INPUT ARTICLE: Article: Think about what you want to do with your bike, and how you want to ride it. If you're a new rider, you should consider the weight of the bike, as well as how tall it is. You want to be able to put both feet down on the ground when you come to a stop. Bikes come in all shapes and sizes. When shopping for your bike, think about how you want to ride it. Do you want something you can cruise around on, or do you want something a little more extreme? If you're looking to tour around on a bike, opt for a traditional motorcycle. If you want something with speed, consider a sportbike. Start looking at various manufacturers' websites to find the specifications of bikes. Select a few you're interested in and compare them to find one that suits your needs. Motorcycles can range from under $5,000 to $25,000. Before you drop thousands of dollars on a motorcycle, do some research on the going rate for the bike in question. You may find a cheaper alternative. Consider buying a used bike if this is your first time buying a motorcycle. When you're learning to ride, you run the risk of laying your bike down at some point. If you buy a used bike, you won't feel so bad if it gets a little dinged up. Once you get the hang of riding, you can swap your bike for something nicer. Keep in mind that you will have to pay a few other fees for owning a motorcycle aside from the cost of the bike. There are title and registration fees, sales tax, and in some cases, a delivery fee. If you buy used, you may have to pay for some maintenance if the bike needs any work done. After you buy your bike, you'll need to invest in a helmet. While there are plenty of other riding accessories available, a helmet is essential. When shopping for a helmet make sure you buy one that has a good fit. You want your helmet to be snug around your cheeks and jaw, as well as the top and sides of your head. Be wary of used helmets, as they may not offer as much protection due to wear and tear. Other riding accessories include riding jackets, boots, and gloves. The more you can protect yourself on a bike, the better off you will be. Shop for jackets and gloves that have armor sewn into them. Armored gear offers the most protection if you do end up in a crash. Depending on which state you live in, the rules for getting your motorcycle license may vary. Some states require a motorcycle safety course before giving potential riders their license. Check with the Department of Motor Vehicles to find out what the requirements are in your state.

SUMMARY: Get the bike that suits you best. Set a budget. Buy protective gear. Remember to get a license for your bike.

INPUT ARTICLE: Article: Studies show that sleep is essential to improving coordination and performance in athletics. Most adults need seven to nine hours of sleep each night, and athletes often benefit from as many as 10 hours of sleep per night. Excessive weight throws off balance and coordination. You may also experience decreased reaction time if you are overweight. Aim for a body mass index (BMI) of less than 27. Hydrate your body by drinking plenty of water every day so that your muscles will work properly and don't fatigue too soon.

SUMMARY: Get plenty of rest to optimize coordination. Maintain a healthy weight. Drink plenty of fluids.

INPUT ARTICLE: Article: Get your parent's help. You can team up with family and friends as business partners. You can make your own products and sell them. Talk to your parents about how to start a business. Are you a math whiz? Help little children learn how to multiply. Beyond babysitting yourself on a case-by-case basis, consider starting a small babysitting business. You could get a couple of your friends involved who also want to make some money. Distribute flyers around your neighborhood, local cafes, and community center. Ask your parents to post fliers at their work place, too. Before beginning your babysitting business, it would be a good idea for you (and any friends who will be working with you) to get your CPR certification. This will also be attractive to people who are looking for a sitter. Once you have babysat for a client, ask them to serve as a reference for future employers and to recommend you to their friends. You could also set up a website. You can create a free website through wix.com or weebly.com. These sites also have many templates that you use to create your own website. Include the link to your website on your fliers and ask past clients to contribute testimonials. You can include some information about yourself and your company on your website, as well as post your hourly rates. Many adults need someone to check on their pets when they are at work or on vacation during the summer. If babysitting isn't for you, consider starting a pet sitting business. You can distribute fliers to advertise your services and go door to door in your neighborhood. If you have an older sibling who can drive, you might ask him or her to go into business with you or transport you around the neighborhood for a percentage of your profits. If you want to keep all your profits or don't have access to a vehicle, you could use a wagon to carry your supplies around your neighborhood. You could take this one step further by offering a detailing service to customers. Instead of just washing cars, offer to wax or vacuum the interior, also. This service will require a few extra items, such as a shop vacuum and wax, but you earn a lot more by offering "upgrade" services like these. Chances are, if someone is paying you to wash their car, they wouldn't mind paying an extra $10 to $20 dollars for a more thorough cleaning. Talk to your customers about washing their cars on a bi-weekly or monthly basis. Be sure to be friendly and do a thorough wash for your customers. If you do, they will be more likely to hire you again and tell other neighbors about your car wash service. While the idea of a lemonade stand might seem rather outdated, if you are smart about when and where you sell refreshments, you can make some good pocket money. This old classic is still effective, especially if you sell cookies or other snacks as well. Do it on a hot day in a park or other place where there's a lot of people.

SUMMARY: Start your own business. Tutor younger children. Babysit. Become a dog walker or pet sitter. Start a mobile car wash. Run a refreshment stand.

INPUT ARTICLE: Article: Get out the knives you'd like to sharpen. Determine how dull the blades are so you know what grit size you'll need on the sharpening stone. To test the blade, slice through a tomato or piece of fruit. Feel how much resistance you're getting as you slice. The more resistance, the duller your knives are. You should also think about how often you use your knives. If you use them every day, they're probably duller than if you only use them every once in a while. You'll need to choose a natural or synthetic stone that can be used wet (soaked in water), with oil, or dry. There are also diamond stones that are actually very small diamonds attached to a metal surface. Stones that are soaked in water are softer stones which means you can quickly sharpen your knives. Unfortunately, these stones will wear down faster than the others. Oil stones are the least expensive and they're made of a harder material. Oil stones are a little messier to use and clean up although the stone will last for a long time. Diamond stones are the most expensive, but they'll last the longest. Sharpening stones are available with different grit sizes. For example, you can choose fine, medium and coarse stones. You should use a coarse stone followed by a fine grit if your knives are dull. If your knives have been sharpened recently or they aren't too dull, consider using a medium grit. Try to use a grit level ranging from 325 (for coarse) to 1200 (for extra fine). You may be able to choose a stone that has different grit levels on both sides.

SUMMARY:
Examine your knives. Choose the style of stone. Select the grit of the stone.