Is it Worth Buying a Chinese Pit Bike?
Most of us know that the most reliable and well know motorcycles are made by Japanese companies such as Honda, Kawasaki, Yamaha etc. A few years back it was only these Japanese companies that were making pit bikes which are small size motorbikes. However these days pit bikes are also make by Chinese manufacturers because of the increased demand for them. If you are considering buying one of these ‘knock off’ pit bikes such as a Sikk or Thumpstar then you may be wondering if they are going to be as good as the Japanese faithful.
When it comes to dirt bikes, the Japanese companies have built up a reputation for providing reliable, good quality bikes. But these days the Chinese bike has become very popular and you would really have to question why. You may be considering buying a dirt bike and are wondering whether or not to go for the Chinese bike. There are many people out there loyal to the Japanese models and they would not dream of buying a Chinese bike because they would question the reliability. However the fact that the Chinese bike is cheaper than the Japanese model might sway a lot of people towards the Chinese model.
There are a number of things to consider when buying a Chinese bike. Insurance is one of them. Everyone riding a motorcycle has to have insurance so you need to take this into consideration. If you are buying a bike from a source that you are unsure of then it is even more important to have this insurance.
From what I can gather from doing some research, the Thumpstar and Sikk bikes are not as reliable as the Japanese models. It is said by those in the industry that the Chinese manufacturers still have some way to go to match the quality and performance of their Japanese counterparts but they are getting there. And when you consider that the price of a brand new Chinese pit bike would cost around £2,000 while a Japanese pit bike would set you back around £6,500 you can understand why many people would choose the former.
The main reason why a lot of people like the Chinese bike is the fact that they are cheaper to buy. They also come with a lot of stock so you don’t have to upgrade all of these parts separately as you would with the Japanese models. Many people also feel that the Chinese bikes are more attractive then the Japanese models.
You should also know that it is not difficult to find parts for a Chinese bike despite what you might think. Because these bikes have become so popular it is now common for suppliers to stock these parts.
Golfing Holidays in Portugal
One of the best places to go for a golfing holiday in the sun is Portugal. Portugal has so much to offer the golfer because it has some amazing golf courses and the warm weather is great. There is nothing worse than having to play golf in the wind and the rain so having the chance to play your favourite sport in your short sleeves with the sun on your back is every golfer’s dream. Most of the great golf courses in Portugal are located near Lisbon and in the Algarve. However there are a few great courses on the island of Madeira.
If you are booking a golfing holiday to Portugal then you can do this through your travel agent or you can choose to do it separately. It is easy to find accommodation, flights and car hire Portugal is not an expensive country to get to so you can enjoy playing a round of golf in the sun with your friends without having to spend a small fortune. The following is some information on the best golfing locations in Portugal.
Lisbon
The best thing about golfing holidays near Lisbon is that it is convenient in terms of travel to and from the airport and the Capital. There are some amazing courses available in this area and you will also get to explore all that Portugal has to offer. Of the many amazing courses near Lisbon, the CampoReal is probably among the best. This course is challenging for even experienced golfers and it is attached to one of the best hotels in Portugal which boasts top restaurants and a spa as well as a superb club house.
The Algarve
Over the last few years, many British holidaymakers have been taking golfing holidays on The Algarve. In fact it has actually become one of the most popular golfing destinations in the whole of Europe. The fabulous weather combined with amazing beaches and fantastic courses make this the perfect choice for a golfing holiday. One of the most famous golfing resorts in The Algarve is Vilamoura because of the amazing courses here. The Monte Rei golf course which was designed by Jack Nicklaus and opened in 2007 is already known as one of the better courses in the country.
Madeira
Madeira is an island which is located around 1,000km off the coast of Portugal and there are two great courses to be found here. It is fast becoming a popular choice with golfers who want to enjoy their game of golf in a relaxed and friendly atmosphere. If you want to play golf with some spectacular views while you play then the Santoro de Terra course is for you.
Booking a golf holiday in Portugal is really easy. You can take care of all the arrangements yourself from booking rounds of golf, to accommodation, flights and car hire. Portugal is well known for its friendly people so you should definitely consider this wonderful country for your next golfing holiday.
Times When You Need a Mechanic
I often travel around the country alone – one of the perks of my job. I have a trusty little car with many miles on the clock and I have my newest toy – the GPS my brother gave me in desperation when I got lost for the umpteenth time.
Armed with my assignment, my trusty steed and the GPS I set off on my next adventure sure that at least I would not get lost. There may be other challenges on the way, but I would not get lost. My spirits lifted as I drove through the countryside and enjoyed the beautiful spring weather. It was a joy to hear the birds singing and feel a warmish sun on my skin. All was well in my world.
Suddenly there was a splutter and a flutter from my car’s engine and my heart leapt. I was in the middle of somewhere, but out of sight of cars and homes. Thank goodness for mobile phones and GPS co-ordinates. I stopped and thought about my situation. The car didn’t exactly breakdown, but it felt like a warning. Do I phone for help or do I try and make it to the next village? I looked around me and then decided to give it a go.
Not too far along the car gave another shudder and a splutter, a wheeze and then stopped; in the middle of the road. I employed my mobile phone and gave the roadside assistance guy my precise GPS co-ordinates. It turned out that he wasn’t too far away and shortly he stopped behind me. I breathlessly explained the situation and he scratched his chin proclaiming that it sounded like the forge dump valve had gone. What did I know about forge dump valves?
He informed me that he would need to tow me to town in order to fully investigate the situation and make the necessary repairs. I conceded – having no choice in the matter. All the way to his workshop the thought of replacing the forge dump valves gnawed at my nerves. Did I damage anything else on my car? How many of these valves would I need? How much would this little adventure cost me?
At the workshop the guy – Bob – quickly opened the bonnet and peeked inside. There was more chin scratching and a little whistling and then he turned to me. He informed me that I was lucky this time. The only problem that he could find was a burnt spark plug. It would be fixed in no time.
As adventures go, this wasn’t too bad. It could have been worse. At least I didn’t get lost.