Friday, April 24, 2020

4 Red Flags to Watch Out for When Buying an Old Motorcycle








Buying an old motorcycle feels like buying a piece of history. Behind its gears and paint lies dozens of stories from the past few decades. Many motorcycle enthusiasts look forward to the day they can find a vintage motorcycle in their price range. However, a buyer must watch out for a couple of red flags that come with purchasing a historical relic on wheels. We’ll talk about the four major issues that come up when buying an old motorcycle.

Specialty Parts That Are Hard To Find

No matter how skilled a motorcycle mechanic is, they can’t do their job if they can’t find the right part. You need to know that the older a motorcycle is, the harder it will be to find a suitable replacement part. Some owners must call their motorcycles’ manufacturers directly and ask if they still have any parts left over from decades ago.

Take a week to do proper research on which old motorcycle brands and models still have replacement parts in rotation. Having this information makes it simpler for you to know which motorcycle brand you should be looking out for on the market. While you are researching, you can also use this time to wear your men’s leather biker pants. Stretch them out so your pants will be ready when you find the perfect motorcycle.


Motorcycles That Weren’t Cared For

Many amazing motorcycles from decades before could still have existed now if it wasn’t for carelessness. The most expensive, well-made motorcycles created by Peugeot Motorcycles won’t function properly if no one takes care of them. If you can, ask the seller if you can take the motorcycle you’re looking to buy into the shop for proper assessment. If they say no, then you’ll know that it’s not in good working condition, and the seller is trying to lie to you. Don’t be fooled by their looks either. The seller might look like an experienced motorcyclist. They might be wearing a leather biker vest. But you must do your research before buying an old ride. Your wallet and your insurance premiums will thank you for it.

Note: just because you can’t see any damage on the surface doesn’t mean there are no problems. The engine could be rusted over internally, or the steering might be extraordinarily stiff and uncooperative when making turns. Always assume that an old motorcycle has problems in the past and ask for its maintenance history.



No Knowledgeable Mechanics That Can Repair Old Motorcycles

As many old mechanics retire, the knowledge they have about older motorcycle care also retires with them. Younger mechanics aren’t trained in this knowledge because the motorcycles of today are now computerized and made with a different metal. So, before you purchase that motorcycle that you have been looking at on Craigslist, first find a mechanic that knows how to repair one first.

All motorcycles need maintenance sooner or later, so knowing that you have a mechanic that you can trust with your old ride will take a lot of stress out of your future. And when you are riding to the shop so your motorcycle can get service, make sure to wear a pair of leather motorcycle gloves. Gloves like these make controlling the steering easier to manage and won’t have to continuously rub your skin on the handlebars.


Too Many Miles

Even the well-kept motorcycle eventually must fall to the effects of wear and tear. There are only so many times a part can be replaced before your two-wheeled adventure vehicle must be laid to rest. The mileage that will make you start worrying about performance is around 50,000 miles. After a motorcycle passes this number, you need to demand a recent checkup by a motorcycle shop from the seller.
If they cannot produce one, then you know it has not been adequately cared for. If you knowingly purchase one that has a lot of miles on it, then you wear extra protection when you ride. Consider buying some motorcycle protective jackets. Inside the jacket, there is extra padding to provide your body with additional protection if you fall off on the freeway.
If you took our advice and found an old motorcycle that passes all of these red flags, then Congratulations! We’re happy for you! Now come to Wickedstock.com and buy some fabulous clothes so you can ride in style!
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Friday, April 17, 2020

Save Money at the Dealer: Ways to Bargain for a Cheaper Motorcycle








Motorcycle buying season is right around the corner, and many dealers are offering good credit line deals and forgoing down payments. But there is always a way to get a better deal from a dealership than what they are offering.

First, there are a few things we must go over with our readers, in case motorcycle dealers try to overwhelm you with the automotive industry jargon to confuse you and charge you more money. And if you spend too much money, then you won't be able to buy a brand new leather biker vest, so you can look as good as your new motorcycle does.

Term to Know

MSRP - manufacturer's suggested retail price - the price manufacturer tells the dealer that their motorcycle should retail for to make a good profit but still be appealing to customers. It is suggested so the dealer can raise or lower the price if they want to.

Before You Step on the Lot

First, know which motorcycles are in demand and which ones aren't. If the demand for the motorcycle you want is high, then the dealer will be less negotiable with you. They know someone will definitely come along and pay a higher price. If the motorcycle you want is in high demand, then wait for a few months and come back later.

Second, do some research and know precisely how much you want your new motorcycle to cost. Once you figure out this number, do not stray from it at all in your negotiations.

If the motorcycle you want is so in demand that you'll have to wait at least two years for the price even to start wavering, don't buy it. Find your desired motorcycle's previous models and see if there is one you want to buy.

Models don't vary a lot from year to year, so purchasing a three or 4-year-old model can satisfy your needs while keeping the price down. If not, try discovering who is the direct competitor of the manufacturer that makes your desired motorcycle. They might have a motorcycle with similar features that is already for sale or coming out soon.

Strategies




Ok, so now let's go over some strategies so you can get the best price for your new motorcycle that your wallet will be proud of.

Add-Ons

If you are the type of shopper who loves add ons and extras, then instead of seeking a lower price in your conversation with the salesman, try to get extra perks without increasing the cost. Some extras you could seek out are spare tires, a new coat of paint, free oil changes, discounted repairs, attachable storage compartment, etc. When you have your customized motorcycle, you can customize yourself and start wearing motorcycle jackets with armor. Drive in style and be safe at the same time.

I'm Ready Now

If you've ever talked to a salesman, you've heard him say that most people try to get them to panic by threatening to walk away and come back another day. That trick is so last decade. If you want to make a salesman more willing to negotiate this year, then tell them you are ready to put down a deposit today.

Not many people have the money to do this, so you'll have your salesman's full attention. After you put down your deposit and purchase a motorcycle, the salesman will be so happy that you might be given a pair of men's black leather gloves so that you can start your journey in fashion.

Warning – Watch out When Cheap is Too Cheap




Thanks to the internet, you can always find how much money it took to produce a motorcycle. Memorize this number, and when you're at the dealer, make sure the salesman doesn't go too close to this number. It sounds counterintuitive, but if a motorcycle sells at a price too close to its manufacturing price, that could indicate problems with the motorcycle.

Note

Research has shown that winter is the best time of the year for dealers to give discounts and bargain on motorcycles. It must be the Christmas spirit filling up their hearts! If you buy during the winter, you can also purchase a brown leather motorcycle jacket. For the holiday spirit, brown is far more festive than black.
After you haggle like a pro and buy your new motorcycle at a fraction of its price, you can head over to Wickedstock to buy stylish clothing. Once you match your new motorcycle, you can hit the road and never look back.
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Tuesday, April 14, 2020

The Four Best Motorcycle Trends to Watch For In the Next Decade









In the future, there will be new modes of transportation that will revolutionize the way we commute. These new technologies will also influence the manufacturing of motorcycles. The metal in their body frames will be sturdier but lighter, and their mpg will either double or become infinite upon the discovery of a limitless energy source. But most of all, motorcycles will look cooler and may also glow.

Now I know that you were looking forward to seeing flying motorcycles on this list, but we've decided to write about events that will actually happen in this decade. One day, maybe, we'll see a podcycle zooming through the air. But I don't think that will be before 2050. So let's talk about the four best trends to wait for this decade.



More Compact Motorcycles

As cities become more populated and more vehicles clog the road, the next generation of vehicles, both two and four-wheeled motorcycles must be smaller and narrower. So, motorcycles with high handlebars and sidecars will not be as common the closer you move to a populated area.

Cities will also construct vehicle skyscrapers to store vehicles without the need to build underground parking lots. Even now, engineers are developing foldable motorcycles to store motorcycles that are already tight. But even smaller motorcycles must have some storage area so that drivers can carry around their leather motorcycle gloves.

The Past is the New Future - H2

Every decade, the clothing industry altogether looks back to 30 years ago and copies everything it sees. In 2020, the '90s will be a new source of inspiration. But what about motorcycles? Although their style doesn't come in waves, many design teams at motorcycle manufacturers draw their designs from the past.

This decade, we expect to see more old styles coming back into fashion. Perhaps those who were teens and 20-somethings in the 1980s will be able to buy a Suzuki-Katana inspired motorcycle. But we can't enter 2030 without a manufacturer bringing the Ducati Scrambler back to life. Just imagine yourself on the Scrambler while wearing a leather motorcycle jacket. If we make motorcycle designs unique, later on, we can reflect on that history for new inspirations as the decades pass.

Electric Motorcycles

The future is electric. The world has suffered enough in the name of fossil fuels. It may be too early for the 2020s to have a completely electric motorcycle, but we will undoubtedly see hybrids within this decade. Two significant issues are standing in the way of electric motorcycles: batteries and charging stations.

Battery technology is still in its infancy, and more money and resources must be invested into them if we are to see a real electric revolution. One day, we can pull on our favorite motorcycles racing pants and driving for days and days, but batteries are not there yet. But when motorcycles develop hybrid fuel capabilities, they will also need charging stations to travel across the country readily.

Luckily, there are already many charging stations emerging in smaller cities and towns without less than one hundred thousand people. But there is resistance and scorn in towns that haven't embraced new technology.

AI-Enhanced Motorcycles

Don't think that self-driving car technology is only for four-wheeled vehicles. AI and smart car technology will undoubtedly be added to motorcycles and Vespas the moment doing so become profitable. But it will be challenging to have the same warning and alert systems, and extensive digital displays in a motorcycle than in a car or truck.

Sensors in a car's system that can sense an obstacle nearby needs to adapt to motorcycles. Protection and safety are crucial for motorcycle drivers, as one wrong move could send them scraping the pavement. Along with wearing their motorcycle jackets with armor, riders will soon have traction control.

All of the trends we've seen today, the most anticipated one is the electric or hybrid motorcycle. Not only will charging your motorcycle lessen the strain on your wallet, but the air will be cleaner, and you won't have to stop as often to refill.

Hopefully, there will be more female motorcycle riders in this new decade, too, for only 1 out of five drivers are women. Maybe new mandatory safety measures finally ignite women's interests. But if you want to prepare for the new wave of motorcycles, check out WickedStock to get the latest motorcycle clothing fashion. Be ready to look good for the future and don’t forget to like us on Facebook and Twitter!