But here are a few biker tattoos that you may have seen on a guy at the local pub, or perhaps you've gotten yourself, that are ICONIC or EXTREME in the motorcycle world. They all have a common message of immortalizing the love of riding and the "biker" attitude that most of us feel when we get out on the road.

Click on any image below to enlarge It

There's pretty much nothing that says "Don't f*** with me" like this tattoo. This image is almost like a character out of a horror movie. The level of detail is exactly where it needs to be, a solid contour line drawing of a burly skull, complete with the most iconic symbol America has, and just a pinch of in your face attitude. Okay, maybe a little more than a pinch.

This tattoo uses some of the tribal elements popular in today's tattoo industry, and takes the whole thing to the next level. The lack of actual detail really makes the imagery of the chopper stand out. It feels like it's speeding down the wearer's arm. Every line is designed with sharp edges, as though it could slice through your skin like a hot knife through butter. The artist did a great job incorporating the flames into the actual bike, and though there is a lot of negative space, the tat looks complete and pretty bad ass.

Through the flames of hell, the immortal V-Twin engine rises with the wings of an eagle to claim it's throne and rule over the single piston thumpers and the inline multi-piston-wanna-be-power houses. With a message that resonates throughout the biker world, "Ride Free," this tattoo merges atypical symbols of freedom together and, with fine detail, puts it all together in a well thought package.

To those who don't ride or work on their own bikes, this may appear as just some kind of weird cartoon character from an obscure children's show. But for the rest of us, you see the livelihood of your motorcycle. Sure, nowadays bikes are fuel injected, but older bikes that have carburetors are what shaped the motorcycle industry into what it is now. Though detailed, this tattoo takes a somewhat simplified approach to one of the most complex parts of a bike. It doesn't scream "Harley" or "Honda," it just screams "Motorcycle."

Why is this tattoo on the list of the most iconic motorcycle tats? Because it only takes a second to recognize what it is, and put it in it's place on a bike. It's genius in it's simplistic design. This tattoo is not perfectly symmetrical, nor is it super detailed, but that's what makes it such a good example. You don't have to get a full sleeve permanently drawn on your arm to show your love of bikes... just a few simple chain links says the same thing.

There's nothing more iconic in the world of motorcycles than Harley-Davidson, and people have been tattooing themselves with the memorable logo ever since these bikes were used in World War I. Even though they all share a common theme, each one of these (and the countless others) are special in it's own way. You don't have to be a Harley-Davidson rider to appreciate the history of the company, and the timelessness of a machine that helped America establish it's place as the best damn country in the world. From simple, to almost unrecognizable, Harley tattoos are extreme just in the subject matter.

Some tattoos are designed to make the viewer use their imagination to interpret the meaning of the art. . . this is not one of them. Not only is this an extreme example of tattoos in general, but the level of detail itself is way out there. The artist did a fantastic job taking the canvas he/she had (which was a fair amount) and using it to display the heart of every chopper on the road. A classical painter would have difficulty getting to this level of fine detail on a easel. The person tattooed is pretty much exactly what one envisions when you say "biker," and for good reason.

Uhhh. . . The tattoo is pretty. . . um. . . well, it's pretty cool. Yes, this picture of a tattoo definitely deserves to be showcased.

Though the imagery looks to be somewhat painful, the symbolism behind the tattoo stands out even more. There's a couple of double meanings going on here. The easiest is obviously the tribute to the USA with the flag visible in the back ground and the eagle in your face, but the eagle is also a symbol used in some of Harley-Davidson's logos, showing his love of the bikes. "Sturgis 2000" can also be a reference to Harley, but more likely is just the man's place and time of where the tattoo was done.

For those who are unaware, Sturgis, South Dakota is where the nation's largest motorcycle rally is held every year, beginning in 1938. In 2000, there were over 600,000 people whom attended the Sturgis Rally, and this guy is surely one of them. This tattoo helps immortalize the rally even more, and probably makes a great conversation starter.

There are a lot of biker tattoos out there that portray women more as objects than people. This tattoo, however, is not in that category. With one of the most iconic cartoon characters ever to hit the silver screen, Betty Boop stands out as strong woman comfortable with being a woman. Since the early 1930's Betty Boop has been changing the ideas of how women were portrayed in cartoons, television and movies — making it okay for them to be sexy. Even the look that she's giving, though suggestive, shows a sense of knowing that she's in charge of the situation.

The cruiser, although well drawn and iconic in it's own way, would look just like any other bike tattoo if it were by itself. But having Betty on the bike makes the statement that there are women riders out there. In fact, in 2008 the statistics showed that almost 13% of registered motorcyclists were women, which is a number that's rising every day.

Some tattoos are just cool and need to be seen. The artist who designed this ink did an exceptional job with shading and creating a real sense of textures. The bone feels hard and smooth, the scythe looks like it could slice through the neck of a person like a hot knife through butter, and Death's robe feels like it's old and tattered. Even though the source material is fantasy, the imagery looks real. This tattoo is an exceptional example of "bad ass."

This piece must have taken a great deal of time to complete. The level of shading is absurd, but in a good way. The sense of speed is recognizable instantly. The artist did a good job suggesting background and foreground elements with just enough detail to express the speed, but the level of detail in the motorcycle keeps our focus centered. This tattoo is also an example that man is the master of their machines, and hopefully nobody was injured while doing this stunt for the source image.

That sound was your jaw dropping to the ground. This tattoo is more a work of art than some pieces in the Smithsonian. Xavi Garcia is a world renown artist who continually wins awards for his work, for good reason. Indian motorcycles are as iconic as Harley-Davidson, have been around since 1901, and during the 1910's became the biggest motorcycle manufacturer in the world for a time. Plus, they're just beautiful pieces of machinery, as shown here. The image looks as though one could walk up and sit on it. Extreme only describes the amount of time this probably took. This tattoo is a testament to the artist and deserves to be seen.

One man walks around with this vivid imagery on his back. As one of the most original tributes to everything American shown anywhere, there is so much symbolism and so many personal metaphors going on here it almost takes a degree in psychology to see it all. There are two things that I can see right away, this guy loves motorcycles, and is proud to live in America. Whomever designed this ink did an amazing job capturing different elements and blending them all together in great detail. The artist brings these images to life with their textures and shading. The more you look at this tattoo, the more you see and can take from it.

The tattoos on this list are just a fraction of the millions of biker related tattoos out there. From the artists you may have heard of like Sailor Jerry and David Mann, to the thousands of others who perfect their art on our skin, it takes a real steady hand and a masterful eye to create something that is going to stay with the person forever, and be admired by all who see.

Sure, some tattoos have been used as markers on an individual to indicate that he/she might be associated with, or a member of, an unlawful gang. BUT, that includes a very small percentage of avid motorcyclists. There is a prejudice instilled in our minds that big guys with tattoos who ride motorcycles are members of Hells Angels, or any number of motorcycle gangs that have risen to the public's eye after World War II.

Just remember, it's never a good idea to judge a book by it's cover. Instead, take a second, and look at the illustrations and the artwork on the cover, and don't be afraid to ask questions. Most people who get tattooed will tell you the story behind their masterpiece if you just ask nicely, and chances are the story doesn't have anything to do with gangs. Hopefully you enjoy looking at these as much as we do.

Then you've come to the right place. We've tasked ourselves with finding a motorcycle gang (or club) to suit each and every one of our readers.

Are you a proud Jewish biker? We've got you covered. Got a mean streak and hail from the great island nation of New Zealand? You'll find like-minded friends below. Love to do good deeds and can rattle off every entrée at The Olive Garden? We've found you a home.

Browse each group and find the one that best suits you. Direct links to each club are provided so you can start working on your application ASAP.

First up for your consideration is The YCC — The Yamaha Custom Club of Benelux — a motorcycle club for grandmothers only. Yup, you heard that right — nannas only.

Started in the Netherlands, fifteen grandmas took to riding together and decided to go for a Guinness World Record of the most grandmothers on motorcycles at a single gathering. Once assembled, they looked around, decided that grandmas on bikes were cool, fun and bad-ass. You've got to admit, if YOUR grandma was a biker wouldn't you brag?

So a one-time attempt to win a record turned into an established club. The club is expanding throughout France, Italy, the Czech Republic and North America. The only requirement is that you are somebody's Granny. All you Grandpa's move along to the next option.

Still here? You can check out the grannys online.

Not a Grandma? Perhaps you can identify better with some old-fashioned Japanese super-societal-structure? Let's take a look at the Bushido Ryders, an MC that embraces the principles of the Bushido, the code followed by the warriors of Japan known as the Samurai.

This club emphasizes that they "do not fully embrace the full methodology of the Samurai, but the code that they lived and followed as warriors." Meaning, I suppose, that they don't challenge people in swordfights to the death. Or if they do they're not admitting it.

The Bushido are all about Justice, Bravery, Benevolence, Politeness, Veracity, Honor and Loyalty. The Bushido Ryders are not brand-specific and will accept sportbikes and cruisers of any kind.

They embrace diversity and seem to spend their time with charities, fund raisers and community service. They are California-based with one chapter in North Carolina. Since they are so incredibly cool in so many other ways, it's a shame that women can't patch up. For you male warriors, check out the Bushido here.

Here's a club you can apply to join based on the color of your skin. Much has been written about the East Bay Dragons MC, an Oakland, California-based all-black, exclusively Harley-Davidson motorcycle club.

The Dragons were founded in the 50's as a car club and morphed into an MC over time. The East Bay Dragons Motorcycle Club were astride their Hogs as Rosa Parks went on her historic bus ride and as Dr. Martin Luther King Jr, Malcolm X and the Black Panthers campaigned heroically for equal rights. As their website states, "The East Bay Dragons MC risked life and limb during days when a black man riding a Harley chopper was a revolutionary act."

No whites, no rice, no compromise.

Join up with these guys here

"Soul on Wheels" is a great book which traces the evolution of the East Bay Dragons through the years, including their Black Panther influence, their political and social emphasis, and the events that made them who they are now. The club numbers now into the hundreds.

Photo by dhollister

Next up on our voyage into approachable two wheel gangs, what better way to express your identity than with... wait for it... ZOMBIE BIKERS!

Meet the Rotten Dead MC. Based in South Korea, this club was formed by Korean bikers who wanted a club experience that approximated the dedication, loyalty and down-right seriousness of a 1% club, without the complications of the outlaw lifestyle and unfortunate events such as incarceration. They "wanted to be part of something where the patches are earned, not bought."

When the Rotten Dead were born there were no three-patch clubs (top rocker, center patch and bottom rocker – the hallmark of the organized club) in existence in Korea. So they winged it, starting their own club, writing their own charter and by-laws, and inexplicably coming up with the Zombie theme that persists to this day. Their website boasts... "Brotherhood Survives Beyond The Grave."

No word on what other clubs think of them, or if they are, in fact, actual zombies. Find out more here.

Next we move on to the pride of heritage – the Native American Brotherhood MC. This is a very traditional club, following the standard rules of what makes a biker club a biker club. The only exception is that you must be a Native American to be a member.

It's not clear from the site how they distinguish that. Most of the members don't appear to be 100% native. Their women wear patches that say Native Americans Lady, their version of the Property Patch. There is a section on their web page for club "retirees", a positive sign since in some clubs you only retire when you go in the ground.

The Brotherhood's site is covered in biker quotes, the type you get in your email over and over or that you see on stickers and such. Live to Ride, Ride to Live, for instance. Friendly and mostly inclusive, the Native American Brotherhood MC can be found here.

Not ready to join up with a gang of thugs on wheels? Then this next heart-warmingly sweet club may be for you. Maybe.

Meet the Sisters of the Muskegon Motorcycle Gang. Yes, Biker Nuns. No, this is not a Russ Meyer film. Back in 2003 the Sisters of Charity of St. Joan Antida in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, decided that it would be a charitable thing to open their grounds to bikers looking for a place to pitch a tent (or just collapse) during the 100th Anniversary celebration of Harley–Davidson which was taking place nearby.

The Muskegon Motorcycle Gang from Michigan took the good Sisters up on their offer. The Muskegon MC are a club that bills themselves as a Gang although it's not clear whether they engage in 1%'er activities.

That being said, the Muskegon MC liked the Sisters so much that they kept in touch and came back five years later for more Party & Prayer. One thing led to another and eventually the Sisters just patched up. They now have their own patches – associated with but different from the MMG.

No word on what prospecting looked like. Maybe a gang hit, maybe just a whooooole lot of Hail Marys.

Read more about the MMG here.

Here's one that will appeal to 13 million or so folks out there. What's that, you're not sure anyone can actually name a Jewish Biker? Sure there is the accountant/Jew/Patch-holdin 1%'er on "Sons of Anarchy". But the fact is there are organized Jewish motorcycle clubs.

Hillel's Angels, based in New Jersey, are a Jews-only club that focuses on enhancing the motorcycling experience among "those of a Jewish faith". The club was started by a Rabbi who initially called it "Galgalei Shalom", or the "Wheels of Peace". The Hebrew name was eventually replaced by the far wittier name Hillel's Angels – no word as of yet on what the Hells Angels think.

As their website says, it never ceases to amaze us - Jews really do ride!

Haven't found a group to join yet? Perhaps you tend to the more traditional, violent biker gang?

The Black Power MC in New Zealand are an interesting bunch. Formed in the late 1960's by a young Maori man in Whakatane, they have continued to grow and spread throughout New Zealand. Their members are nearly 100% Maori. Despite their name, and though their patch shows a raised black fist, they are not associated with the Black Power movement in the United States.

The Black Power MC engages in drug dealing and violence. They are rivals of the Mongrel Mob MC, also an ethnic minority club, and although Black Power MC began as a response to the Mongrel Mob they have since become big enough to threaten the dominance of the Hells Angels in New Zealand.

I don't think you can apply online, but you can read more about these guys here

Photo by geoftheref

Here's a little trivia tidbit – New Zealand has more biker gangs per capita than any other country in the world, with over 4,000 patch-holding 1% members in a population of only 4 million people. One of New Zealand's biker gangs, the Tribesmen, is a Maori-only club that uses the Killerbeez youth street gang as their go-to boys to deal drugs and handle other day to day tasks. Nothing if not efficient!

Put off by that last group of ne'er-do-wells? Maybe you've got a hankering for some good-deed-doing and can trace your roots to the Old Country? The Italian Angels may be your kind of club.

Started by two cousins, Sam Diana and Tony Landi, the Angels are dedicated to the preservation of Italian heritage and to giving back to their community.

That last bit is a critical component of their mission. A prayer on their website translates to "Dear God, watch over our brotherhood. Always protect us on our motorcycle rides and guide us to help those in need. Amen."

So, while many modern biker clubs align themselves with mischief-making, these guys clearly want to position themselves on the "Angel" side of the spectrum.

With that in mind, I'm guessing that the Angels might just let you in even if you're not Italian. In fact, I'm thinking that if you're a biker, want to help the needy, and love a good old-fashioned Italian Feast, they'll at least let you hang around. Check out their website and let me know how it goes.

From the not-so-scary we move on to the genuinely frightening. Welcome to the Notorious — Australia Original Gangsters. The Notorious are a gang, not a club, and they involve themselves in a wide variety of nefarious activity.

The Gangsters are 100% Muslim, which explains their triple-rocker patch featuring a grinning skull wearing — yes, you guessed it — a turban.

The Notorious are not only waging war on the Hells Angels and the Bandidos, they are taking on a Shiite Muslim biker gang in Sydney, carrying the Sunni Muslim / Shiite Muslim war into the next century, on motorcycles.

Last up are the Motorkadeh. This club embraces nationality as its starting point, though they're willing to make some exceptions.

Motorkadeh is a Persian (Iranian) club based in the United States. The name appears to be where the sense of nationalism stops because as far as I can tell, they are all about speed and biker's rights. They ride only sport bikes and they indulge in mounting cameras on the front of their rides and then proceeding to go as dangerously fast as they can while the camera rolls.

They have a political edge as well, with free membership to the club and no mention of exclusions of any kind. They do mention protecting the rights of all riders. Can't argue with that.

Judging by those folks in the adjacent image, they sure do look like they have some fun. Join them here.

By now, most readers will have already signed and delivered their applications to one of the above clubs. Congratulations... don't forget to tell your friends about us.

And if you couldn't find one that suits you? Send us an email and we'll consider starting up the SpotMotorcycles Motorcycle Club. For regular readers only, of course.

Typically in these scenarios, the gorgeous women are on the sidelines, holding a fight card or waving a checkered flag, or maybe pouring Gatorade over the head of whichever guy performed the fastest/coolest/most breathtaking stunt.

But that's not always been the case. We've spotlighted ten of the best women stunt riders throughout the ages. Every one of them was stunning and broke stereotypes of more than one kind.

We start with Margaret Gast, who started her riding career on bicycles in the early 1900's and soon moved on to "motorbikes", as the term was in that day. Before long she was riding the phenomenally dangerous Motordrome – what is now known as the Wall of Death.

With her big brown eyes and her flapper haircut, she seemed all too feminine and sweet, but when she peaked the Drome you knew she meant business.

In the 20's we found Lillian La France, escaping life in Kansas to join the traveling Motordrome and thrilling the hearts of the masses with her lustrous curly dark hair, her curvaceous figure and her blood red lipstick. Lillian was famous for keeping that big fearless smile on her face at all times.

Said Lillian: "It was the thrill of risking my life that made me to take to drome riding. I was the girl who flirts with death. From childhood I was inspired by wanderlust. I was always alone, dreaming of adventures– how to ride a pony out West, to follow my calling to fame. This was my secret. I shared it with no one."

Next is Bessie Stringfield, a strong, beautiful African American woman who started riding a the age of 16 in the deep South. Bessie didn't ride sport bikes with her knees on the handlebars, but she did serve as a US Army dispatch rider and completed eight solo cross-country rides. She most often rode Harley.

Bessie sported a bad-ass multi-buckle black kidney belt against a white body suit and a white captain's hat. She wore her hair long and always had a mischievous smile. Bessie's biggest stunt was being a black woman who rode frequently and alone through racially divided Southern States in the 30's and 40's.

The 50's and 60's were confusing times for women, as we struggled with our places as domestic icons, relegated to the home when our men returned from the war and took our factory jobs and our independence away. A few years later, everything turned upside-down and women rebelled in ways their parents could never have imagined.

During that time Cookie Ayers-Crum blossomed into her place as one of history's greatest motorcycle stunt-riders, riding the Motordrome with no helmet, wearing tight black jeans, a pristine white sweater, her blonde hair spilling over her shoulders in waves and her lipstick just so.

Cookie learned to ride at the tender age of fourteen and by the time she was seventeen in 1949 she had responded to a newspaper ad that read: "Opportunity to travel with show and learn thrilling, well-paying profession. Will teach personable girl with nerve and courage to become motorcycle exhibition rider in Motordrome. Pay while learning. This is a highly regarded profession and a rare opportunity." This sounded good to Cookie and before long she was touring with Barnum & Bailey's Circus as a stunt rider.

In the 70's women were living larger than ever, as exemplified by Tyne Daley starring alongside Clint Eastwood as a gun-toting, bad-guy-chasing cop in one of the Dirty Harry movies, in a role that was ground-breaking.

That same era saw Kerry Kleid become the first woman to hold an AMA Professional Racing License. She was only twenty-one.

The 80's gave us enormous hair and shoulder-pads, Devo and Cyndi Lauper. Despite all of that, it also gave us Debbie Evans Leavitt, one of the most fearless female trail stunt riders around.

Debbie was a pioneer in Observed Trials competition, a sport that requires the ability to quickly and accurately master narrow, marked courses.

Debbie was the first woman to compete in the FIM World Championship Trials and she was honored with the title of "Queen of Trials". She was the first woman to successfully ride in the United States Trials during the late 1970's and into the 80's.

In 2010 there are female stunt-riders galore. While it may have been enough in the past just to be a woman on a motorcycle, now it rests on the shoulders of the lovely ladies who stunt-ride to prove that they can do anything the boys can.

We have riders such as Tena Colbert, "Stunt Blondie", billed as one of fewer than a dozen female free-style stunt riders in the world. Luckily for us, Tena graduated from riding quads to two-wheelers in the not-too distant past.

She now expects to compete in the 2011 XDL Sartso Womens Cup Series, after she gives birth to her first child in August 2010.

Next up on our list of modern-day, smokin' hot stunt-riding ladies is Jessica Maine, from Albequerque, New Mexico. Jessica started riding at the age of 17 when she fell in love with a Yamaha YZF600R. Only two years later she started stunt riding. Jessica stands a mere 5'2" and weighs 113 lbs. This little lady breaks the size barrier, the gender barrier, and the beauty barrier. Jessica commands her bikes like a lion-tamer with big cats.

With tattoos and screaming fast sport bikes, Jessica represents the modern age of female stunt riders quite nicely.

We also have Joleen "JoJo" Farmer, Las Vegas resident who is one of the stars of Las Vegas Extremes and has been called the "hottest female stunt rider ever", a title that has created as much debate as agreement. JoJo is another gorgeous blonde with the face and body of a supermodel. She rides like a beast, performing stunts such as the Christ Air (standing upright on the tank of her bike while moving).

Last but certainly not least we come to Suzanne "Gixxie" Hamilton, a girl who knows how to self-promote as well as she knows how to ride – which is fast, effectively, and with a certain ruthless demeanor. Gixxie can stunt-ride as well as any man and is, true to the present form, a stunning blonde with a rock-hard body.

Gixxie got her start as a spokesmodel for Micron Exhaust. It wasn't until she tired of staring at gorgeous motorcycles all day long that she decided to ride one herself. She had learned to ride on the farm in Ohio at the age of five, but it was stunts she wanted to do, and stunts she did.

So where does this leave us? At the turn of the last century women were performing incredible stunts of bravery and sometimes death-defying resilience just by daring to ride. Now, it seems the best and most attention is captured by the women who are the most beautiful, the slimmest, sometimes surgically enhanced, and typically bleached blonde. Who are these women, and have they truly inherited the mantle of their fore-mothers? For those of us who wonder, let us just remember not to try these stunts at home.

From crazy Germans of the 1930's to record-breaking speed-demons of today, motorcyclists have always had a fascination with rocket-powering their engines.

And who can blame them? Feeling the rush of the extreme acceleration while seeing the smoke and flames burst from the tailpipe is a high that few of us have experienced, yet all of us have imagined.

Here we provide the first comprehensive guide to rocket cycles past, present and future. See thrill-seeking Germans as they kick-start the sport, champion daredevil Evel Knievel point his rocket cycle skyward, and Hollywood visionaries dream of a somewhat-goofy rocket-powered future.

Yeah, I know that's not saying much since those rockets were dangerous, expensive, gas-guzzling firebombs. Don't worry, we'll show off updated models of those as well.

Some of the fastest motorcycles on the planet, Dragbikes burn pure rocket fuel to produce some incredible results. Nitromethane, or "Top Fuel" is the propellant of choice for these 1300hp monsters.

Eric Teboul broke the Dragbike World Record in 2009, covering a quarter mile in 5.27 seconds. That's 251 mph if you don't feel like doing the math. See Eric's record-breaking run below.

Larry McBride, pictured below, is another top racer and former World Record holder. And he's got a sense of humor about it, too, donning a spiderman suit all the while. Might that just be an homage to The Human Fly, mentioned in Part I? Nah, probably not.

Juan Manuel Lozano Gallegos has lived, breathed and dreamed rockets since his teens. He built a jet-powered go-cart in 1974 at the age of 19 but went back to rockets when he found the jets to be lacking in power. That's my kind of guy!

To call Juan a Do-It-Yourself'er is a bit of an understatement. He's happy to show you exactly how he produces his rocket gear, but don't get any ideas of copying his technique — his end-results are awe-inspiring.

In addition to providing the technology behind Eric Teboul's World Record-holding Dragbike, Juan also built the world's fastest bicycle. Naturally, it was rocket-powered.

These days, Juan will put a rocket in just about anything but his top-priority is building a commercially-viable jetpack. Can't say I blame him.

Leading the charge in the all-important Smoke & Fire Division, we have the Mad V8 Jet Bike. Boasting a 3,800 hp jet engine, this baby can light up the night sky. Last time I checked, it had never actually been ridden anywhere, so I guess we'll have to wait on the speed specs.

Australian owner Ron Laycock knows he's got a good thing going, and he's not afraid to share. Ron's also got a healthy respect for the traditions of his sport, here showing off his ride in the name of some good ol' fashioned T&A. Won't somebody please get that poor girl a jacket?

Proving just how mainstream these types of reaction engines have become, MTT has made a jet engine-powered, production model bike called the Y2K Turbine Superbike for about a decade.

Theirs was the first street-legal, turbine-driven bike and its 320hp engine topped out at about 225 mph. At the time, Guinness called it the most powerful production motorcycle ever made. Unfortunately, they also called it the most expensive production motorcycle ever made.

Below is the Streetfigher, a more current model from MTT, which can be yours for a mere $175k.

Somewhere in Germany, Fritz von Opel is rolling over in his grave.

So who would buy one of these puppies? Jay Leno is a self-proclaimed member of the "More Money Than Brains Club", so it's no surprise you can see him testing one out below.

So what is an aspiring jet-biker to do if he's got more time than money?

That's easy... study the DIY'ers. They build their own jet engines from scratch and then document it all meticulously so that others can join in the fun. A bunch of them hang out at the DIYTurbines Yahoo Group, so that's a great place to start.

Pictured at right is a late model Honda Magna modded to fit a Boeing T-50 jet engine. It recently sold on eBay for less than ten grand. The video below is of a home-built gas turbine engine from Australian DIY master John Wallis.

Finally, in the Skinny Tire division, we have Bob Maddox carrying on the age-old German tradition of strapping jet engines to bicycles (you remember Herr Richter from Part I, don't you?)

Bob's gotten quite good at attaching pulse jet engines to two-wheelers and then polishing 'em up to look like production models. He even sells his engines to hobbyists, so you can get a quick start on your new obsession.

Bob reckons one of these will take your bike up to 75 mph, but he's been too chicken to open it up all the way.

OK, I was kidding about the "chicken" comment. In fact, Bob once had the crazy idea to strap one of those pulse-jet engines to himself! Yes, you read that correctly, and there's a picture below to prove it. These days, though, Bob is working on a pulse-jet motorcycle (yes, please) and a TV show documenting his exploits.

Our glorious rocket cycle-deprived ancestors had their fair share of both.
<!--more-->
<div style="background: #E1EBFB; color: #2b3349; font-size: 14pt; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Verdana; font-weight: bold; padding: 4px;">Forerunner to the Hindenburg?</div>
<img style="padding: 10px 0px 10px 10px; margin: 0px;" src="http://spotmotorcycles.zipgolfer.netdna-cdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/05/opel3.jpg" alt="" width="396" height="264" align="right" />When Adam Opel founded the Opel Company in 1863 to make sewing machines and bicycles, he had no idea that grandson Fritz would inherit his entrepenerial spirit. He was probably rolling over in his grave, though, when 21-year old Fritz decided to marry rockets with Opel's motor vehicles.

Lucky for us, though, that's exactly what Fritz von Opel did. Fritz planned to set a landspeed record by bolting six booster rockets to his 22hp one-stroke, dubbed "The Monster".

Fritz and his cronies at the Opel Motorcycle Club managed to squeeze in a few trial runs in 1928, one of which is pictured here. But once President Paul von Hindenburg got wind of his plan, he shut Fritz down in the name of safety.

Strange then, that Hindenburg would have no problem with Opel switching gears and focusing on cars. Fritz enjoyed some spectacular success with his <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Opel_RAK.1_(car)">rocket-powered cars</a>.

No doubt emboldened by these triumphs of transportation engineering, the Germans green-lighted a giant Zeppelin bearing Hindenburg's name just a few years later. Let's not blame that one on Fritz, though.
<div style="margin: 20px;"><img src="http://spotmotorcycles.zipgolfer.netdna-cdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/05/opel1.jpg" alt="" width="333" height="400" /></div>
<div style="background: #E1EBFB; color: #2b3349; font-size: 14pt; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Verdana; font-weight: bold; padding: 4px;">Just a Friendly Neighborhood Bike Race. With Rockets!</div>
When the German government put the kibosh on Fritz von Opel's rocket cycle (see above), they should've known that someone else would pick up the ball and run with it.

But let me ask you this... when your government tells you that rocket-powered motorcycles are too dangerous, does it make any sense at all to attach your rockets to a bicycle instead?

I guess it does if you're a bike racer. Racers Oskar Tietz and Max Hahn, pictured below, took on the challenge in 1929 in Berlin.
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Not to be outdone, an engineer by the name of Richter took his shot two years later, in 1931. Ricther's ride didn't go so well, but at least he had the presence of mind to abandon ship before reaching maximum velocity.
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<div style="background: #E1EBFB; color: #2b3349; font-size: 14pt; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Verdana; font-weight: bold; padding: 4px;">His Bike Nearly Got Him Assassinated</div>
<img style="padding: 10px 0px 10px 10px; margin: 0px;" src="http://spotmotorcycles.zipgolfer.netdna-cdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/05/amlow.jpg" alt="" width="397" height="402" align="right" />Archibald Low was one of those guys who could never stop inventing stuff. And his list of inventions is quite impressive.

Among other things, Archie invented a pre-cursor to the automatic transmission, a radio-guided missile system and a whistling egg-timer. He also demonstrated an early version of television, nearly thirteen years before it was "invented."

All this brainpower nearly got him killed, though, as the pre-WWI Germans saw him as a quite a threat. After two failed assassination attempts, the Germans wised up and realized that they could put Archie's inventions to good use in their own war effort. They left him pretty much alone after that.

Archie was something of an eccentric. He liked to be called "Professor" though he'd never held a position in academia. And he took it upon himself to boost interest in British road racing by showing off a rocket-powered motorcycle.

Ninety thousand fans at Wembley Speedway witnessed Archibald's rocket-powered cycle scream around the track in 1946. Champion rider Bill Kitchen gave the bike rave reviews, praising its smooth acceleration.
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<div style="background: #E1EBFB; color: #2b3349; font-size: 14pt; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Verdana; font-weight: bold; padding: 4px;">The First Insect to Jump 27 Buses</div>
<img style="padding: 10px 0px 10px 10px; margin: 0px;" src="http://spotmotorcycles.zipgolfer.netdna-cdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/05/humanfly2.jpg" alt="" width="250" height="248" align="right" />Rick Rojatt, AKA The Human Fly, had a colorful backstory to explain his cloaked appearance. I'll give you a hint... it very closely resembled the backstory of a certain Marvel Superhero of the day, also named "The Human Fly". Something about breaking every bone in his body and then retraining himself to crawl, walk, climb and run with the super-human strength of a scaled-up fly.

Mr. Fly made his name by wing-walking on a low-flying DC-8 at about 250 MPH, but the stunt that interests us more was his 1977 rocket-powered motorcycle leap over twenty-seven buses. His bike boasted 6,000 hp worth of thrust, and was capable of hitting 300 mph in a quarter-mile.

Rick was pretty tight-lipped about his exploits, and in fact disappeared into obscurity shortly after his rocket jump. But the designer of that bike has spilled all. Read more about that <a href="http://www.the-rocketman.com/human-fly.html">here</a>. Lots of great anecdotes in that piece, but here's a teaser: "I stood there, witnessing the crash of all crash landings right before my eyes, and a hush fell over the crowd, as we all feared the worst. It looked like nobody could have possibly survived such a crash landing."
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<div style="background: #E1EBFB; color: #2b3349; font-size: 14pt; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Verdana; font-weight: bold; padding: 4px;">All Systems Fail. OK, We're Good to Go!</div>
<img style="padding: 10px 0px 10px 10px; margin: 0px;" src="http://spotmotorcycles.zipgolfer.netdna-cdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/05/skycycle.jpg" alt="" width="250" height="428" align="right" />Evel Knievel... is there any name more synonymous with "Rocket Cycle"? I don't think so. Is there any name more synonymous with "perform outrageous stunt, crash to the delight and horror of thousands of onlookers, sustain major injuries, then do it all over again"? Certainly not.

Evel became the greatest daredevil of all time by refining that formula to perfection. He figured it was okay to mix in a few failures with some spectacular successes, provided he had the cojones to survive and do it all over again.

Evel's 1974 rocket-cycle jump over the Snake River Canyon certainly fit that description. Years in the making, Evel pushed forward even in the face of likely disaster. His rocket cycle failed all of its pre-flight tests and his landing plan consisted mostly of crossing his fingers. But Evel was undeterred.

When the jump did happen, the force of the thrust knocked Evel out cold, thereby releasing his hand from the emergency parachute deployment lever. That stopped the cycle dead in its tracks. Amazingly, the cycle probably would've made it over the canyon without that mishap.

Evel's eject mechanism also failed, trapping him inside the sky-cycle. He landed just a few feet from the raging river at the floor of the canyon. Had he landed in the water, certain death awaited.

Evel walked away with minor injuries and, true to form, started working on his next stunt shortly after. Ever heard the term "jumped the shark"? Evel invented that one by — you guessed it — jumping over a shark.

Want to read more on Evel's incredible career? Check out our comprehensive <a href="http://www.spotmotorcycles.com/evel-knievel-infographic">interactive infograhic</a>.
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<div style="background: #E1EBFB; color: #2b3349; font-size: 14pt; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Verdana; font-weight: bold; padding: 4px;">Enough With the Jumping, I Just Wanna Go Fast</div>
<img style="padding: 10px 0px 10px 10px; margin: 0px;" src="http://spotmotorcycles.zipgolfer.netdna-cdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/05/roscoe1.jpg" alt="" width="202" height="325" align="right" />Australian Rosco McGlashan survived the 70's without catching the bug to jump over things on his motorcycle. Strange, when you consider that the road to fame and fortune for thrill-seeking young bikers of that era was clearly marked: hurtle your body successfully (or unsuccessfully) over trucks, cars or sharks and the the riches will follow.

But Rosco just wanted to go fast. And go fast he did. Competing on clutchless V8 monsters, rocket-powered screamers and 250 mph go-carts was just the beginning for Rosco. That rocket-powered screamer, pictured here, was banned by the Australian government in the name of safety before it ever got a chance to hit top speed. If that reminds you a bit of Max von Opel's story, you're not alone.

Rosco graduated to pursuing land speed records in high-tech rocket cars and nearly accomplished his dream in the mid-90s. He's still at it today, nearly forty years removed from his original V8. Good luck Rosco, let us know how it works out! I just hope you've graduated to more <a href="http://www.spotmotorcycles.com/shoei-rf-1000-flutter-motorcycle-helmet/">up-to-date headgear</a>.
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<div style="text-align: center; margin-top: 20px; margin-bottom: 30px; font-size: 18pt;"><a href="/rocket-cycles-of-today">Continue to Part II: Rocket Cycles of Today</a></div>

And who is more qualified to predict the future of technology than Hollywood movie producers? I can think of no-one. If they can dream it, surely it's just a matter of time before the engineers can build it.

So, without further ado, let's see what the LA-LA Land Dreamers have to say about how our Rocket Cycle Future will progress.

Other than its campiness, Flash Gordon was loved (by me, anyway) for its modest view of the not-too-distant and not-too-high-tech future.

Take this rocket cycle, for example. Built by a race that has no clear need for it (the Hawkmen), it has no way of aiming its main weapon without also turning the bike itself.

The Hawkmen also forgot to install a GPS, which becomes clear to the viewer when rider Flash exclaims "Mayday! Mayday! I'm flying blind on a rocket cycle".

I'm assuming these guys worked for the government?

Quibbles aside, I once owned a jet ski that was more advanced than this puppy, so I sure hope we're not headed in this direction. Oh, and Flash, I just love those pants.

As saddened as I am by the prospect of a future that includes Hawkmen Rocket Cycles, I am equally as excited about getting my hands on a 74-Z Imperial Speeder Bike.

These babies accelerate from a standstill to 300 mph in about 1.5 seconds. They turn on a dime and come equipped with an optional light blaster cannon.

The only concern I have is that they seem to be a bit too quiet. When I'm going that fast, I want people to know I'm coming. I guess I'll just have to wait for a set of after-market loud pipes before commuting on my new Speeder Bike.

Despite the advanced technology, you'll no doubt be surprised to hear that pre-orders for this model are now being accepted. Send $9,000,000 USD in small unmarked bills to this website and expect delivery in late Winter of 2175.

San Francisco based artist Norio Fujikawa is not a Hollywood special effects designer, but he might as well be. No doubt drawing inspiration from the Imperial Speeder Bike featured above, Norio brings us one step closer to reality with this flying Jet Bike.

Norio's job is to dream big, and we're here to speculate about what the future might bring, so we'll cut him some slack. But it seems to us that, if you came back to earth just a touch, and added a few tires to this thing, it might just be a viable production concept.

Or... we can keep dreaming and imagine this one hitting assembly lines in 2090.

I love that Norio can imagine a flying bike, but can't imagine we're going to do away with the honkin' huge tailpipe. See that little white button on the dash? That's the turbo button for setting off the rockets.

OK, it's time to come back to reality and see what Hollywood thinks might be accomplished in the not too-distant future on this planet.

When you're producing a low-budget TV show that has very little chance of being renewed, you've got to make due with what you've got. Street Hawk — a blatant ripoff of Knight Rider — was that show, and the cycle of choice certainly showed its 1984 economy-class lineage.

Don't get me wrong, I'd drool for its rocket-powered Hyperthrust engine capable of hitting 300 mph. I'd put a down payment tomorrow on a standard weapons system that included laser cannons and rocket launchers. And I'd sleep out overnight to be the first guy on my block with a 'Compressed Air Vertical Lift System'.

It's just that I want my future rocket cycle to be something a little snazzier than a Honda dirt bike.

Of course, not all Hollywood dreamers see our motorcycle future as being rocket-laden. Shame on them but, in the interest of competitive analysis, we need to at least examine one of the leading contenders to replace rocket cycles as the futuristic commuter vehicle of choice.

As a kid, I drooled over the Light Cycle from Tron, but as an adult I now see its limitations. Sure its acceleration is unrivaled, its looks are to die for and it can make a ninety-degree turn at extremely high speed.

But I see two major problems with this bike in comparison the rocket cycles above. First off, it creates an impermeable wall of light behind it. I'd like to knock off that obnoxious tailgater as much as the next guy, but this seems a little extreme. And secondly, it lacks the ability to run outside of a pre-constructed electrical grid. What's up with that? I'm told that this problem will be fixed in Tron Legacy, but you know how technology works... the promises of Version 2.0 never live up to the dreams of the early adapters.

I'll stick with my rocket cycle, thank you very much.

Amazingly, someone actually designed a current-day concept bike around the Tron cycle. French maker Enzyme has been known to turn a concept into reality on occasion, so who knows? Maybe our rocket-cycle future will be pre-empted before it ever really gets started. I'm banking on not.

Commuting with your pet on a motorcycle? That just might be the holy grail for any serious biker. And yet most novice riders have no idea how to achieve this lofty goal.

Worry no longer. Here at SpotMotorcycles, we've put together the definitive guide to transporting your animal on your motorbike.

We've scoured the interwebs for pictorial examples of experienced riders doing things the right way... and the wrong. When we were unable to find evidence of proper technique, we commissioned an award-winning artist to provide the sketches we needed.

The guide is divided into one section per animal. Click on any sketch to see a larger version.

He'll Eat You Only If He Has To

Fig. 1: Does This Bear Look Happy to You?

Bears and motorcycles make an excellent pairing. Providing you don't let them drive, of course

Bear of Very Little Brain

That bears can drive motorcycles is a well-known fact. See the picture at right for just one such example.

What's not so well-known is that bears have very little interest in the rules of the road. Bears have been known to speed in school zones, to change lanes without signaling, and to honk in front of hospitals.

Do not be lulled in to the false sense of security a bear can provide when he first hops in the saddle. You're better off designating yourself the driver.

Fig. 2: A Hungry Bear is a Scary Bear

Omnivorous Bears Only

The only downside to transporting a bear on the back of your bike is that he may get hungry. A hungry bear will reach out for most convenient tasty morsel he can find which, in this case, is likely to be you.

This problem is easily solved, though. Simply give the bear a sticky, gooey snack that will take him some time to work through. A big pot of honey is a good choice, as is a tub of peanut butter or lard. You should refill his snack periodically, of course, lest he get to the bottom of it and start looking around for dessert.

No Time For a Cat Nap

Fig. 1: Your Cat is NOT Evel Knievel

Above all else, cats are fickle. One minute they're craving the wind in their hair and the joy of the open road. The next minute it's nap time.

You'll need a well-thought out strategy to ensure a pleasant and safe ride for your feline friend.

Born to Be Wild

Many riders, like the one pictured at right, opt to let their cat have access to the elements and free range on the bike.

This poses two potential problems:

First off, your cat may see something interesting on the side of the road as you race by and feel the need to jump off. This can really can slow you down if you're in a hurry, adding minutes of cat-retrieval time to your daily commute.

Second, your cat will have no way to transition gently into the sleep he so desperately needs.

Fig. 2: Happy Kitty

Let Your Cat Be a Cat

At left, observe the proper way to transport a cat on a motorcycle.

Note that Fluffy is safely tucked in to a child seat with five-point restraining harness. This allows him to experience the feeling of freedom cats so often crave, while remaining safe, secure and, most of the time, asleep.

And never, I repeat never, succumb to the temptation to put your animal in one of these. Illegal? Maybe. Major ridicule from your friends? Definitely.

Preventing Mad Cow

Fig. 1: Incensed

Cows may seem somewhat docile. But search the news for "Mad Cow" and you'll be surprised just how frequently incidents have occurred.

I Need to Lie Down

Transporting a cow on a motorcycle is a risky proposition. If you can keep the cow happy, you should be just fine. But make that cow mad and you're in for a rough time.

Take that cow pictured at right, for example. Does she have room to lie down if it's going to rain? Does she have her daily ration of grass within easy reach? No and No.

Driver beware, that cow is about to be mad.

All Cows Eat Grass

The cow below, on the other hand, is quite content. She's been given room to stretch out, has an ample supply of food nearby, and has an unobstructed, 360-degree view of the scenery as it rolls by.

To top it off, should that cow become mad for some unforeseen reason, the driver has ensured that she'll be at a safe distance from the unhappy heifer.

Fig. 2: Looks Like Rain

Baa Baa Biker Sheep

Fig. 1: Wool May Be Scratchy to Some Bikers

As in the wild, sheep need to be herded, organized, and given strict instruction in order to be successfully transported on a bike.

What am I, an Airbag?

Bikers may assume that sheep, with their fluffy wool coats, make excellent pillows and/or protective gear. And yet, nothing could be further from the truth.

First off, no safety-conscious biker should position a soft cushion between him and his brakes. Sleep would be way too tempting on a long journey.

Second of all, sheep do not make good safety gear. Sure, they may be fat and squishy, but their wool can be itchy and does little to prevent road rash in case of an accident.

Fig. 2: Click to go to the movie (after a brief ad)

Crackin' Sheep, Gromit!

The correct way to transport a sheep, or an entire flock for that matter, is mostly a matter of organization. Just as sheep need shepherding in the wild, so too should you strive to reduce chaos in your ovine biker gang.

Check out the movie at left (following a brief ad) to see just how it's done. If Wallace & Gromit can pull off a daring rescue of a dozen sheep on nothing more than an underpowered street bike, then you ought to have no problem if you simply follow their lead.

Man's Best Friend

Fig. 1: Welcome to the Dog & Pony Show

Dogs have just two simple requirements when on a motorcycle: to be near their owner and to have their tongue flapping in the wind.

Don't Break My Wind, Man

The dog pictured at right may look happy enough, decked out in his Harley gear. But note how he's been tasked with piloting this Hog without his owner. You can be sure that this dog is one lonely dude.

Furthermore, should his owner choose to join him on the front of this bike, our hero will be unable to access the glorious jet stream of wind that bike-riding dogs desire.

Can you say pooch faux pas?

Fig. 2: Right On!

More Wind Drag Means More Fun for Fido

A happy dog, such as the one at left, will be properly situated on your bike and will sport proper safety equipment.

In this case, Rex's responsible owner has taken all the necessary steps to ensure a fun-filled ride for both owner and canine.

Note the addition of safety goggles, a must if you're serious about preventing cataracts in your dogs eyes as he stares intently into the wind.

Yes We Have No Bananas

Fig. 1: A Good Mind Wasted

A monkey's mind will start to race if you don't give him something interesting to do. Let him be a bike racer instead.

Monkey Business

Next to humans, monkeys are the most intelligent creatures on this planet. What's that you say? Dolphins? Please... Ever get stuck behind one on the New Jersey Turnpike at rush hour? Don't waste my time.

The problem with monkeys, of course, is that they can't keep their clever little minds from dreaming up all sorts of crazy tricks. That's the last thing you want when you're trying to get home to the wife and kids in time for dinner.

Instead, why not put the little guy to work doing what monkeys do best?

Fig. 2: Still Life With Ducati (and Baboon)

Me & My Monkey

Consult our diagram at left for the most successful way to commute with your baboon. Driving a motorcycle is a sufficiently complex task to keep your pet occupied and frees you up for that big-picture thinking that humans do best.

At first, you'll feel tempted to micro-manage your monkey's driving technique. But then you'll realize that he's no worse than all of the other gorillas on the road. Then you'll be able to sit back, relax, and enjoy the ride.

That's the Truth... And I Ain't Lion.

Sure lions are dangerous, but only when they feel threatened. Keep your pet calm and worry-free for a successful commuting adventure.

Threat Level Orange

The last thing you'll want to do when loading your lion on a motorcycle is show signs of aggression. Baring teeth, roaring, and locking him in a cage should all be avoided.

Fig. 2:What Kind of Circus is This?

Note how the lion pictured above has been carefully contained in a steel trailer cage. Think that will contain him when he spies a gazelle or springbok on the side of the road? Think again.

Fig. 2: Yes, it's real. See the original here.

All Signals Green

Give your lion a sense of freedom and respect and he will calmly ride wherever you take him. Amusement park daredevils of the 1930's, such as the one pictured at left, knew this and used it to their advantage.

Yes, I know the driver is in a car and not a motorcycle, but the principle remains the same — treat your lion like a man and he'll treat you like the lazy kitty that he yearns to be. Oh, and as an added bonus, you can save money by ditching the alarm. You're not going to need with Kitty around.

Hamster Dance? I Don't Think So

Fig. 1: Oh, the Embarrassment!

Hamsters are a proud species. Quiet and regal, yes, but proud nonetheless. Your job is to ensure that their pride is not compromised.

Don't Cramp My Style

The hamster at right is mortified.

Check out the look in his eye — this hamster has been emasculated. Hammy should be on the bike, not in the bike.

His need to be in constant motion, coupled with his proud nature, make him a perfect candidate to be a daredevil, not a mere wheel-runner.

Hammy Rides Again

Our recent Hammy Rides Again article illustrates perfectly how hamsters like to roll. Check out our video below to see Hammy in action, defying death in a way that most bikers would be way too timid to emulate.

Where Does He Sit? Anywhere He Wants.

Fig. 1: Doesn't Seem Fair

In many parts of the world, owning a pet elephant is quite common. So we'll look to those parts of the world for the keys to transporting an elephant on a motorcycle.

Working For Peanuts

Elephants are good natured enough pets. Happy to help out with an honest days work, the elephant is a prime example of the pet that pays for itself in no time.

But do not forget that, along with its heft comes a hefty need to sit back and relax once in a while.

The elephant at right is being asked to work too hard. Carrying a man or a motorcycle might be a reasonable request. But both at once, through a river? C'mon man, have a heart!

Fig. 2: Now That's More Like It

Take a Load Off

The simple addition of a sidecar to your motorcycle or scooter can make a world of difference for both you and your elephant. The beast pictured at left is not slacking off by any means — he's resting up for the next session of hard work.

His owner knows he can share the thrill of a bike ride in the country with his hard-working pal, and be repaid many times over in the future.

A Last Word

Did we miss your favorite domesticated animal? It should be obvious how to transport chickens and goats, but snakes and guinea pigs will present special challenges. We'll cover all of these (and more) in future updates.

In the meantime, should you successfully apply any of the techniques described above, let us know how it went in the comments below. If you're unsuccessful, please keep it to yourself. We don't want to disturb the animals.

Here at SpotMotorcycles, we like to keep an eye on what celebrity bikers are up to. And, since keeping an eye on celebrities can get somewhat tedious, we try to focus exclusively on the ones that look good.

Recently we've noticed a trend. Harley riding celebrity women seem to be getting more and more common. Sure we all know about the old-time biker beauties like Brigitte Bardot, Ann-Margret and Tina Turner. But these days it seems like you can't bat an eye without catching a glimpse of a famous figure posing on her bike.

So which of these nouveau biker babes are legitimate riders and which are merely posers?

We set out to answer that question by compiling a list of The 25 Hottest Harley Riding Celebrities of All-Time. They've been ranked in order of hotness by our discriminating committee. Bonus points given to bikers who are more than just dabblers in this classic American hobby — been spotted sporting a genuine set of Harley boots? That counts.

That's the pitch of many a motorcycle salesperson, but let's analyze it closely before getting our hands on the throttle.

Can a car commuter really save money by switching to a motorcycle?

The answer is Yes.... and No.

How Much Money Can I Save
Commuting By Motorcycle?

Describe your commute to find out.

Need to buy a bike?	Yes I already own one
Bike Type:	Scooter Sport Bike Small Cruiser Mid-Sized Cruiser Large Cruiser
Age of Bike:	New 1-3 years 4-10 years 11+ years Vintage/Collectible
Need an MSF safety class?	Yes I've already had one
Willing to do minor repairs?	Yes No
Bike commute trips yearly:	50-99 100-149 150-199 200-249 All
Car commute trips yearly:	100-149
Miles to work:	0-9 10-19 20-39 40-75
Car MPG:	10-14 15-19 20-24 25-29 30-34 35+
Gas ($/gal):	1.75 2.00 2.25 2.50 2.75 3.00 3.25 3.50 3.75 4.00

Gear needed (check all that apply):

Helmet	Pants	Saddlebags
Jacket	Gloves	Rain Suit

Each trip on a bike is certainly less expensive than on a car, but a few complications get in the way of penny-pinching nirvana.

First off, you may need to invest significant up-front costs before saving a dime.

Next, most bike commuters are unable to give up their car entirely, due to weather restrictions or luggage-carrying needs. This means that bike commuting leads to extra insurance and extra maintenance, negating some of the savings.

Finally, saving money on a motorcycle depends on a set of tradeoffs you may not be willing to make. Can you settle for the adrenaline rush of an underpowered scooter, or are you dead-set on the roar of a power-hungry beast? The answer to that question, among others, determine whether you can be one of the few that manage to save money while commuting by bike.

Check out our in-depth analysis below, and then try out our personalized calculator at right to see just how much you can save — or not.

Up-Front Costs

New bike commuters often overlook expenses associated with taking up this hobby. And, while purchasing a bike is the most significant of upfront costs, it's only just one of many.

The Bike

Obviously, the biggest up-front cost you'll face is the cost of the bike itself. And if you're committed to saving as much money as possible, this is the best place to start.

Buying a used bike is one of the best ways to save money but long-term maintenance costs must be considered as well. A savvy buyer will get the best of both worlds by buying used but demanding a thorough inspection from a trusted mechanic before committing. Keep in mind, however, that a used bike is likely to need immediate repairs in order to make it road-worthy.

Sacrificing power in the name of fuel-economy is probably the next most important factor in saving money up front. Bikes run the gamut from light, fuel-efficient models that skimp on power and comfort but enable you to recoup your investment as quickly as possible to fast, powerful gas-hogs that will make your heart race, but will probably never pay for themselves at the pump.

At the most cost-conscious end of the spectrum, gas-sipping scooters lack some zip, but their cost and fuel economy are hard to beat. A one-year old, lightly-used Yamaha Zuma, for example, with its tiny 49cc two-stroke engine, can be found for around $1,500. Gas mileage can easily reach triple digits. Speed tops out at around 30 mph.

A more powerful sport bike — built for speed at the expense of some fuel efficiency and comfort — offers the thrill of riding a "racing motorcycle" and can still be had inexpensively. The Kawasaki Ninja 250, for example, is widely recognized as an easy-to-handle, stylish bike that provides plenty of power without breaking the bank. A recent-year model can be had for under $3,000 and can get up to 70mpg. Sport bikes will raise your insurance premium, though, so be aware of this hidden cost before settling on one.

Larger cruiser bikes satisfy the most power-hungry rider, but should not be confused with the fuel-efficient bikes above. The Honda Shadow 750, for example, is reliable and regarded as a good bike for riders new to such power, but at a road-tested 40mpg, it's not necessarily a gas-saver. A two-year old Shadow sells for around $5,000.

Gear

Being seduced by high-end, snazzy gear is one of the quickest ways to chew up the cost savings of commuting by motorcycle. Of course you'll need a sturdy DOT-approved helmet and a tough, breathable jacket that will provide some measure of safety as well as protection from the elements. Gloves are a must-have as well.

But, beyond that it becomes a tradeoff between safety, style, and cost. Sturdy and comfortable riding boots can limit fatigue on a long journey, but can be quite expensive. Ditto for riding pants. An all-weather riding suit will enable you to commute during cold and rainy months, but can easily cost over $1,000.

A new rider interested in saving money should be able to shop around and find a jacket, gloves and helmet for under $300.

Education

A new rider will want to take a safety course from the Motorcycle Safety Foundation (MSF). Learning effective safety techniques is the best reason to take one of these classes, but a nifty side benefit is that it enables you to lock in a significant discount on insurance. The cost of the course — up to $300 — will be more than offset by the insurance discount.

Ongoing Costs

Most new riders hope to recoup their initial investment over the long-haul as they save tons of money on gas. Mileage is better on a bike, no doubt, but it's only part of the story.

Gas

This is where the big savings could come in. A scooter that gets 100mpg can save nearly $1000 per year on gas, assuming it's used in place of a 15mpg car for a thirty mile commute 200 days per year at $3 for a gallon of gas. But what happens when you change that to a 30mpg car, 100 days per year of motorcycle commuting, a 10 mile commute and gas at $2.60 per gallon? The savings disappear entirely.

Insurance

Most motorcycle commuters are unable to rid themselves entirely of their cars. Which means that you'll need to pay for motorcycle insurance on top of your car insurance. That's a shame since motorcycle insurance is typically less expensive than car insurance.

Insurance can range from $50 to $300 per month based on a dizzying array of factors including the type of insurance purchased, the bike model, your driving record and age, and the deductible allowance.

Maintenance

Motorcycle maintenance tends to be less expensive than car maintenance. For one thing, many bikers do their own minor repairs, finding the best price on parts and saving all of the labor costs. If you're keeping your car, you'll need to maintain both, of course, but car maintenance costs can be greatly reduced by limiting mileage.

In particular, tire replacement is one of the most significant components of motorcycle maintenance. Many new riders don't realize how quickly tires will wear out on a bike versus a car. Tires can be found online at a discount, though they can be fairly tricky to install correctly.

The Cheboygan County Sheriff's Department pegs motorcycle maintenance at about 10% lower than car maintenance, but that can be further reduced by doing your own minor repairs. Figure on a savings of no more than $200 per year, depending on bike type, miles commuted and whether or not you're willing to do your own minor repairs.

The Bottom Line

Saving money while commuting by motorcycle sounds too good to be true. And, in most cases, it is. A few trial runs with our calculator will convince you that only the most cost-conscious can make it work.

Of course, the calculator doesn't figure in how much fun it is to ride to work everyday. And, for many bike commuters, that's the deciding factor.