What Are the Advantages of Hybrid Cars?
Posted by admin in Cars on 05 30th, 2011
Gasoline powered cars are just what their name implies. They use an internal combustion engine run by gasoline as its power source. Each vehicle has a fuel tank which provides the engine with a supply of gasoline to power the transmission which turns the wheels.
Pros of Gasoline Powered Vehicles
Gasoline powered vehicles can operate for greater distances that an electric car. A full tank of gasoline will take the vehicle three to five times further than an electric vehicle.
In terms of energy, gasoline puts out much more energy for its weight than a battery. One gallon of gasoline weighs only seven pounds, while it takes a thousand pound battery to provide the same amount of energy.
Gasoline powered vehicles are much more powerful and can achieve greater speeds to keep up with traffic.
Gasoline powered vehicles are available in a wide variety of models and sizes. They range from small compact cars to pickup trucks, SUV’s and luxury cars. There is no end to the variety and price range available. There is also a wide variety of engine choices available from a small four-cylinder economy car to a high powered V-8 engine and beyond.
Cons of Gasoline Powered Vehicles
Recently there has been a surge in the price of gasoline, and filling the gasoline tank in an automobile was downright painful.
A combustion engine is not energy efficient and consumes a great deal of fuel.
The combustion engine emits toxic emissions that accounts for most of the pollution expelled into our atmosphere. This is having a negative effect on our environment.
Electric Powered Vehicles
An electric powered vehicle is different from a gasoline powered vehicle in that it has a battery which provides the power to an electric motor. This electric motor then powers the transmission which turns the wheels.
Pros of an Electric Car
Owing to the fact that this system uses no gasoline or fossil fuels, it is not producing toxic emissions that pollute the atmosphere. This is is a great benefit to our environment.
Even thought there is a high cost to the battery pack, using electric power is lower in cost than the prices at the fuel pumps.
Cons of an Electric Car
The battery powers the car for shorter distances than a tank of gasoline.
It takes several hours for the battery to recharge.
Electric cars are not as fast as gasoline powered cars, and are limited to slow speed driving.
Hybrid Cars – The Best of Both Worlds
Hybrid cars combine both types of engines to achieve the best performance. They use both electric motors and a combustion engine to provide power for the vehicle.
Hybrid cars can operate on either the electric engine or the combustion engine. If the need arises, they can also run on both engines, taking best advantage of either of the systems.
Combining the advantages of both engines can provide a hybrid car with optimum fuel efficiency and performance that equals or can exceed its non-hybrid counterpart.
At higher speeds when the vehicle is using the combustion engine, the vehicle does emit toxic emissions, so a hybrid car is best utilized for slower speed conditions. It is ideal for city driving were most of the driving is at slower speeds.
As more and more manufacturers are coming out with hybrid cars the price is coming down to nearly the price of a conventional model. In addition, the choices are improving. Very small vehicles that are capable of fuel economy in the range of 100 miles per gallon are available, as are luxury models and even large SUV’s capable of pulling and carrying heavy loads.
Beverly Saltonstall
http://www.articlesbase.com/automotive-articles/what-are-the-advantages-of-hybrid-cars-715215.html
read comments (1)The Magnificence Of The Bmw Motorcycle
Posted by admin in Motorcycles on 05 30th, 2011
Ever since 1932 BMW has been making motorcycles that fall in the high-end class and that are regarded as being amongst the highest quality motorcycles.
They are known for excellence and for providing some of the most enjoyable motorcycle rides around.
BMW first introduced the R32 BMW motorcycle in 1932 and have been developing that particular style of motorcycle into something that has fan clubs all over the world.
This first BMW motorcycle had a peculiar engine, known as the “boxer twin” engine. It was designed for air cooling and its two cylinders protruded from opposite sides of the motorcycle.
Later during the BMW motorcycle development they also developed more traditional four cylinder motorcycle models.
Not only did BMW manufacture road bikes, they also branched out into off-road motorcycles and have made a name for themselves there as well.
Apart from the association with quality through the BMW logo and name, BMW motorcycles also attract loyal fans because the motorcycles give comfortable rides without sacrificing sportiness and performance.
Apart from some of its off-road models, the BMW motorcycle generally is a big motorcycle. However, drivers of these motorcycles will tell you that they handle like a dream.
Today they are four different series of BMW motorcycles. These are the F, G, R, and K series.
The F series has a four stroke, four valve engine and has a chain drive to the back wheel. The G series is an off-road motorcycle that BMW developed in conjunction with Aprilia. The R series motorcycles still have their trademark protruding cylinder heads but they have been improved upon over earlier models. The K series has also been developed into a motorcycle technological wonder. Both the R and K motorcycle series come with powerful engines that can drive a small car.
If comfort, style, technology, and stylishness appeal to you in motorcycles, then the BMW motorcycle will definitely be on your shopping list. On the one hand they come with a high price tag, but on the other hand you know that you are buying BMW quality, comfort, and style.
Ryan Simpson
http://www.articlesbase.com/cars-articles/the-magnificence-of-the-bmw-motorcycle-129472.html
The Last Gas-guzzler – Changes in the Rules for Capital Allowances on Cars
Posted by admin in Cars on 05 27th, 2011
This article looks at the new rules for capital allowances on cars bought by businesses. There has been a long consultation process and the new rules were announced in the Pre Budget Report, followed up by a “Technical Note” which dealt with the details of the new regime. In order to understand the changes, we should first review the rules as they were before the changes that have been announced. We can then look at some planning points that arise.
The Current Rules
Capital allowances are given on “plant and machinery” purchased by a business to use in its trade.
Most such capital expenditure goes into a “pool”, and allowances are calculated based on the size of the pool for the year after taking into account the cost of new additions and the sale proceeds of disposals.
Cars costing more than £12,000 are excluded from this pool, and each car has its own separate pool for capital allowance purposes. The same applies to any car which is used for non-business purposes to any extent, so in the case of a partnership or sole trader, this will apply to virtually every car they buy.
Capital allowances are given by “writing down” the amount in the pool by 25% (before April 2008) or 20% (now) per year, and in the case of cars this WDA is limited to a maximum of £3,000 per year. There is then an adjustment (mostly for income tax cases, not for limited companies) to reflect non-business use of the vehicle.
When the car is sold, the sale proceeds are deducted from the expenditure left in the pool for that particular car, and any remaining expenditure is relieved as a “balancing allowance” deducted from the profits of the year concerned. Given that most, if not all, new cars depreciate in value faster than 20% per year, there will typically be a significant “balancing allowance” for the year in which the car is sold.
The New Rules
For cars bought after 1 April 2009 (companies) or 5 April 2009 (sole traders and partnerships), the rules are very different. The rate of capital allowances on a car will depend on its CO2 emissions. Cars emitting more than 160 g/km will attract a writing down allowance of only 10%, whereas those emitting 160g/km or less will be entitled to the 20% rate.
Crucially, the idea of separate pools for each car costing over £12,000 will also be scrapped. Cars will either go into the 20% pool with other normal plant and machinery, or into the 10% pool with such items as “long-life” assets and “integral” fixtures in buildings.
The only exception to this will be cars which are used privately to some extent, as these will each need to be in a separate pool of their own to enable the adjustment for such use to be made. This means, as we shall see, that the changes will have different effects on companies to those they will have on sole traders and partnerships.
Leasing
If a business leases its cars rather than buying them, there is currently a disallowance of some of the leasing charges, based on the £12,000 cost limit. For cars leased from April 2009, this will change and there will be a flat rate disallowance of 15% for cars emitting over 160g/km, but there will be no disallowance for the “greener” cars emitting 160g/km or less.
“Grandfathering”
This term is used in the tax world to refer to a situation where there is a fundamental change in the rules but the old rules are still applied to expenditure incurred before a certain date. For limited companies, expenditure on cars before 1 April 2009 will be “grandfathered” so that the old rules will apply, and the same applies to expenditure incurred before 5 April 2009 by partnerships and sole traders – though as we have seen, because there is almost always private use of partnership/sole trader cars, the effect on them will be less dramatic and grandfathering will be less significant.
Sadly, like all grandfathers, this one has a limited life expectancy, and in five years’ time, any expenditure in individual pools dating from before April 2009 will be transferred to the general 20% or 10% pool.
Tax Planning – Companies
The key thing about the current rules is that when a company sells a car, because that car has its own pool, there will be a deduction for the full cost (the difference between the purchase and sale price) in the form of a balancing allowance in the year the car is sold.
Under the new rules, this will not occur, because the car will be in a pool with all kinds of other assets, and so there will be no balancing allowance. The company will still be getting writing down allowances at 10% or 20% on the cost long after the car in question has been sold. Whether the company intends to buy a “green” car or a gas guzzler, it will probably be beneficial to do so before 1 April 2009, simply because of this one fact. The more expensive and the “dirtier” the car, the greater will be the difference in the timing of allowances. If a company buys a new car now and sells it after three years, it will get less than half what it paid for it and the difference will be tax relieved by a balancing allowance. If it waits until after 1 April to buy the car, then at the end of the third year there will be no balancing allowance because the car is in the pool with all the other capital items.
In the case of leased cars, however, the opposite applies. If the car to be leased costs more than £12,000, or in the case of a gas guzzler over 160g/km, about £17,000, then it will be beneficial to wait until after 1 April to change cars.
Tax Planning – Sole Traders and Partnerships
In almost every case there will be some private use of cars bought by these entities, so as each car will continue to have a separate pool of its own, the balancing allowance will still be available on sale as described above. The limit of £3,000 on the writing down allowance on cars costing more than £12,000 will go, so if you are planning to spend more than that on a car it will be beneficial to wait until after 5 April 2009 to buy it.
In the case of leased cars, the position is the same as with companies – it will be better to wait until after 5 April in the case of any car costing over £12,000, and in the case of gas guzzlers, over £17,000.
There is a rather good recession joke going around:
Q: What’s the difference between a financier and a seagull?
A: A seagull can still put a deposit on a Ferrari!
Those out there who can still afford Ferraris will need to think carefully about the timing of the purchase, depending on what sort of entity they trade through.
James Bailey
James Bailey
http://www.articlesbase.com/taxes-articles/the-last-gasguzzler-changes-in-the-rules-for-capital-allowances-on-cars-694065.html
Motorcycle Saddlebags History
Posted by admin in Motorcycles on 05 27th, 2011
Saddlebags are most commonly used to carry luggage on a motorcycle. There are 2 major kinds of motorcycle saddlebags. Throw over saddlebags and hard mount saddlebags. The concept of hard mount saddlebags originated from throw over saddlebags which were used in early 1950 for the first time.
As the motorcycle industry experienced a big boom in 1960 especially after the Vietnam War the motorcycle luggage also evolved. As major motorcycle companies launched bigger and better motorcycle people started traveling farther on there motorcycles. Many riders formed groups and rode cross country and from city to city. The throw over style of saddlebags was soon replaced by a better and more reliable way of carrying luggage.
A group of riders drilled several holes in the back fender of their motorcycles in order to permanently bolt the saddlebags to the motorcycle. This permanent installation resulted in the saddlebags being more reliable and sturdy. This step also contributed towards the aesthetic appeal of the motorcycle. The trend soon gained popularity amongst the riders.
Motorcycle companies like Indian Motorcycle Company and Harley Davidson Motorcycle Company noticed this trend and soon started producing motorcycles with struts. The struts enabled motorcycle riders to bolt the motorcycle saddlebags without making any permanent changes to the motorcycle such as drilling holes in the back fender. Later the same strut enables other accessories to be securely mounted on a motorcycle such as motorcycle carrier and sissy bars.
As the Asian motorcycle manufacturers such as Kawasaki, Honda and Yamaha made their way into North American market they also made sure that the riders get enough room for the luggage. Yamaha motorcycles are a classic example of this as they manufacture most of their bikes with most room for the saddlebags. They also make sure that the turn signal does not interfere with the saddlebags, a common problem with smaller motorcycles.
In 1980 the motorcycle companies realized that most 1000 cc and above motorcycles are used for long rides. To further add value to their motorcycles they started selling motorcycles with fiber glass saddlebags. These motorcycles did well as most of these came with the motorcycle specific luggage. This also saved the motorcycle rider a lot of time and headache.
Despite the popularity of factory installed saddlebags motorcycle riders still prefer leather saddlebags in most cases. This is due to the fact that motorcycles leather saddlebags can be customized to a greater degree as opposed to motorcycle specific fiber glass bags.
Most early motorcycle saddlebag companies used studs, spots and conchs to decorate the saddlebags. Recently the more advanced motorcycle saddlebag companies have started manufacturing and offering saddlebags that are not only motorcycle specific but also match the color of the motorcycle. Another approach is to design the leather motorcycle saddle bags in such a way that it blends in with the overall design of the motorcycle. These advancements have resulted in more and more people willing to install saddlebags on their motorcycles.
Harry Alan
http://www.articlesbase.com/motorcycles-articles/motorcycle-saddlebags-history-129986.html
Motorcycle Crashes
Posted by admin in Motorcycles on 05 24th, 2011
7 minutes of motorcycle wrecks
Breakout – Foo Fighters
We Fall Down – Crownd
Duration : 0:7:4
Buy Used Motorcycles
Posted by admin in Motorcycles on 05 23rd, 2011
I trust that the following article will help you to better empathise this topic. There are tons of motorcycles to see and decide about especially if you want to buy used motorcycles. With these babies you truly need to know what you want and need other considered you are definitely heading for trouble. When you start your search for used motorcycles check out the diverse well known and if possible reputed motorcycle dealers.
These are the places where you will find great bargains when you decide that you want to buy used motorcycles. You can also see what the Net has in the way of secondhand motorcycle dealerships. From these you can see what the various types of used motorcycles are like and if they fit your plans.
When you have chosen a few different bikes find out what the selling cost is first off. This way you can figure out if you want to spend your money on this road monster or if you want to shop around for a couple of other models. Now on the off chance that the cost of the motorcycle is what you have earmarked to buy used motorcycles then you need to go much deeper into the motorcycles various attributes.
From sounding at its engine sizing to finding out where you can take this motorcycle there are lots of items that you need to investigate. Of course if the trader or person who is marketing the motorcycles has no time or doesn’t want you to check the bike out then you should drop the matter like a hot potato.
Any motorcycle that you can’t check out to see if it’s in good condition for you has lots of flaws and problems that are being hidden. Consequently spending your money to buy used motorcycles that have way too many problems is ridiculous unless you want to buy used motorcycles that are of a vintage make and style.
Now when you start your investigation, first look over the tires and see if they are in good shape. Any tires that are worn out will need to be replaced immediately. You should see if then braking mechanism and the engine are also in good working condition. To find this issue out ask if you can take a test drive. With a test drive you can get the feel of the motorcycle.
There is one important consideration that you will need to take into account before you buy used motorcycles. The matter of vehicle insurance policy and registration must be taken care of before you start riding your new motorcycle. So you will need to find out from the marketer or the owner what the condition of these items is like. You should clear this matter up before you buy any secondhand motorcycles.
When you want to buy used motorcycles there are many items that you will need to take into account before you can begin the joy of motorcycle riding. For this very ground take the time to select a good condition used motorcycle.
In conclusion I’d like to say thank you to you for reading this article and good luck with any issues related to to this information.
Michael Malega
http://www.articlesbase.com/motorcycles-articles/buy-used-motorcycles-119706.html
The Chopper
Posted by admin in Motorcycles on 05 18th, 2011
A chopper is a motorcycle but not the traditional type. Choppers are motorcycles that have been radically modified by the owner or even the manufacturer. Choppers are motorcycles that have a few less features than a regular motorcycle. The chopper came into existence following World War II when soldiers came back to the United States and began modifying their motorcycles. The soldiers removed any part of their motorcycle that was unnecessary, too big, too ugly and too heavy. The parts that were removed were the fenders, the front brakes and turn indicators. Most motorcycles also have a spring saddle, but not choppers. Choppers have the spring saddle removed from the frame so that the driver can sit as low to the ground as possible. Most choppers are made with a v-twin engine.
The main reason for redesigning and editing a motorcycle into the form of a chopper was to prepare the bike for dirt track racing and even mud racing. Removing all of the heavy, unwanted and unnecessary parts made the bike lighter and easier to handle in a high speed race. The large front tire is replaced with a smaller one and so is the headlight and the fuel tank. Most motorcycles have a large fuel tank but choppers have a smaller fuel tank to lighten the load of the bike. As required by law, almost all choppers across the country have to have protective bars for the driver installed. Those bars, which are on the back of the bike and stick straight up in the air, are often referred to as ‘sissy bars.’ More often than not the ‘sissy bars’ can be seen over the driver’s head when looking at a chopper from the front of the bike.
The reason for returning soldiers from World War II to work on their motorcycles was that the majority of them had been trained by the United States to work on automobiles and heavy machinery while in the armed forces. They were trained to repair these vehicles while on the battlefield and while at the camp in case of breakdown or other technical problems. Almost all of these soldiers weren’t even mechanics before joining the service.
There are a handful of companies across the country and the world that produce choppers. Jesse G. James’ West Coast Choppers, Orange County Choppers, Indian Larry, Falcon Motorcycles, Warlock Motorcycles and Von Dutch Kustom Cycles are just a few companies that manufacture chopper motorcycles.
Where did the term chopper come from? Well, when the servicemen originally began chopping up and welding the frame of their motorcycles the term chopper was born. Choppers are not only popular in the United States but have become wildly popular in Australia, where ATV and dirt bike racing is also incredibly popular among the sports fans. Choppers have become so popular in the United States that even bicycles are being manufactured to have the look and feel of a chopper motorcycle. So now, even kids can ride a chopper if their parents don’t own one.
Brenda Williams
Kawasaki motorcycles and motorcycle parts
Posted by admin in Motorcycles on 05 14th, 2011
Kawasaki motorcycles and motorcycle parts
Time and time again Kawasaki has given the world world-class
motorcycles.
They are absolutely passionate about motorcycles. If high
performance sports bikes are what you love then Kawasaki offers
the best to you. Worlds top motorcycle magazine editors haul the
Kawasaki bikes when it comes to racing.
The Kawasaki 2000 Vulcan is widely regarded as the best .It
actually displaces 2,053cc (125.3 cubic inches). Each cylinder
displaces more than the entire engine in a four-cylinder
Kawasaki Ninja ZX-10! Cool ha!!
Rider sits slightly bent into the wind astride a firm, wide
seat, grasping wide beach bars, feet on floorboards, facing a
huge chromed speedometer but no tach. It has a Liquid-cooled,
transverse 52-degree V-twin · 2,053cc displacement · Bore x
Stroke of 103.0 x 123.2mm · Compression Ratio of 9.5:1 · Valve
Train of OHV, 4 valves per cyl. · Fuel Delivery– Electronic
fuel injection w/ 46mm throttle bodies x 2 · Lubrication System:
Semi-dry sump, 3.1-qt. cap. · Transmission: 5-speed,
cable-actuated wet clutch · Base Price: $14,499
Kawasaki has launched its custom cruiser tour for 2005 .Its a
traveling exhibit which showcases the customizing potential for
its Vulcan® line of cruiser motorcycles. There will be 9 major
enthusiasts events beginning with Daytona Bike Week in March and
concluding in October at the Steel Pony Express in New Orleans.
It’s an attempt made by Kawasaki to help those who have a
passion for customizing their motorcycles. Kawasaki’s tagline,
“Let the good times roll.™”, is recognized worldwide and the
brand is aggressively carrying its heritage of leading-edge
power, performance and exhilaration into the 21st century.
For more information on Kawasaki visit their site
www.kawasaki.com
Now its time to enjoy your motorcycle ride. For motorcycle parts
information, where to find the best information, learn the
secrets on where and how to buy visit our site
www.motorcycle-parts-home.com
http://www.motorcycle-parts-home.com/kawasakimotorcycleparts/
http://www.motorcycle-parts-home.com/kawasakimotorcycleaftermarke
tparts/
Also visit our sister sites www.about-truck-accessories.com
www.carstereosforyou.com
Abdul Martin
http://www.articlesbase.com/automotive-articles/kawasaki-motorcycles-and-motorcycle-parts-3065.html
Hayabusa #1 Wonder of Motorcycles
Posted by admin in Motorcycles on 05 14th, 2011
Segment on the fastest motorcycle in the world, the Suzuki Hayabusa
Duration : 0:6:52
High Gas Prices, More Motorcycles, More Accidents
Posted by admin in Motorcycles on 05 10th, 2011When the price of gas peaked just before hundreds of thousands of Americans were getting ready to set off on summer vacations, many people thought it might be a good idea to trade in their gas hogs for vehicles that had better miles to the gallon. This was especially the case when told we better get used to high gas prices. Well, those prices have fallen a bit from the high of over four dollars a gallon in most states, but lots of people have made the leap from SUV to smaller car, or even motorcycle to get around.
However, what many state and local authorities and emergency rooms have seen is an increase in the number of people injured and killed in motorcycle accidents. Statistically, more motorcyclists are killed during the summer months due to the warmer weather allowing the riders to get out on the roads. Yet, this last summer saw people wondering if the high gas prices were to blame for so many motorcycle accidents. The main reason is that more inexperienced riders were on the highways and roads causing mayhem from coast to coast. And the number of registered motorcycles has been increasing every year. With this increase comes the logical follow-up that more motorcycles on the roads mean more accidents. However, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration estimates that nearly 25% of those involved in motorcycle accidents did not have valid licenses. Those with valid licenses obviously had to take a motorcycle driver test and pass it, which leads many to believe lots of inexperienced riders may not have their licenses. Furthermore, many people who ride motorcycles take chances, such as riding without a helmet, something that kills more motorcyclists involved in accidents than other things. In fact, nearly 75% of those killed in motorcycle accidents sustained head injuries.
Though it may seem like a good idea to go out and buy a motorcycle to save on gas, as well as look cool, there are several things to keep in mind before getting on the road:
· Wear a helmet, no matter what your state law is. Though not all states have mandatory helmet laws, more people have survived horrendous accidents because they were wearing a helmet.
· Take classes on learning how to ride your motorcycle. This may seem like a given, but it doesn’t take much to learn the basics of how to start a motorcycle and make it go. However, just like driver’s education classes teenagers take, these classes will help you figure out how to drive safely – and stop the motorcycle.
· Again, as you learn in driver’s ed, you need to obey the rules of the road. Keeping distance between yourself and other vehicles on the road is a little different on a motorcycle than it is in a car. Speed limits and stops signs are there for a reason. Obey the law just as you would while driving your old SUV.
· Many accidents involving motorcycles are due to the fact that another driver could not see the rider. Motorcycles are much smaller than other vehicles, so don’t assume that anyone else on the road can see you. No matter the size of the other vehicle, it will usually win in an accident. You do not have a seatbelt or airbags, nor are you surrounded by metal to keep you protected if you are hit by a car going 55 mph.
Though the summer is over, the days are still warm enough to ride your motorcycle in comfort. However, you need to be aware that you are riding a vehicle with a high chance of being injured or killed if you are involved in an accident. The best way to avoid injury or death is to avoid becoming involved in an accident in the first place. Ride safely.
Patricia Woloch