Finding The Right Harley Accessory

Finding just the right accessory to give to your favorite Harley Davidson rider is fun and easy. Even if that favorite rider is you! There are three basic categories to know when you are searching.

Items that can be added to your wardrobe, or that can be worn. Any accessory in this category would include black leather jackets, pants, chaps or other items of outerwear. It also includes headgear such as helmets, sunglasses, goggles and masks. Hats, caps and bandanas are also popular. Bandanas can be either for the head or around the neck. Next up are belts, belt buckles, watches and other small items like lighters, jewelry, key chains, money clips, patches, pins and scarves. Purses are also a great gift for the ultimate biker chick and perfume is even an option. T-shirts are also available and don’t forget underwear. Clothing even comes in kids’ sizes for your favorite little biker. It is important to know what size whomever you are buying for is. Better too big than too small, better still that it fits.

The second category is for items that can be added to your motorcycle. Any accessory in this category would include anything that would give you a more comfortable and stylish ride. Luggage racks and saddlebags for example, provide storage on long trips. Radios and navigation equipment are also fun. A more practical accessory might include grips, decorative gas caps, timer covers, license plate frames, medallions, mirrors, covers and cleaning products. Handlebars, gas tanks, floorboards and footpegs, fuel gauges and the most popular items to give your bike a new look-chrome fenders and other chrome accessories are another way to go. Practical or custom, whatever you want is available.

The third category is reserved for any Harley Davidson accessory that can be used in the home. These items are for fun. Books, calendars, computer software, music collections, videos and handheld games are appearing on the market. Other items include dartboards, posters and other pictures, coffee cups, coasters, clocks, piggy banks-especially ones shaped like motorcycles, bottle openers, wine glasses, shot glasses, beer mugs and other dishware. Playing cards are a must. And for the true Harley fan there are table and chair sets, storage units, popcorn machines and even game tables. Don’t forget to check out the pet gear as well. Truly there is something for everyone.

Most Harley Davidson dealerships offer some of these items for sale. The best place to find that special Harley Davidson accessory just may be online. Just open your browser, go to your favorite search engine, type in Harley Davidson accessory and hold on for the ride. Trade magazines are also full of ads. Biker rallies and Harley Davidson sponsored events should also have merchants hawking their wares.

If you are buying online make sure you pay through a secure site, and be aware of any return and refund policies. While you are searching for that perfect accessory, you might even find a good free Harley Davidson screensaver to download on to your computer!

Electrical Clothing Is Not Dangerous

The first electric motorcycle vests made an appearance in 1971. But they are yet to become a rage because most riders suffer from electrocution fears. They would rather brave the cold than put on electrical clothing. This is a most unfortunate psychology. The riders must realize that the electrical clothing is wired by 12-volt charge. It is not strong enough to give them a shock, far less a fatal one.

There are some riders who fear that the electrical apparel will drain away too much amperage. This too is a misconception because electrical apparel uses too little power to affect any of the normal motorcycle functions.

These two are the main reasons why most riders avoid using electrical apparel. But there are some who take pride in their physical well being. To them it is an anathema to wear artificially heated clothes. They love to ride out in the cold in normal winter wear.

There is nothing wrong in such an attitude. You can surely avoid electrical clothing if you feel that your body is strong enough to resist even the bitterest cold weather. However, you must remember that electrical clothing can surely improve your riding experience by keeping your torso warm.

Today, manufacturers not only sell electrical vests but also jackets that have an electrical lining on the sleeves and the inside. The heat generated by such clothing increases the body temperature not only in the torso region where the vital organs are located but also keeps the fingers and toes warm.

Almost every rider knows how difficult it is to control a bike once the fingers go numb. Even the best of winter gloves cant stop the chill creeping into the fingers, and slowing down a riders responses. This is where electrical clothing can prove very useful.

A good practice when wearing electrical vests is to wear it on top of a full-sleeved cotton shirt. This will ensure that the electrical vest does not touch the body. Also, the heat that is generated is retained by the cotton liner, and does not get dissipated.

The only danger of electrical clothing is that you may get too used to it. Even in moderate conditions you would like to put on your electrical vest. This is not a good practice. Like warm clothes, electrical clothing should be used to ward off cold. The body should not be made dependent on artificial heat sources.

Motorcycle Vs. Car – Myth or Madness

Motorcycle riders often get an unjustified reputation as being reckless, risk takers, and that they generally disobey traffic laws. This perception is unfounded and there are many statistics that back up the fact that most motorcycle accidents are not the fault of the motorcycle rider, but that of another driver.

A major study conducted by the University of Southern California (USC) found that approximately three-fourths of motorcycle accidents involved a collision with another vehicle, usually a passenger automobile. It was also found that in the multiple vehicle accidents, the driver of the other vehicle violated the motorcycle right-of-way and caused the accident in two-thirds of those accidents. Further the study by USC found that the failure of motorists to detect and recognize motorcycles in traffic is the predominating cause of motorcycle accidents. The driver of the other vehicle involved in collision with the motorcycle did not see the motorcycle before the collision, or did not see the motorcycle until too late to avoid the collision.

These findings go to show that the motorcycle rider has unjustly received a bad reputation from the general public as well as from insurance companies that cover motorcycle riders. Motorcycles are inherently prone to accidents caused by other drivers because of their small size. Motorcycles easily fit into the blind spot of typical passenger automobiles. The truth is that most motorcycle riders are very good drivers and keep an eye out for motorists who do not see them. This awareness of other drivers however does not prevent all accidents.

When accidents such as these happen, the insurance company of the driver who is at fault will go to great lengths to keep from giving the motorcycle rider the money he or she deserves. Insurance companies will frequently rush the victim to make a quick settlement as a way to save money. Most people in the general public are not insurance experts and do not know if they are getting a bad deal from the insurance company or not. When a check is stuck in front of them it can be quite tempting to sign.

Taking the insurance companies first offer is usually a mistake. Other times the insurance company of the other driver will try to not pay at all for the accident and resulting injuries. They often try to make it appear that the motorcycle rider was at fault in the accident. It is not hard to convince a jury of this since motorcycle riders have this unjust reputation of being less than careful.

This is why it is critically important to have a qualified and competent lawyer on your side if you find yourself the victim of a motorcycle accident. A qualified lawyer will help make sure that you get the settlement that you deserve; a settlement that will cover your medical bills as well as paying for the damage to your motorcycle. Not having a lawyer to stand up for you will cost you more than just money, it will also cause you a great deal of headaches and heartache. Trying to fight an insurance company on your own, while at the same time dealing with physical injuries can be an overwhelming task.

A qualified lawyer is the only one who will be on your side in case of an accident. A lawyer works for you and only you. The insurance company works for their shareholders and will try very hard to keep from getting you the money that you deserve.

Factors Affecting you Motorcycle Insurance Premium

Though it isnt officially required in several states, many motorists prefer to get a motorcycle insurance. It is a good and extremely significant coverage in case the inevitable happens. After all, simply being careful while driving your motorcycle and wearing safety gears isnt the only insurance you need.

Most of us are aware that motorcycles have higher rate of accidents per unit distance compared to cars. This is because of the exposed driver and the reality that most vehicle drivers are unable to see these smaller driving machines in the traffic line.

If you are transferring to a new state or you have just purchased a motorcycle, you should check first the insurance law of your state before whooshing down the road with your bike. This way, you can be sure that you are driving or riding legally. In case your state requires you to have liability coverage, then there are lots of motorcycle insurance options available for you.

To find the best deals on motorcycle insurance, it is always advisable to inquire first before setting your hands in a particular policy. There are key factors that affect your motorcycle insurance premium. Among them are:

1.)Engine displacement size (in cubic centimeter) of your motorcycle. Most of the times, youll have higher motorcycle insurance premium if your bike employ a larger displacement engine. This type of motorcycles is generally more expensive and they boast superior performance.

2.)Make or brand of the Motorcycle. It isnt such a big factor, but it is usually considered in calculating the motorcycle insurance premium. A motorcycle brand with few models usually cost higher than a usual brand.

3.)The age of the driver or the owner. Older drivers normally benefit from cheaper motorcycle insurance rates than younger drivers using the same type of motorcycle.

4.)Type of bike. The type of bike you own and you are planning to insure also affect the rate of your motorcycle insurance. Sport bikes are normally expensive and thus require higher premium.

5.)Is your motorcycle garaged? If your bike will be parked in a garage if youre not using it, your premium wont be as high as those who are leaving their motorcycle parked out along the pavement. In the latter case, the motorcycle will be prone to accidents and theft and consequently, it will require higher insurance rate.

6.)Driving Record. Your driving record as well as your experience affects your motorcycle insurance payment. If your driving record has been messed up by too many tickets and accidents, then you should expect to pay for higher rates.

7.)Number of miles driven every week. It is an important consideration in calculating your motorcycle insurance payment, since the mileage you are likely to put on your motorcycle will push your premium up or pull it down. So you have to decide first if your bike will serve as your service in your daily commute or it is intended only for leisure. If you will use your motorcycle in your everyday activities, then expect to pay higher premium.

8.)Locality. This factor also matter in the computation of the cost of your motorcycle insurance. If you are residing in a big city, expect slightly higher rates compared to those who are living in a rural area but are insuring the same type of bike.

To get a full motorcycle insurance coverage, make sure that your insurance covers liability coverage, no-fault coverage, passenger coverage, collision coverage, uninsured coverage, collision coverage and service coverage.