2Wheeltips

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?

We just added a news feed from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration on Motorcycle Recalls.

Check it out. It is located on the News tab and the link is on the right navigation at the bottom. Let us know what you think.

FYI. We also have motorcycle Tire recall data too. It is also in the news tab.
Let me know what you think.

There is nothing wrong with purchasing a used bike, especially if you are a new rider. Why spend thousands (if not 10's of thousands) on a bike only to find out it is not for you. Also why get the biggest baddest bike on the showroom floor only to have the power and weight of it scare you into next week. So starting out small and with something used is a great way to get into motorcycling.

So......in addition to having your motorcycle mechanic check out a used bike, you should also do a search on the VIN to make sure it is clean. Around here you can get a "hot" 600cc sportbike for $500.00 and the last thing you want to do is try to register a stolen bike.

I've come across some great resources you can use to check the VIN before you make the purchase. Not only will it let you know if it was stolen but also if it has been banged up in a crash or previously junked.

Auto Data Direct, Inc.
www.add123.com

CARCO Group, Inc.
www.autotitleinfo.com

Also it seems that some of the vehicle reports may be inaccurate so you can't entirely trust them either.

Both of these sites are approved by the U.S. Justice Department so the information should be very reliable.

Let me know what you think.

Checkout the link to the road perception tests from the MSF website. Let me know what you think. I played around with it for a little while and it looks good.

Make sure you set the speed to slow.

http://www.msf-usa.org/riderperception/

Here are some videos from the MSF website. I decided to be good and link to them instead of embedding them in the 2wheeltips.com website. (plus they probably would get upset if I did). Anyway, check them out. Some of them are old, small and grainy......but......the information is good.


Welcome to the Ride

BRC Hightlights

Group Riding

Common Road Hazards

Let me know what you think.

We have to let you all know that we made it!  The Jan/Feb issue of RoadBike Magazine mentions 2wheeltips.com (see page 17) as a valuable resource for motorcyclists.   The word is spreading within the motorcycling community and more people are learning about the 2wheeltips website and all it has to offer.  So, keep spreading the word, thank you all for your support, and brace yourselves for some really exciting new features yet to come!

Your friends at 2wheeltips

Here is an excellent overview of of motorcycle tires.

http://www.maxxis.com/MotorcycleATV/Motorcycle-Tire-School.aspx

Are you considering learning how to ride a motorcycle?  Do you already have your license but never took a Basic Rider Course and are now considering taking one?  Then, this group is for you!

Signing up for the Basic Rider Course in your area is a great beginning.  But, there are many ways you can prepare yourself in order to get the most out of the class.   After all, the class itself is only a few days long (depending upon which version you take) and it can be tough to digest all of the information that is being thrown your way in such little time.  Here, we will help you prepare to take the BRC, give you insight into what issues you should tackle BEFORE the class, which areas you might want to focus on more DURING the class, and what to expect AFTER the class. 

So you took the BRC…you either passed it and got your motorcycle endorsement or you are licking your wounds because you failed the class.  Now what?  Well, if you passed, you may be thinking to yourself: 

• Am I really ready for public roads?
• What do I do now to expand on what I learned in class?
• How do I continue my path to becoming a really proficient motorcyclist?
• Who is willing to ride with a newbie and help mentor me?

And, if you failed the class, you may be thinking:

• What do I do NOW if I really want to get my license?
• Who will help me get myself motivated and prepared to try again?

Thanks to 2wheeltips member, Thundurburd, we have added these topics to the site.  Thundurburd pointed out to us how important it is to continue the learning process even after the BRC is over.  Anyone who took the BRC without ever having sat on a motorcycle before knows that, even once you have successfully graduated from the class, you are far from experienced.  You are a newbie, a novice with lots to learn.  After all, you learned to ride on a protected range, and public roads have all kinds of realities that the range cannot simulate (inclines, tight curves, all kinds of road debris and impediments).  Here, we offer videos, blogs and forums that will help you as you continue the learning process and make your way to becoming a proficient motorcyclist.  And, if you failed to pass the BRC the first time around, we understand that, too.  Not everyone passes the first time they take the class.  Perhaps there are issues that you need to understand better in order to complete the class successfully. 

Either way, watch our videos, read our blogs, send us your questions and link up with other bikers who can also help guide you on improving your ride!