The post Illegal Motorcycle Performance Mods appeared first on Susquehanna Valley Harley Davidson.
]]>What exactly does that mean? Motorcycle modifications can be an appealing prospect, but a number of projects will get your bike seized by the police or Regional Transport Office. Looking for some legal modifications to make your bike yours? Our service department would love to help! Meanwhile, welcome to Susquehanna Valley Harley-Davidson’s top 10 illegal motorcycle mods that you should avoid for overall safety and compliance.
Plenty of riders find joy in making motorcycles as loud as possible, but doing so is a quick way to receive a ticket. When you modify your exhaust to make it louder, you’re manipulating the bike’s emissions system. Making an exhaust louder often breaks noise ordinance and releases harmful emissions into the environment.
This mod is illegal and occurs far too often. Do yourself a favor and get a free flow exhaust to save the planet from air pollution.
Installing your own music or entertainment system on a bike is a terrible decision. In most cases, motorcycles are loud by nature, so adding music to that equation will shift your focus and ensure distractions. What’s more, sound systems make it hard for riders to hear changes with gear shifting and oncoming traffic.
Listening to some tunes may result in your bike getting seized.
A motorcycle’s chassis is engineered to hold a specific engine shape and weight. Swapping out an engine for more power alters the entire condition of the bike to react differently than what the manufacturer had in mind. Motorcycles are designed with specifications, so always try to repair or recover an engine before jumping to the solution of changing it out.
Drivers and riders on the road understand a vehicle’s lights based on their color and shade. For example, red lights are a sign of slowing down. While changing out lights on your bike can contribute to a certain aesthetic, this practice is extremely dangerous.
Changing the lights on a motorcycle will confuse motorists around you and result in your bike getting taken away.
Removing reflectors from a bike makes it difficult for other motorists to see you at night. Riders try to argue that removing reflectors makes a bike look sleek, but these components serve a purpose. The devices help to reflect headlights of other vehicles behind you. This modification might work during the day, but you’ll surely get a ticket by nightfall.
It’s always crucial not to venture away from what’s on your vehicle registration. Adding an extra wheel to a motorcycle creates a “trike-bike” that no longer identifies with the information on your certificate. Modifications that involve adding or removing wheels alter the performance of the motorcycle and are completely illegal.
As a rider, you need to be able to view your blind spots to avoid potential danger. Removing side mirrors is an illegal motorcycle modification related to your ability to see other vehicles.
Side mirrors are not a fashion statement. These tools prevent you from constantly looking over your shoulder, which can lead to injury or even fatalities.
Cutting, welding or altering the shape of a bike’s chassis is illegal. This part of your bike is responsible for handling adjustments from your engine, suspension, wheels and brakes. Changing the chassis in any way will disrupt the reliability of the bike as you take it on the road.
Leave your bike’s chassis alone for the optimum riding experience.
Cosmetic motorcycle mods are relatively simple, but these projects become tricky with legal documentation. It’s best to stick to the color that’s listed on your registration certificate. In the event that you get pulled over, there may be a discrepancy if the bike’s color is different from its description on paper.
Limited options exist regarding alternate fuel kits for two-wheel vehicles. If you’re looking to ride an electric motorcycle, remember that it’s best to purchase one that’s stock. Unauthorized fuel kits carry the potential to explode or catch fire if they’re not in the hands of a professional.
If you’re looking to ride in style, why not check out a Harley-Davidson? Susquehanna Valley Harley-Davidson has a vast collection of new and used bikes for your next adventure. Stop by our location today, and be sure to schedule a test ride!
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]]>The post The Best Detailing Products for Your Motorcycle appeared first on Susquehanna Valley Harley Davidson.
]]>To make sure we get the most out of every trip, we have to give our motorcycles the care they need. In between bringing your bike to the dealership for routine maintenance, you can take care of your bike at home with some motorcycle detailing products.
Whether you’re looking for the best motorcycle wax or another detailing product, there are some great products out there for your motorcycle. Read on to find some of the different types of cleaning products for your Harley Davidson motorcycle and some recommendations for specific brands.
While you’re riding, it is inevitable that your bike will get dirty over time. Dirt, gravel and other debris can get stuck throughout the body of your bike. Cleaning it regularly can help the bike run better and keep it looking its best.
You can find both wet and dry motorcycle washes. Aero Cosmetics has a great car wash kit that works great on your bike, too. Besides a great wash, the kit also includes a wax that will help protect your bike.
If you’re looking for a product that you can use as a general cleanser, Muc-Off Nano Tech Bike Cleaner is an excellent one to keep on hand. After you get home from a ride, you just spray it on and let it do its thing. Besides being so easy to use, the formula is biodegradable and does not contain harmful chemicals like other products.
A multi-purpose cleaner is a great thing to keep on hand because you can use it on multiple parts on your bike. Without a specific use, it’s a good general product to keep in your collection of detailing products.
After giving your bike a good clean, there’s a product out there that can keep it from getting as dirty again. Star Brite has a protectant product called Ultimate Bike Guard. Apply it to your bike, and it will repel dirt and UV damage, keeping it in better condition and extending the time in between washes.
Washing your bike after it gets dirty is a reactive job, but you can be proactive by applying this protectant. You’re not just protecting your bike against the elements, but making less work for yourself to do!
If you have an older bike, the leather parts of your bike might have seen better days. You can get these features looking like new with Skidmore’s Leather Cream. The cream is non-toxic and free of harmful chemicals. You can even use it on your leather jacket!
Picking up a good detailing kit is one of the best motorcycle cleaning kits because it includes a variety of different products. A kit works great for anyone who’s just getting into motorcycles, too, because it includes some basic products to keep your bike clean and looking its best. S100 is a great kit that includes a detail and wax product, a cleaning cloth, a protectant and a cleaner.
If you want more recommendations for some excellent Harley Davidson cleaning products, stop by our dealership or contact us today! Want us to do the work for you? Schedule your appointment today!
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]]>The post How to Detail a Motorcycle appeared first on Susquehanna Valley Harley Davidson.
]]>Whether you’re new to motorcycling or are always looking for new motorcycle detailing tips, read these easy steps to keep your Harley in great condition with just a few simple steps.
This is an important step to do a general clean. This step gets off dirt, dust and any other debris that your motorcycle picks up while it’s being stored and while you’re out on the road.
You may be hesitant to use a water-based cleaner on every part of your bike, and there’s a solution for that! There are lots of great waterless cleaners out there that you can use on any part of the bike. Many of these products also have a waxing aspect to them, which will help get that great shine back. Even after this first step, your bike will be looking more like new again.
After you give your bike an overall general cleaning, you can use more specialized products on different parts of your bike. With a good multi-purpose cleaner, leather cream, metal polish and more, you can get any leftover gunk out of those small, hard-to-reach places and really get your bike shining.
You don’t have to use all of these products every time you wash your bike. Look closely at the different parts of your bike to see which types of motorcycle detailing you need to focus on.
Here are some of the tasks to consider doing for your fine-tuning cleaning:
Cleaning your bike is a great place to start, but a rag and one basic cleaner can’t remove all of the dirt and give your bike a really spectacular look. During your riding season, it’s smart to routinely check out your bike to see which areas need your attention. A good wash is fine to do more often, but the fine-tuning products are able to be used more sparingly.
After your hard work, while you’re admiring your shiny bike, you won’t be thinking about the next time you have to do the same work again. You can reduce the time in between cleaning and fine-tuning your bike by applying a protectant.
These products can help protect your bike from dirt, dust and even UV rays. When you come back from a nice long ride, your bike won’t be as dirty if you applied the protectant beforehand. This isn’t a necessary step, but it makes for less work for you later on.
If you need more advice on how to detail a motorcycle, stop by your local Harley dealership or contact us today.
The post How to Detail a Motorcycle appeared first on Susquehanna Valley Harley Davidson.
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