Every year there are tons of events and rally's held through out the country for motorcyclists. I've compiled a short list of 3 places you should visit if you're an avid motorcyclist. These events and tours will only make your love of riding grow and you will meet tons of great people while you're at it. As always, before you head out on a road trip make sure that you are equipped with all the proper motorcycle accessories!

1. If you can make it down to Florida for Daytona Bike Week, you should! This is always an exciting and fun experience. The streets and bars are literally packed with people and bikes (as you can imagine). And when you're down there, don't forget to ride the Loop, a beautiful ride spanning 22 miles of open road and curves that will demonstrate some of Florida's best scenery.

2. Similar to Daytona, is the yearly motorcycle rally that takes place in Sturgis, South Dakota. Every year thousands of bike enthusiasts gather for this spectacular event. Set against a rural setting, bikers and vendors alike line the main street, this experience is one that you’ll never forget.

3. Cruise the West Coast - California has some of the most breath-taking scenery the country has to offer. If one has the opportunity, the west coast offers some of finest roads for touring. 110 miles spanning the coast of California, from Morro Bay to Monterey, or vice versa, this route offers amazing scenery and great roadside amenities. It has been voted into the list "Ten best drives" and dubbed as "one of the most scenic rides in America".

These are only 3 of the great rides can take to add excitement to your riding. There are plenty of beautiful places and great rallies to attend year after year to suit your tastes. Don't forget to prepare well for your trips, and pre-plan where you will stay.

Before buying your first motorcycle you should take some time to ask yourself some important questions. You might think you're in the market for a Harley motorcycle and then suddenly find yourself uncomfortable with the massive size and weight of the bike.  A lot of people jump in headfirst when buying a motorcycle without actually putting the time and research into doing a little homework before dropping the big bucks.

Answer these questions before making the leap.

What is your riding style?

This is an important question to ask yourself, because there are many different types of bikes out there and they all offer a different style of ride. Answering this question will help you determine exactly what kind of bike you should get for yourself.

Are you experienced?

There is absolutely no doubt that riding a motorcycle is great fun. But we all know it can be just as dangerous, especially when inexperienced. Obviously you should have your M license before riding, but make sure that invest the time into learning how to ride properly, and take an extra course if you are not 100% sure that you are ready to head out on the open highway.

How much money do you want to spend?

Buying a motorcycle is usually for fun or a hobby, since most people have other forms of transportation. Bikes range anywhere from $4,000 to $20,000 or more for a brand new model. You can find plenty of great deals through dealerships and private sales, so take your time and shop around for the best deals without sacrificing good quality.

Now that you have all that figured out, don't forget about your accessories! You will need some good riding gear, depending on what state you live in, you may be required to wear full leathers when you ride. Some states such as Florida and California don't even require a helmet, but it's wise to wear one anyway.

Although most people prefer to store their motorcycles during the winter months, those of you who don't will still be able to use these helpful tips to keep your bike in the best shape possible. Even though many of you have most likely already started your winter storage process, for those that wait until the last minute it's not too late to get started on preparing your motorcycle for its way too long winter sabbatical.

Here is a basic check list below that you should have done before you put your bike away to ensure that your ride will be running smoothly for the spring.

1. Give your motorcycle good wash and lubricant

Salt, dirt and sand will rust, damage and corrode the surface of your bike if you put it away dirty.  You should always make sure to give your motorcycle a good cleaning before you put it away for the winter. Lubricating the chain, and cables and all moving parts is crucial so that they don't rust.

2. Be sure to get a fuel stabilizer

Leaving gas in your bike tank for more than 3 or 4 weeks while it's sitting is not smart. Any gas that remains in the tank will begin to oxidize and become varnish. This is very damaging to your bike, so make sure that you empty your tank and get a fuel stabilizer to get rid of any residue.

3. Get the oil changed

Once you have added fuel stabilizer, you can now get your oil changed. Same as leaving fuel in the tank, old oil will be contaminated and will oxidize after a long period of time. Although it seems pointless to many, changing the oil will actually freshen it up for when it's ready to come out of storage after a long winter. It will remove old dirt and debris from your tank and will keep your engine running smooth.

4. Take care of your battery

If you live in a cold climate, you need to make sure to remove your battery and place it somewhere where it can store in a nice cool and dry place. It's imperative that you also keep your battery charged so that it doesn't lose its life after a long period of not running.

5. Cover your motorcycle

Seems pretty cut and dry, but a lot of people store their bikes in garages without a cover. It's a simple solution to what could end up costing you money later on.

There are several other things that can be done to prepare your bike for storage, but above are the 5 most important steps to ensure that your bike will run smoothly when you’re ready to ride in the Spring.