If there is one fact that is true about bikers, they have big egos. Riding a motorcycle requires moxie and bikers certainly have lots of it.  Bikers take pride in having great biker gear and even greater bikes. Some spend thousands of dollars to make their cruisers or sport bikes into one of a kind motorcycles.

Bikers especially don’t want to be outdone by their peers. It’s hard for other bikers to say to their friends that they can’t keep up. Sometimes, having a big ego can be a dangerous thing and cause a biker to forget about motorcycle safety.

Keep your biker ego in check (if necessary) by:

• Practice first: For bikers that have not ridden in a long time or are rusty should not hit the roads first. If you need to, get your bearings back by practicing on a closed road or parking lot. Even if your friends try to push you, resist the urge to hit the street until you are ready.

• Pace yourself: Make sure to establish your own pace and don’t let other riders encourage you to ride too fast or too far for your comfort.  If your biker buddies have to ride ahead or if you have to skip a long distance tour, that’s what needs to happen to stay safe.

• Stay away: Until you are comfortable, avoid riding in formation; even with riders you are familiar with. Having additional space is necessary to make sure you can avoid other motorists or bikers. Until you are comfortable, riding in formation is one of the most dangerous things to do.

The best thing to do is to be 100% honest with yourself as it relates to your biker skills and do not deviate from that truth. This is best way to stay on the road and out of the hospital.

If you or a loved one has been injured in a motorcycle accident in the Boston or Andover area, contact personal injury lawyer and avid biker Tom Kiley! Or order a FREE copy of Tom Kiley’s motorcycle accident guide, Do Loud Pipes Save Lives.

I think that there will be a substantial market for electric motorcycles. In the United States, these motorcycles could be great options in vacation destinations as a contender to the convenient but not very cool scooter. Since motorcycles are lower cost luxury items for most Americans, the potential for more sales than the higher priced electric vehicles is clearly there. With less moving parts, maintenance costs on electric motorcycles may be less than current motorcycle maintenance.

Electric motorcycles might also be huge in the developing world where gas prices and pollution are extremely high.

Zero Motorcycles is already making great electric motorcycles for the dirt tracks and for the open road. Honda has also expressed interest in contributing significant resources to developing electric motorcycles. With Honda’s history of innovation, it won’t be too long before we see electric motorcycles at local bike nights next to Harleys, sport bikes, and cruisers.

When buying your first cruiser, it is important to balance style, performance, and new rider safety. While it would be great if every new biker received a new Harley Davidson Road King as a motorcycle rider safety course graduation present, that bike is not the best first bike for most new riders.

Whether you are buying a new or used motorcycle, the Yamaha V Star Custom is one of the best choices for a new cruiser. It offers a great mix of performance, style, and safety perfectly suited for new bikers.

The V Star Custom is a 650cc motorcycle, small by today’s standards, but it is not lacking on the road. Because of it’s low weight (slightly over 500lbs), the V Star Custom has no problem keeping up with larger cruisers.

The low weight of the V Star Custom makes it a great bike for trips and local commuting. Stops, turns, and parking maneuvers are much more easily achieved with a lighter bike for new riders. In the event of the bike falling, it is much easier to lift unlike larger cruisers weighing in excess of 700lbs.

This is not a watered down cruiser.

The V Star Custom has a long wheel base giving the bike a low and lean look. Along with a long wheel base comes a low 27.4 inch seat height giving the rider more control and confidence during stops, walking maneuvers, and low speeds. Park a V Star Custom next to a group of cruisers and it holds it’s own. It even has a 170 rear tire.

If you need a few more reasons to consider the V Star Custom, consider the 2010 models cost under $7000, late model used V Star Customs can be found between $3000-4000, and these bikes get nearly 50 MPG. If you are a new biker in the market for a cruiser, the V Star Custom is worth a close look.

For motorcycle lovers, shaking off the winter blues comes from riding their sport bike down a twisting road. For cruiser lovers, a nice tour on a scenic stretch of road lifts the spirits and rejuvenates the soul.

Shipping your motorcycle to your vacation location or winter retreat is a great way to shake off the chill of the winter season. Enjoying a bit of sunshine and riding time should be the trick to get through the cold weather until the next motorcycle riding season starts.

Although it may sound extreme, shipping a motorcycle is easier than you might think. There are hundreds of vendors that will pack and ship your bike anywhere in the world. Whether your winter retreat is in Cancun or Australia, your bike can make the trip as easily as you can.

Starting in Concord, MA, there’s a great 125 mile loop that goes through some of the most attractive small towns in New England. These small towns feature old colonial homes and structures dating back several hundred years.

Probably the best feature of this loop is that there’s almost no traffic. These roads are very lightly utilized and you’ll be able to enjoy your Harley or sport bike without having to share the rode with thousands of commuters.

This is not a completely remote ride. There are lots of quaint restaurants and eateries to stop and enjoy a nice break over the 4-5 hour trek. Make sure to check the weather to ensure your ride will be warm and dry. If you don’t mind a cold or wet ride, then make sure your saddlebags are loaded with gear.

About an hour’s ride west from DC to Front Royal, VA is the starting point for the Skyline Drive ride. This slow ride south through the Blue Ridge Mountains and the Shenandoah National Park heads south to Waynesboro, VA. While the ride is only about 100 miles, plan at least 4 hours to complete the trip.

In contrast to the DC area, the Skyline Drive offers fantastic views of Virginia’s rolling hills and forests. Along with the scenic views, be prepared to see both deer and black bears crossing the road.

Even though this ride is remote, there are plenty of areas to stop to rest, enjoy the scenery, and grab a bit to eat. The roads are pristine so this ride is great for fully loaded cruisers or sport bikes. Make sure to take your time because the speed limit is typically 35 MPH. Also, make sure to pack motorcycle accessories like rain gear, waterproof boots, and gloves in case you run into unexpected rain.

That amounts to a staggering amount of stolen Harley Davidsons, race bikes, and cruisers. In 2008, over 60,000 motorcycles were stolen totaling over $400 million dollars in losses.  With custom motorcycle prices costing in excess of $20,000, making sure a stolen bike is found and returned quickly is an increasing priority.

LoJack has a motorcycle theft solution that works seamlessly with the local police and the motorcycle owner. A small transmitter is integrated into the body of the motorcycle so thieves cannot find or disengage it.

When a bike is moved without the owner’s permission, a transmitter alerts the police to the movement and location. At the same time, the owner is notified by phone, email, or text that the bike has been moved. The signal from the LoJack device is powerful enough to go through parking garages, metal storage containers, and other hiding places.

LoJack is the only system used by the local police and has been directly responsible for the recovery of $8 million dollars of motorcycle assets. Although overall motorcycle theft is has slightly declined lately, the risk is very real.

They are dead wrong.

Whether on a sport bike or cruiser, the front brake provides the majority of the stopping power. In particular, sport bikes get even more braking power from front brakes because more weight is distributed at the front than on cruisers. Rear brakes are great for stability but as the front brakes are engaged and the rider’s weight transfers forward, rear brakes become less effective.

As a general rule, make sure to engage both brakes together for safest and most effective braking. Also, make sure to never lock up the front brake in an emergency situation. Locking the front brake almost always results in a crash.

Every week, several hundred bikers and spectators come out to enjoy great Hooters food and classic rock music. Frequently, local custom fabricators come out to show off their newest creations, motorcycle service providers advertise their services, and dozens of motorcycles for sale are displayed. As a Hooters sponsored event,  you can always expect great wings, fantastic service and of course the beautiful Hooter Girls!

You can’t lose with this event. Whether you are an active or aspiring rider or if you prefer low and mean cruisers or candy coated crotch rockets, this event will have something for you. Here’s a tip, make sure you get there early because if you don’t parking may be an issue.