Now, when it comes to thinking, bike leathers – what you need and what it costs, you might be interested to find out that there has been some interesting research done on colours of leathers and indeed, on the colour of motorbikes.

According to the research, the choice of colours says a lot about the individual. Although some of this research might be said to be a little spurious at times..

Take the conclusion that a biker who wears black, is after protection. Given the fact that many motorcyclists wear black and that most consider themselves car and lorry bait, this might not be so revolutionary a finding. But the research goes on to headline the facts that those who wear green will keep their bikes in a good condition and those in blue, will delight the insurers.

The report argues that the colour of the motorcycle is an indication of the person’s attitude towards biking in general, whereas the colour of the riding clothes betrays the inner person. So, if you’re riding a pink bike, but wearing chequered leathers with a tartan border, you’ve maybe got a few issues.

The research rather disappointedly talks about predictable bike colours – the most popular being black, red and blue – but really gets going when it comes to the choice of bike leathers.

So, lets have a look at the main colours and what they might say about the individual.

We’ve already seen that black means protection, but what does grey mean? Firstly, a person who wears grey will likely go for a functional motorbike; one that is not flash, or finished off with accessories, or bling. Fair enough, although it adds that the person who wears grey is likely to have low esteem. Which is a polite way of saying that they are afraid to get out of bed in the morning.

Yellow does not reflect someone who might prefer not to get on their mighty steed and tackle the TT course. In fact, so they say, yellow reflects a confident and optimistic biker. Fun, but not as immature, they say, as orange. Now, anyone who wears yellow, or orange leathers might be in need of a sunny personality, especially when the local chapter of the Hells Angels is passing through town.

Now that’s a thought, what about the colour scheme of the Hells Angel with their blend of black, greys and washed denim. Good, but its highly unlikely that anyone will flag them down and point out that okay, black might be good, but they lack self esteem wearing grey and hey, that blue, did they know that that means they are anxious to please their insurance company with their maturity and responsibility? Not if you want your teeth in place.

So how about beige, which is a polite way of saying brown? Every year the fashion industry are keen to demonstrate that brown is the new black. Yet each brown is about as exciting as, well, brown. The upper classes might call it beige, but everyone else knows better. But the brown biker is said to be dependable, calm and doesn’t create a fuss; yes, in other words boring.

Gold signals glamour and bling (someone best avoided in other words); green is peaceful (maybe smoking something they shouldn’t); red, strong and masculine (or someone who’s just taken a corner too fast); white, clean lines and excellence (until they drop the bike on an oil slick); and, silver, a lover of luxury, superb engineering and high speed (no, I’ve no idea why that should be the case either).

I’ve left a few colours until last. The report states that purple and mauve actually equate to an upmarket biker (one who washes every day), but also one who is naughty and self-indulgent. Not quite sure what this means, unless it’s a clean biker who likes to nick things for themselves. A pink biker (just get that image in your mind – pink leathers), is said to be maternal. That’s a polite way of describing it I suppose, but also they are nurturing, loving with as strong assertion of the feminine. So either your bird, or your mum then.

Right, afterall that, go and by yourself some black leathers. This will guarantee that you won’t be the source of someone’s finger pointing and guffawing.

Two other priorities, make sure they fit and make sure, when you’re skimming down the council tarmac having left your bike a few yards back in that pot hole, that they protect your precious skin. So good quality leather and stitching is a must.

You can either wear a jacket and trousers, or a one-piece suit. The one-piece looks good on racing bikes and modelled by thin blokes in their twenties and with that thousand yard stare which says they’ve been to 175mph and back. If your physical shape is closer to homo sag, rather than homo erectus, then maybe give the one-piece romper suit a miss. Not only will you look like a hard boiled egg with legs encased in leather, getting out the working bits during the toilet stop can put your back out.

But don’t expect leathers to come cheap. And like when it comes to buying the helmet, push the boat out. The lid protects the squashy bit between your ears. Damage that and you’ll be riding a kid’s trike for the rest of your life. Likewise with your skin. Leathers are there to protect and serve. So when buying your leathers, get some help with the fitting, as you don’t want to be done up like a trussed chicken; nor do you want bits flapping around your backside.

Motorcycle jackets vary enormously in price, but expect to pay between £250 and £300 for a good jacket. Look for full-grain leather which is at least 1.1mm thick and which has the proper abrasion resistance. Ventilated sleeves will help reduce sweatiness and make sure there are enough pockets to keep the gadgets. Think about reflective patches and try to get a jacket with a back protector.

Much the same goes with the trousers, although if you buy the same make, look for fasteners which will turn it into a one-piece suit. Trousers will work out slightly cheaper, but not a lot less than forking out for a jacket.

If you go for the one-piece, this will set you back anywhere from £400 to nearer £750. Look for the right thickness – from 1.2mm to 1.4mm – of full grain leather for total tear resistance. Ensure it has enough built-in protectors, sliders (for the knees), perforated panels for good ventilation, soft collar and a sturdy back protector.

Once kitted out in one of these, you’ll at least look the business; although not if you ride a moped.

Tags: Bennetts Bike Insurance, BikeSafe, Lady Bikers, Motorbikes

It’s official, lady bikers are here to stay.

For too long the hairy, dominant males have sat astride their steeds, leathers creaking, stone washed jeans akimbo and flowing hair in need of a wash. For the average male biker, when it comes to motorcycling, the only use for a woman is as a bauble on the pillion during a cruise.

But as Dylan once said, “…times they are a-changin…”

Now the lady bikers are taking their place alongside their hairy counterparts.

Lady bikers used to be a rare sight, but its not only anecdotal evidence that suggests that they are making in-roads into yet another male bastion. First, only men would spend Friday and Saturday nights in the gutter outside their favourite watering hole, bringing up their stomach linings and that chilli extra donna kebab. Now, the women are in there as well, chucking up like true professionals.

Industry figures show that now around 15% of bikers are female.
And the genie is not going back into the bottle. Once a woman has donned the leathers and mounted a motorbike, she’s not likely to want to get off in a hurry. For too long they have sat patiently behind their sweating man, as he strives to put them into a ditch, or over a wall at 100 mph.

Now when motorcyclists congregate at such events as British Superbike race meets, track days and club events, there’s a fair sprinkling of women to be seen showing off their machines. Not for them the streaming blonde hair, silicone enhanced chests and bikinis – all to make the bloke look good.

Industry figures show that its not just changing cultural and social influences that cause women to take to motorbikes. Technology has leant a hand to, with smaller and lighter machines continually coming onto the market.

It used to be that to ride a motorbike you had to be built like a Russian shot-putter on testosterone. Bikes were built likes farmers ploughs and unless you wrestled grizzly bears, there was no way you could even get one off the stand. Then along came the Japanese with a philosophy that a bike could not only be considerably lighter – aiding the power to weight ration – but that it should also start with a button and not leak oil. This came as a revelation to many bikers, who had right legs like Arnold Schwarzenegger after years of trying to get the bl**dy* Triumph Trident to kick start.

They also thought that a river of oil was necessary under the sump, as though natural leakage was a sign of masculinity. Not for them the six-cylinder lithe beauties from the land of the rising sun that actually started first time and didn’t need a daily oil change. Of course, it didn’t take long for their bikes with names that no-one could pronounce, to make the likes of Norton and Triumph obsolete to all but a few die-hard enthusiasts.

But still, once bike technology took off, it was only a matter of time before the female form actually became their ideal occupant. Women are generally lighter and cause less wind resistance, so they make ideal riders. And what with more fine-tuned control around, that art of riding a bike is less to do with hanging on for dear life, than have a light touch and fast reflexes.

Current bikes out there that tend to suit the lady bikers are Aprilia RS125, Yamaha YZF-R6, Honda RVF NC35, Triumph 675, or the Suzuki GSX-R750 K6.

So, move over men, that fast bike getting larger in your mirror might just be being ridden by a bird. Now there’s progress for you

Tags: Aprilia RS125, Bennetts Bike Insurance, Bikers, Honda RVF NC35, Lady Bikers, Motorbikes, Suzuki GSX-R750 K6, Triumph 675, Yamaha YZF-R6

The writer of this blog once wanted to join the hells angels.

I hoped my future compadres would ignore my 125cc single pot, four stroke, cross trials bike with a maximum speed of 65mph. Not quite a hog, but I still liked to cruise around on it, trying to emulate a cool thousand yard stare, just like Dennis Hooper and Peter Fonda, even on the crowded A34.

I also hoped they might also overlook my creaky new Belstaff bike jacket with matching waterproof trousers. On the plus side, at least I favoured an open face helmet, although suicidal flies did necessitate keeping the speed down and my mouth locked shut.

But when it came to filling out the membership forms, I read a couple of articles on Hells Angels mythology. I wasn’t perturbed by the organised crime connections, or by the fact that entry into some chapters was by the odd murder, or two. No, what really put me off was that some members insisted on dog turd stained jeans. And that was just going too far. I just could not picture myself riding into the sunset wearing a pair of jeans on which my pet Jack Russell had done his business. Game over. I went onto to see if the Women’s Institute had a biker’s wing.

It’s not, of course, dirty jeans that worries the FBI, or the CIA, or the authorities on the U.K. side of the pond. They believe that the Hells Angels Motorcycle Club (HAMC) is a worldwide motorcycle gang and an organised crime syndicate. In America, Hells Angels
are seen as one of the big four outlaw motorcycle gangs. The forces of law and order believe that far from being an innocent motorcycle fraternity, it deals in drugs, traffics stolen goods and is involved in widespread extortion.

They don’t see it that way of course, claiming that the Hells Angels are just an organisation of like-minded individuals who come together to explore their common interests: everything to do with cleaning large motorbikes. And as well as a number of cleaning regimes, they organise a number of social events, fundraisers, parties and rallies. Although seeing a number of Hells Angels organising the bouncy castle and the tombola stall, does take a leap of imagination.

It’s not easy to tell the history of this fund raising motorcyclist organisation, mainly because of their strict code of secrecy, which means that anyone writing their memories is either one short of a six-pack, or suicidal. They do not temper the myth making about their activities, nor quell most of the rumours. They are in fact quite happy for non members to be a little wary of how they wash their bikes.

Anyone delving too deeply into their history had best not be too obvious about it and nothing is straightforward. One of the strangest facts is that Hells Angels don’t use each other’s surnames; all members are on a strictly first name basis. Must play havoc with chasing membership fees, although you can see that such a condition can be handy. Hard for the FBI to write just a first name down on the warrant.

They were originally formed in California around the late 1940s, early 1950s. A number of other gangs banded together to form a bigger organisation. Such bikes gangs as the ‘Boozefighters’ (I’m not sure that means lets fight against drinking though) and the charmingly named ‘Pi**ed Off B******s of Bloomington’, decided to throw in their lot and organise tea parties on their mother’s lawns. Other Hells Angels historians put 1948 as the date of the creation and the place, Fontana, Californian.

As to their name, it was possibly even clear to the less PR minded of them that the name ‘Pi**ed Off B******s of Bloomington’ might hold them back a tad.

Hells Angels is actually thought to have derived from a number of second world war military units which used the non de plume. The 303rd United States Air Force Heavy Bombardment Group used it in the second world war, as did the 11th Airborne Division.

Current members seem a bit reticent about the military connection, maybe seeing it as an uncool link with the establishment. Although their website – which boasts the catchy marketing slogan “…When we do right nobody remembers when we do wrong nobody forgets…” – says that the name was suggested to early members by a chap called Arvid “Oley” Olsen.

But however they were formed, the Hells Angels is a complex organisation, complete with stiff membership requirements, strict hierarchy and a detailed administration via geographical chapters. For full members, not only is the rule of Omerta strictly observed, but there is a rule that once a member, always a member.

So, if you can stand your jeans smelling a bit off, then this might be the social club you were looking for.

Tags: Bennetts Bike Insurance, Bike Insurance, Motor Bike, Motorcycle

The biggest problem when buying an off-road as opposed to buying a road bike, is the likelihood of heavy wear and tear. Think about it; bikes thrashed around a competitive race course will have taken a pounding.

Mind you, you might be looking at a MX bike which has rarely left the garage (maybe the owner didn’t want to compete), or indeed a trials bike which most probably hasn’t been thrashed at all, although it might have been smacked against a tree and something knocked askew.

So, you have to look at an off-road bike with an open mind and start from the premise that it has been abused and despite how shiny it looks, it could be hiding major problems.

Also, if the bike has been used for competitions, or fun, and has not been registered, it could be more difficult to check it’s background. And, of course, always be suspicious when offered a too good a deal; don’t end up buying a stolen bike.

Right, so first things first. If you’re offered a bike, or respond to an advertisement, try to find out a little bit about the seller first. If he’s a racer himself, he’ll be enthusiastic and maybe give you a bit of background about the machine, and won’t mind you calling around his house to take a look. If he’s nicked it, then he won’t know much about the bike and will most probably want to meet somewhere dodgy and insist you bring cash. Be on your guard – don’t get lumbered with a stolen bike; it could cost you a visit from the police and a confiscated bike, with no compensation.

And if it looks new and it’s costing you a fair bit, it might be worth getting a HP check done, just in case the seller is still paying off the installments.

So, let’s assume it’s not stolen, nor on HP and that if it is registered, all the paperwork is intact. And if there is no official documentation, ask them for a receipt from their original purchase. Most people do, and should, keep receipts as it’s a way of helping insurance claims. So don’t be afraid to ask for anything that might help prove the bike’s status, including it’s age and original specification.

Also, are you dealing with a private seller, or trader? When telephoning, remember to say I’ve rung about the bike. If he say’s which bike, he’s most probably a trader. If so, then more caution is needed.

Okay, so the paperwork looks right and you’ve confirmed the asking price. Take a quick deckers first at the bike’s general condition. Does your first impression say yes, looks the business? Or does it say hang on a minute, it doesn’t look quite right. First impressions are important, so make sure you listen to your gut instincts.
And if the seller is jabbering on about the economy, or the weather, politely ask him to hang on a minute while you give his bike the once over. And don’t ignore your first impressions about him either. Where does he keep the bike, a garage, or his front room. Does he look like someone who would care for his bike, or someone that would use a sledgehammer to fix it?
So, back to the bike, look for superficial damage. Does it mean that some major damage might be lurking underneath.

Once your first impressions are in, take a detailed look at the bike. Check the forks and the head bearings; if there’s play in the bearings, it’s trouble. Then, how smoothly do the handlebars move through their turning arc. If not smooth, then again, it could be trouble.

Next, check the bearings out in the back wheel and the swing arm. Any play there could again be a sign of trouble. Move onto the rear shocks and check them out by pushing the back end down and see how the shocks handle it. They should resume their natural position smoothly and concisely. If not, they could be shot.

When it comes to the engine, take your time, as this is where a number of gremlins could lurk. See if you can start it from cold; not the owner. If they have warmed the engine up to make it behave better, try and let it go cold again. While it’s running, does it sound sweet, or are there a few knocks, bangs, or tapping sounds? How does the oil look – as it should, or discoloured?

Check out the exhaust for any bad dents, or bits missing, or whether it’s the right exhaust for that bike.

And finally, have a good play with the controls, making sure all the levers work as well as they should and any light and indicator controls do as they are bid.

It may be that the bike has a few problems, many do, but it all comes down to whether you can fix them and what impact they have on the asking price.

All in all, make sure you are comfortable with the purchase and that everything adds up. If it doesn’t walk away and have a think about it.

Tags: Bennetts Bike Insurance, Insurance, Motor Bike, Motorbikes

It’s hard to believe, especially from the view point of today’s safety obsessed society, that motorcycle insurance is only just coming of age.

Motorcyclists are now being recognised, properly so of course, as a group of road users that deserve some respect and recognition. For so long seen as the second class citizens of the road, bike riders now have a whole infrastructure geared towards their needs. And this is very evident in the field of bike insurance.

In the good old days bike insurance was a bit of a haphazard affair, with few options in terms of pricing and cover, mainly because motorcyclists were regarded almost as the rebels of the road; a lawless group who by the mere fact of riding a bike, were challenging society.

This image was obviously not helped with Hollywood’s view of bikers as all Hells Angels, heavily bearded with open face helmets with Viking horns and massive beer bellies. And these guys lived in an anarchic feudal system with their own laws and customs, riding beast-like Harley Davidson’s throughout U.S towns and terrorizing the locals.

And in 1969 the film Easy Rider became a cult success, not only amongst the biking community, but also amongst many who envied the adventures of the two bikers – played by Dennis Hopper and Peter Fonda – who make a life changing ride from Los Angeles to New Orleans for the Mardi Gras. For those stuck in a humdrum existence of a conformist economic-driven society, the motorbike epitomized escape, freedom and fun.

But there were no scenes when Hopper and Fonda discussed the merits of a particular insurance policy and what would happen to their no-claim bonuses if, while under the influence, they rode their choppers off a mountain side.

So for years, motorcycling was not about a form of transport which got you efficiently from A to B with the minimum of fuss; no riding was a statement, a form of rebellion that scoffed in the face of the obvious dangers of riding a two-wheeled, powerful machine that could outpace a car within seconds.

So early bike insurance policies reflected this sense of danger and individualism, and were expensive, as it was expected that riders were set upon a path of destruction and early death. So early premiums were often outrageous, causing many bikers to perpetuate the lawless myth by going uninsured, as it was simply cheaper.

And this situation wasn’t helped by the fact that the first companies to offer bike insurance, were car insurance companies. They didn’t really like bikers that much, looked at the grim accident statistics (ironically, conveniently ignoring the fact that inattentive motorists are one of the biggest causes of bike accidents), knew there was a lack of training and also ridiculed the bike test (get on, ride around the block and if you’re still alive, you’ve passed).

But gradually things began to change for the better, especially during the 1970’ and 1980s, when bike training became more common and helmet wearing became the law (in the U.K., 1973). Minimum motorcycle age raised to 17 in 1971, mopeds restricted to 30mph in 1977 and two part motorcycle test introduced in 1982, are some of the noteworthy milestones.

And with increasing legislation and greater bike safety generally (better gear), came a greater understanding from insurance companies of the real motorcycling environment. Many insurance companies then started to take insurance seriously, often forming specialist companies, or divisions, which only handle motorcycle insurance. This has brought down premiums and increased options, creating a fairer, cheaper and more sophisticated market for the biker.

And for those that make a genuine effort to improve their riding ability – through such schemes as BikeSafe – then insurance can be even more cost-effective.

Now, motorcyclists are no longer second class citizens of the road and a whole industry now supports this popular form of transport. And, it would be nice to think that although the guys in Easy Rider might not have flipped through an insurance document with great enthusiasm, even they couldn’t help but approve of the greater acceptance of bikers and their rights. Well, lets hope so anyway!

Tags: Bennetts Bike Insurance, Bike Insurance, Easy Rider, Harley Davidson’s, Hells Angels, Motorbikes

BikeSafe was created to teach motorcyclists the finer arts of staying alive.

Offered and run by over 40 individual police forces within the U.K., BikeSafe is all about riders learning from some of the best bikers out there, the police motorcyclists. These are the guys that ride for a living, operating in some of the most demanding conditions. Their training is second to none and one of their highest priorities is to do their job in the safest way possible.

And if you want some of their tips on keeping out of trouble, then have a look at http://www.bikesafe.co.uk/.

As it’s arranged on a police force basis throughout the U.K., all you have to do is choose your local force and get in touch.

One of the most active of BikeSafe initiatives is run by the Metropolitan police force of London. They have helped guide over 10,000 riders to a better rider awareness and in doing so, have helped reduce motorcycle casualties in the capital by around 25%. Such is the success of the courses, that over 60% of riders opt to take further training courses.

BikeSafe London are held in London at the Ace Café and at West Wickham, Kent, at the Metropolitan Police Sports Club.

Moped and scooter riders, as well as motorcyclists, are invited to join and get an assessment of their current skill level, as well as hearing how to improve their riding styles. Subjects covered include how to properly control a motorcycle, what causes most collisions and overall bike security.

When assessing a riders’ ability, the police officers will consider road positioning, the use of gears and brakes (to see how efficiently the bike is being used) and hazard perception. As with all road users, the ability to spot hazards and quickly interpretate how they will play out in terms of danger for the user, is one of the key factors in staying out of trouble. The courses typically include an hour’s ride when the police will be observing the motorcyclists in all manner of road situations. A full de-brief is then given after the ride.

The courses are informal and are run both during the week and at weekends.

So, if you want to try and stay alive on the roads, think about taking a BifeSafe course. It could make all the difference.

Tags: Bennetts Bike Insurance, BikeSafe, Motor Bike, Motorbikes, Police

Giving some serious thought about motorbike safety will help keep you safe. And just in case that sounds a bit glib, remember that roughly 600 motorcyclists are killed every year and some 6,000 are seriously injured.

So, here follows ten tips to help keep yourself away from casualty.

Firstly, and this cannot be stressed enough, ride defensively. Okay, that doesn’t mean carrying a heat seeking missile system on the handlebars, it means thinking for the other guy, especially the car driver who looks, but doesn’t see you. Most motorbike accidents are caused by careless car drivers. Just because a car driver should do something, don’t expect him to do it. Think idiot, think safe.

Secondly, brush up on technique. Once you’ve passed your test, it doesn’t mean you know everything. Life is all about learning. Good riders evolve, they don’t suddenly appear. Learning how motorbikes work, their stress points, their tolerances and their potential, is a sensible strategy. Learn how to control the bike in all conditions, at all speeds – make sure, like professional riders, you know every inch and every habit of your bike.

Tip three, and this comes from the defensive riding idea, ride intelligently. Think about the road position opening up in front of you. You see a country road, trees on both sides, it’s a quiet Sunday afternoon, good weather and you can open her up a bit, but there’s a wide bend to the left coming up. Do a quick brain scan. Think what might lie ahead. It’s good visibility, but what lurks around that bend, keep an eye open for oil, fuel spills and White Van Man screaming towards you around the corner, overtaking the slow-moving tractor.

Tip four attitude. Riding a motorbike can be one of lifes best experiences. It’s a challenge, it’s freedom, a statement about you. But one fingered gestures, pulling aggressive wheelies and kicking parts of the car who’s just cut you up, will lead to trouble. As said when talking about defensive riding – the other guy is a plonker and that’s his problem. Look down on them, pity them and ride away.

Tip five, don’t forget the bike, your trusty steed. Right, simple mindset: check your bike regularly for problems. Discipline yourself before each ride to take a quick look at the tyres and then a quick test of the brakes when you’ve started the engine. Then, on a rest day, do a quick check of the other vital bits, including: oil, coolants, brake fluid, chain, nuts and bolts, and lights.

Tip six, clothing. Get the most expensive and best fitting helmet you can afford and make sure you wear appropriate and visible clothing. The Darth Vader look might seem a neat idea, but when no-one can see you on a winter’s evening, it’s not so clever.

Tip seven, weather. Seasons differ, conditions differ, but for many motorists and bike riders, this comes as a surprise. Be aware of the weather and how that should affect your riding style.

Tip eight, road signs. There’s no excuse not to brush up occasionally on your highway code. New signs do appear; old ones get updated and the less familiar ones might give you a shock one day.

Tip nine, fellow riders. Respect. These guys love what you do, riding a bike. If you see a fellow biker in trouble, help out if you can. And be courteous when riding as a group. Don’t cause the old boy in the Morris Minor a cardiac when you and the boys overtake at speed.

And finally, tip ten, courses. This country is blessed with people and organisations who offer advice and courses on how to be a better rider, and stay alive. They exist, so use them.

Motorbike safety – give it some serious thought.

As one of the UK’s largest providers of bike insurance, Bennetts do all the legwork for you to find you the lowest priced quotes from their panel of top insurers and make sure you get the protection you and your bike need. Bennetts offer the following bike insurance: Click Here to find out more

Tags: Bennetts Bike Insurance, Insurance, Motor Bike, Safety

Could you be paying for parking, when you can get it for free? To work out when you have to pay for your motorcycle parking, as opposed to getting it free, requires a lot of patience and, oh yes, a degree in quantum physics might help as well.

It is worth considering that although the U.K. is only a comparatively small island, it is made up of numerous different councils that have different policies when it comes to parking. Some council operated Pay & Display car parks will not charge motorcyclists, even though most privately owned car parks certainly will. So, get your glasses out and read the microscopic print on the Ticket Machine, as that will tell you what you can get away with.

Therefore, it literally pays to find out who does what, and update yourself, as councils do change their minds – mostly at the motorcyclists expense. But, as a general rule, use council owned and operated car parks. If you can help it, don’t use privately owned car parks.

And as you might have guessed, London has its own rules and procedures. So, lets start there.

Now, London itself is made up of loads of different Boroughs, such as Corporation of London and Camden, but generally, multi-storey car parks owned by the councils allow free parking for the motorcyclist, as long as they leave their bike within the allotted bay. But, as always, just be aware that you might choose a car park which is an exception to this rule – so, as always, ensure you read the ticket machine.

Many Boroughs also offer free off-street parking, mostly in allotted bays, but again, rules vary and you might have to pay. London is also an odd case because there are many parts, bits of land and pavement included, that are deemed ‘unofficial’ motorcycle parking areas. And these are mostly accepted by the enforcement authorities, but be warned, things can change. Abuse – too many bikes, bikes parked in a bad way, or a landlord moaning – might mean that the wardens do not look the other way and you’ll end up clamped.

Outside of London, and it’s still a case of taking nothing for granted. Take Bath and North Somerset. Motorcyclists can, free of charge, park in all on-street bays and in a lot of their car parks, but not all.

Glasgow is also very fair, allowing free parking in most of its car parks and should you not be able to find a space, they will assist you in finding one! Manchester withdrew a number of free parking concessions a few years ago, but still offer free bays in certain parts of the City. Newcastle is also less generous than other cities, but you’ll still find free places if you look.

Could you be paying for parking, when you can get it for free? Yes, certainly, and there’s lots of it, but always check and reassure yourself that you can park free, and not just on Sundays in a Leap year and when you’re wearing your Rupert Bear trousers.

As one of the UK’s largest providers of bike insurance, Bennetts do all the legwork for you to find you the lowest priced quotes from their panel of top insurers and make sure you get the protection you and your bike need. Bennetts offer the following bike insurance: Click Here to find out more

Tags: Bennetts Bike Insurance, Car Parks, Free Parking, Parking

Buy the bike of your dreams and castrate it, can be a good way of by-passing the 33 bhp rule, but does it really make sense on your riding fun and wallet?

Okay, a bit of background first. Currently, there are three types of motorcycle licence that can be acquired. Firstly, Category P, which covers the moped. Category A1 covers motorcycles with an engine size over 75cc, but no more than 125cc, with a power output of no more than 14.6 bhp (11kW) and one that can’t go above 62.5 mph (100 kph).

The third licence, the standard motorcycle licence, and known as Category A, or commonly A2, allows you to ride a motorcycle with an unlimited engine size, but, and this is a big but, with a maximum power output of 33 bhp (25kW) and a power to weight ratio not greater than 0.16kw/kg.

In others words, you can happily sit on many models from 125cc to 400cc, as long as they produce no more power than 33 horses, and there are plenty of bikes within the range.

Now, when you pass your test, or if you’re under 21, your stuck with this 33 horses rule for two years, so you’re faced with the dilemma of buying a bike within the power range, or buying a bigger one, and restricting it.

Of course, if you’re impatient to straddle a proper thoroughbred and if you are over 21, or come of age during the two year restricted period, then you can bypass the delay by proving you’re man enough to handle a wee beastie. Two schemes allow you to do this – Direct Access Scheme and Accelerated Access Scheme – but it involves extra training, supervision and money

But lets assume you’re going to hang on. Buying a bigger bike and getting a mechanic to castrate it is a viable idea and many regular riders go for this option. It is not illegal and is an acceptable way of buying your dream bike and using it for the two years before you become a fully qualified bike rider.

But, there are things to consider. The restrictor kit is just that – it restricts your bike to 33 bhp and reduces the power to weight ratio, in effect, totally altering the bike you’ve just bought. The price you will have paid is based on its unrestricted performance, not its castrated state. You will have higher running costs and insurance companies, bless them, do not recognise the restricted status. Premiums are based on the original bike’s performance, not its altered state.

Arguably, you would do better to accept the 33 bhp ruling and hone your skills on a still gutsy machine, before stepping into the big league. Any money saved by doing this can be used to good effect, kitting yourself out and putting some goodies on the machine. The big manufacturers all offer superb bikes within the 33 bhp range.

So, you can buy the bike of your dreams and castrate it, but do you really want to? Have a good think first.

As one of the UK’s largest providers of bike insurance, Bennetts do all the legwork for you to find you the lowest priced quotes from their panel of top insurers and make sure you get the protection you and your bike need. Bennetts offer the following bike insurance: Click Here to find out more

Tags: 33 bhp Ruling, Accelerated Access Scheme, Bennetts Bike Insurance, Direct Access Scheme, Insurance

Buying your first bike can be a daunting task.

Okay, so lets not dwell on what bike you are able to ride legally: moped, or muscle bike. Lets have a look at some of the key points when buying a bike for the first time.

Budget. First consideration, how much can you afford? Cash, or one of the myriad of finance options available? This will then give you an idea as to whether you can buy new, or go for second hand. Now a new bike is something quite magical; no-one has got their grubby little paws on it, scratching it, or abused the engine. It’s for you to mould. But it’s not all plain sailing. Depreciation is a horrible word for buyers of bikes and cars alike. And although bikes don’t depreciate as fast as cars when they leave the warmth of the showroom, you’re still looking at around 15% less once it’s out in the big bad world.

Furthermore, if you’re a novice rider, on an unfamiliar machine, then there is a chance you might have a small prang in the first few months, which again will lop a load more off your bike’s value.

Okay, so you’ve decided what you can afford and whether its fresh from the factory, or been around the block a few times. And, of course, you have an idea what machine you’d like to buy with your spondula.

Before you start, bear in mind that it’s a buyers market. There are literally thousands of bikes out there, trying to be sold by thousands of sellers. And for you to exploit this lovely situation, you need to do research, some time on the phone and to keep cool.

There are motorcycle dealers (who are great for picking up not only prices, but market gossip); newspapers and magazines (which will give you a useful fist steer) and, of course, the good old internet. Spending some time working the mouse will make you an expert on price levels and bargains, although some of the stuff you will have to treat with a degree of scorn.

When buying anything these days, don’t accept the face value price. If you’re nervous about haggling, get someone to do it for you. And if this person you’re haggling with gets offended at the very thought of you trying to drop his price, walk away. There are plenty more fish in the sea. But don’t be a stupid haggler. From your research, know the ‘bottom’ of the price range for the particular bike who want to buy. And learn a few body language principles. Crossed arms, defensive; unwilling to look you in the eye, shifty; falls over, drunk. Stand there and pick-up the vibes. It can save you hundreds of pounds. And if the dealer won’t budge on price, get him to offer extras for the bike, or even some free riding lessons.

Finance deals are only really available from pucker dealers; whereas private sellers and the auction houses think cleared cheques and wads of cash are more fun. There are so many finance deals, that this again requires some homework, but it is worth it getting the right deal to match your circumstances.

Lastly, the test ride. Don’t forget this, it’s vital. Trying out your prospective purchase is a must and if there’s a problem with the seller, consider walking away. Now, and this is especially true with second hand machines, try to have at least 30 minutes on the bike, as by that time any mechanical problems should have shown themselves. But don’t forget to make sure you’re insured for the test drive and that you’ve convinced the seller you’re not going to just ride away into the sunset. Maybe leave the partner as a hostage!

Buying your first bike – it’s great fun, as long as you prepare.

As one of the UK’s largest providers of bike insurance, Bennetts do all the legwork for you to find you the lowest priced quotes from their panel of top insurers and make sure you get the protection you and your bike need. Bennetts offer the following bike insurance: Click Here to find out more

Tags: Bennetts Bike Insurance, Bikes, Motorbikes, Motorcycle