#MCNwednesday
September 17 2014 49 BUYING & SELLING
SPORTEVENTSGARAGEFEATURESTHIS WEEK NEW BIKES
Dash troubles? Check the block connector near the headstock
Andrew CampbellSolicitor and author of the MCN Law column for
the last five years
Your legal questions
Q When my motorcycle insurance policy was automatically renewed
in
May, I assumed the cover would be identical to that of the
previous year. To my dismay, when my motorcycle was stolen from my
driveway, I noted the company I was insured with had changed, and
additional exclusions applied. Before, a theft was covered if my
bike was at home but not garaged, at double the excess. The new
policy excluded theft if the machine was not garaged. My question
is, do I have any redress against my broker/insurer or is it my own
fault for not thoroughly checking the new policy documents when
they arrived.M Newman, email
Andrew Campbell, Bikelawyer. Visit www.bikelawyer.co.uk or email
[email protected]
Motorcycle Accident Solicitors
A In your case, the automatic renewal is complicated by the fact
it’s a broker who
has renewed the policy, not you renewing with the insurer
directly.
You need to obtain copies of the policy documentation and any
correspondence sent to you. Then you can identify what you were
told at the time of the renewal, because failing to read something
you were sent is no defence.
That said, the broker has a duty to ensure the policy they
obtain is suitable, while the insurance company has a duty to
ensure the policy sold is fair, and any exclusions are highlighted
to you.
If the broker didn’t explain the difference you should complain
to the broker first and then the Financial Services Ombudsman. If
the broker did explain, check the insurance paperwork – this major
exclusion needs to be set out very specifically in the policy
documentation, rather than buried in the small print.
‘Identify what you were told. Failingto read something you were
sent isno defence’
SHOULD I HAVECHECKED MYDOCUMENTS?
LAW
ItÕs coming to the end of my first trackday season and IÕve
decided to convert my road-going Yamaha R1 for track use only, with
the highest-performance tyres to match, maybe race compounds. What
choice do I have and how do they need to be treated differently to
more road-orientated tyres?
The problem with using race tyres on trackdays is that they need
more looking after and won’t give you anywhere near the life of
more road-
orientated track rubber. The temperature operating window
for race tyres is narrow and the early starts at a trackday mean
you could be riding on cold Tarmac, which could result in ‘cold
tear’ that will wreck the tyres in minutes. When this happens it
makes the tyre’s surface look like it’s been attacked with an angle
grinder. If you’re going to use race tyres, tyre warmers are a must
so you’ll also need to bring a generator.
Race tyre profiles are also quicker-steering, so you may need to
alter your suspension and bike set-up to suit, which can be tricky.
That’s why we’d
recommend using road-compound trackday tyres, which last longer
and are easier to manage.
Our pick of these tyres are from Dunlop, Metzeler and Pirelli.
The Dunlop D212 GP Pro is a treaded version of the firm’s slicks
and offers excellent grip and stability, but they need more set-up
time than other tyres and take a good few laps to get up to
temperature, too.
Set-up and warm-up time are less of an issue with the Pirelli
Supercorsa SP and Metzeler Racetec Interact K3. The Supercorsa SP
is friendly and neutral with decent wet-weather grip and a carcass
that’s softer than some of its rivals, so its ride quality is
plush.
The Metzelers are almost on par with the Pirellis but they’re
slightly slower steering and don’t have as much ultimate grip, but
it’s close.
A good rule of thumb for track pressures is around 28psi at the
rear and 31psi at the front, but check with the manufacturer for
their recommendation. Michelin recommends lower figures on the rear
of its track tyres, while Dunlop’s NTEC construction means they can
run below 20psi in certain conditions,so you should always
check.Michael Neeves, MCN
SCOTT DAWSON, EMAIL
Should I run race tyres on my trackday bike?Q
Q I’ve got a crocked right wrist and I’m finding the throttle
action on my Kawasaki ZX-7R
puts my wrist in an uncomfortable position when I am cruising.
Is there an easy or cheap way to change the throttle for a quicker
action?Colin Banks, email
A A larger-diameter throttle tube will give you more throttle
movement for the same degree
of rotation and the tube from an early ZX-10R fits in your
original switchgear. You may have to adjust the freeplay in your
throttle cables but once this is set correctly you should find your
wrist becomes a pain-free zone.Cristian Ingignoli, In Moto
Can I make my throttle quicker?
Q I have a Suzuki TL1000S, but the other day the bike’s dash cut
out for a second, then
picked up again. Since then it has become erratic, giving me
mileage and the neutral light only, then nothing, then everything,
then neutral only again. Where do I start?Daniel Wright, email
A Suzukis of that vintage have a large yellow block connector
near the headstock. On the TL
it’s behind the headstock and in front of the airbox. It feeds
the dash and ignition system and for some reason wasn’t
waterproofed. It’s probably furred up and that’s causing what you
describe.Steve Scully, GT Motorcycles
Why is my TL’s dash readout so erratic?
Dunlop D212GP Pro £302A treaded version of Dunlop’s
slick tyres, ideal for a track bike
PRICES ARE GUIDELINE MAIL ORDER PRICES FOR A PAIR IN SIZES
120/70 ZR17, 180/55 ZR17.
Avon 3DUltra Extreme
£235
BridgestoneR10 Evo
£282
Continental RaceAttack
Comp £225
Metzeler Racetec Interact K3
£226
MichelinPower Cup
£273
Pirelli Diablo Supercorsa SP
£247
ONES TO CONSIDER
