A Purchasing Guide for Leather Motorcycle Apparel
In the early years of motorcycle riding motorcycle riders realized the danger it posed to the human body. At the time the best solution was leather. Leather has protected human since the Stone Age. It soon became the first choice of early riders. It not only protected them from accidents but also served as a wind breaker in cold weather. Leather is still a much desired commodity amongst motorcycle riders all over the world. One must be able to distinguish between the different types of leather in order to buy quality motorcycle apparel.
There are several kinds of leather and they are used for different purposes for example sheep skin is used for fashion wear, synthetic leather is used for seat covers etc. when it comes to motorcycle apparel cow hide is considered to be the most appropriate kind of leather. This is because of its durability and aesthetic appeal. A motorcycle rider must know the kinds of cowhide.
Leather passes through several different processes before it gets to us in the form of motorcycle apparel. The first process is its refinement through the hair removing process. After hair removal of the cowhide four major kinds of leather can be derived out of the same cowhide. The first chemical process which the cowhide goes through separates the outer part of animal skin from the rest of the cowhide. This skin is called grain and is the cheapest form of cowhide.
In the second stage of leather processing middle part of cowhide is separated from the cow skin. Polymer layer is added to this part in order to strengthen it. This kind of leather is better looking than the grain and it is also much more durable. Most people refer to this kind of cowhide as split.
In the third stage the cowhide under goes a process which removes the scares and imperfections from the leather. The result of this process is extremely fine leather. The product of this process is referred by many as Top grain leather. Motorcycle apparel made of top grain leather is usually worth more than the one made of split.
In The fourth and final stage the cowhide goes through a process that results in the best leather possible out of a cowhide. This type of leather is known as full grain leather. It is generally 2 mm thick soft and uniform all over. This kind of leather is the best a motorcycle rider can get.
A motorcycle rider must keep in mind the above mention information in order to make a better buying decision while searching for the perfect motorcycle apparel. In addition to the knowledge of leather one should try to get motorcycle apparel especially jackets with sufficient zippers and laces. This enhances the comfort level of the apparel as it allows the rider to close or open the jacket according to the weather. Average life of a good leather jacket is between 4-5 years. This can vary under extreme weather.
Harry Alan has been manufacturing Leather Saddlebags for last 11 years.
Find out more information regarding motorcycle saddlebags at http://www.vikingbags.com
Qualities of Good Saddlebags
When it comes to motorcycle saddlebags and luggage you would be surprised to know that most people do not have a clue what they want. There are a very few motorcycle manufacturer who truly concentrate on motorcycle saddlebags. Most motorcycle dealerships do not carry any motorcycle saddlebags. Motorcycle dealerships that do carry the saddlebags offer a limited variety. To make things worst some manufacturers offer cheap bags made of extremely poor quality leather that sag within the first 3 months.
This article concentrate on what a motorcycle manufacturer should look for when buying saddlebags. Buying a saddlebag is not a rocket science. It is easy and beneficial. A motorcycle saddlebag is made up of leather, metal, plastic and hardware. Making sure all of these are of good quality is the first step towards a smart buying decision.
The leather is the most important factor to concentrate on while buying a saddlebag. Saddlebags are either made of leather (cowhide) or synthetic leather. Both have their own advantage and disadvantage. Leather is usually preferred over synthetic leather by most motorcycle riders. However leather is also a lot more expensive than the synthetic leather. A Saddlebag made of leather should cost between 200 to 400 dollars. On the other hand a saddlebag made of synthetic leather should not exceed $200. If some one is selling saddlebags made of leather (cowhide) for less than $200 it is most likely not genuine leather. The thickness of leather on a saddlebag is the first and the best way to identify the quality of a leather saddlebag.
The second most important component of a saddlebag is the metal used on it. The metal is used on the saddlebags in the form of studs, rivets, spots and conchs. Some of this metal is used for decoration and the other is used to put the saddlebags together. Make sure that the studs and rivets used on the saddlebags are made of stainless steel. Some manufacturers use brass which has a tendency to rust.
The third and final issue to watch out for is mounting hardware provided with the saddlebags. Mounting of Motorcycle saddlebags is very important. If the saddlebags are not mounted properly they can not only be a great in convince but they can also be hazardous. Make sure the saddlebag manufacturer or the company you buy saddlebags from also provides you a clear set of instructions on the way to mount those saddlebags on your motorcycle. Your first preference should be a manufacturer who also offers the mounting hardware for your saddlebags.
Last factor to concentrate on is the features the motorcycle saddlebag offers. The most basic feature every saddlebag should have is locking system, detach ability and quick release buckles.
Harry Alan has been manufacturing Leather Saddlebags for last 11 years.
Find out more information regarding motorcycle saddlebags at http://www.vikingbags.com
Reducing your Motorbike Insurance Premium
Motorbike insurance premiums are calculated on a huge number of different factors and the figure that you get is a result of a very long and complicated calculation process. However, there are certain key criteria that can have a big influence on the motorcycle insurance premium that you receive once you have tapped in all your details.
The important Points
1. Type and value of bike
2. Riders Age
3. Where you live (postcode)
4. Riding experience and record (i.e. convictions and claims)
5. Possession of No Claims Bonus
6. If bike is garaged
7. Security
8. Type of cover (comprehensive, third party fire and theft, third party only)
Now the rider clearly cannot change some of these factors such as age and their riding record, and others are impractical to change such as where the rider lives. Others though can be altered to ensure the motorbike insurance premium the rider has to pay is minimised.
Security
This can have a large effect on the size of the motorcycle insurance bill you will be paying if the bike is new/nearly new and is highly valued and can impact the premium by hundreds of pounds, and it obviously is the easiest thing to change. Thus an investment in a good security device can immediately save you money in year one as the bike insurance premium can be reduced by more than the cost of the device.
Type of Cover
What type of cover is required is the riders choice and choosing TPO or TPFT rather than Comprehensive can reduce your motorbike insurance premium substantially provided you are OK with the reduced cover. For bikes of low value TPO is frequently the obvious choice.
Garaging
In areas where the risk of theft is high, e.g. in built up urban areas and/or the motorcycle has a high value and/or is a prized bike, then being able to garage the machine overnight will significantly reduce any motorcycle insurance premium. The garage will normally have to be lockable and brick built, e.g. wooden or corrugated iron structures are usually not acceptable and it is standard practice for the bike to always be kept overnight in the garage when it is on the proposers property.
If you do not have a garage do you know anybody who does who would be prepared to keep your bike overnight? This is normally acceptable to insurers. Think of that reduced bike insurance premium!
Type and Value of Bike
If you have not yet bought the bike then it makes sense to think of the likely size of the motorbike insurance premium you will pay as you consider your options. If you are under 21, and especially if you have no no claims bonus, then any sort of sports bike will result in a very high bike insurance premium and the more powerful it is the higher the premium.
For anyone who has just obtained a full licence, a less powerful mid sized roadster such as a Honda Hornet or Suzuki Bandit will result in a much lower motorcycle insurance premium.
If you are buying a starter bike and riding it on a CBT, and especially if you are under 21, to ensure a low scooter insurance premium, buy a second hand low value bike (worth less than 1000 pounds) and insure it TPO.
These are all the factors you have control over and should consider if wanting to reduce your motorbike insurance premium as these are the ones that can have a substantial impact over what you will be quoted. There are others such as mileage in the year or whether you will be carrying pillion, but their impact will be much less.
Also, as stated earlier, your age and driving/riding record cannot be changed (unless you decide to be dishonest and as well as being morally questionable you run the risk of a claim being refused if your dishonesty is discovered). It might also be considered a bit drastic to move just to reduce a motorbike insurance premium.
Shaun Parker has just bought a classic Kawasaki Z900 and wants to share his knowledge of how premiums are calculated. http://www.insureyourbike.com
Five Things Every Motorcycle Rider Must Consider Before Buying Motorcycle Saddlebags
Summer is fast approaching and you are excited to get out there with your buddies. Some of you might even be planning cross country or inter city tours over one of the following weekends. What comes to your mind when you talk about the long tours? Yes you guessed it right i.e. motorcycle saddlebags. This summer many of you might be buying motorcycle saddlebags for your motorcycle. I must warn you that there are a lot of cheap saddlebags that not only look horrible on your bike but also are of no use.
You can save the frustration and money by simply reading this article and making a better buying decision. The five features a saddlebag must have are lock ability, mounting hardware, quick release buckles, reinforcement and detach ability.
It might sound a lot but lets start with the easiest one i.e. lock ability. By now you must have guessed it right. Having saddlebags that lock gives you a piece of mind. After all, your helmet and jacket need to be safely locked when you go to your neighborhood bar.
The second important feature of saddlebags is mounting hardware. I must say never install saddlebags on a motorcycle without the mounting hardware. Even the cheap throw over bag that come with stings to tie them to shocks and under the seat should never be used without hardware. Mounting hardware should be the responsibility of the seller of the saddlebag. Although it should come with the bags but I think even if the manufacturer charges you for the hardware it is fine. A motorcycle rider should never be left to figure out the semi complicated process of mounting the bags on a bike by companies that claim to be professional saddlebag manufacturers.
Third thing to keep in mind while purchasing a pair of saddlebags is the quick release buckles. It is not very easy to open a large leather bag again and again. Quick release buckle also known as easy locks give you easy access to the inside of the saddlebags.
The fourth most important factor to consider is re enforcement. Some of you might be wondering what that is. Every one who has riding experience of one year and more knows that leather is after all a skin of an animal and it tends to sag over time. However the bags that are reinforced with a metal frame are no subject to such problems.
The last and an important factor to remember is to have bags which come off the motorcycle easily. Many of you would agree that you do not want to see the saddlebags on your motorcycle all the time. Having a way to take them off the motorcycle under few minutes would be a feature the saddlebags must provide.
You might have noticed that I did not mention the issues related to leather. The reason for this is that leather and quality of saddlebags is a completely different however equally important issue. Many manufacturers and resellers of saddlebags claim features such as quality leather and come with 30 day money back guarantee as a feature which have nothing to do with the functions or features of the saddle bags. It is strongly suggested to ask a lot of questions before buying saddlebags in order to avoid unpleasant rides afterwards.
Harry Alan has been manufacturing Leather Saddlebags for last 11 years.
Find out more information regarding motorcycle saddlebags at http://www.vikingbags.com
Are Biker Boots Really Necessary Functional Or Just For Looks?
When people think about the image of a biker, one of the first things they think about besides the tattoos is the stereotypical black riding boots. In years past you would never see a biker out for a cruise without his boots. These days with the popularity of sport bikes and what we call “rice rockets” you see people riding them with tennis shoes on and you will see business people riding their motorcycle to work with dress loafers on. For hardcore bikers, this may seem to be sacrilegious but it is happening more and more. So, are riding boots really a functional necessity or just for looks?
If you have the nerve to walk up to a biker and ask him if his boots are functional or just for looks and whether they would ride their bike without them you will find that they would not get on their bike without their boots. Though you may be hard pressed to get an in depth explanation from them if you push a little they will tell you that while they like the look of their boots, the main reason they wear them is for protection.
There are inherent risks that we take when participating in biking but wearing motorcycle boots eliminates many of them. One of the first injuries that many bikers get is a burned leg from their own exhaust. This is a horrible injury that can take several weeks to heal and will still result in a large scar. By wearing the tall riding boots you are much less likely to be burned.
Of course there are many other reasons for wearing protective footwear, leathers, and helmets not the least of which is the risk of injury from being involved in an accident. Wearing thick leather pants and jackets can save your skin if you lay your bike down in an accident and the boots will save your feet. A helmet should always be worn, even if you don’t think it is cool. I have seen several people who have died in minor accidents because of head injuries that would have been avoided if they had worn a helmet.
Even though bikers will say that their reason for wearing the boots is mostly for protection, the classic biker look is a reason as well. I have friends who wear their biker gear even if they are driving their trucks. If you were to bring up the example of a sport bike rider wearing tennis shoes, they will tell you that observation makes their point that those people aren’t real bikers. Let’s face it some guy with a flashy windbreaker and tennis shoes riding a little rice rocket doesn’t make you want to lock your doors when he rides by, now does he?
Gregg Hall is an author living in Navarre Beach Florida. Find more about this as well as motorcycle boots at http://www.westernandworkboots.com
Choosing the Right Motorcycle Leathers: A Buyers Guide to Leather Motorcycle Apparel
When pondering the purchase of motorcycle leathers, there are several issues that one must consider. While one would think that style would be first and foremost, in actuality, it is the protection that a good set of motorcycle leathers affords the skin that is of the utmost priority for any serious biker. Leather has over the years been proven to be the best material for motorcycle clothing, due to its resistance to tear, its natural warmth, and its acting as a first layer of defense by coming between the biker and the rough asphalt road. Leather has often literally saved the skin of many bikers.
However, all leather is not the same. In this article, I will attempt to address the choices that a biker faces when purchasing motorcycle leathers. We will explore the different types of hides available, the different tanning processes, and how to tell the differences.
There are basically three hides that you will run across when looking for motorcycle leathers: pigskin, buffalo, and cowhide. You may at times find such hides as lamb skin, sheepskin etc. Just make a note that these hides are inferior and should not be considered riding grade leather.
Pigskin
Sometimes called soft Leather, pigskin is very thick and soft to the touch. It will keep you warm in the winter and looks very nice. There is nothing wrong with soft leather (pigskin or lambs skin) except that it has a tendency to tear, is not very durable, and is not considered riding grade leather. If you are looking for the biker look but do not ride, pigskin is the way to go! Also, for garments that are not necessarily worn for protection, (such as leather vests) pigskin and lambs skin are excellent choices due to their suppleness and pliability. There are many fine styles available in soft leather and it is the least expensive leather out there. If you ride, stay away from pigskin for protection; spend the extra money to protect yourself with some true riding grade motorcycle leathers.
Buffalo Hide
Another high quality leather, buffalo hide is not from the North American buffalo, but the water buffalo, a native of India and Pakistan. Many leather products come from this part of the world, and the Pakistanis are world renown for their expertise in the manufacturing of leather garments. Buffalo hide is also very thick (ca 1.2mm) and can be tanned in both top grain and naked leather processes. Durable and not easily torn, buffalo hide, though not as common as cowhide, is considered to be riding grade leather.
Cowhide
The most common material used for motorcycle leathers is cowhide, chosen for its strength and durability. It is anywhere from 1-1.3mm thick, depending on the tanning process, is naturally warm, and will afford the utmost protection against road rash. The ultimate in riding grade leather, cowhide is the choice of bikers everywhere.
Whichever type of hide you choose, you need to also understand the tanning process, and how it adds or detracts from the quality of the leather. Leather was once the skin of an animal, and therefore must go through a tanning process to strengthen it, and to keep it from decomposing. Tanning makes the skin stable and rot proof without sacrificing its structure and strength. The tanning process involves several stages, including the removal of the hair and the outer layer of skin, as well as the fatty part of the flesh. The hide is then stabilized by one of several methods using animal oils, alum, chrome salts or vegetable tanning. How it is actually finished determines the quality, or riding grade, for our purposes.
To fully understand choices available, one must first understand the term grain. The grain is the epidermis, or outer layer of the animals skin. While imperfections such as cuts, scars, and scratches will exist, the grain in its natural state has the best fiber strength, and therefore the best durability. The grain also has natural breathability, resulting in greater comfort to the wearer.
Finished Split Leather
The middle or lower section of a hide that has been split into two or more thicknesses. A polymer coating is applied and embossed to mimic grain leather. Finished splits should only be used in low stress applications because they basically have no grain. If the polymer coating is left out it is often used to make suede. Not considered to be riding grade, but can look good nevertheless.
Top Grain Leather
Top grain leather has been sanded to remove scars and imperfections, then sprayed or pasted for a uniform look. The smooth side is where the hair and the natural grain used to be. Top grain is probably the most common material found in motorcycle leathers. It is not the best leather available, but with a medium price range, and thicknesses of 1 to 1.2mm, top grain leather is considered to be a strong and durable riding grade material.
Naked Leather
Also known as full-grain leather, this tanning process uses only the finest of hand picked hides. Full grain leather has only the hair removed and is not sanded to remove imperfections, thus the epidermis remains in tact. Naked (without embellishment) leather has nothing other than the dye added. Full grain naked leather requires no breaking in period and is soft to the touch from the very beginning. Hides are typically 1.3+mm thick, and must be hand picked for uniformity. The natural full-grain naked leather will wear better than other leather, and will actually improve over the years. This type of leather is the ultimate riding grade; the most sought after, and consequently, the most expensive.
How to Tell the Difference
Finished split will be thin. Most riding grade leather is at least 1mm thick. Top grain leather is the top of the skin and has small bumps all over where the hair follicles used to be. Top grain garments are somewhat stiff when new, and require a breaking in period. On the other hand, naked leather, or full grain leather is very smooth and does not exhibit the small bumps that are present in top grain. Nor is the garment stiff when new. Naked leather is soft to the touch from the beginning and requires no breaking in period.
Pigskin or pig napa mostly resembles naked leather, in that it is a soft and supple hide, and can also be very thick. Not to say that it happens often, but beware of unscrupulous retailers that try to pass pigskin for full grain cowhide. If its cheap, its probably pigskin. Lamb skin is also very soft and pliable, though not as thick as pigskin. Lambskin also has a smooth surface.
Things to keep in mind are that most leather garments are manufactured overseas in India, Pakistan, and China. The made in America garments are going to be the most expensive on the market, and the quality of the hide and the workmanship is not going to be that much better. Many motorcycle leathers are designed in America and made in Pakistan. As mentioned previously, Pakistan is world renown for its leather expertise, and you should be able to trust their labeling. Pakistan exports both buffalo hide and cowhide garments. Leather garments manufactured in China are usually made from pigskin. This is not to say that its always the case, but you should be able to tell by price.
Remember, if you ride, dont skimp on the motorcycle leathers, they could someday save your hide!
Michael Talbert is an online retailer of leather and textile motorcycle apparel. For more information you can visit his websites at http://NakedLeatherBiker.com and http://ExtremeBikerGear.com .
New Motorcycle Test to be Introduced
If you are a motorcycle rider, you are probably already aware of the fact that starting next year in 2008 it will be a bit more difficult for you to obtain your motorcycle driving license. The reason why is that the Great Britain government has ascertained that the requirements for being able to operate a motorcycle must be raised, and in response to this they have implemented a new motorcycle training test.
Starting next year all potential motorcycle driving license holders must pass the new and improved motorcycle training test to be eligible for that license. Requirements are stricter, and there will be people who will be turned down for their motorcycle license simply because they do not meet the ability and eligibility requirements.
The new motorcycle training test follows more stringent requirements than the old one; for example, the potential licensee must undergo a series of examinations that consists of two halves.
The first half of the new motorcycle training test is not conducted on the main roads for safety purposes. This ensures that nobody who lacks the proper motorcycle operating skills endangers the safety and lives of common motorists that are on the road trying to get to work in time, just for a pupil to undergo a driving examination. This first portion of the test is a great deal like some of the regular driving license practical portions, with cones marking off the manoeuvres that must be taken to pass that portion of the exam.
Needless to say, if the applicant fails to demonstrate a proper ability to drive a motorcycle during this first portion of the motorcycle training test they will not be allowed to proceed to the next portion of the exam.
The second half of the new motorcycle training test in the UK consists of safely operating a motorcycle on the public roads and expressways with other cars, other motorcyclists, and even moped drivers and a load of pedestrians on the road with you as well. This is the applicant’s chance to demonstrate their knowledge of traffic laws in the UK as pertaining to motorcyclists and motor vehicle drivers.
Both portions of the new motorcycle training test must be passed to the satisfaction of the exam proctor for the person’s application for a motorcycle driving license in Great Britain will be even considered; if any part of their competency as a motorcycle driver is questionable in the slightest bit, the individual will not be issued a license.
James Johnson, well travelled and glad he took is CBT and passed his full motorcycle licence.
http://www.probikemct.co.uk
Tips for Buying a Motorcyle
When shopping around for a good motorcycle, keep in mind that, like every other business out there, the dealers are out to get your money. It may seem like a harsh thing to say but their main goal is to get your cash, but let’s face facts. No business is out to give away things for free. Every dealership is going to be looking for ways to maximize their profits at the expense of you, the buyer.
To avoid getting your wallet unnecessarily drained, keep in mind that when shopping for a good motorcycle, you shouldn’t simply look at the flat-out front end price of the bike. Since many dealers will have their front end prices vary, some will seek to make a profit by offering a seemingly rock bottom front end price, but will have other additional fees and charges that will make them a kickback.
These additonal charges have to be factored into the overall price when you compare motorcycle dealer offers, so that you can pick one that will offer the least strain on your budget. These additional areas to look for are the following:
Installment Payment - while the ability to pay for the price of your bike with monthly installments seems to take a huge burden off, as opposed to making a much larger 1-time cash payment or credit charge, look at the terms of payment involved in the installment package. Usually, the overall amount of money you’ll be spending will be subtly higher.
Motorcycle Loans - loan programs may seem useful too, but dealerships which offer partnerships with a bank and give you a bank loan option for financing your new motorcycle will usually tack on an added amount into the interest charges of the loan. The banks in these cases often give the dealers a kickback from the additional interest.
Warranties - extended warranties beyond the basic necessities will usually involve extra cash. Check the terms of the warranties including overall price and the duration of the warranty, as well as it’s coverage to make sure you get the best possible comprehensive warranty.
Freight, Shipping, and Handling Charges - while seemingly innocuous, quite a few dealers actually subtly hide their additional kickbacks in additional freight charges for delivering your motorcycle. Find out beforehand how much damage (financially speaking) you’ll be taking from the dealer for freight.
It is your duty as a consumer to make sure that you get the best possible deal for your money, so being able to detect these little areas where dealers make an extra (at your expense) profit are a must.
Lorna is a keen motorcyclist and webmistress of http://www.thegreatbigmotorcycleshop.com, where you can find a huge range of motorcycles and scooters, parts and accessories and motorcycle clothing.
Motorcycle Luggage and Saddlebags Repair
One of the most common problems with motorcycle Luggage especially saddlebags is sagging. Over the years or some times over the months the saddlebags start cracking and sagging due to either the weather or poor quality. This can be a very frustrating situation as the saddlebags can start to look very unappealing and ruin the aesthetics of a motorcycle.
The good news is that there is a solution that most people do not know about. In case your saddlebags are sagging or cracking you should contact your local hardware store. Get abs plastic glue that is usually found in the plumbing section of most hardware stores. If the saddlebag has a crack or a small hole this abs thick glue can be used to fill the crack. However in many cases these cracks are not minor and look more like a hole in the saddlebag.
In order to deal with a saddlebag with a hole the procedure differs slightly. The application of the following process might vary slightly. The first thing in case of a hole is to get hold of the best duct tape you can find. Make sure it is black in color. It is highly recommended to carry out this procedure in a well ventilated place. Also make sure that the saddlebags are empty while carrying out this repair. Close the hole by applying the duct tape from inside the saddlebag. After closing the hole properly from the inside apply the abs glue to fill the gap from outside. Please ensure that the glue is not used unnecessarily. Also make sure that the glue does not leak from the inside of the saddlebag. Give it 30 minutes to dry and you would be amazed with the results.
Another common motorcycle luggage problem is the sagging of saddlebags. This problem is more common in cheap saddlebags made of 2-3 mm leather as opposed to saddlebags made of thick cowhide i.e. 8-12mm in thickness. You can avoid or prolong this problem by buying good saddlebags. Unfortunately this problem occurs in most leather saddlebags over time.
In order to fix sagging saddlebags you would need plastic polystyrene sheets and very strong glue. You can get these sheets and glue from any hardware store in your locality. Once you have both the sheets and glue start by removing the saddlebags from the motorcycle. Then measure the saddlebags and cut an exact replica of the sagging lid or face out of polystyrene sheet. Apply the glue on the sheet and stick it to the saddlebag from inside. In order for the sheet to have a stronger bond with the bag put some weight on the sheet and leaves it over night. Your saddlebags would be ready in the morning.
Harry Alan has been manufacturing Leather Saddlebags for last 11 years.
Find out more information regarding motorcycle saddlebags at http://www.vikingbags.com
BMW Motorcycles: Sleek and Sexy
When most people hear the company name BMW, they usually associate it immediately with the high end automobiles that the company is well known for. Often they picture sleek sports cars and luxury sedans that epitomize an ideal blend between safety and high speed performance.
What most people don’t know, however, is that BMW had it’s beginnings in 1923 not with cars, but with motorcycle production. To this day, BMW constantly comes out with new models of motorcycles employing cutting edge technology. Their racing teams see constant action in the international racing circuits, and win quite a number of these races with regularity.
As a matter of fact, some BMW racing teams like to show off the specs of their machines by beating modified motorcycles from other groups, but they do so using only stock motorcycles that can be bought straight off the showroom floor by regular people. This impressive fact stands out and is something to bear in mind if you’re considering buying a motorcycle.
BMW has enjoyed such a high level of popularity that almost every country in the world has exclusive BMW motorcycle clubs for racers, owners, and enthusiasts. These clubs promote the popularity of BMW motorcycles by holding races, rallies, showroom events, and regular meetings among it’s members.
Aside from the high levels of speed and overall performance of it’s cars and motorcycles, however, BMW machines are also well known for one other thing. Sheer durability. BMWs are some of the toughest vehicles around, and their motorcycles also bear this same stamp of durability. Despite looking like racing bikes, which in the mind of most people means that a bike is delicate and can only function at top specs on a race track, BMW bikes have actually seen action in quite a number of off-road and all-weather competitions.
The only drawback perhaps to the BMW is it’s price tag, which tends to be higher than the average motorcycle. However, most BMW owners feel that the price is a worthwhile trade off for all the perks of the bike. As a matter of fact, it’s price and quality have made owning a BMW a status symbol.
The price actually works to the advantage of some of the more knowledgeable motorcycle enthusiasts, who have made a livelihood out of restoring BMWs or selling them to collectors. Because of the popularity and prestige of BMW, older model beemer bikes have become vintage units that can fetch a hefty price with the right people.
Lorna is a keen motorcyclist and webmistress of http://www.thegreatbigmotorcycleshop.com, where you can find a huge range of motorcycles and scooters, parts and accessories and motorcycle clothing.
