Motorcycle FAQ

Phryxus

Well if hibernian are doing that then Carole Nash would have to do it to still give competitive quotes.

Kazujo

Did he say which rider training course? As there a a number of different courses in operation that has different standards and curricula?

I have heard before that passing the Rsopa training will get you 20% discount, and I know AON will be pussing this point this year, sending out letters with the contact details of the relevant training bodies.

Phryxus

No he didn't say which one but a phonecall would sort out that problem. I'd hope that all qualified instructors would be able to give the same level of training and in turn make you able to recieve the same discount. But I suppose that's wishful thinking.
I'll call and see what the story is tomorrow.

tk123

what's the best chain lube?? I have this spray stuff but I think it's a bit crap - would I be better off with grease?

Phryxus

The spray should be fine but when you drive in the rain it's like spraying your chain with a power hose so you have to re-apply it often, also, don't be under the illusion that more is better, the excess will spray off and leave a coat all over your back tyre.

tk123

so should the chain look all wet and sticky or dryish?

Phryxus

it should feel sticky and a bit wet

a_ominous

Found this link recently http://www.msa-ireland.com/

Provide training around the country, not just Dublin. They have their own bikes for instruction. Don't know anything about them. Their news section does have some links to bike articles by John Wheeler in Irish Times.

seamus

a_ominous wrote:

Found this link recently http://www.msa-ireland.com/

Provide training around the country, not just Dublin. They have their own bikes for instruction. Don't know anything about them. Their news section does have some links to bike articles by John Wheeler in Irish Times.

Very nice site, loads of info. Pity I didn't know about them a while ago. Just had to book a bike for the test with ISM, €250. Ouch.

a_ominous

Another group offering bike training, with school bikes
Motorcycle Rider Training Group

rootofallevil

Yeah, quick plea for help here. I got my 1st bike just over a yr ago, a 00 Marauder 125cc. Problem 1- The hole in the diaphram in the carburetor is worn and I need it fixin. Problem 2 - I'm stuck for cash. I lookin for a second hand carburetor so I can get it fixed at home, as i've been informed my only other option is a a costly diaphram replacement job which would have a lot of labour costs in the bill. Any help would be great

padraigcarroll

I have fixed diaphragms before with condoms & superglue!
:-P

I sh!t u not!

not hex actly ur proper fix but a get u out of a hole jobby!

jimi_t

The new link for Hibernian quotes is here :

http://services.hibernian.ie/direct/HibernianDirectWeb/mcycle_home.jsp

a_ominous

MAG have been talking to AON/Axa, the third insurance offering here in Ireland. They have been able to secure agreement for discounts based on passing a 3 hour assessment ride. The discount will apply for all licence holders, provisional and full. The assessment is carried out by RoSPA certified people.

The example I heard quoted was a twenty-something rider with provisional licence on a CG125 (group 2) bike was quoted 2800 for insurance (not sure if TPO or FC). Other companies were quoting "silly money" :rolleyes: With a day's training (cost about 150 yoyos) the guy could have a 40% discount. That means a discount of 1120 yoyos. Do the maths yourselves, but makes sense financially and in safety terms. I believe that's made up in 2 parts, 25% for passing basic level assessment (same as getting passing the State driving test) and another 15% for reaching next level.

One of the drivers behind this initiative is the ridiculously long waiting lists for driving tests, 40-50 weeks and the high fatality rate amongst bikers and hence higher premiums for bikers as a group. In effect a provisional licence holder could have insurance of a full licence holder very quickly while waiting to do the test. Other disadvantages of the provisional licence still stand: restricted to riding in Rep of Ireland and riding restricted-power bikes.

There will be info on the MAG site in the near future.

Full licence holders can also benefit, but will need training to reach the standard. Having just spoken to Aon about insurance, RoSPA Bronze would get me 15% discount and Silver/Gold another 15%. That's on top on no claims discount (10% per annum).

It would appear that only 10% of people using bikes have full licences. Holders of old provisional licences can ride unrestricted power bikes.

BigCon

Just starting out and I got the following quotes for an '82 Honda CB650 (prov A licience, can't get classic insurance 'till I have a full one :rolleyes: ):

Hibernian (web quote, wouldn't quote over the phone): €1,629 (3rd party, fire & theft)
AON: €1,494 (3rd party, fire & theft)
Carole Nash: 1,318 (3rd party, fire & theft), €845 (3rd party only).

Curious to know why none of them asked me if the bike was restricted?

a_ominous

BigCon wrote:

Just starting out and I got the following quotes for an '82 Honda CB650 (prov A licience, can't get classic insurance 'till I have a full one :rolleyes: ):

Hibernian (web quote, wouldn't quote over the phone): €1,629 (3rd party, fire & theft)
AON: €1,494 (3rd party, fire & theft)
Carole Nash: 1,318 (3rd party, fire & theft), €845 (3rd party only).

Curious to know why none of them asked me if the bike was restricted?

It's simple: they don't believe the bike is restricted.
Hibernian will only recognise factory restricted engines. CN even recognise those restrictor kits. I've asked recently as I want to change bike and had suggested a couple of factory restricted bikes. They were not interested.
AFAIK the typical restrictor kit is very simple to fit and remove, so this is why the insurance companies ignore them.
Also I think the factory restricted engine is a recent innovation to help bike companies sell the bigger bikes and for the riders to get insurance on them. I think bikes like the Honda Bros (mentioned in another recent thread) is a Jap import and meets stricter Japanese power limits. Also many of the recent BMW bikes were limited to 100 BHP, but there is one new BMW bike that puts out >160BHP. Cannot remeber which mode, but has been something I recall seeing in MCN recently. Your 23 yo bike is unlikely to have had a factory-fitted restrictor kit and even if it did, it's unlikely to still be there 23 years on.

Hotblack Desiato

a_ominous wrote:

Also I think the factory restricted engine is a recent innovation to help bike companies sell the bigger bikes and for the riders to get insurance on them.

The downside is that the factory restrictor kit usually costs a couple of thousand to remove. Not worth it, better to sell on the bike when your restriction's over.

a_ominous wrote:

Your 23 yo bike is unlikely to have had a factory-fitted restrictor kit

That's because the stupid power restriction rules were only brought in in 1999...

AndyL

BigCon wrote:

Hibernian (web quote, wouldn't quote over the phone): €1,629 (3rd party, fire & theft)

Correct me if I'm wrong but I'm pretty sure that Hibernian only do Third Party Only or Comprehensive.

Kazujo

I was just bout ot say the same Aon told me that they do not have a third party, fire and theft cover

BigCon

Sorry, Hibernian and AON were both 3rd party only...

opus

Just recently renewed insurance for a CBR600, was with CN but HIB undercut them by ~€25 and then AON went another ~€20 lower to €489. Didn't even know that AON offered quotes outside of dealer 'til one of the guys I work with told me. Guess competition works

Phryxus

opus wrote:

Just recently renewed insurance for a CBR600, was with CN but HIB undercut them by ~€25 and then AON went another ~€20 lower to €489. Didn't even know that AON offered quotes outside of dealer 'til one of the guys I work with told me. Guess competition works

I could be wrong but I believe AON have started giving quotes outside dealers and previous customers since they moved from hibernian to axa.

cutepape

Finally taking the driver test for a full A license!
Doing a "crash" course with ISM now to get some last minute duidance..

Seems like more and more are saying that the test is hard to pass?
Doing it in Raheny..

Is there any chance to find a bike around 500cc for under €1k per year in insurance? I am 27...

regds
Pape

echomadman

I did my test on friday and it was a doddle, the instructor followed me in his car and gave instructions on a radio headset. keep at the speed limit where possible as he marked they guy before me down for going too slow. aside from that watch your mirrors and lane position and drive in a restrained manner and its hard to fail.
I had no training bar a pre-test session the night before to point out what i was doing wrong, and i read "Proficient motorcycling" by David L. Hough a few weeks before the test and conscioulsy made myself drive they way he describes to help break the many bad habits i'd picked up by learning myself.

Starting off with lessons will mean you're driving properly from day one and wont have to unlearn driving methods that you've picked up yourself.

Also once you get a full license you can take your bike on trackdays

jackal

I will "echo" the previous comments (har har...) I did my test 2 weeks ago, and I found it fine. Its much more natural then the old test. Observation - (Mirror, indicate, shouldercheck, move) and road position - keep close into the kerb turning left, dont cut accross the opposing lane turning right.

cutepape

Ok.. that gives me a little more hope.. was kinda destroyed when reading about all people have to take it twice.. =/

jackal

Well, you might have to do it twice. It depends if you are a reasonably safe driver, and you can jump through the hoops that the test requires.

I have been driving bikes for 4 years. I started small and am working my way up:
Ovetto MBK 50 -> Dragstar 125 -> Hornet 250 -> VFR400

I passed the "old style" A1 test on the dragstar. Of course once I got a bike bigger than 125 I was back to being a provisional again! :grrr: So I sat the A test a few months ago - the "old style" and failed due to second guessing a filter light on the circut - which used to be "left left left left x 4, U-turn, drive slow, right right right right x 4".

I found the new test fine, and more realistic. Your instructor should put you through a mock test and evaluate whether you need more lessons or not. I would hearily recommend David Llyons of www.motorbiketraining.net for a 2-4 hr pre-test. He is excellent.

Dove112

ok, can someone tell me what kind of bike i can ride on a provisional liscence, all my freinds think they know, but they all say diffrent so they gotta be wrong rite! oh i live in england. btw, thanks alot!!

jackal

All I know is its different in england. You can take a fast track test which takes a couple of days, and can then drive any bike, i beleive. You would be better asking on an english bike forum.

cutepape

:mad:

Finally had my A drivers test today!
Had done everything, questions, U turn, walk with the bike, walking pace and we were on our way back to the centre..

And what happends... a FLAT TYRE!!! a f*cking flat tyre!!!

The examiner goes "We have to take this as a breakdown and schedule a new time for ya"

I give up...

Kazujo

That's nuts after completing everything no wonder the waiting lists are so long if they pull stuff like that. How far from the test centre were you?

cutepape

5min drive.. we were on the way back...

Kazujo

That seems a bit harsh considering it was the end of the test, he could have atleat counted it as a walking with the bike test

Biker.ie

There's no guarantee you would have passed it anyway, although thats probably not what you want to hear. I presume you won't have to wait months on end for the re-test ? You could probably squeeze in afew more lessons between now and then.

cutepape

Biker.ie:
You're completely right... but it's still annoying.. I didn't even have the chance to fail now.. :rolleyes:
I'm for sure going to take more lessons to the next test. Can't hurt with a couple of more..

MrPudding

ninja900 wrote:

The downside is that the factory restrictor kit usually costs a couple of thousand to remove.

I have been told €350 for installation and €100 for removal. I don't think it is actually something installed it seems to me to be maybe remapping of the engine management system.

Has anyone had any experience of http://www.aaronridertraining.com/ ?

MrP

Hotblack Desiato

MrPudding wrote:

I have been told €350 for installation

Then it's an aftermarket restrictor you're talking about.
No insurance discount as removal is easy.

MrPudding

ninja900 wrote:

Then it's an aftermarket restrictor you're talking about.
No insurance discount as removal is easy.

No, that is a BMW certified factory install. Whilst I do tend to take sales people's word with a pinch of salt she did seem quite sincere. I didn't ask for details but it sounds like some kind of remapping, not sure though.

MrP

a_ominous

MrPudding wrote:

No, that is a BMW certified factory install. Whilst I do tend to take sales people's word with a pinch of salt she did seem quite sincere. I didn't ask for details but it sounds like some kind of remapping, not sure though.

MrP

Don't take the sales persons word for it they don't to the insurance. Ask the (2) insurance companies. Won't take long. CN ignore restricted bikes and charge full group prices.

MrPudding

a_ominous wrote:

Don't take the sales persons word for it they don't to the insurance. Ask the (2) insurance companies. Won't take long. CN ignore restricted bikes and charge full group prices.

Just spoke with Carol Nash. For a F650gs they are quoting 1200 for 3rd party and 2463 for fully comp. Not nice but then understandable for a provie with zero no claims.

MrP

Krusty_Clown

Try Aon/AXA. Carole Nash tends to be quite expensive for new riders..
I think Aon also provide discounts for approved training.

Here's a list of approved trainers: http://www.aon.com/ie/en/about/aon_ireland/pdf/instructorlisting.pdf

Oh, and this is what you really want:

MrPudding

Krusty_Clown wrote:

Try Aon/AXA. Carole Nash tends to be quite expensive for new riders..
I think Aon also provide discounts for approved training.

Here's a list of approved trainers: http://www.aon.com/ie/en/about/aon_ireland/pdf/instructorlisting.pdf

Oh, and this is what you really want:

Yes, that is exactly what I want. But given that I have never ridden a bike before I am going to start a little lower. Do AON/AXA give a discount for restrictors?

MrP

Krusty_Clown

If the bike is factory restricted it will be in a different classification/grouping..
None of the insurers give discounts for restrictors, however, the factory restricted bikes may be in a much lower grouping, hence the cheaper insurance.

If the bike's not factory-restricted, you'll pay the full price for the insurance, even with an after-market restrictor.

So for example: A 600cc bandit is group 9 or 10. The factory restricted bike (33bhp) is group 5.

MrPudding

That's the thing. I can order the bike restricted and it will come from the factory restricted. The problem is, it is not in the insurance company's "big book of factory restricted bikes" so they will not give the discount. Even without a discount for the restrictor Aon/Axa have quoted me 1600 fully comp the the 650GS. That seems OK to me considering. This presupposes I do the MSA courses and pass.

MrP

Krusty_Clown

Would you not consider going for something else that is recognised in their big book, e.g. the bandit 600? Unfortunately it's down to a two horse race, so you really don't have much choice anymore.

Hotblack Desiato

MrPudding wrote:

That's the thing. I can order the bike restricted and it will come from the factory restricted. The problem is, it is not in the insurance company's "big book of factory restricted bikes" so they will not give the discount.

I suspect the real reason is that the engine management box is programmable and the restriction is done by reprogramming it. In theory at least, all you need to do to derestrict the bike is upload the right software to it. (A friend of mine who owns a Triumph can reprogram the FI with a laptop and a cable, they release updated programs every so often). If the restriction is removable then they won't give the discount. Most Japanese factory-restricted bikes need hundreds if not thousands of € worth of parts to derestrict them so it's not economic to do so. I've never heard of a programmable, factory-fitted ignition/FI box on a Jap bike.

MrPudding

ninja900 wrote:

I suspect the real reason is that the engine management box is programmable and the restriction is done by reprogramming it. In theory at least, all you need to do to derestrict the bike is upload the right software to it. (A friend of mine who owns a Triumph can reprogram the FI with a laptop and a cable, they release updated programs every so often). If the restriction is removable then they won't give the discount. Most Japanese factory-restricted bikes need hundreds if not thousands of € worth of parts to derestrict them so it's not economic to do so. I've never heard of a programmable, factory-fitted ignition/FI box on a Jap bike.

I think that is the crux of it. I think I will stick with the electronic restrictor and take the hit on the insurance. The AXA/AON quote wasn't too scary.

MrP

a_ominous

There has been a change to the A licence driving test. The bike does not have to over 150cc any more: >125cc and capable of exceeding 100kmph is sufficient.
See Driving Test website

tk123

The bike still has to greater than 125cc thou...

murphaph

tk123 wrote:

The bike still has to greater than 125cc thou...

Indeed, which is agonisingly close to cheaper insurance for a want to be A learner like me! God damnit!