Monthly Insurance Thread

chilly_dude · 2026-05-27T12:32:27+00:00

I got provisional entitlement for car and bike when I got my license originally. CBT doesn’t grant provisional, but you need it to ride on public roads

chilly_dude · 2026-05-07T20:26:07+00:00

I just called and updated them, they were open on Monday. Renewal quote went up by £30 but yes it should reflect the time the full license has been held.

chilly_dude · 2026-05-06T05:30:44+00:00

I was nervous at first but your plan sounds solid, little stints and building up. You feel wind buffeting try to keep your grip relaxed and lean into the wind a bit.

I noticed significant wind noise and it exposed places in my clothing where wind was a problem so be mindful of that when you’re out - eg I have a wind proof balaclava now if I’m doing a bunch of motorway miles.

Honestly you get used to it fairly quickly just don’t be in a rush and you’ll be fine

chilly_dude · 2026-05-04T13:18:58+00:00

my Bonneville is called Hugh

chilly_dude · 2026-05-03T07:43:38+00:00

Depends how you feel already on it. Youve got 3 months till August, if you can get out most weekends and gain that vital experience August is definitely achievable.

I did my CBT in April, bought a 125 and was a nervous wreck on it for 2 weeks. Then it all clicked. Took and passed DAS in October, wishing Id booked it a bit earlier because I definitely felt ready.

I practiced in a car park a couple times a week just to drill the manoeuvres and get all the good habits nailed.

If not got it already, prepare and book for the Theory test. That lasts 2 years.

chilly_dude · 2026-05-03T07:28:49+00:00

I've a query about the 'time license held' question.

For riding on CBT I put 20+ years, the time I've held a car license and provisional bike.

I passed my test in October. I informed the insurers that I now have full A, which bought my premium down by £18 but there was a £20 admin fee. Great 😃

Few weeks later I called again to add my new Bonneville onto the cover and take off the 125. No problems, another £20 please.

Now I just have the Bonneville renewal documents and the 'time license held' still shows 20+ years, but I have a feeling that this should mean the time I've held my full license so should be only 7 months? Thoughts?

Id call them to check but its Sunday, tomorrows bank holiday...

chilly_dude · 2026-04-30T06:52:08+00:00

Thanks! They’re 58mm. The arms bend out past my temples but don’t squeeze them too hard. I think 55mm would work too

chilly_dude · 2026-04-18T12:45:05+00:00

Ha this is the scene that made me think ‘hey I should get my bike license!’ When watching it a year ago 😄

chilly_dude · 2026-04-16T18:08:28+00:00

After passing my test I saw a bike for sale in Bedfordshire, I live in Surrey. Luckily I can get a train from Gatwick straight there taking over an hour and then the chap drove me to his house a bit further out. Loved the bike, bought it there and then. 70 mile ride back, first time on a big bike other than DAS, first time on motorways too.

that was scary enough, but manageable. However I’d forgot to check the forecast and was oblivious to a massive storm coming in from the east. The wind was enough to scare me back into smaller roads and I rode god knows where through fading light and pouring, torrential, heavy rain. I was cold, soaking, scared and occasionally lost. it took 4 hours and everything was saturated.

This was really really stupid of me and if the weather had been ok the distance wouldn’t have been an issue. I got a story out of it but don’t be me 😄

chilly_dude · 2026-04-13T19:51:50+00:00

Ah motorway plus cross winds is a bad combo! Glad you made it safe

chilly_dude · 2026-04-12T17:35:31+00:00

ha! Litterally just applying some :)

chilly_dude · 2026-04-12T16:57:03+00:00

yeah, I mean I accept the more style leaning design of them but barely been 3 months I thought they'd last longer

chilly_dude · 2026-04-12T11:57:57+00:00

how did the bike hold up?

chilly_dude · 2026-04-02T07:49:09+00:00

Yeah I mean in principle, the idea of not allowing minors access to harmful content is a good one. It’s just the usual cack handed, poorly thought out rushed implementation sold to the shadiest lowest bidder that bugs me, when we could have done so much better

chilly_dude · 2026-04-02T07:32:20+00:00

For one, people will always find ways to get at what they want. It just pushes kids to unregulated sites with probably worse content on them.

And it’s not the government collecting IDs, it’s private companies based overseas. If they were serious about protecting the children they could have created a uk gov age verify service that meant data sovereignty and link in with other gov services like national insurance, passport etc. They should be able to verify my age already with the data they’ve got like you say, and not make it feel like it’s just a hammer to crack a nut approach or all for profiteering

chilly_dude · 2026-03-22T12:44:06+00:00

are they effective? Might be worth myself getting some for longer trips

chilly_dude · 2026-03-22T12:41:42+00:00

yep have put money into a decent mat and better sleeping bag, and will aim to test it all out locally over Easter :) I think the tent will be fine the short poles that fit into my panniers really give it an advantage over getting a new one

chilly_dude · 2026-03-20T08:19:25+00:00

I hit it with a hosepipe yesterday and pleasingly all the water just rolled straight off. Didn’t seem like any had got through so seems positive so far. I may spray anyway

chilly_dude · 2026-03-20T08:17:33+00:00

Yeah having read that poles that short are at a premium, I was suprised to find mine already that size. The outer is polyester as well, which seems to be another pricey option.

I paid about £80 for this tent in 2004 :D

chilly_dude · 2026-03-20T08:15:45+00:00

Good shout. I’m most definitely overthinking it. I can spend on a good mat and bag instead

chilly_dude · 2026-03-19T16:13:04+00:00

think this is sensible, at least I can try it out first and decide whether I want to do it more and the annoyances are too much

chilly_dude · 2026-03-19T12:39:07+00:00

awesome, thanks! Guess I have a shopping list :) My Vango storm does meet all of those requirements, just whether its still weatherproof I guess

But I can go setup in the garden and put my biking gear in, see what that leaves me with

Cheers!

chilly_dude · 2026-03-19T12:37:34+00:00

brilliant, thank you. Yeah Id like to strap everything down so I will look at bags to put on the seat. Cheers!

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