2Wheeltips

We made a ton of new changes and added lots of new features that will help you improve your riding skills and connect with local riders. Some of these are:

Limited ads
We had limited control over the ads but now we have total control over what type and where they will go. When ads appear, they will be very limited and related to motorcycling.

New ways to link up with members
If you fill out your profile, other riders will be able to find you based on your common interests. We also have instant messaging, voice chat and video chat built into the site. You can see who is online and instantly communicate with them. If you don't want to be bothered, you can make your profile private and only your friends can contact you. There are many other ways to reach out to new members and we will cover them in upcoming blog posts.

True High Definition Video
Have you played our new videos yet? All of our videos are now in 16.9 aspect ratio and in high definition, a very big improvement over the prior version of the site. You can also link in videos from any site including YouTube, Veoh and Vimeo. If you have your own videos, you can upload them as well.

Groups and Events
Now you can create your own groups and have events within groups. This is perfect for communicating with friends and getting together for rides. Groups can even have their own forums, videos and photo albums.

Photo Albums
Photo Albums are now supported. You can have albums within groups and  events, a nice way to share your riding pictures.

Over the next few days and weeks, we will update this blog to help you learn to navigate all the nice new features on the site.

Many people riding motorcycles on public roads do so without ever getting a motorcycle license.  What’s the big deal if you ride unlicensed? Have you considered it yourself?  Are you an unlicensed rider?  Do not assume you have the skills and knowledge to ride a motorcycle because you have an automobile license. Being on 2 wheels is in no way the same as being on 4 wheels, and the training needed to get a motorcycle license teaches you the differences.

If you decide to get licensed, you should take a motorcycle safety class first. Although you can practice yourself or with the help of a licensed friend, a safety class will teach all the basics of handling a bike. You will also spend time on a bike practicing your skills with the help of certified instructors. Another benefit of taking the safety class is reduced insurance rates. The Hurt report, which outlines Motorcycle Accident Cause Factors, states that motorcycle rider training decreases the likelihood of accidents and serious injuries. Insurance companies offer lower rates to riders who have passed a safety class. Many safety classes require a learner's permit before attending class, so call ahead to check on the requirements before enrolling.

Once you pass the class, it is off to the local DMV for a motorcycle road test. Many states allow you to skip the test and obtain your license immediately if you successfully complete a safety class. If you decided not to take a class, then you will have to prove to the DMV instructor (who may be having a bad day) that you have all of the basic skills needed to operate a motorcycle. You will also have to bring your own bike. Since you do not have a license yet, you will have to tow it to the testing faclity or have a friend ride it there for you. In some places, law enforcement will check to see who shows up for testing without a license. Getting a ticket before getting your license is not a good way to get into motorcycling.

 Getting your license is just the start. You will need to practice all of the skills you learned in class. Find an empty parking lot and practice, practice practice. 

What should you carry with you while riding?  Bikes come with a basic tool kit, but there are other things that you should carry with you:

Your M.O.M.!
You should always have your Motorcycle Owner’s Manual with you.  It is a valuable source of information and you never know when you will need it.

A tire repair kit
If you have tubeless tires, you may be able to plug them if you have a flat. Basic tire repair kits that work with automobile tires can be used for motorcycle tires and will most likely save you a lot of money.  Also, if you need to ride at highway speeds, avoid using spray tire sealer/inflator as they will cause the bike to vibrate violently.

A kickstand 'puck"
Carry a kickstand puck with you just in case you have to park on a surface that is not solid (or on a hot day when the parking surface might be soft).   At motorcycle shows, you can get these for free from vendors.  If you need one and don't have one, you can "create" one by smashing an aluminum can into a flat surface.

Ear plugs
Carry several pairs of disposable ear plugs with you at all times.  Remember that disposable ear plugs are disposable and are not intended to be used over and over again...always carry several pairs!  Consider disposables as a much less expensive alternative to custom-moulded earplugs.  They have been tested and rated for noise-reduction and you can purchase ones with the noise reduction rating that works best for you!

A flashlight
Small and powerful flashlights are invaluable tools and should be carried by every biker during every trip.  Always check your flashlight batteries to ensure that they are still good!  2Wheeltip:  look for great flashlights that are often given away at motorcycle shows as promotionals.

Water or a sport drink
You can become dehydrated quickly while riding.  Make sure that you bring either water or a sport drink to consume when you stop.

A soft cloth and cleanser
Your visor and windshield can get dirty quickly from road dirt and bugs.  Always keep a soft cloth and some cleanser with you so you can clean up at your next stop.  You can  purchase prepackaged, damp towelettes to remove road debris from your helmet and bike.  However, these tend to leave a residue so do not use them for cleaning your visor. Clean your visor with a microfiber cloth and some inexpensive multi-purpose cleansers that are sold for cleaning computer screens.

Aspirin/pain killer
You may be riding one day and develop a headache or some other pain.  The last thing you want to do is ride while you are distracted by pain!  Take a painkiller that will not make you drowsy, let it take effect, and then get back on your bike and continue your ride.

Allergy or other medication
Always carry with you any medications you may need while traveling.

Your cell phone
We cannot stress enough how important it is to always have your cell phone with you!  Also there are a variety of Bluetooth headsets now available for motorcycle helmets.  If you have a cell phone with Bluetooth capabilities, you might want to consider this type of headset.

Wondering what to wear when riding?  Do you want to look cool on your bike?  Sexy?  Great!  But “cool” and “sexy” won’t save your life if you have an accident!  The rule of thumb is this:  protection should be your primary concern.  There is plenty of great motorcycle gear available that looks good and has built-in protection.  This is what you should wear every time you go out on your bike:

A DOT/SNELL certified helmet
Anything less than this is not going to provide  protection if you have an accident.  It is your head and your brain that you are protecting!

A riding jacket
Good quality riding jackets have built in armor to absorb impact shock in the event of an accident.  There are some very good-looking riding jackets available and you don’t have to spend a fortune to get one that offers protection and good looks. They come in leather, denim or synthetic materials and come in many styles and colors.

Heavy duty jeans and/or riding pants
Heavy duty jeans are the least protection you should have from your waist to your ankles.  Better than heavy duty jeans are special riding pants that, like a riding jacket, offer built-in armor to absorb impact shock in the event of an accident.

Full finger gloves
Good riding gloves will cover your hands completely and some have padding for comfort during long rides. Gloves protect your hands from road debris and from injury in the case of an accident.

Riding boots
A good, sturdy pair of riding boots should have a low heel, slip resistant sole and cover your ankle. They also need to be comfortable enough to walk in, too.   Don’t forget a good pair of comfortable socks. Good socks can make a good boot feel even more comfortable!

Here are things to avoid when riding your bike:

• Clothing that bares any part of your body. Sure you might look sexy with your bare arms or midriff showing as you fly down the road.  But, if you ever have an accident while wearing next to nothing you will pay for it dearly.  Road burn is painful and you may ultimately need skin grafts  to surgically repair parts of your body that came in direct contact with the road (or other) surface.

• Sandals, sneakers or regular shoes. Sandals, sneakers and regular shoes provide limited protection from road debris and almost none if you are in an accident.

It can be quite warm under all of that protective gear, but once you are riding at highway speed, it is amazing how comfortable you can feel with all that gear on, even on a hot summer day. Our rule of thumb is this:  if it is too hot for you to ride with your protective gear on, then it is too hot to ride.

Helmets are required to be DOT certified.  In addition to DOT certification, some helmets also carry SNELL certification.  What is the difference?  Basically, keep this in mind:  all SNELL certified helmet are DOT certified, but not all DOT certified helmets are SNELL certified. 

Both DOT (Department of Transportation) and SNELL (SNELL Memorial Foundation) have their own standards used to test helmets.   The Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard 218 is the one that DOT uses and it dates back to 1974; the SNELL Memorial Foundation uses a standard that is updated every five years.  Some of the other basic similarities and differences between DOT and SNELL certification are:

DOT and SNELL assess each helmet by placing it on a head form that is equipped with sensors. The helmeted head form is then dropped from a specific height onto a steel anvil, and the severity of the impact is recorded.

Both standards drop the head forms on flat and hemispherically shaped anvils in order to simulate different types of impacts. However, SNELL also uses an edged anvil that specifically tests the integrity of the helmet's shell.

While both DOT and SNELL drop their helmets to simulate crash impact, SNELL drops the helmets from greater heights, simulating more severe crash impact and require the helmets to withstand greater impact and more force than the DOT standard.

SNELL certification requires a manufacturer to submit 5 helmets of a particular design, for testing; 4 of the 5 helmets are tested and the last helmet is saved as a sample.  DOT relies on the manufacturer of the helmet to do self-certification.  Periodically, the government will conduct spot audits on the helmet manufacturer.  In 2001, when performing a spot audit on 40 helmets, DOT found a 20% failure rate among some of the helmets.  Once found and reported, it was up to the manufacturers to bring their helmets into compliance.

Although their testing process is very similar, SNELL requires their certified helmets to withstand a greater impact and absorb more force than the DOT standards.

In order for a company to claim that their product is SNELL approved, they have to submit five helmets for testing. Four of those helmets are tested and one is saved as a sample product. If the helmet design passes the tests, the manufacturer enters into a contract with SNELL. This contract allows SNELL Memorial Foundation to buy helmets from the manufacturer and test them on a continual basis in order to ensure quality.

The bottom line:  if you want the safest helmet for your money (and your head!), choose a helmet that has the SNELL certification on it; it will meet or exceed DOT helmet standards.

Many states have mandatory helmet laws, requiring you to wear a helmet while riding.  Although there are those who protest the mandatory helmet laws, you need to be selfish and think only about yourself:  if you go down, even if it is a minor incident, and you hit your head, the helmet is the only thing between you, the ground, and serious injury.  Surely, you don’t need a mandatory helmet law to get you into the very good habit of always  wearing a helmet when you ride; it’s your life and your head...enough said!

If you find that a helmet is not comfortable, try another one.  Shop for a helmet at a store where you can try on various sizes made by different manufacturers and where there is a salesperson who is knowledgeable about fitting helmets.  You may find that the size and shape of your head is best suited to the helmets of one particular manufacturer.  If a helmet is too large or too small, it is the wrong helmet! Once you find the right helmet, you will know it; it will become so comfortable to wear that you will wonder how you could ever consider riding without one.  Half and 3/4 helmets do not offer near the protection that full-face helmets do.  Your helmet serves functions other than just protecting you from head injury; it protects you from bugs, road debris, etc.  At highway speed, even a bug hitting you in the face or eyes can cause serious injury!   You can also purchase additional visors for your helmet that provide UV filtration and shading if you are riding in bright sunlight and you don’t want to wear sunglasses.  These visors are simple to swap out and you may want to consider having several of them for different riding conditions. Remember that, if you start out on a trip during the day and are using a shaded visor, you will have to bring along a clear visor for any riding that you do after the sun goes down. In some states law enforcement will pull you over for riding with shaded visors after dark.

Why should you have motorcycle insurance?  First of all, it is the law in all states.  Minimum coverage requirements vary by state so check with your local DMV.  You should have enough insurance to cover damage to people or property in the event of an accident.

Law enforcement is well aware that many riders are neither licensed nor insured. Police officers routinely set up rider checkpoints to catch unlicensed, uninsured riders. This happens more than you think, especially during motorcycle events and on popular motorcycle routes. Needless to say, if you are caught riding without insurance you could have your bike seized and impounded and pay a very heavy fine. If you are in an accident, you could also be forced to pay damages out of your own pocket.

Need we say more?  Perhaps a few reminders:

1. If you take the motorcycle safety course, you can usually get a discount on your insurance.
2. If you buy a non-racing bike, you can significantly reduce the amount that insurance will cost.
3. Get insurance bids from various companies; you may be surprised at the variations in rates!
4. In colder states with short riding seasons, 6 month insurance policies are available.

The bottom line is:
Save money where you can, without putting yourself at financial risk in the even of an accident, but NEVER ride without insurance!

A riding buddy of mine sent this email a while ago on riding and hearing loss. The 2WheelTips team is a big supporter of wearing earplugs while riding. I thought I'd add it here for discussion.

The facts on Motorcycle related hearing loss.

Most motorcyclists understand the effects of a "silent killer" which follows them every time they enjoy riding their bikes. Unfortunately, several people still believe the causes of hearing loss are due to how loud the bike sounds, and/or that it affects only the people who do not wear full shell helmets. Based on several research studies, the major contributor to hearing loss in the motorcycle industry remains the "silent killer" known as "wind noise." Generically termed as the amount of noise turbulence produced around the head while the rider is in motion. Its inherited consequences result in irreversible hearing loss damage over a period of time when adequate hearing protection is not worn.

Similar to the shooting and aviation industries, if this issue is not addressed correctly from the beginning the amount of exposure to the inner ear is compounded every time the rider ventures out on his/her bike for hours at a time. Constant duration of harmful level noises gradually force the rider into becoming another statistic of the "silent killer." To put this in perspective, according to OSHA's regulation of industrial noise exposure, an average worker surrounded by levels around 85-90dB for an eight-hour day will not exceed the limits of exposure time within a 24-hour period of time. However, when the sound levels exceed 100dB, your exposure time is reduced to two hours. When sound levels exceed 115dB, your exposure time is drastically reduced to 15 minutes. This puts riding a bike into a whole new realm as "wind noise" at highway speeds can measure up to 110dB, or comparable to a running chainsaw. At these levels the riders are not only fatiguing themselves physically from the excess noise exposure, but it also puts them into a position of needing a hearing aid later in life.
Another common ailment of motorcycle riding is a condition known as "Temporary Threshold Shift," commonly referred to as TTS by audiologists and hearing healthcare professionals. TTS is caused by excessive noise exposure for a duration of time, which drops your actual acute hearing pattern to a lower level temporarily. Meaning, your hearing is less than what it was before the initial exposure. Continuous TTS exposure will result in permanent damage. Everyone has experienced this phenomenon at one time or another, whether it is from going to loud dance halls, or concerts, or even work. Even some of today's movie theatres can cause this to happen, but this is a specific certainty for motorcyclists who disregard adequate hearing protection while riding their bike. Riding position and style of windshield help in preventing "silent killers" ability to be fully experienced. But even the best helmets on today's marketplace provide little help when considering "wind noise" levels at normal highway speeds. Obviously, this factor is increased in half shell models as well as skullcaps, but the common helmets used in today's marketplace are designed to fit entirely over the head providing a snug fit. These types of helmets have the best attenuation value (reduction in noise) regardless of any airflow modifications done to the outside. But these helmets still produce wind noise readings of 110 to 116dB's, from 35mph to highway speeds. When reflecting back to the comparison chart, 116dB will only be suitable for 15 minutes of riding a day. Not a lot of time to enjoy your hobby.... Is it?

Although there are several versions of hearing protection devices on the market, a custom set of earmolds is still the best answer in suppressing sound. They provide excellent attenuation values and are comfortable to wear for extended periods of time. They can even be molded with high-grade transducers, which allow for stereo compatibility or communications. We also suggest checking with your local state officials on the regulations of wearing hearing protection. Several states have motorcycle laws regarding earplug use. For a quick reference, see the AMA web pages on State Motorcycle Laws - http://www.ama-cycle.org

Some more interesting facts

1. There is no significant difference in wind noise level as a function of speed, no matter what the helmet brand or model.
2. Neither the riding position nor the brand or styles of motorcycle make any significant difference in noise level.
3. Padding inside the helmet, open or closed vents, or added weather stripping on the helmet to alter flow patterns, does not significantly alter the noise level in a helmet.
4. Stopped at a stop light at a busy intersection with your helmet visor closed produces a sound level of 80-90dB SPL.
5. When not wearing a helmet, the wind noise at highway speed is nearly 10 times greater than when wearing a full coverage helmet.
6. Below 30mph, machine, exhaust and environmental noises are heard. Once speeds exceed approximately 30mph, wind noise dominates completely.
7. Some helmets resonate at approximately 500Hz, and actually enhance wind noise.
8. Legal speeds of 65mph can produce wind noise levels in excess of 108dB, this noise is loud enough to cause TTS in your hearing, tinnitus, and permanent hearing damage

One of the biggest questions a new rider faces is what type of motorcycle to buy. Many new riders will buy a bike similar to the one used in their motorcycle training class only to outgrow the bike within 6 months when their skills improve. eBay, newspapers and magazines are littered with these types of bikes. You also don’t want to go to the other extreme by buying a huge 800 lb. cruiser or a 150 hp+ sport bike that you don’t have the skills to control. Lots of beginners give up on riding because they are intimidated by the size, power and speed of a bike that is far beyond what they can handle.

The key is to purchase a bike that matches the style of riding you anticipate doing over the next two years and has the features, size, power and speed that you can enjoy as your skills improve. Your height and weight also matter. The bike needs of a 6’2”, 200 lb. man are not the same as those of a 5’1”, 100 lb. woman. One will need more size and power while the other will need lower seat height, ease of control and lighter weight.

Before buying, you should know what type of riding you plan to do. Motorcycles that are good for commuting back and forth to work may not be the best bikes for riding cross country or zooming around twisting back roads with friends. So, pick the bike that best suits your needs. Below is a list of common motorcycles you will see at your dealer.
 
Cruiser

1. Easy to control and maneuver
2. Generally have lower seat heights than other types of bikes
3. Varied in weight and length but tend to be relatively heavy 
4. Seating position on cruisers is upright with feet positioned forward
5. Well suited for carrying a passenger, luggage, and saddlebags
6. Excellent for short as well as longer rides and is the choice of most new riders

Standard

1. Easy to control and maneuver
2. Lighter in weight than most cruisers and have a standard seating position where the rider is in an upright position with feet directly under the hips  
3. Tend to have a higher seat height than cruisers
4. Well suited for short rides and longer rides and is a good choice for new riders.

Sport Bike/Racing Bike/”Crotch Rocket”

1. Fast, powerful, light, nimble bikes that can exceed 120mph with ease
2. Have high seating positions and limited storage capacity
3. Racing seating position with the legs back and the rider over the gas tank and handlebars
4. Not suited for long rides; can be very uncomfortable after 1 hour of street riding
5. Much more expensive to insure than other types of bikes
6. Although very popular, is not a good choice for new riders

Tourer

1. Big, heavy bikes used for long rides with the option of comfortably taking a passenger
2. Often equipped with a fairing, CB, GPS, AC, heat, iPod, DVD and other creature comforts needed for long rides
3. Expensive
4. Not a good choice for new riders

Sport-Touring Bike

1. Cross between a sport bike and a touring bike
2. Upright seating position with feet underneath the hips
3. Usually have a fairing and some other creature comforts needed for long rides
4. Usually have a high seating position
5. Well suited for carrying a passenger and luggage on long rides
6. Like touring bikes, sport-touring bikes are not a good choice for new riders

Scooters

1. Light, nimble and easy to control
2. Generally smaller than motorcycles and come with automatic transmissions
3. Larger scooters have considerable storage and can even carry a passenger comfortably at highway speeds
4. Good choice for new riders or those who cannot operate a clutch

Before making your choice, shop around and don’t get stuck on one brand of bike. There are at least 13 major manufacturers to choose from and the price for similar bikes varies considerably. It is very common for similar bikes from different manufacturers to vary by $7,000.00 or more.

New or used?
For obvious reasons, a new bike is always an excellent choice, but used bikes can be as well. A good used bike in great condition can be the perfect first bike; you will be surprised at the number of very low mileage used bikes out there. The sellers are usually riders who are trading up to larger bikes, or have decided that riding is not for them. Depending on the make, it is easy to find a 3 - 4 year old bike with less than 3000 miles on it for half of the cost of a new bike. But, before you purchase a used bike, you should have it checked by an experienced mechanic to make sure that it is properly maintained and isn’t damaged.

How powerful?
Bikes come with engines of various sizes and power.  Most bike engines are rated by the “cc” (cubic centimeter). The higher the cc spec of the engine, the more powerful the bike. For cruisers a good choice for a new rider is in the 750cc - 1000cc range. For sport bikes, 600cc’s is the maximum for a new rider. Standards in the 400cc - 800cc range are a good choice. You want to get a bike that you will not outgrow in 6 - 9 months and yet is not so powerful that it is intimidating to you.


Picking your first motorcycle is a very exciting experience.  Be practical!  Don’t let yourself fall for a bike that may not be good for a novice rider.  There are many bikes out there to pick from, new and used.  Your first bike is just that:  your first bike.  Make sure that it is the right one for YOU to learn on!