2Wheeltips

I know…you like the look of that novelty helmet that you saw on someone and you know that you would look GREAT in the same helmet….  Riding down the road on your cruiser, wind in your face,  that's the ride and the look for you!  You'd ride without a helmet if only your state allowed it, so the novelty helmet is the next best thing, right?  After all, something is better than nothing, and you won't be pulled over for riding without a helmet.  All is good on the road, right?  Well, perhaps you should think again.

Complain all you want about the government getting involved in your personal business by requiring you to wear a helmet, but it's not the state official who will be injured if you crash with no head protection.  And, personally, I just want you to understand a little more about novelty helmets before you convince yourself that they do anything to help you in the case of a crash or fall.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration tested some novelty helmets to see how they performed against the DOT certification.  All the novelty helmets tested failed.  I repeat…..all of the novelty helmets test failed. Not only did they fail but the test results even state that you have a "100-percent probability of brain injuries and skull fracture, indicating that the person wearing the helmet will sustain fatal head injuries."  Other findings from the tests….."All the novelty helmets failed to pass the impact attenuation, penetration, and helmet retention system requirements."

In plain english…..when they hit the ground, they will split open or get punctured by debris on the ground. What remains of the helmet will come off your head because the chin strap will stretch or snap from the stress of the impact. You will crack your skull and die or become a vegetable. Sounds nice, huh?

The bottom line is that your head gets little to no protection.  Good luck if your novelty helmet even remains on your head.  Most of the helmets tested could not even do that!  Some chin straps could be pulled off the helmet with a good yank. Why not just wear a baseball cap? They are cheaper and seem like they give the same amount of protection.

So, it seems to me, at least, that the choice is pretty clear.  Like your head?  Care about your brain?  Wear a helmet that is DOT and/or Snell certified.  Think about it now, before you need it, before you have an accident or fall…because if you wait until AFTER that accident or fall, it is too late.

Ride a motorcycle and soon you will realize that one of the most personalized accessories you can get  speaks volumes about you, but costs you absolutely nothing:  your biker nickname.  In this column, I invite everyone to respond by answering the following questions (and I'll be the first to provide my own answers!):
    1.    Do you have a biker nickname?  If so, what is it?
    2.    Now, for the really interesting part:  How did you acquire that nickname (without being too offensive, and avoiding those dreaded TMI (too much information) bits and pieces…?
    3.    If you don't have a nickname, what do you want it to be, and why?

Okay, everyone, here I go!

1.  My biker nickname is "Cookie".
2.  Friends that I ride with know me for my homemade cookies, so "Cookie"  seemed the appropriate nickname for me.
Do I look like a "Cookie"….who knows (you can decide for yourself when you meet me in person)?  But, "Cookie" it is, and "Cookie" I am!

Now, it's your turn to share!  What's your story?

When going on an overnight motorcycle trip you will need a motorcycle cover. Not only do they protect your bike from the elements, but they keep prying eyes and hands away from your expensive accessories. No one pays much attention to someone admiring your uncovered bike. But someone approaching a covered bike draws suspicion.

For trips, you should get a lightweight cover. They usually come with a pouch and can be stuffed in a saddle bag or luggage with ease. Thick covers are good for winter storage or if you keep you bike outside. They all will protect your bike from dust, dirt, pollen and rain.The main criteria is that the cover fits your bike.

Covers vary in price so shop around. You don't need to spend much to get a good cover.

Bungee nets are great products for securing stuff to your bike and work better than regular cords. They come in various shapes and sizes and are good for securing everything from helmets to backpacks and bags.

A quick tip. Make sure you get a net that has removable plastic clips and not plastic-coated metal. The caps on the end of the metal clips come off all the time and they will scratch up your bike. Nets with removable clips let you position them for a very tight and secure fit. Also get a net made from good quality material. Avoid the cheap flimsy nets as they don't tightly secure your gear.

Not only are engine guards and frame sliders a great way to improve the look of your bike, they can protect your bike for serious damage if you get in an accident or your bike tips over.

 Here I scraped up my bike when it tipped over on uneven ground. I had to replace the clutch lever and the mirror. Not cheap.....wish I would have had an engine guard.

They are good investments and come in many styles so shop around.  You can find many deals online and at motorcycle shows.

Here is a quick tip most riders haven't considered. If you don't want to spend hundreds of dollars on a communication system for your bike, or you don't want a bunch of cables hooked up everywhere, consider getting a motorcycle bluetooth headset.

They use the same technology as cellphones headsets you see stuck in everyones ears. they come with speakers and a microphone that you attach to the inside and side of your helmet and let you talk to your passenger without using wires.

Good ones come with noise canceling technology to cut out the wind noise and automatic volume control to adjust the volume when on the highway. The sound is clear enough even while wearing earplugs.

Some models link to your GPS so you can hear the turn by turn voice prompts.. Still others link to your cellphone to let your answer calls without taking off your helmet.

If you and a riding buddy both have motorcycle headsets, you can link them to your cellphones and place a call before you ride. That way you will be able to talk to each other while riding. I call it the poor mans alternative to an expensive CB radio.

Like thermometers, motorcycle clocks can be very expensive and some of us can't bring ourselves to pay $35.00 and up for something that cost just a few bucks to make.

While out on a ride, I came across a couple on a Honda Shadow Aero who had a very neat solution. He bought a cheap $8.00 watch with a nylon wrist band from the local store. He simply strapped it around his cables. It didn't look bad and he saved himself a few dollars in the process.

While very helpful, most bikes do not include a thermometer. As you put more miles on your bike, you will soon discover that at certain temperatures, riding is not as fun and becomes a chore.  On the low end of the scale, your hands are numb and your reflexes are slow. On the high end, you feel faint and dehydrated from the heat. Knowing what those temperatures are can help you plan how to dress for your next ride.

A quick trip to the motorcycle store or an online catalog is quite a sticker shock. Even the cheapest thermometer cost $30.00.....the really nice ones are over $65.00. Some of us just can't bring ourselves to pay that much knowing it cost just a few bucks to make.

Well there are other options out there. Zipper thermometers, which cost around $3.00, are used by hikers and skiers all the time. you can hook one to your jacket or put it in your tank bag window.   Also liquid crystal temperature strips also work. They cost around $7.00 and easily slip into your tank bag or can be easily taped to the handlebars.

Every rider should know about crampbusters and throttle rockers. They are plastic "paddles" you wrap around your throttle. You rest the heel of your hand on the paddle and it keeps the gas open. Sorta like a poor man's cruise control. 
 

You can get the permanent metal ones that are more stylish,  but the originals work great and are very affordable.

So, if you don't have a few hundred dollars to give your dealer for electronic cruise control, throttle rockers and crampbusters are the ticket.

Not only are engine guards and frame sliders a great way to improve the look of your bike, they can protect your bike from serious damage if you get in an accident or your bike tips over.
 

Here I scraped up my bike when it tipped over on uneven ground.I had to replace the clutch lever and the mirror. Not cheap.....wish I would have had an engine guard. They are good investments and come in many styles, so shop around.  You can find many deals online and at motorcycle shows.