Arch Motorcycle is one of those brands you hear over and over again in the motorcycle world, but you never see them in any showroom. This article will help to dispel the myths and mysteries surrounding the high-end custom motorcycle brand known as Arch Motorcycles.
An Arch bike is the best American performance cruiser. The motorcycle company is known for manufacturing power cruiser motorcycles that offer an aggressive riding position. The performance cruiser is a custom bike with carbon fiber and v twin engines. The sports bike of the company has an innovative design and unsprung mass to offer the best riding position and experience for professionals.
Who Founded Arch Motorcycle?
Arch Motorcycle was founded by Keanu Reeves and Gard Hollinger in 2011. The initial idea was Reeves and he convinced Hollinger to join him.
To create their first bike, Reeves & Hollinger customize a Harley-Davidson motorcycle. After five years of design and testing, they released their first production model at the 2013 International CES show in Las Vegas Nevada with an MSRP of $78,000 USD for the base model.
Since then, they have expanded into producing electric motorcycles as well as luxury items such as apparel and accessories. They are now sold internationally to high-end motorcycle enthusiasts.
What is Keanu Reeves’ Involvement in Arch Motorcycles?
Keanu Reeves is a man of many talents, but it seems like motorcycles have a special place in Reeves’s heart. Arch Motorcycles came from his idea to create a production motorcycle that met his own vision. Reeve’s involvement in the company is mainly as co-founder and CEO.
Arch Motorcycles Net Worth
The net worth of the company is unknown, however, you could only assume by reputation that it is in the double/triple-digit millions.
Arch Motorcycle Locations & Addresses
The superbike company has showrooms in Los Angeles California and New York City, but their headquarters is located in Los Angeles. The Arch Motorcycle HQ is located at 11 S Main St, Los Angeles, CA 90012, United States.
Arch Motorcycle Engine
Let’s take the 2020 Arch KRGT-1 and look at the engine that’s inside. The KRGT-1 includes a 2032cc engine that’s able to put out 69.8kW at the rear wheel. That’s pretty impressive.
What is the Company Brand Values?
The Arch Motorcycle Company was established with the purpose of redefining the American performance cruiser. Today, they deliver an unrivaled riding and ownership experience through an obsession for innovative design, engineering excellence, and dedication to the rider.
Every Arch Motorcycle is a bespoke production motorcycle. Meaning that each bike is customized a little differently for its rider. The superbike and car brand deliver a uniquely collaborative process tailoring livery and ergonomic fit to each owner.
Why is Arch Motorcycle Company so famous?
The reason Arch Motorcycle bikes are so famous is that Keanu Reeves has a passion for motorcycles and he invests his own money to create the perfect motorcycle with his vision in mind. Also, it helps that founder Keanu Reeves is one of the largest household actor names on the planet.
Let’s take the 2020 Arch KRGT-1 as an example of the speed for an average Arch Motorcycle. The KRGT-1 has a 2032cc engine and weighs 244kg (dry) which means it is fast! very very fast, especially for a cruiser.
Keanu Reeves on Motorcycles in Movies
It’s fair to say that Keanu Reeve’s obsession with motorcycles goes beyond Arch, he has been known for riding motorcycles in movies for most of his career. Some notable movies are Point Break, Speed, Matrix, Constantine.
Arch Motorcycles in Video Games
Cyberpunk 2077 features the Arch Motorcycle Method 143.
Let’s take a look at one video game that will have a very special Arch Motorcycle in it. CD Projekt Red announced they are using motorcycles from the company in the game Cyberpunk 2077. The Method 143 will be on display at various locations throughout Night City, so if you get to play the game there is a good chance you might see one of these beauties!
What is Arch Motorcycles’ most famous bike?
The 2020 Arch KRGT-1 is the most famous bike at this time. And for good reason, the bike seems absolutely amazing.
Where can I buy an Arch Motorcycle?
Currently, only customers who get approved to purchase one of these motorcycles will be able to get one directly from Keanu Reeves. Unless you are a celebrity or millionaire, your chances of getting the 2020 KRGT-1 are low.
Why are Arch Motorcycle’s so Special?
The company was designed to produce motorcycles that were more refined than most other bikes on the market. The Arch method involves custom designs and builds each bike bespoke. This is a service unlike any other.
How many Arch Motorcycle bikes are Created each Year?
The number of Arch motorcycle bikes produced each year is still unknown but one would assume that it’s very low, since each bike is a project in and of itself.
The idea of a great camping trip is to get away from it all. To be left alone with your thoughts and nature. To commune with Mother Earth or Father Sky or whichever deity you worship. And that means getting off the grid, right? Getting out there where there’s no cell signal and no internet connection (or at least very little).
The best way to prep for motorcycle camping is to:
Do pre-leaving checks
Know what to pack
Know how to pack it
Plan which campsites to stay
Pre-Leaving Checks
Prepping your Bike’s Maintainance
Before heading off camping on your motorcycle, you should check all the regular things like tire pressure and oil levels. This way you can identify and replace anything that’s worn or broken before it becomes a problem. If you’re camping at the end of the season, consider doing all your camping on paved roads so as to avoid off-road conditions. But if you are planning to go off-roading then this check is even more important. My advice, get your services done just before going camping to be sure.
Camp Gear Check
Checking your bike is important, but if camping is new to you, there are a few other checklists that you might want to run through before hitting the road. Make sure that all camping gear is in working order.
The things to look out for the most are:
Stovetops works
Torch/lanterns turn on
Cooking gear is clean
Plan Route
Planning your route before leaving is super important, nothing is worse than leaving home, hitting that open highway for half a day, only to realize you made a wrong turn.
Plan Rest Stops
If you’re motorcycle camping, then the chances of camping within an hour or two from home are slim.
What does this mean for planning? It means planning rest stops and fuel stops along the way are important. Rest stops ensure that you actually get to your destination in one piece.
Try planning out where you’ll have your rest stops before you even leave the house, that way you’ll be confident you’ll have enough gas, won’t fall asleep riding & it’ll make for a much more enjoyable trip.
I love working out which cafes are best along the way to stop at!
What should I pack?
Riding Gear
Obvious? I know. But some might forget! Depending on where you are riding, the weather will determine what kind of riding gear you want to pack/where. Consider if you’ll be riding through multiple weather conditions. Will you need a mesh motorcycle jacket and a leather one? etc.
Bring fewer clothes than you think you’ll need. Almost everyone over-packs clothes when it comes to camping trips. Motorcycle camping is no different.
Layering your clothing is the best thing to do when motorcycle camping. A thermal base layer, waterproof jacket with detachable sleeves, then warm hoodie is good camping clothes.
Gloves are important too, not just for riding but for those cold nights. I don’t think camping in summer is much fun without sunscreen & sunglasses but maybe that’s just me!
Make sure you have a camping stove, camping cutlery, and camping mugs. Only bring a single item for each person coming. So if you’re camping alone bring:
1 x mug
1 x set of cutlery
1 x bowl
1 x plate
When it comes to a camping stove for motorcycle camping, I always take my JetBoil, it’s simply the best around.
When motorcycle camping, you’ll most likely be camping out of your tent. If so you’ll need a sleeping pad & sleeping bag.
When looking for a sleeping bag, get down-filled over a synthetic sleeping bag, these are the lightest, warmest & smallest sleeping bags on the market. They’re expensive but a good sleeping bag will last you a very very long time.
When it comes to comfort on a camping trip, it’s hard to overlook the sleeping mats. You might be thinking, do I really need a sleeping pad? And the answer is if you want a good night’s sleep where you wake up the next day feeling 100%, yes, yes you do.
A blow-up pillow is optional, personally, I just use some of my clean clothes or a towel as my pillow.
Choosing the right tent for motorcycle camping is important because not all camping tents are designed for motorcycle camping.
You’ll need to consider the following features when looking for a tent as motorcycle campers:
Do you want to park your motorcycle inside the tent?
How much space will the tent take up in your luggage?
Always get a two-person tent for just you.
People often opt for a cheap tent, but I am of the mindset that you should put your dollars to work in this department. When you consider that staying 3 nights in a hotel will cost $300-600 easy, and your camping trip is just as enjoyable and costs nothing comparatively, I see buying an expensive backpacking tent as a sound investment. Consider looking into ultralight backpacking tents from REI. Whatever you do, don’t buy one of those family tents. Those things are stupidly heavy.
A few different bandages (triple antibiotic & antiseptic)
Moleskin or Spenco Second Skin Blister Pads
Painkillers (bushfire burns are common camping injuries)
Tweezers & Nail Clippers
Rubbing alcohol
A few sterile dressings
Sterile Gauze Pads
Tweezers & Nail Clippers
Sunscreen, Sunglasses, and SPF lip balm. A small bottle of sunscreen can go a long way on a camping trip. Getting sunburnt camping doesn’t quite ruin your camping trip but it sure does interrupt it!
I’m not even kidding about the duct tape. If you’ve never used camping before, trust me, you’ll love camping once you start using duct tape camping.
Water Filtration
You need to make sure you’ve got adequate water filtration on a motorcycle camping trip. You can’t expect to find drinkable water everywhere, and whilst a lot of camp site will have fresh drinking water, some won’t and on a motorcycle, you can’t carry around gallons of drinking water.
Extra Misc Motorcycle Camping Items
Camp Shoes: Something other than your boots are nice to wear around the campsite.
Solar Hot Shower: These can be extremely lightweight and small.
Ground Cloth: This is great as a picnic matt, or under your tent for extra warmth.
Picnic Table: Extremely small and portable only, please!
Luggage: How to pack
Learning how to pack for a motorcycle camping trip may seem daunting, but it doesn’t have to be! I found it best to lay out everything I am taking before working out where it will all go.
But you do have a few carrying options when it comes to luggage, feel free to mix and match depending on the gear you are bringing:
Saddle Bags:
I recommend going with a saddle bag that has a wide opening, think the shape of a camping pot. This will make packing and unpacking camping gear from your motorcycle luggage much easier.
When packing a saddlebag, make sure the weight is distributed evenly on the left and right, pack camping gear in smaller items first, camping gear like pots & pans at the bottom of your saddlebag, then camping gear like plates and cups on top.
Use your saddlebags for all cooking and food items.
Backpack
I found a backpack is best for carrying clothing and personal items. When on a motorcycle camping trip it’s nice to have one clean place, such as your backpack that you know your personal gear is safe. This is also the best camping bag for ensuring your camping gear doesn’t shift around while riding.
Top Box
Use your top box to carry all of your camping gear such as a tent, swiss army knife, axe, travel lights, sleeping bag & pad, portable solar charger, rain gear, insect repellent, etc.
Just remember that your top box is most likely your only hard luggage, so if something needs the protection of a hard luggage case then put it in here!
Tank Bag
I would only use a motorcycle tank bag if I really needed to, when a tank bag is needed it seems like overkill to me.
Tips for packing light
Packing light will make your entire trip more comfortable and enjoyable.
The following tips might appear obvious, but most can’t do them.
The secret is to bring the bare minimum.
Tip 1: Multi-Purpose Items
An easy way to do this is to bring camping gear that can be used for multiple purposes, an easy example is, get a bigger mug that you can also use as a bowl or a spork instead of a spoon and fork. These things help hugely when keeping your pack light.
Tip 2: Compression Bags
Compression bags are a fantastic way of saving space in your luggage. Whilst you’re not technically packing lighter, you are packing smaller.
Consider Weather Conditions
This is one of the most important things to consider when camping, taking into account your destination’s seasons will not only help you plan your packing list but also how you pack it.
If you’re going to be riding in the rain, is everything waterproof? If it’s summer, you’ll need to pack extra sunscreen on the top of the bag. Ect.
Also, consider textile luggage vs. leather luggage, I won’t throughout too many opinions here, but it’s good to look into the difference these materials have with weather conditions.
Carrying Extra Gas
You might not think so, but carrying extra gasoline is usually a good idea when it comes to long-distance camping trips, even a small fuel bottle goes a long way on two wheels. This also comes into planning here, in fact, I’ve written an entire article helping you work out if you need more gas here. If you do decide to take more gas read this article about 5 ways to carry extra gas.
How to find the best camping sites
Free Camp Sites
There are tons of sites out there listing motorcycle camping sites that are free, I would highly recommend doing your research online before you leave.
Getting involved in your local motorcycle communities or Facebook groups will help find out about where free motorcycle camping sites might not have any reviews online.
Motorcycle-friendly private camping grounds
These sites are motorcycle camping’s hidden gem. They’re the motorcycle campgrounds you would usually pay to stay at, but these places will often let motorcycle riders stop for a night or two, sometimes it will even be free depending on your negotiation skills.
Some of my most memorable motorcycle camping experiences have come from motorcycle-friendly private camping grounds.
Finding private camping grounds is a little harder though, you might need to do a little door-knocking.
National Forest Campgrounds
If you’re motorcycle camping in the US, then go visit the National Forest Service- they have a huge list of motorcycle-friendly campsites all over the United States.
These campsites are usually located in scenic, quiet areas near lakes or streams.
Most motorcycle-friendly campgrounds run on a fee system. These fees are donations to keep the facilities maintained by the U.S National Forest Service. The range of motorcycle camping fees at each site is between $10 and $30 per night per motorcycle or self-contained RV unit.”
Motorcycle touring companies
This is another great way to find motorcycle campgrounds, motorcycle tour companies always have knowledge on where to stay and where not to stay. Even if you don’t go ahead with them, have a chat and get some ideas.
Motorcycle Clubs
Motorcycle clubs are another way motorcycle campers keep in contact with each other and share insights about where are the best places to stay. If there’s a motorcycle club near to where you’ve planned to motorcycle camp, ask them where to go.
To Sum Up
Your next Motorcycle trip is going to be an adventure, there’s no doubt about that.
But unlike other car campers, you’ve got everything to carry on your motorcycle- so it all has to be planned & prepped right.
Planning where to go and what to do is one thing, but planning exactly how much is not enough/too much gear and how to carry it is another.
The most important part is to just remember that a successful camping trip doesn’t happen on the road or at the campsite, but in the prepping before you leave.
And when it comes to motorcycle camping, you’ve got all the pleasures of camping combined with being on two wheels.
As a motorcyclist, I will be honest, it’s a lot of fun and a great way to travel on the cheap, but there are some dangers that new riders need to know about before they hop on their first motorcycle. Motorcycle safety is something that should always be at the forefront of a new rider’s mind.
In this article, we’ll go over 25 tips so you can enjoy your time riding without worrying or being unprepared for anything!
1. Practice in Empty Parking Lots
Since there isn’t a lot of motorcyclists out on the road, you should definitely start on an empty parking lot or driveway. This will allow you to familiarize yourself with your motorcycle and its controls without worrying about any traffic.
It’s also something that I recommend new riders do regularly; it’ll make you more familiar with your motorcycle and safer when on the street.
2. Practice Clutch Control
When you’re starting out, clutch control will be one of the most important things you learn. You can’t ride your motorcycle without it!
The clutch allows you to control how fast or slow you go, as well as allowing you to stop completely.
I highly recommend practicing using your clutch lever controls in an empty parking lot before hitting the highway for new motorcycle riders. Also, it’s a good idea to practice your clutch control in connection with stopping in a curve the correct way.
3. Leave your Phone at Home (or Off)
This may seem like something you wouldn’t want to do, but in reality, it’s one of the smartest things you can do on a motorcycle. The last thing you need when learning to ride is for your phone (or music) to distract you while riding.
Make sure that when you get on your motorcycle, all distractions are left at home or off.
You’ll learn much faster if you can avoid unnecessary distractions during each motorcycle ride.
4. Wait to Ride on Major Highways
This is probably the most important tip I can give to new riders. Avoid riding on major highways when you first start out; use smaller roads, where traffic isn’t as intense.
Allow yourself some time to get used to slow-moving traffic before hitting up a highway. Most motorcyclists will tell you that highways are the most predictable place to ride, and whilst it might be true it’s not the best for new riders.
As a first-time motorcyclist, you don’t learn anything sitting at 60 on a highway. And if you’re are involved in a motorcycle accident on a highway the consequences are so much worse…
5. Practice Turning Around
I know this sounds weird, but it’s really good advice I got from more experienced riders! Practice slowly turning your motorcycle correctly.
You never know if something will be in your way or if another vehicle cuts you off – practice turning around so that you’ll be better prepared for any emergencies that may arise while riding.
Use an empty car park or even just drive into a dead-end street and turn around to prepare yourself for anything.
6. Ride at your own Pace
The one thing you should remember whenever you get on your motorcycle is to take it easy. There’s no reason to rush or push anything; riding a motorcycle isn’t easy, so it’s best not to overdo it when you first start out.
When it comes to motorcycle safety, riding your ride is key.
Practice and learn your motorcycle at your own pace and things will go much more smoothly!
Your first-time riding shouldn’t be in a group, with the exception of your instructor in a safety course. Riding in groups straight after getting your motorcycle license lends itself to peer pressure & more obstacles for you to avoid. Especially when everyone around you is going fast!
Give yourself some time to learn about your motorcycle before you ride in any sort of group.
Of course, taking a motorcycle safety course is the one exception to this. Taking a motorcycle safety course will exponentially help you ride defensively which is exactly what you need on your first bike.
8. Experienced Riders Look through Turns
Another tip that will help you prepare for any potential emergencies is to look through turns before actually entering them. This way, if there’s an obstacle in your path you’ll be able to avoid it without having to stop completely.
Look through the turn and allow yourself some room so that if something happens, you can safely avoid it without much fuss.
9. Practice Riding in the Dark & Rain
Slowly ease yourself into this one, but this is something that even experienced motorcyclists avoid…
If you are not bad at multitasking then practice riding during both nighttime and during the rain as these are the two most difficult conditions for a beginner rider.
But also something that needs to be practiced in order to increase your overall motorcycle safety.
Most accidents happen due to lack of proper visibility because of sunlight or darkness or due to slippery roads after raining so it’s better for beginners to train themselves on how they would behave.
10. Wear Proper Motorcycle Gear from your First Ride On
Despite what you might think from movies or other riders, it’s important to wear a full-face helmet and to wear proper gear. This may feel a little stifling at first, but if you’re going to do anything it’s best that you do things right the first time around.
Not only is wearing a helmet required in most states, but it’s also the single most important piece of safety equipment you’ll ever use.
The same goes for wearing full gear; wear it all, even if you feel like it restricts your movement. You’ll get used to it, and trust me, it’ll save you!
11. Never Ride In Middle Lanes
It’s probably a good idea to try to stick in the slow lane while riding, especially if you’re just starting out.
The middle lane can trap you between other motor vehicles and force you to make sudden moves.
That’s not something you’ll be able to do effectively when you’re just starting out!
12. Keep your Feet on the Footpegs
Another tip that you should definitely follow is to keep your feet flat in the footpegs.
It’s never a good idea to get your feet off of the pegs for any reason, so make sure that even if something happens and you lose control of your motorcycle, at least you’ll be able to keep it upright. On a motorcycle you always want to be ready, so keep your right foot next to your rear brake.
13. Adjust your Mirrors Before every Ride
Before you take off on your motorcycle for any reason, make sure to adjust your side mirrors so that you can see what’s behind you.
You never know when your mirrors have been knocked and adjusting whilst riding is just annoying.
This will give you more time to react if something is in your path and allow you to safely maneuver around things without having to stop or swerve suddenly.
14. Motorcycle Riders are Invisible to Other Motorists
It is important that you put yourself in the mindset that other drivers on the road can’t see you. This will allow you to practice defensive driving and avoid any accidents while riding.
All too often, motorcyclists get into trouble because they assume that other vehicles can notice them, so it’s important to always think ahead and be prepared for the worst-case scenario.
15. Don’t Push through Bad Training
Learning any skill requires repetition and these reps combine to create habits. When it comes to motorcycle maneuvers and techniques it’s no different, especially in those months straight after getting your motorcycle license.
If you’re not getting it, take a break, go watch a YouTube tutorial or read a blog on the subject and get back to it another day.
16. Wait Before Buying Expensive Mods
Learn to ride safely and enjoy your motorcycle before you go out and buy expensive mods. It takes time to get to know your motorcycle. Don’t solve your issues with buying things.
You can easily get carried away and spend a lot more than you should at first on all sorts of things that will just end up collecting dust in the garage.
17. Start Riding with a Smaller Motorcycle
I get a lot of criticism for this one, but I do not recommend getting a motorcycle that’s too big for you to start with.
You’ll be tempted, and trust me, the peer pressure is also there…
But no matter how cool they look, it doesn’t change the fact that motorcycles are dangerous machines. Getting a smaller motorcycle means that you’ll have more control over it and give you a comfortable learning curve. Experiencing a motorcycle accident in your first few months of riding will wreck your confidence.
18. Do not force yourself to Ride
I see this all the time, a learner wants to get as much experience as possible so they start riding to every social event on their calendar.
This isn’t inherently bad, but what happens is you find yourself out at 1:00 am needing to get home, maybe you’ve had a drink or maybe you’re just dead tired and you force yourself to ride.
Please don’t do this, it’s the most likely time you’ll crash.
Before you take your motorcycle out, consider what time you’ll be coming home, and if you think you’ll be tired, don’t force yourself to ride.
Muscle memory is a real thing and we want to repeat good habits.
19. Consider Private Lessons
If you can’t get a specific technical or maneuver to consider hiring a professional instructor for some private lessons.
When you consider how much longer you’ll spend on trial and error, it can be a very cost-effective and beneficial learning experience.
20. Bring a Bike Lock for your Helmet
I learned this one after 3 months of riding and wish someone told me from the beginning.
Go and buy a bike lock, this will allow you to lock your helmet to your motorcycle when you arrive somewhere. Carrying your helmet around the shops, restaurants, and into friends’ homes is just annoying.
21. Be Extra Cautious in Car Parks
Car parks are notorious for being the most likely place you’ll have a tumble on your motorcycle.
Since other motorists aren’t expecting motorcycles, you need to be extremely careful when entering and exiting car parks.
Always look ahead at the cars where they’re headed, never assume that other drivers have seen you because they probably haven’t.
And even if other cars aren’t the concern, most first-time motorcyclists aren’t very good at slow-riding skills. So extra high alert!
Braking with two wheels is different than four. You’ll need to learn when to use your rear brakes vs when to use your front brakes.
Also, practice using two or three fingers around the rear brake or front brake lever and applying slowly increasing pressure.
23. Don’t neglect Motorcycle Maintainance
There’s nothing more terrifying than the “check engine” light coming on when you’re driving along at 100 mph doing 40mph, or worse, it comes on after you’ve already left.
Pay attention to your service history and make sure you have a way of getting it fixed. Make sure you know where all the spare parts are located in the motorcycle so if something were to break down, you know where to find them.
A few things to add to your pre-riding check are to make sure your turn signals are working, your throttle isn’t sticky, your tires have a good amount of tread and your motorcycle clutch lever feels normal.
24. Protection over Style
When it comes to gear, protection always comes before style.
You don’t need a full race suit to start with, but decisions will always come up when you need to choose and choose motorcycle safety over what you actually look like.
Sturdy motorcycle boots, a good jacket, riding pants, gloves, and a full-face helmet are all musts for a new rider who cares about motorcycle safety.
25. Get as Insurance Coverage
This one is huge. Don’t skip out on having the proper insurance.
A new rider needs to insure their motorcycle. If your motorcycle is totaled and you haven’t spent extra to protect it, well… It’s gone and there’s nothing anybody can do to replace it!
Even more importantly, get some sort of personal injury insurance.
This one is often overlooked but all it takes is that one person to be careless and you’ll be facing medical bills that could financially ruin you.
Final Thoughts
Learning to ride a motorcycle in a fun and safe way is not always easy but with these tips hopefully, you feel a little more confident about jumping onto that motorcycle.
The most important thing to remember is to never force yourself to ride.
If you feel like barking muscles, saddle soreness, or just cannot get a specific maneuver don’t push through it.
So take it easy on yourself, find a buddy, and enjoy your new motorcycle experience!
Both cars and motorcycles use combustion engines, run on the same gas, and are used for transportation but do they run on the same engine oil? This is a very important question that almost all of us motorcyclists ask the first time our bikes need their first oil change.
A car’s engine and motorcycle’s engine use different engine oil. While both use oil to lubricate their mechanisms, a motorcycle’s engine requires a thicker type of oil. There are various reasons why motorcycle engines need different types of oil.
The Key Differences Between Car Engine Oil and Motorcycle Engine Oil
Motorcycle Engine Oil
Motorcycles require a heavier type of oil to stay lubricated over an extended period because it runs at higher speeds, has smaller tolerances, and the engine’s parts are also more tightly packed together. The tighter engine parts can cause an issue because it does not allow for proper heat dissipation which could result in the breakdown or coagulation of motor oil. To avoid these issues, Honda decided that motorcycles should have thicker grades of oil than cars since cars have bigger spaces between their moving parts.
Car Engine Oil
On the other hand, car engines run at lower speeds with wider spaces between moving components. Engines in cars do not compress as much air, so the blow-by is not as high. As a result, car engines can handle lighter grades of oil than motorcycle engines. Car engine oils are less viscous than motorcycle engine oil because they run at lower temperatures and have more movement in their moving parts.
Driving Styles
Different driving styles also affect the viscosity of engine oil used for each vehicle type. If you drive your car or SUV to work every day, city traffic will cause more wear on the engine than if you take your motorcycle into town for errands instead. Although both vehicles use the same type of gas, cars are heavier which means that it takes way more energy to get them started or even move them forward. This makes it on their motors which need an oil that can withstand more heat and provide better lubrication.
Can I use Car Engine Oil in a Motorcycle Engine?
Though car engines and motorcycle engines use different types of oils, those who drive both must make sure they don’t pick up the wrong bottle. You should not switch between car and motorcycle oil as you will end up damaging your engine by doing so because the two different oils have a different viscosity – thus causing uneven movement of your engine parts resulting in engine failure. I’ve heard a lot of people trying to use car oil in their motorcycle to try and save a few bucks, this is ridiculous because you’ll end up spending 10x the oil cost on repairs for your engine.
What Motorcycle Engine Oil to Use?
It is best to use the proper grade of motor oil for your bike’s engine because each type of engine has its own tolerances and specifications that must be maintained. The different types of oils are designed to keep your engine lubricated properly while avoiding breaking down or coagulating under extreme conditions. Don’t let us mislead you, using the proper viscosity of the oil is not all there is to it. You’ll also have to make sure that the quality of your oil meets or exceeds what’s recommended for your motorcycle engine.
How much Motorcycle Engine Oil do I Need?
The amount of oil needed depends on the size and type of engine in your motorbike. A car engine needs about 4 liters, while a motorcycle requires around 1 liter because its space is limited by design. The average scooter has between 1.4-2 liters capacity so make sure you check your user manual just in case you’re unsure!
When Changing the Oil on my Bike, Should I Drain all the Used Motor Oil Out?
In order to obtain the best results from using motor oil for your bike’s engine, it is a good idea to drain out all of the old oil first. Old or used oil should be thrown away as it could contain particles that will harm your new oil. The additives in used oil can cause problems because they have already been activated and are not beneficial anymore.
To Sum Up
The thickness of car and motorcycle engine oils differ on purpose. Car engine oils are lighter but still provide proper lubrication while motorcycle engines need heavier grades of oil due to their tighter tolerances and more compact design. Driving styles also affect the type of viscosity required on each vehicle type! Motorcycle engines require less viscous motor oils than car engines do so follow your manufactures recommendations when it comes to the engine oil and whatever you do, don’t use car engine oil in your motorcycle.
Motorcycles can be less expensive, more convenient, and way more fun than a car. But is it possible for a motorcycle to replace your current mode of transportation? Be careful before switching your car for a motorcycle because there are definitely some things that you’ll feel like you’re missing.
Your motorcycle will never be able to replace your car. Whilst motorcycles are cheaper, funner & quicker than cars; you’ll wish you had the car for those rainy/cold days when you need extra boot room when it’s more than just you and those extra-long commutes.
Some people believe motorcycles are the perfect alternative to owning an automobile especially with skyrocketing gas prices & the increase in parking costs. Motorcycle owners don’t have to worry about finding parking spots, they get better gas mileage than their four-wheeled counterparts, and most of the time there is only one person in the car anyway. All of this means motorcyclists spend less money on fuel per mile traveled, and they also get more exercise while riding! But don’t get too trigger-happy just yet. There are a few things to consider before trading in your car for a motorcycle.
Why you might want to consider replacing your car with a motorcycle
Motorcycles Cost of Ownership are Less than Cars
The cost of owning a car is expensive. Owning your own vehicle means extensive insurance costs, changing the oil, replacing the battery, getting new wiper blades, buying gas & filling up the tank & doing all this under budget isn’t just difficult it’s nearly impossible.
Motorcycles are cheaper to maintain than cars. You don’t have to worry about paying for parking or car repairs as much as you would with a car because motorcycles are small enough that they can fit in even small spaces and finding free parking is easier too.
The Upfront Cost of Motorcycle is Cheaper than Car
Let’s face it, compared to other modes of transportation cars are expensive. The cost of buying a car can be daunting but because motorcycle ownership is cheaper than car ownership the initial cost for owning one is less too.
Most people spend around $20,000 to buy a good car, whilst a great brand-new motorcycle costs around $5000.
The benefit of Motorcycles in Traffic Compared to Cars
Motorcycles take up much less space on the road than cars which means that they spend less time sitting in traffic jams and get places faster than their four-wheeled counterparts plus you get to enjoy your ride so much more when there isn’t all the added stress of having to fight with other commuters for road space.
A Motorcycle Cost of Less Gas per Mile
My 2015 CBR 300R motorcycle will give me 85 mpg; whilst our 2020 Mazda CX-5 will only give me 28 mpg. Enough said motorcycles are just THAT MUCH CHEAPER.
Now it should be noted here, that a car (such as the CX-5) can carry 5 people, whilst the motorcycle cannot carry more than 2. But when you consider all the commutes you do, how many really involve more than 1 or 2 people?
Why you might want to reconsider trading in your car for a motorcycle
The convenience of a Car over a Motorcycle
When you own a car you have the convenience of being able to carry everyone & everything, because there is enough room for friends, groceries, luggage, and fun!
Motorcycles are not as convenient as cars because they do not have the same amount of storage space or seating capacity. It’s not just about the storage and ability to carry luggage, but also ease of getting around.
Imagine this, a day out at the beach, you’re still in your swimmers, you wrap the towel around you and jump in the car to drive home. You can’t do that on a bike.
You’re driving to work and you want to listen to a podcast whilst drinking your morning smoothy. You can’t do that on a bike.
The Ability to Carry Luggage and
Cargo is Better with Cars
If you’re thinking of using a motorcycles as a primary form of transportation you need to be made aware that you can only really fit so much on your bike and all your luggage and cargo needs to go somewhere.
Car drivers have the luxury of people carriers & hatchbacks which makes it easy to store items during transport because they’re easy to put in, take out and see what’s going on inside.
Exposure to the Elements
When it comes to getting places dry, warm & not drenched in sweat, having the option to take the car is a necessity. Unless you have the absolute most expensive riding gear, if it’s raining outside and you have no choice but to take the bike, you are going to get wet. Likewise, if it’s boiling 🥵 you will arrive covered in sweat. This is really unavoidable on a motorcycle.
And whilst 70% of the time it won’t be an issue, when it is pouring outside and you don’t have any other mode of transport, you’re kinda stuck.
Extra Cost of Owning a Motorcycle
There are some hidden costs associated with owning a motorcycle, namely your riding gear. Owning a car doesn’t require any additional spending. Sure you need to insure your vehicle but there are no extra costs associated with owning one.
It’s not just the obvious stuff like gloves, boots, helmets etc., but also things like riding gear cleaners and lubes which all add up over time.
Safety Concerns
Statistically the more you ride your motorcycle the higher chance there is that you’re going to come off it, and in a lot of cases when that happens, things don’t end well.
This is going to sound dramatic but insurance companies know this and take it into account which means if you ride frequently your insurance premiums will reflect that fact and you’ll pay more for your cover than someone who does not ride as often.
Concluding thoughts
Whilst motorcycles are the cheaper, funner, and clearly a more environmentally friendly alternative to cars for so many commutes, I would not trade in my car for a motorcycle. I would only have a car or have both. In my eyes, motorcycles are luxury items that, if you can afford to own, give you so much joy in riding, can significantly save you money on gas, and look cool as hell!
Cars provide a certain level of safety, storage, and simplicity which I personally could not live without.
Motorcycles are a great way to get around town and enjoy the open road. But, all motorcycles can look dated after some time has passed. However, there are ways that you can give your motorcycle a good makeover and turn it into something that looks cool and new! This blog post will go over 6 ways to make your bike stand out from the crowd.
The best way to make your motorcycle look cool is by:
Change up the Colors of your Motorcycle
Change the Seat
Change your tires
Change your Exhaust Pipes
Get Slimline LED turning Signals
Keep your Bike Clean
Change up the Colors of your Motorcycle
One way to make your motorcycle look cool is by sprucing up the bike with a paint job. There are many colors and styles of motorcycles that you can choose from, depending on what kind of style you’re going for! To get inspired, check out some custom bikes online or head over to your local dealership.
You should also be sure that whatever color or design you pick will go well with other parts on the vehicle too – like any decals/stickers it might have already, as well as its current seat & tires if they happen to match. Also consider how durable this paint job will be in different weather conditions (i.e., heat) before making a final decision about which one looks best symmetrically across
Change the seat
The next thing you can do to make your motorcycle look cool is by changing the seat. There are lots of different seats that you can choose from; some big, some small. Playing with the color also makes a huge difference…some even come with tassels and braids! Whatever kind of style or color suits your preferences best will go a long way towards making it stand out in a good way too.
Just be sure not to accidentally mix up any important parts (i.e., tail light wiring) when removing the old one, as this might cause issues further down the road if not taken care of right away.
Change your tires
Another way to make your motorcycle look cool is by changing the tires. While some people might think that tire treads don’t really matter too much, this couldn’t be further from the truth! All kinds of different styles and colors are out there these days; spokes & wire wheels, all black or white walls – the list goes on and on.
One thing we can say for sure is that using wider tires will help give you better traction while riding in wet conditions (i.e., rain). If you want a great set of new tires but aren’t sure where to start looking online…look no further than MotoSports! They offer top-quality aftermarket parts at affordable prices so everyone has access to them whether they’re a beginner or an expert.
Just be sure not to get one that’s too big as this could result in damage later on due to engine overheating; particularly if you’re doing higher speed rides for long periods of time like at the race track! Make sure they also fit properly without any issues along those lines before making such an investment as well since there’s nothing more frustrating than being out on the road with a muffler that keeps slipping off.
Get Slimline LED Turn Signals
Another way to make your motorcycle look cool is by getting slimline LED turn signals. These will help increase your visibility to other drivers which can prevent accidents from happening, especially in low-light conditions when it’s harder for people to see you compared with bright sunny days!
The best part about them too is that they’re extremely easy to install on a variety of different motorcycles and scooters. They usually come with all the necessary wiring/adapters needed in order for everything to function properly…all you have to do is pop out your old bulbs & replace them with these ones after screwing in the new LEDs (just make sure not to connect any negative wires together or damage may occur).
Keep your Motorcycle Clean!
The final thing you can do to make your motorcycle look cool is by keeping it clean & tidy at all times. There’s nothing more uncool than seeing a Harley-Davidson duo glide covered in bird crap.
This entails washing it regularly, changing the oil when necessary, and replacing anything that might be loose or worn out over time (i.e., seat). This may seem like common sense but many people neglect these things until there’s an issue, which could result in expensive repairs later on if not handled right away. Always try to stay ahead of any potential issues before they even happen instead of waiting for them to arise first whenever possible!
Modifications are a great way of getting significantly more value out of your motorcycle without upgrading to a new bike completely. So let’s talk about what modifications you should do on your motorcycle.
There are some modifications that are more common than others, but if you’re not sure where to start, here are six of the most popular ones. All of them are relatively easy to install (i.e usually plug-and-play or just a couple of bolts)! Later on, I might write a post about the crazier ideas for modification but for now, though, let’s stick with these 6.
The 6 must-have modifications you should consider doing for your motorcycle are replacing your exhaust system, a new set of tires, upgrading to a lithium-ion battery, Air Filters, Indicators & Luggage.
Ditching your stock exhaust system can drastically enhance the performance of your bike as well as the way it sounds.
The main difference between different exhaust systems is the size of the piping. The larger the pipe diameter, the more air can flow through it which makes for bigger “dumps”. The dump refers to how much air you are speeding up when hitting a certain point on your throttle curve (i.e shifting gears).
If you have a small/stock-sized pipe and hit 3rd gear or higher in your rpm range at full throttle, you will see some lost horsepower due to increased resistance in your system because of lack of space for air/fuel to be flowing through it freely. For that reason, people often invest in aftermarket exhausts just because it can really change the sound (and performance) of your bike.
Click here to find a new exhaust system for your motorcycle.
The right tires can literally change how your bike feels and handles, so I would say that this is the second mod you should go for. When it comes to choosing the right tire, all sorts of things need to be considered – tread pattern, thread type (grip), construction etcetera.
But within those factors, there are choices available for every budget and style of riding. With more grip and better handling, you will feel more confident on your motorcycle – getting new tires is definitely worth it!
To help choose the right tires MotoSports are able to filter the correct tires specifically for your motorcycle.
And if you’re not sure what type of tire is best for your use-case watch this video:
Upgrading to a lithium-ion motorcycle battery is a fantastic choice for many reasons.
Firstly, you get better performance from it due to the chemical composition of lithium-ion. Lithium batteries have a higher energy density than lead-acid batteries and thus weigh less for the same amount of capacity. This is significant because if your bike weighs 100 kgs with just the standard battery, then that’s 10kg
The benefit of upgrading to a lithium-ion motorcycle battery over a lead-acid battery are:
Lithium-Ion motorcycle batteries are far lighter than the original lead-acid type, making for much better weight distribution on your bike (which increases handling).
Lithium-Ion motorcycle batteries take up significantly less space on your motorcycle compared to lead-acid batteries.
Lithium-Ion motorcycle batteries hold their charge for longer and much better in colder conditions.
Lithium-Ion motorcycle batteries are far more robust & are destroyed when tipped over like lead-acid batteries.
Furthermore, they can be charged using any standard battery,
Click here to see our recommended Lithium-Ion motorcycle battery.
Replacing your standard air filter with a performance-based one can increase the power of your motorcycle. When you ride on the road at full throttle, everything is fine because there is enough clean air to enter into your engine without any resistance.
However, when you are in slow-moving traffic or around town, there is a lot more dirt and pollution that goes straight into your engine which causes it to work much harder than necessary. A good quality aftermarket air filter will catch the majority of this dirt before it gets to damage your engine while also maximizing its airflow capabilities.
Upgrading an old air filter for a performance-based one has many benefits. Here are some of them:
The larger cross means less restriction which allows additional air to pass through it freely.
Oiled filters are more efficient than non-oiled ones because dirt is held away from the filter media allowing for fewer particles inside your engine.
The placement and style of your indicators and mirrors (if you have them) is to some extent stylistic preference. If you like the look of your current indicators and mirrors, then there’s no reason to change them; but if you feel like they could be improved in some way it would be well worth considering options such as integrated ones or LED optimized ones. There are all sorts of styles and looks available so you can find something that suits your bike.
Mirrors and indicators aren’t purely a matter of style though, they also affect the safety and effectiveness of your motorcycle. The best mirrors enable you to see behind yourself as well as straight ahead at intersections so you can clearly see any hazards. A good indicator will have an orange lamp that is more visible than standard bulbs while being bright enough to signal traffic around you effectively.
Having luggage on your motorcycle is a fantastic way to keep some of your belongings with you wherever you go and it can also be used for self-protection if you find yourself riding in less than ideal conditions by carrying some tools handy. You’ll need to check that the luggage fits securely and has enough padding so that it doesn’t damage your paint job or get damaged while riding, but otherwise, there are all sorts of options available to suit your style and budget.
There are so many different types of luggage available for your motorcycle. If you are interested in adding luggage to your motorcycle I would suggest that you check out our recommended motorcycle gear’s page where we have our favorite top boxes, Saddlebags & many more carrying options
I’m sure you’ve seen those electric scooters for commuting all over the city. They are often used as a quick and easy way to get from one place to another, especially if you live in a high-density area like New York City, Tokyo, Sydney or London. But what makes them so great? And which is the best electric scooter for commuting on the market today? Let me go ahead and answer these questions for you!
Straight off the bat let me tell you the best electric scooter and commuter scooter I’m most excited by.
It’s the CHARGEPRO developed by Charge By Hixon that has innovative battery technology with a fast charger system. This little guy has a 60V 30AH Lithium-Ion Battery which means that you’ll be able to get 60 miles in each and every charge and be able to hit 30 mph. This electric scooter for commuting has front and rear lights, high battery life, pneumatic tires and a controllable weight limit.
Now I know that doesn’t sound very fast/go very far compared to a motorcycle but this thing is TINY and absolutely sips power.
I’ll explain more below while we dive into why electric scooters are good for city commuters.
Electric Scooter is so cost-effective
Power vs. Gas
Let’s take our CHARGEPRO as an example, it comes with a 60V 30AH, 2000W battery. According to Electric Choice, the average electricity rate is 13.19 cents per kilowatt-hour in the USA. That means that for $0.27 (I rounded up) you can travel 60 miles.
According to Fuelly, the average 2021 CBR125R uses 86.7 miles per gallon. with a gallon of fuel costing $3.18 per gallon (gasprices.aaa.com) that means that the same 60 miles would cost $2.20 on a CBR125R. That’s ridiculous! Because I don’t know about you, I’m not currently riding a 125!
With this same logic, let’s say you’re travelling 48 miles a day 5 days a week, that’s 240 miles a week. And let’s say you work 48 weeks a year. Seems like a standard commute to me.
Let’s see how much it would cost:
On the CHARGEPRO = $1.08 per week or $51.84 per year
On the 2021 CBR 125R = $8.80 per week or $422.40 per year
Ease of Use when Commuting
I, like every motorcyclist, love the feeling of riding, the freeness of punching it, cornering, and the feeling of perfectly shifting gears with a tingle of adrenaline while moving effortlessly through traffic.
An electric scooter features a wide range of applications such as dual suspension, solid tires, anti lock brake, thumb throttle, and three different speed modes for a comfortable ride.
But when it comes to commuting and being in traffic there are a few things that might just sway me towards an electric scooter like the CHARGEPRO over a motorcycle. Especially when it comes to ease of use when commuting. Let’s break these down:
Connected Front and Rear Braking
I can hear it already “connected front and rear brakes are dangerous! Well actually, the CHARGEPRO has got split braking, with a single brake. It’s a single braking system but in emergencies the brakes are split to separate the force between the mechanical disc brakes, reducing stopping distance and ensuring safe braking at high speeds. The rear disc brake and the rear drum brake for most electric scooters in the e scooter market control the weight limit and motor power to enable a dual braking system. Pretty smart right?
No Gears
I don’t know about you, but when it comes to changing gears on commutes, I hate it. Don’t get me wrong, on joy rides, changing gears are all part of the experience, but on commutes, I just want to set and forget. With an electric scooter like the CHARGEPRO you don’t need to worry about gears because… there are none!
No Licence Required
If getting a motorcycle license was the thing stopping you from getting a motorcycle for commuting, look no further, with an electric scooter you don’t even need a motorcycle license to ride. You still need your car license though.
Benefits of an Electric Scooter over a Gas Scooter?
Electric Scooters are:
Cheaper to run, maintain, and service than gas scooters
Are quieter than gas scooters
Include significantly more features for both comfort and safety
Better for the environment
In Summary
If you are a daily commuter riding no more than 50 miles a day going and purchasing an electric scooter like the CHARGEPRO is a no-brainer. How can you compare $422 per year on gas to $51 per year on power? Plus the reduction in maintenance costs, they’re quieter, better for the environment, and offer much much more features than their gas counterparts.
The best electric scooters have air filled tires for a smooth ride. An electric kick scooter or an adult electric scooter has a limited maximum speed. Electric scooters for commuting are roughly half the size of other bikes but can climb steep inclines, and ride on paved surfaces and under low light conditions easily. This is because of a user-friendly control panel, eco friendly features and large tires offer easy commute in real world conditions.
A traditional bike is different from other scooters and has a different braking mechanism as well. The GLX V2 offers excellent top speeds for more experienced riders. This comfortable scooter is one of the budget models that has a number of riding modes with eco mode, LCD display, pedestrian bell, standard charger and shock absorbers for bumpy roads. Evade traffic jams and reach your destination on time.
Choose a reliable electric scooter with a Gotrax GLX V2 battery with a mechanical disc plate and excellent top speed. Select an appropriate riding mode with an excellent battery pack, dual spring suspension, cruise control function, LED headlight, LED Display, and excellent safety features at an affordable price to enhance your ride quality.
I will say, I have not personally ridden a CHARGEPRO, but have completed a lot of research into this subject, both about the CHARGEPRO and other e-scooters and from my point of view buying an electric scooter for city commuting is just smart.
Ever wanted to ride a motorcycle only to realize that they are manual and you’ve never learned the clutch? No fear, for we are here to help! In this article, we will run you through the fastest and easiest way to ride a motorcycle with a clutch.
How to initiate riding a motorcycle with a clutch
Pull the clutch in and hold in
Push the gear shifter on your left foot down repeatedly till it does not go further
Slowly ease onto the throttle (right hand) 1/3 or so of a twist and hold
Release the clutch extremely slowly (over a 10-20 second period)
From there you’re moving! Be sure to hold onto that throttle to maintain speed and twist it to increase the speed.
Push the gear shifter on your left foot up one gear
Twist throttle 1/3 or so of a twist and hold
Release the clutch extremely slowly (over a 10-20 second period)
Fantastic now you’re in second gear! Repeating the process will get you into third, fourth, and fifth gear.
How to Change Gears down on a Motorcycle
As they say, what goes up must come down and now you’re a pro at changing gears up, it’s time to come back down.
Release the throttle
Mirror Check to make sure you’re safe from behind
Brake using front and rear brakes together to reduce speed
Clutch in and hold in
Push the gear shifter on your left foot down one gear
Release the clutch extremely slowly (over a 10-20 second period)
Repeat these steps to keep changing gears down.
Now you’re off-off and away! Be careful to not just focus on changing gears but also where you are going, too many new riders spend too much time looking down when they should be looking up. Once you’re going keeping balance shouldn’t be an issue but if you do notice that your bike is wobbling a bit, click here to figure out how to correct this. Happy riding!
Motorcyclists know that the right gear can make all the difference between a soft slide or a broken bone, road rash, or even death after a crash. But what makes leather the first choice for most motorcyclists? And why do almost all motorcyclists swear by leather?
Protection & Style are the main reasons that motorcyclists wear leather. Bikers wear leather jackets because leather offers an extra layer of defense if the rider should crash, helping prevent broken bones and road rash. Leather also looks so dam cool on a motorcyclist while they cruise down that highway.
Let’s break down why leather is clearly the best choice for motorcyclists, what are the pros and cons of leather, and if there are any other materials that show promise to perform as well as leather.
Why Leather is so good at Protecting Motorcyclists in crashes
Leather is a natural material that offers a unique combination of stretchiness and durability. It is this uniqueness that makes it so great at protecting motorcyclists in a crash, despite being a relatively thin material. Bikers wear leather because it has an amazing amount of giving which is necessary to absorb the energy from a crash. This means that if you fall off your motorcycle wearing leather pants as opposed to jeans or a leather jacket, chances are you’ll slide much further as leather can stretch up to 8% of its initial length without tearing!
Most motorcycle jackets and motorcycle pants actually have thicker areas of leather that offer more resistance during a fall or impact. This makes sure that no matter how hard the surface rocks underneath the rider’s body weight, you’ll slide right over without the leather jacket ripping. motorcycle riders wear leather because they know that sometimes the ground can feel like a brick wall, and as such, it would be wise to wear as much protection as possible. And the best protection is a leather jacket.
Leather Vs Other Materials
Leather Vs. Vegan Leather for Protecting Motorcyclists
If we know leather is one of if not the best materials for taking a slide off your motorcycle; how does vegan leather compare?
Artificial leather, vegan leather, or faux leather is actually a really great vegan alternative to animal leather. It is more commonly used in moto shoes, boots, and gloves than motorcycle jackets and pants. But there are still some good options around.
Vegan leather is actually more cost-efficient and though it is not genuine leather, it still provides good abrasion resistance for motorcyclists. So next time you’re looking for a motorcycle jacket, it might be worth looking at the vegan leather options!
Leather Vs. Textile for Protecting Motorcyclists
When considering the purchase of protective wear for motorcycling, we essentially have two materials to choose from: leather and textiles. Textile material usually comprises a ‘shell’ and a ‘liner’. The shell is the outermost layer that travels away from the rider in the event of an accident; it’s designed to absorb impact forces and protect against penetration by sharp objects.
A motorcycle leather jacket liner, meanwhile, is located close to the body (underneath the shell), where it performs such tasks as wicking moisture away from the skin. Sometimes this membrane will be supplemented with an insulating element for extra comfort.
The primary benefit of leather is its abrasion resistance; because even when punctured it tends not to tear like textile does (in the event of an accident). As well as this, leather is waterproof (for a certain amount of time); it stretches (without losing its protective qualities) and is comfortable to wear. It may even make you look like part of a well-oiled machine – if not one about to barrel roll down Mount Tamborine.
The flipside, however, is that leather does not breathe very well and in hot climates can become unbearably hot and unpleasant. Also, it costs more than textile materials and requires more care in order to maintain the integrity of the material when not under extreme stress.
Leather jackets won’t stretch out over time as much as textile jackets, which is a good thing because the desired level of protection doesn’t change from crash to crash, but one’s position on the bike does. So if you’re riding behind someone and have your arms stretched out for an hour whilst wearing a leather jacket, that’ll be different from when you’re hunched over into a tank-slapper at speed. The break-in period helps conditions leather so that it can move with the rider without restricting movement or causing harm.
Benefits of Leather, Excluding Protection
Leaving aside crash protection, leather has a number of other benefits that make it a favorable material for motorcyclists. For one thing, it always looks incredible in photographs. Those images of the metal beasts colliding into each other with no regard for their riders? You can bet they’re wearing leathers. Or at least some
Leather is a very durable material that can withstand most weather conditions. It does really well in the cold and can be opened up to be breathable in the hot.
Leather has a certain waterproof quality to it that keeps you somewhat dryer in a light shower than other materials. Fully waterproofed leather can be a lot more expensive though!
Leather also has the ability to keep it looking clean and tidy no matter how much sand, grime, or muck gets thrown onto the material. There is something about it that just looks good, even if it is dirty.
Pros and cons of Leather
Pros:
Offers an extra layer of defense if the rider should crash, helping prevent broken bones and road rash.
Won’t stretch as much as textiles, meaning that whatever level of protection is desired stays consistent with any crash.
The break-in period helps to mold it into a form that doesn’t restrict movement or cause harm.
There’s something about wearing a jacket made of fine hides- something intrinsic and almost spiritual – that connects motorcyclists back to their earliest roots. Something about wearing textile jackets on a motorcycle feels fake.
Cons:
More expensive than other material options for jackets, such as textile blends.
Easier to damage than textile jackets since leather will wear so easier during a crash.
Has a longer break-in period, which can be hard for some who do not have patience.
Maybe less protective if the leather jacket is not broken in properly and the individual crashes while wearing it.
More expensive than other material options. A leather jacket is so much more expensive than a textile jackets.
Has a longer break-in period, which can be hard for some who do not have patience.
Maybe less protective if the leather jacket is not broken in properly and the individual crashes while wearing it.
Leather as a cultural icon for motorcyclists
Wearing a leather jacket or motorcycle overalls is as much of a statement as it is practical. In the same way that skiers wear bright-colored jackets and “ski-pant” combinations to make them visible on the slopes, motorcyclists have adopted this safety measure for bikes by wearing highly visible clothing but taking it a step further with vibrant colors and decorative features.
Leather has been adopted so strongly by motorcyclists because of its cultural significance. And let’s face it, it looks awesome! Of course, when you look at pieces of clothing such as leather vests, these are really just for show. bikers wear leather vests as part of the culture, not so much for safety.
Many leather jackets are a fashion statement and they come in a wide variety of styles. There is leather, leather, and fur, leather and leather, leather and leather with fur trim, leather and leather with fur sleeves, leather and leather with fur hoods, leather and leather with faux fur sleeves or trim or hoods.
Young men might wear them as if they were a camouflage-patterned military coat while some might wear it to show off their masculinity. It’s also seen as an anti-establishment statement for people who don’t follow the norms of society.
Bikers wear leather vests, boots, and really anything to continue this fashion statement. Music artists have influenced leather jacket fashion trends, where leather jackets are worn with ripped jeans or leather pants.
In fact, even pink leather jackets have become popular among the youth. I have to say, I don’t have the confidence to wear pink leather jackets, but each to their own!
Leather Jackets in Movies
The leather jacket worn by Marlon Brando in “The Wild One” has become an icon of American pop culture.
James Dean’s leather jacket in “Rebel Without a Cause” is one of the most famous leather jackets ever to be produced.
Humphrey Bogart wears leather jackets in his movies such as “Casablanca” and “The Maltese Falcon.”
John Travolta wore a leather jacket on the cover of “Rolling Stone” magazine which became an iconic leather jacket image.
Richard Roundtree and Don Johnson (Miami Vice) leather jackets also helped to establish leather jackets as a fashion statement.
History of Leather Motorcycles Jackets
In the 1950s, bikers created a style of clothing that is still being worn by motorcycle riders today. The leather jacket or coat has been a staple of biker culture ever since this time period. In present-day society, bikers have become the subject of controversy and even fear among non-bikers; however, many people don’t understand the actual “history of biker gangs.”
Bikers are commonly thought of as being criminals or gang members that are violent by nature. However, bikers have also been misjudged in other ways. When they were first becoming popular, bikers were even regarded as sexual deviants. Bikers often wore leather jackets because it was the easiest type of clothing to obtain in post-war America.
The leather jacket that bikers wore were obtained through various means; many would get them handed down from family members or friends, others bought used leather jackets because they were affordable, and some could even get their hands on stolen leather jackets. When bikers began wearing their leather jackets, they would often get into fights with other bikers or even non-bikers that noted that there was a sexual nature to the act of wearing leather.
