| No matter who you are or where you live, it is not | | | | <B>Off-Road Pleasures And Farming Utility< |
| hard to see that gas prices are higher than they | | | | B> |
| were a few years ago, and it is not likely they will | | | | Of course, there are also people looking at |
| drop much lower than they are now. In our society, | | | | motorcycles and ATVs not for transportation, but |
| bigger has often been thought to be better. When it | | | | for recreation, a chance to get out in the dirt and |
| comes to vehicles, bigger might seem safer, but that | | | | blow off steam. The options here are no less limited, |
| is not necessarily true. Think back to the high-center, | | | | from lightweight motor-cross bikes to four-wheel |
| rollover problems that SUV's had just ten years ago. | | | | ATVs, these motorcycles are built for fun. |
| The only conclusion that can be made about bigger | | | | The ATV is a popular product for the off-road riders, |
| vehicles is that they are more expensive to own and | | | | because it adds extra wheels to the riding surface, |
| operate. Bigger vehicles require more expensive | | | | allowing for a slower pace and more safety. Even the |
| maintenance and repairs, and more recently, bigger | | | | aging rock giant Ozzie Osborne is known to ride a |
| means that it could easily cost $80 to fill the gas tank | | | | four-wheel ATV in his spare time for fun. |
| of that bigger, better truck. | | | | In the modern-age of ranching, the three-wheel and |
| Two decades ago, the federal government foresaw | | | | four-wheel ATV has replaced many horses, as the |
| the need to teach Americans to use less fuel. The | | | | rancher's transportation vehicle of choice. While you |
| American Federal Government passed laws requiring | | | | might be able to talk to and pet your horse, you |
| auto manufacturers to manufacture vehicles with | | | | cannot pull a trailer behind your horse. For strictly |
| higher gas mileage ratings, but as is always the case | | | | utilitarian purposes, the ATV simply makes more |
| with the political landscape in Washington, D.C., | | | | sense to most ranchers. In fact, many ranchers use |
| compromises were made. The one compromise that | | | | the ATV to haul feed out to the horses. How is that |
| led us to our current fuel price crisis is that | | | | for irony? |
| Washington exempted trucks and SUV's from the | | | | <B>Motorcycle Safety Equipment</B> |
| higher gas mileage rules. If it were not for these | | | | Riding motorcycles safely, whether riding for |
| exemptions being made, Arnold Schwarzenegger | | | | transportation between home and office, on longer |
| would not be driving the 15/10mpg Hummer H2H. | | | | trips, or just for recreation requires two things: |
| <B>The 20-Somethings Get It...</B> | | | | common sense and appropriate gear. Common sense |
| Our younger generations get it. They get that | | | | means understanding where it is safe to ride, |
| America as a collective society must take steps to | | | | following the rules of the road, wearing the right |
| decrease our dependence on foreign fuel sources | | | | clothing, and avoiding unnecessary risks. |
| and we must take steps to protect the environment. | | | | Even if there are not helmet laws in your state, |
| The 20-Somethings have chosen to buy vehicles that | | | | requiring motorcyclists to wear helmets when they |
| get better gas mileage, and better yet, they have | | | | ride, helmets could mean the difference between a |
| ushered in the acceptance of the scooter as a viable | | | | minor traffic accident and a funeral. Additionally, it is a |
| means of transport. | | | | good idea to wear proper shoes, boots, and clothing, |
| Young people in this country are opting to drive | | | | as well as a visor or protective glasses. |
| motorcycles and scooters, instead of their father's | | | | Riders should keep in mind that vision is key to |
| Oldsmobiles. If you have any doubt, you only need | | | | knowing what is going on around them; so choosing |
| to visit any college town across the country to see | | | | the proper helmet with a good viewing radius is |
| scooters filling the roadways. | | | | important. If the rider chooses to not wear a helmet, |
| <B>Scooters On The Road</B> | | | | a good set of goggles is the next essential piece of |
| The Italian-made Vespa Scooters are one of the | | | | safety equipment. Remember, if that bug is flying |
| more popular gasoline-powered scooter brands on | | | | across your path when it hits you, it could easily |
| the road today. Their high-end LX models retail for | | | | bypass those sunglasses and hit you in the eye, |
| under $5,000, and deliver 70-80 mpg at near 60 mph. | | | | temporarily blinding you at 70 mph. |
| The Vespa Scooters have actually been on the road | | | | <B>Proper Motorcycle Maintenance</B> |
| since 1946, so the company has a lot of experience | | | | The importance of proper motorcycle maintenance is |
| in manufacturing this type of product. | | | | fully realized when one thinks about the |
| Other popular models include the Riptide Scooter, the | | | | consequences of a front tire blowout at 70 mph. I |
| Sinclair Scooter and the Wasp Scooter, all made by | | | | don't even want to think about that possibility. As |
| the American company GS MotorWorks. Historically, | | | | they say, "an ounce of prevention is worth a pound |
| GS MotorWorks has also sold the Euro Scooter, the | | | | of cure." |
| Retro Scooter, and Sport Scooters. | | | | Good motorcycle maintenance means a lot of things. |
| The Genuine Scooter Company produces its own line | | | | It means to make sure that the motorcycle always |
| of scooters as well. Their super-charged Blur | | | | has a good set of tires on it. It means making sure |
| Scooters can turn on a dime and jet down the | | | | that the motorcycle always has a good set of |
| highway at nearly 70 mph. Their Black Cat model | | | | brakes. Motorcycles are inexpensive to care for |
| delivers more than 100 mpg on a scooter that is | | | | properly, so there is no excuse for not taking care of |
| limited to a top speed of 30 mph. The Buddy | | | | it in a way that will prevent accidents and |
| Scooter will deliver 100 mpg, with speeds limited to | | | | malfunctions. |
| 30 mph and 70 mph, depending on the model. Their | | | | By looking over the vehicle at regular intervals, one |
| Rattler Scooter is made for those rough country | | | | will be able to determine whether there are |
| roads and is expected out later this year. The | | | | motorcycle parts, scooter parts, or even ATV parts |
| Genuine Scooter Company also offers a range of | | | | that will need to be replaced in order to help keep |
| Stella scooter accessories, including the | | | | the vehicle in its best condition. For example, with |
| motorcycle-style, Stella sidecar. | | | | motorcycles, riders should always take a close look |
| <B>Motorcycles Serve The Transportation | | | | at the clutch cable, fasteners, spokes, steering |
| Needs of All Generations of Riders</B> | | | | heads, oil levels, and brake pads. These motorcycle |
| Motorcycles used to just be for rebels of society. | | | | parts often show signs of wear and not fixing the |
| Now, from teenagers to those approaching | | | | problem in a timely manner could easily lead to an |
| retirement, men and women, free spirits and business | | | | accident. |
| executives, motorcycles are everywhere. In rural | | | | Similarly, there are scooter parts that riders should |
| areas and major cities, many people are choosing | | | | examine regularly. Scooter tires, starters, batteries, |
| motorcycles to get them to where they want to be. | | | | fuel filters, chains, and other parts can suffer wear |
| While scooters are popular among the high school | | | | and reduce the safety and reliability of the scooter. |
| and college students, older generations favor the | | | | ATV and off-road cyclists who ride on trails and |
| motorcycle over the scooter. Many people were | | | | other rough surfaces will see wear and tear to a |
| introduced to dirt bikes when they were kids, and | | | | much larger degree, and they may need to replace a |
| they fell in love with the motorcycle at a young age. | | | | variety of parts to keep riding fun: oil filters, gaskets, |
| As adults, they now have a much wider selection of | | | | tires, pistons, and brakes. Additional ATV parts also |
| motorcycles from which to choose. | | | | need to be cared for and maintained at regular |
| There are still many brands of motorcycles available | | | | intervals. Off-road riders should also check the frame |
| in the marketplace: Honda, Kawasaki, Suzuki, Yamaha, | | | | of their motorcycle or ATV on a regular basis, in |
| and the American-brands Harley Davidson and Kodiak. | | | | order to ensure that the frame has not become a |
| Of course, these manufacturers make a standard | | | | hazard to the safe operation of the bike. |
| motorcycle for the average rider, racing bikes for the | | | | No matter what, why, or how you ride, staying safe |
| adrenaline junkies, the touring bike for those riders | | | | is the key. Replacing worn parts, wearing protective |
| who like long, leisurely journeys across the country, | | | | clothing, and following the rules of the road, all serve |
| and the recreational dirt bike for those who like | | | | to keep motorized travel and recreation safe for |
| off-road riding. | | | | people of all ages. |