Cars and Motorcycles

Archivo de la categoría ‘News’

Once they were invented, it didn’t take long for people to stat racing cars. Once that began it was just a matter of time before organized racing developed. In America there are two dominant racing institutions. The first is Formula 1, or F1 (Indy cars) that race under the care of the FIA, or Federation International de Automobile. It is a billion dollar industry that has its main popularity outside of the United States. The second group is NASCAR.

While scientists remain clueless as to the cause, NASCAR is huge in America. It is a 3 billion dollar a year industry that boasts over 75 million fans. NASCAR racing is one of the highest rated television events, behind only football for watching popularity. People have favorite drivers, favorite cars and even favorite sponsors. There are endless debates over who is the best.

NASCAR is a cleverly disguised acronym for the National Association for Stock Car Auto Racing. The biggest difference between it and other sports is that is a family owned and operated business. It was founded by Bill France Sr. in 1948 and currently his grandson, Brian, is the CEO of the company.

Another huge difference in NASCAR is the way they run the championship. They use a complex scoring system. Each race every driver wins a number of points based on his finishing position in the race. At the end of the series the points are added up and the person with the most points wins.

While NASCAR runs several races that act as sort of a “minor league,” they also run three large, sanctioned series. The most popular and most lucrative series is the Nextel Sprint Cup Series. Consisting of 36 races over a 10 months season it easily has the most popular drivers. From 1972-2003 the series was known as the Winston Cup, but that all changed when Sprint took over in 2004. The Winston/Sprint Cup has had such famous drivers as Jimmie Johnson, Tony Stewart and of course Dale Earnhardt.

The second tier series is known as the Nationwide Cup. Founded in 1982 it was originally sponsored by Budweiser and known as the Busch Grand National Series. However, in 2007 Nationwide Insurance took over as the official sponsor. The money and prestige is significantly lower the Sprint Series but it still remains fairly popular.

Finally there is the Camping World Truck Series. Created in 1994 and sponsored by Craftsmen tools, it was originally seen as “final tour” for senior NASCAR drivers. The last few years have seen it grow in popularity and since then is has produced several Sprint drivers who skipped the Nationwide circuit all together.

Yes, it is true that NASCAR has been privy to many jokes but despite that it has continually expanded its market and every year grows more and more in popularity. Something many other sports, like Tennis or even the NHL, wish they could do.

Remote key is a small device, which functions with the press of a button. It not only protects your car from theft, but also makes locking/unlocking, igniting the engine much easier.

A vehicle for personal use is an important purchase that we make in our lifetime. Buying an expensive car is just one part of achieving this dream. The next real challenge is to maintain the car and ensure its safety and security. Car thefts are on the rise and even petty meddlers too are ever present and thus the safety of cars is a constant concern for owners. Children too, often meddle with cars and leave scratches on the body and scrap off the paint. The best way to protect your car against all these woes is to adopt the remote keyless locking system for cars.

The keyless remote system helps in locking all the doors of the car with just one push on the button of a remote. This remote can be operated from quite a distance and also features an alarm for the car which gets triggered if anybody tries to meddle with the car. The alarm is generally linked to the horn of the car which starts blaring on the alarm getting triggered and is designed to scare off miscreants. The car remote can also be linked to garage doors and the ignition of the car.

The keyless car remote works on radio wave transmission and operates on specific wavelengths. On being locked the car generally lets off a single beep and on being unlocked lets out two beeps. This system can be modified as per the needs of the user and different beep tones can be set as per the choice of the user. Each model of car has a remote designed specifically for it and can be bought from the local automotive dealer or can be bought online. Automotive keyless remotes mostly have a button termed fob which is actually a radio transmitter. The transmitter emits radio waves in a frequency generally between 300 to 400 Mega hertz.

The radio waves are generally encrypted to ensure that miscreants do not hack into the wavelength and play truant with it. Most fob remotes also have a button which directly opens the trunk of the car and makes it easier to use the car without having to get into the drivers seat for every activity. In case you lose your car remote, replacements for it are available in the market and can be bought depending on the make and model of car that you use. This is then specifically coded for your car and is a safe method to keep your car secure. Keyless car remotes are easy to use and are successful in keeping vehicles safe from meddlers and thieves.

The author of this article is associated with Fob Keyless, the one stop shop for keyless entry, remotes for all major car brands like, Didge, Acura, Audi, Buick etc.

You will find many courier vans along the M62 or the M1, how often do you see a motorbike courier?

Motorbike couriers can travel longer distances and in less time than any van our car, so why don’t you see more of them on the road each day?couriers have the ability to filter through traffic and be agile whilst being secure giving them a good advantage over the white van man. In some cases our bike couriers have been able to deliver a package in under a third of the time it would have taken a standard van to do!

bike couriers are a niche in the courier industry with many couriers not offering the service, however some couriers specialise in only using biker couriers! We have scooters and bikes available all day every day, we are aware of our customers needs and can deliver what we promise through our motorbike couriers.

Late tender documents are a speciality for our motorbike couriers delivering many packages to clients up and down the UK. If you have a late tender document and you need to get it to a destination as soon as possible there is no better way than a biker courier. We collect and deliver a wide range of packages including keys, passports, letters, documents, parcels, medical samples, parts, blood.

Have you noticed that a boom of alternative niche courier services has hit London and the UK, taxi firms doubling up as couriers, cyclist becoming couriers and ‘Marathon’ couriers running through the cities to bring you goods we have originally delivered!

Is it just progress and evolution of the industry or is it pressure on over heads, ethical and environmental issues or standing out amongst an over crowded industry. What ever it is that made the motorcycle couriers stand out amongst brands and firms has disappear a bit, in a hyper competitive environment is being forgotten the way the motorbike couriers want to go out in the city centers?

Yes we are still the best form of transport for long distance journeys but what ever happened to motorbike courier’s dominance in the city centers? I have been on a lot of forums these past few weeks reading about motorbike couriers complaining about the lack of ‘quick jobs for quick cash’ as a call it.

Has the motorbike courier industry stopped fighting and now some firms just want to make quick cash. I believe we are still dominate amongst city centers due to our ability to change and adapt to any situation, rain, traffic, road closures, and heavy documents. Any situation that arises we are able to change our route effortlessly.

Filtering through traffic is something many of the new city centre couriers can not do! Come rain or shine motorbike couriers are able to deliver unlike many of the new niche city courier services.

I still believe that the motorbike couriers in the UK are still the best form of transport for same day deliveries in city centers! What are your thoughts…

Any type of vehicle you own requires maintenance and care to keep it in good working order and motorbikes in particular require special attention as their working parts are exposed to far more environmental damage than other forms of motor vehicles, therefore once you have driven it off the lot of your local Yamaha motor bike dealer you need to know how to maintain it.

Keeping your motorbike clean is one of the best ways to avoid excess wear and tear, here are some beginners tips to help your care for your motorbike:

Washing
It might seem obvious but washing your bike regularly will have a huge impact on the long term condition of the bike, particularly if it has been exposed to road works, sea salt or mud. At the least a hose down should be given to remove the majority of debris.

Wheel Cleaning
It goes without saying that keeping your wheels in tip top condition have a huge impact on the quality of ride from your bike along with, of course, your safety. Thoroughly removing road debris and corrosive materials with a non-acidic cleaner will help keep these important parts in top working order.

Paint Care
How your motorbike looks has no bearing on whether it’s reliable and is enjoyable to ride, it does however have a bearing about how you feel about it and also on the resale value. Keeping your paintwork in top notch condition is an investment in your future return on the sale price.

Chrome and Metal
Like the paintwork on your bike the chrome and metal parts have a huge impact on the visual appeal of your Yamaha motor bike, however as these are also working part of the bike it’s important to clean and maintain them to a high standard to ensure no corrosive damage can occur.

Leather
Taking good care of your leather seat along with your leather riding gear will not only provide the finishing touch to the visual appeal and therefore value of your motorbike but also the longevity of these items. Riding gear is a big investment and taking time to care for it will provide you with years of comfortable riding.

Engine and Chain
Caring for your engine and the chain are the most important things, a chain that is not in good condition and well maintained can cause an accident. Make regular inspections of the chain to ensure it is well lubricated and that the tension is correct. This should be conducted every 600kms or sooner if in excess mud, and carry out repairs or remedial work as soon as you see something to ensure continued safe riding.

If you are in doubt about any of the care and maintenance your local Yamaha motor bike dealer will be able to offer many tips and expert advice.

Opening its doors in May 2004, Waikato Yamaha is New Zealand’s number one Yamaha dealer and is also the first Yamaha Platinum Dealer in New Zealand.

The Service Department strives to provide a higher level of service, skill and professionalism. It is important to have highly skilled motivated staff in this very competitive industry. Waikato Yamaha’s dedicated staff, have a wide range of motorcycle experience, in the industry, competitive and recreational riding, and in the farming sector.

The new Ferrari 458 Spider is the Prancing Horse’s first mid-engine retractable-hardtop convertible which provides the 458 Italia sport-car performances with the open-air driving experience. Docile and reliable enough to be driven daily, the new 458 Spider is powered by the 4.5-lietr V8 562 horsepower engine. The car’s ride is reasonably smooth even on the most irregular roads.

With the top up, the Spider is essentially a hardtop, but after just 14 seconds of pushing a button it becomes a convertible. The new V8 convertible features a two-panel top that folds into two parts, goes from horizontal to vertical, and slips into a small space just behind the seats and in front of the engine. The time and attention to details is everywhere and, for example, the 458 Spider hardtop system weighs 55 pounds less than similar soft-tops. Another nice feature of the new Ferrari 458 Spider is the two-position motorized rear window that rises up as a draft-stop.

FERRARI 458 SPIDER TECHNICAL SPECS

Dimensions and Weight
Overall length 178.2 in
Overall width 76.3 in
Height 47.7 in
Wheelbase 104.3 in
Front track 65.8 in
Rear track 63.2 in
Kerb weight* 3384 lbf
Dry weight* 3153 lbf
Weight distribution 42% front | 58% rear
Boot capacity 8.12 cu ft
rear bench capacity 2.05 cu ft
Fuel tank capacity 22.7 US gallon (4.2 US gallon reseve)

Performances
Maximum Speed 199 mph
0-62 mph 0-124 mph 0-437 yd 11.4 s
0-1093 yd 20.5 s
62 – 0 mph 107.6 ft
124 – 0 mph 421.6 ft
Dry weight / power ratio 7.53 lbf / kW
Fiorano lap time 85.5 s

Tires
Front 235 / 35 20″ x 8.5″
Rear 295 / 35 20″ x 10.5″

Brakes
Front 15.7 x 8.8 x 1.4 in (iso F142)
Rear 14.2 x 9.2 x 1.3 in (iso F142)

Engine
Type V8 – 90° Direct injection – dry sump
Total displacement 274.5 cu in
Bore and stroke 3.7 in x 3.2 in
Maximum Power 419 kW** @ 9000 rpm
Maximum Torque 398 lbf ft @ 6000 rpm
Specific Output 1.53 kW / cu in
Maximum revs per minute 9000 rpm
Compression ratio 12.5:1

Fuel Consumption and emissions
Fuel consumption*** 19.9 mph (US)
CO2 Emissions*** 0.442 kg CO2/mile

Transmission and gearbox
7 gears F1 dual clutch transmission

Electronic controls
E-Diff3, F1-Trac, High performance ABS with Ferrari Pre-Fill

Notes
* with forged rims and racing seat
** Included 3.7 kW by dynamic over pressure
*** Combined cycle with HELE system (ECE +EUDC)

When it comes to upgrading your bike, one of the best investments you can make is in your exhaust system. Aftermarket exhausts are lighter weight and less restrictive which mean better exhaust flow. What that really equates to is more power baby! Now there are a lot of brands on the market, but there is one brand that stands above the rest, and that’s FMF!

Now I’m not saying that they’re the best because of my own personal experience, because I do think they’re awesome. No I’m going off the amazing history and reputation that FMF has built for themselves in the industry. They have deep roots in the biker world, and it shows. Not to mention that amount of people rocking their exhaust systems on their bikes, that alone speaks for itself.

Ready Set…GO!

FMF exhausts dirt bike passion, is what makes the company so great! They started over 35 years ago as just a small little ma and pa setup. Since then they have grown to become the leading off road exhaust brand on the market.

They Hear Me Rollin

Out of all the dirt motocross tracks in the world, there is one thing that they share in common. There will always be some serious MX bikers sporting FMF exhaust. They have built a reputation for offering some of the best dirt exhaust systems on the market.

Material: FMF’s pipes are constructed from high quality titanium. This means that there lighter and stronger than stock pipes.

Performance: All their systems are professionally constructed. There designed to allow for the maximum amount of exhaust flow. This means more power and better gas mileage, which means you’ll always come in first place.

Style: Dirt bike exhaust pipes aren’t usually the most stylish, and for good reason, they get thrashed when you’re riding. However FMF has sought to change that, by adding some style to their systems. They are curved in such a way that they flow with the frame of the bike, and topped off with a sporty carbon fiber muffler. Suffice to say your buddies will be jealous out there on the track.

Giving Back

FMF’s exhaust motocross support is unrivaled. They sponsor some of the biggest motocross riders in the industry, such as Andy Bell, Kurt Caselli, Charlie Mullins, Steward Baylor, Justin Seeds, Russell Bobbitt, Mike Brown, Kailub Russell, Cory Buttrick among many more pro riders. They also have open sponsorships for many up and coming armatures, looking to make it to the big leagues.

4×4 trucks are a lot different from lifted trucks. Let me begin by explaining the major difference between the two. A 4×4 truck is manufactured as a 4×4 and a lifted truck has had a lift kit added to it to lift it higher off the ground.

With that said there is something about the strength of each of these vehicles that attracts their buyers. This along with the height of these trucks makes them appealing to drivers of all ages, shapes and sizes. I venture to guess it is the powerful feeling all the way around that draws people to purchase 4×4 trucks as well as the trucks with lift kits.

Let’s take a look at some of the differences between the two trucks.

Cost

To begin with because the lifted truck is a kit, you will most likely end up paying more because you will have to purchase the pickup as well as the lift kit, and then pay someone to install it for you. The cost of a 4×4 will run the buyer somewhere around $22,000 – $25,000, as it is, brand new.

However, there are quality used 4×4′s available for less money, and you can find one that runs almost as well as a brand new one.

Driving

The 4×4 models will run more smoothly down the highway than the lifted trucks do. The way the lifted trucks are made it is not as easy to accelerate to higher speeds as the standard 4×4 truck. The 4×4 trucks are a favorite amongst wilderness drivers. The ability to go off road in mud and snow attracts adventure seekers who love the outdoors.

Many drivers who own the higher trucks feel that they have an advantage on rough terrain over 4×4 trucks because of the additional height with the lift kit. Of course these same truck owners say that their truck doesn’t handle corners as well as the 4×4 trucks.

The Risk Factor

The standard manufactured 4×4 risk factor is lower than the lifted truck. The 4×4 really drives similar to a car with the agility equal to other vehicles. If you can drive a car you can drive a 4×4.

This cannot be said as easily with the lifted trucks.

Because of the height you have additional instability that you do not have with the regular 4×4. In fact, if you plan to purchase a truck that has a lift kit you will want to check with the state that you live in because different states have different laws as to how high you can have a truck lifted. This is due to the increased occurrences of rolling over the lifted truck.

You should consider these factors before choosing between the two of them. And make sure you drive the truck before buying it to see how it handles. These are a few of the differences between a 4×4 trucks versus a lifted truck.

There’s no denying that Harley-Davidson is one of the most storied and sought-after motorcycle brands in the United States, where it was founded, and around the world. The company’s distinctive style, culture, and manufacturing processes have helped it become a benchmark by which every other motorcycle in the world is judged. But the company doesn’t just excel in cultivating brand loyalty to its bikes themselves. Behind every great motorcycle is a motorcycle driver, and they’ve got to be wearing the best protective gear and devices in order to remain safe on the road.

Harley-Davidson has created its own line of riding gear, and the attraction to those products is at least as strong as the attraction to the company’s actual bikes. In fact, many riders who don’t own a Harley-Davidson bike can be found sporting much of the company’s gear and apparel. So, what gives? Why is Harley-Davidson’s riding gear so easily on par with its line of motorcycles?

It Isn’t Just Leather — It’s Technology

Many competing brands offer leather riding gear that simply functions as leather — no advanced technologies, no extra comfort or convenience for the rider, nothing extra — just leather. That is simply not the case with the products that Harley-Davidson produces for its line of gear. In place of plain leather, the company offers a number of innovative technologies to keep drivers both safe and comfortable on the road.

Perhaps first and foremost is the company’s CoolMax lining. It’s no secret that leather jackets can be quite hot to wear. They’re typically black — which absorbs sunlight — and they’re not designed to allow the free flow and exchange of air like cotton t-shirts are. With its CoolMax lining, Harley-Davidson equips every one of its leather jackets with technology that mimics the free flow of air that customers would experience if they were riding down the highway wearing a lightweight t-shirt. It helps prevent sweating or the notorious “sticky leather” that many other manufacturers impose upon their less discriminating customers.

Furthermore, Harley ships every leather jacket and pair of leather pants with what it calls “c_change” technology. This technology effectively turns the leather jacket into a windbreaker and supplements the CoolMax lining. The jacket is able to ward off the stiff wind, regulate the flow of air to the rider, and maintain their comfort at a variety of speeds on the road. That alone is enough to draw riders to Harley’s gear and away from the competition.

Goggles that Do More

The difference between Harley-Davidson’s line of riding gear and competing items sold by other brands is that the company’s products don’t simply perform one function well. Instead, Harley-Davidson’s gear goes outside the box and prevents a number of other problems. One of the ways this can be most easily seen is through the company’s line of goggles and sunglasses.

Most companies view goggles as something which is simply designed to keep the wind and road dirt out of a rider’s eyes and ensure their ability to see clearly and drive safely. Not Harley-Davidson. Instead of doing the bare minimum, and simply protecting riders’ eyes from road dirt, they add a layer of ultra-violet ray protection to their goggles which blocks out 100% of harmful UV rays and radiation that can damage vision permanently. That’s a feature that is typically limited only to high-end sunglasses — but Harley’s product designers include it as standard.

The company’s goggles also allow a free flow and exchange of air so as not to dry out a rider’s eyes or cause sweating that can act almost like tears and reduce road vision. This, again, is something that most manufacturers simply don’t bother to include with their products.

Harley-Davidson is Still the Master

It makes sense that the company which essentially took the motorcycle industry mainstream would have such high standards for the gear it sells to its loyal customers — and those who cross over for its high quality products. The attraction to Harley Davidson gear and apparel is simple: it’s the highest quality, most versatile series of motorcycle products available on the market today. Who wouldn’t be drawn to that?

The motorcycle industry can be weird from at times. What’s hot today may be tomorrow’s trash. It’s constantly changing, and morphing into different genres and styles constantly. No wonder why so many companies have tried to make a name for themselves and failed miserably. There is one company, no more like one man that has built up a reputation of being what the motorcycle industry is all about. He has been around for almost 5 decades and only continuous to dominate the market. Who is this mythical legend some consider to be a biker god? Arlen Ness!

That’s right, Arlen has been a dominating force in the cruiser industry since the 60′s. His company has produced some of the most tricked out bikes you or I have ever been lucky enough to lay our eyes on. They also manufacture some of the highest quality parts around, that will set your bike apart from the rest. So how exactly did Arlen go from being an unknown contractor with a passion for bikes, to becoming the most recognized name in the motorcycle industry?

The Beginning

To start let’s take a trip back in time to when gas was cheap, the nation was at war, hippies were running amuck, and the good times were about to roll…1967. A young Arlen Ness brings home his first bike, a beautiful 1947 Knucklehead. Now most people would be happy with just being in the same room as one of these, but not Arlen, he wanted custom. He stripped it down and gave it a full custom paint job, and the icing on the cake he took home first prize in his first custom bike show, just one of many. He spent many of nights customizing bikes for a growing customer base, and finally got busy enough he quit his job and went into it full time.

The Revolution Begins

Soon after going into business for himself, Ness opened his first parts store in San Leandro, CA. He worked it part time at nights so he could build bikes during the day, but that didn’t last long. Soon word got out about the “Ness-ecities”, and it spread like wildfire. Arlen opened the store full time and brought his sons in to help him run it.

Today

Today Arlen Ness is the name to have on your bike, whether it’s a custom Ness special or you have a custom set of Ness pipes on your bike. Every year the Ness family releases a limited edition fleet of bikes. The most recent is the 2012 Victory Cory Ness’ Limited Ed. Cross Country bike. They also design and build their own line of bikes which include the Speedliner, Highliner, and the Lowliner.

The Ness family also puts out a line of custom parts for many brands of bikes. They have won many awards for their stylish wheel designs, powerful exhaust systems, chromed out mirrors, and so on. Anything you need to really set your bike apart from the rest.

So what is the real reason that Arlen Ness is the premier brand in the motorcycle industry? It’s simple, it’s Arlen’s refusal to imitate others, his sense of style and his willingness to take risks is still seen today in his slogan of, “Always innovate, never imitate.” Safe Riding!

The range of cars that can run on renewable fuels is increasing. Primarily it is about cars that can run on ethanol (E85) and biogas. There is also a certain range of cars with electric and hybrid drive.

For all those in the emissions of fossil carbon dioxide per kilometer can be reduced significantly.

Gasoline
Gasoline is still the preferred fuel in the world. 95-octane petrol sold consists of 95 percent oil and five percent ethanol. Ethanol share is limited today to five percent of EU fuel directive, but the regulations have changed. From January 2011 the possibility to increase this share to 10 percent.

Diesel
If you choose a diesel car can consumption and carbon emissions reduced by about 20 percent compared with a gasoline-powered car of similar size and engine power due to the diesel engine’s greater fuel efficiency. Upon incineration, one liter of diesel rise to 2.48 kg of fossil carbon dioxide. If account is taken instead to fuel the entire life cycle (such as air pollution caused by refining, distribution, etc) are emissions 2.98 kg. Compared with a gasoline-powered car causing diesel cars slightly higher emissions of mainly nitrogen oxides – which acidifies soil and water – and particles that are harmful to the respiratory and cardiovascular systems.

Most new diesel cars have particulate filters (Environment 2005PM), which reduces these problems.

Ethanol (E85)
E85 (15 percent ethanol mixed with gasoline, 25 percent in winter) is a fuel of mostly manufactured from renewable raw materials such as sugar cane and cereals. Ethanol has less energy content than gasoline. Consumption per mil is therefore about 35 percent higher than with gasoline. From a lifecycle perspective, carbon dioxide emissions about 55 percent lower than with gasoline. When considering also the emissions of fossil carbon dioxide generated in producing and distribution of both ethanol and gasoline.

Cars can run on E85 are called flexi-fuel cars because they can run on any mixture of gasoline and E85. Transport Agency’s assessment is that the percentage of E85, which was refueled in ethanol vehicles in 2009 was about 60 percent. With this degree of E85 fueling releasing ethanol vehicles out about 20 percent less carbon dioxide than the average new petrol car. Emissions of other substances that are hazardous to environment and health is about the same as for petrol cars.

The number of filling stations with E85 is increasing rapidly across the country and the beginning of September 2010 there were about 1700 pieces.

Vehicle
Vehicle fuel consisting mainly of methane. It may be renewable (biogas, made from organic material such as sludge, manure and waste) or have fossil (natural gas).

Clean biogas, essentially no fossil emissions, but small amounts of the greenhouse gas methane released during production. Although biogas-powered vehicles therefore affect climate, but emissions are 80-90 percent lower than with gasoline. Natural gas reduces carbon emissions about as much as diesel fuel compared to gasoline, which is around 20 percent. Emissions of other substances that are hazardous to environment and health is about the same as for petrol cars.

Many models starting and running a shorter distance on petrol before the engine turns to gas. The petrol tank may sometimes be small (15 liters) while other models have larger gas tank and you can then run a greater distance as gasoline.

Electric hybrid cars
In hybrid cars combine a conventional internal combustion engine with one or more electric motors and a battery to store energy from the engine and under braking. In this way, fuel consumption is lower. Since the combustion engine will automatically stop when you stop at a red light for example, there will be no idling. Electric hybrid cars have their biggest advantage in heavy city traffic where the number of stops and starts are great, but even at highway operation, fuel consumption is relatively low because hybrid vehicles are usually equipped with relatively small internal combustion engines.