Daily motorbike news, views & reviews
How to afford the bike you want and not get ripped off. How to get the best deal, when to buy, what to buy and what to look for when buying and selling.
Much like the used car market, the second-hand motorcycle market is rife with scams. Many sellers attempt to shift bikes which are unsafe to drive, have a hidden history and could even be stolen, or they will attempt to steal your money from you before disappearing for good. The used vehicle market can be a …
Motorcycle videographer Jacob Laukaitis was hit by a drunk driver in Thailand and required $10,000 in plastic surgery which his insurance company did not want to pay. Jacob, of Lithuania, recorded himself every day and published the following video mini-documentary about his situation. Jacob thought he was properly insured by Nordic company Gjensidige for riding motorcycles …
Riders will be able to import a new motorcycle or other vehicle from 2018 without having to deal with a dealer so long as the model is not already imported into Australia. The Federal Chamber of Automotive Industries (FCAI) has warned that the Federal Government move will take out the “buyer beware” sentiment, leaving motorists exposed …
It sounds like a bargain to import a motorcycle from overseas where they may be cheaper, but there are also pitfalls for riders. Bruce Hartwig, consultant to Queensland Imports, which is one of about 14 federally registered workshops for complying imported used vehicles, says the easiest and cheapest motorcycles to import and comply are in …
The worst time to buy a new motorcycle is obviously just before it is heavily discounted. But how can you know when a discount promotion is imminent? Imagine you just bought a new motorcycle and a few days later the manufacturer or distributor announced a nationwide promotion with a massive discount price. You’d feel pretty …
The recent story of a Melbourne rider having his 2015 Ducati 899 Panigale stolen in a crafty scam is a timely warning about selling privately, especially online. In the case of Melbourne rider Steve Williams who advertised his bike online with Gumtree, the prospective rider arrived in a car and asked for a test ride. He said …
Getting good value and relevant coverage in motorcycle insurance is a tricky business, but with some help from our friends at review.com, here are some handy tips to help you. Some of the references may refer only to American insurance, whereas some terms may differ from Australia, for example third-party. However, the general tips are very …
Have you ever seen ads for motorcycles that say something like “hurry now, this deal is for a strictly limited time” and “stock is limited”? It’s a pretty standard promotion line and it’s both a lie and a truism. Of course stock is limited. No stock is unlimited. However, when they say deals end at …
While the car industry has up to seven-year warranties, the bulk of the motorcycle industry offers only two-year warranties. Isn’t it about time motorcyclists were offered the same sort of cover as car drivers? You may say that riders are tougher on their bikes than most car drivers, but Yamaha offers a five-year warranty on its …
The motorcycle industry has changed substantially over the past decade with multi-dealerships and most of it has been in favour of the customer, writes MBW contributor and former motorcycle dealer Marty Thompson: I have been involved in the motor industry since 1987 and seen it change significantly, mostly for the benefit of the customer. These …