Experience The Amazing Rides

Kawasaki has pulled the covers off its new motorcycle line for '09, and there's lots to discuss. A revised, lithe ZX-6R sheds about 20 pounds, much of it from the engine itself. It also gets updated Showa Big Piston forks and a new look based on its big brother, the ZX-10R. Speaking of which, Kawi's literbike sees only a few changes for '09, most notably a new green, white and black color scheme that looks excellent. Moving from the top of the performance ladder, the middleweight Ninja 650 gets a new fairing that brings it more in line with the rest of the Ninja line, plus a few engine mods to meet new emissions regulations. In a bit of really cool news, the U.S. finally gets the ER6-n, essentially a naked version of the popular Ninja 650 -- we likey.

On another sporty note, Team Green has unveiled the KLX250SF, a supermoto bike with a 250cc four-stroke engine, grippy 17-inch tires and long suspension travel. The 'moto is based on the KLX250S, a small-bore dual-sport bike that's finally 50-state emissions legal for '09. On a surprising note, the venerable Super Sherpa is back, along with its 250cc engine and old-school looks. Cruisers are still big sellers in the U.S., so the new 1700 Vulcans are likely to be a hit with a new V-Twin engine derived from Vulcan 2000's monster mill. The rest of the Vulcan line, along with the Versys, ZX-14 and Concours 14 see no real changes for '09 other than some new colors. And that about wraps it up. Look for the new Kawasakis in dealerships soon and check out our galleries of the new-for-'09 models below and after the jump.

We all love and take full care of our cars. When someone looks and praises our car, we feel extremely happy and obliged. But a small scratch on them and the pain can be actually seen on our face. And what if your new car suffers from a dent on its bumper? The whole beauty and the charisma of the car is lost to that single dent on the bumper. But, don't be tensed if your car suffers from a dent as it can be easily repaired within no time.
Here are a few important and easy ways by which you can fix the dent from your bumper and make it look new again.
1. Firstly, try out your hands on the dent. Push the dent with your hands if the bumper is made from plastic. If it is made of metal, use a plunger and place it at the center of the dent and then push it in. You can also use dry ice to repair the dent. Just place it on top of the dent until the dent is repaired by itself.
2. If it is a bit stronger and you are not able to push the dent back with your hands then use a hairdryer and set it on the hottest value and place it at the point of the dent for some time in a sweeping motion.
3. When the dented region has become comparatively hot, wear gloves and then try push the dent outside to its right place using a wooden block.
4. In case the dent is still visible, use a dent fixing tool or a kit such as the Car Body Repairs Dorset, the bumper repair Dorset, etc. that are easily available in all auto parts stores.
5. You can also consider using the hot air guns to fix the dent. Place this hot air gun about one foot away from the dented area and then slowly bring the gun closer to the dent. Also keep in mind that you should not move the gun closer than or away from the 12cm of the bumper.
6. The dented area should be visibly hot. To check I it is hot enough for repairing the dent, place a spatula on the dent and if it leaves a mark, the dent is hot enough.
7. When the area gets heated properly, take a cloth and place it on the outer side of the dent and then push the dent to its original place using a wooden plank. Keep the wooden plank at that position for a minimum of two minutes.
8. Once this is done, place a fan near the bumper to cool off the bumper. To cool it faster, you can also use compressed air on the dented area.
9. Recheck the dented area and then again repeat the process if required.
10. Clean up the dented region properly and leave the car for further cooling.
Thus, now you can fix the dents on your bumper by yourself without taking the help of any mechanic.

Gas Scooters are starting to show up more and more on our city streets. A favorite of Europe and Asia for many years, there is trend beginning where gas scooters are starting to fly off the shelves in America. When you consider their advantages, it is easy to see why: 

1. Scooters get into less accidents. 

The percentages and statistics show that scooter drivers get into less accidents than cars and motorcyclists. This is due in part because of the design of scooters. Since they are smaller vehicles, it is easy for them to maneuver and avoid accidents. In addition, most scooters are not made for highway driving where accidents are the highest. Finally, while riding a scooter, a scooter driver is required to have both hands on the wheel and is less likely to be distracted than say a car driving who is talking on their cell phone. 

2. Scooters are cheaper to buy. 

The cost of a new car or motorcycle is easily 3 to 5 times as much as a scooter. This means not only do you save money on gas mileage benefits, but you also save money at the very start with the purchase. 

3. Scooters have cheaper repair bills. 

Scooters have a basic straight-forward design which means that scooter repairs are uncomplicated and fairly easy to get corrected. This translates into cheaper repair bills compared to expensive bills you might pay on a sophisticated car. 

4. Scooter get better gas mileage. 

This fact is the draw for most motorists who make the switch from car to scooter is this great gas mileage savings. This is easy to see why when a scooter gets 60 to 80 mpg and a car gets 15 to 25 mpg. 

5. Scooters can have cheaper insurance premiums. 

Since scooters get into less accidents, you can often get cheaper insurance premiums. This is more great news for those who are trying to save their hard earned money. 

6. Scooters are better for the environment than cars. 

Scooters actually emit less emissions into the air. This means you know that you are creating a smaller carbon footprint when you ride your scooter. 

With all of these advantages, it is easy to see why gas scooters have become the new “it” item. One additional piece of advice I would give when looking at gas scooters if you are a new scooter owner is to start with the Top Brands. The top brands include: Yamaha, Buddy, Vespa, Honday, and Aprilla. These brands have established quality reputations with past customers and have a sold parts and labor network in the US. Going with other brands can be somewhat dicey as they do not have the same reputation and it can be difficult to get parts for them. Therefore, unless you are a mechanic, I would stick with the top brands. However, regardless of which brand you choose, I think you will find that gas scooters are great for saving some cash and are a fun ride as well.

The new BMW 7-Series has just stepped out from behind the curtain, and it's taken the stage to a house only half full. Demand for BMW's big engines has dropped so low that the house of the roundel says it can make enough 8-bangers to satisfy the world's demand using just one shift for four days.

A member of BMW's supervisory board put it plainly: "We are producing the wrong engines here." Even the sixes, the center of BMW's engine constellation, are being taken out of production in Munich to be replaced by those with two fewer cylinders in 2011. When the phase-out is complete, the company will be able to build 560,000 4-cylinders per annum. Care for a BMW 716i, anyone?

Car enthusiasts agree that one of the most pleasurable automobiles available is the BMW. Known for their distinctive kidney-shaped grills, four headlights, and a sleek aerodynamic shape, drivers know BMWs offer a reliable ride every time you sit behind the wheel. There are so many models to choose from, and body styles range from sedans, sports wagons, coupe, convertible, roadster and sport activity vehicles, so you will be sure to find exactly the right car to meet your specific desires as well as needs. When it comes to your car's audio system, there is nothing like listening to your music from your iPod. With a BMW iPod kit, you can always have the exact tunes or podcasts that you want to listen to, anytime you want to go for a drive.

There are iPod car audio adapters, as well as iPod holders for use in your vehicle. Excellent integration kits offer great sound and flexible control for the iPod. You can direct its actions from the iPod unit itself, the steering wheel or your car's radio. Some of the best adaptors will also charge your iPod so that it is always ready to play. Some BMW iPod kits also come with a cradle that allows for a video out function, so you can watch video on your iPod. A good cradle will allow you to rotate, tilt and angle your iPod for the best position.

Some kits can be installed fairly quickly as well. A cable connects to the iPod on one end and the adapter on the other. The adapter then is connected to your car's radio through the vehicle's CD changer connection. That's it. Whether you have a 3G, 4G with color and monochrome, a 5G with photo and video, a mini or a Nano, you will find it a simple matter to connect your iPod to your BMW's existing audio system.

You will be pleased to know that many bmw ipod kits run very well on the factory radio already installed in your BMW. The bmw ipod kit makes it easy to browse your song list from your car's radio.

You will also have the capability of fine-tuning the treble, mid and bass to the levels you most prefer for the type of music you listen to in your vehicle. It is important to note that if the equalizer and bass boost are turned on on your iPod, this can distort the sound that it produces when it is played through your car's audio system, so it is best to turn both off, and experience the clean sounds that you have come to expect from your digital music on your iPod.

Drives in your BMW just got more fun when you bring your iPod along for the ride.