30 minute motorcycling by The Dual Wheel Journey
30 Minute Motorcycling is the official Dual Wheel Journey podcast, where we’re talking two-wheelers – from motorcycles to scooters, and other things on two wheels in under 30 minutes.
It might seem like a lot of money, but getting a top box for your motorcycle or scooter comes with a lot of perks.
Yes, it can and does happen - and I'm living proof of that.
No matter what kind of tires or wheels your bike has, they all rely on one thing - wheel alignment.
It's a small part of your bike - so small you might not even see it that much.
60% of motorcycles are chain-driven - but whether it's a 65cc dirt bike or a huge 1000+cc crotch rocket, one thing remains:
Some lessons can't be told through books - only through a real-life experience.
Depending on where you ride, your suspension travel needs to be set up for you to tackle the challenges of your riding environment.
The fact that you've run out of fuel ISN'T one of them - you've checked, and there's still fuel in your tank.
Some mechanical problems will cause your bike's engine to run poorly. Others will cause the entire engine to stop (or "seize", if you will).
In short - YES, they do matter. Not only that, where you put them matters too.
There's no need for you to put everything and the kitchen sink with you inside your motorcycle tool kit.
What may seem like a big piece of rubber sitting on top of your spark plugs is actually called an "ignition coil"
No matter if your bike has modern tubeless tires or old-fashioned tubed tires, you can still experience a blowout, or your tires wear down faster than normal.
Unlike car engines, motorcycle engines don't rely on cam belts for their valve timing - instead, they use cam chains.
It's a somewhat controversial thing that's talked about a lot, but what does it mean to "derestrict" a 50cc scooter (or moped, for that matter)?
Swingarms are exclusive to two-wheelers - but what do they do?
Buying new socket handles for your socket wrench? Or are you considering whether it's worth investing in a specialty tool?
Whether your motorcycle, moped, or scooter uses a hydraulic or mechanical brake system, both can go wrong in one way or another.
Did you think that suspension terminology was complicated? How about terms related to electricity and electronics?
Whether you're aching to learn how to work on your scooter or are reluctant to touch anything mechanical, essential maintenance is a must.
If you're having issues with your motorcycle or scooter's electrical system, it might seem like it's been cursed.
Most tools can be categorized, but some tools are so special that they have their own distinct category.
Winter is coming...and if you live in the frost belt area of the world, you'll need to winterize your motorcycle or scooter.
Telling you that tire pressure is vital is entirely redundant - so I won't.
Whether you're buying your very first tools or adding to your already impressive tool collection, I have a few tips to make sure you get the best possible tools - no matter if you're on a tight budget or not.
Be honest - how much attention do you give your battery?
As much credit as the chain for chain-drive motorcycle gets, the sprockets play a big role, too - but what is a "sprocket," anyway?
The death wobble is a scary experience for a motorcyclist, but don't fret - there are a few things you can do about it - even before you set off.
Are you thinking about putting directional tires on your motorcycle or scooter? Then, this episode will give you a few pointers about what you must know first.
Your motorcycle might be covered in fairings - or not at all.
There's a reason why your engine is overheating, and depending on the cause, it could be an easy fix - or not.
Are you seeing cracks in your tire? Then the rot has started to set in - quite literally.
Don't have a clue about what "RPMs" is or why your rev counter (or "tachometer") has a redline on it?
If you've ever had to disconnect or connect a motorcycle battery, you might feel like you're about to disarm a bomb.
Have you ever wondered how a CDI system works for a motorcycle or scooter?
Are you shopping for a spare or replacement part for your motorcycle? Then, there are a few things you must know first.
Have you ever wondered by most motorcycles and scooters use a hydraulic brake system and not a mechanical one?
Have you ever wondered what it is that makes your headlight glow?
"This bike has a compression ratio of 11:1."
Just like the transmission, the clutch plays a crucial role in making your motorcycle run.
The transmission might seem complex - but it doesn't have to be. Once you understand why you need it, it's actually not as complicated as it might seem.
If your bike's engine is on its last legs, it might be time to get a new one.
If you've listened to Episode 16, you'll know the differences between a moped and a scooter. But do you know what a "noped" is?
If you've been to or if you live in Southeast Asia, you'll have seen a special type of motorcycle known as "underbones."
If you've ever struggled to start a carburetted motorcycle, moped, or scooter on a cold morning, it's because carburetors don't like the cold at all.
Did you know that motorcycle or two-wheeler tires can be tubed or tubeless? But what's the difference between the two types?
An internal combustion motorcycle, moped, or scooter uses either a carburetor or a fuel injector for its fuel delivery system.
As small as it might be, a fuse plays a key role in protecting your motorcycle's electrics.
The electrical system might seem like an area with a strict "no-touchy" policy, but it's worth knowing more about electricity and electrical system.
Do you keep looking for an answer to the question "what is the drivetrain?" Look no further; this episode is the answer!
All motorcycle engines have a cooling system to deal with excessive heat - either through air-cooling or liquid-cooling.
If you're absolutely clueless about what the suspension does, and what terms like "suspension sag" and "unsprung weight" mean, this episode is for you.
Thought that ABS was complicated enough? How about "cornering ABS?"
Do you have a scooter? Then you've probably not got a conventional manual gearbox. But you don't have an automatic transmission either - it's a special kind of transmission known as a "CVT."
Most motorized two-wheelers (whether it's a motorcycle, moped, or scooter) use chain drive or belt drive. But what are the differences between the two?
I'll give you a hint - it's not just your head. There's a lot of things inside a regular helmet that protects your head from taking a beating.
In the context of motorcycles, and other two-wheelers that run on petrol or gasoline, "running rich" isn't a good thing.
Does it really matter how fast your bike is if your brakes down work? I thought so.
You might not think of them that much, but your motorcycle's wheels and tires play a crucial role in keeping you on the road and out of the ditch.
If you do, congratulations! Not many people know the difference.
If you listened to episode 14 of this podcast, you'll have a basic understanding of how an internal combustion engine works, and some common engine layouts.
Isn't it strange that we're only now talking about motorcycle engines - after 14 episodes?
What springs to mind when you hear the terms "hard-tail" and "soft-tail?" Is it "what's a hard-tail" and "what's a soft-tail," respectively?
Did you listen to Episode 10 and Episode 11 of this podcast? If you did, by now, you're probably wearing a helmet and a good jacket, gloves, and some study armor.
Did you listen to Episode 10 of this podcast? If you did, by now, you're probably wearing a helmet.
At the end of every episode of this podcast, I say, "keep your helmet on and your eyes on the road." But how can you keep your helmet on if you're unsure about whether it fits?
Love playing poker? Have you ever wanted to combine a poker night with a bike night?
When you work on your bike, there's always the risk that you might injure yourself.
In Sweden, not all mopeds are created equal. A class system exists that separates mopeds and scooters into two classes.
Do you live in the UK? Then you should know that getting an MOT is easy - at least if you're a cager.
Do you want to get a licence so bad that it hurts? Are you just sitting around waiting for the day when you can finally start taking motorcycle lessons?
If there’s one thing you’ll learn about the European motorcycle licenses, it’s that there’s a lot of As - - you’ve got the AM, A1, A2, and the A license.
If you’ve read the MSF Basic Rider Course handbook, or if you’ve watched a lot of motorcycle-related videos on YouTube, you’ve probably heard of T-CLOCS.
In this inaugural episode of the 30 Minute Motorcycling podcast, I talk about:
