Donning Rider’s Insignia

There are different styles and designs of helmets available in motorcycle stores these days. Colors range from classic solid colors to domineering neon and luminous colors to promote conspicuity. There are also replicas that look like ’super bike champ wear’.

Street motorcycle accessories like helmet are matters of personal taste. In that case, aesthetic side is often chosen over anything else. Anyhow, this has contributed why safety is most of the time overlooked. Whatever the case may be rider’s safety must be the topmost priority.

In a study conducted by the NHTSA, DOT National Highway Traffic Safety US Department of Transportation, they have subjected 50 motorcyclists, of varying age and riding experience to a test. They were made to ride along a prescribed test route. Then, they were asked to periodically change lanes and their head to check traffic in the adjacent lane. Afterwards, they were made to change lane in their normal manner. The riders have driven the route three times, full and partial helmet on, and on the third time, without wearing a helmet. The ability to hear surrounding traffic was also altered systematically.

The study found out that helmets are not hindrance to motorcyclist’s ability to hear and observe surrounding traffic. In connection with the hearing tests, no significant difference was found in rider’s ability to hear traffic, either between helmet types or between helmet and no helmet.

Hearing ability, on the other hand, was significantly affected by vehicle speed due to increased wind noise. However, for any given speed, helmets did not diminish nor enhance hearing. In connection with the vision tests, it showed that the minimal amount of the lateral vision (field of view) that is sacrificed by wearing a helmet can be made up by turning the head a little further.

Further, the study showed that 19 of the 23 riders who were given the vision tests compensated for helmet use by turning their head a little further before changing lanes. Overall, any negative effect of helmets on rider vision appears to be very minor, especially in comparison to the protection offered by helmets should a crash occur.

Arai, Bell, Icon, AGV, Nolan, Thor, Erex, are some of the trusted motorcycle helmet manufacturers in the world. The helmets they are releasing are tested and approved by Snell and DOT.

Pick the best helmet for your secured journey. Be guided by your senses…

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Great Accessories For ATVs

The ATV has gained huge popularity because of its versatility. It is included in many different outdoor activities like racing, hunting and camping. This has made way for many customizable features that you can add to your ATV.

Racing ATVs look very different from conventional ATVs that you may see in rural areas. They are usually customized with different wheels, shocks and exhaust systems. The wheels on a racing ATV are narrower to give it more speed and turning ability. The wheels are also upgraded to a lighter and stiffer aluminum alloy the reduce weight and handle impact from jumps. The shocks are one of the most important upgrades because there are many jumps on a typical course. The shocks need to give enough to absorb impact with minimal speed loss. They also must be stiff enough to maintain the vehicles integrity on tight corners. Loose shocks could result in a rollover if the turn is too tight. Many riders are constantly tweaking their shocks to find the perfect combination to maximize their speed and safety. The exhaust is simply made up of a more free flowing muffler and intake to move air through the engine much quicker. This altered exhaust results in more noise output, but it can significantly raise the torque of an ATV.

ATVs for hunting and camping are very similar overall. They have wide tires for good off-road traction. Hunters will sometime use a stricter muffler, so that the ATV is not so loud. Both types of ATVs will have extra storage compartments and rails on the front and back to tie down their gear. A large capacity fuel tank is always a good option for extended trips. Extra gas cans are also a common on such ATVs. One of the best options to ensure that you do not get stuck in the wilderness is a front mounted winch. This is primarily for dragging the ATV out of deep mud or sand in case it gets stuck. The winch cable can be fastened around a nearby tree, and it will pull the vehicle toward the tree.

To find out more great information about ATVs, visit http://atv-rider.info

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