Category Archives: FOR THE GUYS

Tips for the guys, from beards to cars, that help reduce stress and make everyday life a bit simpler.

5 Things to Consider When Buying a Motorcycle

5 Things to Consider When Buying a Motorcycle

Photo by Andrea Piacquadio from Pexels

Millions of people around the world buy a motorcycle every year. An exciting vehicle to own as it’s so exhilarating to drive, so many adventures can be had from purchasing it. However, before you take the leap and buy one of your own, there are certain things that you’ll want to consider.

So to help guide you, here are 5 things that you have to keep in mind:

  1. Your Budget 

One of the first things that you’ll want to think about is how much you want to realistically spend on the motorcycle. They don’t come cheaply and you might want to save ahead of time before setting your heart on your dream one. Also, you’ll have to think about how much the maintenance will cost, fuel, routine MOTs and the safety gear you’ll need to wear when driving it. 

  1. New or Used?

Another thing that you’ll want to consider is whether you want to buy a motorcycle new or used. This will depend on several factors, including your personal preferences and what your budget is. However, there are also practicalities of each option.

For example, a new bike will come with a warranty – which will ensure that if anything happens to it in the first year or so of owning it, you’ll be covered. However, the newer the bike, the more expensive the initial outlay. Which is why it’s a good idea to compare and contrast the two options first, before settling on the one that you want. 

  1. The Style 

It’s important to know that motorcycles come in different styles. From touring motorcycles that are ideal for long-distance driving to sport bikes designed for racing to achieve maximum speed. Before deciding on one style, it’s therefore worth looking at the variety and what they have to offer. 

  1. The Engine Size

This is a very important factor to take note of. The engine size will vary hugely depending on the type of bike you’re looking at – from 50cc for a moped to 125cc and more. This means that the speed and fuel economy will be affected – two factors that will undeniably impact your purchasing decision. 

  1. Motorcycle Insurance 

As part of your purchasing journey, you’ll also want to think about what type of motorcycle insurance you purchase. Not only in terms of its inclusions (liability coverage is frequently the number one choice because of what it includes) but how much it costs. It’s also a legality in many states. 

Helping to protect you in case of property damage or from a typical motorcycle accident victims sustain, it gives you the peace of mind you need when on the road. Even if you’re striving to be a safer driver, this is a must-have from the get-go.

Final thoughts

So, there you go! Those are the top 5 things you’ll want to consider when buying a motorcycle. As long as you think about the above and factor them into your final decision, you’ll feel more prepared for the process.

Tia, and TipsfromTia.com  is trying to keep you looking good and
feeling good, from the inside out. If you’ve got a problem or a tip email me! Be sure to Like and share on Facebook or Follow on Twitter or Instagram.

The Place to Get Your Holiday Attire

The Place to Get Your Holiday Attire

Looking for that perfect ugly sweater, funky suit or dress for the Christmas party? What about getting a novel suit or dress for the New Year? How about something to wear for the football season or summer fireworks?

I got the perfect wrap dress from Shinesty for the holiday/winter season!

The Quality

I was very pleasantly surprised by the weight of the garment. It is a good thick material that I have no fear of people seeing through. The craftsmanship of the dress is on point. And with it being a wrap dress, I looks as if it’s tailor-made just for me. I thought this might be a one-time novelty item, but with the great quality and versatility, I will be able to wear this dress again and again.

My Verdict

I would highly recommend getting any of your holiday or novelty attire needs from Shinesty.

I will certainly be shopping with them again! Look for upcoming photos of me in the dress on my Instagram

Tia, and TipsfromTia.com  is trying to keep you looking good and
feeling good, from the inside out. If you’ve got a problem or a tip email me! Be sure to Like and share on Facebook or Follow on Twitter or Instagram.

Refresh Your Safe Driving Technique This Winter

Refresh Your Safe Driving Technique This Winter

Image via Pexels – CC0 Licence

We spend a lot of time in our cars, especially over the holidays as we travel to visit relatives. But how many of us have bothered to brush up on our technique since first passing our tests? Things are changing all the time on the roads, so refreshing your memory on best practice is massively helpful. It can also save you money, as a lot of safer driving techniques also use less fuel, making them good for you, your family and the planet. Safer drivers can also benefit from lower car insurance premiums, especially if you opt for ‘black box insurance’, which monitors your driving patterns using telematics software, installed via a GPS tracker or sometimes an app on your smartphone. It’s the same technology used by fleet management services for driver safety training, and can save you a lot of money. So, how do you make sure you’re driving safely this winter?

Stick To A Sensible Speed

Speed is one of the easiest factors for any driver to control, and it’s also the one that makes the most difference when trying to drive more safely and fuel-efficiently. Speed is named as the most common factor in fatal road accidents, so you must take care to alter the speed you do to take note of things like the road and the weather conditions. At this time of year, you’re more likely to be driving in challenging conditions such as heavy rain, sleet, storms or snow and ice, so really take a moment to adjust your speed down and if your vehicle has a speed limiter consider using that so you don’t accidentally creep up. It’s also a good idea to do a winter safety check on your car before setting off.

Minimise Distractions

When we pay attention to anything other than the road ahead, we are compromising our focus and introducing danger into our ride. Although driving while talking on a handheld phone or while texting are now against the law in a lot of places, research suggests it’s just as dangerous – although not illegal – to take a hands-free telephone call on the road. It’s a better idea to switch your phone into flight mode while driving so that you can’t be distracted by incoming calls. If you have small children, backseat squabbling can also be dangerous, so make sure to pack plenty of activities, games or a movie for them to watch on a tablet – you can get car activity trays for kids or tablet holders to stop them dropping it.

Take Regular Breaks

If you have a long journey to make, you need to ensure that you factor in enough breaks along the way. Research shows that the tiredness levels of a driver following just a few hours of night-time journeying has the same effect as being over the drink-driving limit. If you’re sleepy, your reaction times suffer and your decision making is impaired. So make it a priority to stop and stay hydrated regularly throughout any long journey.

Tia, and TipsfromTia.com  is trying to keep you looking good and
feeling good, from the inside out. If you’ve got a problem or a tip email me! Be sure to Like and share on Facebook or Follow on Twitter or Instagram.

Prepping Car For the Winter Ahead

Prepping Car For the Winter Ahead


Winter conditions can cause hazardous roadways. But forgetting to prep your car for the season ahead can cause some headaches along with some potential hazards.

Check the fluids



Make sure your car has all its fluids. Running out of oil can be detrimental to the car. Although, running out of windshield washer fluid can be just as scary when your windshield is covered with salt and sludge splashed across your window while traveling down a highway.

If you are unsure of what fluids are needed or where they go, stop by to see a local mechanic or visita full service has station. They can certainly help.

Check your lights



This might be a two person job… But be sure to check all of the lights on the car. Winter can bring dark nights, fog and snowy whiteouts. Replace any lights that aren’t working. And be sure your headlights are shine l shining as bright as possible. Use the headlight cleaner solution, or to bring your headlights back to peek condition look into headlight restoration wipes.

Check your tires

Check your tire tread before winter to prevent sliding. Using the penny test will help tell you if you need new tires. Insert a penny, Abe’s head facing dow into the tread, if you can see the top of Abe Lincoln’s head you probably need new tires.

Pack the trunk



Making sure the trunk has the usual… Spare tire, jumper cables, flares, extra fluids, etc is important. But in the winter make sure you also pack a blanket, gloves, snow pants, rock salt or cat litter, water and snacks just in case you get stuck somewhere. Some folks recommend a small snow shovel and tire chains depending where you live or travel.

Prepping the car for winter doesn’t have to be over extensive like, detailing the paint job or coating the under carriage. Those are personal preferences. But all cars need a little prep to help prevent certain potential hazards. Have a safe and happy season!

Tia, and TipsfromTia.com  is trying to keep you looking good and
feeling good, from the inside out. If you’ve got a problem or a tip email me! Be sure to Like and share on Facebook or Follow on Twitter or Instagram.

Tips for Motorcycle Lovers: Top 3 Mods for Kawasaki KX250

Tips for Motorcycle Lovers: Top 3 Mods for Kawasaki KX250

Agile and powerful, your Kawasaki KX250 nimbly blazes trails and looks great while doing it. You may have a lot of goals for your KX250, small or large. Maybe it’s just tweaking the handling a bit or shaving some weight off the bike. Perhaps you need tires that are better suited to your riding style. Or you’re looking at ways to help the engine get better power. These are all common objectives for modding a bike, and you need the best motorcycle aftermarket parts to get the job done. If you need to know where to start, this quick guide can help. Take a look at these three basic mods that will quickly result in some key improvements.

Race Tech Fork Springs

When you’re considering must-have mods for the KX250, swapping your OEM fork springs for Race Tech Fork Springs is a good move. This is especially true if you want to tune the bike better for your weight. These fork springs are crafted from chrome silicone and are shot-peened, heat treated and preset to deliver the best performance possible. With their high stiffness-to-mass ratio, you’ll have an easier time adjusting your suspension so it’s not quite so squishy. You’ll need to pay attention to the spring rate and select the right one for your model and weight, but they’re excellent investments for the money.

FMF TurbineCore 2 Silencer

Many riders improve power on their bikes’ engines with tweaks to help it “breathe†better. An aftermarket pipe is one common way to achieve this, and the FMF TurbineCore 2 Silencer is a top-rated model. The TurbineCore 2 is a lightweight compact unit that’s U.S. Forest Service legal thanks to its exclusive Turbine Dampening System. It also features a straight-through design of the spark arrestor canister, along with a Performance Flow stainless steel endcap. The result is a durable pipe that helps you get more power when you’re on the track or trail. This is one great mod to consider when you’re shopping for Kawasaki motorcycle parts online.

Pirelli MT 21 Motorcycle Tire

A tire upgrade may not seem as slick or sexy as modding the exhaust or applying a graphics kit. Nevertheless, swapping your stock tires for a model like the Pirelli MT 21 can deliver some useful performance improvements. The MT 21 is designed chiefly for off-road riding: 90% off-road and 10% on-road, to be exact. This DOT approved tube-type tire is one of Pirelli’s best-selling editions, and it’s easy to see why. Its aggressive design includes a 2-ply tread with a pattern made for use primarily on dirt and gravel roads. The MT 21 is also puncture-resistant and excels over long distances, making it an awesome choice for cross-country and desert riding.

Some Final Thoughts on OEM and Aftermarket Parts

Some riders are enthusiastic about upgrading every possible aspect of their trail machines. You can’t blame them. If you weren’t excited about modding your KX250, you wouldn’t even be reading this page. There’s a time for aftermarket parts and a time when OEM genuine Kawasaki KX250 parts are your best option, so remember your primary goals as you shop for your KX250 parts.

Tia, and TipsfromTia.com  is trying to keep you looking good and
feeling good, from the inside out. If you’ve got a problem or a tip email me! Be sure to Like and share on Facebook or Follow on Twitter or Instagram.