Training Wheels on Scooter Keep you Balanced.

Not ever in my nearly three decades of riding have I seen, considered or thought of training wheels for a motorcycle. But what a great idea!

Recently, when visiting the Scooty website located in India, and having a look over their product line (see article here) I discovered a scooter featured in their line with -‘training wheels'. As you can see in the pictures below, the wheels are attached onto the centre stand- a very interesting concept! I suppose these small wheels and brackets wouldn't really be that difficult to design and it all makes perfect sense. Naturally very handy and useful for the learner who has not had any experience balancing a two wheeler, namely a bicycle.

I frequently encounter this very challenge in rider training —students with no prior bicycle riding experience. Unlike when training someone to ride who has not ever driven a standard stick shift car, training a new student to ride when they've not yet learned to be stable on two wheels is much harder. They need to not only balance on two wheels but at the same time manage/cope with the additional weight of a motorbike.

I think the big question here is however —do the training wheels work? They really don't appear that strong. Nevertheless, I'm certain this manufacturer wouldn't provide them if they didn’t do the trick. And remember, this scooter is 80cc and similar to many smaller scooters, are not that weighty.

The wheels and their small attachment can be removed once the rider is safe to ride alone. Personally, I think these training wheels a great idea! And you might already know this--I'm for anything that'll help someone learn to ride and enjoy motorcycling!

From The Heart of One Motorcycle Rider to Another-Last Minute Gift Suggestion.

Are you like me, a last minute holiday shopper and one who has a preference for shopping online? Isn't it great how much easier and more efficient it becomes each passing year !?? Practical and a cinch shopping by way of your own computer!

On every rider’s list are items from gear, gadgets, parts and other stuff which in all honesty, we can often live and ride without. However, in other countries doing without is an unfortunate part of everyday life. It's during this seasonal occasion we have the opportunity to celebrate generosity and give thanks to the little things; thinking of those less privileged than ourselves.

“Riders for Health” makes a perfect gift of kind on behalf of your rider friend--or as I practice, as my own personal gesture this time of the year. And it's so easy, I do it simply online.

Riders for Health are an international non-profit organisation that is providing health-care to rural African villages using motorcycles and motorcycle ambulances.By providing health-care door-to-door, the organisation is hoping to help fight the spread of AIDS. The project has resulted in reducing the disease and illnesses by getting patients much-needed medicine. And let's not overlook the huge number of women trained to ride and as motorcycle mobile care givers!

Riders for Health's vision is of a world in which the poor do not suffer and die for lack of access to health care and other vital services simply because they are isolated by distance or terrain. They manage and maintain the vehicles used in the delivery of health care and other vital services to rural communities in Africa.

From gasoline for a support worker to a helmet or t-shirt –there are many ways to contribute.
Get online and donate your support now!

Best wishes for a wonderful holiday time!

Women Riders Make An Entrance with Swarovski Crystal Covered Motorradwerk Zschopau Motorcycle.

Just when you thought you had it all, pictured here is a very special customized MZ Motorcycle-entirely covered in those Swarovski crystals we’ve grown to adore. Beautiful! What a way to be seen! If you’ve not heard of the German motorcycle MZ before, its most likely because they're not common today, but they had a huge role in the history and origin of the motorcycle.

Located in Zschopau, Germany. The company was founded by the Danish Jørgen Skafte Rasmussen (1878 – 1964). He moved to Germany and established several automobile and motorcycle manufacturing companies, including DKW (Dampf-Kraft-Wagen meaning “steam-driven car“) and Framo (car) . He put a slightly modified version of this engine into a motorcycle. This was the real beginning of the DKW brand: by the 1930s, DKW was the world's largest motorcycle manufacturer. After the war, the company made the RT 125, "RT" stands for "Reichstyp" or "National Model" and were produced in 175, 250 and 350 models.

After the war, the design drawings of the RT125 were given to Harley-Davidson in the USA and to BSA in UK. The HD version was known as the Hummer, while BSA used them for the Bantam. Later MZ models continued in production until the 1990s, when economics finally brought production of the two stroke to an end. Other manufacturers also copied the DKW design, officially or otherwise. This can be seen in the similarity of many small two stroke motorcycles from the 1950s. The RT 125 is probably the most copied motorcycle of all time.

It was in 1956, the brand "MZ" (Motorradwerk Zschopau) is introduced. During their best years they had a time where they employed more than 3200 employees and built more than 80,000 motorcycles, many of them exported to over 100 countries. Since 2000 MZ Motorrad- und Zweiradwerk GmbH has used RT 125 to mean an entirely new 4-stroke model motorcycle.

*thank you wikipedia sources