Paging the Londonisti foak

Oi oi.
Northern bird plans on relocation to Acton area come September, for
advanced studenting.
I've just been quoted £150 tpft for a years insurance on an er5 in a
brick built garage in the horrible end of Salford.
I'm slightly dreading getting a quote for a London postcode for a bike
left on the street/in a front garden.
Is there any fairly succinct guidance for surviving the inevitable wide
eyed terror of a Northern idiot in a real city with a bike? Or should I
leave this thing in my mate's back yard and use the tube?

I'm not scared of the riding (I've done that round Hammersmith) just the
parking, crime, and cost.

 

Acton sucks. But then, as with everyone who lives in London, I'm
biased towards my own bit (NE).

you'll find a quote for in the front garden ("kept on private
property") is considerably less than for parked on the street. Not
that it makes any difference whatsoever to the actual chance of it
getting nicked. An alarm/immobiliser will help with insurance quotes;
a ground anchor and decent lock and chain (read: Almax) will help with
actually topping it getting nicked.

My insurance on my recently purchased KTM LC4-E-SM (parked round the
side of my house) is less than you're paying for your ER5 up north,
but I'm also over 40 and have 10 years NCB.

Depending on where you're living, and where you need to get to, the
Tube may be quicker than the bike (particularly if you're depending on
finding a bike bay at the end of your journey).

I'd advise you to be - if not exactly scared - fairly cautious of
riding in London, it's not just "more" than elsewhere, there is a
different mindset required.

 

"Acton" covers a multitude of sins, tbf.
From "sucks" to "makes the dodgy end of Salford look like Beverly
Hills".

 

I really miss riding in London, but I wouldn't say any element of
caution is a good idea. It's far better, IME, to adopt the philosophy
that if you're going to die it will hurt less if you're going fast at
point of impact.

 

So it's seriously worth putting that on my list of wants for my rented
accommodation. (ticks little box)

I am some small amount short of 30 and have 1 year NCD.

I'm planning to live in Acton and my school is in Acton. Walking there is
probably the plan. So, with that in mind, why do I want a bike at all?
Maybe I should just be selling it.

Makes sense, cheers.

 

When I moved from Acton (W3) to IOD (E14), and went from "off-street"
to "brick garage", my insurance went UP.

 

Well, I've never been near Salford, but I'm prepared to take your word
on it.

 

well, as I said, it'll help with the insurance quote - it really won't
make any difference as to whether or not your bike gets nicked.

bend over and lube up, then. When I first moved to London >10 years
ago, my insurance for a Yamaha SZR660 TP&F (parked on my driveway) was
something like £600.

I used to commute in London, but got fed up with getting knocked off
(twice by pedestrians running through traffic, FFS). I now use the
bike for weekend fun only.

 

Haha. You old ****.

Oh, does the Tiger have any appreciable insurance friendly addons ? I
couldn't answer that one.

Cheers,

Paul.

 

it's got a factory fitted alarm/immobiliser.

You have insured it, right?

 

<resists a "gone to the dogs" gag>

P.

 

Enfield & New Barnet is good. And that's because I grew up there.

"Everyone is out to kill me" was my riding style when I was in London.
You haven't lived until you have ridden a power-restricted learner bike
round Marble Arch being overtaken on both sides by faster-moving
traffic..

Phil

 

Ah, I didn't know about that

Yes, though my premium has probably hiked without the alarm discount.

P.

 

How exciting, I'd better search Google groups to find your answer to The
Question.

Do what you want. But whenever I have tried to use public transport more, it
hasn't lasted. Two wheels is /easily/ the best way to get around London. The
tube and buses are good in theory but they often don't work, buses are
susceptible to traffic issues, they are unbearably crowded in peak hours, and
they don't always get you door-to-door. Not that I mind a walk, but sometimes
you just want to get somewhere ASAP. Oh, and public transport isn't even
cheap enough to soften the indignity.

Well, yes. Basically if it's shite and not a scooter, you'll probably be okay
if it's well secured. The riding is fun as there are lots of cagers to laugh
at, slumped at the wheel, wondering why life is so shite.

--
TD
1991 VFR400R NC30 (black and red)
2001 ZX-9R (red and black)
1999 M5 (neither black nor red)
Missing: SOB, Unreliable Italian exotica, Lardy tourer

 

Note to OP:
This may or may not work for an individual.

--
TD
1991 VFR400R NC30 (black and red)
2001 ZX-9R (red and black)
1999 M5 (neither black nor red)
Missing: SOB, Unreliable Italian exotica, Lardy tourer

 

I've been to Acton. Wormwood Scrubs is the nice bit.

--
TD
1991 VFR400R NC30 (black and red)
2001 ZX-9R (red and black)
1999 M5 (neither black nor red)
Missing: SOB, Unreliable Italian exotica, Lardy tourer

 

Because at some point you might wish to cross the border into Shepherd's Bush?

--
TD
1991 VFR400R NC30 (black and red)
2001 ZX-9R (red and black)
1999 M5 (neither black nor red)
Missing: SOB, Unreliable Italian exotica, Lardy tourer

 

Good for you. I've had all my best crashes in London.

Be careful out there. They really are out to get you.

Beware black cabs, BT vans, private taxi's, limos, Mercs, BMW drivers
and pedestrians.

HTH.

Paul.

 

MA is kids' stuff nowadays, all traffic lights and lane discipline
nonsense.
Fair ruined it, they have.

One of the best bits back then was seeing what speed you could hit up
Park Lane.

 

So speaks one who hasn't ridden here since the introduction of the
bendy-bus.
<awaits BCB riding over the horizon for a heroic defence of same>