Showing posts with label Bikes. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Bikes. Show all posts

Thursday, June 30, 2011

Cleaning Dirt Bikes and All-Terrain Vehicles With Pressure Washers

People who own dirt bikes and all-terrain vehicles (ATV) like to ride their vehicles on dusty fields, shallow streams, mud, and rough terrains. They do this simply for the thrill of riding on such terrain as they believe it gives them the adrenalin rush that lets their blood pumping. A more tangible reason in doing such act is they get to test out their vehicle in real situation and not just rely on the written features that their rides can perform. The only problem with this approach is that the abuse can make the vehicle very dirty and cleaning it can become a big problem, especially when there are layers of tough dirt and mud sticking all over the vehicle.

In order to clean such dirt and mud, you need to have access to very reliable cleaning equipment called the pressure washer. Pressure washers are very efficient cleaning equipment because they make use of water and high pressure. The water is basically propelled at high speeds to penetrate the dirt deep down the surface of the equipment you are cleaning. Using this kind of cleaning equipment will not only allow you to clean you ride more efficiently, but you will be able to do it in less time as well.

The layers of mud and dirt that clings on the under-chassis, wheels, and practically all over your dirt ride cannot be washed away with just a normal stream of water coming from a hose. To be able to remove such tough clinging mud and dirt, pressure washing it would be the only rational solution. The high pressure stream of water will be able to eliminate the hard-to-remove dirt and mud deposits on your dirt ride. This non only helps to make your dirt bike or ATV cleaner, but the slick clean will also help in reducing dirt buildup the next time you take your vehicle out for a spin.

The truth is dirt bikes and ATVs are made by their manufacturers to be driven hard. This heavy-duty feature in them means they are also made to work even if they are laden with layers of dirt and mud as this will not necessarily harm the vehicle. However, leaving this dirt for too long, not to mention with several layers, will make the bike or quad bike harder to clean so it only makes perfect sense to pressure wash your ride at least after every rough use.

For more information on the uses of pressure washers, visit our website at Pressure Washers Pro.


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Monday, June 27, 2011

The Law on Road Legal Quad Bikes

Although there are no legal restrictions on driving quad bikes over private land and a blanket ban on driving them - or any vehicle - over public land such as parks and commons, the law applying to driving quad bikes on the open road is a little more complicated.

The law is broken down into two main areas: that which applies to the riders and that which applies to the bikes themselves.

In regard to the riders, it is a little ironic that, despite quad bikes making their first appearance back in the late 1960s as an innovative motorcycle adaptation by Honda, UK law today views a quad bike not as a motorbike but as a light vehicle.

It is therefore imperative that those intending to take a quad out on the road hold not just a motorcycle licence but a standard car driving licence for which of course a driving test must be passed.

Holders of such a licence will need to be at least 17 years old, unless they receive higher level Disability Living Allowance mobility awards, in which case the minimum age is lowered to 16.

Interestingly, although the wearing of protective clothing and a motorcycle helmet is strongly recommended in order to safeguard against possible injury, there is no legal requirement to do so at the time of writing.

Regarding the quads themselves, the law recognises two types: category 1.6e and category 1.7e.

Category 1.6e - 'light' - these must have a maximum unladen weight of 350 kilos; a maximum 50cc or 4 kilowatt engine; and a maximum speed of 45 km per hour.

Category 1.7e quads on the other hand need to have a maximum unladen weight of 550 kilos (or 440 kilos if the quad is not designed to carry goods); and a maximum net engine power of 15 kilowatts.

In order to be driven on a public road, all quad bikes must meet official European Whole Vehicle Type Approval (ECWVTA) environmental and safety standards. An ECWVTA certificate will usually have already been obtained by the bike manufacturer and presented to the owner upon purchase. If this is not the case a certificate can be applied for. Enquiries should be made in the first instance to the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA).

Once they have been type approved, all quad bikes taken out on the public highway must, like any other vehicle on the road, be registered with the DVLA; be properly insured; and of course be covered by a road fund licence (in other words, taxed).

The 1988 Road Traffic Act also specifies that all quads on the road must, like any other vehicle, be fitted with front and rear registration number plates; lights and directional indicators; legally prescribed tyres; a speedometer; and a warning horn.

Any quad over three years old must also be tested regularly in order to receive an official valid MOT certificate. Unlike most other vehicles however, quads are not required to undergo emissions tests.

This is just a short summary of the UK law on road legal quad bikes at the time of writing but check the current law before you ride on public roads. Whatever you do, enjoy your quad bike and take every precaution to stay safe.

Keith Knowles runs KIK ATVs, a leading supplier of both new and second hand cheap quad bikes in the UK. KIK ATVs offers quad bikes for both recreational and functional use, as well as offering ATV accessories and parts. Visit the website http://www.kikquads.co.uk/ for more information.


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Sunday, June 26, 2011

Quad Bikes - Joy On Four Wheels

The quad bike is correctly referred to as a car that has 4 tyres and weighs of below 1210lbs - but not a car. Steering it on a street requires a MV license, registration in line with national and provincial laws not to mention the mandatory insurance cover.

It is an ATV (All Terrain Vehicle and designed for off-road use while in different places, a useful horse for farmhouses, posts and haciendas. They may as well be labelled Quad Bikes, ATVs and Quads, although they are one and the same.

The chronicles of the quad goes way back till 1893 when Royal Enfield traded off their first motor quadra cycle. Through 1899, this firm was making quadracycle having a De Dion motor then commenced sampling Minerva engines equipped on a dense bicycle frame. The Minerva was clamped on the front side downtube. Despite being from the cycles category, the Enfield quadricycle - quad made as a 'carriage without a horse' for ordinary use.

At almost that period, Henry Ford, a US car fabricator made the quadracycle, in fact, the quadracycle happened to be the earliest car fabricated by Ford. That quadracycle was simply two cylinder, 2-speed and with no reverse. It was 500lbs.

He sold off his quad in 1896 for merely $200 - a tidy sum in those eras and acquired it back some time later at $60. In modern times, a majority, if not all motor cycle manufacturers at the moment come up with quad bikes for sale and because of the attractiveness of the sport, we have publications devoted entirely to quad bikes as well as allied ATVs. Children are no longer left out of the picture and in truth, they have tournaments in every place where youngsters can 'strut their stuff' behind the handle bars of children's All Terrains.

activities, can be able to exhibit dexterity and knowledge in the management of a machine; to the relevant provincial or state administration.

Should the ATV be for use on the road or racing, it is great to ascertain with DMV at your state or provincial offices for licensing questions, certifications among others. But other than that, the fun you are going to have with those toys for adults cannot be compared with almost anything else. If you have experience with motorbikes, you have to know, that there is nothing in common with the quad bikes, it's lots of fun but in completely different way!

Mark Winston has been motor sports fanatic for as long as he can recall. He's tested out anything from autos, through motor bikes, to quad bikes and tri bikes too. He tends to love the quad bikes probably the most these days, especially the road legal quad bikes.


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