It is a common belief that motorcycle clubs are formed to commit horrible acts of crime and terrorize neighborhoods. Thankfully, this is rarely the case. One or two notorious groups (think Hell’s Angels) have painted a stark image of motorcycling.
In reality, there are thousands of groups in the world today. Starting in 1903, the Yonkers Motorcycle Club was formed. The group met to share their love of motorcycles. The Yonkers Motorcycle Club is the oldest of its kind. San Francisco followed suit a short while later. These two dominated the scene until the 1950s when more groups formed.

There are dozens of motorcycle groups throughout the United States and Canada. Sizes vary greatly from just three or four members to hundreds of members. Membership can be open or limited to only approved applicants. Many show their pride in motorcycling by creating jackets or shirts with their club logo.

Even today, new groups form daily. All it takes is for a few people to find they have common ground whether it is a passion for the area where they ride or the style of motorcycle they ride. Motorcycle clubs can focus on one specific model, the riders’ profession, a love for mountain roads, or dozens of other reasons.

There are many clubs scattered throughout the world. The Saskatchewan Motorcycle Club in Canada spends their time touring Canada’s remote areas. Harley Davidson Clubs meet to share their passion for the Harley Davidson brand. Vespa Riders of Rome spend their time cruising the city streets. Florida Brothers Of The Bike cruise the beaches of Daytona. These are only a few of the groups out there.

Women find a niche for themselves in the Women On Wheels Motorcycle Association. This women-only group has more than 100 chapters throughout the United States, Canada, and Switzerland. These adventurous women plan their routes in advance and then explore new areas as a team.

Police and military groups are also common. As police and military units have relied on motorcycles since World War I, it is not surprising that they would form their own clubs dedicated to the machine that makes their job easier.

Regardless of the group, the rules never change. The important factor is having fun in a safe manner. Motorcycle riders will team up to help others repair their motorcycle, find pleasing routes to take, and even recommend restaurants who cater to bikers.

The knowledge that comes from motorcycle club members is tremendous. You can guarantee that this brotherhood will tell you where to find the least expensive parts, greatest destinations, and best hotels. Advice is happily given and someone always has an answer to your question. For these reasons, motorcycle groups are key to enjoying and sharing your passion.

If you own a motorcycle you might want to dress in black leather everyday others just like to dress as they want. The true Harley Davidson rider will know what to wear and ride, from clothes to accessories, you can buy everything at the dealership or online.

The Black leather jacket is the first thing you should buy when it comes to riding. Harley Davidson has a nice black leather jacket and it is only made by them, not only is this jacket worn for protection but will also protect from the elements. You will need to get a jacket that fits. You will need to get a leather jacket that is a little big. Also the jacket will stretch to meet your body when you’re riding. This doesn’t mean to buy a jacket that is smaller so it will make a good fit.
Black leather pants are another good thing to wear when you ride bikes. Purchasing black leather pants is the bottom half of your protection. There are many different types of these pants in sizes and shapes.

The other thing is the black riding boots. You can buy these for women and men. Women can choose from all kinds of boots as well as men.

Should motorcycle riders wear helmets? The answer is left to the rider. You might as well wear the helmet since you bought all the gear as in the pants, jacket, and boots.

If you choose not to wear a helmet you should always wear goggles, these will protect your eyes as your own little windshield. You don’t want anything to get into your eyes when you are riding a bike. It would be really bad if something were to happen.

Gloves are another thing that will be of interest to you if you are a rider. These are most likely black as well, which will allow you to grip without the sweat ripping you away from the bike as you ride.

These pieces of clothing are the basic things to be a rider of a any bike and especially the Harley Davidson look. Most of the bikers that you dressed in these clothes will be riding Harleys or a wannabe.

You can even buy biker clothes for your baby as well. If you have a son or daughter that likes to go with you, there are many things you can buy for them as well to be protected with.

When you buy leather motorcycle clothes, these clothes should be well taken care of and preserved. So you will have them to use and ride with for times to come. There shouldn’t be a time when you are on your Harley and you are not wearing black leather.

Motorcycle owners know the importance of protecting their vehicles and themselves from unforeseen events. As consumers, motorcycle riders are always on the look out for good deals. These riders would be pleasantly surprised at the growing number of insurance companies offering cheap motorcycle insurance. The companies themselves shun the term cheap though; they fear that consumers might view cheap as having low quality, or in the case of insurance coverage, being inadequate and weak. Insurers have found ways of cutting down the cost of insurance premiums to attract more customers. Apart from the basic reduction in rates, companies have devised economical packages and combinations of coverage to suit every driver’s needs.

Insurers have also adopted a more lenient definition of insurable risks. They now offer insurance to new riders and to companies that use motorcycles in their operation, a segment of the market which, before, has been neglected for posing too high a risk to riders. Cheap motorcycle insurance nowadays comes with high standards of coverage and customer care at the barest of requirements. And as with all other providers of products and services, insurance companies have recognized the potential of offering their products over the Internet. The perennial bricks and mortar insurance industry has been quick to get into the dot.com bandwagon. Insurance products offered online have been warmly received by the market. This has also enabled insurers to reduce costs in various aspects of their business.

Motorcycle riders seeking insurance coverage now have endless options available to them. Experience shows that a large portion of the market still prefer the human element when acquiring insurance coverage, but a growing number of motorists are turning to the online insurance providers for a faster and more economical service. Most insurers offer both options and they keep the expenses incurred and the prices of products of their online and offline operations separate while both focusing on the needs of their customers. Of course, the rates between these two selling channels vary due in part to the different cost of doing business.

The more comprehensive insurance packages offered by companies usually offer coverage for bodily injury and property damage liability, own-damage and collision, uninsured and underinsured motorists, medical costs, custom parts and equipment and roadside support. Different jurisdictions require different extents of coverage but motorists should always consider purchasing more than what is required to better protect themselves against lawsuits and larger expenses.

Nothing comes cheap these days but with the competition in the motorcycle insurance sector, insurers have began to see their way through offering cheap motorcycle insurance to address the growing demand for easy-access, no frills coverage. Motorcycle riders now have a wide range of choices for insurance coverage at very reasonable costs.

(c) 2008 Katie Kelley

Although scooters are flying off the shelves at most dealer locations because of increasing gas prices, and the appeal of the motorcycle is no longer for the urban cowboy, but rather for the everyman — the dangers of accidents associated with these forms of transportation are often overlooked even as they increase.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) reported that there are approximately 6.6 million registered motorcycles, not including scooters, in the United States. The NHTSA also reported that nearly 2,500 motorcyclists die in traffic accidents each year, and while this number was previously decreasing from 1990 to 1997, it has increased at least 40 percent steadily since 1997.

Scooter and Motorcycle Popularity Parallels Dangers

According to a news article from the Dallas Morning News on July 2, scooter sales had increased 24 percent in the first half of 2008. Additionally, the Motorcycle Industry Council, noted that Vespa saw a nearly 40 percent increase in sales while Yamaha reported a 65 percent increase over a one-year period.

A Consumer Reports article from June 2008 also discussed the popularity of motorcycles and scooters, which have increased tenfold. The article detailed sales of motorcycles, which have increased to approximately $1.2 million in 2006 alone — a record unseen before. However, in that same year, it was reported that motorcycle fatalities accounted for more than 10 percent of all motor vehicle crash deaths.

However, motorcycle accidents are up approximately 127 percent since 1997 and the NHTSA reported that a motorcyclist is approximately 34 times more likely to die in a crash than someone in a passenger car. Additionally it has been reported that:

* In 2006, motorcyclist fatalities nearly doubled killing 4,810.

* According to the Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) motorcylce deaths are on the rise whereas vehicle/automotive deaths have declined.

* Approximately 88,000 motorcycle riders were injured in 2006, according to the NHTSA.

* Supersport bikes (also nicknamed rocket bikes or crotch rockets) have fatality rates that are four times greater than other motorcycle riders.

* These supersport bikes made up only 10 percent of registered motorcycles in 2005, but were responsible for 25 percent of motorcycle fatalities in that year.

* Wearing a helmet can reduced crash fatalities among riders by nearly 37 percent, according to NHTSA.

Scooter and Motorcycle Accident Costs

While many individuals are moving toward scooters and motorcycles to save money on the costs of gasoline, often, individuals overlook that scooter and motorcycle accidents can be extremely costly particularly among those not wearing helmets and involved in a scooter or motorcycle crash.

According to analysts from the Pacific Institute for Research and Evaluation, working under contract for the NHTSA, who studied the results of 25 motorcycle studies conducted during the last few decades, the costs for motorcycle injuries can be priced for non-helmet riders from $7,200 upward to $30,400 in hospital-admitted and fatal accidents; whereas helmet wearers paid less after a crash costing anywhere from $3,000 to $17,400 in accident and hospital-related costs.

The study also reported that riders afflicted with a head injury will likely pay an average of $43,214 for trauma-center admittance and an average of $22,491 for hospital-admittance, while no head injury motorcycle or scooter riders involved in an paid an average of $15,528 for trauma-center admittance and an average of $11,430 for hospital-admission injuries.

Safety Tips for Better Driving

The U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT) offers educational programs and classes for those seeking to own and operate a scooter or motorcycle. Among the USDOT?recommendations are the following for the increasing number of motorcyclists and scooters drivers:

* Watch for the “no-zones” - often the blind spots of trucks as well as cars. * Wear USDOT approved helmets at all times.

* Riders must always drive defensively, but still with caution.

* Never ride between lanes in traffic or share a lane with another vehicle.

* Ensure a motorcycle or scooter is updated on maintenance routinely.

* It is imperative that all riders wear jackets, boots, gloves at all times; leather is also known to decrease the risk of rider’s burn.

* Be aware of speeds and maintain speed limits; accidents have been known to occur because riders were speeding and collided with slower moving vehicles such as buses or trucks.

* Be prepared for bad weather as well as night riding, which increases the risk of an accident.

Seeking Accident and Injury Assistance after a Crash

Individuals who have been involved in a motorcycle or scooter crash should seek the assistance of an experienced accident attorney who can offer assistance as well as legal consultation regarding a wreck or injury. Because accidents among motorcyclists and scooter riders quite frequently are not their fault and can often occur because the driver of another vehicle didn?see the motorcycle or scooter, it may be wise to begin building a scooter or motorcycle crash case or lawsuit.

Because of the costly bills associated with motorcycle or scooter accident, an individual may want to discuss an accident lawsuit with an experienced law firm.

When most people think about a motorcycle trip on the open road, one thing comes to mind; simplicity. People envision motorcycle riders roughing it with just the clothes on their back. In reality though, even the most die-hard motorcycle rider likes to have at least a few of the essentials with them, and many more like to take a little bit extra.

This is where a custom luggage motorcycle rack comes into play. Most modern motorcycles can easily be outfitted with basic saddlebags to carry a few items. Motorcycle luggage racks however give the rider the ability to be able to pack a little bit more. Even older model motorcycles can be outfitted with custom luggage motorcycle racks for them to pack their belongings in. When you decide to outfit your motorcycle with a custom luggage motorcycle rack, there are three important things you should take into consideration.

3. The Material it is Made From

While purchasing a custom luggage motorcycle rack that is made from cheaper materials may seem like a good idea to save a few bucks, in reality it really isn’t a good idea. Purchasing motorcycle luggage racks made from quality materials will actually save you money in the long run, because you won’t have to replace it as often. Motorcycle parts are exposed to the elements far more than car parts are, and this exposure can cause materials to deteriorate faster. When you purchase a custom luggage motorcycle rack that is made from high quality materials, it will last you for years to come.

2. The Weight and Size of the Luggage Rack

The weight and size of the luggage rack you choose can have a huge impact on how your motorcycle handles on the road. Having a luggage rack that is too heavy can cause excess drag on your motorcycle. If the luggage rack is too large, it can make the motorcycle awkward and unbalanced. While you may desire to choose the biggest luggage rack there is so that you can carry more things with you, you should definitely speak to a specialist about exactly what weight and size luggage rack is the best choice for your specific motorcycle.

1. Compatibility with Your Motorcycle

This is the most important thing you should consider when choosing your custom luggage motorcycle rack. Not all luggage racks are compatible with all motorcycles and choosing the wrong rack can make many different things happen. The rack may not attach correctly, which can cause physical damage to the motorcycle or even cause the luggage rack to fall off. When consulting with the person or company that is going to manufacture your custom luggage motorcycle rack, it is important that you make sure they help you find a luggage rack that is perfectly compatible with your motorcycle.