The Best Motorcycles for Beginning Riders

As most things in life, there is more than likely many differing opinions on which make or model is the best motorcycle for a beginner.  While riding a motorcycle can be a great adventure, it does require a certain skill to help keep you safe and that is best achieved by starting out with the proper bike.  Size is an important element as you must be able to easily maneuver and manage the motorcycle. 

The general consensus seems to be that a 250cc is a good, all-round choice for a first-time rider as it light-weight and easy to maneuver and balance.  The 250 will give you the chance to learn to shift properly and handle going into turns.  You can find a 250cc in cruisers or sportbikes as well as a good choice of standards and supermotos. 

Before you buy a motorcycle, check with your state to find out the licensing requirements for driving a bike and look into taking a safety training program.  The Motorcycle Safety Foundation (MSF) RiderCourse website has information on their training courses available in your area.  Their training has classroom activities to improve perception and time spent on practicing basic riding skills.  Tim Buche, president of MSF states that, “People who have never touched a motorcycle have the basic skills by the end of the weekend."    

It may be a good idea to start out by getting a used bike as it provides the chance to learn to become an experienced rider, and when or if you are ever ready, you can easily trade up for a bigger, more powerful bike.   Furthermore, please do not forget that you will need all of the proper safety gear.

* http://www.msf-usa.org/

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.

Do Vehicle Back-up Cameras Prevent Accidents?

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) recently announced that “rear visibility technology” would be required as standard equipment on all vehicles weighing less than 10,000 lbs.  The law will go into effect for vehicles built in and after May 2018. Presently many automakers offer the backup cameras as an option and Honda and Acura will be the first to include one as standard equipment on all 2015 models. 

This got us wondering exactly how good these cameras are and do they really help to reduce injuries or fatalities.  The answer turns out to be a resounding yes.  According to the Department of Transportation, an average of 210 people a year are killed and 15,000 are injured in backover crashes.  As one would expect, many of the accidents involve young children or senior citizens. 

The NHTSA states, “Including vehicles that already have systems installed, 58 to 69 lives are expected to be saved each year once the entire on-road vehicle fleet is equipped with rear visibility systems meeting the requirements of today's final rule.”  The cameras must provide a field of view 10-ft. x 20-ft. directly behind the vehicle.  Further requirements include details regarding the image size, linger time, response time, durability, and deactivation.  

Many of the automakers already offering backup cameras have installed the display screen in the rear-view mirror that only displays input from the camera once the car is put in reverse.  The cost to consumers is expected to range from $132 to $142 to have a complete system installed and anywhere from $43 to $45 to add a backup camera to a vehicle that is equipped with a display screen.

http://www.nhtsa.gov/About+NHTSA/Press+Releases/2014/NHTSA+Announces+Final+Rule+Requiring+Rear+Visibility+Technology

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.

The Dangers of Distracted Driving

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, distracted driving causes 23% more accidents than non-distracted driving.  The AAA Insurance Company cites that 25 to 50% of all accidents may involve distracted driving.  Statistics indicate that in 2012, 3,328 people were killed in accidents that were classified as distracted driving crashes.  So what constitutes distracted driving and are you guilty of engaging in it?  

The problem has become so prevalent that the NHTSA has a website that is dedicated to identifying and educating people on the dangers of distracted driving.  They define distracted driving as any behavior that “could divert a person's attention away from the primary task of driving.”  As part of their educational campaign, they want the public to understand that whenever a driver is distracted, they create a danger to fellow passengers, any bystanders as well as to themselves.

It is no surprise that the most dangerous activity while driving is texting as it requires the most concentration and thereby the highest level of distraction to a driver.   It is an especially common activity for young, inexperienced drivers under twenty years of age with many reported instances of dire consequences (16% of all distracted driving crashes are caused by drivers under twenty). 

The NHTSA’s list of distracted driving habits:   

·         Texting

·         Using a cell phone or smartphone

·         Eating and drinking

·         Talking to passengers

·         Grooming

·         Reading, including maps

·         Using a navigation system

·         Watching a video

·         Adjusting a radio, CD player, or MP3 player 

As part of the education process, NHTSA offers many facts and statistics on the dangers.  They have a library of articles concerning distracted driving behaviors along with all of the crash statistics.  If you visit their site, be sure and check out the interactive map of the U.S. that shows the current laws on cell phone usage and texting for each state.  Read the FAQ’s for even more reason to discontinue distracted driving habits or Take the Pledge. 

* http://www.distraction.gov/content/get-the-facts/facts-and-statistics.html

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 affordable quality pre-owned cars, trucks, and motorcycles as well as both new and used RVs.

TrailManor 2014 –Better Than Ever!

Summer is finally here and most of us are looking forward to spending more time outdoors and traveling in a RV is a great way to do it.  Many of our loyal customers and friends of The Car Show, Inc. are aware of the fact that we are the world's #1 dealer of the innovative TrailManor travel trailers.  What is exciting news is that there have been some significant improvements and upgrades to the 2014 TrailManor models. 

The new SilverTrail Edition was recently introduced by TrailManor and offers the biggest visual update for the trailer line in more than a decade with changes to both the look of the outside as well as to the inside.  The new edition features sleek, silver aluminum exterior panels with a complementary black trim.  In addition, it is accented with the new dramatic TrailManor graphic design. 

The interior of the SilverTrail Edition is also an all-new look with a rich tan interior that features new wallboards, countertops curtain, upholstery, and flooring.  Customers have the choice to upgrade from cloth to leatherette sofas and seats.  

Other new enhancements to the 2014 models include:

·         A 40 gallon fresh water tank that is standard on all models except for the 2720 slide outs.

·         The option of a recirculating or cassette toilet on all models 2720 and larger (the 2417 models are available with the cassette toilet only).

·         Large-size refrigerator that is now standard in all models.

For more than 25 years, TrailManor has offered customers an ingenious alternative to the conventional RV by combining all of the best features of a traditional travel trailer and a pop-up tent camper.  And that’s not all.  It is also the lightest weight travel trailer available on the market and can be pulled by virtually any tow vehicle.  The TrailManor offers a low profile and better gas mileage than towing a heavier RV.

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 quality pre-owned cars, trucks, and motorcycles as well as both new and used RVs.

Recalls on a Used Vehicle

In light of several large vehicle recalls over the last few years, you may be wondering how you can tell if your new “used” vehicle was a part of a recall.  Also if it was, did it have the required work done?  Keep in mind that recalls can be generated voluntarily from the manufacturer or come as a directive from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA).  The good news is that regardless of the source of the recall, it is easy to access reliable, up-to-date information regarding all vehicle recalls.

A good place to start is to go on the NHTSA website or call their Auto Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 to discover if the vehicle you are buying is currently under recall or was in the past.  They have a record of recall information on all vehicles sold in the U.S. dating back to 1966. 

Navigating the NHTSA site is easy and to get started simply use the drop-down “Vehicle Safety” tab and go the “Recalls and Defects” page.  From there, you will find a list of recalls starting with the most current and also an option to search for recall information on any vehicle by inputting model year, make, and model.  You can even see a list of complaints regarding that vehicle from actual owners. 

Once you have determined there were recalls on your vehicle, your next step is to find out if the work was done.  Again obtaining this information is pretty straightforward as all recall work must be done by a dealer and the information regarding the work should be in the dealer’s database.  Provide a dealer who sells your particular make/model with the Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) so they can search their records for information regarding recall repairs made to that vehicle. 

If you end up buying the vehicle, contact the manufacturer to transfer the car's VIN to your name and home address to receive any future recall information.  There is an 8-year statute of limitations from the original sale date of the vehicle to qualify for no-cost recalls.

Please check out our blog to keep you up-to-date with all the news and happenings at The Car Show as well as with any significant news from the industry. Or better yet, stop by and browse our inventory of the finest selection of Colorado Springs' used cars and trucks.  

Do Deluxe Windshield Wipers Work Any Better?

Have you ever wondered if those expensive windshield wipers work any better than the cheap models?  For those of us that live in climates that experience heavy rain, sleet, ice, and snow, good windshield wipers are essential and we need them to work well.  Even for those cars that live in warmer climates, the sun and heat can take a toll on that thin piece of rubber that is on the blade.  

A sure sign that your blades are wearing out is if the windshield starts to get streaky or blurred when using the wipers.  Experts recommend changing wiper blades every six to twelve months, but how long the wiper blades really last probably depends on what type of material the blades are made out of.   

Originally, wiper blades were all made from organic rubber and many are still made that way today.  They have the shortest lifespan with the tendency to break down in the hot sun and freezing temperatures.  There is a halogen-hardened rubber blade that lasts longer than the ordinary rubber ones.  The most expensive and longest lasting wiper blades (although there is some debate on that) are made out of silicone.  These blades leave a light silicone residue on the windshield, which helps to keep it clean.  Recently a new beam style blade was introduced that is now standard equipment on many new cars.  It is engineered for highly curved windshields and is more aerodynamic with less wind-lift.

It has been difficult for consumer groups to fully test the performance of windshield wipers as the process needs to be done over a fairly long period and the blades need to face varying weather conditions.  Also since many manufacturers frequently change designs and rubber formulations of their wipers, it contributes to the fact that it is hard to determine if one make and model is actually better than another. 

Please check out our blog to keep you up-to-date with all the news and happenings at The Car Show as well as with any significant news from the industry. If you need help with financing we can do that too.  Or better yet, stop by and browse our inventory of the finest selection of Colorado Springs' used cars and trucks.