Motorcycles

Pack Your Bags For The 66th Annual Sturgis Motorcycle Rally

Whether you will be making your inaugural trip to the 66th Annual Sturgis Motorcycle Rally in Sturgis, SD on Aug. 7th 13th or you are a long time veteran of the event, this article will be a useful document providing a wealth of information including a brief history of the event, lodging information, schedule of events and safety tips and travel tips.

The Sturgis Motorcycle Rally was organized by Clarence Pappy Hoel and members of the Jackpine Gypsies Motorcycle Club. The first ever Sturgis Rally was held on Aug. 14, 1938 featuring the Black Hills Classic, an event which featured 9 participants and a few spectators. It was determined that the event would be held annually on the first week after the first full weekend in August to avoid conflicts with other nearby events. By 1961 it had expanded to include Hill Climb and Motocross races and in 1963 the event expanded to three days. The Sturgis rally continued to grow in leaps and bounds and by 1975 it included a seven day event and by the year 2000 the event was attracting over half a million visitors annually with the 2000 rally attracting in excess of 600,000 visitors.

The small town of Sturgis, SD has a population of less than 7,000 so it is understandable that an event attracting over half a million travelers would create logistical problems with lodging concerns. If you are planning to attend, it is wise to make reservations for accommodations well in advance of your trip to ensure you can secure a room close to the site. More information on lodging for the Rally can be found at the following web address: /lodging.html.

Camping is a popular option for those attending the rally. Nearby campgrounds include the following:

* Big Rig RV Park: – features wireless Internet access and spacious lots of 60 and 100 close to the rally site.

* Bulldog Campground: features RV camping as well as cabins which accommodate 2-8 guests. This campground is located five miles from Sturgis and features nightly entertainment and happy hour as well as an onsite restaurant.

* Creekside Campground: located 4 miles from Sturgis, this campground features RV camping, tent camping as well as cabins. Highlights of the campground include an onsite store selling food and beverages and easy highway access.

* Glencoe Camp Resort: has been catering to Sturgis participants for over 20 years. This campground has over 160 acres of camping with ample shade. In 2006 they will unveil a 34 acre outdoor amphitheater which will feature live music all week long. A 24 hour restaurant is also onsite for the convenience of campers.

* Hog Heaven Campground: – with over 150 acres of camping, this campground situated in the Black Hills is an ideal location for Sturgis participants. The campground is open from July 31st through Aug. 13th this year and will host live bands providing entertainment for guests.

* Katmandu Campground: – features 250 RV sites, cabins and 50 acres of camping. Located just two miles from Sturgis, this location is convenient for participants. Highlighted amenities include laundry facilities and wireless Internet access.

* Sturgis View Campground: – located only 1.5 miles from downtown Sturgis. This campground is famous for its spectacular views. Other highlights include RV camping, cabins and ample acreage for tent camping.

A complete event schedule for this years event can be found at the following web address: /06Oeventschedule.pdf. This website provides the time, event name and location for each of the scheduled events. One way to fuel up for the extensive list of planned events is to partake in the daily pancake breakfast sponsored by the Marine Corps JROTC. They can be found daily serving breakfast from 6:00 am until 11:00 am in the Sturgis Brown High School. Most days also feature alternate breakfast events by other clubs, including Alcoholics Anonymous who also hosts meetings throughout the event, ensuring a variety of dining options for the most important meal of the day.

Once breakfast is out of the way, participants are ready to enjoy the rest of the festivities. Live music is one of the undeniable highlights of the event. Although there are a variety of talented musicians scheduled to perform at this years event, the Buffalo Chip Campground has a lineup of headline performers scheduled for 2006 including Lynyrd Skynyrd, Kid Rock, Alice in Chains and David Lee Roth.

There are also plenty of motorcycle related events to keep participants occupied. Boss Hoss demo rides are featured throughout the event. Burnout competitions are also popular with spectators and are offered a few times during the tournament at the Full Throttle Saloon. Another highlight is the Discovery Channels Biker Build Off featuring Detroit Bros. vs. Jason Kangas. In addition, there are demos and exhibits throughout the day each day of the event and shows featuring custom bikes from around the country. There are also going to be many vendors on hand offering everything from motorcycle related merchandise to tattoos as well as food and beverages.

An unfortunate aspect of Sturgis is the frequent occurrence of the disappearance of motorcycles during the event. Estimates indicate approximately $250,000 worth of motorcycles are stolen each year during the course of the event. Motorcycles on the higher end of the price spectrum as well as custom bikes and show models are those most likely to be stolen, but all participants should take precautions to avoid becoming a victim. Care should be taken to park in well lit, high traffic locations as opposed to dark areas with few passersby. Additionally, participants should avoid leaving valuables such as cameras, leathers and souvenirs on their bike. Those who will be attending the event should also invest in a high quality lock to secure their bike. Even higher quality locks are not fool-proof to experienced thieves but they are a definite deterrent. Lower quality locks are not considered adequate protection because they can easily be broken or cut.

Participants who will be traveling long distances to the event on their motorcycle should also be aware of safety issues while traveling. Even those experienced with long distance rides should take safety precautions to ensure a smooth trip. One precaution is to create a copy of your detailed itinerary to leave in the possession of a friend or relative who will not be traveling with you. Travelers are also warned against traveling alone. Whenever possible, travelers should have at least one other rider accompany them on their trip. Taking frequent stops to rest and retiring for the night before fatigue sets in is also advisable.

Motorcycles Provide Inexpensive Motorized Travel and Recreation for People of All Ages

No matter who you are or where you live, it is not hard to see that gas prices are higher than they were a few years ago, and it is not likely they will drop much lower than they are now. In our society, bigger has often been thought to be better. When it comes to vehicles, bigger might seem safer, but that is not necessarily true. Think back to the high-center, rollover problems that SUV’s had just ten years ago.

The only conclusion that can be made about bigger vehicles is that they are more expensive to own and operate. Bigger vehicles require more expensive maintenance and repairs, and more recently, bigger means that it could easily cost $80 to fill the gas tank of that bigger, better truck.

Two decades ago, the federal government foresaw the need to teach Americans to use less fuel. The American Federal Government passed laws requiring auto manufacturers to manufacture vehicles with higher gas mileage ratings, but as is always the case with the political landscape in Washington, D.C., compromises were made. The one compromise that led us to our current fuel price crisis is that Washington exempted trucks and SUV’s from the higher gas mileage rules. If it were not for these exemptions being made, Arnold Schwarzenegger would not be driving the 15/10mpg Hummer H2H.

The 20-Somethings Get It…

Our younger generations get it. They get that America as a collective society must take steps to decrease our dependence on foreign fuel sources and we must take steps to protect the environment. The 20-Somethings have chosen to buy vehicles that get better gas mileage, and better yet, they have ushered in the acceptance of the scooter as a viable means of transport.

Young people in this country are opting to drive motorcycles and scooters, instead of their father’s Oldsmobiles. If you have any doubt, you only need to visit any college town across the country to see scooters filling the roadways.

Scooters On The Road

The Italian-made Vespa Scooters are one of the more popular gasoline-powered scooter brands on the road today. Their high-end LX models retail for under $5,000, and deliver 70-80 mpg at near 60 mph. The Vespa Scooters have actually been on the road since 1946, so the company has a lot of experience in manufacturing this type of product.

Other popular models include the Riptide Scooter, the Sinclair Scooter and the Wasp Scooter, all made by the American company GS MotorWorks. Historically, GS MotorWorks has also sold the Euro Scooter, the Retro Scooter, and Sport Scooters.

The Genuine Scooter Company produces its own line of scooters as well. Their super-charged Blur Scooters can turn on a dime and jet down the highway at nearly 70 mph. Their Black Cat model delivers more than 100 mpg on a scooter that is limited to a top speed of 30 mph. The Buddy Scooter will deliver 100 mpg, with speeds limited to 30 mph and 70 mph, depending on the model. Their Rattler Scooter is made for those rough country roads and is expected out later this year. The Genuine Scooter Company also offers a range of Stella scooter accessories, including the motorcycle-style, Stella sidecar.

Motorcycles Serve The Transportation Needs of All Generations of Riders

Motorcycles used to just be for rebels of society. Now, from teenagers to those approaching retirement, men and women, free spirits and business executives, motorcycles are everywhere. In rural areas and major cities, many people are choosing motorcycles to get them to where they want to be.

While scooters are popular among the high school and college students, older generations favor the motorcycle over the scooter. Many people were introduced to dirt bikes when they were kids, and they fell in love with the motorcycle at a young age. As adults, they now have a much wider selection of motorcycles from which to choose.

There are still many brands of motorcycles available in the marketplace: Honda, Kawasaki, Suzuki, Yamaha, and the American-brands Harley Davidson and Kodiak. Of course, these manufacturers make a standard motorcycle for the average rider, racing bikes for the adrenaline junkies, the touring bike for those riders who like long, leisurely journeys across the country, and the recreational dirt bike for those who like off-road riding.

Off-Road Pleasures And Farming Utility

Of course, there are also people looking at motorcycles and ATVs not for transportation, but for recreation, a chance to get out in the dirt and blow off steam. The options here are no less limited, from lightweight motor-cross bikes to four-wheel ATVs, these motorcycles are built for fun.

The ATV is a popular product for the off-road riders, because it adds extra wheels to the riding surface, allowing for a slower pace and more safety. Even the aging rock giant Ozzie Osborne is known to ride a four-wheel ATV in his spare time for fun.

In the modern-age of ranching, the three-wheel and four-wheel ATV has replaced many horses, as the rancher’s transportation vehicle of choice. While you might be able to talk to and pet your horse, you cannot pull a trailer behind your horse. For strictly utilitarian purposes, the ATV simply makes more sense to most ranchers. In fact, many ranchers use the ATV to haul feed out to the horses. How is that for irony?

Motorcycle Safety Equipment

Riding motorcycles safely, whether riding for transportation between home and office, on longer trips, or just for recreation requires two things: common sense and appropriate gear. Common sense means understanding where it is safe to ride, following the rules of the road, wearing the right clothing, and avoiding unnecessary risks.

Even if there are not helmet laws in your state, requiring motorcyclists to wear helmets when they ride, helmets could mean the difference between a minor traffic accident and a funeral. Additionally, it is a good idea to wear proper shoes, boots, and clothing, as well as a visor or protective glasses.

Riders should keep in mind that vision is key to knowing what is going on around them; so choosing the proper helmet with a good viewing radius is important. If the rider chooses to not wear a helmet, a good set of goggles is the next essential piece of safety equipment. Remember, if that bug is flying across your path when it hits you, it could easily bypass those sunglasses and hit you in the eye, temporarily blinding you at 70 mph.

Proper Motorcycle Maintenance

The importance of proper motorcycle maintenance is fully realized when one thinks about the consequences of a front tire blowout at 70 mph. I don’t even want to think about that possibility. As they say, “an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.”

Good motorcycle maintenance means a lot of things. It means to make sure that the motorcycle always has a good set of tires on it. It means making sure that the motorcycle always has a good set of brakes. Motorcycles are inexpensive to care for properly, so there is no excuse for not taking care of it in a way that will prevent accidents and malfunctions.

By looking over the vehicle at regular intervals, one will be able to determine whether there are motorcycle parts, scooter parts, or even ATV parts that will need to be replaced in order to help keep the vehicle in its best condition. For example, with motorcycles, riders should always take a close look at the clutch cable, fasteners, spokes, steering heads, oil levels, and brake pads. These motorcycle parts often show signs of wear and not fixing the problem in a timely manner could easily lead to an accident.

Similarly, there are scooter parts that riders should examine regularly. Scooter tires, starters, batteries, fuel filters, chains, and other parts can suffer wear and reduce the safety and reliability of the scooter.

ATV and off-road cyclists who ride on trails and other rough surfaces will see wear and tear to a much larger degree, and they may need to replace a variety of parts to keep riding fun: oil filters, gaskets, tires, pistons, and brakes. Additional ATV parts also need to be cared for and maintained at regular intervals. Off-road riders should also check the frame of their motorcycle or ATV on a regular basis, in order to ensure that the frame has not become a hazard to the safe operation of the bike.

No matter what, why, or how you ride, staying safe is the key. Replacing worn parts, wearing protective clothing, and following the rules of the road, all serve to keep motorized travel and recreation safe for people of all ages.

Here are few of the frequently asked questions about tires:

1. Why are new tires better?

First, new tires are better because it is organic and it decomposes. Second because the older the tire gets, the more it is exposed to outgassing. Outgassing makes the tire brittle.

2. Whats the right tire age?

In essence, the principle is the newer the tire the better. However, to make a tire last longer the tires age is of lesser importance. But be careful not to buy tires which are over six or seven years old. You will be able to know their date of manufacturing by searching for the three or four-digit number stamped in the tires sidewall. For instance, 2101 stands for 21st week of 2001 – which is its manufacturing date.

3. What are size and pressure?

Run the bike in the recommended tire pressure. It is so simple. You just have to stick to the manufacturers guidelines. That is the safest and the best thing that you can do. Nevertheless, you can have some deviations depending on your desired performance. Moreover, you have to check tire pressure regularly.

4. What will I do in case of a flat tire?

Motorcycle tires swerve from more directions. Unlike car tires, motorcycle tire has only the other tire to prevent it from falling. Thus, the best thing to do in case of a flat tire is to replace it and not just plug it.

5. When is there a need for replacement?

It depends. Front tires may still shot even when there is still ample rubber. In fact, they may still look good even if they have gone through considerable heat cycles. They can also cup or scallop when already having uneven surface. This is the best time to replace them.

6. When to buy a tire?

Buying tires must be made at reputable motorcycle stores. These stores have already established their names and services. You can also order online. But this remedy is a gamble because it will not guarantee that you will be getting newly manufactured tires. When you buy tires personally, you have the opportunity to choose the freshest tire in the store. You also have the chance to compare prices and quality.

Motorcycle Road Trips In North Florida: Jax Beach To Fernandina

With bike week just around the corner, bikers from all over the country are pulling their motorcycles out of winter storage and cleaning up their leathers in anticipation of a motorcycle rally like no other. While Daytona is definitely the place to be the week of March 5th, Florida offers some great stretches of road through pristine landscapes to some great biker destinations.

About an hour and a half north of Daytona on A1A lies the bustling beach community of Jacksonville Beach, which is where we will meet for the start of our road trip- because, well, thats where Im from! On any given day youll find bikes and bikers parked and hanging out at the Jax Beach Pier parking lot. Just across the street is the famed biker bar Mangos, a great place for bikers to meet, have some good home cooking and shoot some pool. Summer weekends will generally find some heavy metal band performing outside on the covered deck. So put on your best leather motorcycle jacket and come on out to Mango’s to start our first north Florida road trip.

Our first day trip will start from Jax Beach and head north on A1A to Fernandina Beach, a quaint little island town with its own unique attitude. If you follow A1A north, after bearing left at Mayport Naval Station, you will be cruising through the marshlands at the mouth of the St. Johns River and come to a dead end at the ferry in Mayport Village. A traditional fishing village, this is where most of north Florida gets their seafood. Shrimp boats, party boats, and deep sea charters line the docks, and you can even take a gambling cruise from here. If youre hungry, theres an old wooden shack sitting on the water that serves some of the best seafood available. Singletons is not much to look at, but its been there forever and people drive for miles to sit on the water enjoying the freshest of Florida seafood, while watching the pelicans scrounge for theirs.

Taking the ferry across the river, youll once again pick up A1A heading north. To your right youll soon see a huge barren sandbar that was formed by the northern jetties at the mouth of the St. Johns. On the eastern edge are the jetties, the Atlantic Ocean, and a beach that is packed with babes of all shapes and sizes. The western side has a lagoon and the Fort George River inlet. A very wide beach at low tide, vehicles have been swallowed up and swept away by the Atlantic because of people parking just a little too close to the water, and taking a walk in the dunes. A great place for jet skiing, swimming, fishing and surfing, Huguenot Park also has a campground with primitive and RV camp sites and showers.

For the next several miles, you will be cruising through some of the most pristine and unspoiled wetlands in Florida. Island hopping through little and big Talbot Islands and the Timacuan Preserve, this coastal area is one of the few in Florida untouched by development, and will theoretically remain that way. Flora and Fauna abound, and nature lovers flock to the area in kayaks and flatboats to navigate the waterways in search of trout and redfish.

Heading across the Nassau Sound Bridge to Floridas northern most barrier island, the developments once again start to pop up. World renowned resort Amelia Island Plantation has vast acreages of condos, single family houses, an Inn rivaled by none, and a huge convention center that draws business from all over the world. A community within itself, the Plantation strives, and has done a good job, of preserving the natural habitat.

Not to be outdone, the Ritz Carlton is just a few miles north and is also a magnet for the well to do, with a golf course and all the pampering the Ritz is known for!

Almost there, we take A1A into downtown Fernandina Beach. An old fishing village like Mayport, Fernandina is much larger and has many unique and historical buildings. The waterfront is speckled with shrimp boats and deep sea charters, and Brents is the restaurant on the docks. Fernandina Beach also hosts an annual shrimp festival on the first weekend in May.

Ending our motorcycle excursion from Jacksonville Beach (about an hour non stop), our last stop is a very popular watering hole for bikers and locals alike. The Palace Saloon has been there since 1878, and although it burned in 1999, it has been restored to its original 18th century wooden dcor. More of a bar than a restaurant, this is where you get to know the locals, many of which are in the hospitality industry and definitely know how to party hardy! With live bands, dancing, flirting and drinking, the Palace Saloon is the place to party in Fernandina Beach!

In my next road trip article well head south on A1A to our nations oldest city. Founded by Ponce de Leon in 1513 and home of the fountain of youth, this place is just a tiny little drinking town with a fishing problem!

Do you have a motorcyclist in your family? Wondering what to get them this year for Christmas? This is a gift buying guide with some ideas for you. Gear is always a good idea. Just like clothes, I don’t think you could ever have enough apparel.

You could start with safety combined with a gift by purchasing just the right helmet. You can purchase all different sorts of helmets. The various helmet styles include, full face motorcycle helmets, half motorcycle helmets, German motorcycle helmets, beanie motorcycle helmets, even motocross motorcycle helmets. With cool looking decals or graphics painted in just the right color, there is a great motorcycle helmet for anyone. Stylish protective eye wear is an idea too. Getting the right pair of sunglasses or motorcycle goggles for your loved one is a good choice. They come in a variety of shapes and colors, and the lenses are sometimes tinted yellow. The yellow tint has been proven to help reduce glare, and help improve vision at night.

A warm leather motorcycle jacket to keep the wind out is another gift, and one they can use all year long, not just in the summer. There are many styles to choose from when purchasing a leather motorcycle jacket. Denim motorcycle jackets are popular as well, although not worn in colder climates much. A decent pair of leather motorcycle chaps for the long ride home is a great gift for any motorcycle rider. These will go well with just about any other motorcycle apparel, and can be a great addition to any motorcycle riders wardrobe. Leather motorcycle boots and full fingered or half fingered motorcycle gloves made with leather and other materials are a great addition to the motorcycle leather jacket and motorcycle apparel that you buy them for a gift for Christmas.

Do they live in an area that receives a lot of rain annually? A set of rain gear to help protect all of that leather would be great as well. The most damaging effect to leather is rain, and with the right motorcycle rain gear, you can help protect their Christmas gift and your investment for many years to come.

If the motorcycle rider that you are buying a gift for is not in need of motorcycle clothing, then some gear for their motorcycle would be awesome. There are many different things you can get to add life to a motorcycle, without ever having to break the bank. The motorcycle canvas cover is a good choice, as is the motorcycle cable and lock system. Then there is the luggage systems available that make the storage and cargo area of a motorcycle morn than double, The most common type of system are referred to as motorcycle saddle bags. You can also get motorcycle tool bags that mount right to the handle bars, and a motorcycle sissy bar rack pack for storing bigger items.

No matter what type of motorcycle gear you buy as a gift for the motorcycle riders in your life, you can’t go wrong if you just snoop a little and do some investigating before you buy.