Go with a 4 stroke dirt bike

If you have been considering moving up to a four stroke motor think about the environs and safety as a selling point. When a 2 stroke dirt bike careens up a jump it is prone to explosive bursts of power because of its fuel/oil mixing needs. A 4 stroke motor is a fair bit more sizeable and needs an oil pump to get everything lubed so the power ratios experienced are quite a bit smoother. Finally this gives the ground a bit of a breather because the nobby tires don’t throw quite as much dirt and the air takes a breather because the power spikes are more efficient when you ask for the power. From a safety point of view going with a four stroke makes the bike easier to handle as you manage the bike because your more sure that you’ll get the power you ask for and not the power that may show up unexpectedly.

4 stroke for the trails

The power management aspects of a four stroke engine will help the environment when you are on the trails as well. If you have a fairly good idea of what power you are going to get when you ask for it you can back off and then reestablish it as trail conditions permit. If, for instance, you see a good sized puddle on the trail you could go flying through it at full throttle (which might be fun but environmentally irresponsible) or you could back off a bit and ride around the edges at a responsible speed to reestablish a strong position where the trail is a bit firmer.

How much pressure

Think about how much pressure you are using in your tires as you hit the trails. What sort of soil or substrate are you going to be riding on that particular day? Just because they call them dirt bikes doesnt necessarily mean that youre going to be riding on dirt all day every day. Now does it? If you are heading out to the sand dunes consider your tire pressure before during and after you ride that day. Reducing the pressure for that day may make the riding better for that day, but what about the nest day when you head for a firmer substrate? If you dont stay on top of where and when you are riding you will not only destroy your tires but spend more on gas and send more pollutants into the air.

Check out the gear

Sure you want to look dope on the bike but safety is a good thing to. There is little use in looking good when you ride if the only person that is going to enjoy how you look is the ER nurse. When you pad up consider the materials that you are wearing. Polymer products do the job for joints and head nicely but they are after all oil based products. Heck, just about everything is a polymer base these days, but it doesnt necessarily mean you have to always use it for safety protection. First, stick with the head gear that works, dont skimp here or anywhere for that matter. When to look around and think, however, is in the ballistic and extremity areas. Here, think about spun fibers and what they offer instead of going for the hard polymer choice. These products are flexible and can give the protection you need if the right choices are made. The environment will thank you with one karma point.

Dirt Bikes Which Are Believed Sound For The Environment is a post from: Cathers Retreat Car Tips

This vehicle comes with sophistication and is a high-performance machine. In many ways, the Chevy Corvette shows off its well-mannered and simply ride dynamics as well as an ultra-slick powertrain performance. Its interior is very much made from quality materials that provides a pleasant and comforting experience for those who would be riding in it. To increase down force, the Chevy Corvette will have a rear lip added to it and will also exhibit a more rounded trailing edge.

This new car has certainly benefited from its advanced hydro forming frame-rail process that was first introduced to the Chevy C5. The adding in and mounting of Magne Ride shock absorbers has proven to be an advantage for it has provided the 2006 Chevy Corvette an active handling as well as an innovative ride system. This vehicle also bears the Chevy C6 powertrain as well as other technologies that are top in its class. The vehicles engine has the capacity and capability to make 500 horsepower at around 6,200 rpm. Optional is the 7.0 liter LS7 V8 engine that is hand built.

This new vehicle would also sport several color schemes that would include white, red, and gold. As for the 2006 Chevy Corvettes exterior, it will boast a more daring look that will reflect General Motors willingness to accept risks when it comes to style and design. The 2006 Chevy Corvette will combine soft curves with machined edges. It will also show off its bold aesthetic design as well as its muscular form and shape from its chiseled front, muscular fenders and flares to its street dominating attitude. The vehicle will hold a full aluminum chassis, large brakes, carbon fiber front fenders and a magnesium engine cradle as well as a removable roof panel.

As for the 2006 Chevy Corvettes styling, the vehicle will show off great differences to its predecessors. The front end will receive a revised larger air inlet. Also added in would be a function hood scoop, new side vents, a rear lip spoiler and very unique wheels. The vehicle also lost its power passenger seat along with the electric seat bolsters. By eliminating these, the 2006 Chevy Corvette would be saving much on weight. However, what comes as standard are dual zone air conditioning, leather upholstery made in two tones, and a head up display system. Options for this vehicle include a Bose stereo, side impact airbags, a navigation system, and polished wheels.

For the original and best car on the market, nothing is befitting than the excellently crafted Chevy Corvette parts and Chevy parts at Car Parts Rush. This online store has in its stock the highest quality Chevy auto parts that will retain the Chevys driving dynamics coupled up with high technology and amazing design. Customers and visitors can simply browse at Car Parts Rushs website and they can understand why customers and Chevy enthusiasts keep coming back to Car Parts Rush for their auto body parts. Aside from that, Car Parts Rush also takes care of a the task that it has given itself providing loyalty to its customers along with providing excellent products and unequalled service.

2006 Chevy Corvette: Promises of Amazement is a post from: Cathers Retreat Car Tips

The Hyundai Santa Fe is regarded as a “crossover SUV” since it is built with a car’s unibody construction instead of the traditional body-on-frame construction of a regular truck. Nonetheless, it is comparable to any SUV out there in terms of practical, everyday use.

The 2007 Hyundai Santa Fe blends naturally into the suburbs unlike last year’s model, which sort of stood out like a sore thumb. It is also more spacious and can now accommodate up to seven passengers, especially with its brand-new third-row seating. In the past, third-row seating was an exclusive feature to minivans and larger utility vehicles, but not this year as manufacturers have figured out how to install a third row into smaller SUVs.

In addition, this year’s Santa Fe also offers improved fuel economy and power, whether it’s the GLS, SE or Limited trims. All Santa Fe models offer safety features such as six airbags, active front head restraints, Electronic Stability Control (ESC) with Traction Control System (TCS), an Anti-lock Braking System (ABS) with Brake Assist and Electronic Brake-force Distribution (EBD) and the government-mandated Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS). Within the year, Hyundai will also equip all Santa Fe models with standard XM satellite radio and optional Bluetooth hands-free telematics, and an optional navigation system will be available sometime in 2007.

The Santa Fe GLS has a 185-horsepower 2.7-liter V6 engine, a five-speed manual transmission, 16-inch wheels, a 112-watt audio system with six speakers and an MP3 player, a tilt and telescopic steering wheel, heated power side mirrors, power windows and door locks, remote keyless entry, and a roof rack. It also offers an option for four-speed Shiftronic automatic transmission, a power sunroof and heated front seats.

The Santa Fe SE has a 242-horsepower, 3.3-liter V6 and five-speed Shiftronic automatic transmission, all-wheel drive, 18-inch wheels, an auto-dimming rearview mirror with compass, fog lights, and secondary audio controls on the steering wheel. There are also options for a power driver’s seat with power lumbar, a power sunroof, heated front seats, and a rear-seat entertainment system, featuring a 252-watt stereo system with seven speakers and CD-changer/MP3 player functions, as well as a 115-volt power outlet.

The Santa Fe Limited has leather seating surfaces, heated front seats, a power driver’s seat with power lumbar support, and dual-zone automatic temperature control with an outside temperature display. Chrome accents on the grille and exterior door handles, as well as a body color rear spoiler, set the Limited model apart from the SE and GLS. There is also an option for a more powerful 605-watt Infinity Logic 7 Surround Sound system with 10 speakers and CD-changer/MP3 capability.

In a nutshell, the 2007 Santa Fe has everything that a mid-size SUV needs and at a more competitive price at that. Competition among SUVS is tight in terms of power, fuel economy, space and other benefits, but the 2007 Hyundai Santa Fe fares well when ranged against other SUVs in the market.

2007 Hyundai Santa Fe Review is a post from: Cathers Retreat Car Tips

The reason for collecting is not important, but knowing the reason is. Are you interested in a particular period in history, a particular car, type of car or brochures from a particular country, for example?

Once you have decided what the purpose of your collection is, write it down or print it out and keep it with all the items you collect.

Why should you do this, you may ask? The reason is that this will keep you focussed on what you are trying to achieve and stop you going off at tangents or pursuing avenues that are fruitless.

With the advent of the Internet, it is so easy to see an item on eBay or a website such as mine and buy on a whim. This will detract from your overall collection as there will be no theme to it and therefore it will be worth less both as a source of reference and value wise.

Also, there are very few people who do not have a budget and every off topic brochure you buy will reduce the amount of money you could spend on building and completing your collection.

If you adopt this approach, very soon you will find yourself becoming expert at valuing and sourcing the brochures that interest you. This will help you avoid paying more than necessary for that so-called rare brochure and allow you to spot undervalued bargains. With a subject as broad as brochure collecting, it is impossible to be an expert on the whole market and probably even on, for example, all Ford brochures. If you will excuse the pun, Focus!

By using this method you will also build a network of dealers or friends with a common interest who will become invaluable in helping you fill gaps in your collection by way of swaps or tradea benefit that cannot be underestimated and as someone once said, it is not what you know, but who you know.

The scattergun approach is simply a waste of effort. Do not do it!

Next week I will be discussing what to look for when buying brochures and critically, what to avoid!

An introduction to collecting car brochures – Part 2: Your theme is a post from: Cathers Retreat Car Tips

An interesting fact to note is that dirt bikes have no number plates. Every year the US Department of Motor Vehicles issues green stickers especially for dirt bikes. Another important fact to take care of is that dirt bikes are not allowed on city streets as they are only allowed to be ridden on off-road tracks.

Different Types of Dirt Bikes

Some of the bikes that you might see when it comes to dirt bikes are Yamaha YZ, Yamaha WR, Yamaha DT, Honda CRM, Honda CRX, Kawasaki KX, Kawasaki, KLR, and Suzuki RM, amongst various others. Though al these bikes have their own distinctive features they have one thing in common. They are light, strong, and have the ability to handle the roughest of tracks.

The Composition of the Dirt Bike

Dirt bikes are mainly built of either a two-stroke engine or a four- stroke engine. In a two stroke engine the mixture of oil and gas is ignited in the cylinder, and thus not only does the bike get powered up, but the engine is also lubricated in one go. The four stroke dirt bike engine is like a smaller version of the car engine wherein, the gas is ignited but the oil can also be used again.

If you are looking for differences between a normal street bike and dirt bike then you have to look no further than the suspension of the dirt bike. They have a higher ground clearance and not only this; they are much lighter as well. Their tires are also different, and have deep treads in them, so as to; offer them a better amount of traction through, gravel, sand, dirt or mud.

Moreover, the engine of the dirt bikes is also placed at a much higher level as compared to normal bikes, to protect it from various obstructions like rocks etc. Also, the gas tank installed in the mid-section offers it a better balance.

Choice of a Dirt Bike

There is a large amount of difference between what you want and what you really need. The one significant parameter that will determine the kind of dirt bike that you want to buy is dependant on your own skill sets. If you are a beginner it wouldnt be a good idea for you to buy a mean machine that you have seen speeding its way to glory in a Motocross Race.

The purpose of your purchase is also a key determinant of the kind of dirt bike that you purchase. If your objective is to have fun just riding with your friends and going out on trail rides then, you definitely do not want to buy a full blown racer dirt bike. On the other hand if you want to buy the bike, primarily for a racing purpose then you must surely get a true dirt bike racer.

End Words

Everyone is actually on a budget. Nobody wants to buy a dirt bike that is not within their means. Moreover, if you are on a minimal budget and cannot find a dirt bike to suit your purpose; then its best that you tone down your demands a little and think of a middle-weight, slightly used dirt bike.

There are times when some of the best buys, in terms of dirt bikes, can turn out to be some of the most underrated bikes that are available in the market. Whatever the bike you buy, its important that your objective is to have some fun. Dont think beyond having an exciting time, riding your bike!

Dirt Bikes. Speed in the Dirt is a post from: Cathers Retreat Car Tips

Available as either a four door sedan or as a five door hatchback, the Chevrolet Aveo fills an important niche in the Chevy line up as an entry level econocar. Priced nearly five thousand dollars less than Chevys next most expensive model, the Cobalt, the Aveo allows for Chevrolet to contend for a piece of the youth market. The Aveo is expressly targeted to compete against similar models from Scion, Kia, Hyundai, and Toyota.

So, exactly what do consumers get for their money, particularly with a base model? For starters, the Aveo comes with tires, a steering wheel, bumpers, and safety glass. Seriously, standard equipment for the Aveo is a 1.6L I4 engine paired with a 5 speed manny tranny. Air conditioning will cost you extra, but the base equipment list does include an AM/FM radio, rear wiper, a cargo cover, and side impact air bags for the driver and front seat passenger. Option packages include better sound, air, an automatic transmission, and a host of other accessories.

With a 97 inch wheelbase and a curb weight of nearly 2350 pounds, the Aveo certainly is a contender in the lightweight category. Headroom of nearly 40 inches allows taller drivers easier access, but one can only wonder if anyone would find the Aveo all that comfortable to begin with based on the cars size and the quality of the seating?

GM Daewoo [50.1% owned by General Motors] recently released a new version of the Aveo [called the Gentra in Korea] that currently is only available in Asia. The new Gentra/Aveo incorporates a rounder exterior departing from the dated wedged shape of the current Aveo. No official word as of this writing if and when the new model will make its American debut.

While the Aveo is certain not to win many awards, it does provide for consumers possessing limited means an affordable mode of transportation. For Chevrolet, who was lacking a basic home grown model, the Aveo brings in buyers who might have otherwise bypassed Chevy dealers and headed directly to Scion or Kia for their first car. Beyond that the Aveo is a truly forgettable car and first time buyers may want to consider a good used car instead.

2006 Chevrolet Aveo: Americas Price Leader is a post from: Cathers Retreat Car Tips

Two decades ago, Hyundai entered the North American market with its $3600 Excel Pony. This cheaply priced, cheaply built model set the tone for the new importer and it wasnt a good one at that. Low quality went arm and arm with the low price, but consumers still bought Hyundais anyway as a new Excel compared favorably with prices for late model used cars of that era. Many owners shrugged off the cheap plastics and quality problems, citing that the Pony gave them something they never had before: a brand new car.

Eventually, Hyundai expanded its line up and improved its quality levels. An industry best warranty plan was crafted and put in place which helped to underscore that Hyundai was serious about building quality vehicles and would stand behind their many products. Mysteriously, a minivan was not part of the line up even as its Kia subsidiary successfully introduced the Sedona and as demand for minivans remained strong.

Rumors of a Hyundai minivan have been circulating for several years. Even previous company press releases hinted at the possibility, but no official announcement had been forthcoming. Finally, late in 2005, Hyundai signaled that they would go ahead and produce a minivan based on the stretched wheelbase version of the Kia Sedona. No short wheelbase van is planned, so the Entourage will clearly target a slightly higher and more lucrative end of the minivan market.

With a 3.8L V6 engine, power sliding doors, ABS, traction control, six airbags, and triple zone air conditioning, the Entourage will be equipped to compete directly against four popular models: the Dodge Caravan, Chrysler Town & Country, Honda Odyssey, and the Toyota Sienna. Based on the Sedona, Hyundai does have its work cut out for itself as the Sedona has been below average in quality and reliability.

To Hyundais advantage will be its competitive pricing and with Ford out of the market and General Motors considering doing the same, Hyundais focus will be set squarely on competing against the two Chrysler products as well as the pricey Honda and Sienna models. While Chrysler is currently the sales leader in this segment, a smartly optioned Entourage will probably grab sales from fully equipped versions of each model. This will not happen if quality levels do not improve.

Knowing the competitiveness of this Korean automaker, you can expect that the Entourage will present a strong battle once quality issues have been overcome. Should that happen, you can expect that the Hyundai Entourage and Kia Sedona will grab more sales and become a force to be reckoned with. The consumer may be the biggest winner as prices are likely to hold or even come down in the face of strong competition.

2007 Hyundai Entourage: The Minivan Wars Heat Up is a post from: Cathers Retreat Car Tips

In the face of soaring gasoline prices pushed by crude oil prices hitting $75 per barrel, nearly 60 percent of those questioned said they favor oil production in ANWR.

“These are very strong results,” said Paul Phillips, PACWEST’s president. “Congress has failed previously in numerous attempts to pass legislation opening ANWR’s vast oil and gas reserves. Hopefully, they will now be more responsive to the will of the people and address the people’s energy needs.”

On numerous occasions, the powerful environmental lobby has defeated attempts to open ANWR, claiming that production there would harm the environment. However, as Phillips points out, it had no such qualms when the Clinton administration proposed oil production on another section of Alaska’s North Slope.

In fact, Mr. Clinton’s Department of Energy published an extensive report in 1999 entitled “Environmental Benefits of Advanced Oil and Gas Exploration and Production Technology.” That report found, “From the tundra of Alaska to the wetlands of Louisiana, a host of advanced technologies enable the oil and gas industry to produce resources far beneath sensitive environments.”

It describes techniques such as building ice roads for moving equipment that simply disappear without a trace when summer comes to the Arctic and directional drilling that allows many wells to be put down from a single location. These and other techniques would enable the production of oil and gas using just 2,000 of ANWR’s 19,500,000 acres.

Should the Congress vote to open ANWR to oil production, Phillips said, the effect of driving prices down could be immediate, even though actual production would be some years away.

“Much of the price of oil is based on speculation that there will be shortages in the future,” Phillips noted. “Any action which might even slightly lessen such shortages could have a strong impact on prices.”

Opening ANWR could well be just such an action. The U.S. Department of Energy has estimated ANWR could hold as much as 16 billion barrels of oil. That is an amount equal to 30 years of imports from Saudi Arabia. Peak production, it is estimated, would yield approximately 1.5 million barrels per day, or about 7.5 percent of this country’s daily usage–enough, according to experts, to impact world prices.

Americans Want American Energy is a post from: Cathers Retreat Car Tips

While dirt bike racing and motocross is normally done on designated tracks that are set out and predefined, dirt bike trails are the equivalent of free ride. In some areas you can just head off to a decent dirt bike trail and ride how you want and where you want. Obviously there are usually some pretty basic rules to try and encourage safe riding and lower the risks of dangerous accidents but if you see a better route, you can take it.

There are many different difficulties of dirt bike trails; ranging from beginner trails to difficult trails and if youre new to trailing then you should start at the very beginning and work your way up as you gain more confidence, skill and exposure.

What are trails bikes?

Trails bikes are different to other types of dirt bikes, because they are designed for use both on and off road and while the ride on the road can be quite bumpy the bike gives you the perfect way to get you from one trail to the next. Obviously, this compatibility for both road and track means that the bikes are an all-rounder; they are good for roads and good for tracks but not exceptional at either.

The freedom that trails bikes and trail racing offers means that trail riding has a massive following and many trail bikers will tell you that its the only real dirt bike riding there is.

Can anyone try dirt bike trails?

Trails are an easily accessible form of dirt bike riding but in order to ride your trail bike on the road you will, of course, need the same license, tax and certificates as you would with a standard road bike. To ride them on a trail, though, this isnt necessary although some more organized trails will only consider experienced riders so check before you travel. There are many trails all over the world, and in some areas of the world you dont have to use the predefined trails, but you should always take care when riding anywhere that there may be unseen obstacles or pedestrians.

There are groups of people all over the world who travel together to find the best trails and even a cursory glance on the Internet can find a plethora of sites offering details, directions and even riders guides to some of the best trails in the world. If youve got a bit of money to spare you can sign up to a premium site and get new trails added as and when they are opened or discovered. These have details of some of the more obscure trails in the world sourced by professional die-hard trail bikers.

Dirt Bike Trails is a post from: Cathers Retreat Car Tips

If you are a fan of the Buick brand you have witnessed your fair share of changes over the past five years. Gone are the Park Avenue, LeSabre, Century, and Regal, and in its place are the Rendezvous, the Rainier, LaCrosse, Terrazza, and the Lucerne. All the changes are the result of General Motors broad realignment strategy in the wake of retiring the Oldsmobile brand, lifting Saturn into the fold, and setting strategy to compete against the nonstop onslaught of foreign brands including Toyota, Lexus, Nissan, and Infiniti.

One look at the Buick and you will notice a strong resemblance to the Cadillac DTS. The Buicks oval grille sets it apart from the Cadillacs firm nose, but a cursory examination of the body lines tells you that these cars are in fact twins. In the past, Buicks were essentially stripped down versions of Cadillacs, while Oldsmobile and Pontiac were more luxurious or sportier versions of Chevrolet models. Clearly, GM is repositioning Buick to have a more distinct near luxury look without stepping on Cadillacs toes, while giving the Buick division a much needed replacement for the aging Park Avenue.

For the car shopper, the Lucerne is value priced, arriving at in showrooms at just under 27K. With a standard 3.8 V6, the automaker can claim decent fuel mileage of 19 mpg city and 28 mpg highway. In these days of hyped up gas prices, favorable fuel economy is a keen marketing tool, but expect many buyers to opt for the ultra powerful Northstar V8 instead. Why? Because, if they want to purchase a Buick, they likely will want the power to go along with the luxury. It remains to be seen how well the V6 operates in a car that is 203 inches long and weighing in at nearly two tons.

Standard equipment for the Lucerne includes the following: power windows, door locks, and mirrors; side curtain air bags for the front seat; theft deterrent system; OnStar; keyless entry; and more.

The optional equipment list is expansive and can easily drive the starting price of the top of the line CSX to over 35K. For that price you receive heated power seats with lumbar support; a memory package that adjusts the seats, mirrors, radio, and climate control to each drivers specifications; sport leather steering wheel with built in controls; and more.

A fully loaded Lucerne is still several thousand dollars less than the DTS, making the Lucerne a value leader in the luxury car category. Still, Buick has its work cut out for it as competition from foreign brands including Acura, BMW, and Lexus continue to hammer away at GMs near luxury division. Fortunately, quality levels for all Buicks remain very high so combining that level of success with a strong price may help the Lucerne compete admirably.

2006 Buick Lucerne: Return of the V8 is a post from: Cathers Retreat Car Tips