Friday, June 18, 2010

Rolling Thunder Has a huge turn out in Washington

Rolling Thunder Has a huge turn out in Washington to show their support for our veterans!

This annual Event has grown to Epic proportions... To fully understand the affinity that Bikers have for our veterans, You first have to understand the "Biker Lifestyle". Being a Biker is really all about the freedom to be who we are without fear of persecution. It is about standing strong in our convictions when we are being persecuted. Being a Biker is also about protecting not only "our own personal rights" It is also about protecting the rights of our brothers and sisters. It is about accepting people for who they are and allowing them to express themselves freely.

Does any of this sound Familiar to you?

Well... It should. That is exactly what our veterans have fought to give us. It is the very standards that they themselves up hold, sometimes paying the ultimate price for it. I don't know of a single Biker that doesn't respect that fact.

Not all of those brave men and women that sacrificed for all of us, may agree with all of our beliefs or way of life and that's OK.. they have earned our respect for what they gave to us.. Above all else Bikers are most passionate about their "Freedom" and we never forget where that comes from..

Soldiers have much deeper roots within the Biker community then most even know

If you take a look back in history and how being signified as a "Biker" even got it's start, you'll then begin to have a better understanding of "who" we are and "what" we stand for.

It all started at the end of WWII, Since the rough terrain of the European battlefield proposed a challenge in the beginning of the conflict. The U.S. introduced a solution to that problem. Their solution came in the form of a Harley Davidson. Our troops were not only taught how to handle these bikes over rough terrain but also how to shoot while riding them.. They were taught how to put their Harley into a slide, laying the bike down to use as a shield from enemy fire and so they could return fire from a prone position. The men that rode these Harleys all over Europe were some of the best of the best. A special breed of soldier that all to often were the unsung hero's of WWII.

Just like many of our brave soldiers, a lot of those Harleys never made it back from the battlefields. However there were quite a few that did. Our soldiers came home pumped up from their victory over seas. With a renewed sense and understanding of what "Freedom" really means. Young men full of testosterone and adrenaline, excited to celebrate, cut loose and raise a little hell. With their pockets full of money from their military pay and a huge surplus of army issued Harley Davidson's for sale cheap, these soldiers began buying them up left and right.

They were a wild and reckless bunch that soon started forming motorcycle clubs. The wildest among them becoming the lawless gangs that were the making of Biker legend further exploited by Hollywood in the 50's,60's and early 70's. Often portrayed as an enemy to decent society.

In 1969 Easy Rider starring Peter Fonda, Dennis Hopper and of course those now infamous choppers, told our story from a different point of view. The movie became an instant icon amongst both the Bikers of the day and the youth that felt that the movie gave a message that was long over due.

"It's all about the freedom man"

"We just want to ride our bikes and not get hassled"

Love it or hate it... it doesn't really matter. The movie sparked a whole new generation of Bikers within our own little subculture that has continued to grown into the millions.

In the 1990's Jay Leno admitted his love for Harleys and exposed his enormous collection of classic bikes to the rest of the world. Movie star's, sports legends and singers started making public appearances at rallies on there custom choppers. All of a sudden "Being a Biker" became "fashionable" and more publicly acceptable to the ranks of society.

Along with this new popularity of motorcycles and the resurgence of the The Harley Davidson motorcycle company, Our rallies grew exponentially. They came in droves from all walks of life. From the young wanting to experience a new sense of freedom for the first time. To the "Baby Boomers" wanting to recapture the freedoms they once cherished and defined them as a generation but was later left behind giving way to the "ideals" of a booming corporate world.

The Biker Rallies and events continue to be in huge numbers today, although those numbers may have somewhat diminished. For many of those who called themselves "Bikers" in order to be "fashionable" and "cool" have since parked their Bikes!

For those of us that really got what it meant to be a Biker early on will continue to show up to these event's. For those who came because it was fashionable but learned what it was truly about... they too will be there, because once it is your blood it is no longer a hobby, it is a lifestyle. It is a life statement of who we are and what we stand for. it is a passion that burns inside of us.

We are not here because it is in fashion... We are not here because we want people to think we are cool...

Whether we are loved or hated... Whether we are in fashion or not... We are here for the long haul....

We are here because it is in our blood... We are here because it is who we are...

We are here because we are Bikers!

Motorbikes simply means-50cc Motorbikes

What is a 50cc motorbike? Well they are simply what they may seem like they are. Bikes, with motors. Motor-bikes. 50cc Motorbikes simply means they have a certain ammount of power to them. When talking cc's there's multiple sizes you can have.

You can have anywhere from 47cc-upwards of 1000cc! The 50cc versions are fun and affordable, and fantastic gift for certain types of children, of the right age of course. When I was around 9 and 10 years old my father bought me a 50cc, and I absolutely loved the thing.

It was a Z50 from honda, and I road that thing till I couldn't ride it anymore. I actually got to heavy for it and ended up giving it to my younger brother. But these 50cc motorbikes are just fantastic vehicles and have so much potential in so many different ways. The picture to the left is a 50cc dirt bike. 50cc Dirt Bikes are considered motorized bikes because, well, they are bikes with motors!

Categorized as a motorbike, the 50cc Moped has it's own cool traits. Unlike most 50cc motorbikes, the 50cc mopeds come in two different styles. Stand up styles, and sit down styles. Depending on what your going to be using it for, you may want the sit down and more comfortable version, or you may want the stand up type. Personally, I love the sit down 50cc mopeds. The sit down mopeds are so much more comfortable in my eyes. They have lots of room, their comfy, and have trunk space to hold whatever you may need to hold. My favorite thing about these motorbikes is the gas mileage. Unlike my car that gets around 25 miles per gallon, my 50cc moped gets over 100 miles per gallon! That's unbelievable in my eyes, and should be in everyone's eyes as well. I think every family should consider getting some kind of motorbike. Whether it's an ATV, a Dirt bike, a moped, scooter, or anything. I feel every family should think about getting one to make their family more efficient, and save money.

Motorcycle Tire Repair Kit-important to keep your motorcycle in good condition

Driving a motorcycle is a passion for many of us. But in order to enjoy the unique feeling that riding a motorcycle provides, it's important to keep your motorcycle in good condition.

If you own a bike it is important to get information about the technical functioning of it. Just as important as knowing rules and the safe ways to ride a motorcycle, it is to check it and maintain it in order. It's a good idea to learn how to deal with some simple repairs. This will save you time and money. Having a motorcycle kit repair can help you on fixing some simple problems.

It's easier to do some repairs on a new bike than it is on older models. It can be a little bit tricky to repair an old bike. If you notice some problems when starting the motorcycle or if you think that it is not riding smoothly, you should have it checked by a technician. A mechanic or a technician will check every part of your bike in depth.

However, some small problems could be easily repaired by you. Suppose your bike is parked in the parking area and when you come up to the bike you find the tires flat. This can be a very stressful situation, but you should calm down and take it to a mechanic or a safe place to change the tire. Today, new bikes have tubeless tires and you can check the reason of the flat tire. If the tire is flat by a nail or some object, you must be able to patch it. Cuts or sidewall damage of the tire are more difficult to fix and most likely you will need the help of a technician.

It is important to know the level of the damage of your tire. A motorcycle tire repair kit is a set of tools that is used to make some motorcycle maintenance easy and stress free. A motorcycle tire repair kit includes many tools such as cement, auger, CO2 cartridges, plugs and a big tool to hold the plug

ways to ride- Motorcycle Riding Style

When it comes to riding motorcycles, you have four ways to ride: in a group, two up, traveling in pairs (each riding their own motorcycle) or going solo. Each one has its different qualities and experiences and each has to be tried if you are a serious motorcyclist.

Group Riding: Experience it from a Group Vantage Point
Riding in a group requires coordination of the pack, rules and planned routes if the ride is going to come out smoothly. Communications among the group will be a must. Experiences will be shared among the group and riders will bring up things missed by other.

The stopping points will be like telling stories around a campfire each telling what they saw and experienced. Camaraderie is something most people will remember.

Riding Two Up Requires a Deeper Bond
Riding two up requires communications and compromises to satisfy the needs of both the rider and the passenger. It will also provide a personal touch to the road.

The passenger as well as the rider has to coordinate their movements to safely control the motorcycle, which comes easy with practice. The first try will be a little squirrely but that is part of the learning curve.

Riding two up will produce a bonding that will always be remembered. One thing to remember is the driver will have to watch the road closer and won't be able to see all the things the passenger can see.

On the other hand, the passenger usually can't see what is ahead and may not be able to react like the driver. This type of slow reaction may be somewhat difficult in case of a sudden unexpected emergency.

Riding in Pairs Can Bring Fond Memories
Riding in pairs will also take some communications and planning so both the riders can stay together. Getting separated, can produce problems and frustrations that will temporarily spoil the trip. I say temporarily because at the end of the tip you will have one more memory to laugh and remember. It all rides on your attitude and since of humor.

Are You a Lone Wolf?
Riding solo requires very little planning and communications with others will be at a minimum. Letting others know where you are and where you are going would be more of a courtesy than a necessity.

The freedom of riding solo is very hard to describe. If you have the time and resources, taking a trip solo will give you experiences of real freedom. On the other hand, it will also give you a since of loneliness that will hurry you back to your loved ones.

Depending on your personality, the enjoyment will be varied. Traveling alone will truly let you know if you are a loner or someone who cherishes company.

Eco-friendly Cars

There is no doubt that over the last decade we have seen a massive increase in eco-friendly cars as damage to the environment becomes more and more apparent around the world. This new thirst for eco-friendly cars has led to the expansion of the electric car market and there are high hopes for the future.

first deliverys of the smart electric fortwo

Electric cars

There's no doubt that the eco-friendly electric car is the ultimate in environmentally friendly travel and the historic stigma attached to electric vehicles has all but disappeared. It is the massive investment within this area that has managed to turn public opinion more in favour of electric car travel than ever before. However, there is still much work to be done if electric cars are to become commonplace around the world.

Hybrid cars

Hybrid cars are more eco-friendly than traditional fuel powered cars and they are much like a half way house offering the ability to incorporate both electric motors and traditional fuel powered internal combustion engines. It is his ability to reduce the damage to the environment which is attracting the attention of many people who are looking to do their bit for the environment while also maintaining a reliable form of travel.

Recharging stations

Recharging stations for electric vehicles are few and far between at the moment and this is an area which is a bone of contention for environmentalists. Until governments around the world encourage investment in recharging stations there will be severe restrictions on the distance electric car owners can travel in the knowledge that a recharge is just around the corner.

Solar recharging systems

While the problem of recharging stations for electric vehicles is still to be solved by governments around the world a number of new initiatives have been introduced. Solar panel recharging systems are now available which allow electric car batteries to be recharged on the move and allow energy to be stored for later use. Perhaps solar power is the ultimate in environmentally friendly energy and this is something which car manufacturers are starting to appreciate.

Regenerative braking

The ability to harness what has in the past been wasted energy from a vehicle is actually the Holy Grail of the energy efficiency market. There have been massive improvements in regenerative braking systems which effectively allow the vehicles to harness what has in the past been wasted energy, lost when breaking, into a power stream to recharge onboard batteries. When you consider how many times you brake in your car each and every day the potential for energy efficiency and energy saving is enormous.

Conclusion

Despite having a somewhat slow start there is no doubt that electric cars are the way forward and with problems in the oil market, more and more people are now looking towards alternative means of travel. Governments have now realised that there is a need to encourage investment in this particular area and we're seeing more government grants and government tax incentives around the world. Indeed the UK government recently announced a £200 million guarantee and loan agreement with Nissan UK to encourage the manufacture of electric cars in the UK.

Electric Vehicles For Sale-launched onto the market

The number of electric vehicles for sale has increased markedly over the last 10 years as finally the revolution begins to gather pace. This is a revolution which has been promised for many years although political interference in the past has not assisted with the speed at which electric cars are now being launched onto the market.

flybo1.jpg

Popular electric cars for sale

There are a number of prominent names in the electric car market which include the Tesla roadster, Mitsubishi MiEV, Nissan 2010 Leaf, Citroen C-Zero, REVA NXR to name but a few. While it would be wrong to suggest that the second hand market in electric vehicles is anywhere near the liquidity seen in the traditional car market, there has been significant growth over the last couple of years.

Second hand electric car market

There is some dispute as to how long an electric vehicle will hold its value with initial suggestions showing it is likely to perform better in the short term compared to traditional cars but could lose up to 90% of its value after five years. The problem at the moment is the fact that the most expensive element of an electric vehicle is the battery power required.

There have been enormous strides in the technology associated with battery power, with lithium ion batteries now the leader in the sector, but there is still much work to be done. We have already seen a vast improvement in onboard recharging systems and there are now more recharging stations available than ever before, although there is still room for improvement in this area.

Tax incentives

A number of governments around the world have introduced tax incentives in relation to electric powered cars for sale which obviously helps to offset any potential long-term reduction in their value. It seems highly likely that these government schemes, targeted at both car manufacturers and electric car owners, will continue for some time to come as a means of pushing more and more consumers in the direction of more environmentally friendly transport alternatives.

The image of electric cars

In the early days of the electric powered car there was a certain stigma attached, in the eyes of the public, and many people have until today effectively discounted a potential purchase of an electric vehicle. However, advances in technology have taken the electric car market to a very different level and when you also consider the volatile oil price and ever-increasing cost of fuel it is no surprise that more electric cars are being sold today than ever before.

Slowly but surely this stigma is lifting and people who would not have considered an electric car only 12 months ago may now be more open to the idea.

Conclusion

There is no doubt that the sale of electric vehicles, from SUVs to the more traditional small cars, will continue to rise for the foreseeable future. As technological advances bring down the cost of both components and the vehicles as a whole, this will open up new markets and new opportunities for the future. While there may have been a number of false starts with regards to the electric car market there is no doubt that this particular niche market is certainly moving forward and will soon hit the mass market and wave goodbye to the niche tag.

A number of factors are now coming together to assist the electric powered car market and car manufacturers are determined to make the most of this.

Fast Electric Cars

The idea of speed and an electric car are two elements which very few people in the world would have put together until just very recently. However, such have been the improvements in technology over the last few years that a number of fast electric cars are now commonplace on roads and highways around the world. So what can you expect from the electric car market?

The need for speed

When you consider that the famous Tesla roadster, one of the most recognised electric vehicles on the market, can accelerate from 0 to 60 mph in just 3.7 seconds you might just begin to imagine how much the electric powered car market has changed. The vehicle also has a top speed of 125 mph although it is worth noting that many other electric cars on the market also have similar acceleration and similar top speeds.

The Ultimate Aero EV, the Lightning GT, the AC Propulsion tzero and the surprise entry into the fast electric powered car market is the 1972 Electric Datsun. These are vehicles which have been introduced to the electric vehicle market, often as a concept cars and never actually reaching the mass market, but ultimately they have shown what is possible and how far technology has improved in recent times.

The KillaCycle

killacycle-electric-bike

The KillaCycle is also a useful talking point as this is a bike powered by electric which can accelerate from 0 to 60 mph in under one second! The top speed for the vehicle is 170 mph and in trials it has covered a quarter of a mile in just under 8 seconds. These truly are speed machines and the very fact they are powered by electric will surprise and indeed astound many people.

What can we expect from future electric powered cars?

While there's no doubt that many people are surprised at the development in the electric powered car market over the last decade, this is literally just the tip of the iceberg and we will see massive efficiency improvements in the years to come. The vast majority of people who acquire electric cars are looking more towards higher efficiency and longer journeys but it is also useful to see improvements in the speed of electric vehicles. Consumer demand for electric powered sports cars has also been very buoyant, to the surprise of many, although the likes of Tesla have been very proactive in this field and attracted the attention of the mass market.

Conclusion

While the ultimate target for the electric vehicle market is greater efficiency and less pollution released into the environment there is no doubt that there will always be motorists looking for that extra boost of speed. It is interesting to see that even some of the customised electric cars from years gone by are able to reach speeds which in many cases are way above and beyond the limits of traditional cars.

The electric vehicle market of today is very different to that of 10 years ago and electric car market in 10 years time will again be very different to the one we see today. Changes are happening at lightning fast speed!