Chris
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Posts by Chris
Finding cheap motorbikes to insure
May 23rd
Photo by Geraint Warlow (Click for image credit)
With hundreds of different models out there every biker should be able to find their perfect machine. But it’s not just about speed, manoeuvrability and ride: what about costs? Specifically, what about insurance costs? It’s perfectly possible to buy a bike and then have to fork out twice as much (or more) per year on insuring it.
Here the boffins at Bikesure, the freethinking motorbike insurance broker, offer a list of some decent bikes that won’t cost an arm and a leg to insure.
Japanese giant Honda is the biggest bike manufacturer in the world. The CB600 Hornet is a relatively cheap bike to insure and, according to motorcyclenews.com, it’s fun, easy to ride and offers great handling. The Hornet’s Nest is the home of the Hornet owners’ club and has loads of advice and information.
Other Honda bikes that are relatively cheap to insure include the 250 Superdream and the CB450.
Suzuki fans on an insurance budget should check out the GSF600 Bandit. Released in ’95, the first major changes were made in 2000 and include a bigger petrol tank and new steering geometry. Don’t let the relatively low insurance costs deceive you: according to Visor Down this is ‘a superb bike’ that spawned a host of imitators.
Kawasaki claims their ER-5, a 500cc naked commuter bike, offers ‘amazing fuel economy’. That’s a budget win-win when you add in its cheap insurance costs. If you have any questions then Bikers Oracle runs an owners club with an active
forum that may be able to help.
Bikers after a cheap-to-insure cruiser will find that the Yamaha XV535 and XV650 both fit the bill. There’s a selection of tourer spares and accessories for them at Motorbikes&Parts, a site that also offers a loyalty scheme which gives up to 20% discount.
Hog fans can find a cheap to insure machine in the Harley-Davidson 883 Sportster. In production for over 50 years, it’s a great looking bike with bags of pedigree. The Sportster.org site has a wealth of information for owners, including tens of
thousands of pictures, and a great tech section filled with essential maintenance tips. Once you’ve bought the bike, Jersey Harley-Davidson offers spares at VAT-free prices for online purchasers.
When it comes to insuring your motorcycle, the way to get the best price is to look around. It’s often worth ringing, too, as a good broker can be better at cutting costs than a computer programme. Whether you search around online or on the phone, be sure to ask Bikesure for a quote.
Get on your butt for charity
Feb 15th
Charity events are a great way to get people working together, perhaps try something different and raise money for a worthy cause. Nowadays, with the ease of communication and the chance to travel just about anywhere, the opportunities to raise money are endless.
This presents motorbikers with the best of both worlds- combining the passion for two-wheeled travel with fundraising. Here Bikesure talks about some impressive fundraisers and ways to get involved with motorbike charity fundraising.
Every year in December there are charity toy runs held throughout the country. These originated in Stoke-On-Trent in 1978 and the basic premise is to collect toys which are then taken to local charities, on motorbikes, and distributed to children who otherwise wouldn’t get presents. This is often followed by a celebratory evening which serves to raise more money.
Another way of fund raising is through sponsored rides, such as the Red Arrows who, in October 2010, rode 1000 miles from Lands End to John o Groats in just 4 days. Appropriately, the pilots rode on red Vespas.
The staff here at Bikesure also got riding for charity, with 4 staff members taking part in Monkey Business 2010. It involved travelling over 300 miles around Yorkshire on 125cc monkey bikes.
As well as this in February 2010 actor Danny-John Jules, most famous for playing the cat in cult classic Red Dwarf, rode a gruelling 7000 miles across Europe in aid of Sport Relief. This was taken up as a challenge from the Iron Butts Association -
Danny, with endurance rider Graham Hoskins, rode through 3 continents and 17 countries in just 16 days.
If you feel like experiencing you own motorbike adventure whilst also raising money for a great cause then take a look at Classic Tours, who provide a step by step guide to achieving your goal. They offer many different pre-organised challenges such as an 11-day Himalayan motorbike adventure or will work with you to help make your own fundraising idea a success.
There is also a motorbike challenge with Enduro Africa which raises money for South Africa and Lesotho. It offers you the chance to travel to South Africa and experience the extreme off-road terrain and breathtaking views. While there you are invited to get involved with the Touch Africa community-based program to make a real difference to the community.