6. Choose your companions carefully. You don’t have to ride alone, in fact riding is often a social activity. Just remember to pick your riding pack carefully. You should be riding with someone who takes the fact that you are at a beginner’s level seriously and isn’t daring you to ride beyond your limits. Riding with others can help to improve your skills, if they are responsible and experienced. Your friends should be able to understand that you are still learning and may be a little more hesitant when it comes to corners and overall speed. If your companions are pushing you to go out of your comfort zone, you’d be better off riding alone. Also, we know you may want to show off your skills, but avoid riding with a passenger until you have ample experience under your belt. The added weight distribution can be difficult to maneuver, and trust us, you won’t look cool if you crash.

7. Conduct a pre-ride inspection. Your bike should be completely ready to go before you hop on. In a car you can adjust certain things while driving like your mirrors, but on a motorcycle that’s all a part of the pre-ride inspection. Remember to check your chain, belt, or drive shaft before your ride depending on the type of bike you have. You should also make sure your oil, coolant, and any other fluids are not leaking. Be sure to inspect your front forks for fluid leakage as well. If anything is leaking you should bring your bike to a trusted mechanic. Make sure that all of your lights, horn, and brakes are working properly before you ride. Remember to check your tire pressures as well. Things like dimmed lights, improper brakes, and under or over inflated tires can directly effect your safety on the road. Proper and routine motorcycle maintenance can reduce your risk of an accident.

8. Consider yourself invisible. This is probably one of the best mindsets a rider can have in order to avoid an accident. Even if you make direct eye contact with another driver never assume they actually saw you or will continue to look out for you after that split second. Help other drivers to see you by avoiding all black bikes and black gear. Wear high visibility colors that will reflect off headlights, making you noticeable to other motorists night and day. Even when you have the right of way, don’t assume other vehicles have seen you, watch your surroundings with every move. One of the best things you can learn as a rider is to depend on yourself. Always keep an extra eye out for other drivers and use the advantages of your bike to maneuver yourself out of their way and into a safe zone.

9. Be a defensive rider. If you depend on other drivers to ensure your safety, you’re just an accident waiting to happen. You already know you’re mostly invisible to other motorists, so that means your safety is in your own hands. Motorcyclists know that every distraction could easily result in an accident, and in the age of cell phones and texting, drivers are more distracted than ever. Look out for cars quickly changing lanes and pulling onto streets where it is more likely they might not see you. Remember to keep a safe distance, never tailgate, and always have an exit strategy. You need proper room to react to the car and the road. Don’t forget that things like pot holes and sewer drains may be fine in a car but can easily crash your bike. On a bike you need to be aware of your surroundings at all times. Be attentive, because any sort of distraction can result in a collision. Remember on a motorcycle the only thing you can truly control is how you ride.

10. Watch for the weather. Once you start getting the hang of basic riding, remember that hazards increase with the weather. You will inevitably get caught in the rain at some point, and when you do you need to be prepared. Just follow our helpful guide to finding the perfect motorcycle rain jacket in order to keep you safe and dry no matter what weather comes your way. Rain will make the roads slippery which effects the grip of your tires, and don’t forget how hard it can be to see. You should ride slower and be more gentle on your brakes to reduce sliding on wet pavement. High winds can push you from side to side so be aware of your weight distribution and carry a windbreaker. All weather patterns come with added concerns on the road. When you are on a bike you are directly exposed, so wear proper protective gear, slow down, and ride safe. When in doubt pull off and wait for the storm to pass.

We hope our guide has inspired you to ride safely and responsibly so that you become a rider for life. Don’t forget to check out Part 1 of Beginner’s Guide to Ride for more tips on starting a life on two wheels.

If you require additional help finding proper protective gear for night, day, or any risky weather patterns, just give us a call! Our expert sales team is here for you by phone 10AM-6PM ET M-F 1-866-931-6644 or email at support@ridersdiscount.com.

May brings us flowers, new riders, and hopefully a new dedication to safety for every motorcyclist. May has been designated Motorcycle Safety Awareness month, so we want to remind you to ride responsibly on every ride. Be a rider for life by riding defensively. Every step you take for a safe ride will keep you on the road and out of harms way.

The post Beginner’s Guide to Ride: Part 2 appeared first on Riders Discount.

Saturday did not go quite as planned for the Riders Discount Triumph crew.  Electronic issues disrupted second qualifying, and a high side in turn 13 on lap two of race one left the crew rebuilding the second bike under AMA Pro Racing’s new one bike rule.  Asked about his 103 mph crash Danny said, “I’m a little bit beat up, banged up, bruised, but my pride’s probably hurt more than any of it.  I think it was 2008 since I’ve last crashed out of a race.  It’s a bit of a disappointment for me, that was a pretty good run I had going there.”

Sunday was the dawn of a new day.  A new engine, and a new chassis meant Danny would be riding a completely different motorcycle.  Danny started in fifth position until fourth place Triumph’s Jason Disalvo suffered mechanical issues allowing Danny to slot into fourth for the remainder of the race, finishing as the top Triumph rider.  “Today’s race was pretty uneventful for me,” Danny said Sunday.  “I was just trying to salvage the best finish I could and stay in line for the championship.”

“After a rough weekend like ours it definitely let’s you know what your team and rider are made of,” said Riders Discount Triumph team owner, Brian Gibson.  “After a 103 mph high side crash for Danny and the team having to completely build a new bike, it showed we have one tough rider and a great crew.  Not only did we make the race Sunday we were able to battle and finish with a very solid fourth place position.  With that being said, I can only thank the whole Riders Discount Triumph team for salvaging a very difficult weekend and keeping us in a strong second position in the championship.”

Danny and the Riders Discount Triumph team hold second place in the AMA Pro GoPro Daytona SportBike Championship and are looking forward to the Triumph SuperBike Classic at Barber Motorsports Park in a little under three weeks. 

Riders Discount would like to thank all of our sponsors: Triumph Motorcycles, Speed and Strength, Akrapovic, Attack Performance, Renthal, Andrew Swenson Design, Zero Gravity, GB Racing, Capit Performance, Motion Pro, DynoJet, DrippinWet.com, Fast Frank Racing, Spiegler, Castrol, and Sharkskinz Racing Bodies. 

About RidersDiscount.com:

Riders Discount (www.ridersdiscount.com) is an online retailer of quality powersports gear, apparel, and accessories. A company founded by racers, RidersDiscount.com ships equipment for every riding style to customers worldwide, backed by knowledgeable sales team and excellent customer service.

Triumph Motorcycles (www.TriumphMotorcycles.com) is the British motorcycle marque that produces a wide range of sport, cruiser, adventure and touring motorcycles. From the storied Bonneville to the class-leading Speed Triple and Daytona 675R, Triumph offers a blend of design, character and performance that result in truly distinctive motorcycles. First established in 1902 and now located in Hinckley, Leicestershire, England, Triumph has always set the pace for category-winning machines. The company is solely owned by Bloor Holdings Ltd. and its North American operations are based in Atlanta.

Danny Eslick (http://www.eslick69.com) The Ultimate experience for all fans of Danny Eslick Racing. Check back often for all the latest news, photos, videos, and rider profiles. 

The post Riders Discount Triumph Finishes the AMA Pro Subway SuperBike Doubleheader on a Positive Note appeared first on Riders Discount.

Essentially the top half of their race replica suit, this jacket is not going to be your preferred jacket to go to the mall. This is an aggressively cut, race fit jacket made for spirited rides on your favorite road. A full 360 zip allows you to attach the optional GP Plus pants allowing you to take it to the track as well.

Available in black/white, and white/red.

The Alpinestars GP Tech Air leather jacket stays plenty cool on those hot summer rides with full perforation along the front panel and back panel. The jacket goes above and beyond with additional ventilation along the top of the GP hump and arms. Don’t worry, Alpinestars includes a removable windproof vest for the early morning or late evening rides.

As with their race suits, Alpinestars includes a foam back pad. We highly recommend adding the optional Alpinestars Bionic Race back protector that snaps in to the jacket itself. The jacket also includes pockets to add optional Alpinestars Bionic Chest inserts. Both are available from Riders Discount, be sure to ask about these optional additions when you place your order.

External thermoplastic protection

Plenty of ventilation with the Alpinestars GP Tech Air Jacket

For more information, help with sizing, or if you’d like to place an order give us a call at 866.931.6644. You can also send an email to SUPPORT at RIDERSDISCOUNT dot COM and we’ll get back to you right away!

The post Alpinestars GP Tech Air Leather Jacket appeared first on Riders Discount.

More on the RS-1: The Bell RS-1 is a SNELL M2010 and DOT that sits in a sweet spot, both performance and price-wise. The sleek, aggressively shaped shell is made from a Kevlar/Fiberglass composite that makes it both strong and lightweight. The RS-1’s shell cuts a profile that is similar to that of the Bell Star, which results in an excellent aerodynamic balance that keeps buffeting to a minimum. Air also flows through the helmet very well. The Velocity Flow Ventilation system is adjustable and quietly keeps your head cool.

Internally, the Bell RS-1 is a comfortable place to be. The lining and cheek pads feel very plush on the skin, right out of the box. They also break in quickly. An Agion Antibacterial treatment helps keep things fresh, but the lining is fully removable and washable in case things get a bit too sweaty. The RS-1 comes with a clear NutraFog II anti-fog/anti-scratch shield, which is the same as the Star. The ClickRelease shield mechanism is also shared, making for shield changes that can be done in seconds. Be sure to ask about adding the popular Bell Transition shield to your order as well!

If you are interested in the Bell RS-1 Servo, you can give us a call at 866.931.6644.  Is email more convenient? Feel free to send those to SUPPORT at RIDERSDISCOUNT dot COM and we’ll get back to you right away!

The post Bell RS-1 Servo Helmet appeared first on Riders Discount.

Fit is similar to the rest of the Alpinestars line up. These will feel a tad snug at first but break in nicely.

Premium cowhide is use throughout the glove. 

Single polyurethane rubber pull wrist closure

Soft foam padding on the wrist, thumb, and top of the hand

Synthetic palm and external stitching for increased grip and comfort

Accordion stretch panel allows for easy control of your motorcycle

For more information, help with sizing, or if you’d like to place an order give us a call at 866.931.6644. You can also send an email to SUPPORT at RIDERSDISCOUNT dot COM and we’ll get back to you right away!

The post Alpinestars S-1 Glove appeared first on Riders Discount.

Holland, MI February 3, 2013

Riders Discount renews partnership with racer and athlete Luie Zendejas.  Not only will Luie compete in the WERA National Challenge Series but he will also pursue his passions, such as Mountain bike racing, IRONMAN sanctioned triathlons and to top it off some free fly parachuting with a custom one off Riders Discount parachute.  We look forward to supporting Luie as a Riders Discount sponsored athlete and encourage all to follow his blog posts here.

Luie Zendejas

“I’m excited to take this ongoing relationship with Riders Discount to a higher level.  Being able to go back out this year and represent them in the WERA nationals with bigger and better support is really going to give me the ability to focus much more on my riding and less on the logistical part of the sport. What makes this relationship so special is I will be representing Riders Discount in my up and coming sanctioned IRONMAN triathlons, Mountain bike racing and my Free Fly Skydiving events this year with really cool custom RD paint jobs on my helmets.  Brian has been a great sponsor and friend, I wanted to step up my efforts to help grow and spread RD love and let others know what excellent product knowledge and customer service they have to all motorcycle enthusiast in my other sport disciplines. I look forward to writing my blog to share my adventures both on and off the track. This year is going to be the best ever!!”

Brian Gibson – Owner Riders Discount

“Not only is Luie a national bad ass serving our country but is also an extreme athlete.  What’s not to like about a guy that fights for us overseas and pursues life to the fullest.  Riders Discount is proud to have Luie representing our company.”

The post Riders Discount to sponsor Luie Zendejas in the WERA National Challenge Series. appeared first on Riders Discount.

Riders Discount is excited to announce that 2012 Daytona 200 winner Joey Pascarella will ride a Riders Discount factory supported Triumph Daytona 675R for his run on the 2013 AMA DSB Championship. The team will be riding 2012 Triumph 675R’s at Daytona and will transition over to the 2013’s for the remaining rounds. Fans can follow Riders Discounts facebook page for complete coverage of detailed bike builds for both 2012 and 2013 models and exciting coverage of the team’s progress throughout the season.

Joey Pascarella
“I can’t explain how excited I am to get 2013 on the way! I feel better than I ever have and I am ready to get things going. Heading into this season there are some new things and a few things I am very familiar with. The new is going to be mastering the awesome Triumph Daytona 675R. I had the rare opportunity to test the Riders Discount project Triumph 675 and I enjoyed riding it very much. It is a very fun bike to be on and with Riders Discount Triumph’s full support for 2013 I know I am in good hands. The familiar is working with Brian and Breeann from Riders Discount. They have always believed in me and have had faith in me, I can’t thank them enough. With the support from Riders Discount Triumph behind me I am ready to have a great 2013 season.”

Breeann Poland-Team Manager
“I am so excited to be teaming up with Riders Discount for a 3rd season and having Joey ride for us. With Triumph coming on b
oard and giving us support I really feel like this is our season to shine. Riders Discount knows what it takes to have a successful program both on and off the track.”

Brian Gibson – Team Owner
“What can I say besides how incredible this opportunity is, it’s a little late in the off season so we have a lot of work ahead of us but I feel it is important for Riders Discount to stay involved and support our national and club level series. Joey and Triumph will be a lethal combination and I can’t wait to get the season started.”

*If interested in being a partner/sponsor of Riders Discount Racing please contact bree@ridersdiscount.com for more info, stay tuned for a full list of 2013 team sponsors.*

The post Riders Discount, Triumph and Joey Pascarella join forces to contest the 2013 AMA Daytona Sportbike Championship. appeared first on Riders Discount.

Team RidersDiscount.com and Jake Holden Racing have been waiting over a month to get back on the AMA Pro Road Racing grid for the final round of the season at New Jersey Motorsports Park. After Cameron’s fight for the win at Laguna Seca was cut short by a red flag, the team is off to make way for the front yet again! Cameron has never been to the track before, so it’s going to be a new challenge for the team to set up the machine for the technical Thunderbolt course. But challenges are what racing is all about and even though hardship seems like it’s been a mainstay of Team RidersDiscount.com Jake Holden Racing all season long, nobody is backing down for the last run of the year.

Cameron wants to get back to the front for another crack at a number one finish. Since Laguna Seca, he’s been working on his A-game playing in the dirt and even putting in a few trackdays for good measure. The fact P1 has eluded the team all season only serves as extra motivation to get the job done this weekend. There are only two more chances left to put it on top of the podium and everyone at Team RidersDiscount.com Jake Holden Racing is ready to do battle!

Cameron Beaubier – “Over the break, I spent time with some friends, rode mini bikes and have been cycling a lot to keep fit. I also rode a stock Yamaha YZF-R6 out at Thunderhill Raceway Park in Northern California a couple times at trackdays just to stay riding during the long break. I’m really looking forward to the final round. I’ve never ridden at New Jersey Motorsports Park, but I’ve heard it’s an awesome track! I flew out Wednesday for New Jersey and I’m feeling good and I’m ready to race!“

Breaann Poland, owner Jake Holden Racing – “The team is more than ready to head to NJMP for the final round of the 2011 AMA Pro Road Racing Championship. Cameron had a strong showing at the last round at Laguna Seca for his best finish of the season. He’s ready to push for the number one spot on the podium! It has been a pleasure working with him over the last few rounds and I would love to see another podium run! The team has really pulled together this year to make things happen, a Cinderella story of sorts. Nothing would make myself, and the team happier than to finish out the season on a high note. I want to show all the sponsors, the fans – everyone who stepped up to help us this season a good result at New Jersey Motorsports Park. I had doubts about even making it to the first round after we lost our title sponsor but we made it and we’re going all-out for the last event!”

Brian Gibson, owner RidersDiscount.com – “In some ways, the layoff has felt like a long pause in the action, but it’s allowed everyone to prepare for the last race of the year. Cameron has only ridden a bone-stock R6 since Laguna, so he’s eager to go at it on a full racer. We’re really excited to see the team back in action this weekend and despite the way the season has gone, we’re proud to be a part of Jake Holden Racing and look to NJMP with great enthusiasm!”

To learn more about RidersDiscount.com and Jake Holden, “like” them on facebook: facebook.com/ridersdiscount and facebook.com/jakeholden59 where you can find updates on the team as the weekend progresses and other interesting motorcycle-related information.

Cameron Beaubier would like to thank his sponsors: Red Bull, RidersDiscount.com, Alpinestars Apparel, Top 1 Oil, Leo Vince Exhaust, Specialized Bicycles, Bazzaz Performance, Kevin Schwantz Racing School, Catalyst Reaction Suspension Tuning, Jesse Koeller, Penske Shocks, Moto Wheels, Corsa Dynamics, TAW Performance, Brembo, Militant Moto, Stockton Optometry, CRG, TechSpec USA

Jake Holden Racing would like to thank his sponsors: RidersDiscount.com, FMF Exhaust, Motul Lubricants, Shoei Helmets, Cortech Apparel, Sidi, Held, Motion-Pro, Liquid Performance, Vortex Racing, Bazzaz Performance, SharkSkinz Bodywork, Zero Gravity Windscreens, Vicci, Goodridge Brake Lines, Speedy Moto, K & N Engineering and Penske Shocks

The post Team RidersDiscount.com and Jake Holden Racing Ready for AMA Pro Road Racing event at New Jersey Motorsports Park appeared first on Riders Discount.

Team RidersDiscount.com and Jake Holden Racing are excited to get on the grid for another action-packed weekend in the Daytona SportBike class at Laguna Seca. With the recent addition of Cameron Beaubier to the Team RidersDiscount.com Jake Holden Racing garage, there will now be two bikes in RidersDiscount.com colors on the AMA DSB grid. And, to make things especially exciting for everyone, Jake is making his return to the AMA’s premier American Superbike class this coming weekend!

After testing both of the RidersDiscount.com-built and prepared Superbikes; the Yamaha YZF-R1 and the BMW S1000RR – Jake has decided that the BMW will be better suited to Laguna’s undulated and technical layout. His decision comes after two days of testing at Grattan Raceway and Gingerman Raceway, which are both a quick drive from the RidersDiscount.com headquarters. Each track provides a different emphasis on setup and after many laps riding both bikes, it was determined that, at least for Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca, that the RidersDiscount.com BMW S1000RR would be the machine of choice.

Jake Holden: “At first, I was really focused on the Yamaha YZF-R1 because I’ve ridden one – Ben Bostrom’s, and I really liked it, so I was just going into this test thinking that I’d be racing the Yamaha at Laguna Seca. But I gave in and wanted to do a couple laps on the BMW just to say I did it. I got on it and the package on that bike is really impressive, it just suits my riding style — I feel really comfortable on the bike. You can’t even really feel the electronics working, it just keeps the bike in line and I think it’s going to be a good package for Laguna Seca.

Last year at Laguna, I filled in for John Hopkins on the Monster M4 Suzuki GSX-R1000 and I led maybe a lap or two there and I felt pretty confident in myself. Now, I feel confident in going back there on the RidersDiscount.com BMW S1000RR. Hopefully, we can make some noise and spray some champagne!”

Cameron Beaubier: “I’m super excited to be going into Laguna Seca knowing that RidersDiscount.com is supporting me. I’ve seen how well Jake Holden Racing and RidersDiscount.com have worked together and I’m happy to be a part of it. Laguna is my home track, so my family and friends will be there. I crashed there last year in the SuperSport event, so I’m looking to redeem myself this coming weekend!”

The post Jake Holden Prepares for Laguna Seca appeared first on Riders Discount.