Before you hop on your motorcycle or ATV, you want to make sure you have the best helmet possible. Among all of the ATV accessories on sale you find, a helmet is the first one you want to purchase. It will protect you in the event of a collision, and it may just end up saving your life. A new CST CU02 Abuzz rear tire may be nice right now, but for the time being, your attention should be on finding the best helmet possible at the lowest price.
Make Sure the Helmet Still Meets All Safety Standards
It makes sense for riders to not want to spend a lot of money on a new helmet. However, you never want to sacrifice quality in the hunt for a good deal. There are plenty of cheap helmets you can find, but many of these were not designed to handle a full-force impact. You want to make sure your helmet was thoroughly tested and meets the standards set forth by the Department of Transportation.
You know when you have something good when the product description says that an item is a “D.O.T. Helmet.” This test will check for criteria based on severity and impact. Some cheap helmets out there will crumble up at the slightest impact, but you want something that will actually protect your head. A traumatic brain injury is not worth saving a few bucks at the moment.
Check Online Often for Deals
You can frequently find deals on great helmets online. Some stores simply need to get rid of a back catalog of helmets when a new shipment is imminent, so you could get a great deal that way. There are also some sites, such as RetailMeNot, where you can find coupons for a wide array of online retailers. Coupons come up often, so keep checking to see if the helmet you want finally gets a deal.
Another good option is to wait during parts of the year where a site is more likely to have discounts. If you do not plan on riding your ATV again for the winter, then you could wait until Black Friday or Cyber Monday to find the deals you want. Additionally, you do not want to overlook the saving power of cashback deals. You make your purchase now, but you get money back on your credit card later. Some sites also offer a service discount where you can save money if you are a first member or a member of the United States.
Get the Best Deal on the Best Helmet
You can find plenty of helmets and ATV tires on sale online, but the trick is finding the best products at the lowest prices possible. In many cases, you do not even have to sacrifice on quality to find a great helmet that offers ample amounts of protection. That is honestly the most important part of a helmet. Price should come second to safety, but with the right ATV accessories retailer, you can manage to get a good product at an affordable price.
We have gone over the reader statistics for our motorcycle stories, assessing multiple entries about particular bikes and also considered your comments.
The statistical analysis arrives at what we think are the bikes you would most like to ride in 2020.
We apologise if this list does not reflect your particular interest. It certainly doesn’t reflect my choice!
After all, it’s just a statistical analysis and a bit of fun for your New Year reading.
2020 vision
So here are the top five bikes possibly coming in 2020 … according to you!
1 BMW R 18 cruiser
First R 18 concept
BMW said it would never build another cruiser after the R 1200 C. A few years ago they altered their tune, saying “never say never”.
Now they are building one!
BMW R 18 second concept model
We are still unsure what the R 18 will look like, although there have been some concepts and spy photos.
BMW R 18 spy photo
Even so, it hasn’t stopped BMW from launching a dedicated order site and even taking deposits from excited fans.
Harley-Davidson Revolution Max platform Bronx Streetfighter
Speaking of which, Harley-Davidson will release an abundance of unusual products in 2020, including the Bronx Streetfighter range, electric bicycles and motorcycles, and their first big-bore adventure bike, the Pan America.
While our articles on all these bikes scored highly with our readers, the macho Streetfighter won this title bout.
We wish founder Denis Savic the best of luck with his motorcycle and are looking forward to the promised test ride. Stay tuned!
5 Suzuki Hayabusa
Hayabusa engine patent filing
The Suzuki Hayabusa no longer meets stringent Euro5 conditions that kick in from 1 January 2020.
And we don’t exactly know what Suzuki will do to replace it or even if they will!
However, our articles about patent filings for an updated Hayabusa have sparked a lot of interest, especially the possibility it could be powered by a 1440cc engine.
Other 2020 contenders
Ducati Streetfighter V4 wins most beautiful bike at EICMA
It’s difficult to set out the other contenders, but there has been a lot of interest shown in the Ducati Streetfighter V4 and the MV Agusta Superveloce 800.
Stories about helmet safety and legalities, Arlen Ness and Charley Boorman, road rules, crashes, lane filtering and a big-bore kit attracted the most interest from our readers in 2019.
With more than 300,000 readers a month, we have a pretty fair idea of what subjects are of interest to our readers.
So we have compiled a list of the most read stories from our website in 2019.
Top stories of 2019
1 Sticker fine
Our readers love stories about riders winning over an injustice.
Ian Joice told us the external certification sticker had the word “VOID” across it from age and sun damage while the internal label was faded due to wear.
We reckon it proves that riders can legally remove the external sticker so long as the internal label is still there, no matter what condition it’s in.
2 Lane filtering
ACT police finally nabbed this driver for road rage
Sadly, iconic American motorcycle customiser and cool dude Arlen Ness died, aged 79, in March.
There must be a lot of riders out there who admire his work, ride bikes with paintwork designed or inspired by him, own some of his accessories, or wear some of his riding gear.
In November we also lost Luigi Termignoni, aged 75, the founder of eponymous motorcycle exhaust company. Our glowing obituary was also one of our most popular stories, although not in the top 10.
4 Helmet safety
Anything to do with helmet safety usually rates high.
Cop injured under new speed rule crash police emergency 40km/h
Most riders seem to believe they are in danger of being rear-ended under the rule in some states that requires motorists to slow to 40km/h when passing emergency vehicles (25km/h in South Australia).
Meanwhile, the transport department that failed to disqualify his and other drivers’ licences for similar offences has been overhauled and the boss sacked.
Rider trainer Tony Gallagher says he watched as his 2001 Kawasaki ZRX1200R sank into thin bitumen and fall over in a Crows Nest main street parking bay.
It wasn’t a hot day, either, just faulty bitumen. It’s since been fixed, but Tony is still out of pocket for damage.
But this time they would be riding Harley-Davidson LiveWire electric motorcycles!
Two weeks ago the pair completed the journey. From your interest in our articles about the trip, you will be keen to find out when the TV series airs. Stay tuned and we will to keep you updated!
9 T-boner
Lane filtering has made commuting safer and more enjoyable. Any articles we publish about the lane filtering rules is always well received.
S&S Cycles big bore kit for Royal Enfield 650 camshaft-kit-royal-enfield-650
There has been a lot of interest in the Royal Enfield 650cc parallel twins.
So when American engine giant S&S announced a big-bore kit, the article shot into our top 10, although that could be because there are millions of Indians who love the brand!
5 perennial favourite stories
As well as the news articles that emerged this year, there are older articles that continually rate among our readers.
“This award recognises the hard work and the passion of all the women and men of MV Agusta who contribute, with their daily work, to the crafting of true pieces of motorcycle art. They accomplish the daily miracle of shaping beauty and performance into a single object of desire,” said Timur Sardarov, CEO of MV Agusta Motor.
BMW Motorrad has filed a patent for a sidestand charger that looks like it belongs to an electric motorcycle, lending more weight to an electric future.
These patent applications seem to give a clear indication of BMW’s electrification plans.
However, BMW Motorrad boss Markus Schramm recently told US website Cycle World they would not have an electric motorcycle for at least another five years.
“In the urban environment, it is possible that there will be an electric BMW motorcycle in five years. In the touring, off-road, and sport segments, I am not sure that we will see them,” he is quoted as saying.
The Bavarian company already has an electric scooter, the C-Evolution.
BMW C evolution electric scooter
But these latest patent filings seem to show plans for an electric motorcycle, at least for the urban environment.
The sidestand charger system involves the stand slotting into a “puck” which is plugged into the AC mains.
It’s simply another way of connecting to a charger.
It would probably only be of use in your home as we cannot see this sort of infrastructure being rolled out in public places.
In 2017, BMW Group Australia boss Marc Werner said Australia needed tax incentives, import subsidies and/or charging infrastructure, but we don’t think he had a sidestand charger in mind at the time.
The only advantage we can see of a sidestand charger is that it might save you a couple of seconds where you would normally plug in the bike’s onboard charger.
However, the filing is important as it is another example of BMW getting serious about electric motorcycles.
A NSW Police Motorcycle Response Group rider has caught a female driver using a mobile phone while negotiating a roundabout, contributing to her incurring $1793 in fines and 34 demerits.
They have been particularly useful for patrolling for mobile phone offences as in the situation above in Katoomba yesterday (27 December 2019).
Police patrol for mobile phone misuse
A motorcycle cop’s high position allows them to see drivers holding a phone in their lap.
Riders are well aware of this and often see drivers illegally using mobile phones.
In the Katoomba driver’s case, she was also pinged for having three children and a man in the car with her not wearing seatbelts.
Double demerits currently apply in NSW which resulted in the driver accumulating the massive penalty of 34 points.
We asked NSW Police what that would mean for her licence and they said they did not know, but referred us to the Roads and Maritime Services website.
It says motorists who accumulate 20 or more points in a three-year period will cop a five-month suspension or three months if they are on a restricted licence.
The RMS may also refuse to renew their licence for another five months.
Riders from Victoria, Tasmania, Northern Territory and South Australia passing through NSW, ACT or WA during any declared holiday period do not cop the double demerits.
Queensland motorists attract double points for speeding offences of 21km/h or greater over the speed limit and seatbelt offences if they occur more than once within a 12-month period.
Yamaha’s popular sport-heritage XSR900 receives a new colour scheme for 2020, with a heritage inspired Dynamic White drawing inspiration from the ’60s, and Bill Ivy’s 125cc world championship-winning V4 two-stroke RA31A.
The 2020 Yamaha XSR900 is based on the MT-09 powerplant
The 2020 XSR900 is now available in the new colour option, with the existing chassis and engine combination retained, alongside pricing, which remains at $14,849 inc GST ride away.
The XSR900 also boasts traction control and ride modes
Power on the XSR900 is provided by Yamaha’s CP3 847cc triple-cylinder engine, featuring three-levels of traction control (TCS), D-Mode selectable engine maps, and an assist and slipper (AS) clutch.
Adjustable forks are also featured
Suspension is a 41mm fork adjustable for compression and rebound, as well as a rear Monoshock adjustable for preload and rebound.
Alongside preload and rebound adjustability on the shock
Sport heritage styling cues linking the XSR900 to its forebearers include heritage paint scheme, aluminium tank covers, front and rear aluminium fenders, stitched seat, circular instrument clock, circular tail light and retro-style headlight with aluminium stay.
2020 Yamaha XSR900The retro style tail light on the XSR9002020 Yamaha XSR900
This balancing act will amaze your friends when you call your motorbike or scooter and it automatically comes to you from its parking space.
That’s a vision of the future from Indian company Liger Mobility who have developed a prototype self-balancing scooter that comes when you call it.
It basically uses voice activation like Siri and it self-balances via gyroscopes controlled by microprocessors.
Self-balancing prototypes
It’s not dissimilar to self-balancing prototypes already developed byHonda, BMW and Yamaha.
Honda’s self-balancing motorcycle
However, this scooter goes further with the ability to come when called.
Apart from the carpark scenario, we can also see that this could be convenient for ageing riders or women riding in high heels who don’t want to get them dirty.
However, the Bombay start-up’s claims that it will somehow be safer seem spurious.
We’re not sure of the statistics, but we couldn’t imagine too many deaths from parking incidents or falling over when coming to a stop.
The balancing act a novel display and makes a great video, but surely the extra weight and expense of gyroscopes won’t make these self-balancing scooters and motorcycles commercially viable.
Liger Mobility think it will and say it will only increase the cost of an electric or petrol-powered scooter by 10%.
That’s 10% many might prefer to spend on protective clothing!
Of course, you have heard this statement before; it’s not the destination, but the journey. Whether you’re a serious adventurer or a more relaxed kind of biker, you can choose the motorcycle trip customized to your level and the type of experience you are looking for. From the Himalayas to Mongolia, from a rugged raid to a smooth cruise everything is possible to suit every taste.
Bike travel gives you heaps of freedom and offers a more intimate connection with the people of the places you pass through. There are several scenic roads around the world, yet the best rides are spiced by the rush of twists where motorcyclists can wrench open the throttle.
A motorcycle trip requires extensive pre-trip planning and research, and there are many factors to keep in mind while planning the trip. The following are a few tips that you need to know before you jump on a bike and take a trip.
Selection of right bike:
Picking the ideal motorcycle is one of the most significant parts of going by bike. And your bike needs to be in accordance with the demands of your trip. Your checklist for choosing the right bike should focus on aspects like mileage, low maintenance and most importantly, a comfortable seating position so that you don’t strain your neck and/or back over the course of a long journey.
Have right accessories:
It’s important that you equip yourself with the right accessories so that you stay safe throughout your journey. While sporting a biker’s jacket and gloves will help you fight the heat and avoid dehydration, always ensure you wear a good-quality helmet as this might be the difference between life and death.
Ensure you wear biker boots to protect your feet and keep a decent grip on the brake pedal. Other important accessories include biker gloves and a traveling backpack. The proper bike gear is essential to ensure a safe and adventurous bike road trip.
Get ready for the long journey:
Preparing your motorbike involves cleaning it thoroughly and getting it serviced when required. You have to fix any issues you notice while cleaning or riding.
Ensure that your bike has dual sport tires so that you have no problem tackling both smooth surfaces and unpaved roads. Also, get your motorcycle serviced by a respectable mechanic to guarantee it’s in top condition before you hit the road.
Get prepared for a breakdown:
Breaking down on the roadside can be an upsetting and unsettling experience. If you’re riding a motorbike, you’re more likely to be on your own with no passengers to help and keep you company.
Not only that, if the weather is unpleasant or it’s late at night and dark, you’re exposed to the elements. In a car, you can sit inside in relative warmth and comfort while you wait for help. With a motorcycle, you don’t have a lot of choices but to remain alongside it until help shows up.
In the end, motorbike travel is one of the best ways to explore. It’s the ultimate thrill; the feeling of total freedom, of immersing yourself in the scenery, the breeze rushing by and the buzz it offers is indescribable.
Babes Ride Out 7 attracted women on all flavors of motorcycles — cruisers, sportbikes, ADVs and more — to the golden hills of central California. Photos by the author.
A women-only rally celebrating the camaraderie of two wheels.
It all started, like these things often do, with two friends who just wanted to share a newfound love of riding motorcycles. They planned a “girls’ weekend” of riding and camping in California’s Mojave Desert, and thought it might be fun to invite some of the fellow women riders they’d been connecting with on social media (but had yet to meet in person). Playfully, they dubbed it Babes in Borrego. The year was 2013, and to their surprise 50 women showed up, some having come from as far away as New York and Oregon. They were all there for one simple reason: they loved to ride motorcycles.
The next year Anya and Ashmore, the two founding friends, stepped up their game for what they were now calling Babes Ride Out, renting a private campground near Joshua Tree, California. They expected 150 women; instead they got 500. The next year, 1,500. That same year, 2015, they hosted their first off-road-oriented event, called (of course) Babes in the Dirt. In 2016, Babes Ride Out — or BRO for short — expanded to the East Coast and then to the UK. Anya and Ashmore had tapped into a powerful force: women who were passionate about riding and who craved the camaraderie that only a gathering of motorcyclists seems to provide, without egos or expectations — and, incidentally, without men.
Sorry, gents. There’s only one rule at BRO: no boys allowed. Well…two rules. The other is have fun!
BRO is a female-only event, and 2019 was my second one. My first time, in 2017, I wasn’t sure what to expect. As someone who was never one of the “cool girls” as a teenager, I was actually pretty worried it would feel like a bigger, scarier version of the junior high school lunchroom. It turned out to be the complete opposite. The whole event was infused with an energy of inclusiveness and fellowship, unlike any rally I’d ever attended. I knew I’d be back.
For 2019, BRO made a location change for the first time, from the desert to the rolling golden hills south of Paso Robles in California’s Central Coast wine country. Most everything else stayed the same; BRO has always been a riding-centric event, and on Saturday the camp empties out as everyone hits the road one on of the pre-planned routes (sponsor Biltwell provided printed maps) or one of their own devising.
BRO has always been a riding event first and foremost, so on Saturday the camp empties out as everyone hits the scenic California roads. My group chose to cruise up Highway 1 to Big Sur for lunch, not a bad way to spend a Saturday!
Most of the pre-planned routes are short, a few hours or so, to give riders a chance to return to camp and take part in welding or leatherwork workshops hosted by Real Deal Revolution (co-founded by the late Jessi Combs), Harley-Davidson demo rides, M1GP minibike knee-dragging seminars, bike games and more. In the evenings, there is karaoke, live music (this year was Twisted Gypsy, a Fleetwood Mac tribute band), vendors and craftswomen, a tattoo station, free beer and whiskey (“till it runs out!”), telescopes for stargazing and food trucks for late-night grub.
Entrance to the private venue is secured 24 hours a day, and they take the “no guys allowed” rule seriously. Most of us camped in the big open field, but plenty of women brought RVs and there are even some available for rent. For those who wanted to camp but don’t own all the gear or couldn’t transport it on their bike, items like tents, sleeping pads and sleeping bags are also available to rent.
The private venue, which has 24-hour security, included a huge open field for camping. Meeting new friends is a large part of the BRO experience, so even if you roll in alone you’re likely to have a neighbor stroll up and introduce herself.
There was a lot of smiling, a lot of laughter, dancing like no guys are watching, fantastic riding in California’s Central Coast and, of course, the warm camaraderie of a couple thousand women coming together to celebrate the passion we all share. Consider me a Babes believer; this is a special experience and I encourage female riders of all persuasions to attend at least one if you can. You won’t be disappointed.
BRO East typically takes place in early June; BRO West takes place in mid-October; Babes in the Dirt takes place in late April. See websites for locations and updates.
The barn was the center of the action each evening, with a karaoke contest the first night and live music by Twisted Gypsy, a Fleetwood Mac tribute band, the second night.The barn also hosted several female artisans offering their crafts, like custom embroidery and helmet pinstriping. A raffle included items like hand-painted helmets, jackets, camping gear and more. Between daytime rides and in the evenings, attendees could sign up for Real Deal Revolution workshops including leatherwork, welding, painting and more. This year was bittersweet, as the event paid tribute to Real Deal co-founder, land speed racer, television personality and all-around awesome lady Jessi Combs, who tragically died in a land speed record attempt in August.Christina with Real Deal Revolution hosts a leatherworking workshop, making keychains participants got to keep.The hands-on experience continued with welding classes. Real Deal Revolution’s self-stated mission is to “revolutionize the perception of skilled trades…and women’s role in them.”Most of the ladies in this picture had never dragged a knee before today, but after our M1GP minibike seminar we were all feeling like professional racers.
