Helmet - Head Games-

Head Games - Written by JYNorflet  Feb. 4, 20:11
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Helmets go by many names, in many circles, some call them Lids, skid lids, brain buckets and of course helmets, just to name a few.  I thought I would take a brief departure from the series on "Beginner bikes" to discuss one on my biggest Pet-peeves "Helmets". Everyone who rides wears a helmet right ? Wrong !!. Motorcycle riders typically fall into a mix of camps concerning helmets. There are hardcore advocates on both sides of the issue, and that's exactly what helmet wearing has become, a politically charged issue, Much like "religion" or politics. When the subject comes up emotions can run high. Myself, I fall into the "maximum protection" camp. Next you have the "Freedom of choice camp" - who say you should be able to ride with or without if you want.  Now comes the hardcore group - The "It is our Constitutional Right" group, to not wear one if we don't want too. What is your position and what camp do you fall into ?  Let us know in the comments section below.

Helmets should  NOT be purchased just because they look cool. If you’re going to wear a helmet it should be to protect your head, thus your brain. I know plenty of guys who wear the turtle shell half helmets that come up to the top of your ears. These helmets in many cases are not only not certified, they are basically toys, and are useless. Good helmets in the US are certified by one or both of the two organizations which test helmets for there ability, or should I say probability to save your life. I understand Europe also has it’s own entity which tests helmets as well. The two organizations in the US are the D.O.T. (Department of transportation) and the Snell Foundation. The Snell foundation is a private Not for Profit memorial organization. You can Google “The Snell foundation”, there is a good story that goes along with why they do what they do.  Anyway, when you consider purchasing a helmet you might first like it for it’s looks and features (much like a prospective boyfriend or girlfriend), but next comes the approval. A helmet MUST meet the approval of DOT or Snell, If not, DON’T buy it.

A few facts:
Manufacturers are NOT required to have their helmets tested by anyone, It’s purely voluntary.So, if a manufacturer wants to sell you a piece of junk there is NO ONE protecting you !!  Get it !!, No One.

• Approved helmets will have a sewn tag or label inside which contains DOT or SNELL on it

• Some manufactures get approval for one product, but don’t submit any new products for testing.
• All (approved) helmets must meet at minimum DOT regulations. DOT approved helmets do not have to also meet Snell standards. However the opposite is true, All Snell approved helmets already meet DOT standards.
• Both Snell and the DOT have standard tests which they follow for each and every helmet tested. However, since Snell is a not for profit organization, they have much higher standards for helmets than does DOT

When is a Helmet Used:

Once a rider has exhausted their skills, natural ability, defensive driving  techniques, accident avoidance training, prayers and the lucky rabbit foot in their pocket ,and the accident is imminent, the only thing left is your protective  clothing and your helmet, so don't skimp.You should use the following criteria for purchasing a helmet:

You should never purchase a helmet over the Internet, because the #1 criteria (other than approval) for a helmet is it’s fit. It should fit snug, not tight. If a helmet is to big it is useless. And you can't very well try it on by purchasing it on-line.

The # 2 most important item believe it or not, is the chin strap. It should use only the best material, metal buckles, NO plastic crap - They break !! The straps are there to hold your helmet on during the worst. if the straps break, you may as well .Next is a really good pair of Glasses, Goggles or an optical quality face shield - Clear or smoked period, Never colored. Does any one know why ?

Snell approved helmets have several designations:
SA - Requires flammability such as those used by indy drivers.
K - No flammability
M - Motorcycles
K - may not be street legal because of there narrow field of vision
So, don't purchase they wrong one

I'll leave you with the following Statistic: 42% of all motorcycle fatalities riders were not wearing helmets. In addition, most riders who don't wear helmets also do not wear eye protection either. I would strongly suggest You Don't become a statistic.

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note: During the winter months in colder climates always place your battery on Trickle charge with a good trickle charger. This will keep your battery in perfect working order.

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Copyright 2010 JYNorflet

First Rides III

First Rides III by JYNorflet

remember Ronny Reed January 22nd 2011
 

January.22.2011

The Yamaha V Star 250

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Your first motorcycle is similar to your first car, It's a vehicle that will always have a certain sentimental value. You probably remember your very first car like it was yesterday. Obviously, as with both you can have a good experience with it or a bad, either way it'll be a bike to remember. This series of posts has covered several bikes considered to be beginner bikes. As I mentioned in a previous post, the word beginner is not meant to be condescending in any way. But, everyone has to start out on something. These bikes are the bikes that foundations are built on. So, if you start out with a bike that has mechanical problems, unstable, or just unpleasant to ride, your riding foundation could be a poor one. This is not to say that you need to purchase a $4000 bike like the Yamaha V Star 250 I'll be writing about in this post. Because there are hundreds of inexpensive motorcycles out there with little to no hours on them for sale. But it certainly is a privilege to own a bike with the latest  and greatest safety equipment and the latest technology incorporated into the bike.  There is one aspect of riding that Yamaha has been very conscious of for years, and that's rider seat height., many of the Yamaha's designs incorporate a lower seat than many. The seat height being lower goes a long way towards rider comfort at stops. This is especially true if you're not exactly a tall person who is carrying a passenger.

From everything that I've read about the V Star 250 it's a great starter bike. It has a cruiser type frame, a 250cc V twin engine,  a 58.7 inch wheelbase, a seat height of 27inches. The gasoline sipping engine manages to produce gas mileage in the 78 miles per gallon category, and with a 2.5 gallon gas tank, that easily puts the fuel range in the 200 miles plus club or into scooter territory.  The bikes does have it's foot pegs located a bit forward more than many beginner bikes. But for the cruiser class of bikes they a on par. The suggested Price on the Yamaha VStar 250 is $4090.00, without tax of course.

JYNorflet

Be sure to listen to my newly released podcast called "In the beginning" in it, I discuss the process of getting your permit, and license.
You can email me at Motorcyclecoach@gmail.com or follow us on Twitter
by going to Twitter.com/MotorcycleCoach
'I also maintain a second Blog at MotorcycleCoach.blogspot.com

Http://www.themotorcyclecoach.com

note: Always remember, when teaching a new rider things that are obvious to you are NOT so obvious to a new rider.Be sure to remind all to riders to lower their feet when coming to s a stop, especially after a long ride. This may may sound silly, but I know someone who was training a beginner and this happend. They simply forgot to put their feet down at the end
of a very long ride.

FIRST RIDES II

First Rides II "The sequel"    1.15.2011  By JYNorflet 

Well, I'd like to say belated Happy New Year to all who read my posts. This installation is the first of what I hope to be many to follow for the year 20-11  Though somewhat smaller than my initial installation in a series of posts on beginner bikes, I hope the information assists in your attempt at determining which of these bikes best suites your needs, style and taste. As you probably recall from the earlier post, CC's denote the size of the motorcycles engine in Cubic Centimeters, (not used by Harley and some other American motorcycle / car manufactures). Anyway back at the ranch, the more or higher the CC's, the more displacement or power as well as speed the bike has. On the downside, the more CC's the heavier, the more gas consumption, and the more insurance is going to cost you.  However, a 250cc bike is ideal for training, it typically will provide the rider with a perfect balance between power, weight, balance and the oh so important maneuverability. One reason the Suzuki GZ250 looks so great to me as a beginner bike is it's style. It's sort of a cross between cruiser and a standard upright frame. This leaves the rider in a great orientation on the seat, that upright, arms straight out riding position provides several excellent benefits versus the sport bike riding position. The upright riding position places your center of gravity in just the right place. This provides you with better control of the bike, how ? Well it allows better maneuverability by allowing the rider to move his /her center of gravity easier. On the sport bike, the forward leaning position places your weight forward of the engine, in my opinion they are not as agile, especially in an emergency swerve situation where an obstacle may suddenly appear in your path. Not to mention the enormous amount of weight that is placed on your wrists. But that is an entirely separate article all together.  The Suzuki weighs approximately 300 pounds and churns out somewhere in the area of 20 H.P. which provides a top speed of 75mph or so. In addition, the bike is capable of obtaining 75 m.p.g. , which is great for the hard core commuter who not only benefits from the fun of riding and learning, but also benefits from doing it cheaply. The bike has a 3+ gallon tank,  comes equipped with electric start, a 5 speed standard gearbox, chain drive, an air cooled 2 cylinder engine, One thing I did find odd was the rear drum brake. Most if not all of today's bikes are fitted with front and rear disc brakes.  If you are not familiar with drum brakes especially on a motorcycle they do not have the stopping power of disc brakes. They also have another oddity. If you drive through a deep puddle, the drum will not operate until the water the brake shoe become dry again.  This is something that takes a bit of getting used to. So, after passing through the water you need to hold the rear brake until it become operational again.  The seat height on the Suzuki is 27.8 inches high. This is probably perfect for the average height woman, and just a bit to low for the average sized maThe 2011 model runs somewhere in the area of $2,999.00 The bike has a 3+ gallon tank,  comes equipped with electric start, a 5 speed standard gearbox, chain drive, an air cooled 2 cylinder engine, One thing I did find odd was the rear drum brake. Most if not all of today's bikes are fitted with front and rear disc brakes.  If you are not familiar with drum brakes especially on a motorcycle they do not have the stopping power of disc brakes. They also have another oddity. If you drive through a deep puddle, the drum will not operate until the water the brake shoe become dry again.  This is something that takes a bit of getting used to. So, after passing through the water you need to hold the rear brake until it become operational again.  The seat height on the Suzuki is 27.8 inches high. This is probably perfect for the average height woman, and just a bit to low for the average  or above average sized  man. The 2011 model runs somewhere in the area of $2,999.00, This is a $1000.00 reduction over previous year prices.
JYNorflet

As usual, if you have any suggestions, comments or recommendations, please feel free to send a few lines to MotorcycleCoach@gmail.com or follow us at
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note: Remember, always perform a visual inspection of your bike prior to each ride.

Inspect the headlight, brake light, brake levers. look for loose nuts and bolts which may not have loc tight. Check all levers as well as safety equipment, such as mirrors, shifter and foot pegs. A little time now could save a lot of heart ache later. And don't forget that tool kit under your seat.

If this post has been of use to you, your friends, family or perhaps a riding buddy, please feel free to click the button below to help in the continuation of these messages. Feel free to donate what ever you feel is appropriate, regardless of the amount. Thank much, and ride safe and enjoy

FIRST RIDES

FIRST RIDES  !!!                   12.28.2010     written by JYNorflet

This is the first of a series of several posts discussing the right motorcycle for the beginner. The word "Beginner" is used to describe a person who is new to, or performing a task for the first time. For many it also carries a negative meaning as well, "one who is in-competent" or inexperienced. thought true factually, from a positive perspective, this could also be interpreted as an opportunity to learn from the beginning, a clean slate, no bad habits have formed yet, a chance to do it right.  There are many occasions where the student will actually outperforms the teacher at some point. Such is the charge of this Blog, "The Motorcycle Coach". The dedication to share the valuable information gained by an experienced rider(s) with those who have little or none, "a Beginner".  A key ingredient to your foundation of learning is starting with the right bike. The proper bike could mean the difference between a long safe pleasurable riding career or a short, miserable, dangerous riding experience. 

CF-250T V3

Therefore, the first & second bikes I'd like to start this post off with are  unusual one.s The bikes are manufactured by one of the newer companies on the motorcycle manufacturing scene, at least as compared to the Honda's, & Kawasakis etc. The manufacturer is CFMOTO, a China based company. The CFMOTO Power Company manufactures liquid cooled engines, Motorcycles, ATVs and Power Utility vehicles. The first 2 beginner bikes I would suggest are both be from CFMOTO, the V3 and the V5. Both bikes have 2  distinctions which sets them apart from most bikes on the market. Each has an automatic transmission as well as 2 hand brakes. As you may or may not know the typical motorcycle has a manual gearbox. One which needs to be changed manually, by foot, typically 5 or 6 speeds. The CFMOTO does the shifting for you. This is one less task that needs to be performed by the rider. The pros are: You are left to focus on riding style, turning, braking and traffic and defensive driving. These are crucial to the survival of a new rider, this is not an exaggeration. The other distinction is the lack of a foot brake. The typical motorcycle has a foot brake which operates the rear wheel brake.  These bikes function more like a scooter than a motorcycle. Each has a 250cc engine which provides just enough power to keep their riders out of trouble. Each also has approximately 15 hp which yields a maximum top speed of 65 mph or so.  

CF-250T V5

What are the CONS you ask ? If you plan to upgrade, as most motorcyclist who stay with riding tend to do. You will have to learn to shift a conventional manual transmission, as well as getting used to abandoning the second hand brake for a conventional right side rear foot brake. So basically you have to UNLEARN one habit and replace it with another. This seems to go against my opening argument of learning to do things the right way. However, I believe this is a small price to pay for learning the much more vital skills faster in the beginning.  As a matter of fact, once a rider transitions to a manual gearbox with much more power, not only will it be a change, but it will be much more exciting than the auto tranny.  One more observation, Apparently the CFMOTO company has introduced a 150cc street bike. All three bikes are very reminiscent of a line of older Honda motorcycles (1980's), as a matter of fact the latest addition, the 150 looks amazing like the Honda Hawk. Which also just happens to have been one of the only and best I might add automatic motorcycles made, The Hawk happened to be a 400cc bike.
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Check out additional posts on beginner bikes to come in the next several days.

Also, take a look at this and other posts at my new website:

Http://www.themotorcyclecoach.com

MotorcycleCoach@gmail.com

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You can also purchase my complete book on learning to ride, from soup to nuts called "Motorcycling 101: Your First Ride".  If  you need some direction on what to do after earning your bike license pick-up my book. I've filled it with as much riding experience as you could need in your beginning stages as well as your intermediate stages of riding.

You can Purchase Motorcycling 101 by clicking the Buy now button Below.

Size Does Really Matter !!

Boss Hoss Outfitted with a Chevy 350ci V-8
This picture was borrowed from the 
website www.About.com. This bike
is a production motorcycle.

The following has been written by JYNorflet aka
The MotorcycleCoach - www.TheMotorcycleCoach.com

You finally make up your mind, once and for all you're going to get your motorcycle license and never sit on the side lines again !! Of all of your friends, you're the only one without a bike. You've vowed, NOT ANOTHER Summer.  So, later a friend tells you about another friend who has a great bike for sale. After a bit of back and forth, you find out the bike for sale is one you've always wanted, "A Kawasaki GPZ 1100 !!  You think, WOW what a find !!  Normally, I would also say  What a find, however, not in this case, Do You Know Why ?

Well as a new rider, this bike could be a death sentence. Motorcycles are typically classified by their engine size, especially by the insurance company. Engines on motorcycles are rated in Cubic Centimeters or CC's. This in simple terms reveals just how fast and just how much power the bike places at the hands of its rider. An 1100cc engine develops an incredible amount of horsepower. For a new rider this can become devastating. You see The higher the CC's the more power, the lower the CC's the less power a bike has. A new rider needs time to think about what they are about to do. They need time to learn to shift, to turn, to work the signals,  brakes and ultimately to deal with traffic. The rule of thumb is since learning to ride is a progressive process, it's best to start off with a smaller bike, say between 250cc's to 500cc for a larger person.  Using an 1100 is like giving your teen aged son or daughter a corvette for their drivers test, would you do that ? New riders should not learn to ride a bike with a huge engine, and should especially not be a crotch rocket aka sport bike either. It should be a subtle, easy going high gas mileage motorcycle that will allow you student to gain skill, practice, confidence and coordination, all on one bike.   I have to wonder, how just how many have gone out and purchased the bike they thought was necessary to keep up with their buddies that is now sitting in the garage covered by a blanket. These bikes have been banished forever to a life of quiet and solitude, after being ridden once or twice, not a pretty thought, but true.  How many have been thrown from or seriously injured by actually mounting one of these fire breathing monsters !! If you know someone, I'd love to hear your story - Of course ,no names necessary.  In my next post. I'll be suggesting a few specific models which might benefit the novice rider. Until then, visit my new website  for lots of information on riding and safety,

Good Luck

Check out my NEW website at www.TheMotorcycleCoach.com

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as always thanks for visiting my blog.
JYNorflet
"Live Life on Purpose" 12.9.2010