Let Your Voice Be Heard! Kids Just Want to Ride Act Introduced in Congress!

You may not know it, but back in 2008, provisions in the Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act (CPSIA) effectively banned the sale of small displacement recreational vehicles due to overly restrictive lead content standards.

So what does that mean in plain, every day English?

The ban effectively killed the ATV market for children, the manufacturers couldn’t produce the smaller bikes and parents who wanted their kids to experience the fun and freedom of an ATV had to purchase larger bikes. Of course, their larger size made them harder for smaller children to effectively ride.

The Kids Just Want to Ride Act was introcuded by Representative Denny Rehberg (MT) in the US House of Representatives on January 25 and it asks for legislative exemption for youth-model motorcycles from the lead provisions in the CPSIA.

So what can you do?

Click on this link and contact your Representative and let them know how you feel about this bill! You can also call the Capitol Switchboard at 202-225-3121 and ask for your Representative by name or visit the Rights section of the AMA website.

Most politicians don’t know about the majority of legislation that is introduced, when they hear from their constituents, it makes an impact.

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Getting To Point B

When you own a motorcycle, getting to Point B is half the fun. You’re not cooped up in a car, radio blasting and kids shouting, missing roadside attractions and wondering “When are we going to get there?”

A motorcycle ride exercises all of your senses, and makes you feel in touch with the road and your bike. Hopping on your bike and cruising around is a great way to spend the day, but planning a ride has its rewards.

Of course, you need a destination – whether it’s a park museum or restaurant – because where you’ll ultimately wind up is important as getting there.

After you’ve chosen your destination, get online and visit Google Maps – the most detailed, and accurate, mapping services available. Besides providing satellite imagery that helps in preparing for your ride, you’ll also see a tab marked “directions.”

Google Maps provides you with the straightest route, but by moving the blue route line around, you’ll be able to plan exactly where you want to go. It’s a great way to travel roads you’ve never ridden on, and see landmarks and other points of interest.

Now that you know where you’re going and how you’re getting there, it’s time to gather  your friends and plan the day. Early morning departures give you the entire day to ride, but can be tough on the night owls. Mid day in the summer months means dealing with the heat, while an evening ride provides cooler temperatures.

One important thing to note is that if you make your meeting place in public, check it out in advance to ensure it can handle a group of motorcycles – busy traffic patterns, small parking lots and traffic congestion won’t get your ride off to a good start.

The next step is easy – get on your bike and ride!

Plan in advance for any side trips, and the ever popular bathroom breaks. If you have novices in your group, remember that they might need a break quicker than the veterans.

Once you’ve reached your destination, enjoy the time with your biking buddies. Sure, it’s great to have finally gotten to your end point, but getting there was most of the fun!

Remember to ride safely!

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Keeping Warm On a Winter’s Ride

Riding can be done in almost any type of weather, whether it’s an enjoyable, and safe, experience depends on a variety of factors. Now that we’re deep into winter, don’t spend the days wishing for warmer weather, get out and ride!

The first item on your winter checklist is to make sure you’re dressed properly for the ride. That means boots that are insulated, heavy pants, layers of clothes on your torso, and a face mask attached to your goggles.

Perhaps the most important body part you’re going to have to cover is your hands – they’re responsible for gas, brake and in some cases clutch. Frozen digits are too numb to respond and make for a hard day’s riding, and in some extreme cases can lead to minor frostbite.

Find a pair of gloves that aren’t too thick and are built for riding. Thanks to technology, there are plenty of gloves that are thin but warm. Remember that you might be wearing these gloves for an extended period of time, so comfort should be part of your equation.

Your final step should be protecting your eyes from sun glare and the cold air. Both of these elements combine to create fatigue and pain that turns a fun day riding into a miserable experience.

When choosing your goggles, look for polarized lenses which reduce glare. Take a hint from skiers and snowboarders, they prefer amber or yellow colored lenses to bring out the contrast in snowy fields and other surroundings.

Riding in any condition takes preparation and time – but when you’re out with your friends, shooting up rooster tails of powdered snow, you won’t be thinking about the beach!

The experts at Pete’s are always ready to answer any question you have. To find our locations and contact information, click here.

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