Feb 04

The Trugel Battery

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Introducing what could possibly be the best motorcycle battery on the market today, the BikeMaster Trugel Battery.

The BikeMaster TruGel battery combines all the latest battery technology into one battery that is stronger, safer and more durable. The true gel electrolyte does not slosh around, leak, seep or evaporate. These batteries have been observed to continue working spill free even after a hole was drilled into the case! The gel based electrolyte is more vibration and shock resistant which makes it safer and better or vibration prone V-twins and/or extreme conditions. Since sulfides and other elements are held in place by the gel, the chances of settling, acid stratification and sulfation is reduced dramatically. The gel in these batteries also offer better performance in more extreme temperatures. The increase in performance and range of these batteries will likely surpass your willingness to ride in such extreme temperatures. Noted performance increases have been observed from -40F to 122F!

If you’re looking for a tough and versatile long lasting battery you can count on, the BikeMaster Trugel is the battery for you. Check out the Trugel Battery at USMotorcycleBatteries.com!

A. Tough Case with SuperSeal technology locks in acid.
B. Unique anti-vibration welding technology gives more cranking amps.
C. Special plate design increases surface area and offers superior cranking power, quicker charging and greater vibration resistance.
D. Super high density oxide plates mean more power per pound.
E. Nanogel electrolyte keeps the Trugel battery working when others won’t. Incredible surface contact of the nano particles means more power in hot or cold weather.
F. Combining the advantages of Absorbed Glass Mat (AGM) separators with the nano gel technology yields a maintenance and sulfation free vibration resistant high power battery.
G. The ABS container protects internal components from shock and heat and offers more strength, durability and reliability.
H. Special terminal seals prevents acid seepage and corrosion while improving conductivity, extending battery life.
I. One way safety valves trap out moisture and prevent dangerous pressure buildup by releasing excess gas automatically.
J. The top cap seals the maintenance free design, eliminates leakage and acid spills making it safer on the shelf and in your bike.

Advantages:
1. Totally maintenance free
2. Leak proof and spill proof
3. No corrosion
4. Rugged and vibration resistant
5. Very low to no gassing ( unless the battery is overcharged )
6. Usable near sensitive electronic equipment
7. Has a much longer storage life on the shelf or in the bike
8. Superior deep cycle life
9. Maintain good performance in extreme weather condition
10. Able to install in any position
11. Air transportable
12. Superior in Charge Acceptance
13. Very safe for marine use, no chlorine gas in bilge. (Sulfuric acid reacts with salt water to produce chlorine)
14. Versatile, can be used for Starting, Deep Cycle and Stationary
15. Operates in wet environment
16. Will not freeze to -30 degree C.

Disadvantages:
1. Higher initial cost
2. Heavier in weight
3. Water can not be refilled if continually overcharged

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Jan 15

Michelin Power Pure

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Introducing the new Michelin Power Pure. Michelin’s new premier dual-compound
sportbike tire has been released and is available for purchase.

The Power Pure is geared for people who are looking for a high performance tire that will provide more highway miles without sacrificing the corner confidence-inducing grip of a sport tire. The Power Pure offers improvements over the Michelin Pilot 2CT that it replaces. The Power Pure has 15% wider soft compound areas on the sides of the tire while maintaining a harder compound in the center to reduce flat spotting that occurs during highway riding. The Power Pure will help you stretch your tire dollar and you won’t have to give up any of the fun. It offers race like reflexes, providing ultimate cornering confidence and handling precision. It’s revolutionary Light Tire Technology makes the Power Pure more than 2 lbs lighter than comparable high performance tires, and that is a lot when speaking in terms of rotational mass. In short, the new Power Pure has been improved in all key performanceareas over the Pilot Power 2CT.

Check out the new Michelin Power Pures at usmotorcycletires.com

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Dec 22

Bringing back the “FUN” in Motorcycling.

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The dictionary defines a hobby as: an activity or interest pursued for pleasure or relaxation and not as a main occupation, and an obsession as: the domination of one’s thoughts or feelings by a persistent idea, image, desire, etc.. The average motorcyclist most likely falls somewhere in between these two definitions depending on how long they have been riding or had their current motorcycle. As our relationship with motorcycling grows we go through different phases regarding how we feel about ourselves and our connection to motorcycles, occasionally we lose that drive, lust, or feeling towards motorcycles. I believe that there are a few things we can do to get that great feeling back.

oldglorybikeIt’s your 1st bike that brings back the most memories. Maybe its saving the money for the bike and the sacrifices you’ve made at work, the research in the countless magazines about the new models, the visits to the showrooms to sit on and feel those magnificent man made creations. It could be the safety class you took, or the big chair you sat in at the bookstore when you read all those “dummy” books. You had built up this fantasy about motorcycling and no matter how real or impossible it may have been, it was still your own desire that made it all possible. The first time you took it out for a ride it felt like no one else was having the same feeling. The phone wasn’t ringing, the work was suddenly all completed, and the “honey-do” list was all finished. You were focused, excited, alive and having a wonderful time. It’s this feeling of elation and happiness about motorcycling that we can rediscover if we just give it time.

Winter in much of the country is a time to put away the motorcycle for a while and take on different pursuits, but, here in the Southern Appalachians it’s a great time to discover new places and rekindle old feelings about places you love to visit on the motorcycle. The weather is different and requires more gear, thicker gloves and maybe an electric vest but the roads are still just as twisty and scenic as in the summer. For one, the leaves are all off the trees and seeing through the corners is a bit easier. Most of the tourists have gone home and the risk of getting stuck behind that rented RV creeping halfway over the yellow line is much less likely.

You’ve ridden the same roads over and over for so long you’ve begun to name the cows as you pass by on your regular, “I’m just going out for a quick ride”, road. In this age of more high tech gizmos and widgets with GPS telling you how far the next Burger Queen is, nothing beats a Gazetteer. The big red or blue paperback book with all those roads you haven’t ridden because the GPS always routes you another way is a great tool for discovery. Pick a page or two and ride all the roads on it you can. Go exploring by turning off the technology beeping at you for going the wrong way and reconnecting with what makes motorcycling so great; the feeling from leaning in a corner, smelling a fire burning in someone’s house far off, discovering a new lunch spot, and that sense of warmth that comes with a temperature change after descending a great mountain pass.

Riding a motorcycle is something we do for FUN. The next time you meet a new or beginning rider encourage them to try and keep the fun in riding by listening to their stories and hearing what they have to say. Then, even though you may have a similar or better story, hold your tongue and tell it another time. Sit and reflect on what you’ve heard – it could help you in some way. Lastly take someone on a ride to your favorite place at night and be amazed at how things change when the sun goes down. Rekindle that excitement about motorcycle riding. After all, it’s a motorcycle…how bad could it be?

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Dec 14

Fuel System Tips

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pump-handleIs the fuel in your bike…clean & fresh?

More models are being equipped with electronic fuel injection (EFI) these days  so fuel quality is very important.  If the gas you are using has dirt or water in it, it will effect the performance of your bike.

If you get water in your gas, the water will go to the bottom of the tank and/or carburetor(s). Trying to start your engine with the water from the bottom of the tank/carb is not going to work very well. If you’re lucky enough to get the engine started, it may run better than it starts because the gas/water is being sloshed around and you are much more likely to pick up gas instead of water. That is to say, water in the gas can cause hard starting problems as well as intermittent performance problems. The easiest way to be sure there is no water in your gas is to drain the (entire) fuel system and replace with known good fuel.

Old gas can cause problems too. Did you know gasoline has a shelf life? Age can cause fuel to break down in as few as two months and cause similar problems with the engine’s performance. You may notice a rough or erratic idle, hesitation and misfires, or black smoke coming out of the exhaust pipe. Gasoline deterioration happens at a faster rate when the temperature is high so don’t discount the idea of using a fuel stabilizer during any summer months you don’t ride.  During the winter, deterioration happens at a slower rate because the gasoline is at a lower temperature. Either way, gasoline thickens over time, gumming up and clogging jets, journals, valves, and other mechanical mechanisms like float bowl hinge pins and choke plungers. An ounce of prevention as they say, can save you the hundreds of dollars they charge to dip and clean carbs that have been clogged with bad gas.

When fuel goes bad, it has a very distinctive “stinky” odor. If you suspect bad fuel in your bike, again, drain the fuel system and replace with known good fuel. Remember to replace the fuel filter because as gas goes bad, it thickens and can easily clog fuel filters. If let go for too long, gas will turn into a hard shellac like substance that can literally ruin fuel system components and carburetors.

When using a fuel stabilizer, be sure that the treated fuel gets through the entire fuel system by running your bike for about ten minutes. Even with a stabilizer, long term storage can still result in fuel system problems.  Removing all traces of fuel from the system and treatment of any exposed surfaces to the elements may be required to assure minimal problems when you return to the road, or to the dirt. This proceedure is usually reserved for finicky high performance racing machines or long term storage. It’s not a bad idea to get a winterization service done at your local authorized factory dealer. They will do all the recommended procedures and you will have some recourse if you have any problems getting your vehicle started when you get it out of storage.

Avoid costly repairs and keep your bike running at it’s peak performance level with the following tips:

  • Only use name brand gas.
  • Replace the fuel cap immediately after fueling and be sure not to let any rain, snow or foreign objects fall in the tank during the fueling process.
  • If you use gas cans, make sure they stay clean. Keep them stored in a safe place inside the garage, or outside under a cover and off the ground to help prevent condensation. Keep them away from direct sunshine and moisture.
  • Change (or install) fuel filters before problems arise.
  • If your vehicle is going to sit idle for more than a few weeks, use a fuel stabilizer.
  • Keep your tank full during storage. A full gas tank leaves no room for condensation to form inside the tank, which leads to rust,  and a larger volume of gas will not go bad as quickly as smaller volumes.
  • Check the fuel lines on your vehicle for dry-rot, cracks, leakage and seepage which will be indicated by dark stains in surrounding areas.
  • Check to make sure no vacuum lines are broken or disconenncted. This will cause a lean condition, which is very bad.
  • Use the factory recommended octane for your vehicle.
  • Make sure all atmospheric fuel vents are not clogged and any vent tubes are routed safely.
  • Winterize your vehicle during the winter if you have a winter.
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Dec 03

Moto2 season lining up for 2010

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Well, just as the premier class eventually went the way of the “cleaner, friendlier” four-strokes, the 250 two-stroke class has inevitably followed suit. Although the original plans were to gradually phase in the new four-stroke machines by running a field comprised pretty much of half-and-half next season with a full phase-out of the small smokers by 2011 – it seems that all of the teams involved have agreed to go ahead with the four-stroke only field for next year.

I’m sure that some out there will be disappointed. The purists and their cries of “pay homage to where we started”, will be heard above the clamor of the new, “quieter” 600cc machines for a bit. Of course, the more environmentally minded, “greener” fans will be jumping for joy at the new reduced emissions. Perhaps the most important debate to be settled however, is quite simply – how will this effect the racing? You know – that thriving, elbowing, full-speed into a corner, mashing a bit o’plastic, exciting spectacle that has been the 250 class in MotoGP for years? Will the introduction of a spec tire and engine, (provided by the good folks at Honda), work to help level out an already fairly well planed cast of characters? Will the allowance of independent companies to manufacture “complete” Moto2 bikes to different teams equate to equality or somehow lessen the likelihood of a last corner diving, pushing you out of my way to the top of the podium duel as we have witnessed so many times in recent seasons?

SRT MMX Moto2

All one can really hope for is that the new bikes will provide what the FIM hopes by allowing it to be more affordable for teams to race in Moto2. Perhaps even with the spec engines and tires, there will be enough derivatives of chassis, suspension set-ups, and body work to keep things “interesting” for us as spectators. Either way, I feel pretty confident that the level of competition will do more than rise to the occasion aboard their new machines. After all, it didn’t take very long for the new MotoGP four-strokes to start breaking old lap records and shattering ear drums around the track….you know, those quieter, friendlier four-strokes. (Wink-Wink).

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Dec 03

Harry Hurt dead at 81

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Harry Hurt II, an expert on motorcycle crashes and their causes, died 11/28/09 from a heart attack at a Pomona California hospital. He was 81. Hurt’s oldest son, Harry III, said the heart attack was a complication of back surgery that he had a week earlier. Hurt created the Hurt Report, an in-depth, on-scene investigation of nearly 1,000 motorcycle accidents in the Los Angeles area from 1976 to 1977. Published in 1981, his research continues to form the basis of many of the country’s motorcycle safety programs and is credited with saving countless lives.

The major findings of the Hurt report was that speed was not a factor in most crashes, that helmets were very effective in preventing brain injuries and deaths, and that two-thirds of motorcycle crashes involved cars and two-thirds of those accidents occurred when a car driver failed to see the motorcycle and violated the cyclist’s right of way. As a graduate student he was involved with developing the helmet as we know it today: a hard exterior shell lined with energy absorbing material inner lined with soft padding. He went on to be a professor of safety science at USC’s traffic Saftey Center.

Hurt was a lifelong motorcyclist and never had a crash.  He rode all kinds of motorcycles including Hondas, Triumphs and Nortons, both dirt bikes and street bikes. Art Friedman of Motorcyclist Magazine named Hurt Motorcyclist of the decade in 1990 saying that Hurt’s contributions to motorcycle safety can’t be overstated.

In addition to his wife, Harry is survived by his sons Harry III and John, three daughters, Julie, Vivien and Vera; and 10 grandchildren.

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Nov 24

Motorcycle Museum

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Wheels Through Time

Wheels Through Time

Nostalgia – a wistful desire to return in thought or in fact to a former time in one’s life. Anyone who is fond of  “nostalgia” and has an affinity for motorcycles would benefit greatly from a visit to the “Wheels Through Time” museum in Maggie Valley, North Carolina. Located about 30 minutes west of Asheville, North Carolina via Interstate 40, Maggie Valley is a quiet, tourist-driven community that fits the setting of such a museum perfectly.

Dale Walkser

Dale Walkser

Museum founder and curator Dale Walksler was inducted into the Sturgis Motorcycle Museum Hall of Fame this past August, as well as being part of a “Good Morning America” piece on motorcycling in the mountains of Western North Carolina. The focus of that segment was the famed “Dragon” or Highway 129 that runs between North Carolina and Tennessee and the fact that the area around Asheville and Western North Carolina is one of the premier motorcycling destinations in the country. However, the museum itself  is well worth a trip to this area to see on it’s own. The museum focuses on educating present and future generations on an entire section of American History related to our fascination with two wheeled machines and their heritage.

From the earliest periods motor powered bicycles, through the historical racing and stengmilitary/police use machines, the most exciting thing about the museums pieces is that the majority of them actual run! That’s right, where else can you go to not just see, but, hear a pre-1916 motorcycle?! Hence, the Wheels Through Time museum’s other moniker – the “Museum That Runs”. From “one off” specials, to police vintage pieces and including some antique auto’s up to a 1962 Corvette Roadster, there is something for just about everyone within these walls.

The museum stays open on the weekends through the end of the year and the schedule can be found on the web site at www.wheelsthroughtime.com. Be sure and check out this “working” museum soon and if you happen to be on two wheels yourself – enjoy the ride there.

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Nov 23

Electric Motorcycle Racing Sanctioned by F.I.M.

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lightboltThe organizers of MotoGP are launching an electric racing series next year. The Fédération Internationale de Motorcyclisme has four races planned with more coming. It says the e-Power International Series reflects its concern about the future of the sport and the need to promote alternative energy.

Launching the series pulled the rug out from under the TTXGP eGrandPrix motorcycle race. TTXGP’s culture is to work together to ensure that the best of innovation and technology drives the sport forward. FIM’s unilateral decision means that energies are divided.

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The TTXGP held its inaugural race in June on the Isle of Man. It drew 13 teams to an event endorsed by the FIM. Race founder Azhar Hussain said his organization had been working with the FIM, sharing technical expertise and inviting FIM officials to help draft rules for the 2010 race.

Hussain said whatever happens with the FIM e-Power Series, TTXGP is still a go for 2010.

“TTXGP will continue to push the boundaries in the midst of challenge,” Hussain said. “We continue to successfully build the most competitive, well promoted and technically advanced zero carbon championship in the world.”

Story by wired.com

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Nov 18

License, Registration and Insurance? What ya gonna do?

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cop-lightsBy the time I was 25, I had been arrested at least as many times for traffic offenses, and I wasn’t nearly the hellion on wheels that my friends were. I got almost every ticket there was to get as far as tickets go, even for being a Drunken Pedestrian on the Highway (it’s a long story). One time I got arrested while I was trying to pay for a previous ticket!

I must have paid for the new carpet at the courthouse several times over. It took me a long time,  lot’s of trial and error, to figure out the best way to handle myself when getting pulled over. I read all the books on how to get out of tickets and challenge them in the court but none of them ever worked as well as where I eventually ended up. Most of the books based on dodging the bullet when you get pulled over don’t seem to recognize that in a sense, you’ve already been hit.

The following advice may seem either like a no-brainer or maybe even non-advice, but the first very best way to avoid getting a ticket is to stay legal. Imagine that. This advice will serve you well a couple of different ways. Not only does it make you bullet proof as far as violations go, but most of the people I’ve known that have had bad wrecks or traumatic experiences with the law were doing something they shouldn’t have been doing. Sorry to say, obeying the traffic laws can really save your life.

Now, this may not seem like advice that would come from a traffic hellion, after all, it is a very boring way to ride. And I can’t say that I never break the law, but being a square kind of frames the concept of the advice I am giving to you.

It’s really very simple. Cops have a job to do. They do it every day and they’ve heard and seen every imaginable way to try to wriggle out of getting a ticket. In a sense, cops are kind of like parents. They’re there to look out for you, tell you what you’re doing wrong, and dispense the consequences when they catch doing something wrong. And just like parents, cops are people too. If your folks caught you doing something you shouldn’t be doing, and you tried to pull the wool over their eyes, what do you think their reaction would be? No matter how you do it, if you’re caught trying to wriggle your way out of a ticket, you’ll probably only be making things worse for yourself.

Day in and day out, cops listen to people make excuses, lie, get combative, and even cry to try to get out of tickets. Can you imagine having a job like that? (…yeah, it’s kind of like being a parent, but unlike parents, the police have the power to put a real hurtin’ on you) Putting up with this kind of bull day in and day can’t be fun.

That’s why, in the end, I found the best way to handle myself when getting pulled over is to try to make their job easy. Don’t be a kiss-up and say yes-sir no-sir. You would be surprised how they’ve interpreted me in the past for talking this way. In a way, kissing up to them is another way of trying to get out of a ticket. Just make sure you are prepared. Have everything you need handy and up to date. Answer their questions with a short answer and don’t try to complicate things by explaining yourself, unless they ask. …Just make their job easy.

Making the cops job easy when they are wanting to write you a ticket may seem counter intuitive, but in all my experiences, I have come out better every single time I tried it. Just last year I got pulled over for a license plate infraction while coming home from a Christmas party. A detail turned into a nightmare when the officer asked me if I had been drinking. Gut check time. I wasn’t drunk by any means but I had been drinking. I had consumed 2 drinks (Long Island Iced Tea’s) within the previous 3 hours. I stuck with my guns and told them yes. Long story short, I was given a ticket for placing the wrong sticker on the wrong license plate and told to be careful on my way home. I wasn’t far from home to begin with but the officer did in fact explain to me that she was cutting me a break because I was honest and up front. Had that been the old me, I would have been spending the night in jail and waking up to to the prospect of buying more carpet.

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Nov 17

Shipping Address’s and Credit Card Fraud

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ccfraudAlthough we use one of the best and most widely used secure connection providers on the web, Verisign, it’s important to know that in order to further combat credit card fraud, ninety percent of the time we will only ship to the billing address of the credit card used to make the purchase. This way, if someone uses your card, at least the parts will be sent to you and you will become aware of the situation. Regular customers that deal with one of our salesman on a regular basis may make arrangements to ship to a different address. The shipping address form on our website is there for these situations only.

There are ways to get around this. All you have to do is call the number on the back of your credit card and have an address added. Your card will then verify using this address. If you have an address added to your credit card, you may then list that address as your billing address. The card will verify and the shipment will be shipped to that address.

Other ways to get around this is to use a paypal account that has a verified address or use Western Union to wire the money to us in advance.

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