Friday 17 May 2013

Take a Hands-On Safety Training Course

Learning to drive an ATV can be challenging. Many deaths and injuries occur when an inexperienced driver loses control of an ATV, is thrown from an ATV, overturns the vehicle, or collides with a fixed object or a motor vehicle. Good ATV training teaches new drivers how to handle multiple off-road riding situations.

Experienced ATV drivers (with more than one year of experience) have a much lower risk of injury than relatively new drivers. Training can help bridge that gap. Yet, less than 10% of all ATV drivers and only about one-quarter of new drivers receive professional training.

 All ATV drivers, including children under 16, should take a hands-on ATV safety course from a certified instructor. These courses are offered by the ATV Safety Institute, local ATV rider groups, some state departments of natural resources, state highway departments, and other agencies responsible for regulating ATV use. The National 4-H Council also sponsors educational seminars on safe riding for children and teenagers.

ATV manufacturers and distributors who are members of the Specialty Vehicle Institute of America (SVIA) offer free training as well as cash awards and incentives to buyers who complete the ATV Safety Institute training course. Children under 16 can take the course only if they are on an age-appropriate ATV. Children younger than 12 who take the course must be accompanied by a parent or legal guardian for the training.

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atv safety, atv safety training course

New echo quick release safety motorcycle helmet chin strap buckle

Echo Quick Release Buckle. The Reliable, fast and convenient way to safely fasten your helmet chin strap.New echo quick release safety motorcycle helmet chin strap buckle provides a very secure buckle for the helmet strap. I would guess that it is probably stronger than the strap itself. You can work it with gloves on, so it saves you a lot of nuisance time.

This quick release fit easily onto both my Raider open-face helmet and my Fulmer M1 modular helmet. It feels secure, comfortable, and best of all, I can now put on and remove my helmet with my gloves on. I'll be putting one of these on all future helmets.

I like New echo quick release safety motorcycle helmet chin strap buckle. All the shops should carry them. It worked with both my helmets, the current one being a bell. I was getting to the point of not using the chip strap when going on very short, just around the corner trips due to it taking so long to strap it up. Now, there is no excuse. I still cant use the clip through gloves. 

More information or buy New echo quick release safety motorcycle helmet chin strap buckle

New echo quick release safety motorcycle helmet chin strap buckle easy install and Easy to use. Great product. I used these on two half helmets, I got tired of the d rings fraying the sraps so these are a great alternative, adjust them once and your done, snap on and off from then on. An inexpensive and easy way to modify your helmet to be put on or taken off quicker. Simple to attach, it took me about 15 minutes to put two sets on two helmets, and they work better than I expected.

I really like this setup and will be buying another for my new helmet it is easy to install and makes putting the helmet on and off much easy, I rode with it and it is sturdy as well. Great product for the price, easy to operate even with heavy gloves on, dont understand the fuss about getting it stuck, knock on wood, once you get used to it it works fine.

This is probably my favorite quick release product; however it works best on helmet straps that are smaller (my skid lid) than one inch (3/4). You can put it on the wider strap, but it does not slide very well; hence I kept it, but went for a different brand (see all my reviews) for my helmet with a thicker strap. With that said, it is my favorite b/c its very easy to attach and best of all, it has a better release! I have bought two of them!

Battery tender Female Cigarette Adaptor for Quick Disconnect

I bought battery tender 081-0069-8 Female Cigarette Adaptor for Quick Disconnect to power my GPS and Cell Phone on my motorcycle. This product plugged right into my pig tail on my battery. It kept my GPS and Phone charged on my 800 mile road trip well worth the price.

Cig Adaptor-Female for use with Battery Tender quick disconnect features a female cig adaptor that attaches directly to the battery of the motorcycle, Scooter, ATV, boat or other vehicle. The female cig adaptor helps to recharge cell phones, GPS devices or other 12 volt accessories and charge them while traveling or when the vehicle is at rest. 

More information or buy Battery Tender 081-0069-8 Female Cigarette Adaptor for Quick Disconnect

Never in one place long enough to charge a cell phone while on a long bike trip.

Most riders have these Deltran sockets hanging off their batteries, so I ordered an extra socket end and a 12v socket to build one. Genius, I thought. Use what's already wired in to the bike, and create my own charger.

It would solve everyone's issues. Be the hero on your next extended weekend trip with all the guys who need to charge their phone! As I was sharing my project with the group earlier this year, one of them said they saw one at a battery store the previous week.

The parts I bought added up to the price of this item.

The name of this item is a little awkward. The subject; "Your Amazon.com order of "FEMALE POWER PORT" has shipped!" needed a little explaining when it caught the eye of my wife when she glanced at my inbox.

I purchased this charger because I didn't want to hardwire something to my battery. The cord is long enough that I can run it up under the seat for aesthetic purposes and wrap the end around the handlebar for easy access. Works great, and easy to remove if needed. I would definitely recommend this charger.

After figuring out that I could wire a permanent plug on my motorcycle battery to plug in my Battery Tender 021-0123 Battery Tender Junior 12V Battery Charger, and use the included alligator leads as an easy access jump start cable (note: the black becomes positive for the jump battery), it just got better with my discovery of the Power Port. I bought a Griffin Powerjolt Dual Universal USB Micro to slip inside (and it closes securely with the included cap). While on long road trips I can power my GPS, charge my phone, iPod, whatever, without having to install any new electronics or leads; great idea! I have not gotten a lot of use with it, but so far so good.

Buying a Battery Tender has been one of the best purchases I have made in a while. The quick connect on the battery side lends itself perfectly to using accessories like this. This power port is perfect for charging my phone while I'm on my motorcycle. I can easily plug it in, plug the charger in, and put the whole mess in my backpack with the cord snaking out, and ride for hours. I can also run an AC inverter off the plug, and power a laptop when I'm camping on my bike. GREAT product, and a permanent addition to my riding gear.

Tags
battery tender, female battery tender,cig adaptor, battery tender cig adaptor, cigarette adaptor

Coleman Comfort Ride ATV Seat Protector

I used Coleman Comfort Ride ATV Seat Protector on a TTR 250 motocycle seat and it works great. I had put a gel insert in the seat but it still was not comfortable for my 51 year old boney butt. This padded seat cover did the trick, much better. wasn't hard to install on the bike I just cut off the buckles and tied it on with the straps under the seat through the loops where the buckles were. Fits nice and doesn't look bad at all

Add some comfort to your ride with the Coleman Comfort Ride ATV Seat Protector. Ergonomically contoured for maximum cushioning and comfort, the Seat Protector features a water-resistant outer shell over a molded seat pad. It attaches with three nylon web straps and quick-release buckles. 

                       More review or buy Coleman Comfort Ride ATV Seat Protector

Took about 5 minutes from opening the box to putting it on my seat. The DR650's are known for having uncomfortable seats. This is a great, cheap alternative to having your seat re-padded or getting an "Airhawk" cushion. Using this Coleman (formerly Stearns) Comfort Ride Seat Cover on my Yamaha XT250 and find it a great addition to the already quite comfortable seat that Yamaha provides. Makes longer rides much easier to deal with and I wouldn't be without it!

Perfect seat cover for adventure touring motorcycles. Fits my KLR650 well once you find a good place for the straps and improves the comfort. Well worth the $$!Managed to stick this on my KLX250s without trimming it. Took some effort getting the seat back on but it was worth it.

Coleman Comfort Ride ATV Seat Protector is a nice item, it helps keep from sliding sideways during turns. it is well made and easy to install. seems worth the price so far.Overall good fit with minor adjustments, it looks like it is made of good quality material, but most of all no more pain from stock seat.The only thing I would change would to make it waterproof.

Tags
atv seat protector, ride atv protector, Coleman Comfort Ride ATV Seat Protector

Thursday 16 May 2013

ATVs Minimal Maintenance Required

Minimal Maintenance Required for ATV motorcycles.Water. Dust. Mud. Together they are the soup we feed our ATVs - gobbled up without so much as a post-ride burp. Maintenance-free suspension bushings, fully sealed engines and electronics and tough-as-nails drive systems see to that.

But a diet of these potentially destructive ingredients requires a few key maintenance measures to keep your ATV in top shape and ready for more feasts of terra firma. According to the expert Arctic Cat, Cat Master Technician Dealers, a few simple tips will keep your ATV in top form, whether it's a classic or a new model.



ATV General Maintenance

Different conditions and riders make any one-size-fits-all maintenance program impossible. However, you'll do your ATV (and your wallet) a big favor by following these five general maintenance procedures at a frequency that makes sense for the conditions and duration you ride.

1. Proper Tire Pressure: Air pressure is a huge factor in how your ATV rides. Too little pressure produces heavy steering and unpredictable handling. Too much means accelerated tire wear and a rough ride. And only 1-psi can make a significant difference. Solution: Check all four tires before each ride.

2. Air Filter: It's so quick and easy to pull the air filter, rinse/wash it with filter cleaner, blow it dry, treat with filter oil and reinstall that you should do so once a month and after every dusty ride. Tip: For extra engine protection in dusty conditions, use a genuine Arctic Cat prefilter.

3. Oil and Filter: Changing the oil and filter on your ATV once a year (more if you're riding hard in the heat) will keep your ATV engine fresh and healthy. For the best results, use the new, specially formulated synthetic oil from Arctic Cat.

4. Condensation Check: Are you riding in mud and water? Water condenses when a hot front differential (on 4x4 ATVs) and rear gear case contact with cold water or mud, contaminating the oil. Dip a clean, clear plastic zip-tie into the inspection plughole, and then check the oil. If it's milky, drain and refill.

5. Boot and Bellows Check: Inspect the rubber CV boots on each wheel and the rubber vent bellows on the front differential (4x4 models) and rear gear case. If they're torn, replace them before riding or risk an expensive repair bill.

Technicians also recommend using a high pressure washer like those at self-service car washes to spray the layer of dirt from your ATV, making sure to clean all dirt and debris from the radiator (on liquid-cooled models) and the engine/engine head (on air/oil-cooled models). Spray both sides of the two front brake discs and the single rear disc. (Tip: After spraying each side of each disc, roll the ATV forward to expose the portion shielded by the brake pads, then spray again.)

With a little preventative maintenance, you'll be ready for the trail in no time.

 Courtesy of ARA Content

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Schumacher SSC-1000A SpeedCharge Battery Charger and Maintainer with 50-Amp Battery Clips

The Schumacher SSC-1000A works exactly as I thought and hoped it would. I am most satisfied with the purchase and highly recommend the SSC-1000A to others who might be looking for a similar solution. I have used this charger for 3 months now and it is everything I expected and more. The price was great and shipping from Amazon was fast as usual. I use it to charge the batteries on my boat, both the deep cycle and starting batteries. It is small enough to keep on board my boat for camping trips and very lightweight. Wonderful product.

Schumacher SSC-1000A SpeedCharge Battery Charger and Maintainer with 50-Amp Battery Clips, The Schumacher SSC-1000A Ship 'N' Shore SpeedCharge Charger is a versitile, fast and efficient 12-volt battery charger/maintainer suitable for use with a variety of lead-acid battery types used in everything from tractors, motorcycles, jetskiis and snowmobiles, to those found in cars, trucks and SUVs. It features fully automatic microprocessor control; automatic multi-stage charging allowing for ease of use; three charge rates: 2-amp, 6-amp and 10-amp; and the ability to choose the type of battery being charged. Addtiional features include a built-in voltage tester, a desulphation mode, a retractable handle and clamp/cable stowage compartment.


This automatic speed battery charger has a 10-amp fast charge self-adjustment feature which monitors battery condition and adjusts charge rate to prevent battery damage to your car, truck marine and farm equipment, gel cell, and deep-cycle batteries. The 2-amp slow charge helps in charging small batteries and maintaining large ones for motorcycles, snowmobiles, and lawn tractor batteries. It has an easy to read digital meter which displays battery charge status and test results. It weighs 6-lbs and has a retractable handle for easier portability. It is also provided with self-stored cables, system testing capabilities, and electronic push button controls. This item requires special handling for deliveries outside the contiguous US.

Schumacher SSC-1000A is the best battery charger I've ever seen! For the first time I feel like I know that a charger is actually working and at what stage the battery is at in the charging process. I wish that I had bought two of these when they were on sale. I love the digital readout, the compactness of the battery, and the fact that it can handle all types of batteries. I've considered getting a gel cel marine battery for my boat, and this charger will be able to handle it when I do. This is one of those purchases bought on a whim and turned out to be one of the best products that I've ever owned.

This is a great charger for the money. I use it to charge my RV batteries , but a buddy of mine had a battery he had not touched in a year that would not hold a charge. I told him to let me put this charger on it to see what would happen. I was totally amazed that after about 10 mins. of desulfation mode it charged the battery to 100%. Very cool! I figured that battery would have easily been $100 or more to buy. This charger is a great investment! Pull the trigger on this one!

Battery Tender 021-0128 Battery Tender Plus 12V Battery Charger

For ease of use, The Deltran Battery Tender is an excellent way to charge and maintain the battery on your motorcycle, snowmobile, or even a heavy- duty vibrator, not that I would know anything about that! The kit includes a BMW type plug for machines so equipped, and an SAE adaptor with alligator clips. You can also wire the SAE adaptor right to your bike's battery and have easy access to the plug- in. The battery is maintained in a peak state of charge, with no worries of over charging. I use this to maintain a strong battery charge on a vehicle that rarely gets driven over the winter. I opted to use the quick connector leads so I didn't have to worry about propping the hood up to clear the red and black clamps on the battery terminals. 



 Battery Tender 021-0128 Battery Tender Plus 12V Battery Charger features :
  • Perfect for all lead-acid, flooded or sealed maintenance free batteries (AGM and gel cell).
  • Complete 4-step charging program (initialization, bulk charge, absorption mode and float mode).
  • Automatically switches to float / maintenance voltage after fully charging the battery.
  • If the battery voltage drops too far under load, full charger output power resumes.
  • Temperature compensated to ensure optimum charge voltage according to ambient temperature.
  • Solid state two color LED indicates stage of charger.
  • Spark proof and reverse polarity protected.
  • Includes quick connect harness for use in hard to reach areas.
  • 10 year warranty.
Battery Tender 021-0128 Battery Tender Plus 12V Battery Charger is Great product. After coming home to two drained batteries and a couple AAA visits I ordered another tender and put them to use. Now the car batteries are always topped off and ready to roll. The indicator lights on the battery tender give helpful feedback on charging status. I'm using cigarette lighter plugs to feed the tender power into the cars.

I read the reviews before purchasing this product, and based on those review, I bought it. Completely satisfied! I only drive my car once or twice a month and since I can leave the charger on all the time without damaging my battery, I'm assured that the car will have a full charge.

This is the second Battery Tender we own and use - and easily recommend to others. I bought my first BT about 7-8 years ago and it has been attached to a motorcycle battery since 2003; the new unit we just bought is attached to our tractor. The quick connect harness makes it easy to simply unplug the BT when needed, then reattach when done to restore and maintain the battery in ready state. Thanks to the BT, I have had the same motorcycle battery for 6 years, which is much longer than my friends get with batteries in comparable motorcycles (full size touring models)

Our garage is insulated but unheated (we live in Maine) and these little units keep the batteries safely charged.

The tractor is a diesel, which in the winter I use to clear snow. In the cold weather it is necessary to pre-heat the glow plugs longer before starting, which puts added drain on the battery - and I have 4 extra work lights for night work, which requires most of what the tractor alternator can produce.

However, thanks to the BT, I don't have to worry about a thing. The little green light on the unit indicating the battery is up to charge says to me, "Let's go", and it does.

I highly recommend this charger for those batteries that are not used daily, but that you want to keep ready to go.