Motowheels

Think it’s time to take your riding skills to the next level by getting some expert instruction? If so, you’re in luck! The Yamaha Champions Riding School recently announced their 2021 schedule; featuring more than 20 events in Arizona, California, Colorado, Georgia, Florida, North Carolina, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, and Washington State.

The schedule includes the famed one and two-day ChampSchool , but there are other offerings including ChampGrad, ChampDay, and ChampStreet track-day programs; including opportunities for tailor-made private one-on-one coaching sessions. There is something to fit every skill level and budget. Participants can rent “pristine” Yamaha sportbikes with Dunlop Sportmax tires, Alpinestars gear, and Arai helmets for a real “arrive and ride” experience.

Sign up before December 31st, 2020 and get an early-bird discount

The Yamaha Champions Riding School is offering a special discount for early-bird signups. Save 10% on your course if you sign up before December 31st. There’s even a new payment plan option for the more expensive ChampSchool courses, with half down on signup and the rest paid in installments before the event. Lower-priced ChampStreet and ChampDay classes are excluded from the payment plans.

ChampSchool Tuition Fee

Fees range from $339.00 to $2800.00. The price doesn’t include the cost of the bike/gear rental and/or catastrophic insurance. Though, you don’t have to worry about food and beverages as they are included in your course package.

There are the fortunate among us who are blessed to ride year-round. And then there are the rest of us who are forced to park their rides at the end of Autumn. However, if you’re going to have to let your bike sleep for three or four months, you need to follow a few essential steps to winterize your motorcycle to prevent damage and excess wear.

Don't know how to winterize your motorcycle? Here are some helpful tips to ensure you can get back to road with less trouble in the coming spring.

#1. Gather all the necessary tools

You will need a trickle battery charger, a new oil filter, however many quarts of high-quality oil your bike holds, an oil can (to put oil in the cylinders), a sparkplug wrench, chain lube, cable lube (and a cable luber), kitchen plastic wrap, vinyl or plastic gloves, clean rags, rubber bands, and the items you use to clean and wax your bike. Lastly, you’ll need a place where you can park your bike through the winter – a heated, secure garage would be an ideal place.

#2. Clean your motorcycle thoroughly

Use gentle detergent and water to remove road grime from the bike. Avoid spraying water directly into the muffler's opening; if the baffles get wet and don’t dry before storing your bike, it can lead to rusty mufflers. Similarly, avoid moisture in the airbox, as it can lead to hard starts in the spring.

Before you store your bike in winter, make sure it’s thoroughly dried off and clean; make sure to polish stainless and aluminum surfaces with metal polish. Once done, apply a coat of good wax polish to seal the polishing job. Then clean and lube the chain with good-quality chain cleaners and lubricants.

#3. Change the oil and filter

Manufacturers recommend changing oil and filter before storing the bike —the dirty oil and resulting acids stagnating in the engine all winter can corrode and score engine parts. So go ahead and change the oil. You don't need to change the oil if it's pretty fresh; however, make sure it's topped up.

#4. Add fuel stabilizer to the gas tank

The next thing you need to do is fill your tank with gas as full as it can go. A tank full of gas doesn't leave any room for air and/or condensation inside the tank, reducing rust formation risk. You can also add a fuel stabilizer. A quality fuel stabilizer will prevent the gas from going bad and neutralize the ethanol, preventing all kinds of nastiness from affecting your fuel system.

#5. Drain the float bowls (if your bike has a carburetor)

Once you fill your gas tank, shut off your fuel petcock and drain the gas from the carburetor bowls. Check your manual to find the exact location of drain screws. This step isn't needed if you have a fuel-injected bike.

#6. Lube your engine parts

Did you know that moisture can collect in your engine during cold winters and make your bike’s pistons and cylinder walls rusty or corroded? To avoid this situation, remove the spark plugs and put a little squirt of engine oil into the holes. Now turn over your engine a few times to coat the cylinder walls with oil. Once done, install the new spark plugs.

#7. Safeguard the battery

Most motorcycles depend on lead-acid batteries, and they tend to self-discharge when dormant. As the battery is draining off voltage, lead sulfate crystals can form in the cells, leading to battery failure. You can keep this situation at bay by connecting a trickle charger to the battery, keeping your battery adequately charged without the danger of overcharging. Not all chargers are suitable for long-term storage, so be sure to use a charger that turns off once the battery gets charged and only feeds current when needed. 

Unplugging the Ducati Panigale with an aftermarket slip-on is a desirable modification that reduces weight and allows the bike to breathe (and speak) a bit more freely. These under-slung systems can be a bit pricey but are still cool, and it looks like Ducati Panigale V4 can use them too.

Here are some of the best exhaust options to let your Ducati Panigale V4 sing:

#1. TERMIGNONI DUAL SILENCER RACING SLIP-ON EXHAUST KIT

The Termignoni dual silencer slip-on exhaust ($2,485) goes well with the Ducati Panigale V4 (red and Bolognese). It maintains similar lines to the stock setup and features titanium sleeves and stainless steel internals. It also includes two racing silencers so that the underbelly-mounted system can utilize the original manifolds. You may need to remove the catalytic convertor from the original system to install this setup.

The stainless-steel silencers are distinguished by a titanium sleeve and a machined-from-billet black-anodized aluminum end cap. The exhaust tubes are stainless steel with a carbon heat shield. Termignoni claims a 10-horsepower boost, putting your V4 over the 200 HP mark.

#2. ARROW WORKS TITANIUM EXHAUST WITH TERMIGNONI T-800 UPMAP

This Arrows Works titanium exhaust is one of the  most popular options for Panigale owners due to their solid reputation and affordable price ($1,995). The new titanium-constructed system is solid and aggressive. The stainless-steel mufflers are coated in a titanium skin with beautiful carbon-fiber end caps.

The Arrow Works titanium exhaust with Termignoni T-800 UPMAP reduces weight and helps improve both the torque and horsepower of your Ducati V4.  The stainless steel mid-pipe allows you to tune your bike's noise to your liking, by eliminating the catalytic converter, and giving a throaty roar to your bike.

It’s a daunting task, but just like every other system on your bike your coolant needs periodic attention and changing. Your motorcycle’s manufacturer likely recommends replacing the coolant every two years, or 24,000 miles, but make sure that you check your user manual for your motorcycle's coolant replacement interval. If you leave it unchanged, the murky (or brownish) coolant can deteriorate your cooling system’s performance. Which means your bike will run hotter, give you less power, and wear out key components faster. Make sure you regularly change your coolant – it is cheap insurance.

If it seems a bit overwhelming, don’t fear: here we will go over detailed instructions on changing the coolant in your bike. This guide works for most motorcycles, but keep in mind that some bikes will have specific steps not covered here; we recommend checking your bike’s manual before beginning any maintenance. You can also get in touch with one of Motowheel’s experts to help guide you!

Step #1. Let your bike completely cool off before beginning

Before you open the radiator cap, make sure that the engine is cool to the touch. A hot engine will have scalding coolant in it. If you open up a hot radiator the superheated coolant can spray out or pour out on you, resulting in serious burn injuries.

Keep in mind that most coolants contain toxic ethylene glycol, so don’t ever pour used coolant down the drain or into the gutter. Always make sure to dispose of used fluids properly. Also, your pets may be tempted to lick the sweet-tasting coolant and they will get very sick from it. It is safer to use products with non-toxic propylene glycol if you can find them.

Step #2. Remove the body parts so you can get to the radiator cap

Changing coolant is an easy job on a naked bike where the radiator cap, reservoir tank, and drain bolts are out in the open. Unfortunately, all of these parts are behind body panels on sport and touring bikes, which you must uninstall prior to changing the fluids. Rather than tackling your coolant replacement as a standalone task, you should consider combining it with other systems that need maintenance – such as changing your air filter or your spark plugs. Also, make sure you inspect the radiator hoses for cracks or damage while they are exposed.

Step #3. Drain the coolant

Once you uninstall the bike's panel, you'll need to find the drain bolt for the cooling system, which is typically at the bottom of the water-pump cover. The drain bolt will have a copper sealing washer. Once you identify the drain bolt, place a drain pan under it and then unscrew the bolt. The fluid will dribble out slowly until you crack the radiator cap, and then it will come pouring out (see point #1!). As the objective is to get rid of all the old coolant, you must also drain the reservoir tank. To drain the tank, you will probably need to uninstall it, rinse it out with tap water, and reattach it.

If you are looking for motorcycle parts made with quality, passion, and authenticity, Zard products are the perfect choice. Zard has been a leader in manufacturing Italian Exhaust Systems and other high quality accessories for almost 30 years now. Their aftermarket parts are universally used and loved, from weekend riders to European Superbike racing teams.

Check out three of the best Zard products, available now at Motowheels.com, that you can easily install to quickly improve the performance of your bike:

#1.) ZARD HIGH MOUNT 2-2 SS/SS FULL SYSTEM: TRIUMPH BONNEVILLE T120 ’16-’19

Zard’s High Mount is the perfect combination of technology and craftsmanship. It is manufactured with top quality materials, utilizing materials such as stainless-steel, titanium, and carbon fiber. The black ceramic coating of the Zard High Mount is heat resistant to over 1800°F!

Some other features of the Zard High Mount 2-2 SS/SS Full System include:

16-pound weight savings over the stock Bonneville system

Factory fit and finish

This product is available now for only $1,199.00; pick it up for your bike HERE!

#2.) ZARD DUCATI MONSTER 797 FULL EXHAUST

Honestly, this is one of the best exhaust systems on the market right now to enhance the overall performance, sound, and power-to-weight ratio of your 2017-2019 Ducati Monster. It’s also an incredibly unique system ­– handmade and welded by the best and most-experienced welders at Zard, which is saying something. It’s available in three different variants, including Snake Welded, Full Titanium, and Snake Welded Full Titanium.

Installing a case saver is extremely important for your bike engine's overall health. You may be thinking “Huh? What? Why?” It’s true – they are specifically designed to reduce damage to the engine case. This article will share some of the best case savers you can pick up right now for your motorcycle. The great thing about these tasty bits of aluminum and steel is that you can install them in minutes without any need to remove factory engine case covers, gaskets, fairings, or any of the numerous other parts of your engine.

So what are we waiting for?

Let's check them out!

#1.) CORSE DYNAMICS DUCATI STAINLESS-STEEL CASE SAVER AND CHAIN GUARD

The Corse Dynamics stainless steel case cover is one of the best options out there right now to protect your Ducati’s chain and crankcase. The CNC laser-cut case cover is abrasion and corrosion resistant and offers life-long crankcase protection. It is available for only $29.50. This small investment in protection can go a long way to protect your motorcycle from expensive damage – or you from a bad crash. Grab yours here!

Save money on a great set of used motorcycle wheels by shopping at Motowheels. We carry used wheels from Marchesini, BST Wheels and other leading brands.

Riders install mirror extenders on their bike to improve their view to the rear.

Mirror extenders offer a much better rear view to the rider by increasing the distance of the mirrors from the fairing and handlebar. That means riders don’t need to move their head and eyes for a better view, resulting in a reduction in rider fatigue and an increase in overall safety! Mirror extenders are available for almost every motorcycle model out there.

However, if you are planning to install a new mirror-extender kit on your Ducati, we highly recommend that you select an Oberon Mirror Extender Kit.

OBERON MIRROR EXTENDER KIT: DUCATI 848-1098-1198

Oberon mirror extenders are designed to enhance the functionality of rear-view mirrors without compromising how they look. The kit is manufactured from a material that is similar to the original stock mirrors – an engineering-grade version of Acetal (a high-quality thermoplastic), which ensures superior strength and durability.

Check out the Motowheels collection of universal motorcycle parts and accessories from industry leading brands. These parts and components are available now!

You probably know what the fuel cap does on your motorcycle... or do you? Sure, it keeps gas from sloshing out of the tank, but the story doesn’t end there. A fuel cap prevents fuel from getting contaminated, spilling out of the bike, and it also blocks external contaminants (such as dust, rainwater, even bugs) from entering the fuel tank where they could clog critical components such as the fuel filter, fuel lines, fuel injectors, or fuel pump. The ensuing damage or loss of function to any tank component can keep your bike from running smoothly or even starting at all! Your bike already comes with a fuel cap – so why would you want to upgrade to an aluminum one? 

Are you the owner of a Ducati Multistrada 950-1200-1260, Hypermotard 950, or any other Ducati model?  The TMW Quick Action Aluminum Fuel Cap is the perfect upgrade for your bike. It is specially designed with the needs of a racing bike in mind. Racers require quick refueling and the TMW quick action cap gives you the ability to fill the tank more quickly thanks to an innovative fast system lock at 1/4 of a turn. This feature makes the TMW fuel cap a very popular choice among sport-street motorbike riders.

These quick action aluminum gas caps save weight and add a dash of style. The TMW Fuel cap is approximately 70% lighter than the OEM gas cap on your bike. This reduced weight helps racing bikes achieve better performance; as every gram counts! The entire component is CNC machined from billet aluminum and anodized in five different colors – black, silver, gold, red, and blue.

Installation is simple. The kit comes with everything you need (screw kit and rubber packing) for a quick swap of your OEM gas cap.

Learn directly from the professionals! Ducati’s DRE Road academy has been designed for both beginners as well as experienced riders.

This single-day course is dedicated to helping riders of every experience level master their bikes, learn more about new Ducati technology, raise road awareness, and improve their ride safety. It is also a great place to test ride some of the latest of Ducati’s bikes (except the Panigale family).

Are you ready to perfect your riding skills? The next session is right around the corner and the course is limited to 30 participants per session. Book your spot now!

Dates-

September  19 & 20, 2020

Location-

Modena  Circuit

Price-

550  €

Book now»

What should you know about a DRE Road Academy session?

The DRE Road Academy course lasts one day with a maximum of 30 participants. Each rider will participate in different types of activities such as checking and fixing riding position, braking, adjusting controls, and more. Participation in the DRE Road Academy is exclusively open for those who have a class-A license without any limitations of displacement.

So what are rearsets? They are metal plates, or brackets, that relocate the rider’s footpeg and control positions on a motorcycle. Most motorcyclists think that you install these beautiful, shiny bits simply to add a bling factor to the motorcycle… but that’s not always the case. There are some very compelling reasons why you should invest in these gorgeous accessories.

Rearsets don’t just look good, they allow riders to place their legs and feet comfortably while on their bike. They enable owners to more easily tailor their rides to fit them perfectly by raising, lowering, or moving the pegs backward or forward.

#1.) Creates a stable base

Rearsets allow riders to better adjust their feet and legs more comfortably. They create a stable base for the riders' body when sitting on or hanging off the bike. It reduces the need to hang on with their arms and hands, allowing them to focus more on steering the bike and smoothly applying the throttle and brakes. It also reduces the strain on riders' bodies, increasing comfort, endurance and confidence.

#2.) Increased ground clearance

Rearsets that place the rider’s feet higher increase ground clearance and enable the rider to lean more while turning, resulting in faster cornering speeds and lower lap times.

#3.) Better grip on the pegs

Roadracing rearsets deliver more grip. Most stock motorcycle footpegs are covered with rubber pads, which provide some grip, but also quell vibration and road feedback that invariably transfers from the engine and chassis through the footpegs and into the rider's feet.