Lightweight Jacket
There are many jackets on the market that will allow you to retain as much ventilation as possible during the dog days of summer. Purchasing a nylon mesh or other lightweight fabric will still offer protection for impact points like shoulders and the spine.Hydration Bladder
When riding in warmer temperatures, it is crucial to stay hydrated. When you ride, you sweat because of the heat, so you need to have a way to replace any fluids lost. A lot of motorcycle riders use a hydration bladder in order to drink fluids along the way. A hydration bladder stores water in a backpack with connected hoses so that you can replenish fluids without the use of your hands.Windshield
On chilly nights, having a windshield can deflect wind from your face. In the heat of the summer, having a shorter windshield can work to direct a breeze onto you while you’re riding. Many windshields have movable brackets so that you are able to change the angle of the air flow. Some bikes offer the ability to change the air flow’s angle with a touch of a button on the handlebars.Base Layers
Consider wearing something underneath your jacket that draws moisture away from your skin and increases the evaporation rate of the moisture. Some outfits are one piece and resembles a wetsuit worn by surfers. Sweat-wicking clothing as a base layer will cover your skin, but also keep you cool when the temperature goes up.Ventilated Gloves
A lot of gloves on the market are made from carbon fiber, which offers a strong protection for your hands and fingers, but without adding much weight. Finding gloves with mesh or perforations are geared to keeping your hands from suffocating during the warmer summer months. Always use gloves that were designed for riding a motorcycle and remember that gloves suited for other tasks will not equate to the same protection you’ll need when riding.Ventilated Pants
For pants, you want to buy lightweight protection that is breathable so that it maximizes the air flow. Buying pants that have reinforced knee and hip padding will come in handy in case there is a collision. Many pants companies use Kevlar in their products because of its strength and lightweight feel.Ventilated Boots
When buying boots for riding, ensure that they have some sort of ventilation panels or breathability built in. These panels work to increase airflow to your feet, keeping them cool. With regard to your socks, you should buy sweat-wicking material that draws the moisture away from your feet.Helmet
Many state laws require motorcyclists to use helmets to help protect your head during your travels. A full face helmet with a visor that flips down is your best bet in keeping your face protected and your head cool. Just be sure that the helmet has adequate ventilation.Wet T-Shirt or Evaporative Cooling Vest
Wet clothing that clings to your body may prove useful in keeping you cooler when the temperature heats up. Evaporative cooling vests are soaked with water and should be worn underneath your jacket to maximize your cool temperature in addition to airflow. If you don’t have a cooling vest handy, you can always wet down a t-shirt for a similar effect.Bandanna
Covering up your neck is a crucial step to avoiding sunburn and hyperthermia. Using something simple like a water soaked bandanna can help keep your neck cool enough for your rides. A bandanna will keep the heat from your carotid arteries which deliver blood to your brain. It is best to keep a spray bottle full of water to re-soak your bandanna to keep you cool. ]]>Long Johns or Fleece Clothing as a Base Layer
Think about your base layer of clothing before hopping on the hog. Dressing in layers will provide you with added warmth that will keep you toasty in the winter months. Wearing a thick base layer that is comprised of fleece or even long johns will give you an extra layer of protection against the harsh elements of winter.
Windshield Installation
The winter wind can be a cruel beast to contend with in the depths of the season. Consider the installation of a windshield in order to help keep the wind off of your face. Windshields are relatively easy to install and take the brunt of the wind and divert it from hitting you smack dab in the face.
Wear a Full Motorcycle Helmet
In the summer time, you may not need a full motorcycle helmet in order to keep the heat inside. In the winter, it’s a much different animal. Wearing a full motorcycle helmet helps to trap the heat where it should be – close to your head. A lot of heat escapes through your head, but with a full motorcycle helmet, you will stay warmer and be protected from harsh winds.
Wear a Scarf
Wearing a scarf prevents the wind from hitting your face. In addition to the protection of a full helmet, a scarf can help keep your face warm. Covering your body from head to toe is the key to staying as warm as possible so that cold air doesn’t infiltrate through your clothing.
Buy Warm Socks and Boots
Investing in thick socks and a great pair of boots will mean that once the winter weather hits, your extremities will stay warm. In colder temperatures, your feet will stay insulated with thicker socks and good boots.
Purchase Quality Gloves
Even more than your feet, you should pay good attention to the type of gloves that you buy. Buying gloves that are well made will be the only barrier that your hands have protecting them from ice cold winds. Windproof riding gloves that are insulated and have a clasp will provide the best protection against the cold air.
Think About Electrically Heated Clothing
Electrically heated clothing works like an electric blanket to keep your skin warm. A portable electrical blanket or other clothing items are hooked to your motorcycle’s battery to transfer heat to your body.
Select a Jacket and Pants that are Weatherproof
Now that your clothes are properly layered to give you the most warmth in the face of colder temperatures, you should consider a jacket and pants that are weatherproof. Synthetic material like Kevlar or Cordura will offer you the best possible outer protection for your winter rides. Elastic cuffs will seal in the warmth, preventing the cold air from getting inside.
Add Liners to your Jacket and Pants
Adding another layer of warmth to your winter wear are liners for your jacket and pants. Fleece or thermal lining is best in helping you retain as much heat as possible.
Bring Along Food
Your body can retain a great deal of heat on its own, so don’t neglect the ability to remain warm by nourishing your body with food. If you’re out riding on an empty stomach, your body loses its ability to keep warm. Food keeps your body warm by giving you energy. ]]>
Trying out each model available lets you know where the good and pain points are when it comes to riding a motorcycle. So before you go out and buy a bike that is too large or hard to handle for your small frame, think about trying before buying.
Consider keeping track of each bike that interests you. Take notes or use an app to take pictures and keep track of the motorcycles that fit your size requirements. You should find out now if you can or can’t reach the ground before you buy a motorcycle and make the mistake of finding out when it’s too late to avoid injury. Try putting your feet flat on the ground. As someone new to biking, this is important in a motorcycle because of the level of control it provides you.
Read Up On Your Options
Page through a motorcycle magazine like Motorcycle Consumer News to learn about the ergonomics involved in purchasing and riding motorcycles. Cycle Ergo is also a valuable resource when it comes to comparison shopping with models of which you are already familiar.Consider Seat Width And Comfort
As with anything, your comfort is a top priority when riding a motorcycle. Because of that, you’re going to want to ride a motorcycle that leaves little room between the width of your thighs. This will provide you with extra control over the motorcycle, because without it, you will be doomed. Smaller seats provide the ability to easily touch the ground with both feet and that aids in holding up the bike when stopped.Consider The Footpeg Position
Where your footpegs are is important when riding a motorcycle. Find your most comfortable position when riding motorcycles at a bike show. Some people prefer riding crouched, while others like the upright position when riding. Find a position that gives you the best balance between comfort and control over the motorcycle.Overall, make sure that the motorcycle you want to ride provides you with easy access to all of the controls you need to ride it while avoiding injury. You don’t want to ride a motorcycle that doesn’t give you control, so this is something you’ll want to keep in mind when shopping for a bike to ride. As with anything, practice makes perfect, so be sure to practice on a cheap bike so that you can learn how to maneuver it properly before buying a more expensive model. Before you get good (and fast), you’ll have to practice riding and stopping – and everything in between. ]]>
The most essential piece of gear you need is a proper fitting helmet. To ensure you choose the right helmet you should be ready to try on many. Since close to 50% of all motorcycle accidents result in injury to the face not covered by a helmet, a full-face helmet is highly recommended. Your helmet should fit snug but not pinch or press any pressure points. It is very important to make sure the helmet is snug enough that it will not rotate upon the scalp. Also, when you think you've found the right one wear it for more than just a minute or two, walk around the store, hang out in it for a bit.
Hands and fingers are pretty important, not something you want to lose. That means good riding gloves are also important. The right gloves should cover the entirety of your hands and wrists and be made out of high quality material. You don't want to have any gap of skin exposed to the open road, so proper wrist restraints are essential as well.
Not just any jacket will do, you are definitely going to need a motorcycle jacket from a reputable dealer. A leather jacket with vents to help with cooling is ideal, but you can also go with textile for a less expensive option. Your jacket should also fit snug but have some give in it, while maintaining overlap with your gloves so that no skin is exposed.
Armor is an impact absorbing cushion that is necessary for protection to the most vulnerable parts of your body. Armor can be built in to your gear or bought separately and should always have a "CE" safety rating. In a jacket you want CE-rated armor for your back, elbows and shoulders. In pants your looking for, again CE-rated protection, for your hips, knees and shins.
True riding pants will be made of leather or textile but we know some will ride in jeans. Don't be fooled, regular jeans will never provide the protection you need. Jeans should never be considered an option unless they are made with Kevlar or include Kevlar panels.
Also important are boots & accessories. A good riding boot should be should be slip-resistant, oil-resistant and offer protection above the ankles. You'll need a good set of ear plugs in order to protect you from a loss of hearing over time. It is also necessary to have proper lenses that fit your helmet for both daytime and night time riding.
Remember, having the right motorcycle gear is key to riding responsibly. Riding responsibly is the only way to ride if you want to enjoy riding for years to come. ]]>
Search the Area
Prior to checking out the options for specific makes and models, you need to know where to look. Therefore, you should understand the difference between purchasing from a private seller and visiting a dealership. Private sellers usually have lower prices, and you may find that they are easier to negotiate with. On the other hand, dealerships offer a greater sense of security, and you have at least some sort of safety net in the event that the motorcycle has problems. Private sellers can essentially vanish.
Create Your Budget
You don't want to get too excited about any particular vehicle before you have set a budget for yourself. Knowing how much money you can spend is imperative. Furthermore, you must decide if you want to purchase the motorcycle outright or if you plan to lease or finance in. In the latter cases, you also must calculate how much you can afford to pay each month. Setting a budget allows you to filter options when you're searching and avoid getting too invested in a bike that is out of your range.
Inspect the Vehicle
One of the most important motorcycle buying tips is to check out the vehicle before you make the purchase. In fact, you might want to ask your own mechanic to look at it with you in order to ensure that it is safe and in good condition. Otherwise, you could end up purchase a vehicle in poor shape that ends up costing you a great deal of money or even your life. If you do not know someone who is a mechanic, then going to a reputable dealership with a reliable reputation is even more important.
Try It Out
Some people skip over the process of test-driving, but that is one of the most crucial motorcycle buying tips. Doing so helps you to gauge if this vehicle really is the one for you. Going for a ride allows you to see if the vehicle is comfortable. Also, after you have ridden the bike, you can talk to the sales representative about any potential problems that you noticed. On the other hand, you may recognize that the ride is entirely smooth and decide to make an offer on the bike right away.
Buying a motorcycle means that you need to pay attention to safety and security; you also want to choose a style that suits you. These tips help you to navigate through the process and to pick out a vehicle that makes sense for your needs and takes you out on the road.
1. Increased Safety in Helmets
Helmets are one of the oldest pieces of protective motorcycle gear, but recent changes have increased their overall effectiveness. Built in cameras and GPS tracking systems have been added in the latest equipment, and this has proven highly effective in both eliminating blind spots and providing quality rear views.
2. LED Lighting
One of the biggest safety concerns that has always plagued motorcycle enthusiasts is the fact that other motorists often find it difficult to see them. This lack of visibility has resulted in thousands of crashes and fatalities. However, LED lighting significantly increases visibility. Not to mention, it also looks sharp as you're driving down the open road. Best of all, it also helps the rider get a better view of the road ahead of them, making it a safer road for all to enjoy.
3. Solution for Newer Drivers
Many manufacturers design new motorcycles with speed in mind, and it's understandable why they would do so. However, a growing number are doing just the opposite as they are lowering the horsepower of some of their products. While the idea of a "superbike" may sound exciting, the fact remains that newer drivers need time and practice in order to understand how to handle such a powerful piece of equipment. It also makes for a great alternative for those interested in achieving a safer commute on their motorcycle.
4. Improved Boots
One of the most overlooked pieces of protective motorcycle gear is boots. Many people look at them as simply a fashion statement to show the world they are attuned in the world of motorcycles. However, poorly manufactured boots have led to more injuries than many are aware of. Boot manufacturers, however, have recognized this concern, and they have put time and effort into creating new products that offer riders flexible impact technology capable of better protecting the feet while providing a higher shock absorption in the event of an accident.
5. Three Wheelers
It can be difficult for aging motorcycle enthusiasts to handle their bikes. However, since the introduction of three-wheeled motorcycles, they have an alternative in order to continue to safely enjoy the experience. With this increase in balance, they can heighten their safety on the road by being better able to achieve stability while still looking cool doing it.
Before we can give you our tips, we first need to look at why and what causes hand numbness while driving a motorcycle. Hand numbness is actually caused by irritation, damage, or compression to the nerves that are located in your arm and wrists. While riding a motorcycle, you are always clenching onto your handlebars, causing an extended amount of time in which your wrists nerves are being compressed. So how exactly do you combat this problem?
#1: For those of you who are new to the world of owning and riding a motorcycle, it’s important that you teach yourself not to over grip your handlebars. It’s easy to get too attached to your handlebars, be sure to hold on, but not to clench down too hard while operating the motorcycle's throttle. Furthermore, try your best to keep the least amount of weight focused on the wrists. This is harder to do if you own a sports bike which requires you to learn forward all of the time. If you find yourself needing to lean forward in order to properly operate your bike you can reduce the amount of weight on your wrists by gripping the gas tank more tightly with your knees. Furthermore, if you are riding your motorcycle for an extended amount of time, be sure to take time to shake out your hands every half hour to keep blood circulating smoothly.
#2: If the above tips fail to help you out concerning the numbness of hands, we recommend that you consider replacing your stock handle grips with softer grips, which can be bought from sites such as Amazon. Furthermore, it’s extremely important that you are properly fitted to your bike, which means you need to be sure that your bike seat is adjusted correctly to your height, as this will allow you to more easily disperse your weight while operating your bike. Lastly, if your thumb is becoming more of an issue, you might consider getting a throttle lock for your bike, however, you will need to be extra cautious while operating the throttle lock.
]]>7.) Pacific Coast Highway
If all you need is a contented and thrilling ride why not try out the 1700 miles trip from Astoria to San Juan Capistrano California? Characterized by red forest, Seaside towns, beaches, cliffs, winding and adulating roads the highway is surely the champion of road trips.
6.) The Great River Road
Meet the friendly locals from 10 states which boarders the Great Mississippi River to Louisiana’s Cajun Country. This route was created in 1938, and bikers can avoid the industrial area while riding through Cypress Swamps, paddocks, limestone cliffs, forests, wildlife reserves, etc., giving you a memorable experience.
5.) The Three Sisters, also known as The Twisted Sisters
Just as its name suggests, the trip will be full of excellent meanders amongst great sceneries that will leave your jaws dropped. It starts from Medina TX to Leakey, then to Texas 41 to Camp Wood then back to Leakey again. Think of the mind-blowing scenery that you will come across throughout the ride, clear rivers, twisty mountains, ranches, vistas and great curves. The list will be incomplete if I do not mention Nueces River, pronounced as New Aces River.
4.) Cherohala Skyway Tennessee
Riding on this road, you are set to do a 5400 meters and above elevation, through a perfect and well-maintained road. The stretch is also referred as the “a drive along the clouds”. Your trip starts from Tellico TN and ends at Robbinsville NC, which is approximately 40 miles ride, with few restrooms. Enjoy trout fishing, on the lower elevation of Tellico river, eateries and gas stations can be found on the sleepy Tellico town plains. Caution should be taken while riding on winter season or at night, as it may be extremely dangerous.
3) Overseas Highway, Florida
Take pleasure in the biker friendly ambiance cruising through Key Largo to Key West, a distance of approximately 100 miles, on the thin stretchy road comprised of bridges, packed in Atlantic and the Gulf of Mexico. How about seafood and fresh salt air as a climax for your ride?
2.) Highway 12
Enjoy 124 miles ride through the sandstone rock formation, canyons, deep blue Lakes, forests and a curvy road leading to Capital Reef National Park in Utah. Viewing the Boulder Mountain and Red Canyon in Dixie National Forest, Never gets any better.
1.) River Road (FM 170)
Characterized by stunted forests, badlands, mountains and forests, Farm to market 170, the trip continues to be a dream yet to be accomplished by most riders. Starting from Terlingua, you have 120 miles to ride towards Candelaria Big Bend Texas. Here you can now enjoy a boat ride to the Rio Grande, at the Boquillas Crossing. One describing word for all who have been here is simply heaven.
The best way to prevent a motorcycle accident is to always expect the unexpected. Because of their small profile, some automobile drivers do not see motorcyclists. This means that they will often turn left in front of a motorcycle, they may open the door of a parked vehicle in front of a passing motorcycle, or even attempt to over pass another vehicle without noticing that there is a motorcycle in their way. Motorcycle operators have to be ready to stop, swerve, and maneuver at a moment's notice, all without losing control of their vehicle.
Before operating a motorcycle, learn how the bike works and what to expect from it at any time during the ride. Motorcycle operators should practice maneuvering their bike in a wide range of situations, including taking turns, going around potholes, driving on dirt roads, and in snow or rainy conditions. Learn how to stop the bike without locking the front brakes and see potential trouble spots and avoid them to prevent an accident.
It is important that a motorcycle driver makes themselves visible to other drivers on the road. One of the biggest causes of motorcycle accidents is that a motorcycle gets rear-ended or forced off the road while it is being passed by an automobile. One way to prevent accidents is for a motorcycle operator to stop their bike at a light in between two lanes. Or they should stop toward the side of a lane. This makes them visible to the driver, and this provides them with an escape route if they notice that an automobile operator does not see them.
Many motorcycle accidents are caused by motorcyclists driving too fast. Usually, when road conditions are bad, motorcyclists drive with more caution. However, on a sunny day and on a dry road, some motorcyclists may be tempted to drive faster than is recommended. Speeding, performing tricks, or doing any other type of risky behavior is just asking for an accident.
Finally, do not drink and drive. In every state one of the primary reasons for motorcycle accidents is because the motorcycle operator was intoxicated. Operating a motorcycle requires that you use balance and coordination. If you’re intoxicated or on prescription drugs, you do not have the skills needed to operate a motorcycle.
Motorcycles are a fun and inexpensive mode of transportation. Use good judgment while operating your motorcycle, practice good riding techniques, and use appropriate safety gear. By following these steps, you minimize the chance of being a victim of a motorcycle accident.
MOORESVILLE, NC - May 2, 2016 - Pro Pad Inc. announces the latest addition to their line of seat pads, the Quilted Diamond Mesh. This product uses a quilted layer of black, mesh fabric to provide both a soft cushion and breathability while maintaining great style. All Quilted Diamond Mesh seat pads use the Pro Pad Polymer (Gel) insert. The Medium, Large, and SuprCruzr sizes also come with a tailbone cutout for maximum comfort. Installation is easy with the quick disconnect hooks included.
Small sizes start at $55.95 with larger sizes around $99.95. The Quilted Diamond Mesh seat pad is available in five sizes: Medium (10” x 14”), Large (12” x 16”), Small (7” x 10”), SuprCruzr (16” x 17”), and Touring (14” x 16.5”). All pads have a 2 year replacement warranty. Each seat pad is made in the USA.
The Diamond Mesh seat pads are available by contacting Pro Pad Inc directly at 1-800-403-2714 or online at www.propadinc.com. They may also be found at select motorcycle or accessory dealers.
About Pro Pad Inc.
Pro Pad Inc. is a leading manufacturer of motorcycle seat pads, motorcycle flags and motorcycle flag mounts. Our motorcycle accessories are 100% made in the USA for our global customer base. 2014 marked the 15th anniversary for our family owned and operated motorcycle accessory business. For more information, please visit https://www.thepropad.com/ or call us at 1-800-403-2714.
Contact Information:
Mike Enzwiler
PRO PAD INC
148 Cedar Pointe Dr. Ste. 102
Mooresville, NC 28117
1 800 403 2714
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