Getting Better on the Dirt

Who doesn't want to get better at riding on the dirt? John Stein of Cycle World has recently provided a nice cheat sheet for improving your skills. He also says that riding on the dirt can be extremely helpful to street riders, since the main fear of street riders is losing traction. Well, for dirt riders, losing traction and loosening up the back wheel is the fun part. It goes without saying that not only do you need to have good skills, you need to have the right equipment. Pete’s Cycles can take care of that.

But in terms of improving, Stein offers the following advice:

Choosing your line: Unlike the road, when you ride on the dirt you have to choose the best line. It is like skiing in the trees. If you only look directly before you, you are going to hit a tree eventually. Finding the right line means you are not only aware of what is in front of you but also aware of what is coming. The art of glancing ahead can be tricky, but expert riders do it without thinking. The best is to do it when the immediate trail does not need your whole attention.

Practice: Get a bunch of stuff lying around the house—cans, buckets, etc—and throw them into an empty parking lot. Set yourself a course and ride through them sitting down and standing up. Perceive how comfortable you feel when making turns standing up and sitting down.

Play around: Of course, we all do this, but Stein wants us to take it seriously. Find a patch of open trail and give it some throttle, and then hit the breaks. Feel out the bike. Learn to test the limits without going past them. The more you feel comfortable when the bike is at its limit the better you will be.

Stay alert: Epstein says it best when he writes, “While it’s easy to zone out while tooling down the highway, in the dirt, even a few moments of inattention can send you to ground.” It is easy for your brain to wander when you are at work, but when you are riding at 30 mph down a trail this can have serious consequences. This is a hard skill to master, and the best way is to be mindful of when you are getting tired from a long day of riding and slow down if needed.

And, of course, stop by one of Pete's Cycles three convenient locations--Bel Air, Severna Park, Baltimore--for all your riding needs.

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Pete’s Cycles of Maryland Set to Carry the New 2014 Yamaha VX Series Waverunners

Pete’s Cycle is proud to announce that they will be carrying the all-new 2014 Yamaha VX Series Waverunners. According to Yamaha, it is their “most affordable, high-performance watercraft today.”

“These are some excellent machines, and really show why Yamaha is a top producer of waverunners,” says John Leach of Pete’s Cycles of Maryland, a top seller of motorcyles, atvs and waverunners. “Yamaha has been making quality machines for decades, and the VX Series merely continues their tradition of matching high-performing machines with reasonable prices.”

While summer is the time for scenic motorcycle cruises through the mountains and valleys, it is also the time for water sport as well. Whether you are on the bay or on the ocean, a waverunner is without question the most fun way of getting around on the water. Even more, waverunners are strong enough to pull water skiers behind them, which makes them perfect for anyone with a home on the water.

Pete’s Cycles will be selling all three models, the VX Cruiser, Deluxe and Sport. Let’s start with the Cruiser. Seating one to three persons, it has an 18.5 fuel capacity and its engine is a 4-cylinder, 4-stroke, 1.8 L High Output Yamaha Marine Engine. It can come in Black Metallic or Crimson Red Metallic. Yamaha has also gone to great lengths to make the machine lighter, hence their introduction of NanoXcel, which has allowed them to drop the weight of the machine significantly from previous years.  

But what about its ride? According to BoatTest, “The ride of the VX Cruiser is smooth and controlled with plenty of kick off the line. Turns are precise and forgiving. For that reason it's hard to get in trouble. The hull throws the spray low and out to the sides, even in wind. At speed the ride is firm and not loose in any way.” See also Boating Magazine’s video review here.

Pete’s Cycle will also be carrying the Sport and Deluxe versions as well. Pete’s Cycle has three locations—Baltimore, Bel Air and Severna Park—and welcomes you to stop by and see the 2014 Yamaha VX Series.

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Finding the Right Gloves

A bad pair of gloves can ruin your ride. If you’ve ever worn a pair of gloves that just doesn't fit your hand you know what I am talking about. Riding without a pair of gloves can be equally painful, especially in some circumstances. If a glove is too big you can develop blisters. If it is too small then you will not have as much dexterity in your hands, which will make just about everything more difficult, such as pulling the brake in an emergency. These are all good reasons to buy the right pair.

Here are some things to look for in good gloves, all of which you can find at Pete’s Cycles:

·         Fit: There should be no excess material at the tips of your fingers or thumb. It is also advised to get a pair that extends past your wrist, if only slightly. This comes in handy if you hit the pavement. In case you are tempted, fingerless gloves have little benefit, so don’t bother. Also be sure that your jacket and gloves work together. Take your jacket with you when you are glove shopping, presumably at Pete’s Cycles.

·         Pairs: Have a few pairs. Have a pair for riding on the trails, one for cold weather and one for warm weather. Obviously, insulated gloves are best for colder weather, and gloves with ventilation holes for the warmer weather. Trail gloves will need to protect the tops of your hands in a way road gloves do not.

·         Materials: One rider said it best when he said to imagine putting your hand on a belt sander, and that is what hitting the pavement is like. Make sure that whatever type of materials your glove is made out of—cow, kangaroo, nylon—it will suit your riding needs and you feel safe in. If you foresee riding in the rain, getting a rain proof pair will do you good.

·         Flexibility: This is close to the fit category, but not exactly. Not only make sure that your gloves fit your hand snugly, but that the material is flexible enough. If the material is too tight, it can cause numbness and give you a lack of dexterity.

Find some of the gloves we carry here.

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Modern, Muscular and Affordable—The New 2014 Yamaha Bolt 950

Every once in a while at Pete's Cycle we get a bike that excites us. The new 2014 Yamaha Bolt 950 is one such bike.

 

For starters, the Bolt 950 is an excellent entry level bike, and, what is more, it’s affordable at around $7,990. So, you’re probably asking what makes a good entry level bike? That’s a tough question, and better answered by actually sitting on the bike and taking it for a spin. Come and stop by one of three Pete's Cycle stores and give it a test ride.

 

What the Bolt 950 has going for it is a low seat height, which gives the rider a natural upright position and more reactive maneuvering, since their weight is closer to the ground. The bike is remarkably light and agile considering it’s a midsize bike. When tested for fuel economy, the numbers averaged 50/mpg.

 

In terms of hardware, this machine is powered by a fuel-injected, 4-valve, V-Star 950 engine. The design of the bike is striking, beginning with a muscular design married to a sleek minimalism that seems to go in another direction than spectacular chrome and flash.

 

John Bayliss, Yamaha Motor Canada Motorcycle Product Manager, put its Bolt 950 design in context with trends in the motorcycle design: “A new ‘back to basics’ trend is emerging in the motorcycle world. Designers and custom builders are stepping back to a time when the mechanical beauty of a motorcycle was highlighted in its design. The Bolt’s simple design, compact styling and V-twin power combine to offer an incredibly fun riding experience.”

 

The best way to learn about this bike is to actually see it. Pete's Cycle has three locations in the Baltimore area, so come to the shop and see one for yourself.

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Come see the New Suzuki KingQuad 400 Lineup

We can pretty much thank Suzuki for the 4-wheeled ATV. It truly was the “First on 4 Wheels,” as the saying goes. The year was 1983 when Suzuki first introduced the now classic LT-125, a modest machine by today's standards, but groundbreaking for its time. Prior to that, it was a 3-wheeled world. Thirty years later, they are still a top competitor. Their new Suzuki KingQuad 400 lineup, available at all Pete's Cycle locations, exhibits just what has kept Suzuki in the business for so long.

Whether you are taking it for a joyride through the hills, on a short hunting trip or hauling the logs in your backyard, this machine has a sporty edge combined with the muscle to complete the difficult jobs. The KingQuad 400 lineup also comes equipped with a new digital speedometer, a fuel-injected 376cc four-stroke, and industrial strength front and rear carrying racks will allow you to carry just about anything, for as long as you need to. And those are just a few of its new features.

At Pete's, we're proud to carry the top Suzuki ATVs. Come on in to any one of three Pete’s Cycle locations—Baltimore, Bel Air, Severna Park--or visit our home page by clicking here.

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