Category: Tourism & Travel

1. Motorcycle Repatriation

   Posted on 9:29am Friday 27th Apr 2012

   You are packed and ready to go on your motorcycling holiday abroad. Maps, Sat Nav, credit card, and toothpaste. Just the mosquito spray and clean underpants to get. Your bike is brimmed with petrol and ready to board the ferry for France or Spain. Your Passport is up to date and all the arrangements for contact numbers with friends and relatives have been made; but what about motorcycle repatriation insurance?

   You are fit and healthy and your motorcycle is in good condition and only has nine thousand miles on the clock which brings it well within the guarantee period.  

   Your aged parents need travel insurance, so why should you? If need be, you’ll push your motorcycle back to the Ferry in the event of a breakdown, or if you have to, in the event of a motorcycle accident you can leave it at the roadside and get the nearest plane back.  

   But what if you are so seriously injured that you have to be flown back to the UK by air ambulance (repatriated)? What if you contract a disease that renders you unconscious? What if you injure other people and you are at fault? The ‘what ifs’ are endless and so are the bills that will follow you around if you aren’t insured, this is when you think “I should have taken the motorcycle repatriation insurance option on my bike policy”. Cases have been known to attract bills that can amount to hundreds of thousands and sometime millions of pounds.  

   These aren’t the kind of cases that you can go to the County Court with and offer to pay at £5 per week. Medical Insurance companies don’t mess around for their money and usually bankrupt you and take your home and possessions from you. And all because you decided that you didn’t need motorcycle repatriation insurance.  

   Repatriation for injured motorcyclists is a costly procedure. Imagine the hospital bills and travelling bills that have to take into account the recovery of your machine. So, what sort of Insurance will you need? How much will you need to be covered for? To be on the safe side, two million pounds worth of cover should be adequate to take care of your needs. You must also make sure that your motorcycle insurance policy covers you for motorcycle repatriation. Another essential is the need for 24 hour coverage. Accidents and illness don’t take heed of what time of day or night it is; but motorcycle insurers and the emergency services do. You must read the small print and understand what you are and are not covered for BEFORE YOU GO.  

   ‘Support’ insurance will offer you exactly what it says on the document. It will offer you accident assistance and medical treatments. It will also offer you motorcycle legal assistance when you need it most. In some countries, once you are involved in an accident, the matter involves the Police that will usually want to arrest you and incarcerate you in a cell from the moment you are well enough to be imprisoned; guilty or not!   Also check with you bank or any personal insurance you may have. Check with your credit card company to see if they offer you insurance that includes motorcycle repatriation.  

   Members of the European Union can obtain basic motorbike insurance cover for medical emergencies and treatment through the EHIC scheme. It is worth looking at the terms and conditions that it offers. Remember, it is only basic insurance and will not cover emergency motorcycle repatriation.   Always take copy documentation with you and leave copies with people who are the first point of contact. Always leave contact details about your person in case you are rendered unconscious and details of your identity are needed as a matter of urgency by the emergency services.  

2. Bennetts reveal Britain’s ‘average biker’

   Posted on 8:16am Friday 13th Apr 2012

   Typical motorcyclist is middle-class, rides to work and prefers a Honda!

    

   The traditional stereotype of bikers being free-spirited, leather clad hooligan is thing of the past, according to research by Bennetts. The UK’s number one for bike insurance* has revealed the profile of the ‘average biker’ in 21st Century Britain, a seemingly upstanding, 40-something middle-class citizen who is a married, professional, family man.

    

   The study reveals the average motorcyclist in the UK is a world away from common perceptions, with him being a six-foot tall, brown haired biker who almost certainly owns a car and rides no more than twice a week. Although seemingly conventional, the average biker does seem to have a wild side too, with 50% of the British bikers questioned having a tattoo and a third sporting a beard.

    

   Challenging the old perceptions of bikers even further, only 7% sport either long hair or a pony tail. This is probably because nearly 60% of those surveyed hold down a professional senior/management job, taking home an average wage of £30,000 a year, up 25% on the national average (£24,000)**

    

   Despite an immediate association with Harley Davidson’s and other such loud bikes, the average biker actually prefers to ride on a Honda and manages just 7,500 miles a year, with 80% of bikers surveyed owning a car as well as a motorbike. Biking seems to still be very much associated with a mid-life crisis as the average biker has only been riding for two years, despite his age.

    

   Questionnaire Results

   
   Name: Ben
   Sex: Male (96.8%)
   Age: 41- 50 (31.6%)
   Hair Colour: Brown (66.2%)
   Glasses: No (62.3%)
   Additional features: Tattoos (53.3%) and Beard (32.6%)
   Height: 6ft (33.3%)
   Occupation: Professional (29.0%)
   Motorbike: Honda (30.1%)
   How often do you ride: Twice a week (42.8%)
   Do you use the bike to commute to work: Yes (54.9%)
   Average annual mileage: 5,001 – 10,000 (43.0%)
   Favourite genre of music: Rock/Heavy Metal (48.8%)
   How long have you been riding: 1-3 years (22.9%)
   How many motorbikes have you owned: 6 (47.9%)
   Do you own a car: Yes (80.0%)
   Favourite sport: Superbikes (52.8%)
   Annual income: £20,000 – 39,999 (44.4%)

    

    

    

   *Based on brand tracking research in April 2008
   **Based on National Online Statistics (statistics.gov.uk)

3. NEW DIRECTION FOR COMPASS EXPEDITIONS

   Posted on 11:39am Thursday 5th Apr 2012

   Responding to our customer demand Compass Expeditions is branching out, in its own backyard, Australia.

   Compass Expeditions is pleased to announce that it is offering a rental fleet of “outback” ready bikes to travel the vast interior of Australia. These bikes will consist of the BMW Sertao, F 650, 800 & R1200 GS along with some Suzuki DRs.

   “Our outback ready bikes are ideal for those who simply want to get a bike and travel off-road into the interior of Australia” says Mick McDonald Compass Expeditions director. “After all most visitors want to see the 80% or the country that isn’t on paved roads, to address this all bikes will come equipped with a full luggage & camping kit along with certain safety features, ideal for those who don’t wish to purchase all the equipment needed for one trip” continues Mick.

   In conjunction with the new rental fleet Compass Expeditions is also offering two superb rides from Melbourne to Darwin, via the iconic Birdsville Track, and Darwin to Melbourne, via Ayres Rock and the Oodnadatta Track, either on clients own bikes or on our rentals.

   These two journeys will take in all that Australia is famous for, the legendary wilderness, unique wildlife, epic coastal scenery and UNESCO listed national parks to name but a few highlights.

   For more information on Australia’s newest rental fleet and our expanding range of “Aussie” rides contact 1300 887 327 (within Australia) or +61 3 5368 2113 (outside Australia) [email protected]  or visit www.compassexpeditions.com

4. From July motorcyclists as well as drivers must carry breathalyser in France

   Posted on 12:01am Monday 5th Mar 2012

   From July motorcyclists as well as drivers must carry breathalyser in France
    
   Latest advice from European motoring body the FIA says that drivers of all motor vehicles, including motorcyclists, will have to carry a breathalyser kit in their cars when travelling in France.
    
   The IAM previously reported that from 1 July this year all drivers would need to carry a breathalyser kit, as French drivers will have to, but new information dictates that this €11 fine is applicable to all road users including motorcyclists, but excluding mopeds.
    
   With a start date for the new measure of 1 July 2012, the rules will apply to anyone travelling to or through France by motor vehicle in the summer holiday season, even just for a day trip. This measure won’t actually be enforced until the 1 November 2012, giving road users time to prepare for the change.
    
   Single-use breathalyser kits will satisfy the requirement. The legal limit in France is 50 mg per 100 ml of blood, lower than in the UK (the UK limit is 80mg). They cost between £1 and £2 and they will be available at ferry and tunnel terminals for crossings to France. It is intended that people will be able to test themselves to check whether or not they are over the French limit.
    
   The IAM is advising all road users travelling in France to have at least two breathalysers at all times, so that if one is used you still have one to produce for the police if you are stopped.
    
   Anyone driving in France is already required to carry a warning triangle and a fluorescent safety vest to use in an emergency. Motorcyclists should carry extra bulbs. Additionally UK motorists and motorcyclists must display a GB plate, and cars should have their headlights adjusted to the right.
    
   IAM director of policy and research Neil Greig said: “The new French rule is a genuine attempt to reduce the number of alcohol related-accidents. France’s lower limit means it’s very easy to be over the limit the morning after as well. As always, the best advice for road users is not to drink and drive at all.”

   www.iam.org.uk 

5. Bikersbase in Portugal

   Posted on 12:00am Monday 4th Jul 2011

   Alan & Sharon, two enthusiastic Yorkshire bikers, have spent the past few years working on their venture in Portugal aimed at Bikers, to provide a dedicated touristic motorcycle centre in a wonderful area, surrounded by some fantastic roads and historical towns.

   After previously running Bikersbase in Scotland, they purchased property and land with the sole purpose to create another succesful destination for touring Motorcyclists. With various issues with local contractors, Alan & Sharon have been steadily working and can now provide en-suite rooms, camping spaces, fully equipped workshops, very secure motorcycle storage and an essential bar!

   Also planned are self contained cottages, dorm and more en-suite rooms.

   Accessed just off the main IP2 highway, south of Portalegre, centrally placed and idea as a base to explore this fantastic biking area.

   www.bikersbase.com