Sidi Vortice Boot

The Sidi Vortice Boot Is the motorcycle boot for me!

I have always been a fan of the Sidi Boot since the arrival of the sidi vertigo back in the day.  I do all kinds of riding made up of track, road and Europe trips a couple of times a year.  I decided to go for a high end boot and treat myself , so I got myself a pair of the new vortice and I must say I can’t imagine having anything else on my feet!

The first notable feature is the Tecno Tensioner system used on the instep, shin and calf. Each tensioner tightens the respective parts through the use of nylon wire and a crank-down system using a dial. It’s a perfect feature, since none of our feet are the same, With the Tecno Tensioner system, I can crank these boots down as tight as I like not what a manufacturer believes is the middle ground for everyone.

We all can have a lapse of concentration and go down, and that’s why they designed the boots with replaceable parts. Anyone who’s ever been to the track knows that toe sliders are usually the first to wear down, and Sidi’s are replaceable by removing two Phillips screws; the sliders are designed of nylon reinforced with fiberglass, and fitted with the air intake (explained later) and an alloy insert. The next thing to go is usually the sole due to racers digging it into the foot pegs while leaned over…the Racing SRS sole is easily replaced by removing six Phillips screws. Also, the composite inner sole features a removable arch support.

Overall after these have broken in they are the best all round boot for me and offer comfort that I have never felt before.

Sharks premier distributor, Shark Helmets Direct, have updated their attractive and usable website so that you can get a really good view of these helmets to see their true aesthetic quality before purchase, where you will be turning heads as you cruise down the streets.

So, next time you’re on the look out for a a new helmet, then make sure shark helmets are your first port of call.

Motorcycle huggers and motorcycle belly pans

These items can improve the look of your motorcycle dramatically. If you are bored with the look of your motorcycle and would like to make it more individual to you then a fantastic option would be to buy some new motorcycle huggers and motorcycle belly pans.

Motorcycle huggers and motorcycle belly pans are easy to fit yourself and with such a large range, you can really improve the look of your motorcycle. Not only do motorcycle belly pans improve the look of your motorcycle but they also reduce the amount of drag received while riding at speed. This can be a fantastic idea to help improve your motorcycle for race days or just to make riding at speed more stable.

Motorcycle huggers normally fit to the underneath of the rear seat, above your rear wheel in order to prevent the build up of excess water and keep you and your bike free from unnecessary dirt and rain splash. Again it is also a fantastic way of improving the look of your motorcycle and making it more individual to you.

With new motorcycle huggers and motorcycle belly pans you will be able to improve the look, performance and protection of your motorcycle but most importantly of all you can give your motorcycle that individual touch. A lot of people who go to race days may be inclined to strap on a motorcycle belly pan for that extra speed but they can be used for day to day occasions.

The reason for this blog is because a lot of people out there might not know what motorcycle huggers or motorcycle belly pans are  or their purpose, also people might not know where to get some high quality products from. I would suggest these online shops for motorcycle belly pans and motorcycle huggers as they have a fantastic team of people working for them who ensure each order is dealt with from purchase to delivery and they have very competitive prices.

Not only does the new Ducati Diavel 1200 offer you speed and performance but because this is a touring motorbike, it also offers comfort and a smooth ride. With the latest technology and and materials, this luxury motorbike will be a sure fire hit with all touring riders out there. Another fantastic feature about the Ducati Diavel 1200 is you can change the riding mode to suit you and the roads you are on, so should you be on a nice smooth rode and just want to cruise simply flick the motorbike into “riding mode”  for that extra smoothness.

The Ducati Diavel 1200 runs on a 2 cylinder, 4 stroke, 1198cc engine which pumps out 162hbp with a manual 6 speed gear box. Weighing in at 207kg the Ducati Diavel 1200 is more than impressive and with plenty of test riders saying how comfortable it is, £12,995 seems a pretty cheap price tag. Of course this is a touring motorbike so the most important thing is the comfort and this is something Ducati don’t specialise in yet the Ducati Diavel 1200 seems have nailed it straight away.

If you are thinking about going touring or getting the Ducati Diavel 1200 then you will need the right equipment to fully enjoy the ride. Motorcycle luggage is a must for carrying around those essentials and also a good motorcycle helmet. Some Caberg helmets now have a bluetooth option built in to make talking to your fellow riders easy. I highly recommenced these for motorcycle luggage and these for Caberg helmets.

Motorcycle Covers and Motorcycle Battery Chargers

These are a must have accessory in the winter, especially with how miserable it has been so far. With the cold weather looming and the possibility of snow like last year, you might be tempted to put away your motorcycle for this season and bring it out again when the sun comes out. Although there are a few problems with this!

Over the cold season your motorcycle might not have been used and laid to rest which can lead to some problems. Your motorcycle battery might go flat and your motorcycle isn’t protected from dust, rust and grim. Owning a motorcycle battery charger and motorcycle covers would be a fantastic investment over the cold season especially if we have a repet of last year.

For motorcycle covers the main thing you will need to think about is the size. No point having small motorcycle covers if you own a big bike. Motorcycle covers will protect your motorcycle from the humid weather and from rust which is highly important.  Not only can these motorcycle covers protect your motorcycle from the humid weather but if you don’t have anywhere to put your motorcycle, there are plenty of motorcycle covers that will protect you from the rain.

With a motorcycle batter charger you can easily revive your motorcycle batter when summer comes again allowing you to get straight back on it and go for a ride. With motorcycle battery chargers you have to check what type of battery you have.  Once you know which batter you have you can easily charge it up with the right motorcycle battery chargers and then be on your way.

If you would like to purchase some motorcycle battery chargers or  motorcycle covers then i highly recommend these websites. With plenty of orders processed in their time and no complaints you can feel safe knowing you are in good hands when ordering from their online store.

Motorcycle Indicators

With motorcycle indicator sets being so fragile and easy to replace it might be an idea to have a few pairs. The benefits of having a few pairs of motorcycle indicators outweigh the negatives. If a rider were to damage or break a pair of motorcycle indicators while riding then there motorcycle could get pulled up and possibly toed away by the police. If a rider had a few pairs of motorcycle indicators then not only could they change a broken pair but they could also change their motorcycle indicators for appearance purposes and even racing.

If you would like to browse through a large range of motorcycle indicators then i highly recommend this website which have plenty of products for all riders.

Why clean your motorcycle?

If you have paid good money for your motorcycle it is always important to make sure it looks its best. Why would you want to spend loads of money on a motorcycle just to let it go tatty and look dirty? If you are wanting to sell your motorcycle then making it look “spick and span” is a great way to catch a potential buyers eye and could even increase the value or what the buyer is willing to pay.

What you will need?

A must own tool in my opinion is a paddock stand. A paddock stand is perfect for any and all maintenance jobs and every motorcycle enthusiasts should own one. For the best results I recommend using a pressure washer or a high pressure spray nozzle, a paint brush cut down to around 2 inch’s and degreaser to get chain lube and grease off your motorcycle. You will also need a high standard cleaning agent and WD40 as well as some motorcycle shampoo (not washing up liquid as anything that contains salt should be avoided) and a good quality absorbent cloth to soak up access water. To finish off the motorcycle to a high standard you will need a good quality wax.

For tools you will need any and all Allen keys to remove the body work. This is essential as the amount of dirt and grim that gets under the bodywork can be harmful to your motorcycle and removing this will give it the professionally cleaned look.

Step 1

Place your motorcycle on your paddock stand so you can get to all of your motorcycle and turn your rear wheel with ease. Make sure you have connected your hose to a pressure washer or high pressure pray nozzle. Try not to do this after a long ride and it would be ideal if your motorcycle was cold so the soapy water doesn’t dry to quick.

Step 2

This is very important, make sure you apply lube to the chain to prevent the links getting water in them. Use the cut down paintbrush to apply degreaser to any areas with collected grease or oil (most commonly the rear rims front sprockets etc) and gently dab it off. Do not soak the baring’s or the chain as these will dry and seize up.

Step 3

Now its time to spray your motorcycle with the cleaning agent or soapy water. Make sure you go crazy on any areas where dirt has built up and only use a light mist on the areas like the tank, screen and switchgear. Spray as much as you can on the front of the engine as this is where grime collects and if needs be loosen the grime up with a cloth or sponge.

Step 4

Time to fire up the pressure washer and blast away the loose dirt, this will prevent scratching when washing the soapy water with a sponge. Always start at the top of your motorcycle and gradually work your way down but don’t aim directly at the switchgear or any areas with bearings. Also it is advised that you use a softer spray when cleaning the radiator.

Step 5

Take your motorcycle off of your paddock stand and grab your handlebars firmly. now you have removed it from your paddock stand and have a hold of your motorcycle, lean it to the side and onto your knee. This will help your motorcycle dry off and once you have done one side make sure you do the other. Now you have dripped off the access water put your motorcycle back onto your paddock stand and remove the fairing. Soak up all excess water with a cloth and make sure you concentrate on your engine as this is more important than the bodywork.

Step 6

Apply your cleaning agent to areas which couldn’t be reached with the fairing on. These areas should be things like the radiator and cylinder head. Use the washer to to blow all the cleaning agent off but take car not to hit delicate part’s such as the battery, it would be a good idea to protect these areas with plastic bags.

Step 7

Mix the motorcycle shampoo with warm water in a bucket and use a clean sponge or cloth for cleaning. Wash the panels you have removed and then rinse it off with clean water. Leave them to dry and wash the rest of your motorcycle and again rinse with clean cold water.

Step 8

Remove access water and when your motorcycle is dry apply the WD40 to any working parts such as the switchgear and throttle.

Step 9

Now the body work is dry from earlier you can put it back on your motorcycle again and grease up the fastener threads. Make sure you also grease up areas like pivots.

Step 10

Motorcycle’s will get scratch’s over time because of loose gravel on the roads but if you see one you could always give them a touch up with paint from your local dealer. for the small scratches you can always try to buff them out while washing your motorcycle and use T-cut renovation cream if you have any.

Step 11

Now it’s time to get busy with your polish or wax to make sure it shimmers and shines in the light. Make sure you take your time when applying your wax or polish as you want it to look its best.

Finished

Now you have finished cleaning your motorcycle its times to put your feet up and enjoy a nice cold beer or go for a ride and show off your freshly cleaned motorcycle (i advice you don’t do both). I would recommend you do this at least once per month or if you are going to sell you motorcycle the day before someone comes round to see it. If you are looking for a reliable and sturdy paddock stand i highly recommend this website. Not only do they stock paddock stands but they also have a great selection of cleaning and lubricants for the perfect finish.

This blog’s original source was in Motorcycle News

The stunning new range uses technology and production methods that have clearly trickled down from Scorpion’s competition department, utilising the latest titanium and carbon-fibre

construction to create a free-flowing silencer that sounds incredible, increases power and torque – and best of  all, looks sensational. The new ‘Red Power’ tip lets those behind know why they’re behind and each one is entirely hand-made in the UK,  each coming with a lifetime warranty.

Available in a wide range of stainless steel, carbon fibre and titanium finishes, the new Scorpion designs can be ordered in two variants. One for bikes with panniers – and one without.

In all cases, each can is entirely hand fabricated in Scorpion’s UK factory using the very finest materials, allowing the manufacturer to issue a lifetime warranty with every one.

Best of all, in addition to a superbly sonorous exhaust note, independent dyno tests revealed the addition of the Scorpion system to free another 7 bhp almost consistently across the rev range – a 5% increase from stock. The exhaust is designed to be a direct replacement to an OEM system and will not require any remapping to work perfectly, making it a true ‘fit and forget’ upgrade.

Scorpion’s obsession with quality has led to them being the ONLY exhaust manufacturer recognised by the unbelievably stringent California Air Resources Board, making the Derbyshire manufacturer the only legal upgrade in that state. Their cutting edge R&D also means that they are also fully accredited and approved by all relevant EU legislative bodies.

Prices start at just £239 for the classic stainless oval, rising to £359.00 for the flamed titanium oval version. A genuine carbon fibre outlet option can also be specified for just £70 extra.

For more information on this, or any other Scorpion product – or to order your free catalogue, please contact the sales team on 01773 744123 or click to www.scorpion-exhausts.com