Motorcycles

The version of the DVD I will be reviewing is the Two-Disc, Director’s Special Edition. Starting with the promise on the cover that this is the most exciting film on motorcycling ever made It is at times a thrilling motorcycle film, with harrowing crashes and some race footage like nothing I have ever seen, but not until I went through the special features, and realized the impact that this film had on the sport of motocross, and motorcycling, in general, did the full impact of this claim make complete sense.

This film was a first, a window into the world of the actual people who rode bikes for a living and enjoyed them without being part of a dangerous gang, or daredevils with an apparent suicide wish. This made the sport instantly accessible to anyone, and I think that qualifies it as incredibly exciting.

Let’s move inside the film and special features. Bruce Brown as a filmmaker has a real way of making you feel what he feels about something, and he clearly loves the world of motorcycles and racing. Even for non-motorcycle fans this style lures you in and keeps you there until the end, as proven by my wife’s interest being held, not being a fan of the 70’s cinema.

The plot itself follows a few of the top pro-off-road motorcycle riders in America and many competitive amateur riders that are not always in contention, but race whenever they can, with complete commitment. Through the lens, we experience their thrill and frustration, and the joy and the glory associated with this lifestyle. With no fortune up for grabs or, at that time worldwide celebrity to aspire to, we appreciate what it meant for them, to be there for the love of it.

I watched the new DVD yesterday and while I had seen the film before I was blown away by the quality of the new digitally remastered print. You can see the contrast between this new version and what we had seen before, as the trailer and other footage on the special features disk are from the old print. The amazing camera work and seventies production value, including the colors, the clothing, hairstyles, music, film stock, and especially the bikes, are beautiful to watch and dare I say, might warm you up pretty nicely if your motorcycle season has just ended like mine with the onset of the long Canadian winter.

All this being said the jokes are corny, the music while very pleasing I found at times little soft against the brutality of the racing footage, but I think that was the point. The film wasn’t about alienating the racers and raising them to god-like stature. It was about opening them up and inviting us to look inside at how much fun they were having. I think a modern take would be too macho and hyped reminding us constantly how cool the guys are, so we would feel less cool and buy some more stuff.

Speaking of cool one of the coolest of all time is in here too. Steve McQueen financed and is featured heavily in the film, a competitive motorcycle racer in his own right; we see him with his tribe, a part of the sport and not singled out or pandered too because of his celebrity. He was there; open to the same mishaps and disappointments like everyone else.

Let’s talk again about the eye candy, the bikes mostly. If you are into endure motorcycles, this is a feast for the eyes and ears. We watch Malcolm Smith ride one of the most iconic bikes of all time the Husky 400-Cross.

On the special features disk, there is a half-hour doc called Sons of Sunday where modern motorcycle racers and filmmakers recall the film and its impact on them. There is a lot of good info on the effect of the film in general, but I found the stories of how the film changes all of their lives a little bit of a “love-feast”. If one guy had jokingly said it didn’t inspire him in any way, it could have taken the ‘from age’ down a bit.

There is a Bruce Brown bio, summarizing his life in a few short paragraphs, an original trailer that I mentioned, some of the worldwide artwork associated with the film, an interesting17 minute behind the scenes look, hosted by Bruce Brown, letting us in on his motivations for and experiences making the film.

This is a film about motorcycle competition and it is very well done. For any part of it that seems a little bit out of date, there are a dozen aspects that are perfectly timeless. If you collect motorcycle films, or you are looking to get a collection going, this is a great choice. Go for the release with the pre-mastered print and extra features and you won’t be disappointed.

Which next bike?

A question that confounds most of us “bike guys and girls”. Personally, I’m all over the place. When there is no money, it’s all about the dream. KTM, Ducati, Guzzi, BMW anyone? Then I start to feel preemptive buyers’ remorse. This is a secondary means of transportation, especially here in Canada. I wouldn’t even try Dec/Jan/Feb on a bike in Toronto, way too skinny for that foolishness. Very few of us can afford multiple motorcycles, so which bike will I enjoy the most, use the most, and actually have enough money for?

 Just the other day, I was back in dreaming mode, thinking about the new KTM 990SMT. Bare with me as i take you through the thought process. Amazing bike! Sixteen thousand Canadian on the sticker. Ouch! Logic then leads me back to the Kawasaki Versys, at half the price. A friend comments on the styling, and I immediately decide that maybe it’s a little cramped if your six foot. Where does this lead me? Straight back to the Suzuki DR650SE. Enduro motorcycles are the bikes, in my humble opinion, that you really can’t take anything away from.

Style strictly follows function. Stick with Japanese, and price is amazing, cheap insurance, great riding position for commuting, and lots of aftermarket equipment to take you around the world if the touring bug grabs you. I have never ridden off-road, aside from riding on really bad roads while living in Thailand, but I am in the middle of the city. The idea of getting away from the traffic, and the pollution, and the cops, and the old people falling asleep at the wheel, seems pretty sweet.

Why haven’t I taken the plunge then? To be honest, the whole off-road thing is a little intimidating. Not necessarily the riding but the community Tones of guys that have been doing it since they were kids, they have loads of technical knowledge and many race experience. So if I want in, I need to resign myself to being a newbie. If I don’t, I’ll never get over it, or see what I’ve been missing. There are a few months left to make a decision on the next bike and I just last weekend got down to the Toronto Motorcycle Show. The DR650SE was fitting “pretty damn good”. For now, I will use this blog to celebrate the world of enduro motorcycles. Just go on your motorcycle and enjoy your life best ride.

The first motorized bike was invented in 1867 and powered by steam. In 1894, the first mass-produced model was built. Since 1894, hundreds of millions of choppers, scooters, and off-road motorbikes have been produced and sold by motorcycle dealers throughout the world. In 2013, over 8,400,000 were registered in the United States. California, Florida, and Texas accounted for about a quarter of all registrations. They are very popular in dense cities and developing countries due to their low rates of fuel consumption and relatively inexpensive purchase price. Here are the eight main styles of bikes that you will find at motorcycle dealers.

Standard

Standard bikes are designed for basic street use. They generally do not have a windshield, and the driver sits in an upright position.

Cruisers

Cruisers are larger than most other motorbikes, and they offer a more reclined seating position. They have more torque, which allows beginner riders to not shift as much. Cruisers are popular with many motorcycle groups.

Dual-Sport

Dual-sport motorbikes are, as the name suggests, designed for both street and off-road use. Since they are driven off-road at times, a taller suspension is required, giving the rider a more upright seating position.

Sport

Sport bikes are designed for high levels of street performance. They are generally the fastest motorcycles on the road. They also offer the best braking and handling. As a result of the emphasis on performance, sport models generally offer lower fuel economy than their counterparts, and a less comfortable riding experience. Since they are designed with minimal air resistance in mind, riders sit leaning over the handlebars.

Touring

Touring models are built with the comfort of the rider in mind. They are used for longer distance trips, and often allow seating for a second rider. Most types have storage areas on the bike for luggage, and some even offer options such as radio and GPS navigation. Touring types can weigh well over 1,000 pounds when fully loaded.

Sport Touring

As the name suggests, sport touring bikes are a blend of the two models previously discussed. They are generally smaller and lighter than touring models, but larger and more comfortable than sport models. Due to their combination of comfort and sportiness, these models are one of the most popular.

Mopeds and Scooters

Scooters and mopeds are the lighter versions of the models discussed above. They have smaller engines, an upright seating position, and they often have an automatic transmission. As a result, they are very easy to drive. The small engine offers excellent gas mileage, as well. Worldwide, mopeds and scooters are the best-selling types of motorbike.

Off-Road

Off-road models are used exactly how the name suggests. They offer riders a more upright seating position and long suspension travel to deal with bumps and dips. The tires used are generally, specifically designed for their use on dirt, mud, and rocks.

In conclusion, motorcycle dealers offer potential riders a lot of options. If you are in the market for a new motorbike, use this list to help pick the model that is right for you.

Love your bike and want to keep it in mint condition? You can easily do it by following a few maintenance tips.

Tyres

• Regularly check the tyres for scratches, cuts and embedded stones
• Check if the air pressure in the tyre is correct
• Periodically check the tire alignment

Brakes

• Make sure the brakes are not too tight or lose
• Replace worn-out brake pads if you consistently hear the screeching sound
• Make sure that the brake fluid is at the correct level
• Periodically check to see if any dirt or grime is accumulated in the brake shoe

Spark Plug

• Once in a while you should check if the spark plug is working fine
• Remove the spark plug and wipe the area
• Dip it in a little kerosene or petrol and then wipe it with a clean cloth
• Check if the electrodes are clean and properly connected
• Reinstall it
• Replace corroded or damaged spark plugs immediately

Battery

• Regularly inspect battery terminals and remove sediments or dirt build-up
• Use a brush to remove the dirt and sediments
• Check if the fuse is working properly
• See if there are any leaks in the battery
• If you have a distilled water battery, then you should change the water once in two months
• Disposable batteries are easy to use and don’t require much maintenance. But you should not use it once it’s life time is over

Headlights/Taillights

• Wipe the headlights and tail lights with a clean cloth everyday
• You can do the same thing for indicators and brake lights too
• Switch on the light and check the beam aim and light brightness
• If light beam is misaligned, have it repaired immediately
• Replace cracked tail lights and indicators immediately

Horn

• Check if horn wires are properly connected
• Wipe it with a dry cloth everyday

Engine Oil

• Regularly check the level of engine oil
• Replace engine oil after the prescribed kilometres

Air Filter

• If the air filter is made of paper, simply tap it to dislodge the accumulated dust
• If the air filter is made of foam, you should wash it in solvent and dry it before fixing it again

Drive chain

• The slack in the drive chain changes from bike to bike. Check the slack level in your bike manual and ensure that the level is maintained at all times
• Adjust the drive chain using the rear axle nut and swing arm
• Check wheel alignment before you tighten the nut
• Make sure that the chain is properly lubricated so the movement is smooth

Clutch

• Check the cable connected to the clutch for any loose connections
• Adjust it using threaded adjuster and locknut

So it’s time to put your faithful motorcycle up for sale? Of course you know what a great bike it has been for you all these years, but how do you assure your buyers that your motorcycle is the one for them?

There are some bases that you should be sure and cover before and during your sale. We have put together what we believe to be the top ones that you need to sell that bike fast.

1. 1. Know the expected value of your motorcycle. You may think your bike is the best one online and worth $5,000, but unless you price it competitively you will not even get people to show up at your door.

1. 1. Clean the bike. First impressions are everything, and if someone pulls up to your driveway and sees a filthy bike, the deal may have no chance before they even get out of the vehicle. Give it a good detailing.

1. 1. Tune up the bike. The second thing that will give the meeting a good or bad impression is how well your motorcycle runs. When they hit that start button, if it purrs to life and runs smoothly, it will be another positive check mark in the buyer’s eyes.

1. 1. Service records. Hopefully you have kept good service records and/or receipts to show any perspective buyers. This will help build confidence with your buyer.

1. Take pictures from many angles. When taking photos for your ad, take from every angle you can possibly think of, including the gauges, seat, tire tread, engine closeup and more. You can never have too many pictures, but you most certainly can have too few pictures.

It’s never easy to sell your pride and joy, but taking these few steps will make your selling experience a much more pleasurable one and a much quicker one.

Motorcycles have appeared in hundreds of movies since the inception of the big screen. Some movie directors, however, used the genius tactic of shining a spotlight on these fine machines in their movies, instantly making these flicks much cooler than they would have been with a mere glimpse of the bike, or worse, no bike at all. Here are the top seven movies that were made that much cooler by their inclusion.

7. Wild Hogs

Even the comedic genius of the combination of Tim Allen, John Travolta, William H. Macy, and Martin Lawrence would not have been enough to save this movie without the constant presence of the actual “hogs.” These iconic bikes bring instant credibility to the screen while giving Allen, Travolta, and Macy at least a little street cred.

6. Robocop 2

Okay, Robocop by himself is already pretty cool. When you bring motorcycles into the mix, however, it is cinema gold. In the movie, Robocop mans a stray soft tail custom bike and chases down a box truck with it! Just like that an already cool movie got a lot cooler.

5. Rocky III

By this third installment of Rocky, the boxer (and the movie franchise itself) had started to lose his cool factor. Instead of being the tough, brash, unrefined fighter, Rocky was now rich, polished, married, and a dad. The only thing that could save Rocky in this current state is a motorcycle. Rocky rides the bike through Philadelphia and up to the statue that was erected in his honor, only to pelt the metal monument with his helmet in his anger and disillusionment at the loss of his trainer, Mick.

4. Animal House

This movie has a pretty high cool rating to begin with, but the injection of a motorcycle only adds to the cool factor. The scene that makes this movie is the character D-Day ripping up a flight of stairs on that beloved bike and ending his joyride by belting out a tune through his throat.

3. The Cannonball Run

What can be cooler than Burt Reynolds in a screwball comedy about a bunch of amateurs racing throughout the country? How about, as an added bonus, Peter Fonda riding a motorbike and mocking his own role as Easy Rider.

2. The Expendables

Generally action flicks are pretty cool, especially when they include the likes of Sly Stallone, Mickey Rourke, Jet Li, Dolph Lundgren, and Arnold Schwarzenegger. What makes this movie incredibly cool, however, is the scene where Rourke uses his chopper as a portable tattoo parlor and inks up Stallone right on it.

1. Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull

On its own this movie would not have much cool factor. While Harrison Ford has a large role, Shia LeBeouf has a larger one, and that fact hurts this movie. What helps the movie, though, is LeBeouf’s use of a motorcycle to rescue Ford and then ride through a library in an intense chase scene.