nwrideofdreams.org

This content shows Simple View


Reducing the Risks of Getting Hurt on a Motorcycle

Posted on May 11, 2013 12:30 pm by Abby Comment

There are many things that an individual can do to reduce the risks of getting hurt on a motorcycle. The most important thing that a person can do is to develop the skills that are necessary to effectively control the motorcycle, even in the event that something unexpected happens. An individual can further decrease the chances of being injured while riding a motorcycle by using the necessary equipment that is designed to help prevent certain injuries in case of an accident. This includes using the proper helmet and wearing clothing that will keep the body covered while riding.

Reducing the Risks of Getting Hurt on a Motorcycle
The ability to control a motorcycle effectively is the most important way to reduce the risk of potential injuries. It is crucial to be able to successfully operate a motorcycle in all kinds of weather and terrain. It is also beneficial for an individual to take a course that teaches emergency maneuvers that can be safely carried out whenever another driver does something unexpected that may put the safety of the motorcycle rider in jeopardy. Having the ability to quickly and safely maneuver a motorcycle around traffic reduces the chances of being involved in an accident. Preventing an accident in the first place is the best way to ensure that a rider is uninjured if something unexpected should happen.

Furthermore, it is important that a motorcyclist wears the proper attire when riding to help protect the body. A helmet is the single most important object that an individual can wear to provide effective protection. While it is the most crucial piece of equipment, it is not the only equipment that is important. Motorcyclists should carefully consider wearing clothing that will protect their arms and legs if they should have an accident. Wearing the proper clothing can prevent painful injuries from sliding over the rough surfaces that are found on most roads.

There are many ways that motorcyclists can help themselves be safer on the road. Having all of the proper equipment is essential to safely riding a motorcycle. However, nothing can compare to learning how to safely operate a motorcycle, especially in the presence of circumstances that do not normally occur.




New Smartphone Application Helps Find and Sort Products in an Actual Store

Posted on April 11, 2013 7:30 am by admin Comment

IBM has unveiled an application that uses augmented reality as you shop to find you products and savings, while providing you a more convenient shopping experience. Simply put, the application attempts to transfer the convenience and personalization of online shopping into real world shopping. It will be able to be used at any type of store, too.

New Smartphone Application Helps Find and Sort Products in an Actual Store

The technology uses image recognition to identify products. Then, products can be sorted through different characteristics. For example, once the application recognizes all the products on the shelf, it then lets you see what are the cheapest and the healthiest products. Another example is to use the application to sort electronics by their operating system. Also, the app will tell you what products have a price reduction, and which products have coupons.

AmnonRebak, who is a researcher working on the project, compared it to bringing the online shopping experience into the real world. As of now, the application is not fully developed. The one used at the demonstration contained built-in information, but the project is almost finished. It was revealed that the actual application is being tested somewhere in the U.K. and after that they look to become available with United States retailers.




About Harley Davidson

Posted on February 6, 2013 3:43 pm by admin Comment

Harley Davidson is a quintessential American icon whose reputation and notoriety spans the globe. This once small American motorcycle company is recognized throughout the world as a symbol of freedom and liberation. The motorcycle brand enjoys a cult following of loyal riders who would never consider owning anything other than a “Harley”.
About Harley Davidson
Harley Davidson got its start in Milwaukee, Wisconsin in 1903. The Harley brothers (William and Walter) along with Arthur Davidson became obsessed with the notion of powering a bicycle. In 1905, after the successful completion of their first generation of motorcycles, they had a new and improved version with a bigger motor under limited production. In 1907 they expanded their production to 150 motorcycles. This same year they manufactured the first V-twin engine, which is still the most popular type of motorcycle engine today.

During World War I the military commissioned Harley Davidson to supply them with 15,000 motorcycles. This was a major breakthrough for Harley Davidson. In 1920, they were the largest motorcycle company worldwide. The great Depression was a trying time for the company. They survived by producing industrial motors for other companies. Then came World War II, which helped the once struggling company by commissioning the production of thousands of motorcycles.

After the war, Harley Davidson went through some trying times. Despite developing a loyal following of war veterans, the brand almost collapsed due to the rising popularity of European and Japanese motorcycles. The “chopper” craze and cult following of the next twenty years was the only thing that helped the company survive.

In 1969, American machine and Foundry bought the company and almost drove into bankruptcy. They fired most of the workforce and this resulted in drastically inferior machines. In 1981, AMF finally sold the company to a group of 13 investors, one of which was Willie G. Davidson. This led to the revival of Harley Davidson.

Today, Harley Davidson is stronger than ever. There are Harley shops and people riding their motorcycles all around the world. The revamped Harley Davidson company now produces sport performance bikes (known as Buell) and a modern cruiser (known as the V-star) in addition to its normal stable of classically designed big V-twin beasts. Harley Davidson may have a rocky history, but the company has made the necessary adjustments and retained its reputation of quality craftsmanship to become the major motorcycle manufacturing powerhouse that it is today.




Getting a Motorcycle License

Posted on December 1, 2012 1:12 pm by admin Comment

You finally made the decision to attempt to get your motorcycle license. There are some ordered steps that you need to take before getting on the road. You need to plan your preferred route to take to get your motorcycle license. Motorcycle rules and regulations vary from state to state, but they generally have similar guidelines. You usually have the option of getting a learner’s permit prior to getting your official motorcycle license. First and foremost you will need to get some motorcycle insurance. It is mandatory to have motorcycle insurance before enjoying your cycle on the streets!

If you choose to get you learner’s permit, it is a pretty simple process. You will need to show verification of insurance and then take a written test. If you pass the written exam, then you pay a fee for the permit. Keep in mind that this is not a license, so there are certain limitations. Most motorcycle learner’s permits do not allow you to carry a passenger. So if you meet a fun lady or cool guy who wants to ride along, you are forced to tell them no. Many states also prohibit you from even driving your bike at night. The learner’s permit urges you to hone your driving skills with as few distractions as possible. You can also use the learner’s permit to attend a motorcycle school that teaches you safety skills and critical driving maneuvers.

You are confident in your motorcycle driving abilities, so now it is time to get your official motorcycle license. It is recommended that you have extensive knowledge of the motorcycle handbook, which is available at your local Department of Motor Vehicles. You will have a more thorough written exam than that is required with a learner’s permit. Anything from motorcycle hand signaling or questions about parking a motorcycle could be on the test. Before going for the driving exam, you will need to have your own motorcycle and an approved DOT helmet. Some driving exams are more extensive than others; it just depends on the state. Be prepared to demonstrate to the examiner that you possess adequate skills on your motorcycle. You must prove that you know how to handle your bike through various maneuvers. Passing both the written and driving tests will grant you the privilege to drive your motorcycle without limitations. You can now have fun riding passengers and cruising the streets at night.




Aging with Bipolar Disorder

Posted on September 20, 2012 4:53 pm by admin Comment

Like many other chronic conditions, adults living with bipolar will benefit from a long-term management plan in order to improve the quality of their lives. While the effects of having bipolar and aging have not been studied extensively, the approach taken by many people with this condition emphasizes psychosocial treatment and medication as ways to cope long term.

It is imperative that a person with bipolar continue to work with their mental health provider on a regular basis so a strong plan of action can be maintained. It is preferable that this plan of action be designed to limit extreme episodes of mania or depression as much as possible. Making the doctor aware of sleep patterns, life events, daily moods and treatment can help facilitate the development of this plan.

Though some studies have been conducted that show bipolar increases the likelihood of an individual developing dementia later in life, the conclusions that can be drawn from them are limited due to their design. Further study of this correlation is necessary before concrete results can be established. Indeed, a family history and old age continue to be the two strongest indicators of whether or not an individual will develop dementia.

Not knowing exactly how bipolar can affect an individual as they age can be difficult to handle. In general, medical professionals emphasize staying as healthy as possible by exercising regularly, eating healthy foods, controlling blood sugar, blood pressure and cholesterol and participating in brain stimulating activities as much as possible




About Motorcycle Clubs

Posted on July 28, 2012 12:50 pm by admin Comment

Motorcycle clubs are available all over the United States and all over the world. These motorcycle clubs display a wide variety of traits and characteristics that distinguish one from another. The most obvious differences from one motorcycle club to another can often be the type of motorcycle club.

Types of Motorcycle Clubs

Motorcycle clubs can have all different types including region which is the most popular. A large number of motorcycle clubs are simply regional clubs that are specific to a town or area. There are branded clubs where the members have the same brand on motorcycle and there are women’s clubs as well as religious clubs.

Brand specific clubs exist for just about any make of motorcycle that has ever been sold or is currently being sold. There are well known names included in these branded motorcycle clubs including the Harley Owners’ Group, Triumph Owners’ Motor Cycle Club, and the Honda Riders Club of America. There are even some branded motorcycle clubs for higher end brands such as the BMW Motorcycle Owners of America.

Women’s motorcycle clubs exist all over the world as well. There is some reason behind these groups that is not well known. Many motorcycle clubs and groups do not allow women to become full members of their organizations. While this is shocking in today’s day and age, it is still true. Some of the women’s motorcycle groups include the Leather and Lace Motorcycle Club, Women in the Wind Motorcycle Club and the Women’s International Motorcycle Association.

There are also a number of motorcycle clubs that exist for a specific purpose. The Motorcycle Action Group exists to protect and promote motorcycle riders’ rights. The Patriot Guard Riders exist to provide services to military veterans such as funeral escorts. Another motorcycle group, Rolling Thunder, advocates for prisoners of war and military troops missing in action.

Large National Motorcycle Clubs

There are a number of very large national motorcycle clubs that are extremely well known all over the world. One of these motorcycle clubs is the American Motorcyclist Association or AMA. This motorcycle club is a national club with over two hundred thousand members across the United States. It also acts as an umbrella group for many smaller regional motorcycle clubs across the nation.




History of Motorcycles

Posted on June 1, 2012 11:08 am by admin Comment

The Early History of Motorcycles

The history of motorcycles as we know them today has a beginning that is a little difficult to distinguish. Around the years 1868 and 1869 there were a number of inventors and engineers who independently came up with designs for steam-engine powered bicycles. The inventors and engineers noted for creating these designs include Sylvester Howard Roper, Ernest Michaux, Pierre Lallemont, Louis-Guillaume Perreaux, and Lucius Copeland. While these inventors and engineers came up with similar designs, all of the designs had distinct differences.

The next innovation in the history of motorcycles was the movement from the steam powered engine, to the use of a gasoline powered engine to power the machine. One of the first gasoline powered motorcycles was introduced in 1885. This gasoline powered motorcycle was called the Daimler Reitwagen. The Daimler Reitwagen was created by Wilhelm Maybach and Gottlieb Daimler. Most of these inventions were almost impossible for the public to get their hands on. The public was first able to purchase a motorcycle in 1894 with the production and sale of the Hildebrand and Wolfmuller.

History of Motorcycles: Emergence of Companies

Royal Enfield, an English Bicycle Maker, introduced their first motorcycle in 1901. The first Royal Enfield motorcycle was powered by a 239 cc engine, mounted toward the front which used a belt to drive the rear wheel. Triumph, another English Bicycle Maker, released their first motorcycle model in 1902. The Triumph motorcycle model’s sales exceeded five hundred in 1903.

American motorcycle companies began to form around the early 1900’s as well. First was the Indian Motocycle Manufacturing Company in 1901. The company was created by two men who were known as former bicycle racers. Their first motorcycle model was the Indian Single which was introduced the same year that the company was formed. By 1902, the production of the Indian Single exceeded five hundred. Sales and production steadily increased for the Indian Motocycle Manufacturing Company to thirty-two thousand in 1913. Another American motorcycle company, Harley Davidson, formed in 1903 introducing their first motorcycle model available for sale to the public.

American motorcycle companies dominated the worldwide market for some time. Indian Motocycle Manufacturing Company was the largest motorcycle producer in the world leading up to the First World War After the war was over; another American motorcycle company, Harley Davidson, took over that position as the largest motorcycle producer worldwide. American motorcycle companies maintained the position as the top manufacturer until 1928 when a German motorcycle manufacturer, DKW or Dampf – Kraft – Wagen, took over the position as the top motorcycle manufacturer in the world.

History of Motorcycles: Growth In Popularity

Motorcycles experienced great growth in their popularity in the early 1900’s. Some of the contributing factors include the first police motorcycle patrol which was started in 1911 in Berkeley, California. Another contributing factor to the popularity of motorcycles was the new land speed record set in 1937 by Joe Petrali, who was riding a Harley Davidson when he set the new record. Motorcycle racing also became a very popular past time for many people worldwide, further increasing the popularity of the motorcycle and driving further innovation and evolution to the motorcycle models that we know today.




Motorcycle Riding Info

Posted on April 21, 2012 9:16 pm by admin Comment

Riding a motorcycle involves some risks not encountered when driving cars and/or trucks. Motorcycles do not have the stability of cars because they must be balanced, and motorcycles leave you more vulnerable in a crash because they have less protection. Motorcycles are not as easily seen as cars, trucks or other motor vehicles because of their size. Other motorists, particularly those who do not ride a motorcycle, may not be looking for motorcycles in traffic. This places motorcycles at risk.

Know your motorcycle and know your own level of acceptable risk when riding to the Northwest Ride of Dreams.

!!!RIDE SAFE!!!

If you are new to riding a motorcycle, or are unsure of some laws for riding in Washington, here is a very brief list of some common questions. If you would like to read more about riding a motorcycle in Washington then take a look at these websites as this brief list is not all inclusive:
- Washington State Patrol Motorcycle Guide
- Department of Licensing

Am I required to wear a helmet when riding a motorcycle?
Yes. Washington State law requires all riders upon a motorcycle to wear approved motorcycle helmets. For more information about the motorcycle helmet law in Washington State click here.

Do I need to carry insurance in order to ride a motorcycle in this state?
No. Washington State law requiring liability insurance does not apply to motorcycles. Click here for more information.

Does my motorcycle need both mirrors?
Washington State law requires both right and left mirrors on motorcycles that are less than 25 years of age. If your motorcycle is 25 or older and manufactured with less than one mirror, that is legal. Bikes manufactured before 01/01/1931 do not need mirrors. Click here for more information.

Do I need an endorsement to ride in Washington?
No. If you are going to ride on a roadway without an endorsement you will need a permit which allows you to only ride alone and only during daylight hours.

Where can I find a motorcycle safety rider’s course?
To find an approved motorcycle training school click here. Once you pass an approved motorcycle training school then you can bring your certificate of completion to any driver licensing office within 180 and waive the riding and knowledge test.

How do I get endorsed to ride a motorcycle in Washington?
There are two different ways:
1) Take an approved motorcycle rider course and pass it, or
2) Pass a motorcycle knowledge test which allows you to get an instruction permit and pass the motorcycle riding test.