Motorcycle Safety

On the highway, motorcycles are “small fry”. They’re easy for autos and trucks to miss or disregard. Over the last decade, there has been an increase in serious and sometimes fatal accidental injuries to motorcyclists. Consequently, responsible motorcyclists always stay alert to nearby vehicles and their surroundings. But that’s not enough if you want to take a safe ride. In many important ways, operating a motorcycle is not like driving an automobile. So you have to change your way of thinking and your way of driving when you ride your motorcycle. For example, to turn a motorcycle left or right, it’s not just a matter of turning a steering wheel. You must lean left or right depending on which way you want to go. Your motorcycle has two brakes, and you must learn to use them both and in coordination with each other. Unlike most automobiles which are equipped with automatic transmission, you will need to shift gears on a motorcycle. For this reason, going up or downhill can be particularly tricky. And these are just a few of the differences you need to learn. What are some of the basics in motorcycle safety?

• Make it easy for automobile and truck drivers to see you. Wear bright colored clothing. Fluorescent, orange and/or yellow shirts, vests, jackets, and helmets enhance visibility during the day. At night, wear reflective material on helmets, vests/jackets, and even shoes. Remember, you must be seen from the side, not just the back and front. Put reflective material on the sides of your helmet, clothing and shoes, not just on the front and back. If a motorist can’t see you or your bike, he won’t take action to avoid you. Make it a habit to use your turn signals – always. Turn signals tell other drivers what you plan to do. They make your bike easier to see on the road. Nearby motor vehicle operators are more likely to notice your bike’s flashing turn signal than its activated taillight. Equally important, however, is the need to deactivate your turn signal as soon as you complete your turn or as soon as you decide not to turn after all. If your turn signal remains activated after you have made a turn, the driver behind you may assume you will turn again, and he may pull directly into your path. Enhance your visibility by tapping your foot brake lightly before you slow down, especially when you anticipate a quick stop. The flashing brake light will alert the driver behind you to your sudden change in speed. Stay out of blind spots. Motorcyclists are more at risk in a blind spot than other motorists because their cycles are relatively small compared to trucks and automobiles. Whenever you approach a vehicle you may want to pass, you must make a choice, and quickly too. Do you really want to pass? If so, pass as fast as you reasonably can. If not, drop back, well out of the blind spot. The less time you spend in another driver’s blind spot, the safer you will be. As you travel along the roads and highways behind another vehicle, take care to position your bike where the other driver will be able to see you in his rear view mirror. Keep in mind that intersections are always dangerous. It’s where most motorcycle crashes happen because auto or truck drivers who approach an intersection sometimes fail to see the motorcyclist who has the right of way as he travels down the main thoroughfare.

• Keep your headlights on night and day. Sound strange? Yes, but studies show that keeping your headlights on high beam during daylight hours increases your visibility to oncoming traffic and prevents accidents.

• Wear a Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) No. 218- compliant helmet every time you ride your bike. It’s the law in many states so you may have no choice in the matter. Regardless, it is always safer to ride wearing a helmet that meets recognized Snell, ANSI, and/or Federal DOT standards. Statistics show helmets are 37% effective in preventing fatal injuries. What does this mean? For every 100 motorcyclists who die in motorcycle crashes, 37 of them would have been saved had they been wearing a helmet when the accident happened. And make certain your helmet is, in fact, a certified/compliant helmet. Watch out for helmets with false certifications or counterfeit stickers imprinted with a DOT symbol. Accidents happen close to home, not just far away. Never say to yourself, “Well, I’m just going a mile or two to the store or to a friend’s house, why should I bother with a helmet?” Helmets save lives. They give you some measure of protection against serious brain injuries in the event of an accident. In addition to helmet laws, there may be requirements in your state regarding face shields and safety glasses or goggles. Face shields protect your face from rain, dust, insects and flying debris. Goggles protect your eyes. Special regulations may control whether or not a motorcycle may carry a second passenger. This usually depends on whether your motorcycle is equipped with a permanent seat specially designed to carry a second person. A passenger who is not properly seated on a motorcycle is at increased risk of falling off a bike and accidental injury.

• Follow state and local traffic laws. Motorcyclists must follow the same “rules of the road” and traffic regulations as automobiles and trucks. These laws may be even more important to the safety of the motorcycle operator than to drivers of other motor vehicles. After all, motorcycles are not equipped with the same physical protections and restraints found in autos and trucks. Familiarize yourself with the general motor vehicle laws of your state. Just as important, study carefully the statutes directed specifically at the operation of motorcycles. They were enacted to help ensure your safety.

• Take a motorcycle rider skills training course. You can pay with your life if you don’t learn the essential skills necessary to operate a motorcycle properly and safely. Most everyone takes a driver training course to obtain an automobile driver’s license when they are teenagers. In fact, many states mandate such instruction because well trained automobile operators make for safer roads and highways. It makes just as much sense for motorcycle operators to take a skills training course given by a professional instructor and designed specifically for motorcycle operation. There are motorcycle rider skills training courses in most states. Your state department of motor vehicles, for one, should have information on such programs. And remember, there are skills training courses not just for the novice but for the more experienced rider as well. Take the time to refresh and refine your rider techniques by taking an advanced skills course every few years.

• Obtain the driver’s license endorsement you need to legally operate a motorcycle in your state. Statistics kept by The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) tell us that 25% of the motorcyclists who died as a result of traffic accidents in 2004 were either not licensed at all or were not properly licensed to operate a motorcycle.

• Don’t speed. In 2004, 36% of all fatal motorcycle accidents were the result of speeding at the time of the accident. It’s simple. Speed kills.

• Keep a safe distance behind other vehicles. Think you don’t have to maintain the same distance behind an auto or truck that an auto or truck must keep as it travels behind other vehicles? Wrong! A motorcycle ordinarily requires as much stopping distance as an automobile. Studies have shown that following too closely is a major cause of accidents on the part of the motorcyclist. • Don’t ride in an impaired condition. It is no surprise that alcohol and other drugs play a substantial role in too many motorcycle accidents. In 2004, for example, alcohol was involved in a much higher percentage of motorcycle accidents (31% higher) than auto accidents. And worse, according to NHSTA, 41 percent of the 1672 motorcyclists who died in single vehicle crashes in 2004 had blood alcohol levels above the legal minimum of .08 g/dL. Never ride while intoxicated. • Give your bike a “pre-trip” inspection. Long distance truckers give their tractor trailers daily pre-trip inspections and so should motorcycle operators. Check tire air pressure and the hydraulic fluid level. Look for signs of an oil or gas leak. Do headlights and taillights work in both high and low beam? Are your brake lights and turn signals operational? Do you need to refill your coolant reservoir? Clutch and throttle should work smoothly. Clean your mirrors and adjust them when needed. Engage your front and rear brake levers, one brake at a time, to ensure they are in working order.

• Never ride someone else’s bike without first familiarizing yourself with its particular features and/or without giving it a pre-trip inspection. Don’t assume that someone else’s bike is just like yours. Make sure you know the location of the turn signals, the horn, the headlight switch, and the engine cut-off switch. Familiarize yourself with the controls and the bike’s gear pattern. Practice working the throttle, clutch and brakes a few times before you take a borrowed bike for a spin.

• Beware of road surface and other hazards. Road surfaces that may not be so dangerous for auto and truck drivers may be very dangerous for the motorcyclist. Gravel roads, wet pavement, wet pavement with oil slicks, and paved roads with loose sand and gravel are especially treacherous. These surfaces provide poor traction for motorcycles traveling along them. Motorcyclists should think twice about taking their bikes out at all in mud, snow, or icy conditions. During Autumn, wet leaves can cause problematic conditions as well. Uneven surfaces can be dangerous. The motorcyclist should drive especially carefully when passing over bumps, broken pavement, potholes, railroad tracks, steel plates, grates, manhole covers or raised lane and highway marker to name just a few.

• Remember that darkness reduces visibility on the road. If a motorcycle can sometimes travel unnoticed by traffic nearby in broad daylight, the situation at night is even more hazardous. Darkness reduces visibility. At night, it is more difficult for other drivers to see your relatively small motorcycle or to pick up its headlights and taillights from among the myriad of other vehicle lights surrounding you. It’s up to you to keep the odds on your side. Drive slower at night. Keep a greater distance between you and the vehicle directly ahead of you. Unless you are following immediately behind another vehicle or another vehicle is approaching you from the opposite direction, use your high beams. They will help you see unexpected obstacles or animals in the road in front of you.

• Always remain alert to your surroundings and nearby vehicles. You can’t take action to avoid a potential accident if you are not aware of the danger. There are negligent motorists on the roads. They may drive recklessly so defensive driving is essential. What is one of the most deadly maneuvers a motorcyclist is likely to confront everyday on the road? It is the other driver who turns left in front of him while the cyclist is doing one of three things: (1) traveling straight, (2) passing the other vehicle, or (3) overtaking the other vehicle. In 2004, 39% of fatal motorcycle accidents occurred under one of the foregoing fact patterns. Do what it takes to ensure the other driver knows you are in his path if he decides to turn left in front of you. Following the suggestions outlined above will make for safer motorcycle operation. The stakes are high. And who has a greater interest in motorcycle safety than the motorcyclist himself? The cyclist who takes responsibility for ensuring he has taken every precaution to make his ride a safe one is less likely to find himself injured in a serious accident.

Chevrolet Suburban – A Smart Choice

Something that also brought a bright future for Chevrolet is the Chevrolet Suburban keychain. This is a keychain range which consists of seven extremely well crafted designs. The ranges offer two colors. Both the colors are universally liked by Car and speed lover i.e. black and silver. Chevrolet Suburban is the largest Sport Utility Vehicle (SUV) from Chevrolet. This company has been there in United States since 1935. Chevrolet Suburban was first introduced as the Chevrolet Suburban Carryall in 1935. Suburban has been produced under this name for a most anticipated and bright future for Chevrolet. If you are not too much into style and want something simple you can go for the Chevrolet Suburban leather silver keychain or for the Chevrolet Suburban leather gold keychain. Both the keychains are set in absolute black leather of the best quality and gives you that posh look. If you are someone, who wants to look different you can go for the Chevrolet Suburban metal oval keychain. This has a mosaic look at the base and a black circle on top, which makes it unique. If black is not the color of your choice then this range has three silver keychains. These three keychains are very different from each other and each has an appeal of its own. The Chevrolet Suburban valet key chain and the Chevrolet Suburban teardrop key chain have that perfect look for those, who like to leave their keychains hanging from pockets, or who like to use them as zipper accessory. The best of the lot and the most unique is the Chevrolet Suburban Steering wheel keychain. This looks like a real steering wheel and is tiny and yet is very attractive. For people who love to sport that speed look, this is a great accessory to have. The Chevrolet Suburban Chrome circle keychain is another design which is there for those who love simplicity and black. All the keychains can be engraved with anything that you want. The key chains are ones with novelty that will keep the keys in order and in style. They are beautiful pieces of art. The silver key chains have a solid ring with the logo and Suburban written on it. The name and logo is a perfect harmony with the Chevrolet Suburban keychain. The key ring is made of extraordinary quality of stainless steel. It is definitely an excellent piece of accessory that should be bought. Chevrolet Suburban key chains make a wonderful gift to the guests and friends. It is unique and people can use and take them wherever they go. You can get anything you want engraved on this and give it that personal touch. If you own a Chevrolet car, this makes your car and your look complete. It gives you the custom made finish with all that you want engraved behind it, and all this for a cost of just a few dollars. Confused about what to present your son, neighbor, husband or boss, give them one of these key chains and you are sure to make their day.

GPS Vehicle Tracking Devices

It is said that had it not been for a GPS tracking device in OJ Simpson’s mobile phone, he would not have been found to be tried on his wife’s murder. A GPS vehicle tracking device is much like driving around in your car with your mobile phone. It allows a person to locate the current position of a moving vehicle or identify where it’s been and as well, where it is heading. This is ideal for chasing criminals who has just fled the scene of the crime or finding where a suspicious vehicle will be heading next. A GPS tracking device calculates its position by measuring distances between itself and other GPS satellites. In return, the signals emitted by the satellites carry information about the GPS carrier’s location. Aside from absolute location, other civilian benefits from having GPS vehicle tracking devices include relative movement. Relative movement is useful in ships and vessels to calculate certain time distance calculations including velocity made good toward your destination and crosstrac error calculations. Additional benefits of using GPS vehicle tracking devices is the ability to know let the carrier know exactly where their vehicle is located and its direction of travel. This technology can also create a digital view of the vehicle’s current position in a geographic map. This information can be valuable in remote locations that do not have established road names or where the vehicle may be traveling off road. More advanced GPS devices can even tell you which turn to take or which roads to take to reach a destination. Life is now easier drivers who simply get on their cars and start their engines without knowing where to go. GPS in vehicles has given everyone the ability to navigate to about any location on the earth. As a result the world is a much small place than it was just a few short years ago. Now we can find our present location, where have been or going to, with a simple click of a button. So, if you ever wonder where your car may be, your GPS can track where it is to within a few meters. If by chance your car gets stolen, you can easily find where it is heading or where it currently is. Suppose a vehicle stops in the middle of nowhere because of some car trouble, the driver could easily ask for help, or his location could easily be tracked for emergency assistance, that is for as long as there is a signal. GPS tracking will not work without it. This feature has the potential to decrease car theft or even robberies with getaway vehicles. This can also give cheating husbands or spouses a second thought on their actions. Moving around in vehicles with GPS can very well ruin a secret affair because of its non-discreet ability to identify one’s exact location. Having this new and useful technology, GPS tracking devices in your mobile phones or GPS vehicle tracking devices in your vehicle, we are giving away a part of our lives to be known to others for a price. This loss of privacy is of great concern may many people. Basically we are giving away information about our lives for sake of more information. If you do purchase and install GPS vehicle tracking devices, then you should expect that somebody else can use the GPS tracking information you provide for their own benefit. Unless we a doing something illegal or immoral we really have little fear from the misuse of any GPS tracking information we generate each day.

Car Donation: Making The World A Better Place To Live In

Donating a car in favor of cause oriented groups is a great way to help many people who are experiencing difficulties in life. If you want to make a big difference in your life and in the lives of other people, then, the right decision is to make a car donation right now. Car donation helps young people who belong to underprivileged communities attend schools and achieve their simple dreams in life. Through the efforts of people who want to change the direction of lives of young children, many are given new hope in what seems to be hopeless situations. Definitely car donation as a means of raising needed funds is one perfect idea and a major factor to attain this goal. Funds raised through car donation also help families affected by natural disasters like hurricanes and floods. Usually, communities which were affected by these disasters find it difficult to start over again. In this respect, cause-oriented groups and their collective efforts become the light that guides families in their quest to find the right way to make a new beginning. Car donation and funds generated from it also help people with serious sickness. Funds are used to provide much needed medicine and food so that they can get better. Funds through car donation also provide temporary shelter to people caught in cross fire. Your decision to donate your car to charity not only helps other people as it can also help you at a certain extent. You can get IRS tax deduction and you can also find a way to sell your used car. If you are going to purchase a new car, donating your used car will allow you to skip the bulk of paper works that is associated with selling used cars. Car donation is not only limited to second hand cars that work. You can also donate your car that doesn't work anymore. An auto donation company would be willing to tow it for you without paying any cent. If you are interested, you can check various offers given by lots of companies engaging in car donation programs. They can easily be contacted online or by phone. These companies have their own websites so you will not have any problem if you want to ask them things about car donation. Donating car for charity is something you should really consider when you are in the process of deciding where you should sell your used car. By donating your car to charity, you are actually giving new hope and life to people who have somehow lost the belief that there is still hope for everyone so long as we breathe. Yes, you might loss some bucks in doing so but, remember there are things that money can't purchase and one of these is the feeling that you have just saved another person's life. Car donation program can really spell the difference that the world somehow needs in these trying times. The world indeed can rely on people who have the desire to help in their simple and small way. So, come on... donate your used car today and make this world a better place to live in.

Hybrid Cars Go Stylish

Hybrid cars are taking the world by storm - figuratively, literally. And here are just two of the latest hybrid cars that avid car fans and buyers are sure to love. If you want an eco-friendly hybrid car that not only drives like a dream but is a weight off your conscious too, then you must see the PGO Cevennes Turbo-CNG. This nifty little hybrid car will run on bio gas making it essential in today's fight against global warming. You may be forgiven for thinking that hybrid cars are going to end up looking, well, ugly. This is simply not the case where the PGO Cevennes Turbo-CNG is concerned. Looking at the car's rounded edges and the sleek design you may as well be looking at one of the top sports cars in the world. With a soft top to boot, you can make sure your next luxury car is a hybrid one. The PGO Cevennes Turbo-CNG has been developed by BRA GmbH. This company has been at the very forefront of the development of hybrid cars for well over ten years now. They are based in Germany and they have developed not only environmentally-friendly hybrid cars but cars that have excellent style and design, as well. The car itself isn't due to be released until March 2008, but you can be sure it will open to a fanfare of utter amazement! The car is only likely to cost around 48,000 Euros making it not only environmentally-friendly but also friendly on your pockets, as well. The Cadillac Provoq concept America has realized that the gas-guzzling, environment-harming vehicles are not going to save the world any time soon. The eco-drive and style brought by hybrid cars have finally found their way to America and they have managed to do it in amazing degree... Not that we expected anything less of course. As the flag bearer of hybrid cars, the Cadillac Provoq concept car has two main points. On the one side, it clearly shows the style, class and beauty that is renowned with Cadillac cars. It also has in its favour the hybrid car technology that is actually making the car a sure heart-stopper. The Cadillac Provoq concept car is made to appeal to the luxury car owners; it oozes class and style and is sure to stand up in its own right against other luxury cars. If it is luxury next to hybrid car technology that you are looking for then you need not look any further. The Cadillac Provoq concept hybrid car has wheels that are powered by the car's 94bhp motor, which of course is electric. The car's rear wheels have the 54bhp motor each. These features enhance the Provoq's mileage for every small amount of gas it consumes - saving the planet and your pocket from hundreds of dollars spent on fuel. This is something that Cadillac Provoq owners would be very much proud of. The PGO Cevennes Turbo-CNG and the Cadillac Provoq concept will fit right into any city or town and with their sporty look and sleek design they are simply head turners.

Car Loan Essentials

Acquiring a car loan is, for a number of people, a major investment and as such should be carefully studied to assure you get the best car loan and make sure you don’t get an auto loan scam. In getting a car loan, there are lots of things that you need to consider. These things are significant in the sense that they are guide points to make your auto loan a worry-free one. Let’s start with the APR or the annual percentage rate. The law makes it mandatory that all companies engaging in car loan or car financing business to disclose all things included in the APR. APR is basically the group of fees and expenses paid annually. The APR is necessary when you wish to acquire a car loan. Essentially, this is the most important thing that you need to consider in terms of comparing one auto loan from another since it involves all the fees relative to the acquisition of an auto loan. Next, at the time of car purchase, you need to pay a downpayment which is a sum of money you initially pay a car dealer upon securing a car loan. You have to make sure that your downpayment is credited in terms of how much sum of money you pay per amortization. Next thing is the interest rate. Though not too much important as the APR is with reference to the buyer, you should also give due consideration on the interest rate of the loan. The interest is the percentage of the car loan that determines how much gain a company makes out of the transaction. The loan term on the other hand is the length of the car loan. The longer the loan term is the smaller the monthly amortization but this does not mean you should get a long loan term because when you add them all up, you actually lose much money in a longer loan term as when you get a shorter one. The key is to get the least APR. Keep that in mind. The principal is actually the base of the car loan without any add-ons in it. This is the actual sales price of the car. These are the major factors that you need to bear in mind when you decide to get a car loan. Giving them closer attention will enable you to become more educated in terms of getting things in proper perspective. Although car loan companies are in general reputable, there is increasing number of car loan scams. These loan scams promise you heaven and earth but the moment you give your trust to them that’s the start of your nightmare. They can really give you bunch of headaches and can get your money like winds blowing the sand in your hand. So, it is better to study offers of small or big companies when you plan to get a car loan. Give the company’s reputation due attention so that you will have a feel if what it offers is real or real scam. It’s always advisable to do your own research about the standing of car loan companies. You just don’t have to rely on their sales talks because what they would tell you are all good for their own benefits.

Jeep Tops: Anatomy of a Jeep top

Jeep tops are fairly universal Jeep accessories in that everyone from casual Jeep owners to hardcore off road enthusiasts has some basic knowledge of what they’re about. But Jeep tops can get more complicated that one might think, and while it’s hard to go wrong when making a purchase, having an intimate knowledge about them can go a long way in extending the benefits. For this reason, we’ve dissected nearly every imaginable Jeep top to take an in-depth look at what makes them must-have Jeep accessories. Which Jeep Top? It’s an age old question; perhaps one that has been asked since the time of the dinosaurs. Not really, but choosing a Jeep top has always been a decision that requires a fair amount of thought. At first glance, choosing a top seems pretty simple. The features are all plainly stated, pictures give you an idea of what to expect looks-wise, and your particular environmental situation further dictates which one you need. But there are also many factors that aren’t taken into account when shopping for a Jeep top. Intangibles like installation and frame style are examples of lesser-known aspects, while things like road noise or insulation are factors that can only be experienced firsthand. With this in mind, I’ll do my best to cover aspects that are typically unaccounted for. Factory versus Aftermarket Jeep Tops When it really comes down to it, there isn’t a huge discrepancy between what both factory and aftermarket tops have to offer. A factory Jeep top will give you that genuine Jeep look and feel, plus the added security of sticking to true Jeep accessories that follow the same standard of quality as the vehicle itself. Aftermarket tops are for the most part similar to factory units, but with a few exceptions. Although both versions of Jeep tops are made from the same materials, equivalent quality, and with the same purpose in mind, aftermarket tops offer certain features, benefits, or other Jeep accessories that you might not get out of factory units. For instance, certain aftermarket tops have been optimized to reduce road noise better than a factory one. Also, in the event that your Jeep top needs replacing, aftermarket replacement options are typically cheaper than factory tops. For these reasons, aftermarket options usually make for favorable Jeep accessories when replacing aging factory tops.

10 Great Tips For Buying Car Tires Online

Cars need tires and it is best to buy new tires. The key is to get high quality car tires at low prices. The market online and offline is filled with a huge variety of tires. Choose tires with care and get a set of tires that are most suited to your car. The first step in buying car tires is to follow recommendations made by the car manufacturer. Unless you are an auto mechanic or formula one car racer what the manufacturer recommends as suitable tires for the car are the best choice.

1. Get all the parameters right. From the side of the tires or your car manual jot down : vehicle application; tire width; aspect ratio; radial designation; wheel diameter; load index; speed rating; DOT; ply construction; load and pressure limits; tread wear and traction ratings.

2. Be smart shop around for the best deal locally as well as online.

3. Check aspects like factory warranties and shop guarantees before paying for the tires.

4. Know which features are important and find tires that will give you safety, longevity, and peace of mind.

5. Find out if you are buying online how the tires will be delivered to you, who will mount and balance the tires. Many online sites offer tires for great rates but you will have to pay for shipping as well as for a mechanic to fit the tires. So well before buying check out the instructions on the website and find out exactly how much it will cost to get new tires fixed on the car.

6. While many recommend buying refurbished tires in the long run new tires will stand you in good stead. While you may save money on purchase the wear and tear will be quicker.

7. Most people buy all season tires but in case you live in a snow bound or very wet region you may need special car tires for specific seasons. If in doubt consult an automotive expert.

8. Check whether the tires you are considering buying are for passenger vehicles and radial. Tubeless tires are great for urban roads that are well maintained.

9. Always get the tires fitted by an expert and ensure that balancing is done. Ask about how to prevent new tire wear and tear by rotating the tires/wheels.

10. Always replace tires in pairs. It is best to replace all four but in case of budget constrains then do the needful two at a time. The front wheels first followed by the back wheels. Never replace one in the front and the other at the back. Read up about tires on the internet. When in doubt ask the manufacturer. If you care for your car and its tires then the car will serve you well.

Best Small Cars for 2008

Small cars come in all shapes but limited sizes - how much variation can you get on a theme you might ask so here is our guide to the best that 2008 has to offer. One of the most keenly received small cars has been the Vauxhall Corsa 1.4 Club. This was one of the leading cars of any class in 2007 and it continues to hold its own in the super-mini category. It is keenly priced but mixes this with a big-car feel that has enticed critics for many months. Though classed as a super-mini this car comfortably sits four people and has so much space that it feels like a small family car - even the boot has plenty of space - but you wouldn't use it to take a family of four on holiday for two weeks. A nice little quirk is the removable floor that gives that little extra room. A lot of thought has gone into this vehicle so that it hits all the right spots. The design is solid without being clunky and smart without being showy. It is also a joy to have well weighted controls surrounding the driver. The entire impression is one of a car whose designers have put real thought into its construction. A nice touch is the ease and room of adjustment in the driver's seating position, which is only added to by the placing of the controls around the steering column. It has a keen suspension without being over savage and excellent fuel economy to accompany it, with the extras and standards being of exceptional quality for a small car. At the bargain end of the market comes the Fiat 500 - it is far removed from its predecessors with the same name and carries all the qualities you would expect of a rejuvenated Fiat motor company. At first impression you need to double-take that you are not looking at the original 50 year old styled automobile. This is no bad thing though - a company that is proud of its past and prepared to make use of its heritage in such a model is something to be welcomed. Unlike the Corsa this really is a super-mini - but perfect for what it has been designed for. Boot space is cramped but adequate for such a small car and you can't complain at the price. The car is very short at just over 3.5 metres but handles better than you would expect due to the wheel placement as close to the corners as possible. The engine is responsive but you will not be buying this car for its power performance. With a 0-60 of just under 13 seconds and a top speed of 100mph it is certainly at the lower end of the market but its real strength lies in it fuel consumption - the Lounge version supplies up to 90 mpg on the open road. This car would be ideal for urban use - it is small but still demonstrably a car rather than a Smart car and its superb fuel efficiency makes it a no-brainer for commuting and popping off down the shops. It also has the classic Italian styling of the early Fiat 500 but none of the obvious drawbacks associated with those fiats. Generally, competition has never been tighter in the Super-mini market. Car manufacturers stopped treating this market with disdain a long time ago as it became apparent how demographics were changing society. So many people now live in or around cities and do not settle down to start families, that the small car market has really boomed over the past decade. Furthermore, concern for the environment and increasing fuel costs have concentrated buyers' minds on the economy of the vehicle they are buying whilst they are not keen on compromising on quality. The two cars above are examples of this development. The Corsa is an outstanding car that has improved over the years and been embraced by the government as an equal brand leader. The Fiat 500 on the other hand has risen Phoenix-like from the ashes of the disaster that was Fiat in the 70s and 80s. A good sign is that they have embraced their old traditions whilst melding it with their current confidence. Two cars from completely different backgrounds - in much the same way as the eye of the Octopus and Human have come from two completely different evolutions but appear so similar, so these two cars symbolise the end product of differing evolution strands. Both are good cars and demonstrate the health of the small car market admirably.

Subaru WRX Performance Tips

Here are some easy tips that can be done to generate improved performance for your Subaru WRX next time it appears to be running a bit sluggish. Enjoy.

CHANGE YOUR OIL This may seem obvious, but you would be surprised at how easy it is to forget or overlook. The owner's manual for the Subaru WRX suggests changing the oil every 7,500 miles under normal driving conditions. Under normal driving conditions? Seriously, who really drives a Subaru WRX normally? The owner's manual also suggests an oil change every 3,750 if you drive ir hard. Enough said. I think we all know which of these recommendations to follow.

PROPERLY GAPPED SPARK PLUGS The proper spacing for a 2002 - 2003 Subaru WRX is 0.028"-0.031" (0.7-0.8 mm). If you have a different year of Subaru WRX, refer to your owner's manual for proper specs. This tip may seem a bit petty, but any extra power that can be had for free is worth the time and effort.

CLEAN YOUR AIR FILTER The manufacturer/stock Subaru WRX air filter leaves somthing to be desired, but if you don't have the extra cash to purchase an aftermarket air filter, please make sure your stock filter is clean. The more air that gets to the engine, the more power you have. Seems simple so far, right?

USE PREMIUM GASOLINE With gas prices being what they are at present, I know that this is a hard-to-swallow tip at this time. Gas is not cheap, and premium gas can never be purchased at a price that makes it a deal, but you are driving a Subaru WRX, afterall. So, spring for the good stuff! Your Subaru WRX deserves nothing less than the best. The next few tips are more involved; however, we are dealing with the Subaru WRX. Extra time and effort results in improved driving performance so it is well worth it.

TRY INSULATING YOUR FUEL LINES Insulating the fuel lines of your Subaru WRX permits the temperature of your fuel to remain cooler which allows more fuel to enter the combustion chamber in addition to permitting more airflow through the chamber as well. Consequently, the more fuel and air that you have moving through the chamber of your Subaru WRX, the more power you will have to work with. The simplest way to accomplish this is with air conditioning / refrigerator insulation which you can get from any hardware store.

YOUR SUBARU WRX NEEDS TO LOSE SOME WEIGHT This is a matter of basic physics. Less weight + more power = better performance. The less weight your WRX has to lug around, the better it will perform in every category. So, take an inventory of what has accumulated in your trunk from time to time and make sure to empty it every so often! Well that's all I can think of for now. Stay tuned for more tips to improve your Subaru WRX.

Edge On Motorcycling- The BMW HP2 Sport

The BWM HP2 Sport is the latest iteration of the Bavarian Motor Company's foray into producing performance driven motorcycles. The quiet, staid, and lets just admit it boring motorcycles that came out of BMW in years past is history. The HP line is BMW's new high performance, cutting edge line up. It's the motorcycle equivalent of their M line of performance cars. The HP2 Sport is the third motorcycle in the HP line following the releases of the HP2 Enduro and the HP2 Megamoto. The HP-2 Sport is based on the R1200S but is out and out designed for sports riders who are looking for a machine that has performance as well as endurance. The HP2 Sport keeps some of the concepts that BMW motorcycles have become known for such as the BMW Motorrad Telelever front suspension and the EVO Paralever rear suspension. Other components have been newly developed or highly modified for use in the motorcycle. The HP-2 Sport is powered by a twin Boxer motor that has a capacity of 1170 cc. The engine's cylinder heads were completely redesigned which allows the engine to rev as high as 9500 rpm. The engine has a 101 mm bore and a 73 mm stroke and produces a maximum of 130 hp at 8,750 rpm and 85 lb-ft of torque at 6,000 rpm. The bike has a close ratio six speed gear box, with first and second gear having higher ratios. This puts the gear increments closer to each other and results in less of a rev drop when progressing up through the gears. The bike also has a gear shift assistant which allows the rider to shift gears without using the clutch. It works by sensing when the gear lever is activated. If it senses gear lever activation without the use of the clutch, it electronically reduces power to the engine which puts the engine in a low load state and makes it possible to shift without the clutch. If the rider uses the clutch, the system becomes inactive. The riding position of the HP-2 sport can be described as relaxed. BMW has extensive experience with endurance racing and knows that for racers to be fast over a long period staying power is more important than a full racer's tuck. The dashboard was developed by 2D Systems, which also provides analytic recording systems to Moto GP racing. The dashboard has two modes and is switched by two controls on the left handlebar. In road mode, typical information such as speed, rpm, time, and distance are displayed. In race mode data such as top speed, circuit times, number of gearshifts and rpm is shown. The HP2 Sport will push BMW further into the world of performance motorcycling.