Archive for January, 2009
Wednesday, January 28th, 2009
A decade ago, Frank Jamerson helped develop General Motors’ (GM) first electric car, the EV1, only to see interest in the fuel-efficient vehicle fizzle within years. He’s determined to ensure another pet project, the electric bike, doesn’t suffer the same fate.
Amid rising fuel costs in recent years, baby boomers, commuters, and college students have begun biking more often. In the U.S. and Western Europe, the fastest-growing niche of the bicycle market is electric bikes, a category that includes motorized vehicles of various stripes—from bikes to pedicabs to tricycles—that range in price from $350 to $14,000.
Wal-Mart Upping the Ante
The number of e-bikes is likely to rise to a record 170,000 units in the U.S. this year, from 120,000 last year, says Jamerson, who’s long compiled research on the industry. The U.S. market pales in comparison with China, where there are 20 million e-bikes sold annually. But while China, the largest e-biking market, has stagnated, sales are on the upswing in the U.S.
E-biking is getting a jolt as big retailers get in on a market once dominated by specialty bike shops. Earlier this year, Wal-Mart (WMT) began selling bicycles from Currie Technologies, the largest maker of e-bikes in the U.S., in 145 stores. More recently, the world’s largest retailer expanded availability to more than 450 locations.
By next spring, Wal-Mart plans to carry the gadgets in more than 850 stores, says Larry Pizzi, president of Currie, based in Chatsworth, Calif. Toys “R” Us plans to expand its distribution of the e-bikes tenfold, to 550 stores. “This has been the most rapid growth year in the company’s [10-year] history,” Pizzi says. “We’ve seen dramatically increased interest thanks to financial motivations, environmental concerns. And baby boomers are getting older [and need some help getting up that hill].” Target (TGT) also sells e-bikes.
Driven by Gas Prices
How long can the e-biking boom last? The dramatic decline in gas prices in recent months has lessened the urgency for alternative transportation for some commuters. A credit crisis is making it harder for consumers to borrow. Eric Sundin, president of Electric Bikes Northwest & California, one of the largest distributors of high-end electric bikes from the likes of Giant Bicycle in the country, says he’s noticed a slowdown in mid-October. He notes that late autumn is typically a slow season for the industry. Still, “if gas prices come down, people’s interest becomes more lukewarm,” he says, adding that bicycle purchases are “very largely correlated to disposable income.”
So far, Pizzi hasn’t heard of any change of plans among retailers. “For the most part, the motivation to bicycle isn’t solely the gas price,” says Jennifer Dill, director of the Center for Transportation Studies at Portland State University and an avid biker herself. “It just can be a much more enjoyable commute. You see people in their front yards, and you feel more connected to your surroundings.”
Major bike brands including Kawasaki bikes have jumped into this market, to compete with firms and high-end startups. They’ve helped improve e-bikes’ battery life, acceleration speed, and charge-up time. Bruno Maier, executive vice-president for marketing at Cannondale Bicycle, the maker of Schwinn-brand bikes, expects his company’s U.S. e-bike sales to jump fivefold between August 2007, when Cannondale introduced its first electric bike, and next year—faster than sales in any other bike category. To meet anticipated demand, the manufacturer plans to double its investment in e-bikes in 2009 and to establish a separate product group focused on the motorized models.
Kits to Convert Ordinary Bikes
Other high-end manufacturers report long waiting lists for their gear. Boulder (Colo.)-based Optibike puts out 24 limited-edition bikes a year, featuring custom paint jobs and gold-plated motors. Founded in 1997, the company has already pre-sold half of its 2009 limited-edition models, priced at $14,000 apiece. “November was our best-selling month of the year so far,” says Optibike Marketing Director Craig Weakley, who notes that buyers aren’t deterred by the falling price of gasoline. “People are still looking to the future,” he says. Last spring, the outfit moved from a 2,000-square-foot shop into a 13,000-square-foot facility to meet mounting demand.
EcoSpeed, a Portland (Ore.) company, makes kits costing $2,500 to $3,500 that convert recumbent bikes into motorized machines. The company plans a new product lineup for next year, including kits that convert ordinary, upright bicycles. It expects 100% growth this year from last year, says Brent Bolton, president of EcoSpeed. The company is likely to sell 100 kits, which include electric motors and related parts, in 2008.
After seeing bikes for sale at work during a visit to China in May, Wakefield Gregg has been trying to scrape together funds to open up a specialized electric bike shop in Portland, Ore., considered the most bike-friendly U.S. city. He is still more than $40,000 short. “I just can’t get funding,” he says. So for now, just like Jamerson, he contents himself with zipping around Portland on his electric contraption, the eZee Torq electric bike from eZee Kinetic Technology.
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Monday, January 19th, 2009
A limousine has long been associated with luxury, power, and high life because of its ability to command attention and to make every journey a luxurious experience.
Government organizations use limos to transport top-notch politicians, officials and state guests. Celebrities make their red carpet entry in limousines. Companies use them to transport their top executives, and broadcasting companies often use them to drive their guests back.
The name limousine has been derived from Limousine-a French region. The inhabitants of this region wore a hood that resembled the profile of the car. It first came to be used in early 18th century.
Limos typically come in black and white color but nowadays you can also find them in a variety of colors like pink, magenta, blue etc. They are broadly classified into five categories:
1) Traditional limousines:
Traditional limousines are modeled on the lines of a regular four door sedan but they come equipped with additional features such as TV, CD/DVD player, refrigerator, and a bar. Traditional limos have a longer wheelbase and frame as compared to sedan. This enables the forward-facing passengers to have more leg room.
2) Stretch limousines:
Stretch limousines are the preferred choice for special occasions such as weddings, prom nights, bachelor parties etc. They can hold up to 15 passengers and are equipped with TV, CD/DVD players, bars and refrigerator. Seats are arranged alongside the length of the car which enables people inside sit face-to-face and communicate with each other easily.
3) Stage limousines:
Stage limousine is not considered a limousine in a true sense. It contains the features of both sedan and a bus. One of the important features of this type of limo is that passengers can enter via multiple doors. Its roof contains large racks for carrying the baggage of the passengers.
4) Exotic custom limousine:
As the name suggests, it is customized according to what the customer wants. Stretch limousines, Cadillac limo, Hummer limo, Lincoln Town Car limo and Lincoln Navigator limo are often modified to create exotic limousine. Apart from regular amenities, an exotic custom limo also contains some sophisticated features such as hot tub, bulletproof glass and even a bedroom. One of the important features of this limo is that it provides ample space and privacy as there is a soundproof sliding glass window partition between the compartment of the driver and the passengers.
5) Party bus:
Party buses or Limo coach New York can easily accommodate 20 to 35 passengers. They are specially hired for parties, prom nights, and for other different occasions. Many party buses allow smoking and drinking on board. A party bus is equipped with surround sound systems, plasma televisions, DVD player, disco lights, and also smoke machines.
There is no end inside with regards to the rapid development of the limousine industry, which is a wonderful salute to the innovative wisdom of its creator in the early 1920’s.
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Friday, January 9th, 2009
The islands are rich in a number of beautiful locations around it. Its central mountain range goes as high as 1,338 meter at Cerro de Punta and it is the only tropical rainforest in the United States. El Yunque in Puerto Rico is quite popular for its beaches, turquoise waters and soft yellow sand. It is a great tourist center and a number of cultures get merges here and nightlife here is exceptional beyond the expectation of a person to enjoy it.
Now in order to visit the island of Puerto Rico either you can reach there either on your own public transport that can be sometimes become cumbersome as against the traffic jams and stops where it would drop you. To get used car for sale or rent you can hire service of a car rental agency which may provide an affordable car rental service on a very reasonable price and rate. There are many methods to get a convenient car rental to be booked for a tour in Puerto Rico. You can get it booked it either from a next door car rental agency or do it online where you will get a plethora of car renting ideas even with many discounted offers.
It is now your turn to pick up the model of the car that you will use while traveling Puerto Rico. You can have car in economy, sub economy or in budget range. If you wish your tour to be great full of fun and frolic you in the category of car models like SUV Cars, Sedan Cars, Coupe Cars, Wagon Cars etc among these cars you can choose convertible cars which are great fun to be enjoyed. A convertible car is known as one that can be folded or removed; some popular convertible cars are Mini Cooper, BMW 330ci, BMW Z4, Audi and Quattro. These cars are great as for the travelers who love enjoy sunlight, rainfall or snow fall.
You can have these convertible cars on rent from a number of car rental agencies in America which also ensures the safety of travelers. It is better to book the convertible car quite well in advance to avoid instant botheration at the time of picking car at the rental agency. Any person above the age of 25 years with a valid driving license can have a car on rent. A person above the age of 30 years can have driving license for the convertible models of the cars such as Bentley, Lamborghini Viper and Ferrari Cars. Car rental services as in Puerto Rico for convertible cars deliver services straight to all the important centers in the city. As payment for hiring convertible cars can be paid through credit card, debit card, checks, cash and traveler’s check. Traveling in convertible cars is a great fun.
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Thursday, January 8th, 2009
The particularly good thing about purchasing used equipment or a used trailer online is that if you do things properly you can often land yourself a great value, money saving deal. However, once you’ve decided to go online to pick up a used trailer for sale bargain you’ll quickly see what a confusing business finding the ideal trailer to meet you exact needs can be. It’s hardly surprising given the sheer amount of trailer manufacturers like Great Dane Trailers, Utility Trailers, Fruehauf Trailers , Transcraft Trailers, Trailmobile Trailers, Wabash Trailers, Fontaine Trailers etc, different types of trailers available and their suitability for a vast range of uses. There are many considerations to take into account before committing to a used trailer and listed below are some of the most important things that you should bear in mind.
You’d do well as a starting point to make sure you do plenty of research on the various trailer manufacturers out there in the market place. Different manufacturers design a range of different trailers suitable for a variety of needs. Match up the functionality of the trailers on the market with what you plan to use the trailer for. Are you thinking about buying a Boat Trailers, Small Box Trailers, Flat Bed Trailers, Stock Trailers, Van Trailers,
Semi Trailers, Pole Trailers–, Horse Trailers, a used trailer for transporting garden machinery or mulch or hardcore? How best do the manufacturers’ intended uses meet yours?
What size and capacity of used trailers do you need to safely and securely transport loads? What will you be transporting and what sort of weights will be involved? Should the trailer be open or enclosed? What sort of load bearing do you foresee the trailer having to deal with? Should it have a single axle, dual axle or possibly even three to four axles? What about access? For an enclosed trailer, do you require a ramp rear door, double rear doors or one single barn-type door? What will you be carrying and how will you want to access the trailer? Should the breaks be electric or hydraulic? Take into account the terrain where the machinery or items will be hauled. Are any special features needed to account for field conditions?
Ideally the trailer should be excellent condition. For the most part they’re deigned to be sturdy working farm machinery so most nearly new models should be in decent condition. Do give any used trailer that you’re considering purchasing as good a going over as possible and make sure they are thoroughly tested for safety and reliability.
Upgrading or replacing parts can make what at first seemed a great deal online investment much more expensive. Ensure the tyres, brakes and floor type are all in good working order. If the trailer has a ramp rear door check to see whether it’s sprung-assisted as they can be extremely heavy. If you’re considering a closed back trailer make sure that it’s secure.
Purchasing used farm equipment online certainly offers a cost effective alternative to purchasing a new or custom made trailers. With a little preparation and by asking the vendor plenty of questions buying a used trailer online is a great way to get the exact type of trailer you need at a great price.
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Tuesday, January 6th, 2009
When you buy your first four-wheeler, there are some priorities that make a big difference to you. If it is style and look, you get to know what your friends have and perhaps buy that so you will be riding an ATV for sale that is “cool”.
The four-wheeler ATV should also be built to operate at a much reduced power and challenge level. This means the child’s ATV or even the teenagers version of the four-wheeler will not be so powerful that they youngster could lose control of the vehicle easily leading to a nasty accident. But the most important thing your child needs when he or she is learning to operate an ATV is teaching. Under no conditions should he or she take that ATV into unknown territory or difficult terrain. Driving around a vacant lot in the neighborhood is plenty. Then as you teach your child how to operate that machine, you can slowly increase the challenge as the common sense of how to drive a four-wheeler responsibly begins to become evident in the way your son or daughter drives their very own ATV.
The two important criteria of an ATV cover you will be using for many wilderness outings is durability and transportability. That cover must compact down to a fairly small space so you can store it in a side pouch on your ATV in a way that does not take much space away from camping gear. But most importantly, it has to be tough. Camping excursions are roughing it experiences for man and gear. So invest well in a quality four-wheeler cover for your hunting, fishing or camping outings and it will take good care of you for dozens of adventures in your future.
It will be expensive to procure quality tires for that ATV especially if you take our advice and keep a second set on hand at all times. But considering what you are asking those tires to do, its worth it to invest in the best tires you can get so that when you are out there in the wilderness with your ATV, there is no question that those tires can take care of you.
But one priority that is usual to the working man’s ATV and to the recreational four-wheeler has always been a top priority to Honda and that is safety. Even if you are out to have the adventure of a lifetime going off road with nothing else in mind than having fun, safety is a priority. Honda knew that even if the customer was not thinking about safety, that ATV had to have safety built into ever aspect of the vehicle. That is why Honda ATVs have a tremendous record of safe operations in a wide variety of sport and utility uses.
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Monday, January 5th, 2009
Princecraft offers great custom-made fishing boats that you can take out to sea or the lake. Fishing trips are one of the best male past times that can also be enjoyed by the family. Princecraft offers it’s best quality fishing boats with incredible rates.
Getting your very own Princecraft fishing boat is worth it, this would mean you no longer have to rent a fishing boat when you go fishing. Princecraft aluminum fishing boats are durable and can be used at sea or lakes where the fishes are bountiful.
Princecraft manufactures boats that are great for fishing, skiing or just lounging at sea. With its spacious deck boats, speedy fishing boats and large pontoon boats, Princecraft would be the best choice for quality boats. Manufactured boats can be customized to suit your needs. You can add some lounge chairs as well as a cd/mp3 player to add some great tunes to your custom made boat.
Power boats for sale that are great for those who enjoy fishing, trips to the sea or waterskiing. Pontoon boats can be used to hold small gatherings like a party or even just two people on a romantic cruise.
Princecraft has some quality pontoon boats that are ideal for parties at lakes or at sea. They come equip with engines that can carry the boat to sea without any trouble. The best quality fishing boats are also fast, your trip to your desired fishing spot won’t be much of a wait since it would only take a few minutes of navigating the boat.
Princecraft fishing boats can hold up to 4 people when out on a trip. They are sleek, silent , and durable making them worth all of the money. You can listen to music while you fish, enjoying the features of a custom made boat. Princecraft also has deck boats that are equipped with lounge chair, storage made for water skiing as well as a small sleeping quarter. Deck boats are fast that enable them to tow people for water skiing.
Water skiing is also one of the best water sports which can be enjoyed when on a Princecraft deck boat. While pushing the engine at top speed and chatting with friends, one can also be water skiing in the back or parasailing.
If you get bored with the water sports all you can do is weight anchor, take a dip at the pool or lounge on the chaise lounges to your hearts content. Princecraft has some award winning fishing boats that are often used in tournament fishing boats. The quality of a Princecraft manufactured boat speaks for itself. It is affordable, durable, and great for you and your family.
Once a Princecraft boat is yours, you can bet that it will last you until the very end. A Princecraft custom fishing boat is great for a family that wants to enjoy the seas breeze as well as the numerous water sports that most family members.
Princecraft also offers some fishing apparel to the fishing aficionados as well as the needed gear to start fishing. One can also tow their Princecraft boats on a Princecraft trailer that can be attached to the family car so you can just bring it with you on your summer vacation to the lake.
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