Biker News - Regularly updated

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  1. Gamers Can Show Bikers How to Ride Safer and Better

    Posted on

    At first sight gamers and bikers have almost nothing in common other than the odd video game title that channeled Sons of Anarchy, like the woefully bad Ride to Hell: Retribution, to the far more playable Grand Theft Auto IV: The Lost and Damned.  

    Anyone who wants a true biking experience in the form of a game should chec

    Anyone who wants a true biking experience
    in the form of a game should check out
    Grand Theft Auto IV: The Lost and Damned

     

    The reasons for this divide are obvious. Gamers are required to be in front of a screen in order to do their thing, while bike enthusiasts are out on the open road, with the wind in their beards and the smell of glory in their nostrils as they head to their regular Sunday meet or ride out. 

    However, despite all this, there are some pointers bikers can take from online gamers, many of which, if taken seriously, can help prevent riders getting into one too many unwanted scrapes. 

    'Tilting' While Gaming or Biking Can Be Bad News 

    Tilting is not good. No, we are not talking about leaning into a corner or dropping your bike in the parking lot. Tilt is the technical term used by gamers to describe someone who has lost their cool, to the detriment of the atmosphere within the game and equally to their chances of winning. 

    In many online games, where the slightest lapse in concentration can lead to victory slipping through a player’s fingers, there are many reasons as to why keeping your cool is so key. Some games that come to mind include chess, Call of Duty and poker, with the latter especially being an arena where letting emotions take over leads to exits from tournaments of all ability levels. 

    The takeaway for bikers is that riding with a level head is always the way to go. This means ignoring that idiot car driver revving his engine for attention at a set of traffic lights, or the boasts of a fellow rider who is egging you on to go faster. 

    As is the case in the world of gaming, it is the thinking man’s rider who will always come out on top in the end.  

    Gamers have to remain calm and collected at all times, just as the best rid

    Gamers have to remain calm and
    collected at all times, just as the
    best riders in the world do on race day

    Going Up a Level Before You Are Ready 

    Newcomers to any pastime or hobby always fall into the same trap of wanting to run before they can walk or, in the case of wannabe riders, wanting to ride a Harley before they even know how to mount a 50cc scooter.     

    The same occurs in gaming, with poker players often playing high stakes before they are ready, and battle royale players trying to enter expert gaming lobbies before they even know how all the buttons on their controller or keyboard work. 

    When it comes to this issue, the plight of inexperienced gamers should act as a reminder to riders that nothing can replace experience, aside from a fully accredited training course. 

    Knowing When to Take a Break 

    Gaming can be an all-consuming affair, with many players only too happy to dedicate huge portions of their life to contest the games they love. 

    However, there comes a time during a long gaming session that the body begins sending messages, telling the person in question that it is ready to head out for a breath of fresh air or let some steam off with a quick jog. 

    More and more, gamers are beginning to heed the warnings of experts who say they should partake in things like yoga or meditation in order to relax their minds and bodies. 

    The same applies to those men and women who spend long hours in the saddle. Road and engine vibrations, as well as temperature fluctuations take their toll, and when fatigue hits on a long road trip, it's always best to take a rest. 

    Every rider, no matter how hardened they are, should take a note from a gamer’s book, and get themselves practicing their downwards dog position. 

     

    Article supplied

     

  2. A Complete Guide to Student Motorcycle Insurance

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    For many, college is one of the most exciting periods of one’s life. Constantly meeting new people, encountering new ways of thinking, perhaps moving to a new city or even country. The pace of life during this period is famous for being fast, dynamic, and action-packed. With this in mind, it’s no surprise that when it comes time to review options for personal transport that many students are drawn to the idea of purchasing a motorcycle.

    Motorcycles are famous for their speed, agility, and style, and can make the perfect companion for a student’s college years. But, like with any big purchasing decision, there’s plenty to consider before handing over any cheque. When it comes to owning a motorcycle, there are many pros and cons to consider. One of the main points worthy of consideration in the process and cost of obtaining motorcycle insurance - something that most students will be dealing with for the first time. To help with such an important step in the motorcycle buying process, we’ve put together a quick and helpful guide to thinking over purchasing a motorcycle and obtaining the best student insurance for your college years!  A Complete Guide to Student Motorcycle Insurance

    Prepping for the purchase 

    While the specific cost of motorcycle insurance will always vary according to the specifications of the driver and vehicle involved, as well as the legislation of the state in which they’re registering, all insurance comes with a price tag. Many students wondering how much is motorcycle insurance will first have to address their finances before deciding what kind of insurance policy to take out.

    Some students may fear that with all the homework and assignments, their busy college schedules may prevent them from working or saving enough to afford the cost of owning a bike. But, if prepared for in advance, it’s more than possible to put aside adequate funds without any detriment to your studies. Using online services that offer assignment help is a great way to uphold high standards of academic work while freeing up time to help work or save. To make use of these time-saving measures, you can get help from Edubirdie and cut down on the hours you spend at the writing desk. Balancing the time you spend doing assignments and working means that you can comfortably ride to class on the back of your dream bike with peace of mind! 

    Pros of owning a motorcycle 

    -        Price: Motorcycles can thankfully be bought at very inexpensive price points, and generally don’t cost that much to upkeep. Buying second hand or refurbished models can drive costs down even further, far below the price tag that one would find if searching to buy a car. What’s more, bikes tend to squeeze out a much more efficient mileage than other types of vehicles, up to 60mpg for smaller models!

    -        Dynamism: Bikes are, of course, much smaller and more agile than a car, making them a great choice for university students who have to navigate the often narrow streets of college towns in the UK. The nightmare of searching and often paying for parking becomes a thing of the past with a motorcycle, as their small frames mean you can park almost anywhere.

    -        Lifespan: Owing to their low cost, buying a cheap second-hand motorcycle can be an investment for your student years that doesn’t need to drag on afterwards. Many students opt to spend relatively little on a starter bike for their student years and then decide afterwards whether or not to upgrade. 

    Bike insurance requirements 

    Before considering motorcycle insurance costs, it’s important to research what the specific requirements your area may impose when it comes to being insured. Most places will require drivers to purchase liability insurance, which is used to pay out damage or injury costs that may be inflicted on other drivers and vehicles.

    On top of basic liability insurance, some places will also require drivers to have certain insurance additions that cover third party damage or medical expenses. As this varies greatly from place to place, it’s important to get to grips with the requirements specific to your local legislation.

    Types of insurance 

    Most insurance companies will offer drivers the chance to tailor-make their insurance policy to their specific needs. Driving insurance often refers to the basic liability coverage that pays out any damage a driver incurs on others, and collision insurance - meaning coverage for damage incurred as part of a road accident.

    Comprehensive insurance is a broader policy that also offers coverage for damages or losses as incurred off the road or through any means other than hitting another vehicle, such as damage, theft, or animal collision.

    Students looking for cheap motorcycle insurance may be tempted to go for the bare minimum coverage required, but this can be a risky choice in case of major damages or medical costs. Use insurance comparison sites and ask for student quotes to see if companies offer more expansive coverage within your price range. 

    Tip: Student discounts! 

    Many insurance companies will offer specially tailored policy plans to students that come at a discounted price.

    Keeping all this in mind, you can begin your research into buying your student motorcycle and the right insurance for you. In no time, you too can safely enjoy the thrill of riding up to class in full-throttle style! 

  3. Games To Play When Weather Stops You From Riding

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    Heading out for a ride is our favourite way to spend some time on a sunny day. However, as we all know, it’s not always possible because of the weather, especially if you live somewhere like the United Kingdom. Therefore, if you can’t get out for a ride, you need something else to keep you occupied, and we have some exciting games to play until the sun comes out again. 

    Harley-Davidson Slot

    Everyone, especially those who own a motorbike, will be aware of the Harley-Davidson name. Therefore, it’s the ideal combination to when you bring motorbikes, gaming and the potential to win into the mix. If you can’t get out for a ride, is there anything to better than playing a slot which stars motorbikes? The Harley-Davidson branded game is made by IGT and features stunning visuals. There are four games in one, so punters will have access to a lot of content all in the one place, with each coming with its individual qualities, gameplay and effects.

    Fall Guys

    This game might seem like an odd choice for this list at first, but Fall Guys is the video game of the moment right now, and bang on-trend. Try it out and you will see what we mean by this. The title, which is available to play on PC and PlayStation 4, has quickly become the must-play video game of 2020, with its simplicity very much the key to its success and continued growth in popularity. If you can’t get out on your bike, Fall Guys is the perfect pick up and play title, with gamers tasked with making their way through epic rounds which feature obstacle courses and challenges to be the last one standing.

    F1 2020

    It may not be a game starring motorbikes, but F1 2020 is one of the most popular driving games around right now. In recent years, Formula One has grown in popularity, thanks to the likes of Lewis Hamilton coming onto the scene. And, in Codemasters F1 2020, players can hit the track as their favourite driver. It’s the first time in a Formula One game where gamers can build their own team, which means creating a driver, signing a deal with a sponsor and so on. It takes players closer to the action than ever before, as they embark on an authentic career in Formula One.

    Call of Duty: Mobile

    If you have never heard of the Call of Duty game series, you must have been living under a rock for a long time. It’s one of the most successful game franchises of all time, and Call of Duty: Mobile is the top port Activision has ever come up with. We live in a world where mobile gaming is rapidly growing in popularity, and when content looks and plays as well as COD: Mobile, you can see why. Call of Duty is known for its success as a first-person shooter, but the 100-player battle royale mode is excellent as well.

     

  4. 7 Ways to Mod Your Bike on a Budget

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    Buying a motorcycle is great, but after you have spent a few hundred hours gazing at it lovingly, you might start to feel like you want to put your own stamp on it. You might want to alter the way it looks, the way it rides, or both, but very few people have an unlimited budget which allows them to make all the changes they want to. A lot of the most popular modifications come with a hefty price tag and it is likely you have already spent most of your money on the bike itself.

    If this sounds familiar, here are 7 ways to mod your bike when you are on budget.

    1. Take out a loan

    The first way around a small budget is to take out a small loan which will enable you to make the mods you want to without having to compromise or save up for a long time. It is important to ensure you can make all the repayments, but you may be adding value to the bike itself through the improvements.

    2. Add a new exhaust

    A new exhaust is a great way to turn heads thanks to the incredible noise it can create as you tear down the street. It can also improve safety as you will alert other road users to your presence way before you pass them.

    3. Install flush mount lights

    A flush mounted set of lights makes a bike sleeker in appearance as they do not stick out. Obviously, they do not improve a bike’s performance, but they make a big difference to the bike’s appearance.

    4. Upgrade the tyres

    The tires which come with a stock car tend not to be the best, and they may need replacing sooner rather than later. A new set of tyres will be more attractive, but the main benefit is the improved handling and grip they deliver.

    5. Customize the windscreen

    The windscreen on stock motorbikes tends to be less than ideal. By investing in a customized windscreen, you can improve the look of the bike and the driving experience, and the best part is that it is not an expensive modification as many will cost less than £50.

    6. Improve the brake pads

    When trying to improve a bike’s speed, most people will not give much thought to the brakes. However, the quality is vital when cornering in terms of efficiency and safety. Failing brakes can be lethal, so improving them is one of the best investments you can make. Click here for more information on parts and accessories for your bike. 

    7. LED Lights

    An LED light kit is another mod which improves the look and safety of a bike. Other road users will be much more likely to see you on the road if the body of the bike is decorated with bright lights. This is particularly important at night. Light kits are available in a wide range of different colours and strobing patterns and you can play around with their placement depending on the look you are after. Visit The Drive for the best LED light kits of 2020.