Motorbike security

biggsy137

Thanks for all the info so far!

Unfortunately it does seem to be a bit of a case of if someone wants it, nothing will stop them :mad:
However, I'm not going to let that put me off!

I'm thinking, and as has been said already. As I will only be on a 125 to begin with it will be more of a case of detering the opertunist little scum bags so a big b@ stard chain and alarm and cover should (he hopes) do the job. Obviously if a pro comes and wants it, not much will stop them so also making sure to be appropriately insured!!

Also unforunately where I am living at the min, about the only option for parkin is outside the front of the house, this is in a residential area away from the main road. I have seen several bikes parked next door/across from us etc and not heard of anything growing legs (not to say it wont in the future of course...) but seems like a relitively safe place.

As for checking out what others do and where they park, I have actually started doing that. The more you look, the more you realise is around. Which I also found when I started cycling everywhere - there are so many more bike parking places than you realised before you were looking for them!

I like the phone as a tracker idea, might have to look into that one! As the other 4 wheeled vehicle I'd like is a Land Rover which are equally hard to secure and in demand from theving !!!!!! I heard while researching these that it's actually fairly simple to block a trackers signal...not too sure of the truth in it or if it would be any different with a phone...cirtainly cheaper with a phone!

So looking like all is falling into place, just need to find the 'right' bike now.

I take it test riding is similar to cars? ie once I have my CBT I can test ride from a dealer and be covered by their insurance?
As this will be the next issue I recon, actually being able to test ride before I've commited to purchase.

Can't wait now for my next little bit of freedom!! :cool:

fivetide

Essentially if someone will allow you a test ride, yes you should be covered by their insurance but you'll need to see if the dealer will let you ride the bike as it would need L plates etc putting on it (unless you wait until you've passed your test)

125s are actually high on the theft list, firstly they are lighter, secondly a lot get crashed/abused so easy enough to strip them for parts or send them abroad.

Make sure your cover comes right down to the ground. Generally you can guess what sort of bike it is (sports/cruiser etc) and how much power it has (check the width) just by looking at the back tyre!

Happy motoring though! Have you considered going direct access and just getting a 500cc bike? Will be more use if you want to do a distance at all.

5t.

Cash-Strapped.T32

biggsy137 wrote: »

I'm thinking, and as has been said already. As I will only be on a 125 to begin with it will be more of a case of detering the opertunist little scum bags so a big b@ stard chain and alarm and cover should (he hopes) do the job. Obviously if a pro comes and wants it, not much will stop them so also making sure to be appropriately insured!!

Sensible man - Yes, if I were you I would worry about the kappa-crew, you know, the ones who''ll want to nick it so they can get two or three 14yr old girls on the back & joyride round their local estate. :mad:

Like you say, a big, sod-off chain will be good - Try looking on amazon/ebay, some insurers increase the discount for thatcham-approved chains (the thatcham scheme is meant to be like a rating-sytem for vehicle security), so even a modestly priced chain can help bring the premium down a little bit, even if the difference is only a few quid p/year.

I use my bike daily, & have never had a problem with an alarm killing the battery, although if I left the bike standing for a week at a time say, I might get different results.
If it's on a street, then an alarm can hardly hurt & they're pretty cheap tbh so while it's not the be-all, I would certainly not be without one if I had to rely on outside parking 100% of the time (and I probably will have to do just that in a few months ).

I also have a decent quality bicycle lock which I sometimes use for things like parking in car-parks, as it's lighter to carry with me & hopefuly only nipping into a supermarket means I can get away with a lesser chain (that's the hope anyway, you always know that anything can happen though) - if you ride bikes as well then you might have one or two other locks you can use as additional security.

I heard while researching these that it's actually fairly simple to block a trackers signal...not too sure of the truth in it / / /

Very true, & I bet it wouldn't be too hard either.
Again, this is more for the opportunist/scrag-end type thief rather than your Robert DeNiro pro heist gang types, but as you say, if proper bike ninjas come to nick it then pretty much insurance is your only bet - They're quite rare though & mostly after more expensive bikes that they can make real money from, rather than a dinged-up learner's bike.

I have a "spare" ZTE Blad/San-Fran with a broken screen & when I can install software & configure the phone using my PC I'll be trying it out.

So looking like all is falling into place, just need to find the 'right' bike now.

I take it test riding is similar to cars? ie once I have my CBT I can test ride from a dealer and be covered by their insurance?
As this will be the next issue I recon, actually being able to test ride before I've committed to purchase.

hmm, excellent question!?

If you're buying from a dealer or established shop, then they will have insurance specifically tailored for test-rides including learners, so it isn't an issue.
Yes, CBT in place, L-plates & all the "normal" learner restrictions & you're good to go for a test-ride alone.
(some shops may have a policy where you're accompanied though, but legally, you're fine)

Often, private sellers will have just SORNed the bike prior to selling, in which case you can obviously only ride on private land, no ifs, nor buts.

As for a bike that is legally taxed & insured, but under the name of the owner/seller, I'm not sure.
I've never bothered to ask really (:p), I've just handed over a deposit, jumped on & gone for a ride. :eek:

Good luck finding your bike matie, I really hope it goes well for you; You'll be laughing your ar** off the first time you slip down the middle of a bumper-to-bumper 10mile tailback, and probably every time after that as well. :cool:




*EDIT* Ps: While MSE is obviously an excellent & quality establishment (:p!) find a good bike forum where people go over things like cheap but good alarms, help each other out through the test (mod-1/mod-1b/mod-2, etc..) and all that goodstuff.
It helped me no end, seriously, i was riding for 2-yrs on L-plates & only passed my test-proper last Nov..

Or even a scooter forum depending on your age, as every one I know have large geared-bike sections & you get a lot of younger riders on there, specifically those gearing up for their tests (as traditionally many scoots are seen as learner bikes anyway & the age-range fits)

biggsy137

Was going to go down the Direct Acess route, but money-wise I can't afford it right now, plan is to do the full test after 12months or so. Once I've got some experiance and some more pennies!

Can you recomend any bike forums you've had luck with? Sound like a good bet as don't have any 'biker' mates really.

It's a nice thrill passing traffic and feeling the breeze on the push bike so the same but with less effort (peddling!) should be even better

Starting to look round at dealers to see what they have (not a lot it seems...) tempted to pay a little extra for a dealer so to try and wangle warranty/discount on gear etc. Tho being in London at the min trying to locate a friendly local dealer seems a bit more difficult that it was when I was living in Devon... I'm sure they exist, just a bit harder to find.
If any body knows of any a heads up would be good.... living in South London but travelling is not too much of a drama tbh

Another quick question (slightly off topic though) Some places are advertising the CBT using your own bike, how can you do this if you can't ride without the CBT...?
I'm sure it's a very simple answer but just want to satisfy my curiosity...

Cash-Strapped.T32

..Taken from the page of a random CBT place..

• Can I use my own bike for my CBT?

Yes, we are quite happy for you to use your own bike as long as you have a valid insurance certificate, MOT (if applicable), tax disc and the bike is road worthy. It must be fitted with full size ‘L’ plates front and rear and the ‘L’ plate should be in good condition.

The cost of the CBT is reduced if you use your own bike; however you are expected to pay for your own fuel costs.

However, without a valid CBT you cannot ride your bike to the training area. The bike will have to be pushed, ridden by a qualified person or brought down to us in the back of a van/trailer.

For me it was too much hassle to arrange so I just used one of their bikes, even though I did have a wee 50cc at home..

However, if you intend beforehand to have something like RAC coverage on your insurance, I bet you could use homestart (or whatever the company call their similar service) to actually get a lift to the CBT centre on the morning of your CBT, and seeing as most places I know operate out of bike shops/garages anyway, you could just say the bike won't start, it's book in this morning at the garage, & could they tow you down.

Once there, you can go do your CBT on your own bike, without having to rope-in a mate to van it down for you.
Proper mse! :money:

biggsy137

Cash-Strapped.T32 wrote: »

..

However, if you intend beforehand to have something like RAC coverage on your insurance, I bet you could use homestart (or whatever the company call their similar service) to actually get a lift to the CBT centre on the morning of your CBT, and seeing as most places I know operate out of bike shops/garages anyway, you could just say the bike won't start, it's book in this morning at the garage, & could they tow you down.

Once there, you can go do your CBT on your own bike, without having to rope-in a mate to van it down for you.
Proper mse! :money:

Awesom plot! That's what you might call 'how to work the system, lesson 1'

Unfortunately though, I (probaly) wont have a bike by the time I do my CBT and I'll be doing it back in Devon... Homestart to a garage in Devon from London might not go down so well.

As I though though, simple answere that I should really have figured out myself. Curisosity satisfied! (For the time being)

I have to say, searching for a bike is addictive (or it might just be me...no I've decided what I'm doing, I want it done yesterday!:rotfl:) and it's much more interesting than work!

Cash-Strapped.T32

biggsy137 wrote: »

I have to say, searching for a bike is addictive (or it might just be me...no I've decided what I'm doing, I want it done yesterday!:rotfl:) and it's much more interesting than work!

No probs mate, glad to have helped in some way (loads of other good advice too particularly from 5t, etc).
Come back when you've chosen a bike - I'd be interested to see what you come up with.

fivetide

Cash-Strapped.T32 wrote: »

Come back when you've chosen a bike - I'd be interested to see what you come up with.

Seconded! Not that we've had a summer but if you can get some miles under your belt before winter officially starts that'll really help.

Oh and decent kit too. Your head is your head and you only get one so make sure you get a lid that is really comfy and offers the best fit. Each seems different so try loads not just most expensive (or cheapest).

Also, it is no fun being on a bike if you are cold and wet. Proper kit will help you stay shiny side up if you have to ride in bad weather.

Good luck.

5t.

biggsy137

Looking for a Cruiser style bike really, partly for cool-ness and also I think they look like a nice relaxed ride. So I think it's going to be a case of what I can find at a suitable price as opposed to which model I would particularly want...so we'll see what turns up. Exciting Times!!

Definitely agree on kit being important! Would really like leathers (as they would only add to the 'cool-ness' of a cruiser) but brain says textiles would be more practical as a starter.

fivetide

Well one man's 'cool cruiser' is another mans Hardly Flippin' Movin' Son if you get what i mean.

Don't buy the cheap Chinese stuff is the main thing and trail bikes are even more nickable so kids can take them into woods etc.

Try a few out. If you are taller things like Honda's Varadero will suit you well. If you are built like a jockey a sports bike will do it. That said a bigger chap on a sports bike = frog on a pebble.

Kitwise, if you want to ride all year textiles are best but if it is mainly fair weather leathers can be fine with some decent over trousers/jacket to keep the wet off. Remember, CE approved armour is a bit of a must. Lots of cheap kit out there that looks the part but is single stitched with cheap armour in it. Like insurance, good kit is expensive unless you actually need it to save your skin then it looks like a bargain!

5t.