General Questions

There are various styles, shapes, and sizes of motorcycles for all types of riding and for all types of riders. If you have trouble handling, maneuvering, or riding your bike, it might be a sign that it’s not the right fit for your size and strength. In this article, we’ll show you eight signs that

Storing a motorcycle requires as much technical know-how as riding one. From moisture intrusion and corrosion to coagulated fluids and rotting rubber tires, a motorcycle that’s been stored for a year may not be safe to ride. If your bike’s been in storage for a year, ensure it’s safe to ride by following the critical

Multiple insurance companies report that more than 46,000 motorcycles are stolen in the United States annually. Additionally, not all stolen motorcycles are reported to the authorities, meaning more than 46k missing bikes are out there. If you discovered that your motorcycle got stolen, you’ve come to the right place. This article lists the first things

Indian motorcycles are some of the most advanced machines in the American Heritage category. Indian production is currently led by the steller engineering department at Polaris industries, focusing on integrating innovative motorcycle technology with the heritage and legacy of the oldest motorcycle brand in the states. This article lists why Indian motorcycles are so expensive,

Polaris purchased the struggling Indian Motorcycle brand in 2011 and launched its first stable of bikes in 2013. Since then, Polaris Indian has proven itself as one of the most proficient cruiser engineering teams in the game, producing a diverse lineup of American heritage-style cruisers for various styles of riders, but are Indian motorcycles air-

Supermotos are motorcycles that integrate a dual sport motorcycle’s on/off-road capabilities with that of a street racer. Supermotos feature lightweight components, smaller rims, enhanced brake systems, and harder suspensions than a traditional dual-sport motorcycle to be better suited for racing. Supermotos began as a custom race bike style but are now stock options from many

In 2013 Polaris resurrected the first motorcycle brand out of the United States, Indian Motorcycles. Since the company’s launch in 1901, the Polaris Indian lineup has been the most sophisticated, high-performance machine to wear the Indian Motorcycle logo. And because these bikes are reliable and long-lasting, they’re readily available on the used market, but just

The typical motorcycle design uses a motor-powered gearbox to power a final drive (usually a chain drive or belt drive) to spin the rear wheel. The front wheel is generally free-rolling, only powered by the motorcycle’s motion, allowing for a front cushioning suspension and simple front-end steering. This article answers the question, are there any

The Indian Motorcycle Company was started in 1901 by George Hendee, who needed a motorized bicycle to pace and judge bicycle races. He enlisted the engineering brilliance of Oscar Hedstrom, and half a century of motorcycle development and refinement followed until the original operation went under in 1953. After a few failed attempts by multiple

We’re seeing gas cars getting banned in several states and cities, but what about gas motorcycles? Gas-powered motorcycles have been a topic of debate in recent years, with the increasing focus on reducing emissions and promoting cleaner transportation methods. The question arises: are gas motorcycles really getting banned? Several countries have begun setting deadlines for

A manual transmission in a car is getting harder and harder to find, as automatic has become the default for four-wheel vehicles worldwide. That said, take a quick look at the used motorcycle classifieds, and you’d be forgiven for thinking all motorcycles are manual. This article opens up the gearbox of the moto market once

Touring motorcycles are engineered for long-distance, cross-country, either on or off-road. Tourers come in packages, including true tourers (or full-dressers), adventure tourers, sport-tourers, and American cruiser-styled Baggers. While any motorcycle can technically be converted and accessorized for touring, this article considers touring motorcycles to be bikes that leave the dealership ready for a long-distance trip—stocked

GPS trackers have become an essential tool for motorcycle owners to protect their vehicles from theft. These devices can help locate a stolen motorcycle and aid in its recovery. However, the effectiveness of the GPS tracker depends on its placement on the bike. Ultimately, the placement of the GPS tracker on a motorcycle will depend

Indian Motorcycle is the oldest motorcycle brand in America, with roots that go to 1897. The brand’s first factory was built in downtown Springfield, Massachusetts, USA. Polaris acquired the legendary bike brand in 2011, but are Indian Motorcycles still made in America? Here’s the Short Answer to Are Indian Motorcycles Still Made in America: All

Motorcycles hold their value according to the make, model, exclusivity, and unique attributes of the make and year model in question. There are variables with the individual year models, like recalls and quality issues, as well as ownership variables like crash history, adequate maintenance habits, and service records which can affect the depreciation of any

After decades of hazardous hand-changing and hefty hiatuses, Polaris resurrected the Indian Motorcycle legacy in 2013 by releasing three 2014-year models. Ten years after their re-launch, the modern Indian stable features thirty gorgeous motorcycles. Polaris Indians are some of the most well-crafted, high-performing, and reliable motorcycles on the market, thanks to Polaris’s innovative design and

Cruisers are motorcycles styled after the low, beefy American bikes made by Indian, Harley-Davidson, Excelsior, and Henderson between the 1930s and 1960s. Cruiser engines are traditionally V-Twins tuned with a focus on low and mid-range torque rather than horsepower. Also, the riding position of the cruiser puts riders’ feet forward while keeping their spine straight

Dropping a motorcycle is part of the learning process. There’s no doubt that balancing a two-wheel vehicle is among the most intimidating learning curves involved in the early days of riding a motorcycle, especially while you’re still mastering the inverted shifting mechanics and eye-hand-foot coordination. Practicing and mastering proper riding techniques is the safest and

The birth of the American motorcycle industry occurred in 1901, with the launch of the first Indian Motorcycle. The brand changed hands a few times over the preceding century, including a few decade-long periods of halted production. Finally, in 2011, the engineering gurus at Polaris Industries redesigned and relaunched the Indian Motorcycle brand. Polaris went

As the philosophical stoics used to put it, every ounce of pleasure comes with a proportionate amount of pain. While motorcycle riding is one of the most exhilarating experiences a human can participate in, there’s no doubt it comes with a healthy amount of risks, anxieties, and discomforts. For example, suppose you wind up in

One of the joys of riding a motorcycle is the low power-to-weight ratio. There’s nothing like opening up on a bike that clears 100 horsepower but weighs less than 400 pounds! But there’s a downside to everything—one of the downsides to lightweight-motorcycle riding has more than a few riders scratching their heads and asking themselves,

There’s nothing like the wide-open road, especially from the perspective of a well-kept motorcycle. Ripping curves around mountains on a bike that shifts when you need it to and responds to your throttle input by pulling you both through the apex of the turn to see the sun shimmering off the surface of an alpine

It’s already sad enough shutting your bike into the garage for a lengthy time of inactivity. You must execute various steps and treatments before your bike sits to ensure its various components don’t corrode, including its fuel tank and lines. Follow the steps to winterize your motorcycle correctly, and you’ll eventually be forced to ask

Whether your motorcycle has a side stand or a center stand, the kickstand is an essential piece of equipment. Your motorcycle kickstand has to be strong enough to hold the bike up, even at an angle, but can you sit on a motorcycle with the kickstand down? Here’s the Short Answer to Whether You Can

We all know how good it feels to put your knees in the breeze and hit the open road with you and your gear. So what if you ride a medium cruiser, throw a sissy bar on it, bungee your waterproof duffel bag, and you’re good to go! And we all know how good it

If you haven’t yet enjoyed riding your motorcycle through a rowdy round of rain, don’t fret; it eventually happens to all of us. From the perfect-trip cultivating planners to the play-it-by-ear romantics, we all get dumped on during the course of our moto-hero’s journey. You’ll be OK with good gear and gripping tires, but what

Other than bicycles, scooters are likely the most popular two-wheeled vehicle in the world. That said, here in the states, there’s nothing more iconic than a motorcycle rip-roaring through the countryside a la Dennis Hopper, Steve McQueen, Marlon Brando, Evil Kinevil, Catwoman, from Elvis to Elvira, and the list goes on. Motorcycles might make better

Motorcycles vs. Scooters have been a hot topic since the scooter resurgence of the early 2000s, despite the fact that scooters are technically a type of motorcycle. Still, there are some pretty distinct variations between the two, and in some situations, a scooter is a way to go.  But what are the best reasons to

Modern motorcycles use electricity generated by a battery to power many systems on the bike, but if the battery isn’t grounded properly, you can have operational issues.  The electricity generated by the battery feeds power to the electric starting and ignition systems, lights, led screens, accessories, and sensors.  Because any malfunction in the systems we’ve

Anyone who has ever ridden a motorcycle knows it is not something you can just quit after gaining a few pounds. There are always inherent risks with motorcycle riding, same as with operating any vehicle. Many of the constant present dangers of motorcycle riding are reduced if you pay attention while riding defensively, follow the

Motorcycles come in all shapes and sizes. There’s a bike for various riding styles and riders, from big-bad-baggers to mini-crotch monsters, but how much weight can motorcycle pegs hold? Let’s find out! Here’s How Much Weight Motorcycle Pegs Can Typically Hold: Stock motorcycle pegs use at least a 6 to 8mm diameter bolt, withstanding a

Long before Polaris revamped the headdress logo and engineered the Thunderstroke motor to be one of the best V-Twins in the game period, there was the original Indian Motocycle [sic], the company, the first American-made motorized bicycle in history. The story of Indian goes back to the late 1890s, with 1901 being the year the

It’s never a healthy idea to ride a motorcycle with an ungrounded electrical system. Adequate grounding protects the rider against electrical failures, shorts, shocks, and fires, even during an accident. There are many good reasons to ground a bike, including rider and moto safety, and there are a slew of reasons not to ride a

A motorcycle kickstand switch is a safety feature on most contemporary motorcycles. Although Harleys don’t typically use them, as the United States doesn’t require mandatory kickstand sensors at the time of writing, most other bike brands include them as standard equipment. A few countries require motorcycles sold on their territory to have kickstand sensors due

Scooters vs. motorcycles is a deliberation for the modern ages. They both have two wheels, and for the most part, in fact, scooters are technically a type of motorcycle. That said, there are some pretty bold distinctions, as far as the market definitions are concerned, including engine size, transmission styles, fuel economy, wheelbase, engine size,

A misfire happens when one of your motorcycle’s cylinders doesn’t fire. To visualize how this affects your bikes performance, think of your pistons as the legs of a bicycle rider, pushing down on the pedals—on a misfiring motorcycle engine, one of the cylinders skips around, forcing the other to compensate, and cutting your enYou may

Engine braking effectively slows the bike’s momentum without applying external front and rear brakes. The airflow restriction causes a vacuum that works against your motor’s cylinders, converting energy to stopping power without employing your brakes. Engine braking is an effective method of managing your bike’s speed, but even some seasoned riders I know wonder, is