Archive for January, 2009
Tuesday, January 27th, 2009
In 2007 alone, 1000 ’s of Chinese bikes, scooters and mopeds were imported into the UK. This seems to be a growing trend, with more and more manufacturers importing them into the UK. Currently an estimated 450 separate manufacturer ’s import into the country and this grows every year. With this in mind, more insurers are joining the game to get these insured. However, import bike insurance can still be difficult to find.
So why buy a Chinese import bike? For one, they are generally half the price of a standard moped or scooter; this is despite the import costs. They are normally based on current mopeds and scooters manufactured by major companies, just with a different name on them. These are also known as replica bikes. A majority of these bikes will need registering in the UK, at a cost of 55.00, pounds a small price to pay considering the cheaper cost for the bike itself.
Import bike insurance can be tough to find, a majority of insurers and brokers have never heard of the vehicle you’re looking to insure, and that ’s usually where the conversation ends. However, with the popularity of these scooters and mopeds, more and more insurers are providing competitive schemes to support the demand on these types of vehicles.
One of the main problems with import bikes and in particular the import bike insurance is that many of these vehicles parts are not readily available. In the event of a claim and the bike needs repairing, it is difficult and costly for the insurer to source the parts and authorised repairers. That is why many of the insurers will opt out of offering a fully comprehensive quotation, or they may offer an expensive quote, often more than the value of the vehicle itself.
As many import bikes, scooters and moped for sale are based on current models manufactured by major names such as Honda bike, Suzuki bike and Yamaha bike for sale. The parts and spares can be easily picked up at the usual local repairer. This all helps with the insurance side of things, but with over 450 different import manufacturers, you can imagine how difficult the parts are to find.
Another problem with import bikes, scooters and mopeds, is that they require registering in the UK. Many are sold without first being registered. However, before registering a vehicle, it requires insurance, and many insurers will not insure without a registration number plate, a perfect catch 22 situation. Although many insures understand this and are providing this insurance, it still can be difficult to track this type of insurance cover down.
The most popular scooter on the road today, is the Baotian BT 50cc, an import bike, over 1000 were imported during 2007, figures supplied by the MCIA (The Motor Cycle Industry Association Limited). This gives you an idea of just how popular these bikes are, out selling major manufacturers like Honda, Suzuki and Yamaha.
You may ask yourself, where can buy these bikes? Well, many local dealers are starting to sell them, and there are plenty of bargains available site. The majority are sold through internet only bike shops, delivered direct to your door, again this promotes the problem of repairs and spare parts, many of these vehicles are not sold with any warranty.
In short, these bikes, scooters and mopeds are a perfect way of commuting to and from work. They are cheap to buy, cheap to run, very economical, and parking is generally not a problem, and with more insurers realising the demand on these bikes, they are helping on the insurance availability, cost and cover provided.
Posted in motorcycle | No Comments »
Monday, January 19th, 2009
You must have seen a backhoe loader, but may not know that it is called a backhoe. Whenever a building is being made or roads are dug it is used to lift chunks of earth. It is actually a machine used for excavating. It is a device which is attached to the rear side of the tractor. It lifts heavy stuff like earth or any other heavy load.
It is very expensive and if you have a one time need for it then instead of buying it you can take it on rent. It has got its name because the scooper type bucket that is placed at the rear side of the tractor. It performs the work that a bulldozer does. The device is mounted on a tractor. The biggest advantage is that it can be taken directly to different areas, whereas other heavy machinery for sale have to be towed into the work area. Hence these other machines need outside power sources.
It needs a lot of operator’s skill to operate it. An inexperienced operator will not be able to use it.The design of the backhoe is like a human hand/arm is extending to scoop something or to keep something. Thus, to operate it you need a lot of skill and expertise.
Nowadays backhoes are run on hydraulic method. They are like buckets attached to the rear of the tractor and it is a device which is attached the rear side of the tractor. It lifts heavy stuff like earth or any other heavy load. There are three parts of it and it is the first part of the machine.
The second part is called a loader. It is in the front side of the tractor. A big rectangular shaped (most of the time) device which scoops material etc. It is not supposed to be used for digging. It can be replaced with devices to get a street sweeper and if required even a pallet fork.
The main part of a backhoe is the tractor. It is the main machine. There is seat and the person operating it can move 360 degrees so that he may reach all the controls. There are different sets of control for the backhoe and another set of controls for the loader. It can move over rough areas and has rugged tires and an engine which is run on diesel.
Hence, all these three parts, the backhoe and the tractor and the backhoe loader do the job together. They all have different functions and work together in getting the task accomplished. Backhoes can be taken anywhere in a construction equipment site some of them are so designed that the front and the rear parts can be interchanged with other instruments like a hydraulic hammer or an auger or may be a grapple even an asphalt grinder.
Posted in Construction Equipment | No Comments »
Monday, January 5th, 2009
Like all quality products, ATVs come at a high price. Therefore, people have to make a proper decision about what kind of ATV they want, and which one fits their needs perfectly, before they go on to buy one. Used ATVs are a perfect way of finding out what exactly one wants from an ATV, and whether it is possible to get it.
One can always buy a used ATV and try it for a week or so, until they get a proper idea of which ATV will fit their needs properly.
They are also the best option for child drivers. As the parents are the ones who have to really judge whether their children are ready to drive an ATV, it is preferred that they opt for a used ATV for their child, and have them try it out for a while.
Used ATVs are good for inexperienced and amateur drivers. Even if a used ATV is involved in an accident while being driven by an inexperienced driver, the cost of damages will be very low, as compared to a brand-new ATV.
One should also understand that a used ATV has little or no resale value, and the only place a used ATV will have, once the owners have a brand-new ATV, is the scrap or the garage.
The best way to buy a used ATV is to have a look in your own neighborhood and among your friends. There will be people who wish to upgrade from their previous ATVs, or are selling their ATVs for various other reasons.
There are no set yardsticks for buying a used ATV. The quality of a used ATV depends heavily on the previous user and the job it was used for. It is always suggested to take along a professional mechanic for a test ride before buying any used vehicle. The various parts which form the heart of the machine, like the engine and brakes, should be thoroughly checked.
There are various websites where one can buy ATVs online. Some websites even have ATVs under warranty. While buying a used ATV, it is always better to buy ATVs from better-known companies like Yamaha ATV, Honda ATV, Suzuki ATV, Polaris ATV and Arctic Cat ATV.
Posted in ATVs | No Comments »
