[Candice]

Should I be paying the same in the winter when I’m storing my bike (for insurance) as I do during the riding season? It seems wrong to pay the full amount for the 4-5 months I won’t be riding it. I was thinking of even cancelling it when I put my bike in storage and then just starting it up again when I take it out to ride it again but I don’t know if you are really suppose to do that. Thanks!

[ilnam]

I have this dilemma too. I’ve heard of getting insurance for 6 months, but then that might be too short and cut into some fine riding time. I ended up getting full coverage and comprehensive for the entire year. To be honest, I really didn’t check out all the options, but I figure this way I can still gear up, and ride in the winter on the nice days. A big factor is the cost, and I did get a relatively good deal at State Farm for my ~500cc bike and after factoring in a few discounts. State Farm determines cost only by how many CCs (not cool). So for a bigger bike, I’d find better rates elsewhere, or I’d downgrade coverage. I’m not sure what would be best for you, and I’ve complicated matters for myself since I might be moving out to the Seattle area after Christmas. Let me know what you decide.

[ranette]

When I first got my insurance I asked my agent about doing that. He said that in Vermont the rates were adjusted to account for the fact that we can only ride for half of the year up here. When I checked the Progressive website, sure enough the monthly rate was slightly more than 1/6 of the yearly rate.

[Candice]

I called my insurance – Geico – over the weekend and I can call anytime after Oct. 1st to change my coverage to winter coverage which is just comprehensive, then I can call back when I’m ready to ride again and they will add all the other stuff back in. yeah!

[Clay Dowling]

That you’re getting from your insurer there Candice. I live in Michigan, and I’ve known guys who could ride 12 months out of the year. They typically only got a day or two in the middle of winter, but they made a point of taking advantage of that. I’m hopeful I’ll be able to do the same. Riding to Christmas dinner would be especially nice.

[megaspaz]

what is this winter you speaketh of?

—
If there’s anything more important than my ego
around, I want it caught and shot now…

[Candice]

It’s freakin’ cold and dark and everything outside dies, that’s what winter is. It SUCKS, especially now that I ride a motorcycle. OH my, I guess the darkness has killed my good spirits. So sorry, must go sit under some lights now.

[Candice]

I used to live in Michigan, a place called West Bloomfield outside of Detroit. That was years ago though. I would love to ride 12 months out of the year but I can hardly stand it now, too cold. That will be really cool if you can ride to Christmas dinner, you are a trooper!

[Andrew]

The freezing mornings here in IL have cut down my riding time. I do live close enough that I can go home for lunch and switch to the bike for the afternoon if it’s dry. Right now the afternoons are still warm enough to ride. I went out last night after work and the the 20mph wind made the 55 degree air temp very chilly.

[Candice]

That’s awesome that you can go home for lunch and switch to your bike. I agree it is warm enough in the afternoons to ride. But really if I ride my car to work (so boring) then come home, get the bike, go to the gym by the time I get out of there it is too cold and dark, I guess I’m just done for the season as sad as it is. I took it out for a short spin on Tuesday afternoon because I hadn’t rode it in a week due to my cold and I forgot I was suppose to get gas so I ran out of gas, I also forgot my phone and then I panicked because I thought I had a full tank so I thought something was wrong with my bike but I calmed down, turned it on reserve and was on my way to the gas station! I hate when I scare myself like that! This weekend I am going to put the bike away for the winter. Boo hoo.

[Andrew]

The darker evenings are a problem now. I usually get out of the gym around 6 or 6:15 and it’s now getting to where I’m riding home at dusk which will soon become darkness.

[Author]

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