| | Biker News - Regularly updated
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January's weather and the acknowledged poor retail start to the new year took its toll on the motorcycle market. Statistics for all styles, being 42% lower than for January of 2009.
Smaller capacity bikes are fairing better in the market. The top ten selling models reveals that there appears to be a greater demand for smaller capacity bikes, which are ideal for commuting and can offer a practical cost-effective form of personal transport. Seven of the top ten selling models are up to 125cc capacity. The top selling models include: Honda CBF 125 M and the Yamaha YBR 125.
With this interest in smaller capacity bikes the top three selling manufacturers in January were Honda, Yamaha and Piaggio. In the larger capacity sectors, BMW is the top selling manufacturer with the BMW S 1000 RR and BMW R 1200 RT registering the highest number of sales.
The touring sector has managed to retain some ground, experiencing a lower percentage (-22%) fall, but as it only has less than 5% market share this has had a limited effect on the overall market. The three sectors with the biggest market share at the start of 2010 are Scooters, Naked and Supersport.
Steve Kenward. MCI's CEO said "Although the climate continues to present challenges in January the industry is confident that it's Get On campaign is showing results in the lightweight sectors.
"The MCI is working hard to encourage new people to recognise the benefits of individual mobility that a powered two-wheeler offers." However, Kenward added, "The new sales figures demonstrate how critical it is for the Government to create a level playing field across the entire automotive sector a point discussed at the recent meeting with MP Ian Lucas from the Department of Business, Innovation and Skills"
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Ace Cafe London has teamed up with Vintage Motorcycle Club (VMCC) and is delighted to be able to confirm that the "Best Brit" and "Best Old School" bikes at the forthcoming Ally Pally Show will win a spectator ticket worth £25, to attend the VMCC's unique and prestigious Festival of a Thousand Bikes, to be held at Mallory Park, 9th 11th July, 2010. 2010.
Additionally, the "Best Bike" in the Ace Cafe Racer competition to be held at Cassington's annual "Bike Night", Monday 28th June, will also win a weekend spectator ticket, as well as events at the cafe, to include BSA & Brit Bike Day (Sun 18th April), Norton & Brit Bike Day (Sun 30th May), 70's Bike Day (Sun 6th June), Triumph Day (Sun 13th June), and Triton & Cafe Racer Day (Sun 27th June).
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Daleks and Storm troopers are to invade the Heritage Motor Centre at Gaydon on Sunday 21st February from 10am – 4pm. ‘ Who Wars’ will see life size iconic characters from Dr Who and Star Wars roaming the museum in between the world’s largest historic collection of British cars. Fans will have the chance to meet their beloved screen characters including Darth Vader, Jabber the Hut, Scarecrow Men and the infamous Daleks.
Throughout the day Who Wars themed activities will take place in the Education room including the chance to make Star Wars mini figures, or build a Tardis. Characters from both legendary screen hits will battle it out in a Who Wars Question Time to test their 'galactic' knowledge. The Question Time will be MC’d by Who Wars very own Doctor, with the opportunity for members of the audience to ask their own questions. Visitors will also have the chance to buy official merchandise from specialist trade stands and have their photographs taken with the characters.
During half term week the family can enjoy a host of fun filled activities. On Thursday 18 February children can take part in special craft activities from 11am - 3pm. Or they can ride as a passenger and experience the extreme capabilities of an off-road vehicle on the 4x4 Experience (5 yrs+). Sessions will take place daily (13-21 February), weather permitting, from 10.30am – 4:30pm and are open to non-museum visitors.
Emma Rawlinson, Events Executive for the Heritage Motor Centre stated “We are delighted to be hosting Who Wars which will give fans the opportunity of meeting these legendary characters as they roam around our prized collection of cars. The Heritage Motor Centre has a whole host of fun activities to keep everyone entertained during half term week. ”
Normal museum entry fees apply for Who Wars. A family ticket costs just £28 for 2 adults & 3 children. Prices per ride for the 4X4 Experience cost £6 for adults and £4 for children and concessions.
Who Wars is just one of a whole host of family events taking place at the Heritage Motor Centre during the school holidays in 2010. To find out more information please visit the website at www.heritage-motor-centre.co.uk
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Ensuring you have adequate motorbike insurance is as essential for a biker as having a helmet and leathers. However not all policies are the same so how do you know the policy you have provides all the cover you need?
Know what to look for…
Motorbike insurance is a legal necessity in the UK however many bikers just opt for the cheapest deal they can find. However, this can be a mistake as the cheapest deal may not offer the level of cover you require.
There are three types of policies to choose from:
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Third party only: This covers liability for injuries to others and damage to their property.
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Third party, fire and theft: All the protection of third party cover plus cover for your own bike against theft, attempted theft and fire damage.
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Comprehensive: Everything that’s included in third party, fire and theft cover plus repairs to your own bike in the event of an accident (subject to policy exclusions). What’s offered under comprehensive motorbike insurance will usually vary between companies but typically includes medical expenses, accidental damage cover and personal accident cover.
Third party and third party, fire and theft policies are best suited to riders who are inexperienced or who have claims and convictions on their record as premiums for comprehensive insurance may be too high. A third party deal may also be suitable if you ride a relatively inexpensive bike.
However, generally the more cover you have the better, which is why if you’re comparing comprehensive insurance you should examine the terms and conditions carefully to see exactly what is included in the policy – what is offered as standard by some insurance companies may not be included in other policies and there may also be optional extras to choose from – cover features for which you can pay an additional premium. Some of the policy options to look out for include: breakdown cover; legal expenses cover; a temporary replacement bike while yours is repaired; cover to ride other motorbikes (with the owner’s permission) in emergency situations; and travelling in Europe.
What else should you consider?
While the level of cover available should be your primary concern there are several other key factors that are worth considering while you shop around:
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Excess levels: An excess is the amount you pay towards a claim. Usually this is split into a compulsory excess established by the insurance company itself and a voluntary excess, which is an additional amount you agree to pay, when taking the insurance out, in case a claim is necessary.
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No-claims discounts: Making claims on your insurance costs your provider money – and so they rewards bikers who don’t make claims. Avoiding claims for four or more years could even reduce premiums by as much as 60 per cent.
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Other discounts: There may be additional incentives offered by an insurer – for example you may get a discount for insuring more than one bike with the same company; and there may be discounts for buying online.
Policy exclusions: Read the terms and conditions of any policy that interests you carefully, and be on the lookout for exclusions (these are circumstances in which you will not be covered).
So which company offers the best deal?
There’s no set answer as to which motorbike insurance provider offers the best deal, or indeed which is the cheapest. This is because premiums can vary widely between insurers due to the assessments they make of how likely you are to make a claim – this can be influenced by factors including your riding history; your address – such as if you live in a busy traffic or high crime area; your annual mileage; your personal circumstances – do you use your bike as part of your job, for example; and the bike itself.
Due to the contrasts in the way these factors are evaluated it makes sense to gather as many quotes as possible before settling on the best deal. A comparison website is a great starting point as the leading websites can compare policies from as many as 25 insurance companies. The key however, is to look beyond price alone (the cheapest deal is listed first) and also consider the level of cover you’re receiving.
There are steps you can take to reduce premiums too – here are some quick tips:
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Agree to a mileage limit: The fewer miles you travel, the lower the risk of an accident occurring.
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Choose a suitable bike: Older bikes with smaller engines usually qualify for cheaper premiums as they are cheaper to repair/replace and less likely to travel at fast speeds.
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Increase excess: Agreeing to a higher excess can lower premiums but keep it at a level you can comfortably afford.
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Increase security: Consider adding electronic and mechanical security to reduce the risk of theft and park in a locked garage overnight.
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Pay annually: By paying premiums upfront you can avoid interest charges.
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Campaign demands action and answers over ‘rogue’ councillors
The No To Bike Parking Tax Campaign is to hold a rally outside the Tory party offices in London to demand answers and action over the activities of their flagship borough, Westminster City Council.
The council’s parking department, under Cllr Danny Chalkley, last week pushed through permanent motorcycle charging in bays across the borough, despite thousands of objections, the largest on-street demonstrations ever seen against the council, and the Judicial Review and Court Case that could now embarrass the party nationally in the run up to the General Election.
The demonstration comes at a time of increasing concern over the council’s parking department, which has become embroiled in battles over the bike ‘tax’, the prospect of charging until midnight for parking, extending yellow line restrictions to midnight, hiking residents’ charges above inflation, incorrectly marking dropped kerbs (leading to tickets issued incorrectly), the fiasco of the CCTV system being unfit for purpose, legal battles over copyright infringements against EDF Energy, unauthorised diplomatic bays leading to illegal tickets, allegations of breaching of EU and local government regulations regarding the tendering and issuing of contracts, and dozens of complaints over FOI requests and emails left unanswered.
The Cabinet Member Report of October 2009 stated:
‘Pursuant to Regulation 6 of the Local Authorities’ Traffic Orders (Procedure) (England and Wales) Regulations 1996 … the Council consulted the Road Haulage Association, the Freight Transport Association, the British Motorcyclists' Federation, the Metropolitan Police Service, the London Fire Brigade and the Owner Drivers' Society, as well as all ward councillors and a large number
of residents' and community associations. There were no objections from those consulted.’
This was despite the thousands of objections received by bikers before October 2009, and a confirmation from the BMF that no such consultation took place. Chris Hodder, of the BMF, said:
“At no point were we consulted on the permanent scheme, and if we had been, we would have said ‘no’, ‘no’, and ‘no’ again, so to claim that there were no objections, or that we were consulted, is a whitewash of the highest order.’
It also emerged today that Westminster was cutting the number of motorbike bays, despite having claimed – as one of many excuses - that the charge would increase the number of spaces - and security.
In addition, spaces in Council run car parks have been passed over to private companies, in at least two cases, where those spaces are likely to no longer remain free, despite this being a central plank of Cllr Chalkley’s attempts to appease the wave of anger at the scheme.
Warren Djanogly, Chairman of the Campaign, said:
“Frankly, these councillors make a mockery of the party they claim to represent. They have introduced exactly the kind of stealth tax Eric Pickles claimed Councillors would be sacked for, and yet the party as a whole sits there and does nothing about it. Perhaps they will take more interest when they find their flagship borough in the dock defending charges of material breaches of EU and Local Government Law?’
Cllr Chalkley recently tried to defend allegations of revenue raising (The High Court established that using parking charges to raise revenue is illegal in a judgement made in 1995) after the uproar over the plans to extend charging until midnight, an attempt that many say brings the Council into disrepute.
Charlie Lort-Phillips, from the Campaign, said: “Everybody who heard and read his words knew exactly what these charges are about – money, money and more money – but he just cannot come out and say it! The fact he still tries to claim that charging a motorcycle to park in a communal bay with no security, or a car driver to park at 11.30 on a Tuesday night is about ‘demand management’ is frankly a shameful and embarrassing example of the depths to which he will go to try and get away with what is revenue raising, pure, simple, and to everyone on the street, blindingly obvious.’
Cllr Chalkley also claimed that kerbside space was ‘at a premium’ to justify charging motorcycles, while at the same time allocating 400 spaces to a car club citing ‘under-used old style meter bays’.
Warren Djanogly added: "This is not a campaign against the Conservative Party - we are not telling people not to vote Tory - what we need is answers from the Conservatives to the serious questions regarding the conduct and policies of their 'local boys', something they have manifestly failed to do until now."
The rally will be at Conservative Party HQ, 30 Millbank, London, SW1P 4DP, at 13:30.
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