Archive for June, 2010
What’s the best way to lock up your motorbike?
Jun 28th
Keep your motobike secure
A brief guide to bike security from motorcycle insurance specialist Bikesure. There are loads of different locks and security systems on the market and some cost a fortune. But bike theft is a huge issue and bikers need to make their rides secure. So what’s the best security solution for your motorcycle?
Locks, chains and ground anchors
Big, secure locks and chains are a highly visual deterrent, which is good. The downside is they’re bulky and heavy, so they’re not easy to transport. However, avoid carrying them in a backpack. As well as being a pain to carry, they’ll affect the ride balance. Worse, if there’s an accident they can cause a nasty injury. If carrying them is a problem, consider using them when the bike’s at home and disc locks when it’s out and about. If possible, get a ground anchor installed at home to connect them to. Check out Almax Security Chains for some top products.
Disc locks
They’re handy and effective. However, they’re a less visible deterrent – so much so that one issue is remembering to unlock them before trying to drive off. The solution to that is to buy disc locks with a handle bar cable – they’re both an added deterrent and a useful reminder the bike’s still locked up.
Alarms, immobilisers and trackers
Alarms and immobilisers are not a visible deterrent but they are effective and easy to live with – provided they don’t go off at the wrong time. Trackers, which enable your bike to be traced if it’s stolen, are similarly invisible and convenient. If you select an electronic security device, make sure to use a professional to fit them. Gap Security offers a wide range of approved products.
CCTV
Unless it’s a back-up for one of the above, this is probably the worst possible solution. People can invest thousands in a CCTV systems, then some scallywag pops on a £1.99 balaclava and they can have the bike away before anyone can react.
Safe as houses?
Don’t imagine the bike’s safe once it’s home – most bikes get stolen while they’re sitting outside the owner’s house. That’s where it gets seen by thieves, night and day. If a garage is an option, use it. Whatever, make sure the bike is always left secure.
More info: check out the Thatcham site (www.thatcham.org) for information about security. These are the guys that do research into how effective vehicle alarms are.
Sold Secure was set up to assess security products and their site, www.soldsecure.com, has loads more info and a catalogue of approved products to download.
Let us know about your best ways to secure your motorbike in the comments below.
Preparing for a motorcycle holiday – Bikesure’s 5 top tips
Jun 14th
Thinking of hitting the open road and going on a motorcycle holiday? Whether you’re planning to travel abroad or stay in the UK, Bikesure offers five top tips to help your motorcycle touring adventure go without a hitch.
Top 5 tips for motorcycle holiday preparation
Motorcycle touring in Japan
- Plan your route. Allow ample time for unexpected hold ups and allow time for plenty of comfort and rest breaks.
- Check your bike. Make sure your servicing is up-to-date and give your bike a thorough once over. Don’t forget our essential motorcycle maintenance checklist too.
- Pack and load your bike. It’s best to take only the bare minimum on a motorcycle holiday. Try and distribute the weight evenly across the bike’s centre of mass. Some essentials to take with you include first aid kit, tool kit, torch and a map.
- Make sure all your documentation is up-to-date and take it along with you. This includes MOT, insurance, road tax and driving license. If you are travelling abroad you will also need to check you bike insurance covers you in your country of travel, as well as making sure you have with you an EHIC card, passport, travel insurance, breakdown cover and V5 registration doc. It is a legal requirement to be able to produce the original V5 registration document in a number of countries.
- If you are travelling abroad check the legal requirements for country of travel. Be familiar with local speed limits before you travel, too.
Finally make sure you are dressed in comfortable, weather-appropriate protective clothing and have enough fuel and currency for your journey.
Motorcycle holiday resources we like:
Highland Motorcycle Holidays – Nigel provides self guided tour document of motorcycle holiday routes, hire advice and accommodation in the Highlands.
Get On and Ride
Jun 8th
We’ve been asked to pass on some info about this year’s Get On events taking place at dealers up and down the country. This free event is aimed particularly at first time bikers, or those who are considering their first steps into the world of biking, but seasoned bikers will get something out of the day too, as there is tons of great info and offers on some top kit available from the participating dealerships. Newbies get the opportunity to have a ride for free.
The date for your diary is Saturday 19th June, and the motorcycle industry is hoping for Britain’s largest ever biking open day at showrooms across the country. The aim is to encourage bikers and non-bikers alike to find out more about riding and will offer them the chance to win a variety of amazing prizes. Any biker who brings along a non-biker friend will be entered in to a draw to win some great prizes such as on and off-road riding holidays in Italy and Spain as well as kit from top brands Arai, Weise and BKS.
For those that have never ridden before, they will have the opportunity to find out more about motorcycling and sign up to Get On’s free one hour taster session to experience riding for real. Anyone who signs up will be in with the chance to win a selection of iPads, iPod Nanos and digital cameras.
The National Dealer Open Day is being run by Get On which aims to get more people out on to the open road on two wheels. It offers free rides to anyone over the age of 16 who can register and sign up on their site www.geton.co.uk. 65 dealers across the UK are taking part in the day offering prizes and motorcycling information.
In today’s economic climate, and with increasing traffic congestion and environmental concern, travelling by bike and scooter makes sense for more and more people, so events like this are a great way of helping people consider whether they can swap their metal box for the freedom of two wheels. And with some extra special moped and scooter insurance rates available for new riders from Bikesure, there’s every reason to take someone along and change their outlook on life.
Demolition Dodge Game
Jun 4th
If your read Fluxposure, which I think you should 
, you may have seen details of the new online game from Adrian Flux, Demolition Dodge/, which you can play below, or at demolitiondodge.co.uk
The aim of the game is to survive for as long as possible without being destroyed by enemy cars, who will be trying their hardest to hit you. If you are a biker, this may sound a lot like your average road journey, so I’m expecting you to do well! You can pick up a variety of power ups and time bonuses to help you accumulate a good time.
Every entrant will go into a draw for £1000 and if you record a good enough time, you can win money off your insurance. If you like it, please do pass it on to your friends and family so they can save money on their motorcycle insurance, car insurance or home insurance cover.