Motorcycle Gear That Protects

Does high-tech gear for motorcycle riders provide any additional protection in the event of a crash?  Beyond the unconditionally indispensable helmet, experts have discovered well-designed motorcycle jackets, pants, boots, and gloves do add protection upon impact and help in abrasion resistance.   

 

There are studies that provide documented proof of the benefits such as a paper presented to the Motorcycle Safety Forum in Sydney, Australia in 2006.  The research states that, "Although protective clothing cannot prevent injuries in a high-impact crash, most motorcycle crashes don't occur at high speed."* MAIDS (Motorcycle Accidents In-Depth Study) reports that close to 75% of motorcycle accidents happen at speeds 35 miles an hour or less and that protective clothing can make a difference.  Their statistics show body armor and appropriate gear can mitigate or even protect from serious injury.

When shopping for motorcycle clothing, keep in mind that there is a difference between off-road protective gear and that which is designed for street riding.  Off-road riding is done at lower speeds and the protective gear is specifically designed to address those types of crashes.  Since street motorcycle riders travel at much higher speeds, clothing needs to be designed to meet those situations. 

After your head, one of the important areas to protect is your back and chest and you will find an excellent selection of body armor available.  One popular choice is a protector jacket that is designed to wear under a motorcycle jacket and helps to reduce the possibility of injury to the spine, chest, neck, and major organs of the upper body.  Another option is to buy a motorcycle jacket with the body armor built directly into it.  

Bikers have long held the tradition of wearing blue jeans when riding, but unfortunately they do not provide the level of protection that is needed.  If you do not want to wear leather or synthetic pants, at least add leather chaps over your blue jeans for more protection.  A good leather motorcycle boot with a stiff rubber sole provides protection when you're moving and traction when you stop.  Some even have reinforcement in the shin, calf, and ankle areas with a strong material like Kevlar.  

And do not forget gloves.  They offer good protection for your hands, which are likely to meet the pavement in the event of a fall.  This is just a small sampling of what is available so look around until you find what works best for you.  Remember this is not a place to skimp on quality or cost.   

*Motorcycle-Accidents.com. "Motorcycle Crash Accident Statistics." 2006. (May 6, 2011)http://www.motorcycle-accidents.com/pages/stats.html

The Car Show, Inc. has been a trusted name for used vehicles for over 25 years and was chosen to be the "Quality Dealer of the Year" by the Colorado Independent Auto Dealers Association (CIADA).  Come in and browse our showroom or check out our online site for the most extensive selection of outstanding used cars, trucks, motorcycles, and new and used RVs. 

Properly Maintain Your Motorcycle for the Best Performance

Whether you buy a used motorcycle or a brand new one you will need to do routine maintenance on the bike more frequently than on your car.  The goal is to avoid being stranded somewhere or worse yet, have an accident due to sloppy upkeep.  Moreover like any vehicle, the better you care for your bike the longer it will last and help to prevent small problems from becoming bigger.

Today’s bikes are thought to be more reliable than those from the past, but that does not mean you can ignore them.  Be sure you refer to the owner’s manual for specific maintenance requirements, but for the most part, experts recommend that you routinely check the oil, battery, tires, and brakes as well as the chain and sprocket.

To keep it easy, check the tire pressure each time you refuel.  This will ensure your tires are properly inflated and help them last longer.  Beyond the tire pressure, be vigilant about inspecting tires for any signs of wear and do not hesitate to replace worn ones.   Another thing to check is the chain tension and at the same time carefully inspecting the rollers and sprockets for any damage.  Lubricate (some riders do it before every ride) the chain often with a spray lubricate or gear oil. 

Again refer to the manufacturer’s guidelines, but generally the oil should be changed every 3 months or 3,000 mile.  Some bikes require special synthetic motorcycle oils so be sure to follow instructions.  When checking the oil, make sure the bike is completely level to give yourself an accurate reading and do it before you ride as the oil should be cool. 

The battery should be checked during an every oil change for any leaks, terminals cleaned to prevent corrosion from forming, and connections tightened when needed.  If your battery requires filling of the electrolyte cells, use only distilled water and do that at least once every other week .    

Obviously this is just a quick overview of some of the maintenance that should be done on a motorcycle.  The bottom line is to check your bikes manufacturer’s manual and follow their advice.  Have fun and stay safe!

The Car Show, Inc. is a family owned and operated dealership that has been offering unsurpassed service to the community since 1987.  While we understand there are many used car dealerships in Colorado Springs, our outstanding customer service sets us apart.  You will find our prices are competitive on high-quality pre-owned cars, trucks, and motorcycles.

World’s Most Expensive “Used Cars”

Admittedly most of us are looking for a great deal and reliability when we buy a used vehicle and are not likely to be in the market for an extravagantly expensive “used car”.  But as with many purchases we make, it is fun to dream big.  

Generally speaking, prices on highly collectable vehicles have skyrocketed over the last thirty years or more as they have been seen as a safe investment.  Some of them end up in the collections of very wealthy individuals while others are bought by museums.  The extreme price tag for these rare vehicles seems to go higher as with each one recently sold.  Since there are not any public records for sales that occur between private parties, this is just cars that have sold through public auctions.

That being said, a rare 1954 Mercedes-Benz race car was sold for a record breaking $30 million at Bonhams’s auction in England in July of 2013.  What makes this car so special is it was driven by the legendary F1 driver, Juan Manuel Fangio, a five time winner of the World Championship of Drivers.  There were only 14 ever built and just 10 that exist today.  Out of those 10, this is the only one that is not owned by Mercedes-Benz or in a museum.

Another exceptional sale was for a 1967 Ferrari 275 GTB/4 NART Spider, which sold for $27.5 million last summer through a California auction.  NART stands for North American Racing Team and this car was seen in the 1968 movie, The Thomas Crown Affair.  Only ten of them were ever built and one of them was owned by Steve McQueen who ended up crashing it.  The proceeds of this sale were all donated to charity.

In 2011, a 1957 Ferrari 250 Testa Rossa was sold at another California auction house for $16.3 million, which was a $4 million increase from another record breaking Ferrari that was sold in 2009.  The importance of this car was that it was the first prototype of the subsequent Testa Rossas produced and took part in several big races.

The Car Show, Inc. is a family owned and operated dealership that has been offering unsurpassed service to the community since 1987.  Our motto is "If it has wheels, we sell it." You will find our prices are competitive on high-quality pre-owned cars, trucks, and motorcycles.

Buying A Used Car With The Help Of The Internet

Many of us have gotten used to purchasing clothes, books and other assorted items online but are you familiar with the resources the Internet offers for buying a used vehicle?  There are numerous tools available that help to make the process easier and more informative. 

 

For starters, a car dealership’s website may offer an auto loan calculator that allows you to input the price of a vehicle, amount of your down payment, interest rate, and the loan duration.  It offers the flexibility to play with figures to get an idea of a monthly payment and to avoid surprises once you are at the dealership and ready to buy.  

Another timesaver you may come across is a dealer’s online trade-in appraisal form that can give you an idea of what your current car may be worth toward a used or new vehicle.  Dealers may also offer an online finance application, which makes it much easier to apply for a loan using your home computer than in their office.  You may be able to authorize the release of your credit report at the same time while still ensuring your confidential information is kept private and only shared by those companies who are authorized. 

Be sure to utilize the Internet to search for candid reviews regarding your area’s car dealers as well as find sites loaded with in-depth reviews on any vehicles you are interested in.  This can provide the type of information you need to help you narrow the field of possible vehicles.

If you have a trouble credit history, you can request your credit scores online to prepare in advance for what your loan company will find.  Furthermore get current loan rates on the Internet but keep in mind that your rate may be determined by your credit score. 

The Car Show, Inc. has been a trusted name for used vehicles for over 25 years and was chosen to be the "Quality Dealer of the Year" by the Colorado Independent Auto Dealers Association (CIADA).  Come in and browse our showroom or check out our online site for the most extensive selection of outstanding used cars, trucks, motorcycles, and new and used RVs. 

Should You Buy an RV?

You may have been thinking that an RV would make good sense for your family but are not sure what kind would work best for your needs.   While there are many varieties, the travel trailer is one of the most popular.  It offers numerous advantages over other types of RVs and is generally not as expensive as a motorhome. 

One big advantage to the travel trailer is that you can unhitch it from your vehicle and park it at your destination, which gives you the use of an unencumbered vehicle for getting around.  Another thing is it does not have an engine and driving gear so you will not have the added expense of that type of maintenance or repairs.  You can even find some trailers in the market that are built extremely light-weight and can be hauled by a vehicle such as a 6-cylinder SUVs or minivan.  They are easy and efficient to tow and require very little additional gas. 

The overall satisfaction you get using your new travel trailer can depend on making the right decision of what you buy.  You do not want to end up with a RV that is awkward to tow and is way too hard to set up.  Remember it is supposed to be an enjoyable adventure. 

 

Another good idea is to set the amount you want to spend and stick to it.  If your budget is tight, you may want to consider a used travel trailer as they can be a great value.  Before you buy, check your owner’s manual to determine the maximum weight your vehicle can safely tow. 

 

The Car Show, Inc. is a family owned and operated dealership that has been offering unsurpassed service to the community since 1987.  While we understand there are many used car dealerships in Colorado Springs, our outstanding customer service sets us apart.  You will find our prices are competitive on high-quality pre-owned cars, trucks, and motorcycles.