Sick and tired

[Alexio]

OK, so it's official, I'm sick and tired of trying to be a motorbike user of our road system. I don't know what Paddy on here has or hasn't posted but a fair bit has happened in the last couple of months which was set in motion by me finding a full time job and moving out.

Firstly, my wonderful Honda CG was stolen within 30 minutes of parking it outside of where I had just moved to in Kent. It wasn't even insured against theft.

Paddy was kind enough lend me his ancient Kawasaki KH125. It wasn't what I was used to being a 2 stroke, but it was transport and that was good. I spent only £75 on parts and an MOT to get it on the road. My boss was kind enough to do much of the work on it for me.

About two or three weeks later this was stolen.

No worries... the bike was 20 years old anyway and lesson learned. I live in a town that is a great big steaming pile of excrement. So... cue third bike. Paddy had been occasionally letting me use his CBR125. He was using it a lot as well but I especially enjoyed using it on the weekends. I still felt like I had freedom. This was accomplished by Paddy simply naming me as a rider on his insurance policy (which was the same for the KH). I even kept this CBR indoors, in the hallway of the house I am renting to prevent theft. Simple right? What could possibly go wrong.

Well, yesterday I got pulled over (for no legitimate reason other than this CBR badly needing maintenance and having such poor handling that I couldn't corner at any sensible speed) and when they discovered who I was informed me that I, in fact, wasn't listed as a named rider on the insurance database at all. Good bye bike, hello 6 points and a £200 fine. Oh, and Paddy had to pay ~£150 to get his bike back. He was nice enough to drive 50 miles to pick me up from the middle of nowhere though.

So ultimately, two counts of theft and an insurance screw up (we both thought I was on the policy, it's sods law that the incompetent broker got it wrong without informing us) has pretty much ruined the part of my life that I once enjoyed on our roads.

Fair enough, I'm willing to admit that riding another bike without seeing proof of an insurance certificate with my name on it is my fault. However, I'm broke, sick and tired and at a loss. I don't feel like there's any point in even buying another bike, using another bike or getting back on the road in any way shape or form. I think I'm going to give up. The thieving scum (in all situations) have won.
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will never give up his CG. I look at my fuel gauge more as a progress bar than a fuel gauge.
G: With my GSXR I do often effectively use it as a scooter with a clutch in town.
ms51ves3: why does it need 500 miles? Are you teaching it how to be a piston?

[Hetzer]

Ah, good old statute-law, penalising you for the broker's harm. But never mind, the state got its dollar.

Can you prove the broker's error?
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"There's the horizon! Ride hard, ride fast and cut down all who stand in your way!"

[The Artist]

I don't think there is anyone I know that has had such bad luck in such a short space of time.

The only way to get back at the system etc is to get another bike and bolt the fucker to something that cannot be moved wherever you go and just be extra extra careful with anything you do.

Also play euro millions this friday, karma etc.

[0ddball]

Sometimes it's best to put things off till your situation improves.

I want a lathe and milling machine but it's gonna have to wait a couple of years till i get a house with a garage.

And if you have to park in a dodgy area at least make them work for it and stick an almax through the frame and round a lamp post. Getting 2 bikes nicked is bad luck but can you say you did everything possible to secure them?

The insurance thing is, as you found out a life lesson learned. Never take someones word for it, even family.See it in black and white.

[johnsmith222]

[Asharin]

Aww don't give up mate, your adventures on the CG were legend, don't let the thieving scum win

[Imonster]

Was there an extra payment that had to be made when they put you on the policy, or was it done for no charge? If there were a charge, then presumably it was paid by card? Was there definitely cover, and was this cancelled because they didn't receive requested documentation?

Even if there weren't, get in touch with the insurer today, be polite and explain the situation. Ask if they will indemnify you for the period in which you were stopped; if it was a genuine cock up, then they may agree to this. If this is the case, then get them to send a letter specifically stating that they considered you to be insured at the time of the stop.

Get this letter to the relevant CTSU (central ticket and summons unit), and follow their directions.

Good luck
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Those who make peaceful revolution impossible will make violent revolution inevitable.

[Robby]

If you can still get to work using public transport (I assume you don't have a car, and car insurance would be very expensive for you with all that on your record) then do that for a while, certainly give it a go over winter.

Come spring, if not before, you'll be desperate to get back on a bike. My bike is still cheaper than a London bus, and there are fewer cheaper ways to travel than that. The bus is also full of undesirables.

Getting bikes nicked is a shitter, and the thieves will come back again if they got the first one with no trouble. If you got another bike then they would likely have a go at that as well, so ultimate cheapness is key - £250 bike insured TPO, disposable motoring.

Even with the assorted thefts and points (unless you can get out of the points) a cheap small bike will still be insurable for reasonable money, particularly TPO.

[27cows]

Without meaning to sound harsh, never 'think' or assume anything where insurance companies are concerned. Trust nothing till you have a piece of official paper in your hand and even then read everything three times to be sure.

Over the years I've had a huge number of bikes which has meant more or less constant dealings with these people and the incompetence/stupidity of many is staggering. If you find a reliable broker, stick with them even if they're not the cheapest - it pays off in the long run.

However old/battered/rusty/hideous your bike, there is always some lowlife out there willing to nick it. One of the very few ways of making it very difficult for the scum to have away your pride and joy if it's left outside is by using a ground anchor secured fixed to the frame of your bike. Only an angle grinder will get through it and that makes too much noise. It's a fair bit of work and expense to sort a decent ground anchor but it's worth it.

I've parked my old RXS in some of the dodgiest parts of the SE without anyone nicking it - so trying building an exact replica of it and it'll probably be safe. Ingredients: one ancient RXS with lots of rust everywhere. One severely dented tank painted Poundland black. One extremely large top box, held together with gaffa tape, stickers and fiberglass. Seven kilos of filth evenly distributed over the cycle parts. Even the chavs leave it alone
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The RXS100: vehicle of choice for Chuck Norris

[FURBAR]

Stop sweating over spilt milk Alex ... fuck it .. you'll have another bike in the future ... the frustration will subside .. then your be back smiling again ..
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Fuk um !!

[multijoy]

[Alexio]

Thanks for the replies, they've cheered me up a bit.

Now to cycle the 5 miles to work.

I'll have a look at the insurance as per your suggestions later
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will never give up his CG. I look at my fuel gauge more as a progress bar than a fuel gauge.
G: With my GSXR I do often effectively use it as a scooter with a clutch in town.
ms51ves3: why does it need 500 miles? Are you teaching it how to be a piston?

[G]

[D O G]

[angryjonny]

[Alexio]

After Paddy spoke to his insurnace brokers it appears that I am definitely on the policy from more than a month ago. Unfortunately, they assumed I had a full licence (as Paddy does) so the insurance is invalid anyway. FML.

6 points here we come.

Edit: and why should I not have been using a motorbike to commute 5 miles?!
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will never give up his CG. I look at my fuel gauge more as a progress bar than a fuel gauge.
G: With my GSXR I do often effectively use it as a scooter with a clutch in town.
ms51ves3: why does it need 500 miles? Are you teaching it how to be a piston?

[Hetzer]

[multijoy]

[MinhDinh]

Well, you were lucky enough to have a 2nd and third bike, despite their age and condition. To me, that means that you really shouldn't have had a bike because you were lucky that you knew Paddy.

I feel sorry for Paddy the most, but I do hope that you have a good break and then maybe you will feel like biking again.
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Hit the G spot.

[Chris750]

This sort of thing makes me glad to live where I do.

I have never had a vehicle stolen and I don't know anyone who has. A friend had a car window smashed about 12 years ago but thats about it.
I don't own any sucurity products either.

My bike will probably get stolen now I've written this.

Unlucky though, that is really some bad luck- things can only get better.

[P.addy]

Thought i'd jump in.

Im in no way pissed off/bitter towards Alex.
I loaned them because he NEEDED transport.

I had him on my KH as a CBT licence holder and when that was stolen, the policy was changed to the CBR and asked for him to be moved across.

They monumentally cocked up and transferred him over as having a full licence rather than just me.

Totally unaware until I was out of Kent and recieved a phone call from mr popo!

Got the bicycle with an engine back...albeit costing, but hey.. should have checked my own paperwork

Alex...get back on bike NAO!!!!!

[Alexio]

[Imonster]

[Imonster]

[P.addy]