Sunday, October 16, 2011

When To Change Oil On A Dirt Bike

Changing oil on a motorcycle is simple, but sometimes it is too simple that people forget to change it, and then they wonder why their bike just seized.
Street Bike
If you're on a street bike, and you use it often, I would recommend changing it every few months, just so that the oil doesn't get dirty and start damaging internal engine parts.
Off-Road Bike
Off-road bikes, or dirt bikes, are probably the easiest. All you have to do is check the oil level and color every time you ride. If it starts getting low then you should probably change it soon. If the color is grey, that means it is getting dirty and a oil change should be done in the near future. If the oil is black, then you definitely want to change it because it is old and probably getting dirty. If you don't ride everyday, then I would suggest changing your off-road dirt bike oil two to three times a year.



Motocross Bike
Motocross dirt bikes require a little more maintenance for pretty much everything. Regular oil changes are key, especially if you are racing. If you haven't changed the oil in a while and you go race, then there's a slight chance that you will lock up the motor, and that is not what you want to happen during a moto. I suggest changing the oil on a motocross bike every 3-5 races. Possibly more if you're riding a lot in between race days.
Good luck, and don't let that bike run out of oil!!

Will Arctic Cat Ever Manufacture Dirt Bikes?

Powersports giant Arctic Cat Inc., based in Thief River Falls, Minnesota, has its hand in almost everything offroad and motorized, but will they ever manufacture Arctic Cat dirt bikes? Arctic Enterprises, better know as Arctic Cat, brings snow and arctic temperatures to mind because of their eternal presence in the snowmobile industry. The company first got their start back in the early 1960's initially known as Polar Manufacturing. Their primary product was the gasoline powered sled, or snowmobile. The name later changes again following bankruptcy proceedings but emerges once again as Arctco until the mid 1900's when the name finally settles at Arctic Cat inc.

Aside from the snowmobiles that made the brand famous, there were the personal watercraft. In 1993 Arctic Cat, still Arctco at the time, introduced a line of personal watercraft, or jet skis as they are known in pop culture. They select the name Tigershark and begin to mass produce high quality watercraft to the public. The brand eventually would see slumping sales most likely due to increased competition in the watercraf market. The Tigershark name was discontinued in 1999 and Arctic Cat never looked back. They began manufacturing ATV's in 1996. The first Arctic Cat was named the Bearcat, a fitting moniker for a strong brand. Their atv line eventually consisted of both the 4x4 atv and 2wd sport models. They later added youth sized atv's to their already strong lineup.

Fans of the Arctic Cat brand name sometimes wonder if an Arctic Cat dirt bike will ever see the light of day. After all, they produce vehicles for snow, they've tried their hand in the watercraft industry, and they've managed to build brand recognition for their lineup of atv's. Is there a dirt bike on the drawing board at Arctic Cat? Insiders say no... Executives at Arctic Cat insist the brand would rather remain focused on snowmobiles and atv's. Hardcore Arctic Cat historians are quick to point out that Arctic Cat did produce a dirt bike at one time, or mini bike as some would call it, back in the 1970's. The production run was limited and survivors are scarce these days. It was probably best known for its leopard seat more than anything else. As the old saying goes, if you're waiting for the release of a new Arctic Cat dirt bike, you better not hold your breath.

The Magic of Mini Dirt Bikes

If you like the idea of zooming around on a two wheeler that is not very different from the traditional motorcycle, there is no reason for you to wait till you are old enough to ride a motorcycle. Just opt for mini dirt bikes. These vehicles have been popular ever since they were first make in the 1960s. Many people flocked to the Mini Grand Prix although it was held in Mesquite instead of Las Vegas this year. This proves that more and more people are getting interested in these vehicles.

There are several reasons why mini dirt bikes are so popular. The first reason is that it enables youngsters to get a feel of riding a powerful two-wheeler on uneven terrain. Most kids who like outdoor adventure love these two-wheelers because these are meant for off road driving. The charm of driving along cross country paths that are not always even is unforgettable. Youngsters who have a passion for things that are out of the ordinary would love to own one of these amazing machines.

As a parent, you may be worried about the safety of your kid when they ride mini dirt bikes. If you purchase the vehicle from a good manufacturer, you need not worry about the safety you kid because reliable manufacturers make sure that the suspension is strong enough to absorb the shocks that are caused when one drives on uneven terrain. The tires of the bikes are also designed specially to ensure that they provide excellent grip.

Moreover, some manufacturers include a feature called speed governor. The speed governor prevents the rider from driving beyond a certain speed limit. This feature ensures that children learn to drive properly before driving too fast. Since these devices are removable, the child can be allowed to achieve full speed once he or she has mastered the art of riding.

One may choose the gas powered or electrically powered varieties depending on one's preferences. Since the displacement of these vehicles range from 50 cc to 110 cc, they usually offer good mileage. One should keep in mind that certain models are designed for specific purposes. For example, somemini dirt bikes are meant for long distance races, while other models are designed for trail racing or jumping.

Dirt Bike Gloves - Have No More Blisters

                     Isn't it terrible when after a great ride you come back and your hands are killing? Well there are some ways to stop that from happening. But most people don't know the tricks with dirt bike gloves.

I'll let you in on those secrets now. One of them is to wear thin glove liners under them. This is really helpful. These are almost like a thin mechanic's glove. To wear these properly, you must first put these on and then put your regular dirt bike gloves on over them afterward. The glove liners can really help your hands because it creates something like another layer of protection or cushion for your hands.

When buying these, you must make sure they fit snugly on your hands. If you buy them too large, it will create loose glove material folding on top of itself like wrinkles. Any loose glove material may cause irritation and blisters because it will just keep rubbing and moving around on your hands. If you buy them too small it simply just won't work. You probably won't be able to get your hands in to the gloves or it will cut off blood circulation. Choosing just the right size is your best bet that will give you the best results.
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Another trick some people use with dirt bike gloves is to put tape on their palms and in between their fingers. There are some racers that swear by this method. I personally haven't tried it, but I think I will soon. The great thing about taping your hands lies in the same principle that is used by other athletes from different sports. It gives strength and support to the muscles and ligaments that are taped. It helps to hold everything in place. This is helpful for your hands because it helps to keep your muscles functioning properly without cramps. It also helps to reduce arm pump. The tape acts like another layer of padding and cushion so blisters don't form as easily.

The real best trick of all to stop blisters for motocross and dirt biking is to wear a pair of dirt bike gloves that fit you right and are comfortable. Just like the glove liners, a snug fit for your gloves is the best way to keep your hands healthy. If the gloves fit just right, and you know the feeling when it happens, then it will maximize the ability for you to ride harder and faster. Go with comfortable dirt bike gloves for your best performance.

Read more: http://www.articlesbase.com/extreme-sports-articles/dirt-bike-gloves-have-no-more-blisters-3009189.html#ixzz1awasVNiC

Beginner tips for dirt bike ride

For the ones that don't know anything about motorcycles, they are all same but actually there are so many different types of them. There are also many systems for classifying, describing how the motorcycles are put in use, or according to the designer's intent, or some combination of the two. Generally are accepted six main categories of motorcycles: cruiser, sport, touring, standard, dual-purpose, and dirt bike. The last of the list is a type of motorcycle known also as off-road motorcycle because is designed and specialised for specific functions, especially for motorcycle sports like Rally raid or Motocross. The thing is that they have more light weight, simple rugged construction with little bodywork and no fairing for easy recovery after spills, and large wheels with knobby tires. And when we speak about this type of vehicle, must be mention that there are some rules that must be respected if you want do ride safely.

You ride and jump in the dirt bike games without a problem, but now you should pay more attention to this things.
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First you sit on your bike you should concentrate on proper body position. Your feet should be able to touch the ground if you have chosen the right bike size. You need to sit forward on your seed, which affects to all aspects of your riding, especially turns. If you sit too back, the shock compresses more than the forks, which will cause the front of the bike to feel very vague in turns. The front wheel will run a very wide arc and will not have good traction.

Now you should concentrate on technique rather than speed. If you have the right technique, the speed will come naturally and you'll be safer. You should know that most of your riding should be done in the standing position.

- For easy access and control of your foot levers, foot pegs should be in the middle of your feet.

- With slightly bent knees, grip the bike near the bottom of the tank.

- Keep your back slightly arched with your bum towards the rear, arms up, and elbows forward, with your head over the handle bars.

- As much as possible try to keep one or two fingers on the clutch and brake levers.

Be aware that your body position changes when you are riding in the sand or mud. In this case your weight should be to the back of the bike. This will give you greater traction; you will prevent the front wheel from bogging and prevent your self from throwing over the bars. You need to be hard on the gas, to keep the bike gliding over the sand.

With more practice the enjoyment will increase!

Read more: http://www.articlesbase.com/extreme-sports-articles/beginner-tips-for-dirt-bike-ride-3594233.html#ixzz1awae33Ny