The Motorcycle Mart » Motorcycle Trivia http://www.the-motorcycle-mart.com Great Deals on Motorcycles for Sale, Accessories and Aftermarket Mods Mon, 07 Dec 2009 18:15:30 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.8.1 en hourly 1 Harley Motorcycles With High Handlebars http://www.the-motorcycle-mart.com/harley-motorcycles-with-high-handlebars/ http://www.the-motorcycle-mart.com/harley-motorcycles-with-high-handlebars/#comments Fri, 19 Jun 2009 16:35:20 +0000 Harley http://www.the-motorcycle-mart.com/?p=1245 Cover of "Easy Rider "
Cover of Easy Rider

One question that comes up on a consistent basis is, why the long handlebars on some of the Harleys, is it safe, and don't those handlebars make your arms tired.

Well, the truth is, I don't have a Harley and don't have the high bars. But more than anything else that is simply a preference on my part.   Just as riding with the high bars is a preference on theirs.

The handle bars in question are affectionately called “Ape Hangers” (They look like a ape hanging from a tree) and are also called “Arm pit driers” (or, Arm-Pit Ventilators). Though less often, they are also referred to as "Easy Rider" handle bars and/or "Captain America" bars because the Captain America bike in the movie "Easy Rider" (1969) had handle bars like these.

Actually, the high handlebars first showed up in the late 50’s and early 60’s.   Guys would strip and bob their bikes and had lots of stuff left like crash bars.    So, the first 'apes' were made by re-bending a set of crash bars.

But yes they can be less comfortable to ride (probably a blood flow issue as well as wind resistance).   They are also illegal in most states if they extend above the seat by more than 15 inches, because cornering becomes more difficult.

But it's a matter of aesthetics, just as many aftermarket items on motorcycles are. It's all in what you like. We all ride our own bikes and appreciate the bikes of others.

If you're interested in adding a set of "Ape Hanger" handlebars to your motorcycle, we have them available.

]]> http://www.the-motorcycle-mart.com/harley-motorcycles-with-high-handlebars/feed/ 0 DOT Helmets http://www.the-motorcycle-mart.com/dot-helmets/ http://www.the-motorcycle-mart.com/dot-helmets/#comments Fri, 05 Jun 2009 02:45:45 +0000 Harley http://www.the-motorcycle-mart.com/dot-helmets/ There are some terrific buys on a DOT Helmets, so you're at the right place. Here are the ones available today.

If for some reason you don't find the specific DOT Helmet you're looking for, try modifying your search.

If you are unsure of your correct size, check here: Motorcycle Helmets - Measure for the Correct Fit.

Motorcycle Full Face Helmet DOT 105 blue black SMLXL Motorcycle Full Face Helmet DOT 105 blue black SMLXL $38.95 5h 43m
Motorcycle Full Face Helmet DOT 119 black XSSMLXL Motorcycle Full Face Helmet DOT 119 black XSSMLXL $38.95 6h 43m
FULL FACE MOTORCYCLE HELMET BLACK SILVER SKULL DOT XL FULL FACE MOTORCYCLE HELMET BLACK SILVER SKULL DOT XL $49.95 14h 14m
Motorcycle Flip Up Full Face helmet DOT 235 blue MLXL Motorcycle Flip Up Full Face helmet DOT 235 blue MLXL $44.95 5h 13m
MATTE BLACK SKULL FULL FACE MOTORCYCLE HELMET DOT XL MATTE BLACK SKULL FULL FACE MOTORCYCLE HELMET DOT XL $49.95 14h 14m
FULL FACE MOTORCYCLE HELMET BLACK SILVER SKULL DOT L FULL FACE MOTORCYCLE HELMET BLACK SILVER SKULL DOT L $49.95 14h 14m
Matte Black Skull Full Face Motorcycle Helmet DOT XL Matte Black Skull Full Face Motorcycle Helmet DOT XL $34.95 12h 44m
Matte Black Silver Motorcycle Full Face Helmet DOT L Matte Black Silver Motorcycle Full Face Helmet DOT L $34.95 12h 44m
MATTE BLACK SKULL FULL FACE MOTORCYCLE HELMET DOT L MATTE BLACK SKULL FULL FACE MOTORCYCLE HELMET DOT L $49.95 14h 14m
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(Dot Helmets are helmets approved by the Department of Transportation as safe for use on a Motorcycle. If you are in a State requiring helmets while operating a Motorcycle, your helmet would need to be DOT Approved. See which states require helmets by clicking the link in the left sidebar.)

Unfortunately many of the novelty helmets sold today are not DOT approved. There are new safety regulations which have been proposed which will require the DOT label on the back of safety-certified helmets be made larger and harder to remove.

Unfortunately, there are vendors who will remove the DOT labels from certified helmets and place them on their non-certified novelty helmets. These new regulations would also strengthen the DOT helmet safety certification program.

This comes at a time when some states are set to repeal their helmet laws. But the numbers don't lie. Your chance of survival or of escaping an accident without life altering injuries is greatly increase by wearing a DOT approved helmet.

]]> http://www.the-motorcycle-mart.com/dot-helmets/feed/ 0 Did You Know Motorcycles Helped Win The War? http://www.the-motorcycle-mart.com/did-you-know-motorcycles-helped-win-the-war/ http://www.the-motorcycle-mart.com/did-you-know-motorcycles-helped-win-the-war/#comments Sun, 15 Feb 2009 03:15:57 +0000 Harley http://www.the-motorcycle-mart.com/?p=439
Harley-Davidson motorcycle display, ca 1920

Did you know that in World War I American and European armies used motorcycles extensively to gather reconnaissance, deliver messages and, in some cases, engage in combat. In 1917, roughly one-third of all Harley-Davidson motorcycles produced were sold to the U.S. military; in 1918, that figure rose to 50 percent. By the end of the war, it is estimated that the Army used some 20,000 motorcycles -- most of them Harley-Davidsons.

How much more patriotic can you get? Mom, Apple-Pie and Motorcycles!

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