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Category: Other
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At first sight gamers and bikers have almost nothing in common other than the odd video game title that channeled Sons of Anarchy, like the woefully bad Ride to Hell: Retribution, to the far more playable Grand Theft Auto IV: The Lost and Damned.
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Anyone who wants a true biking experience
in the form of a game should check out
Grand Theft Auto IV: The Lost and Damned
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The reasons for this divide are obvious. Gamers are required to be in front of a screen in order to do their thing, while bike enthusiasts are out on the open road, with the wind in their beards and the smell of glory in their nostrils as they head to their regular Sunday meet or ride out.
However, despite all this, there are some pointers bikers can take from online gamers, many of which, if taken seriously, can help prevent riders getting into one too many unwanted scrapes.
'Tilting' While Gaming or Biking Can Be Bad News
Tilting is not good. No, we are not talking about leaning into a corner or dropping your bike in the parking lot. Tilt is the technical term used by gamers to describe someone who has lost their cool, to the detriment of the atmosphere within the game and equally to their chances of winning.
In many online games, where the slightest lapse in concentration can lead to victory slipping through a player’s fingers, there are many reasons as to why keeping your cool is so key. Some games that come to mind include chess, Call of Duty and poker, with the latter especially being an arena where letting emotions take over leads to exits from tournaments of all ability levels.
The takeaway for bikers is that riding with a level head is always the way to go. This means ignoring that idiot car driver revving his engine for attention at a set of traffic lights, or the boasts of a fellow rider who is egging you on to go faster.
As is the case in the world of gaming, it is the thinking man’s rider who will always come out on top in the end.
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Gamers have to remain calm and
collected at all times, just as the
best riders in the world do on race day
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Going Up a Level Before You Are Ready
Newcomers to any pastime or hobby always fall into the same trap of wanting to run before they can walk or, in the case of wannabe riders, wanting to ride a Harley before they even know how to mount a 50cc scooter.
The same occurs in gaming, with poker players often playing high stakes before they are ready, and battle royale players trying to enter expert gaming lobbies before they even know how all the buttons on their controller or keyboard work.
When it comes to this issue, the plight of inexperienced gamers should act as a reminder to riders that nothing can replace experience, aside from a fully accredited training course.
Knowing When to Take a Break
Gaming can be an all-consuming affair, with many players only too happy to dedicate huge portions of their life to contest the games they love.
However, there comes a time during a long gaming session that the body begins sending messages, telling the person in question that it is ready to head out for a breath of fresh air or let some steam off with a quick jog.
More and more, gamers are beginning to heed the warnings of experts who say they should partake in things like yoga or meditation in order to relax their minds and bodies.
The same applies to those men and women who spend long hours in the saddle. Road and engine vibrations, as well as temperature fluctuations take their toll, and when fatigue hits on a long road trip, it's always best to take a rest.
Every rider, no matter how hardened they are, should take a note from a gamer’s book, and get themselves practicing their downwards dog position.
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Heading out for a ride is our favourite way to spend some time on a sunny day. However, as we all know, it’s not always possible because of the weather, especially if you live somewhere like the United Kingdom. Therefore, if you can’t get out for a ride, you need something else to keep you occupied, and we have some exciting games to play until the sun comes out again.
Harley-Davidson Slot
Everyone, especially those who own a motorbike, will be aware of the Harley-Davidson name. Therefore, it’s the ideal combination to when you bring motorbikes, gaming and the potential to win into the mix. If you can’t get out for a ride, is there anything to better than playing a slot which stars motorbikes? The Harley-Davidson branded game is made by IGT and features stunning visuals. There are four games in one, so punters will have access to a lot of content all in the one place, with each coming with its individual qualities, gameplay and effects.
Fall Guys
This game might seem like an odd choice for this list at first, but Fall Guys is the video game of the moment right now, and bang on-trend. Try it out and you will see what we mean by this. The title, which is available to play on PC and PlayStation 4, has quickly become the must-play video game of 2020, with its simplicity very much the key to its success and continued growth in popularity. If you can’t get out on your bike, Fall Guys is the perfect pick up and play title, with gamers tasked with making their way through epic rounds which feature obstacle courses and challenges to be the last one standing.
F1 2020
It may not be a game starring motorbikes, but F1 2020 is one of the most popular driving games around right now. In recent years, Formula One has grown in popularity, thanks to the likes of Lewis Hamilton coming onto the scene. And, in Codemasters F1 2020, players can hit the track as their favourite driver. It’s the first time in a Formula One game where gamers can build their own team, which means creating a driver, signing a deal with a sponsor and so on. It takes players closer to the action than ever before, as they embark on an authentic career in Formula One.
Call of Duty: Mobile
If you have never heard of the Call of Duty game series, you must have been living under a rock for a long time. It’s one of the most successful game franchises of all time, and Call of Duty: Mobile is the top port Activision has ever come up with. We live in a world where mobile gaming is rapidly growing in popularity, and when content looks and plays as well as COD: Mobile, you can see why. Call of Duty is known for its success as a first-person shooter, but the 100-player battle royale mode is excellent as well.
article supplied
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Buying a motorcycle is great, but after you have spent a few hundred hours gazing at it lovingly, you might start to feel like you want to put your own stamp on it. You might want to alter the way it looks, the way it rides, or both, but very few people have an unlimited budget which allows them to make all the changes they want to. A lot of the most popular modifications come with a hefty price tag and it is likely you have already spent most of your money on the bike itself.
If this sounds familiar, here are 7 ways to mod your bike when you are on budget.
1. Take out a loan
The first way around a small budget is to take out a small loan which will enable you to make the mods you want to without having to compromise or save up for a long time. It is important to ensure you can make all the repayments, but you may be adding value to the bike itself through the improvements.
2. Add a new exhaust
A new exhaust is a great way to turn heads thanks to the incredible noise it can create as you tear down the street. It can also improve safety as you will alert other road users to your presence way before you pass them.
3. Install flush mount lights
A flush mounted set of lights makes a bike sleeker in appearance as they do not stick out. Obviously, they do not improve a bike’s performance, but they make a big difference to the bike’s appearance.
4. Upgrade the tyres
The tires which come with a stock car tend not to be the best, and they may need replacing sooner rather than later. A new set of tyres will be more attractive, but the main benefit is the improved handling and grip they deliver.
5. Customize the windscreen
The windscreen on stock motorbikes tends to be less than ideal. By investing in a customized windscreen, you can improve the look of the bike and the driving experience, and the best part is that it is not an expensive modification as many will cost less than £50.
6. Improve the brake pads
When trying to improve a bike’s speed, most people will not give much thought to the brakes. However, the quality is vital when cornering in terms of efficiency and safety. Failing brakes can be lethal, so improving them is one of the best investments you can make. Click here for more information on parts and accessories for your bike.
7. LED Lights
An LED light kit is another mod which improves the look and safety of a bike. Other road users will be much more likely to see you on the road if the body of the bike is decorated with bright lights. This is particularly important at night. Light kits are available in a wide range of different colours and strobing patterns and you can play around with their placement depending on the look you are after. Visit The Drive for the best LED light kits of 2020.
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... TRIGGERS PLANS FOR A NEW PRODUCTION PLANT BRINGING 250 JOBS TO OXFORDSHIRE
Oxfordshire based tech company Saietta announces plans to expand production facilities. Bringing 150-250 jobs in the area over the next three to five years, the new sustainable plant will be powered by solar panels.
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The Road Surface Treatment Association (RSTA) has welcomed the Department for Transport’s (DfT) proposed pothole mapping audit and hopes sufficient funds to carry out maintenance and repairs will be forthcoming.
DfT has announced that it will work with local authorities, highway data and mapping company Gaist and on-road businesses such as Deliveroo, Uber, Tesco and Ocado to identify pothole hot spots. This will be first-of-its kind audit of potholes in England. It aims to direct where action against potholes is most needed.
“The DfT initiative to provide a comprehensive nation-wide map of potholes is to be welcomed,” said Paul Boss, RSTA Chief Executive. “However, a map telling where the potholes are will be of little use if local authorities do not have the funds to fix them.”
Since 2010 the government has provided over £1.2 billion solely to help repair potholes on the local road network, however, Boss points out that the latest Asphalt Industry Alliance Annual Local Authority Road Maintenance Survey (ALARM) estimated that it would take 11 years and cost £11.4bn.
“The additional pothole funding equates to £120 million a year and that falls far short of the funding necessary to address the plague of potholes resulting from decades of under investment in the local road network,” said Boss. “Furthermore, the proposed audit is reactive. Whilst we have to fill potholes in the short term, local authorities need certainty of long term funding to ensure they can plan and programme road maintenance that will prevent potholes from forming in the first place.”
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