Store your Trike with the Asgard Bike Storage Shed

The best thing about the Asgard Motorbike shed is that the large spacious proportions means that it is not only is it suitable for storing up to 2 motorbikes as well as all your riding gear, leathers, helmets, boots and bike accessories, it can also provide secure multi-purpose storage for a variety of uses.

Asgard customers Peter and Jackie Hall decided to store a Trike, a motorised 3-wheeled scooter in the motorbike shed. We asked them what they thought about using the Asgard bike shed to store their trike.

How did you find the delivery service from Asgard and assembling the bike shed?

“My first impression was on delivery of the parts of the shed: the delivery men were excellent; very careful with their handling and couldn’t be more helpful, giving me tips on the assembly that proved invaluable. Assembly was remarkably straightforward, given the number of parts and the weights and sizes involved. I had to do the assembly single-handed, but this was no problem.  The instruction diagrams were clear and obvious to follow, and during assembly I was frequently noticing just how cleverly thought-out is the design down to the finest detail – everything just flowed together and potential difficulties had obviously been foreseen and averted.”

Secure Trike Storage Unit from Asgard

The Asgard shed is suitable for storing a trike and disability scooters safely

Were you impressed with the finished product?
“The completed shed is superb! Everything about the shed testifies to its quality. The wood floor is a boon: apart from providing a smooth, comfortable base it also deadens quite a lot of the metallic booming sound that was noticeable during assembly.”

And is the bike shed suitable for the intended purpose of storing the trike?

“Our use of the shed has nothing to do with motorcycles!! My wife is disabled, so we use the shed to store her disability “trike” (i.e. a front wheel attachment converts her wheelchair into a mechanised trike with an electric motor that whizzes her along at up to 16 mph). We have especial needs of easy access and copious accommodation, and this it provides. She particularly appreciates the convenience and ease of use of the fitted ramp, and the double doors that allow a wide entry space. Headroom is fine and the generous proportions of the shed allow plenty of freedom of movement around her trike. And we are comfortable knowing that the shed is very secure, yet easy to lock / open.”
“Arthritis is not a pleasant affliction, but that does not mean we can’t enjoy a quality of life. Our set-up with the disability trike and its spanking new storage shed gives her a facility she takes pleasure in using. Thank you for supplying such a cleverly thought out and functional product.”
Best wishes,

Peter and Jackie Hall

Need to store your vehicle?

If are looking for the best way to store a trike, or a disability scooter, then browse through the Asgard range of secure outdoor storage units here, or call us on Tel:08456 580 730 to discuss your storage requirements with out Customer Service Team – We will be happy to help!

Getting your first Moped

If you have been dreaming about the freedom a motorcycle can give you since you young, but are not old yet enough to buy your dream Harley Davidson, and an ordinary bicycle doesn’t quite reach the speeds of a motor-powered roadrunner, then you might want to consider getting a Moped.  Mopeds provide a cheap, fun and stylish way onto the road. They appeal to both novice users and experienced road users looking to downsize or just have a bit of fun.

iStock_000012426873XSmall

Moped for beginners!

If you are thinking of buying a Moped then there are few things you need to be aware of:

1)       Licensed to ride

In order to be able to ride a moped in the UK, you must be over the age of 16 and have a Moped License. Before you can start riding a moped on the road, you must first get your provisional moped licence and then complete your compulsory basic training (CBT). You can then start riding a moped on the road as a learner with some restrictions in place e.g. your moped must have L plates.

Click here for more details on applying for your Moped license in the UK.

2)       Choosing your first Moped

Now for the exciting part!  If you already have a particular scooter in mind, this will make your purchasing decision a lot easier.  Alternatively, do your research by visiting garages, websites and scooter comparison and review sites, or discuss your options with other scooter experts on web forums before you make your decision.

Check out http://www.scootercentral.co.uk/ for a range of mopeds and scooters as well as common FAQs for buying your first bike.

3)      Before you get on your bike, don’t forget about safety!

Buy a Motorcycle Helmet and Accessories.  If you need help deciding on your helmet, compare your options using the new SHARP - The Safety Helmet Assessment and Rating Programme.  The SHARP rating system helps you make a more informed choice when choosing a helmet.

Browse through reasonably priced start-up equipment at http://www.shires-motorcycle-accessories.co.uk

4)       Register your Moped

Make sure you register your moped or scooter.  If it isn’t, the police won’t treat you seriously when it’s stolen.  You will need to complete a Moped registration pack and submit it to the DVLA (registration costs approx £55).

5)       Get the right locks for your moped

Always make sure you lock up your vehicle when you are out and about.  Double up on security by using a Disc Lock and Chain locks when you park up.  Look out for Sold Secure and Thatcham approved locks.

Disc locks secure onto the front or rear brake disc making it impossible to ride the moped.  Chain locks come in different strengths and sizes. They can be used around a wheel to secure your moped to an immovable object and prevent it being lifted.

6)       Storing your Moped Securely

And finally, once you are all kitted out and ready to go, where are you going to store your little beauty when you are not riding it?  Unless you store it out of sight, either in a garage or a storage unit, your bike may be at risk from theft. With thousands of motorbikes, scooters and mopeds being stolen every year, always take maximum precautions for your bike to keep it safe at all times.

Consider investing a secure Moped Storage Unit from Asgard, an all-metal outdoor storage unit for your motor scooters, mopeds and accessories.

Secure Storage for your Moped

Secure Storage for your Moped

This Moped Storage Unit uses a unique 5 point locking system, and provides easy double door access with a fold down ramp to wheel your vehicle in.  It also has an electrical mounting plate for adding power to the unit, a hook rail and shelf for storing your helmet and accessories and a side vent system, which allows exhaust fumes to escape.

For more information and to view the full security products for your moped and motor scooters, visit http://www.asgardsss.co.uk

And finally – plan a road trip and enjoy your new Moped!

Motorcycle Holidays and Asgard Motorcycle Garages

A Shed load of sheds.

Asgard have teamed up with http://www.motorcyclescotland, supplying them with a fleet of motorcycle storage sheds for safely storing your bikes in when you stay at one of their excellent hotels.  (www.motorcylescotland.com).

 Asgard_motorcycle_hotels

At the Buccleuch Arms Hotel (Pictured) you get to wrap up your pride and joy in comfort in one of Asgards individual lockable garages (Locksmiths Approved). Each garage has a heavy duty shelf for helmets, boots and gear as well as heavy duty hangers and hooks for jackets and trousers.  A pressure washer and a few cleaning bits and bobs are available. What more could you want … oh and did we mentioned they were Voted and judged “Best Place to Eat” in Dumfries and Galloway by Savour the Flavours and winning the highly coveted and prestigious “Wine Award” at the SLTN Awards.

 

Whats more with a 15% discount off the B&B rate to all bikers why would you stay anywhere else as part of your bike tour?

 Asgard_motorcycle_hotels

Asgard Motorcycle garages are the only Motorcycle garages accredited by the UK Locksmiths Association. So there is nothing safer for your pride and joy.

Asgard_motorcycle_hotels

Visit Buccleuch Arms Hotel here and save %15 on Bikers B+B

Take a look at where your bike will be staying here.

Two wheels good: scooter sales show huge rise – from the Guardian Newspaper

Shedforce like to look for interesting information, so here is some more;

The Number of new scooters registered with the DVLA rose by 12% in 2011 as rising petrol prices, rail fares and car park charges turn commuters on to two wheels.

The number of scooters registered with the DVLA rose by 12% in 2011. Motorists sick of rising transport costs have been trading in their cars for a two-wheeled alternative, with industry figures showing an unprecedented rise in the number of scooters sold in 2011.

Figures from the Motorcyle Industry Association (MCIA) show the number of new scooters registered with the DVLA rose by approximately 12% in 2011, with a 20% rise in the number of larger 125cc motorcyle scooters registered.

Peugeot said it had seen scooter sales rise by 46% in 2011, with a 62% increase in Greater London, while Honda – which manufactures the most popular 125cc model on the market, the PCX 125 – has seen sales increase by 39%. In 2010 it sold 765; in 2011 it sold more than 2,000. By contrast, almost all other categories of two-wheeled motorised vehicles showed a drop in registrations, by as much as 32% in the case of sport motorbikes, according to the MCIA figures. In the previous year, to December 2010, sales of all types of motorcycles fell. In that period the number of scooters sold also fell, by 9%. Gary Thomas, editorial assistant at Scootering magazine, said: “The last time I remember such huge scooter sales figures was about 10-12 years ago when new automatic technology meant that all manufacturers came out with a wealth of new models.

“I suspect this time it is about cost. It is often two-car households who have decided that one of them will trade their car in for a scooter. The congestion charge also has an impact on people’s decision, as does the price of petrol.” A spokesman for Peugeot said the overriding factor driving customers into its showrooms was the price of petrol and diesel. “An average small capacity scooter is twice as economical as a car for fuel, so you can instantly halve your motoring costs,” he said. A rise in the cost of car parking at train stations has also contributed to people’s decision to switch to two wheels, he said. Southeastern trains has put up prices at 28 of its station car parks by up to 30%, while East Midlands, Southwestern trains and First Capital Connect have also increased their prices. This follows a 5.9% rise in the cost of a train ticket, which came in for all rail passengers earlier this month. “Not only have prices gone up at stations, but there is also often insufficient parking,” the Peugeot spokesman said. “If people switch to two wheels they can often park for free, or find somewhere else nearby to park.” The number of manual gearbox “boy racer” style mopeds registered with the DVLA fell in 2011 by more than 20%, while the number of registered scooter style mopeds rose slightly. This is because smaller engine vehicles have traditionally been bought by teenagers and funded by their parents. “Parents are not willing to do that anymore,” the Peugeot spokesman said. Saving a fortune John Sjolund and his wife Susan Moolman invested in a Vespa scooter eight months ago. The couple bought it second hand and say it has saved them a fortune in commuting costs.

Scooter sales on the rise

They claim they spend about £5 a month on petrol, but use it every day in London. “We live in Fulham [south-west London] and would sometimes spend an hour-and-a-half on the tube a day going to various meetings. It was depressing and expensive,” Moolman explains. “We thought about getting a car but that is such an expensive option.” Now the couple share the scooter, with Moolman sometimes taking the tube and Sjolund picking her up in the evening. “The night before the royal wedding we drove through Leicester Square and past Buckingham Palace to look at the wedding preparations,” Moolman says. “It feels like such a great way to see the city.”

For details of how to protect your scooter with an Asgard Scooter Store visit the main Asgard Storage website

Full article here at the Guardian news paper

MCM Magazine recommends the Motorcycle Storage Unit from Asgard

MCM Magazine recommends the Motorcycle Storage Unit from Asgard


Motorcycle Monthly Magazine 
(MCM) has recommended the Asgard Motorcycle Garage in their shortlist of ‘The 12 top security products to protect your bike’.

MCM Magazine were impressed with the adaptability of the unit, which comes in a range of sizes to suit the customer’s needs.

“Ideal if you are a collector. Or someone with a large tourer. It’s the only bike shed that is UK Locksmith approved and – better still – the size and the weight means that if you have your bike stored in this overnight, your insurers class it as ‘garaged’.”
Click below to read the review on the Motorcycle Garage from Asgard, or read the full article in the December 2011 issue of Motorcycle Monthly Magazine available now.
MCM product review of Asgard Motorbike Shed

 

 

 

 

To see more Motorcycle Garages available from Asgard, see the Motorcycle Storage range here.

Motorcycle theft ebay scam busted!

Four men have been jailed for their role in a racket stealing bikes and selling the parts on eBay.

The men were arrested following an 18-month investigation which identified 20 stolen motorcycles worth over £100,000.

Jamie Sadik, 24, James Oliver, 28, Lloyd Smith, 39, and Daniel Setters, 27, all pleaded guilty to conspiracy to steal.

Sadik was sentenced to 32 months in prison, Oliver 16 months and Smith and Setters 10 months each atSnaresbrook Crown Court.

Smith and Setters were also ordered to do 160 hours community service.

A fifth defendant, Dennis Keating, 44, pleaded guilty to the same offence and received 11 months suspended for 18 months and 180 hours community service.

Police launched a sting operation in June 2010 after a motorcyclist reported seeing parts of his stolen bike for sale on eBay.

An undercover officer responded to the ad and met Setters, who claimed to run a motorcycle parts business, selling an exhaust for £800.

The following week a stolen motorcycle was traced using an onboard tracking device to a lock-up near the address where Setters had sold the exhaust.

Motorcycle Storage Units From Asgard

Police raided the lock-up, arrested Keating and Oliver and found a hoard of partially dismantled stolen bikes, one with Setter’s fingerprints on it. Officers also recovered the registration plate of the machine from which the exhaust had been removed.   

Sadik was arrested following a bike theft inEast Londonand linked to Oliver. Smith was linked to the sale of parts.

Detective Sergeant Danny Mayhew of Tower Hamlets said: “This complex investigation targeted and disrupted a team who were profiting from the organised theft of high value motorcycles.”

Protect your motorcycle with a good quality motorcycle storage unit and save on your motorcycle insurance.

 

Motorbike Security Blog:

Taken from an online blog

Tips on Motorbike Security:

 Before anything else you need to get your bike insured so that it is stolen it will not seem as if life as you know it is ending. It is definitely worth checking special Datatag or Alphadot Identification Bike Security which marks your bike with hidden codes that can only be read with special scanners, before doing anything else. Most police forces now have these and so it can make it easier to recover a stolen bike. The main thing to remember is that the name of this game is to persuade the thief that there is much easier prey out there than your bike. The more difficult it appears to steal – the less likely the thief will try, and if he does, well of course you make it as tough as possible for him to steal it by having solid motorbike security Secure your motorbike with two different types of lock. Professional thieves generally specialise in one type of lock. Many a cheap steel gives up the ghost when treated with ice spray. High-quality locks are resistant to ice spray attacks and carry a certification seal to this effect.  Always try and cover your motorcycle as this is one additional thing the thieves have to get through to steal your bike. Make sure that all the motorbike security that you buy is either Thatcham or Sold Secure approved, as these met the highest standards in the industry. Thatcham is an approved testing agency and so even though it will be more expensive it will be near impossible for a thief to get through it. Another certification stamp that is recognised by the international test institutes’ labels is the VdS certificate. This certificate is given to top-security products that are distinguished by the solid use of hi-tech materials and high-quality locking systems. Avoid locks that feature tubular cylinders (the ones with the round key) as these particular locks are child’s play to pick Trials, Moto Cross and Enduro bikes are more difficult to trace when stolen, so they attract more interest from the thieves. If you own one of these types of bikes you really need to take your bike security that much more seriously Never leave any accessories on your bike

 Always engage your steering lock If you are parking your bike in a high crime area it might be worth leaving your seat open so that thieves do not break the seat lock when searching for items to steal Think twice about having expensive logo stickers plastered all over your bike as this is a great way to market the expense of your bike to thieves You can register your bike with the DVLA so that the police will have records of your engine and frame numbers. If you have an off-road bike then you can register it with a private agency. Consider a dedicated motorcycle garage.  These standalone units are often much stronger and more secure than a conventional domestic garage.  These purpose built units are designed to house multiple bikes and equipment.

domestic motorcycle storage

   To see the Asgard range of motorcycle storage see the main page

Police bike theft squad axed

One of Britain’s last police stolen vehicle squads is to be closed from next year, leaving organised bike theft uninvestigated. The Metropolitan Police’s stolen vehicle squad will be disbanded from April 2012 due to budget cuts.

Stolen bikes recovered by the Met squad

Stolen bikes recovered by the Met squad

The unit has been a powerful deterrent to organised criminal gangs that move around the country stealing bikes to order and dismantling them to sell as parts or shipping them overseas. The squad has just one more undercover operation to carry out before being wound up. A source said: “We have one motorbike job we are actively looking at.  We can’t reveal details as it’s a covert operation. We are not looking at taking on any more motorbike jobs as the unit is closing in April 2012.”

A force spokesman said: “The Metropolitan Police Service is having to make substantial savings in line with reducing budgets. This requires difficult decisions to be made about what areas of activity should be reduced. Following wide consultation about priorities,
the Specialist Crime Directorate is considering changes to the Stolen Vehicle Unit.”

He said the proposal “involve disbanding the dedicated proactive investigation team – whose role is to investigate criminal groups involved in the theft of motor vehicles – and absorbing its responsibilities across the organisation”.

(Article Source : MCN News )

Don’t leave your bike unprotected

With news of the Metropolitan Police’s Stolen Vehicle Squad being axed, bikers across the UK need to step up their own efforts to
keep their motorbikes and scooters safe from theft.  And as the majority of motorcycle thefts reported are often stolen from homes and sheds where bikes are left with little or no security, it now falls on you to make sure your motorbike is kept safe and secure when not in use.

The easiest and most effective way is storing your bike in a secure motorbike shed – such as the Asgard Motorbike Garage Unit.  This all-metal Storage Unit will provide your bike with all-year round security.  Matt Hull from RiDE Magazine is very impressed with the Asgard Unit, saying – “If security is an issue, this is the one..I am converted.”

Prevent Bike theft with the Asgard Motorbike Storage Unit.

Prevent Bike theft with the Asgard Motorbike Storage Unit.

To see the full range of Motorcycle Storage units, visit the Asgard Motorcycle Storage product range here.

Scooter thieves rob disabled woman of her independence

A disabled woman says she has lost her independence after thieves stole her mobility scooter from the garden shed.

Margaret Murtough, 52, whose left leg was amputated last year, discovered the theft on Thursday morning.  The 52-year-old had been reliant on the scooter to get about since undergoing an operation on her ankle in 2005. 

Mrs Murtough from Manchester whose leg was removed below the knee following complications, said: “The scooter was my independence. I suffer with back problems as well so I can’t go and walk around the supermarket. You can’t accept that someone has been into your property and taken something that doesn’t belong to them. It makes you so mad and frustrated.

Mobility scooter parked outside home

"I'm not going to get it back and it's not covered by the insurance."

The scooter had been stored in the shed for a few weeks as Mrs Murtough had been suffering from back pain and had been using a wheelchair to get around the house.  But now that the scooter has been stolen she says she must rely on her daughter, who works full time, to push her to the local shops in the chair.

 She said: “We had put the scooter in a black bin bag and left it inside the shed for storage, thinking that it would be safe – obviously it wasn’t. How could someone steal a mobility scooter, you would think they would know it’s for a disabled person.”

 She added: “It makes you feel more wary, even if you hear about a burglary at the neighbours. You don’t think it will happen to you.”

 (Article Source: The Rochdale Observer )  

Mobility / Disability Scooter Storage

mobility and disability scooter store

Protect your mobility Scooter with a specially designed Mobility Scooter Storage shed.

 Don’t let it happen to you – Browse through the range of secure outdoor Mobility / Disability Scooter Storage Sheds from Asgard.

Motorcycle Theft Statistics

Motorbikes are becoming an increasingly popular method of transport in the UK, with new bike prices ranging from £1,000 to £20,000 dependent on the make of the bike. Surprisingly though, most bikes irrespective of price are not fitted with additional security measures as standard.

What ever motorbike you own and who ever you are.  Lock it up!

What ever motorbike you own and who ever you are. Lock it up!

A recent survey by the National Crime Intelligence Service (NCIS) based on the latest police figures on vehicle crime and performance bikes (500cc and above) has revealed some shocking statistics. More motorbikes are stolen in the UK than are bought new, and it takes on average 20 seconds to steal a motorcycle worth £10,000. The survey is also the first to reveal some of the UK’s danger spots for motorcycle crime, and as such has been distributed to police forces around the country.

 ”£3 million worth of motorbikes from UK streets every month”.

The report has shown that the theft of motorbikes in the UK has allowed criminal groups to steal £3 million worth of motorbikes from UK streets every month. Thefts are primarily undertaken to sell parts on the black market, although joyriding is also cited as a main cause.

The report is part of Project Contrail, which targets the organised theft of high-powered motorcycles and is seen by many as a prelude to new bikes being registered as a legal requirement (similar to the car register requirement issued by the Home Office). Other results show the thefts are undertaken by a dozen well known, highly organised gangs.

“More motorbikes are stolen in the UK than are bought new”

Some of the key findings in the report include:

 More thefts occur in large urban areas.

The thefts are undertaken by a dozen well known, highly organised gangs.

80% of bikes stolen from an owner’s home.

Thefts are concentrated around Central London, probably linked to patterns of commuting.

The top five areas for theft include West Yorkshire, West Midlands and Greater Manchester.

The top four makes of motorcycle that account for over 85 per cent of thefts are Hondas, Yamahas, Kawasaki’s, and Suzuki’s.

The Honda CBR 600 is the hottest bike, which retails at £5000, with 350 of them stolen between July and September 2002.

Steven Powell, Head of the Project Team for NCIS’s Organised Vehicle Crime Section (OVCS), said:

“It is an appalling statistic that more motorcycles are stolen in the UK than were bought new. Urban centres are worst hit, and one favoured modus operandi is simple but effective. The criminals drive a large van up to a motorcycle where accomplices open the van door, thrust scaffolding poles through the wheels, and lift the bike into their vehicle. It takes as little as 20 seconds to steal a bike worth £10,000, and only 16 per cent of stolen bikes are recovered.”

How to reduce the chance of theft?

There are a number of ways to reduce the chance of theft, which include:

After sales fittings:

As annoying as it is most manufactures may not fit your bike with a Thatchem 2-3 way immobiliser it is worth investing in one, as this is the primary method of defence.

Buy additional security locks and remote alarms.

Try and park in Motorcycle designated areas where ground anchors are found. Although there are not a large number of these areas, they are more secure and growing in number.

If possible install a ground anchor at your home address and always keep the bike out of site.

Make sure you are suitably insured from a recognised motorbike insurer

Consider investing in a dedicated motorcycle garage.

* statistics and article provided by www. talk talk.co.uk

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