highway like a bullet.

Their parts are also much easier to find than most of their competitors, especially their european counterparts, and likewise are much cheaper while maintaining a high standard of quality. To add to the customer oriented approach, these same parts are also easier to install, replace, and yes, modify for those who want to push the specs of their crotch rockets a little higher. Honda service center personnel are highly trained under rigid standards to ensure they do their jobs on the bikes right.

Lastly, Honda also offers comprehensive packages as an added bonus, like extended warranties, insurance, and prepaid maintenance plans for their customers to make sure that they get the best deal available for their money. For Honda, service doesn't end right after the sale is made.

So, while Honda racing bikes perform on a par with their competition on the professional race tracks, their civilian bikes are made for the people who just want to ride for fun without the headaches involved with owning something just one step below formula specs.

Rider-Ready Tips to Choosing Motorcycle Helmets

by : rachmad mulyo

Forget what you see in the movies. Wearing a helmet isn't only the law, it could also save your life. Here are some tips how to choose the right kind of motorcycle helmet to wear:

Make sure it passed quality control.

The DOT has a set of standards for motorcycle helmets. When buying one, look for the DOT logo on the helmet, usually at the back. The helmet should also have a label that includes the manufacturer's name, date of manufacture, size, model and materials.

Go for a helmet in the mid-price range.
Don’t scrimp or spend too much on a motorcycle helmet. A no-frills, reasonably priced helmet with good quality materials will offer enough protection to keep your head safe.

Protection for the whole head.

Choose helmets that are full-faced. These offer a lot of protection for head-on collisions. Open-faced helmets do give some level of protection, but in case of a collision, your cheeks, chin and neck won't stand much of a chance.

Cover your face.

Choose a helmet with a face shield, which is usually made of hard, clear, shatter-proof plastic. This will protect your face from dust, wind, debris and rain. Some shields have tints to give you some protection against glare and some have high resolution for sharper vision. Some models are even equipped with anti-mist devices to reduce fogging or condensation.

If you’re planning to use your helmet in very cold conditions, you might want to choose one with a breath box. Located in front of the helmet, it covers your nose and draws your breath away from your shield so it won't fog.

Look for an inner lining.

Helmets should have a firm inner liner that's at least an inch thick to protect your head and be worn comfortably. Before buying one, wear it for at least 10 minutes or so to get a good feel. Safety may be your first concern but comfort is a close second. In fact, comfort determines whether your helmet is safe or not.

Make sure it fits.

Never buy a helmet without trying it on first. It should fit your head comfortably – not too loose or too tight. If you tried to move it back and forth over your head, it should offer some resistance and the cheekpads but it shouldn't press on your face too much. Too much pressure will cause headaches later.

Be sure you have enough visuals.

The upper lining should just be above your eyebrows and your eyes must be centered. Avoid helmets that limit your peripheral vision in a big way. A good figure to watch would be about 200 degrees or more.