No matter how efficient and how great the performance of the bike that is parked inside your garage, know that it still weakens over time. As you drive it daily, it experiences regular wear and tear and each bike part ages. After a while, some parts become damaged and fail.

For you to maintain your bike in good shape, you always have to pay attention to its condition. You need to do periodic inspection and you must always be on the lookout for possible problems. There are some problems that your bike may encounter and you might have to deal with over time. Pay attention to some symptoms that will tell you when your bike and some of its parts may need some fix or even replacements.

The following are some of the common problems that your bike and its parts may experience, problems that you might notice in your ride after a while:

Strange noise. Perhaps the most common, weird noise coming from somewhere in your bike and occurring only at certain instances (i.e. only when turning in a corner) can be such a headache to detect. The said noise can originate from anywhere. If you notice this noise coming from the chain area and occurring during every chain revolution, then the chain is the first part to inspect-there could be a problem with a link. Depending on the problem, you could simply lube the said bike part or get a new chain. If you cannot pinpoint the problem easily but you know where it is coming from (i.e. the pedal area or the suspension area), you can do a trial-and-error diagnosis by tightening parts. Sometimes, the noise could simply be caused by loose parts and tightening may eliminate the problem.

Strange steering feel. After a while of driving your bike, you’ll notice that it becomes like a natural part of your body, sort of an extension of your body when you drive. But, at other instances, you’ll feel a sudden change in the way your bike handles. This is especially common in terms of steering. All of a sudden, there’s a weird steering feel and you feel like you cannot control your bike anymore. Sometimes, the cause could be loose bike parts. Check your hub bearings, axle, and brake arches. You may need to tighten the parts, even to lubricate some of them. At other instances, the problem may be apparent right after you install a new component. Check that everything is properly mounted, aligned, and in place.

Hard or no starting. The first thing to check when this problem occurs would be your battery. Check for the water/acid to see whether it’s low. You may also want to check the starter to see whether it’s busted. In case you start and you hear the part click but the engine doesn’t crank, the relay would be one part to inspect. And of course, check your electrical connections.

Depending on the extent of damage on the specific bike part that is experiencing the problem, your two options here would either be to do the necessary fix or to replace the damaged component. Sometimes, all you need is a simple fix to restore the part into its top operating condition. However, should the damage be serious, then the best resort would be a new replacement part. This might mean spending more, but this would also mean not having to put up with the problem again sometime soon. And if you want to save more, you can also do so by doing the installation of the new part by yourself.

Clearing a section of dirt bike trails is tedious work. There is often a lot to move or cut out of the way, even if you’re just making single track. There are many ways to do it. The easiest is to bulldoze it over or ride over it with a 4 wheeler, but I’m here to help you build trails with cheap tools.

It took a long time and many wasted hours of trying to figure out what routine works best when clearing a section of trails, but I finally figured it out. I was too picky in the early stages of making dirt bike trails because I was trying to get rid of all the sticks on the ground, as well as RAKING LEAVES!!! That’s right, I actually raked leaves. I cannot believe how many hours I wasted trying to rake every last leaf off of the trail just so I could see dirt! That wouldn’t fly, so I quit raking my time away…

Once you made a layout for your trails, the first thing you should do is clear the big stuff. Use a Hand Saw/Bow Saw to cut down trees that are up to about 5″ (13cm) in diameter that are in the way. If they are much bigger then the easiest thing to do is go around them if you don’t have bigger equipment. Next thing is to get rid off any hanging or fallen branches that you don’t want on the trail. Move them to the side of the trail, use them as a border, or make an obstacle out of them. That goes for fallen trees as well.

After you get the big stuff out of the way it might be time to get out the dirt scooter. Ride over the trails to see how it is. Be prepared to make adjustments because you will often miss things. Different climates call for different actions. Where I live the main problem I have after clearing the big things in the trail is thorns and weeds. I find that it works the best to trim them just enough so that you can ride through the trails without getting too scraped up. The thorns in our woods can get really thick and tall, so I sometimes have to spend a whole day going through a section trimming them.

That’s it for now. If you have any questions or concerns, feel free to comment. So until next time, go out and start clearing some dirt bike trails!

Bikers who like to travel cross country often have the need to purchase some sort of trailer. The type of trailer depends on exactly what they intend on doing, as there are trailers designed to tow a motorcycle behind a vehicle and those that are designed to tow cargo behind a motorcycle.

For the rider who is going on an extended road trip and needs to bring along extra cargo, there are a wide variety of motorcycle tow behind trailers. As always, budget is a primary consideration when deciding which trailer to buy, as well as the towing capacity of the bike. Most touring bikes are capable of towing just about any type of trailer on the market for motorcycles.

Most of the cargo motorcycle tow behind trailers are a simple design, not much more than an axle, frame, tongue, and closing shell on top. This type is perfect for local use but without more advanced features like shock absorbers, it’s not fit for a long road trip. The shocks are important to keep the trailer from wobbling or weaving behind the bike for a better road handling experience.

While a proper suspension system is necessary, your budget will determine how many other accessories you add to your trailer. Common accessories for motorcycle two behind trailers include things like interior lights or garment bags. Depending on the type of road trips you like to take, some bikers like to carry things like a water cooler or even a small grill. Another thing to consider is even a place to store a spare tire.

If your budget is small and you only occasionally need a trailer, you may want to consider motorcycle trailers for rent. You may not get all the bells and whistles that you get from buying your own trailer but you will get a break on your wallet. On the bright side there are a ton of sites on the web that will review motorcycle tow behind trailers and help you to choose the perfect one for your needs. A little bit of research can go a long way in saving you some cash.

No doubt, riding a bike is quite dangerous and it is also known as the most dangerous ride ever in the world. Billions of people in this world ride motor bikes and a large group is of those people who perform dangerous and risky stunts by riding bikes on one wheel. Therefore, it is quite necessary to wear helmets while riding a bike no matter you are riding it on average speed or not.

As you know that the structure of motorbike is quite unfriendly and offers no protection in case of accidents. So, expert riders always suggest wearing specially designed costumes while riding is important before you met up with an accident and got bruised face and head.

Well, buying a good quality and stylish helmet is such a difficult task but I am going to discuss some basic steps that can be very helpful for you to buy this motor bike supply at affordable rates.

In old times like few years back the helmets usually come in very big size and their material used to build them was also very heavy. Now, to make these things more attractive and stylish, the manufacturers of such supplies are launching their products with good quality but light-weight material. Moreover, the design and color of these products are also very beautiful and it feels good to have them on on your head while riding a bike.

After the invention of internet, you can also buy such products from online stores where you can also buy different spare parts of bikes and other vehicles. Such dealers also offer customers to design their own helmet styles and they will manufacture those helmets at affordable rates. You can also buy ready-made items from online or offline stores in an array of thousands of styles and multiple colors.

To buy a proper riding supply you have to find a proper online store. You can also follow the links I mentioned below to buy good quality helmets at inexpensive rates.

A motorbike helmet is an absolute must. You are actually required by law in many areas to wear one. You will face serious fines if you are caught riding without one. There are plenty of reasons why you should wear a motorbike helmet all of which you will benefit from.

Styles

There are plenty of styles to choose from. There are very well decorated models that can easily be adopted to your personal style. You can also find some that are very simplistic and all provide the perfect amount of protection.

The styles have come a long way since the inception of the motorbike helmet back in the nineteen twenties. The styles are much more impressive today then they were back in the early days. They were more like football helmets during the time that they originated then they are today.

Today the styles are definitely much more high speed there are many different options for designing your own personal touch. You can actually choose your graphics and logos online to be placed on your motorbike helmet. This is a great option for expressing your own style. You simply log into your computer and go to one of the many websites that offer this great service. You can use designs that are already available or you can entirely design your very own style.

Prices

The prices will vary, and will largely depend on the manufacturer of the helmet. Some very well known manufacturers can charge up to five hundred dollars for a new styled motorbike helmet. Of course that is the high end of the spectrum, you can find a great helmet for around sixty dollars. If riding is new to you, you are probably best to start off with something that is affordable.

In most cases the protection will be just about the same, it will be in the fit that you will feel the difference between the most expensive brands and the least expensive brands. Of course it is not only the fit that is different in the spectrum of price it also has to do with design and venting and other things of that nature.

A motorbike helmet is a definite necessity. You can not rid without one, it is far too dangerous. Head injuries are serious business and at the very least can leave you disabled and at the worst kill you. There is no reason not to purchase a helmet they are readily available where they sell motorbikes and can often be purchased as aftermarket equipment from many different types of vendors.

Biking is gaining popularity everywhere day by day, be it colleges or national level tournaments. Apart from the sport and passion it generates, it is also considered to be a good way to prove machismo. Nowadays, more bikers are hitting the streets, forming organizations, and taking long biking trips.

You might have come across some selective groups of free-wheeling motor bike riders enjoying the wind, blowing away their stress and grip of worldly responsibilities with a feeling of freedom, fun, and excitement. Whatever be your reason to ride on a bike as a sport, as a profession, for exercise, for recreation, or for just plain fun, it is important to be responsible while biking and to ensure your safety and comfort.

Selecting your Bike

Before you hit the closest bike shop, it is utterly important to know what kind of bikes are available for you. You can take the help of internet to reduce effort and time in browsing for these bikes. Then you need to make sure the purpose you are intending to buy for.

There are basically three kinds of bikes for consumers to choose from. First in the category is the road bike, which is designed for good traction and speed on paved streets. This kind of bike usually has a thin and light frame which makes it ideal for rides that are long and fast. Second is the mountain bike which is normally larger and chunkier than road bikes. Since, mountain bikes have to withstand the wear and tear of riding on bumpy and uneven surfaces, they come with extra features such as shock absorbers, wide tires, and straight handlebars.

The third kind of bike most commonly used by cyclists is the hybrid bike. The hybrid normally has the lightest frame, an upright seat, straight handlebars, and skinny tires, making it ideal for city-riding or mud riding.

Rider’s comfort is the greatest concern that comes next in priority list. For a comfortable and safe ride, one should aim to get the right-sized frame of the bike that corresponds to one’s body. Since each person has unique dimensions with regard to height, leg length, and arm length, spend time at the shop and get assistance from the sales people who can help you find a good pick.

Take care of these essential points which will help you perform stunts and manoeuvres too!

Are you sick of not being able to clear the jumps at your local tracks? Do other riders not like you because you’re always in their way? A simple way to fix this is to build your own jumps in your yard. Although building a jump might not be easy without good equipment, it will be worth it once you make a jump or two because you will learn how to clear these obstacles in no time.

Where?

The first thing you want to do is find an area where to put the jump. You probably don’t want to build it next to trees or big pits until you are more experienced. The ground does not have to be flat though. In fact, a little slant or elevation change will make it a easier to build a jump because you can dig into ground for the take-off. Once you found a good spot for your dirt bike jump you should have some other thoughts in mind, such as: what type of jump you want, how big the jump will be, and what kind of dirt you will use.

What?

If you want a motocross style jump that gives you more distance, a good estimation to go by is the 3-to-1 ratio. It basically means that if you have a jump 3 feet long then the height of the jump should be 1 foot. So if your jump is 9 feet long then a good height will be about 3 feet. So far you should have figured out where you are going to put a dirt bike jump and how big it is going to be.

On the other hand, if you want a supercross style jump it will be a little bit different. Motocross jumps are more gradual, while supercross jumps generally have a greater angle and give you more height. The main difference in building a supercross jump is that you want a steeper angle, so instead of a 3:1 ratio it might be 2 1/2: or even 2:1.

How Big?

A couple more things to think about while building the actual jumps is to make sure it’s gradual take-off and not abrupt, or else you will be getting bucked around and have a high chance of flipping the bike in the air. Also, you want to make sure the take-off/base of the jump is longer than the length of the dirt bikes wheelbase. If the take-off is not long enough then it’s not going to be a smooth jump.

Got Dirt?

Once you figure out what kind of jump you want and how big it’s going to be then you have to decide what to do about dirt. A well made jump should have a good amount of clay in it, so if you’re lucky enough to have clay or a mixture of clay for soil then use it. If you have sand but don’t want to rebuild the jump every time you use it then you can always bring in some clay. Clay itself is fairly cheap, but if you have to get it hauled in by someone else then it’s going to take a chunk out of your wallet. This is not to say that you shouldn’t make sand jumps for dirt biking, because it’s a easy and will last longer if you pack it down and water it often.

Build It!

Now to the actual building of the dirt bike jump… If you have heavy duty equipment, such as a skid-loader, then great! But for those that are using a tractor, four-wheeler with attachments, or even just shovels, don’t lose your confidence. It’s still possible to make a good jump, it will just take more effort. Plus, you will build some muscle if you do the work yourself! To cut the building time down to almost half, at the start you can put logs, bricks, or any objects to make the base, then just pile dirt on top. If you’re making a jump on a hill or if the ground is slanted (having the jump go uphill is easiest) simply dig dirt out below the jump and pile it up on the base of the jump. Remember to keep it smooth and fill in any holes or drops, even if they are small. The wider the jump is the better, especially when it’s packed down. For one, it’s wider so you can have more than one line, and it will last longer. If you’re bringing in enough dirt then there’s no need to dig prior to the jump, unless you want more air.

Remember…

Just keep putting more and more dirt on the jump until you think there’s plenty, then add a little more. It may seem like a lot, but it’s better than fixing it or repeatedly adding more dirt. As soon as you’re done building the jump you scan it over a couple more times and get rid of any bumps or divots that might affect riding. Another key to having a good jump is making a good lip. The lip of the jump is the edge where the bike takes off. If this is not made right then you will not stay as stable in the air. To make a good lip just smooth of the top and make sure it flows with the rest of the jump. You can look at from the side to see if the angle is gradual or not.

I’m not done!

To put the finishing touches you should water the jump and let it sit for a day or two so it hardens…. I think that pretty much covers the basics of how to make dirt bike jumps. Just be sure to build the jumps safe, and that you are making them on your own property. Good luck, and have fun!

-Tom Stark

We are asked this question all the time but unfortunately there is no easy answer. There are so many options to choose between, depending upon which model of bike you are riding. Hard luggage is a must for many of our customers; the obvious advantages are the security that it provides and the fact that it is waterproof. Also, so quick and easy to take on and off, no fiddling about with straps when you are using hard luggage! The disadvantage can be the initial outlay if you are on a budget.

Popular makes of hard luggage include Givi, Hepco & Becker and Krauser, all of which manufacture racks/fitting kits specific to bike model. When you are looking to put hard luggage on your bike, the first point to consider is “does anyone make a rack for my bike?” Once you have established this, you will have more of an idea of the options available to you. Owners of popular bikes such as the Honda Blackbird or the Suzuki Bandit will find they have a wide choice, whereas if you have a sports bike such as the GSXR, your options will be much more limited.

Many racks are now quick-release, such as the SW-Motech racks, these are fitted to the bike with 3 or 4 fitting points which are permanent, but unobtrusive. The luggage racks can then be easily put on/taken off within minutes, using quick-release bolts.

Of course many riders do not want to put hard luggage on their bike, as they do not want the look of their pride and joy spoilt by racks. This is where soft luggage comes in, and the choice here is vast from a simple tank bag to a set of throw-over panniers and a large tail pack. One of the problems with soft luggage is that it is rarely completely waterproof. The zips are usually the area of vulnerability but more and more manufacturers are combating this problem with covered zips. There is also now a wide range of waterproof bags, such as the Helen 2 Wheels range which is very versatile and can be fitted to most makes of motorbike.

Another option for sports bikes is the Ventura range of soft luggage, which is mounted on a rear rack so easy to put on and take off. When you are not using your luggage, the rack can be easily replaced with a simple grab rail.

Aluminium luggage is another alternative which has become very popular, particularly with BMWs/adventure bikes. Most of the hard luggage manufacturers have a version of this style of luggage, which is extremely tough and durable.

If you own a cruiser motorcycle, such as a Harley, you will be looking for something completely different. There is a vast array of cruiser luggage available, whether you are looking for leather panniers, Cissy bar bags, tool rolls, and rack bags. Leather panniers can be either throw-over or fitted onto a chrome tubular rack, which will be specifically designed for your model of bike. Cissy bar bags come in all shapes and sizes. Most of this luggage is manufactured in America but is available in the UK.