Who says it's a motorcyle? Could be a BBQ grill...

In a previous article, I illuminated the benefits of a motorcycle cover. Essentially, motorcycle covers protect your bike from the elements when parked outside but they also keep your bike from standing out for would-be thieves. I must admit, I decided to carry no motorcycle insurance. I don’t use my motorcycle for regular transportation, just as a recreational vehicle. As such, I don’t leave my bike parked for hours at a time unattended in the public while I’m at work or at the mall. I usually ride just to ride. I may stop somewhere to get a bite to eat, but I don’t leave it unattended for more than an hour at a time. Yep, it’s plenty of time still for someone to rip my bike off – there’s nothing stopping some miscreant and a partner from lifting my motorcycle up and into the bed of a truck if they’re not inclined to break my Kryptonite disc lock in situ. But that is a risk I’m willing to take instead of paying $75 a month for motorcycle insurance with theft protection. I believe risk of theft in my case is relatively low. Knock on wood.

However, I do leave my house for hours at a time, and I do not live in a house with a secured garage, just an open carport. And I would really like for my bike to remain out of the field of vision of thieves. And a great way of doing that is to cover it up. Don’t buy a motorcycle cover with a make or model emblazoned on the outside – you’re still advertising what you have underneath the cover, right? Keep that shit secret. You have a great bike, you know it, there’s no reason for douchebags to know it.

Find a great, affordable, fitted motorcycle cover for your motorcycle:

Honda motorcycle covers, Kawasaki motorcycle covers,

Harley Davidson motorcycle covers,

Suzuki motorcycle covers, Yamaha motorcycle covers

My $37 motorcycle cover, sized perfectly for my '02 Interceptor

It also has grommets at the base of it so you can run a lockable cable for an additional layer of work for them to surmount. But remember, a locked covered bike doesn’t advertise itself. Thieves have no idea what you have under there. Heck, it could be a stupid auto parts store 50cc kids pocketbike. By running a cable and lock through the grommets and cinching it up, a thief has to expend more effort and time.

Sturdy grommet holes allow for an additional cable-lock

And, these motorcycles are somewhat fitted/sized to your bike. Their VFR800 cover fit mine perfectly. It’s easy to put on, and it covers my bike in a shapely manner, it even fits my hard luggage bags attached. Pay attention to the FRONT tag on the cover: If you put it on the wrong way, it just won’t look right or provide the best sight deterrence.

Mind the FRONT tag so your cover will fit your bike the way it should

At the time of writing, Cover Central carries 375 different, fitting motorcycle covers. Chances are they’ll have one for your bike! Click here for Honda motorcycle covers, Kawasaki motorcycle covers, Harley Davidson motorcycle covers, Suzuki motorcycle covers, Yamaha motorcycle covers. Got a Buell, Ducati, Indian, BMW, KTM, Triumph, Aprilia, Hyosung, Moto Guzzi, there’s a cover to fit your motorcycle model.
Though CoverCentral isn’t the only seller of motorcycle covers (I’ve not purchased from any of these sellers)

Motorcycle covers protect both bike and rider in two ways: They protect the motorcycle from damage, dings, dust, when the bike’s not being used. Hell, we know that sometimes idiot passers-by can sometimes throw garbage, beverages, or whatever at things when they walk by – and motorcycles make fine targets for undeserved vitriol.

I do not have comprehensive motorcycle insurance. So when I read the American Motorcycle Association article online “Lock It or Lose It” recommending that a cover is a good theft deterrent, I looked into getting a cover for the upcoming winter (non riding) season.

Pretend you’re a no-good, waste-of-DNA thief, amblin’ your worthless self down a street, checkin’ out what’s what.

Which looks like the juicier target?

This late-model Honda Interceptor…

Or whatever the hell this is?

Now, if a thief wants what you got, he or she is gonna do their darndest to get it, no doubt nor argument. But, as the AMA article author points out:

“…plenty of motorcycles are stolen by opportunistic miscreants.”

Don’t give the slugs the opportunity. Which bike is going to get more attention, the absolute known quantity (a shiny red sportbike with aftermarket sideluggage) or… whatever is under that plain old cover?

(And, for the record, this motorcycle usually is parked far in the carport. The bike was taken out for photographic, illustrative purposes. Which brings up another reason you need to read AMA’s article:

“Some people are so proud of their bikes that they park them in the front yard for everyone to admire. That just makes it easier for thieves to case your ride.”

Now, I was taken by the logic of the article. Heck, I’d want to put something over my bike to keep my cats and all the neighbors’ cats from gettin’ their muddy little paw prints on my bike. As much as they’d like to think, my Interceptor is not their park bench. How much is a good motorcycle cover? You may be surprised…

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Pros: Good looks with cheap thrills

Cons: Some bad cosmetic features like the exhaust and outdated technology

Suzuki Marauder 125

The Suzuki Boulevard is by far one of my favourite bikes to ride. It has the looks, great styling, it sounds good and it’s cheap on petrol. What more could a motorcyclist actually want from their bike? I have a Boulevard 125 build in the new millennium and I love it.

Okay, let’s start with the basics. First off, the handling is good. As with most cruiser style bikes, anyone on the big side of six foot should steer clear but anything under that you should be okay. This is because when you turn a corner you must lean and slightly pop that knee out if you’re tall. You get used to this and it’s a cool look as you lean around a bend at medium revs before gunning it.

The seat is comfortable enough for long journeys. Speaking of long journeys, the Boulevard is the perfect machine to throw a couple of side bags on and head for the road. The big fat tyre can sure take some punishment and is great for traction even when there is a light load on the back.

The tank is an okay size. It could be bigger but then gain, because this is a bike from Japan it won’t be drinking up to much fuel. The fat tins on the bike look great over the chunky tyres and have a kind of old-style look to them.
The exhaust pipe could be better. It seems to just poke out there instead of working with the bike and slinging it back like everything else. Lucky for the Boulevard, the handlebars and mirrors really give it that racy look while still being a cool, flowing ride by far making up for that matchstick exhaust.

The reliability of the Boulevard is excellent. The engine is sound and it will just keep on running for thousands of miles. At worst, you may experience some clutch trouble but that is to be expected of a bike from this era when motorcycle gearbox technology was nowhere near as advanced as that in cars.
For a good condition Boulevard from the 1990s you can expect to pay somewhere in the region of $2,500 to $3,000. However, for those of you who enjoy restoring and repairing old motorcycles you can get one for restoration that will shine up nice for under $1,000.
In summary, this is good bike. While it’s nowhere near the greatest bike it is one of my favourite because it offers something that motorcycle enthusiasts search for since their first time on  bike; cheap thrills.

The writer of this motorcycle review earned $15, and so can you!

To know more about submitting a review to have published and posted here, click here.

The Kawasaki Zephyr is not just a bike. It’s an icon, a trend setter and it’s naked! That’s right. This is the bike that started off the 1990s trend of naked bikes in Europe after the 1980s were dominated by superbikes draped in high-tech plastics and fibreglass. (Nb. Naked Bikes are when much of the chassis and engine are exposed giving it a meaner, street fighter look).

Kawasaki Zephyr

My one of these is a 550cc model. You can get them as far up as 1100cc but the poky four-cylinder engine gives me all the thrills I want at 400cc at half the price for gas.

The Zephyr looks ugly, but it’s supposed to. This bike isn’t for driving around hoping to turn a girls head. It is for twisting the throttle, zooming through a puddle and getting muddy water all over her. It has none of the Italian passion or the American culture gone into its design. They have simply got a body, plopped in a great engine and stuck on a headlamp. And the world loves it.

It’s comfortable too. The seat is big and spacious which is what you want when driving in the ‘sit up and beg’ position. The handle bars are fine for turning and driving at speed is easy enough for an experienced rider. There is little or no weaving when on the motorway and it can keep up with the best of them at the traffic light drag race.

There is some bad stuff about it too. This thing pretty much took Europe by storm with everyone who likes motorcycles flying up and down the French coast. For that reason, finding a used one without a torn seat, scratched engine (everyone will have a spill or two) or worn paintwork will be difficult. Never fear though. Because so many of these influential bikes were sold there are plenty of spare parts and repair kits available. You can even get the exact paint formula used at the manufacturers.

In the states, they were popular. There are quite a few available (not a widespread as in Europe) but you can still find them. For Zephyr in good condition you can expect to pay upwards of $5,000 for one. If you want one cheaper a good option can be to simply import one from Asia or Europe. Countries such as Germany literally has thousands of these things lying around in garages when people left college and became bankers.

Overall this is a good bike that will serve you well. Well worth it if you want a great bike that will be worth a lot of money some day due to it historical impact on the motorcycle world.

2002 Yamaha Virago 250 Review

Years Available: 1981-2007

Pros: Great looks and a good kick out of her when above 250cc

Cons: Early models has starter problems. Cornering can be tricky if your taller than average

Note: The writer of this review earned $15, and so can you. Details about writing a review here.

Price Range: $700-$1,500 (Depends on year of bike)

In 1981, the Yamaha Virago was introduced to the world. It graced the headlines of biker magazines and newspapers when journalists grappled to see the first ever V-Twin motorcycle produced by a Japanese company. The bike is a cruiser style motorcycle, which were and still are extremely popular among bikers.

The bike has a slung back design with handlebars right up on the tank and the seat curving downwards right behind that grumbling engine. This gives the rider a laid back look with legs slightly bent, knees up by the gas tank. Viragos come in almost any colour depending on what production year you go for. Popular choices include black, red and turquoise. The Virago is deserving of strong, bold colors that make it stand out from the other cruisers of the era. Chrome only ads to the effect, with many featuring a double-barrel exhaust pipe and a shiny pair of headlights.

The engine too, is also a glistening dream to look at and hear. Initial models were only made with a 750cc engine. However when Harley Davidson pushed for tariffs on any imported bikes over 700cc, Yamaha dropped the engine capacity to 699cc. The fact that the Virago was making Harley-Davidson, the most famous motorcycle producer in the world, worry, is a testament to the Viragos appeal and success throughout the years. Nowadays, viragos can be found in almost any engine size from 125cc right up to 1100cc. However I’d suggest starting off with something on the bigger side of 250cc to really get that grumble from the V-Twin, not to mention the lack of power the 125cc has if your in anyway offensive to a set of weighing scales or in windy conditions.

The riding experience on a Virago is exceptional, especially one from the late 80s early 90s (anything before ’85 and you may have starter problems). It’s comfortable over long journeys especially for a pillion passenger with that great sissy bar to lean back on. Turning is good so long as your under 6’2”. One final thing that I’d like to add about the Virago is that she’s a great workhorse (the word Virago literally means warrior – they got that right!). I’ve put carrier bags loaded with tonnes of stuff and she just gobbled up the road in front like they weren’t even there.

All things considered this is a great bike especially for learners looking to take that first step into motorcycling. Parts are easy to find on the rare occasion anything goes wrong with her. Viragos are also easily customizable with dozens of websites and companies selling aftermarket lights, mirrors, seats and tanks. The final bike to roll of the production line carrying the Virago name was the 250cc 2007 model. However, fear not! The model was simply renamed V-Star for the 2008 onwards production.

The opinions and observations stated  are solely of the writer of this article. Seattle-Motorcycles.com makes no warranty as to its accuracy; if you’re interested in a Yamaha Virago you should do your own research before buying.

Rider Review: 2004 Honda Shadow 600

Pros – Looks great and has good power

Cons – Cornering at high speeds and too big to squeeze in and out of dense traffic

Note: The writer of this review earned $15, and so can you. Details about writing a review here.

The Honda Shadow was first introduced in 1983 and was available across the US and Canada from then on and continues in production today. The bike is a cruiser with a leaning seating position with your feet pushed out towards the front end.

From its entry to the market the signature colors have been black or a candy red with different variants creeping in every once and a while. The speedometer and indicator lights are located on top of the tank which means the rider is exposed to the wind more so than other bikes. However, this is an interesting feature and Honda has made it look good by putting stylish chrome strips under these lights and gauges. One problem with this has been scratching from the keys in the ignition but once you only keep a modest amount of keys on your set you should be okay.

All engines fitted to Shadows are V-Twins with sizes ranging from a lean 125cc up to a grumbling 1100cc. However, all of these engine sizes offer a fair amount of torque on the Shadow and you should have no problem pulling away from a set of lights even on the 125cc version. The engines come fully chromed on some models with a great big exhaust stretching right along the chassis to the back tire in a straight line parallel with the ground.

Riding the shadow is a good experience. Cornering at high speeds takes a bit of getting used to because of the stretched out position but other than that she rides like a dream. The engine gets you where you want to go every time without so much as a flinch and the seat and sissy bar for the passenger are really comfortable.

Overall, the Shadow is a good bike. I wouldn’t recommend it for daily commuting because of its size and indeed the noise over 700cc but as a motorcycle it’s a lot of fun and well worth the buy for weekends and evening cruises around the countryside.

The opinions and observations stated  are solely of the writer of this article. Seattle-Motorcycles.com makes no warranty as to its accuracy; if you’re interested in a Honda Shadow you should do your own research before buying.

• Do you own or have you owned a motorcycle from the 1980s or 1990s?
• Can you write decently?
• Want an easy fifteen bucks?
• Have a PayPal account?
• Publish your article on this website!

I’m soliciting review articles and I will pay $15 (maximum of two articles per writer, more if I like your stuff). Original content only! I know how to cut and paste from other review sites, that’s called plagiarism, and I won’t pay for something that’s not of your own hand. You don’t have to be a motorcycle veteran; if you’re just starting out and can write about your riding experiences and review of your motorcycle, that’s just as good.

Your review should include the good and the bad of your motorcycle of choice. If it was ultra-reliable, did wheelies at a snap, all-day riding comfort; did it see the inside of a repair shop more often than it was worth, were you unhappy with the controls, did its performance wane as the years went by…?

Around 400 words (this posting you’re reading is close to 500 words) and a picture or two of your ride. Must be about a specific motorcycle model, and I am more interested in mainstream motorcycles – Yamaha FJs, STs, Concours, Nighthawks, Bandits, Interceptors, GPzs, ZRXs, KZs, Rebels, Eliminators, Viragos, Magnas, older GoldWings, Calvacades, Sabres… If your motorcycle costs as much as a brand new SUV, chances are neither I nor my reading audience won’t be interested in it. And, while our readers don’t come here to read about motocross or off road bikes, I do want some articles about dual purpose bikes – off road bikes that were designed and made to be street legal too, like Honda XL/XRLs, Kawasaki KLRs, Yamaha XTs, Suzuki DRZs, for example.

If I choose to use your article, your article becomes mine that I can publish in its entirety, or quote from, as I wish. I do reserve the right to make little modifications or edits to your article. If you have a blog or webpage, I can link to it. I will give you writer’s credit within the article, of course. Don’t want your name published? Then provide or allow me to come up with a pen name for you, say, Grumpus McPuppybottom.

You must have a PayPal account, because that’s how I’ll pay you. Email me and inform me of your motorcycle’s make and model – I don’t want you to go to a lot of trouble to write about your $10,000 Ural sidecar, because frankly, that’s not what I nor my readers really interested in. Then, submit your written product and I’ll paypal you fifteen bucks. That is a couple free lunches, or a few tanks of gas, for writing about your love.