The UK Transport Secretary Grant confirmed rolling out smart motorways has been suspended, due to serious safety concerns. Smart motorways remove the hard shoulder in times of busy traffic to allow ALR, all lanes running. A number of MPs have called for smart motorways to be scrapped, because of a number of motoring incidents and driver deaths.
“Five people have died in 10 months on a 16 mile stretch of the M1 in South Yorkshire operating ‘all lanes running’ (ALR) – when there is no hard shoulder.” – BBC News
MP for Rotherham Sarah Champion said, “The safety of motorists must always be paramount… it is totally unacceptable to risk lives in the name of cost savings”. Jason Mercer was involved in a tragic accident, he died after being hit by a lorry following a minor crash on the M1.
“A further investigation has uncovered that 38 people have people have been killed on smart motorways in the past five years.” – The Guardian
Smart motorways pose further issues for breakdown companies. Depending on whether a lane is open or closed, this can prevent a motorway rescue vehicle being able to reach any broken down vehicle. It appears that motorists can find themselves trapped in these lanes.
Areas of smart motorway in construction have been put on hold. Critics slammed the system for not spotting broken down vehicles, not having enough laybys available and causing fatal accidents. Incidents have previously occurred when a vehicle has broken down. In these cases, the additional lane has been opened to allow traffic to pass. Essentially removing the hard shoulder and with it any protection for broken down vehicles. The AA confirmed that they will not provide roadside assistance on smart motorways due to these serious safety concerns. This adds to the many reasons why a change needs to happen.
Grant Shapps said in the House of Commons, “The stretch of the M20 and all other stretches that are currently being worked on will not be opened until we have the outcome of the stocktake”.
The entire smart motorway system could be removed. Unless it can be proven that the safety issues have been addressed and resolved. Four areas of smart motorways were due to open across the M6, M23 and M62 throughout 2020. This is on hold whilst a decision is made.
We would like to see a change to smart motorways across all existing roads. Ensuring maximum safety of drivers and passengers.
Burns Night is an annual Scottish tradition and celebration of poet Robert Burns. His most famous poem being Auld Lang Syne, which we’ve all sang on New Year’s Eve, whether we really know the words or not! Traditionally, Burns Night celebrations consist of hearty haggis meals and a whiskey or two. But here at motorly, we’re celebrating Burns Night a little differently by shining a light on 10 Scottish Stars & Their Cars. See if you can guess who made our list…
Which football managing legend banned young players from driving supercars to training, and has a surprising passion for electric vehicles? Which famous actor loves an old original VW Beetle? Plus, which Game of Thrones stars drove off from their Wedding in an unexpected old four-wheeler? Find out in our celebration of Burns Night as we run through 10 Scottish Stars and Their Cars.
10. Rose Leslie
Everyone’s favourite wildling redhead Ygritte AKA Rose Leslie, married her fellow Game of Thrones star John Snow AKA Kit Harrington in June 2018, and their choice of wedding car was somewhat unexpected.
The couple drove off from their ceremony in Aberdeenshire, Scotland in a battered old 1991 Land Rover Defender 90.
9. Sir Andy Murray
Tennis champion and Scottish hero Sir Andy Murray has recently switched to being fully electric with the Jaguar I-Pace. Murray became one of the very early owners of this Jaguar all-electric model on World Environment Day 2018, to show his support for sustainable living and the environment.
8. Lulu
In 2019 there was an auction of both Sir Cliff Richard and Lulu’s vehicles. Lulu, or Marie McDonald McLaughlin Lawrie once owned this Mercedes-Benz 280SE 3.5 Coupé, in deep red with black leather interior. The shout singer owned the vehicle for three years and its guide price at auction was a cool £65 – £75,000.
7. David Byrne
David Byrne the lead singer of Talking Heads is known for the lyrics from Once In A Lifetime,
“And you may find yourself behind the wheel of a large automobile”
Although famously known for singing of the above-mentioned automobile, Byrne is in fact, a keen cyclist. He has actively campaigned in support of cycling. He even published a book, Bicycle Diaries where the reader accompanies David on a round-the-world bicycle tour. David also created an art installation project throughout NYC, which consisted of several bike racks dotted around the city, as pictured below. We appreciate his care for the environment – and wanted to throw in a curveball!
6. Annie Lennox
Flashback to Annie Lennox posing on what we think is an MK 11 Ford Zephyr or Consul. Do you have any other ideas on what model this could be? We love the picture regardless. The Queen of cool.
5. Billy Connolly
The original Scottish alternative comedian and living legend Billy Connolly is a well-known petrol head – he also loves a trike too! For his ITV programme Ultimate World Tour, Billy drove across Florida in a Red Chevy Impala, and quite the outfit.
4. Ewan McGregor
This Scottish cinema icon has a lesser-known passion for classic VW Beetle’s. His obsession began when he bought his first one at 16, and it didn’t stop there.
But our favourite Ewan McGregor motoring moment is when Renton gets hit by a car in the opening scene of Trainspotting, with Iggy Pop’s iconic Lust For Life playing as he stomps down the pavement.
3. J.K. Rowling
There isn’t much information on J.K. Rowling’s vehicles, apart from that she is known to own several different cars. They aren’t as extravagant as you might expect from an almost billionaire. J.K. is famous for keeping a low profile. She has famously donated vast sums of money to charity, so much so that she lost her billionaire status through donations.
Given there aren’t many details on J.K. Rowling’s cars, let’s be honest, we all know the best J.K. Rowling vehicle is undoubtedly the Weasley’s Flying Ford Anglia. This gravity-defying motorcar from Rowling’s imagination mystified muggles everywhere as it flew across London in Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets. Plus, a flying car just had to make our list.
2. Sean Connery
Back in 2018, Mr Bond sold his 1964 Jensen CV8 for a whopping £135,000. As the original (and arguably the best) 007 in movie history, we would expect him to have a major love for cars, and more than a few incredible motors in his collection when considering the iconic vehicles he drove as British secret service agent James Bond.
1. Sir Alex Ferguson
Former Manchester United boss Sir Alex Ferguson had disputes with younger players who dared to turn up to football training in their supercars. He insisted that young footballers had to drive normal cars to the training ground, to keep a sense of level-headedness that they were encouraged to carry into the changing rooms, training ground and ultimately the pitch.
“Sir Alex didn’t like young players getting above themselves. He hated anyone showing their wealth before they had done anything in life or the game.” Said former Manchester United striker David Bellion of his former boss.
Back in 2012, he couldn’t have looked any happier rocking up to Old Trafford in his electric chevy – ahead of the curve as always! This is certainly a different and refreshing approach to many football stars today, which is why Fergie gets our number 1 spot.
If you fancy a new car or want to take inspiration from any of our Scottish Starts, you can apply for car, bike, caravan or van finance with motorly – Apply Today!
Or if you want to drive like a star then simply enter this BOTB competition below! ?
Did you know that over one million cars have been sold in the UK so far in 2019? But when is the right time to buy a new family car?
Whether you travelled in the UK as a family over the Summer or perhaps opted for a staycation. Either way, we’re certain the family car took a hit over the past few months. There could have been any number of contributing factors from a mixture of long drives, food crumbs, spillages to possibly even a nightmare breakdown. So, how can you make those long journeys better for everyone?
Is it time for a new family car?
Whether you want to ensure reliability, better technology or simply fancy a larger vehicle with more power. We’ve rounded up the Top 10 Family Cars of 2019 to help make sure your next journey runs as smoothly as possible.
The new Peugeot SUV won AutoTrader’s 2019 ‘New Car Of The Year’, so we’re off to a good start with this one. This family favourite boasts large storage space and handy compartments, balancing functionality and style throughout the vehicle.
Peugeot’s 3008 SUV is distinct and innovative both inside and out, a great choice for families in 2019.
The Kia Niro is, in its own words, high in style, low on emissions – and big on choice. There are three different models to choose from, electric, hybrid and plug-in hybrid to suit your needs as a family. The huge 451 litres of space will allow for those extra sports bags to fit in the back with absolutely no problem at all.
Plus Kia offers their fantastic 7-year/100,000 mile new car warranty. This is great for families as it makes sure you have that extra protection, without the worry of extra costs. The warranty also transfers to owners, which helps the car retain its value. Win-win.
Take a look at the new VW hybrid family estate car, with low emissions and distinctive interior. The combination of top quality interiors and intuitive technology, such as the optional voice control system, makes this a great option for busy families in 2019.
Waving your foot under the back of the vehicle opens the boot hands-free, another great feature for families. Useful for when you have your hands full – which let’s face it, is most of the time!
The Ford Focus has long been a family favourite, you can see that by simply looking at the UK roads today. The new 2019 model does bring this car into competition with more desirable brands on the market.
New features such as Ford Co-Pilot 360, Adaptive Cruise Control and Active Park introduce smart technologies that you’ll wonder how you ever lived without.
Vauxhall focuses on safety, connectivity and versatility in their latest model of the Grand Sport. You’ll love the space and the Grand Sport’s interchangeable storage options. The rear seat split-folds for even more room.
Don’t be fooled by its practicality, Vauxhall match this with design and innovation too. A brilliant option for a sensible yet stylish family car.
The Skoda Superb brings new and exciting options to their family range, with both Hatch and Estate models. This famously-reliable brand is back with more brilliant equipment to suit any sized family.
The latest Skoda Estate holds a massive 1,950 litres capacity with the rear seats down. So there’s room for everything needed for that next trip. Whilst the hatch offers luxury legroom in the front and back, ensuring maximum comfort for all passengers.
The new addition to the Citroën family car range offers a fantastic mix of practical needs and a great driving experience. The updated design offers the signature Citroën look with additional useful features.
New additions are roof arches with integrated bars which double up as accessory holders, great for those family trips when you need that extra bit of space – now there’s room for the kid’s bikes!
Features such as split-folding seats, crossbars and huge interior cargo space mean that the new 2019 Toyota Pruis builds on the existing family offerings from this vehicle. The safety features and awards won by Toyota are a winning combination for families too.
The 2019 Toyota Prius is an Insurance Institute for Highway Safety Top Safety Pick, and also received the NHTSA 5-Star Overall Safety rating for 2019.
If your family is ready to go fully electric then the Hyundai Kona Electric is an excellent choice. The design is surely set to divide opinion, but you can’t deny it’s certainly eye-catching!
The excitement around the new Hyundai Kona Electric model has meant there’s now a waiting list that you will need to join if you’d like to reserve one of the next available models. Take a look, it’s an eco-friendly option worth considering.
This is absolutely the budget option from the range of vehicles we’ve selected, nevertheless, the family-size Duster is great value for money. If you’re looking for a family car with minimal gadgets and gizmos, then the Dacia Duster could be the right one for you.
Consider what the Dacia makes up for in price, it lacks in interior design and a low safety rating.
Looking for a car but don’t want to spend over £10,000? We’ve rounded up our five favourite makes and models for under five digits.
BMW 3 Series
BMW is a popular favourite among UK drivers, but purchasing one brand new can be pricey.
The hybrid version produces such low CO2 emissions that this model is exempt from road tax, and additionally the London congestion charge fee.
There are rear-wheel drive options which come in the saloon and estate additions. Whilst four-wheel-drive models are available in the petrol 320i, diesel 318d and above.
These 2015 vehicles come with an inbuilt sat-nav system, quick start-up and 3D maps. You aren’t sacrificing on tech or interior features by opting for the 2015 model.
2015 models or earlier of the car started at around £35,000 and can be found priced at under £10k. We have found some finance options coming in at between £150 – £200 per month. A great option for any fan of BMW.
Audi A1
Audi recommended retail prices often come in at well over £20,000, so getting hold of a used vehicle under £10,000 is an exciting prospect – not to mention a bargain!
The standard UK car tax rate for an Audi A1 is £145 per year, however, this can change due to the specific model of car that you choose.
We’ve found a range of 2014 five-door 1.6 diesel models priced at well under £10,000, coming in at £7,000.
Additionally, 2014 three-door 2.0 diesel hatchback vehicles are priced under £9,000.
As with any car, there are pros and cons to this model. The Audi is a great looking car with brilliantly finished interiors and four-wheel drive options available. But this Audi is known to be an expensive car for its offerings and is often beaten by rivals on price.
Mercedes-Benz S Class
Newer models of the Mercedes-Benz can range from £75k, all the way up to the dizzying heights of £189k!
With top speeds for a Mercedes S Class reaching up to 155mph, it truly is a powerful vehicle. Depending on the specification of the model you choose, emission levels will differ but you can expect to pay around £135 car tax on this model.
We have found 2010 four-door 3.0 diesel models priced under £10,000 available, with monthly repayments coming in at under £265 per month. These are example quotes, all financial deals depend on individual circumstances.
Metallic paint, alloy wheels and heated mirrors are just a few of the exterior features that the Mercedes S-Class boasts. Additionally, the interior comes fitted with Bluetooth, sat-nav, MP3 player, television, useful parking aid and much more.
Skoda Superb
We found 2016 five-door 1.6 models for just under £10k, priced right at the top end of our budget at £9,999. This family estate car is modern and comes with a brilliant amount of technology such as a 6.5-inch touchscreen, Bluetooth and DAB radio included.
A great addition to these Skoda models is that they have zero annual road tax due to their low emissions – great news for the environmentally friendly motorist. The Skoda Superb is known to be brilliant value for money car. When comparing size, price and features to other potentially more desireable brands, you get a great deal with Skoda. This means buying a newer vehicle which you would expect to be in better condition, than for example an older model of Mercedes-Benz.
Kia Sportage
The Kia Sportage is a brilliant car that appeals to all different people, for many reasons. Whether you have a family with children, or simply want to choose a bigger car to cater to your hobbies and interests. Perhaps you are a cyclist, or take the dogs for long walks and drive up into the hills? No matter your reason for choosing the Kia Sportage, we think it’s a great modern SUV.
The folding rear seats add to the already generous boot space. Lots of room paired with a modern entertainment package that has six speakers in the sound system tick more boxes for this model. The look of this 2016 model has split opinion, so it comes down to whether you like it or not. It has the potential to be a marmite model car.
Selling your car
The first step when selling your car would be to advertise your car, of which you will have many options. The choice is often determined by how urgent you need to sell your car. We can help to settle any finance.
Some of the most popular ways to sell your car include:
✅ Car selling sites, such as AutoTrader etc
✅ Auction sites, such as eBay etc
✅ Cards in local shop windows
✅ A for sale sign in the window of the car
✅ Car buying sites such as We Buy Any Car
No matter which option you decide, by law your advert must accurately describe and include the following information:
✅ Colour
✅ Mileage
✅ Condition
✅ Your contact details
✅ Detail of equipment
✅ Full / part service history (or none)
✅ Exact make and model
✅ Year of manufacture (including the registration identify e.g ’09’ plate)
There are advantages and disadvantages to selling your car online. These are:
You will have access to a much wider audience.
Some websites will offer a secure payment method, so you won’t have to worry about any fraudulent activity.
You will be able to provide a lot more detail about the vehicle along with a variety of pictures.
If selling via a website like eBay, you will need to consider that you might not get as good a price as you hoped.
People will, of course, want to see the vehicle before they go ahead and purchase it. Meaning you will need to be prepared to show people around the car.
Taking payment
Obviously you can accept cash, do make sure you count the money. It’s sometimes advisable to meet at your bank, so you can deposit the funds straight into your account.
CHAPS, is an immediate bank transfer, but do keep possession of your car until your bank has confirmed the transfer has been successful.
Cheque, with this payment method we would recommend you have proof of the buyers’ name and address, so you can follow up if payment is not received. You may not want to hand over the keys until the cheque has cleared. Do bear in mind most banks will show the cheque in your account the next working day, but this is not the same as the funds being cleared.
Once you’ve been paid for the car, you need to complete the following paperwork.
Write a receipt and copy, one for the buyer and one for yourself, including date, price, registration number, make and model, and both yours and the buyers’ addresses.
Complete the V5C transfer and send to the DVLA. You need to complete the newly registered keeper detail, in section 6, and sign in section 8, handing over the new keeper part to the buyer. Provide the buyer with the owners’ handbook, keys, logbook, service history, MOT’s, and other maintenance receipts. Recommended; keep a note of the buyer’s name and address.
There are many different points you should take into account when selling your car. We can help you do this the smart, quick & easy way at motorly.
It’s been officially 1 year since we started trading here at motorly ????
So we’ve put together an update with some of our milestones in our first year – but first here’s a big happy birthday to us! ?
Customers ?
Over 70,000 customers have applied for car, bike, van or caravan finance with motorly. That’s an incredible number of customers for our first year! We’re delighted to be able to serve so many customers and help people find the best car finance deal available to them. Our goal is to help over 1 million people!
Reviews ?
We’ve gained over 1,100 reviews on Reviews.io and a huge 96% of these company reviewers do recommend motorly. Our review and rating on Facebook are currently at 4.0 out of 5. There have been some great reviews from happy customers. This is our favourite so far, from Facebook reviews:
“⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ – Great service, fast and reliable, very courteous, made buying what seemed to be the impossible extremely easy, lots of communication all the way … fabulous company will deffo be using again in the future” – Scott Hickinson, Facebook user and motorly customer.
Products ?
Motorly has an array of motoring products on offer and we’re excited to launch many more in 2020. We offer car, bike, caravan and van finance. Also we offer insurance, breakdown and also a car selling service too.
Not only have we welcomed over 70,000 customers to motorly with but we have also launched a range of motoring products and offerings. Ranging from car finance and insurance to breakdown cover.
Partners ?
We’ve been lucky enough to work with over 100 partners. These businesses range from insurance brokers and lenders to motorbike clothing businesses and breakdown recovery companies.
We’re looking forward to working with lots of more companies and offering and launching more products in 2020.
Altrincham FC ⚽️
Motorly is very proud that we are an official sponsor of Altrincham FC. We love to support local businesses, as we are especially proud to be an Altrincham based company. It’s been great to get involved with the local football team and even go to a few games to show our support too. We had a great team day out watching them beat Farsley Celtic 3-1 at home!
There are many different football fans here at motorly, there’s a mixture of Manchester United, Tottenham Hotspur and Altrincham FC fans – so it can get quite competitive as you would imagine! But we’re very proud to support Altrincham FC as a business. They had a great run in the Emirates FA Cup this year – Up The Robins! #TheRobins #AltyFC ⚽️?
Social media ?
We have recently celebrated hitting over 2,000 likes on Facebook ?
Instagram is just behind with over 700 followers and on Twitter over 100 followers. We’re constantly populating all of our social media pages with interesting, relevant yet fun content featuring motoring tips & tricks. We do this through a range of organic posts, quizzes, competitions, advertisements and boosted posts.
We’re very happy with our current festive profile picture across our social media platforms, we’ve embraced the time of year and introduced a Santa hat on to our motorly logo.
Email marketing ?
With over 40,000 contacts in our database we email them once a week to invite them to enjoy great offers, deals, competitions, tips & tricks. In November of 2019, we sent over 150,000 emails! ?
Currently we are using the all-in-one email marketing platform Mailchimp to deliver our emails. However, we are looking to change this provider early into the New Year of 2020.
Team news ?
The team went to Chester Races on Friday the 13th of September. Arguably, not the best day to place your bets! However, we all had a great day out together as a team in the sun and even won a quid or two. Thanks again Sir Maximillion ?
In October, we hit up Flight Club in Manchester for some darts and drinks. This was a very different day for the motorly team, and some were much better at darts than others! Another great day out for the team to celebrate our shared successes ?
It’s been a great first year for us here at motorly – keep an eye out for us in the future as we expand and launch more and more products to benefit our customers in 2020 ???
Safety is paramount when taking to the roads in any vehicle. Motorbikes are notorious for being the most dangerous vehicle on the roads. But with fatalities on a steady decline since 2008, riders are more aware now than ever of the potential hazards and how best to avoid them.
Here we’ve broken down the top ways that riders can avoid accidents. By taking these points into account before every ride, you will have a better understanding of the roads and how to avoid common incidents.
Collisions at junctions
Again, motorbikers put themselves in danger when travelling through junctions, particularly T-junctions. Many other drivers can fail to see a biker in these instances. However, frequent accidents at junctions are often the fault of a car driver, rather than a biker. It has been revealed that many car drivers can find it difficult to judge to speed that a bike is travelling at and this can be a contributing factor.
However, it is the responsibility of the biker to make sure that they are as visible as possible, even brightly coloured clothing and helmets can come in handy here. You could decide to think about how you would handle a car pulling out on you unexpectedly. Unfortunately, this can happen and lead to accidents more often than not.
Corners on country roads
Many bikers will have learned how to ride in towns and cities. So when heading out on a windy country road, it is important to be wary that left-hand bends can be particularly treacherous.
The problem with these bends is that you don’t know exactly what they are going to be like until you ride through them. Road signs will help to a certain extent, but knowing how your bike will cope on a bend can be new each time. Problems can arise when a biker may cross over the centre line in the road to navigate through a corner. Obviously, if an oncoming vehicle is heading round at the same time this can cause major accidents.
Bends and corners can open up once you head into them, others can be quite tight and difficult to safely drive through as a biker. You need to be able to read the road and notice which tactic is best to take when tackling a corner. Being aware of different roads and road conditions are all important elements that will make you a better, more experienced and ultimately a safer rider.
Overtaking
When overtaking on a motorbike, as a rider you need to know the power of your bike and what it is capable of doing. This is pretty basic driving stuff, with most of it applying to car drivers too. However, most of the time a motorbike can overtake much faster than a car, but it is still important to be extra-vigilant in your overtaking and only to do this when it is safe. You should never overtake on a blind bend, at a junction or on hills.
Filtering
The manouver of filtering is when a biker moves through queues of slow-moving or stationary traffic. This method of riding is completely legal, and you will often see motorbikes and cyclists moving through traffic in this way. Sometimes people may refer to this as lane splitting.
It is important to keep your speed low when filtering, we would advise that anything over 15-20mph could be a dangerous speed to do this at. You need to make sure that as a biker you are seen by other vehicles. If you are filtering at a high speed then other cars may not see you and this is precisely how accidents occur.
Loss of control
Losing control of a bike can be a scary thought. Plus, as many of these points that we have highlighted show, these issues can arise and are often not the bikers fault. Many problems with the roads for bikers can come from badly surfaced roads or damage. Potholes can often be difficult to spot on a bike when travelling at high speed. Equally, diesel spillages are extremely slippery and can send a biker travelling off course, ending up with them losing control of their vehicle.
Accidents with other drivers can cause a rider to lose control of a bike, for example, if a rider has been shunted from behind. You can help to avoid this by leaving plenty of room between the vehicle in front of you. It is always important to take pictures of any accident that you have, this includes the state of the road that you were travelling on, especially if it is the condition of the road that has caused or contributed to your crash.
There is plenty more that can be done to avoid accidents, and the best way to protect yourself is to arm yourself with as much knowledge as possible. If you’re looking for bike finance, see if we can help you here.
Whether you are new to the caravanning world or an experienced camper, we’ve brought together our Top 10 Essential Caravan Accessories. A caravan trip can be a nice way to spend your holiday, so make sure you take these essentials with you.
Kettle
After towing your caravan, unpacking and setting up the awning there’s nothing better than a nice cup of tea. A kettle may seem like an obvious choice, but if you forgot to take one you would regret it! We recommend having a designated kettle that stays in the caravan all year long to avoid any brew-related mishaps ☕️
Hitch Lock
Even at a holiday park, it is good practice once you’ve arrived to use a hitch lock on your towable vehicle. Hitch locks are not only a visible deterrent for thieves, but a decent one also works as great protection for your caravan and peace of mind. Make sure you protect your caravan and belongings with a well-fitting hitch lock ?
BBQ
UK British holidays are not known for the great weather, but a BBQ whatever the weather is! Even when it rains us Brits are known for setting up a BBQ and persevering no matter what. But you never know, if the sunshine does come out then a caravan holiday is the perfect opportunity to fire up the BBQ ?
Leisure Battery
Most campsites and caravan holiday parks should have full electric hookups, but it’s always a good idea to have a backup battery just in case anything goes awry. Purchasing a battery for your caravan can help to avoid any unnecessary holiday stresses – remember the kettle we mentioned earlier ?
Camping Stove
Outdoor cooking is one of the true joys of camping holidays. You can pick up a good quality camping stove at a pretty reasonable price. Most caravans do have small grills and ovens, possibly even space for a mini microwave too. But here at motorly, we like to take advantage of being in the outdoors and fire up the camping stove ?
Caravan Step
Caravans are much higher off the ground than people expect. It would be very difficult to get in or out of one without a step! Make sure you measure the gap from the ground to your caravan door. Once you have the right measurements you can find the correct step for you. Sturdiness is very important when selecting your caravan step ?
Fresh Water Carrier
Fresh running water is something we take for granted, especially before going on a caravan holiday. Caravan’s do not have water facilities unless you have a water carrier which you can then pump through your caravan. We recommend getting a 40-litre sized carrier to minimise refills – as these are very heavy once full! ?
Portable WiFi
If you like to go online frequently then ensuring a WiFi connection on holiday will be very important. An additional portable WiFi device is a great option for camping trips. Or you might want to have a break from the online world on your holiday, taking the opportunity to go off-grid for a week or two ?
Gas Cylinder
A gas cylinder is a caravan essential when it comes to cooking and heating. Once you know a little bit more about where you will be travelling and when, you can then decide which gas is best for your needs, propane or butane. You can then fill up at most petrol stations across the UK. We would also suggest fitting a carbon monoxide alarm in your caravan too ⛽️
Towing Mirrors
We recommend that when towing a vehicle, no matter the size, that you attach towing mirrors to your car. Towing mirrors give drivers additional visibility as some caravans may be wider than your car, so seeing past them can be an issue. You can find towing mirrors at a fair price. A decent set should last you for the majority of your towing life ?
Motorly Bonus Tip
Board games and cards are a caravan holiday tradition. Whether your game of choice is rummy or monopoly, these classics are sure to keep the family entertained when the UK rain inevitably hits. They also provide backup entertainment for any unexpected losses of power during your camping holiday. Who’s turn is it next? ?
How best to store your motorbike over winter
As the winter months close in, you may find yourself using your motorbike less and less.
Most bikers like to put their vehicle away during the colder, icier and more dangerous months of the year. The roads can be particularly treacherous across these last few months, especially for bikers.
You might be the type of biker who likes to try to get out whenever you can. There will usually be a time that you do decide to put the bike away. Even though we know you don’t want to!
We understand that some riders like to continue biking all year round. However, if you want to play it safe and put the bike away for winter, there are a few things you will need to do…
Go For a Ride
Yes, we mean it – really! Not only to enjoy one last ride before you put the bike away for its winter hibernation, but this will also give the bike a good run out. Allowing you to check everything is in working order. Letting the bike to run before having time off the roads too. We recommend going for a long ride out, anything from half an hour or longer.
Clean Your Motorbike
Next, before putting your bike away we would recommend giving it a good clean. This will make sure that all traces of dirt and dampness have been removed. Helping to minimise any part of the bike decaying whilst not in use. Use any old material you may have to block the bike exhaust and any other areas of the bike that have holes in. Blocking these holes whilst the bike is not in use will stop any damp air from getting inside of the bike and causing hidden damage.
Protect the Battery
You may want to choose to disconnect your battery whilst storing your bike away. However, this can be an issue if you have an alarm fitted. Alternatively, you may want to fit a battery conditioner to your bike which will help to keep the battery in tip-top condition. Poor weather can damage the battery. It’s important to make sure that you have protected the battery, so you don’t fall into the trap of purchasing a new battery every year.
Change Liquids
You can either completely change or top up your bike’s fluids before putting the bike away. Many bikers do change all liquids before storing, but some choose to top up the fluids to prevent evaporation. We would recommend completely changing all liquids in your bike. You can also opt to simply top up and use oil to help to stop rusting too.
Prep Tyres
To make sure that your tyres survive the winter and a few months of rest, you need to make sure you prep them correctly. You can do this by inflating them to the correct tyre pressure. Check your tyre pressure with a good quality pressure gauge. Cheaper pressure gauges can be quite off, they may even give you an incorrect reading which is unhelpful and could potentially be dangerous. It is also a good idea to rotate the tyres every few weeks to stop tyre damage.
Store Indoors
Make sure wherever you choose to store your bike is dry. This is important so that condensation doesn’t start to form which can then in turn trigger corrosion of your bike. Covering your bike with a non-plastic material that will allow air to circulate is also a good idea, to keep the dust and dirt away. We recommend storing the bike with both wheels off the ground if at all possible. This will help the tyres to stay in good condition and stop them from going down or falling out of shape.
Then you are prepped to get the motorbike out and on to the roads in Spring, ready to go!
To get a free personalised quote for a motorbike today, visit motorly:finance
