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
The team at motorly managed to catch an advanced showing of Ford v Ferrari at the cinema two weeks before UK general release. All thanks to Cineworld’s latest secret screening in Manchester. This is what we made of the latest Hollywood motoring movie.
Le Mans ‘66 or Ford v Ferrari, as the movie is named in the US, is an inspiring retelling of true events surrounding American muscle car designer Carroll Shelby and British racing car driver Ken Miles. The movie follows this dynamic pair as they take on corporate politics and tackle personal obstacles, entering the 1966 Le Mans race with the first Ford GT40 racing car – where they made history.
Resolve, passion and self-belief take Shelby and Miles to the top of the American racing car world. Several pushbacks from self-serving employees at both Ford and Ferrari see Shelby and Miles up against the odds. It’s a story of corporate executives vs true petrolheads, they want to sell cars, we want to win races. This duo embodies the idea of the lovable rogue and has the audience rooting for these motoring underdogs.
We’re lighter, we’re faster, and if that don’t work, we’re nastier. – Carroll Shelby
Matt Damon gives an emotional and real performance as Carroll Shelby, bringing a true feeling of warmness to the movie. Damon was our personal favourite of the two leading men. Christian Bale gleefully captures the infamous British wit as the ever charismatic Ken Miles. Classic English insults fly around the movie and feature heavily, bringing an element of humour to this otherwise tragic tale. Although, we did find Bale slightly more panto in his portrayal than Damon. However, Bale’s high energy, intense and oh-so-loud racing scenes injected a major shot of adrenaline into the cinematic experience.
Admittedly, we weren’t 100% on the outcome of Le Mans ‘66 or the intricate details of the story (shhh, don’t judge us) when heading in to see the film. However, this all worked in our favour as a movie-goer as this helped to keep the pace, energy and tension high throughout. That can be the downside of a biopic and retelling of true events. The audience already knows the ending. So we can not say how well the film delivers when you do already know the full story and what happens – we’re seriously avoiding spoilers here!
It would have been nice to have had more of a lengthy tribute to Shelby, and particularly Miles at the end of the movie, that did feel a little rushed. However, when taking the entire 2 hours 33-minute movie as a tribute to these men, it is a triumph.
Ultimately, Le Mans ‘66 or Ford v Ferrari, the title we prefer, is a heart-warming, inspiring tale of two underdogs taking on the corporate world with the odds stacked against them, earning their place in racing history. The wonderful thing about Le Mans ‘66, is that it’s not just a movie simply about cars. It’s so much more than that. Themes of friendship, family and drive (forgive the pun) run throughout James Mangold’s latest biopic starring Christain Bale and Matt Damon. Whether you’re a racing car fanatic or not, this film is certainly one to be enjoyed by all.
I’ve always been asked, ‘What is my favourite car?’ and I’ve always said, ‘The next one.’ – Carroll Shelby
Looking for your next Ford or Ferrari? Apply for car finance with motorly today. Or see if you are lucky enough to win a car in this Best of the Best competition below ?
To celebrate Halloween, we’ve rounded up 10 of the spookiest vehicles. Ranging from imaginary cartoons to historical machines of horror, check out the Top 10 scariest on-screen cars. Do you have a favourite Halloween car? Comment and let us know!
Arguably the most iconic vehicle in pop culture history, the Ecto-1 is a unique creation from the Miller-Meteor company. This ambulance and hearse combination was created from a Cadillac professional chassis and heavily modified to fulfil its purpose of capturing and transporting gruesome ghouls across New York City.
1958 Plymouth Fury – Christine (1983)
Don’t be fooled by this car’s inviting appearance, Christine is the most deadly car in cinema. The difference between Christine and our other selections is that the murderer is not driving or in the car, she IS the car. This 1980’s classic taken from the mind of Stephen King puts a new spin on the meaning of horror cars. “How do you kill something that can’t possibly be alive?”
1957 Ford Fairlane – Psycho (1960)
Alfred Hitchcock’s classic horror Psycho immortalised the Ford Fairlane. After stealing over $40,000 dollars and hitting the road, protagonist Marion Crane stops at Bates Motel to take a rest, only to meet Norman Bates. The rest, as they say, is history.
1965 Chevrolet Sports Van AKA the Mystery Machine – Scooby-Doo (1969)
Perhaps not the scariest of vehicles, but the most iconic when it comes to spookiness. The infamous Mystery Machine from Scooby-Doo is rumoured to have been modelled on a VW Microbus, or a 1965 Chevrolet Sports Van. The van has enough space to drive the gang around from mystery to mystery, with plenty of extra room for Scooby snacks. Have a different idea on what the mystery machine is modelled on? Comment and let us know!
1972 Ford Club Wagon – Texas Chainsaw Massacre (1974)
This classic Hollywood slasher movie would not be complete without the eery Ford Club Wagon. That’s all we’ll say on this one!
1933 Packard V-12 – The Addams Family (1964-1966)
The most loved spooky family in history first appeared on our screens back in the 1960s as a TV series. There is a new animated movie heading to cinemas ready for Halloween 2019, featuring the voices of Charlize Theron, Stranger Things star Finn Wolfhard, even Bette Midler and Snoop Dogg! One to take the kids to the cinema to watch, if only as an excuse to go and see it yourself.
1941 Chevrolet Heavy-Duty COE Delivery Truck – Jeepers Creepers (2001)
This heavily rusted vehicle is host to one of the strangest monsters in the movies. Although he didn’t speak one word throughout the entire film, The Creeper still manages to be one of the spookiest scary movie mutants. The 1938 song of the same name adds to the eeriness of the film. The original truck is now owned by a private collector in Maryland, USA.
1968 VW Beetle – Extremely Wicked, Shockingly Evil and Vile (2019)
One of the most notorious serial killers in modern history attached a dark edge to the VW Beetle, as Ted Bundy lured female victims to his model throughout the 1970s. It’s been 30 years since the serial killer’s death by electric chair, and the 2019 movie sparked much controversy. Many accused the biographical picture of glorifying the killer, particularly with the casting of Zac Efron as Ted Bundy. What do you think?
1967 Pontiac LeMans – Night of the Living Dead (1968)
When the zombies come, one place you do not want to be is at a graveyard. Unfortunately, that’s exactly what happens in the Night of the Living Dead. Barricading themselves away and trying to escape the human flesh-hungry monsters, the movie famously features a 1967 Pontiac LeMans Sedan. The colour of the car has long been a talking point for hardcore horror fans, we reckon it’s light green – what colour would you choose?
2015 Lincoln MKC – Get Out (2017)
Jordan Peele’s Oscar-winning directorial debut stars Daniel Kaluuya as Chris, a young African-American man who is unknowingly entered into a sadistic auction for control of his body when he arrives at his white girlfriend’s family home for the weekend. This incredible yet disturbing thriller, shows the seemingly happy couple travelling upstate together in this red American SUV. “Just because you’re invited, doesn’t mean your welcome.”
Have we missed your favourite? Comment with your scary suggestions!
#HappyHalloween
The FCA has investigated the car finance industry across the past two years
An incoming commission ban will save drivers £1,100 each.
From this report, it has emerged that certain car dealerships have been earning commission on the interest rate set. This in effect, “creates an incentive for brokers to act against customer’s interests” according to the FCA. Essentially, the higher the interest rate for the customer, the higher the commission the dealership receives. Commissions encouraged brokers and dealerships to act against what is best for customers.
The FCA report published in March 2019 states “some motor dealers are overcharging unsuspecting customers over a thousand pounds in interest charges in order to obtain bigger commission payouts for themselves”. This led the FCA to remove this type of commission. Which will, in turn, save the consumer money when it comes to the types of car finance deals available to them.
Additionally, they have promised to make further changes to how customers are told about these commissions. Ensuring that in the future they are aware of what is being presented to them. This will allow customers to choose the right deal once they have all of the facts.
Adrian Dally, from the Finance & Leasing Association, said this is, “good news for the industry and consumers, as it delivers clear rules and a consistent approach to commissions”.
This is great news for car finance customers and the industry alike. Creating this sense of transparency makes the market landscape clearer for everyone. Making all sides happier by creating better, fairer deals for all. It will also make the market more competitive, presenting customers with the very best options.
The FCA went on to say, “We have found a significant difference in the amount of interest customers pay when taking a motor finance deal arranged through a broker who benefits from a discretionary commission model compared to a flat fee model.”
The Financial Conduct Authority will have completed the plans ready for 2020. Here at motorly, we do not charge a fee for arranging car finance, nor do we make a commission on car finance interest deals. We strive to find our customers the best deal available to them at all times. Another win for motorly customers!
Want to find out more about the different types of car finance? We explain everything here.
Would a green number plate help you spot an electric car?
A new government-backed proposal is suggesting that ultra-low emissions vehicles (ULEVs) are given a different coloured number plate to the standard yellow used across most vehicles. Introducing green license plates to these green vehicles would allow them to be easily recognised on the roads. Giving them access to specific eco-friendly bus lanes and free parking spaces in some areas.
Similarly, countries that have already gone ahead with a registration colouring system for electric vehicles are Canada, China and Norway. Furthermore, there are a few different ways we could choose to design these number plates here in the UK. The registration plate could be completely green or just have a green section, or possibly even a simple green dot or a specific green symbol.
This is currently under consultation with the British government, as they decide on:
Vehicle eligibility
Design
Roll-out
Enforcement
These changes will highlight the green vehicles on the road, helping to normalise the introduction of electric, hybrid and low-emission cars. Easily recognisable green number plates would help the authorities to spot these vehicles when using priority lanes and parking.
What do you think about this potential change? Here at motorly, we think it’s a great way to spot the range of electric and hybrid vehicles on the roads. Possibly even encouraging some people towards going electric – who may not have even considered it previously. This could lead to reduced emissions and increased air quality throughout the UK.
A thumbs up from us ?
You can respond to this consultation on the gov.uk website. For more information on how to submit your thoughts online or via post click here.
If you’re already thinking about going electric, we’ve put together the pros & cons to help you decide here.
Car insurance can be confusing, especially because there are a huge variety of policy types and add-ons available nowadays. It is important to understand what you are and are not covered for by your policy, and especially not to assume that you are covered for something you are not sure about as your premiums could increase, or claims could be rejected if you do so. Below we will outline some of the most common car insurance misconceptions to help you avoid falling into any traps.
“Non-fault’ and ‘non blame’ is the same thing”
In the case of car accidents, the terms “fault” and “blame” do not mean the same thing although they are often mistakenly used interchangeably. “Non-fault” means that your insurer has been able to recover part of the cost of the claim from somebody else and this is not always related to who was the blame for the accident. If your insurer is unable to claim back any money, this is an “at-fault” claim.
Another common misconception is that even if the claim you made was a “non-fault” claim, your insurance premium will not increase when you renew it. This is still a possibility because insurers will often perceive there to be a greater chance of someone making an “at-fault” claim if they have made a “non-fault” claim in the past.
“You don’t need to inform your insurer about every accident you have”
Sometimes in the event of a car accident, it is cheaper to pay for repairs yourself and you may not want to affect your no claims bonus by making a claim. However, even if you do not want to make a claim about an accident you have had, you are still obliged to inform your insurer in writing. You should make it clear that this is information only and that you do not wish to make a claim so that your insurer does not settle the matter with the other driver’s insurer without you knowing.
It is also important to note that most insurance policies will require you to inform the insurer of any accidents within a certain timeframe, even if you are not planning to make a claim and not doing so, could result in that insurance company refusing to provide you with cover in the future.
“Claiming on somebody else’s policy won’t affect yours”
All claims that are made either on your own car insurance policy or on somebody else’s, can cause your premiums to increase in the future. An “at-fault” claim will understandably affect it much more than a “non-fault” claim will and you could also experience an increase even if you don’t make a claim at all. However, claiming on somebody else’s policy will not affect your no claims bonus and you won’t have to pay any excess.
“You are always entitled to a courtesy car”
Many comprehensive car insurance policies will include a courtesy car in the event that you are left without yours as a result of an accident or repairs however there are some conditions that could prevent you from getting one. For example, if your car is “written off” i.e. it is damaged beyond repair, you probably won’t be able to get a courtesy car. It is often the case as well, that your access to a courtesy car is subject to the condition that you take your car to a pre-approved garage that the insurer has selected.
It is also important to remember that if you have an accident whilst you are driving the courtesy car, the level of cover that you are protected by will match that of your standard insurance policy. This means that you will be required to pay out any excess if it needs to be repaired, however the same rules of “non-fault”/”at-fault” claims will apply and you could get a second courtesy car too.
“Comprehensive cover allows you to drive any car”
It is a common assumption that having fully comprehensive cover permits you to drive somebody else’s car however this is not always the case and shouldn’t be regarded as a given. Some comprehensive insurance policies will include DOC (driving other cars) cover, which gives you the minimum third party cover when driving cars that are not registered on your policy, however, this is not always the case. Usually, you will have to add on DOC to your policy and pay extra for it.
In addition, the belief that as soon as you turn 25, you’ll automatically have DOC on your policy is also a myth – some insurers won’t include it on the renewal until you are 25 however you will still have to ask to have it added on.
“Putting your policy under your parent’s name will reduce your premium”
This is also called “fronting” and refers to when you put a parent’s name down as the main driver of the vehicle on your policy in order to make premiums cheaper. It sounds like it makes sense, putting down the name of someone with a lot more driving experience and a good few years of no claims is bound to lower your premiums. However, not only is this an illegal practice, it can also cost you thousands of pounds. If you are discovered to be fronting, your insurer can refuse to pay out for claims and costs may have to be recovered directly from the parent. What’s more, if a claim is rejected, the young driver could be considered to be uninsured and be given a very hefty fine, penalty points and even a driving ban as a result. They’ll have to declare this on any future applications which will make it harder and much more expensive to get insurance.
“You don’t need to inform your insurer if you get a new job”
If you get a new job, you are legally obliged to inform your insurer as it could affect your premium. If you fail to declare this change, your insurance policy could become invalidated. This is because your occupation is one of the things that insurers consider when calculating your premium, and even the most minor change can have an affect on how high risk they perceive you to be. For example, someone like a student or a delivery courier is likely to have a higher premium than an office worker or schoolteacher as they have a higher chance of making a claim.
There are many tips and tricks we’ve picked up in the industry that can help to reduce the cost of insurance. See if you can bring your policy down with these ten top tips.
1. Compare Policies
Shopping around can save you hundreds of pound each year! It’s easy to stick with the same provider and let your insurance policy roll over year after year. Be sure to compare quotes and find the best insurance deal for you.
2. Pay Annually
It may be more difficult to find the money to pay your insurance in one lump sum. A good tactic for this is to put the money to one side every month, as you would pay your bill. Then when the annual payment comes around you have the full amount. Hopefully, your policy will have gone down as long as you haven’t had any unfortunate incidents occur. Who knows, you might even have a little left to treat yourself with! A new bike accessory perhaps?
3. Add or Lose Riders
Depending on your experience as a rider, it may work out cheaper for you to add a more experienced biker. Or, you may have another person on your policy who may be raising the price for you. Equally, you may want to remove this person to bring the cost of our policy in line with your preferred budget.
4. Lock Your Bike
This may sound simple. But by proving to insurance companies that your bike is locked away safety, particularly at night, will lower the cost of your policy. It is a good idea to invest in a sturdy lock too. Decent locks also act as a deterrent to thieves.
5. Avoid Modifying
Unnecessary modifications can hinder the cost of an insurance policy. This is true across most vehicles, including cars and bikes. Modifying a vehicle can often be done with the intention of making the vehicle faster, and mostly this means the vehicle, therefore, becomes more dangerous. Bringing a higher potential for accidents.
6. Take Courses
Additional courses can give a rider extra experience, which will be taken into account by insurance providers. Any extra qualifications you can get in regards to driving will help to bring your policy down in price.
7. Buy a Smaller, Older Bike
The older your bike is, and the smaller the engine can contribute to having a lower cost of an insurance policy. This is not always the case when taking some classic bikes into account. But generally, a bike with a smaller engine will be easier to insure. Again, this is similar to most car insurance policies too.
8. Watch Mileage
Be aware of the miles you are travelling. Take into account the mileage of a bike before you decide to go ahead and purchase it. An older bike with higher mileage may be considered to be less safe than a new bike, and therefore cost more to insure. Hopefully, all bikes are safe, even with all mileage – but it this would be taken into consideration with insurance companies.
9. Build No-Claims
Building up your no-claims bonus will help to drop your insurance policy. This applies across all vehicle policies too. Bikers always do their best to avoid accidents as they tend to be the ones that come out of accident worse off, due to the lack of protection. So being especially careful when driving will not only keep you safe but also save you money.
10. Only Pay For What You Need
There are plenty of extras that can be added on to insurance policies. Not all of them are needed. Make sure that you are only paying for what you use. For example, if you have added a rider to your policy but they no longer ride then removing them may bring our policy down. Find out all about insurance extras, and what you do and don’t need here.
Find & compare the best bike insurance quotes with motorly here.
Did you know that the price of your car insurance can change depending on where you live in the UK?
Most expensive areas
London
Manchester
Birmingham
Yorkshire
Northern Ireland
If you live in London then you could be paying 50% more than the rest of the country! Manchester is a close second, followed by Birmingham, Yorkshire and finally Northern Ireland. In London, you could be paying over £1,100 a year for your car insurance policy depending on your area, this is over £350 more than the rest of the UK. In Manchester you could be paying over £800 a year for your policy which is 14% higher than the national average.
In contrast, we have also collected the cheapest places for car insurance in the UK. Drivers in Bristol and Devon can see payments as low as £550 a year, which is over a quarter less than the national average.
Cheapest areas for car insurance
Bristol
Scotland
Wales
South East
North East
However, you don’t have to move home to get your policy to come down in price. There are just a few things that you can do to bring the cost of your policy down.
Compare & save. Make sure you go to a few different insurance providers or use a broker that compares deals to find the best one for you – such as motorly. There are also aspects of your policy that you can change which can affect your policy, such as, adding or removing drivers, avoiding modifying your vehicle and building up a no-claims bonus.
Autumn months see the most rainfall in the UK than any other time of year. It is important to make sure your vehicle is prepared, due to the drastic change in weather and road conditions. To keep you and your vehicle safe, we recommend you check the following elements of your vehicle:
Tyre pressure & tread
Check your tyre pressure after each long journey. Make sure tyres are at a safe level to tackle troublesome wet roads. Roads at this time of year are wet and covered in dangerous, slippery leaves. If tyre tread depth is below 2-3mm, we recommended replacing the tyres to ensure safe driving. If tyre tread falls below 1.6mm, this is illegal. Adding winter tyres to your car for extra protection is an option. Winter tyres boast added safety features, due to having four times more traction than regular tyres.
Bulbs & lights
Check bulbs and lights are working throughout your car. At this time of year, dark nights are starting to draw in faster. You don’t want to be heading home on a dimly lit night and the fog lights go out, or worse they break completely. Mornings will start to become darker, this is even more reason to be sure you inspect all your lights. Also give the lights a good clean to make sure they are as clear as possible when you have them on, both for your sake and for that of other road users.
Window wipers
Check your wipers blades work and are in good condition. We don’t pay enough attention to window wipers as drivers – until they break! The recommended time to replace them is once a year. So if you can’t remember the last time you changed them – it’s time to pick up a new set. You can purchase window wipers at a relatively low price. They are a motoring item that if they broke during a pour down of rain, then you could be in real trouble. This is an element of driving that we take for granted. If your wipers broke on a rainy day, then this is really dangerous and could easily cause an accident due to poor visibility.
Fluid levels
Make sure that engine fluid levels are all correct and over the minimum suggested. This will help your car run smoothly. Keep extra window wash with you, in your boot along with a car safety kit. Having extra wiper fluid will help them to work at their best. If they do start to struggle, pull over safely and use the spare fluid, allowing your view to become clearer and safer. Whilst checking fluid levels you can even go the extra mile and top up with winter-specific fluids. Then you will be well and truly ahead of the curve!
These are just a few Autumn driving tips from the team at motorly. To give your car a full and thorough check, book in with your local garage, who will be able to organise an Autumn health check for your vehicle.
