Riders Plus Inc.

Four Reasons to Take The M2 Exit Course

Sun, 12 May 2013 14:13:51 PST

The Rider Training Institute's Michel Mersereau has been very active - and very effective - in articulating the cause of safe riding for Ontario's motorcycle community. RTI provides numerous safety and motorcycle licencing courses for Ontario motorcycle riders of all levels of expertise and experience, so they have a depth of knowledge and experience that is extremely constructive for all of us to tap into. In this article, Michel points out some very clear reasons for riders who need to take the M2 Exit road test to go through a rider training course provider (RTI would be an excellent choice, check their locations) to do so.

Blogs for Bikers

Fri, 26 Apr 2013 09:56:59 PST

Garage sales offer you a wide variety of interesting items at a cost of, essentially, just the time it takes you to sift through everything. Online motorcycle blogs are a lot like that; if you browse patiently, you'll find lots of interesting sites that come at motorcycling from every possible angle.

With the advent of the internet and the increasingly easy-to-use, widely available tools provided by such web logging ( or "blogging") sites as Blogspot or Wordpress, a blogging craze erupted for a few years. Everyone and his dog had a blog (yes, there were a lot of dog-written blogs, too many in some people's views). Sorting through to find the interesting/entertaining/informative ones can be a bit of challenge, but that's what Google Search is for, right?

Who Likes Trikes

Wed, 10 Apr 2013 14:21:37 PST

Going back a few decades, the concept of a motorcycle trike almost always meant a Volkswagen engine propelling a collection of (mostly motorcycle) parts. These inventions created a common motorcycle insurance exclusion at the time: no steering wheels allowed. It was cool, certainly, and universally recognized, but by the '90's the owners of these machines were understandably annoyed by the fact that almost no insurance company in Ontario would go near them.
Times change, trikes change, many insurance companies have changed their view of three-wheeled motorcycles as well.

Riding Distractions to Avoid

Thu, 21 Mar 2013 14:00:15 PST

Most people see tips about the distractions of riding a motorcycle as self-evident and common sense, and they are right. However, like everything else that seems simple and straightforward, recognizing the potential for distraction before you get on your motorcycle and planning ways to avoid or eliminate those potential distractions could, at worst, make your ride a little less stressful and, at best, keep you out of a potentially devastating situation.

Spring Bike Preparation

Wed, 20 Mar 2013 10:02:13 PST

Getting your bike road ready in the spring is one of the most time honoured rituals in the life of a motorcycle enthusiast. It's all about fresh starts. Your ride can be at its cleanest, its shiniest, its peak. It purrs or roars at a perfect pitch when you've got it at the gates and ready for the first ride of the season on roads that have been washed clean of salt and sand. It's time to spring free of winter's constraints...

Beginner's Guide to Motorcycle Insurance

Wed, 20 Mar 2013 09:14:43 PST

It's very exciting to get started in the world of motorcycle riding. Lots to learn, lots to discover, and endless amounts of fun to be had. Like any other pursuit or interest, the secret to getting the most out of your new interest is ensuring that you are getting a thorough and comprehensive understanding of the details involved.

Here at Riders Plus Insurance, we want to see you have a very long, safe, and rewarding adventure in the motorcycle community, so we do our best to steer you to the experts in every aspect of the sport as you can see from the links in our Resource Centre. We are, of course, a motorcycle insurance brokerage, so we concentrate on what we do best, what we've been doing since 1996: providing the best insurance advice to Ontario motorcycle riders that we have to offer. This article is by no means complete, but it's a start. Call us at 1-877-251-4504 for a complete quote, or try our Online Quoter for a start. Have a great riding season!

Another Fun Spring Motorcycle Show 2013

Mon, 18 Mar 2013 13:43:37 PST

Hard to believe that St Patrick's Day 2013 is over, and the International Spring Motorcycle Show is also over for another year. This show was, like past Spring Shows, a very upbeat event. Attendees were all eager to check out deals and see the lastest and greatest offerings from local dealerships and major motorcycle manufacturers, and to get the scoop on the latest info on all other products and services that are integral to the motorcycle community of Ontario.

Your Motorcycle Insurance Renewal

Sun, 17 Mar 2013 11:16:38 PST

Motorcycle riders love to buy things related to their motorcycle interest. New leathers look, feel, and smell fantastic when you buy them. New chrome for your bike, shiny new helmets, all of these things give you a tangible bang for your buck.

Motorcycle insurance, on the other hand, is certainly a large amount of money that comes due every year, but it's not terribly attractive in a tactile sense. It is, however, extremely important in all of its details, so when you get your renewal every year it's very important to review what you're getting and what you might need to revise for your current circumstances.

International Spring Motorcycle Show 2013

Tue, 05 Mar 2013 10:44:18 PST

The surest sign that Spring is returning to Ontario is the fact that the International Spring Motorcycle Show in Mississauga, Ontario is less than two weeks away. There is a palpable sense of urgency (and excitement) to the preparations of show attendees who know that they need to get those new leathers or that new helmet - or that new motorcycle - now, because riding conditions could switch to Spring mode any day. This show is the last best opportunity to take advantage of great deals on everything related to motorcycling under one big roof before the rubber hits the road.

Road Sharing Tips from the Rider Training Institute

Fri, 22 Feb 2013 10:36:31 PST

The mere act of reviewing these excellent tips for riding your motorcycle in traffic gets the blood flowing and the excitement level rising since Spring (motorcycle riding time!) really and truly is just around the corner. Thanks to the good folks at the Rider Training Institute for sharing these thoughts!

Winter Motorcycle Rider Blues

Sun, 10 Feb 2013 13:21:45 PST

Yes, Ontario motorcycle riders, we know that most of you are not riding at this time of year. We know that halls decked with boughs of holly do not make up for the decker being covered and winterized. What can a dyed-in-wool rider who is going snaky looking at his or her motorcycle sitting immobile in the garage possibly be positive about? What good can be conjured up in this frigid expanse of snow, ice, and freezing temperatures? Well, we've got some valid points to make that will go a little ways toward soothing your frayed non-riding nerves, and we're sure you'll agree in the end that it ain't all that bad.

Keeping Your Skills Sharp Over 45

Wed, 30 Jan 2013 13:05:06 PST

Barb Piatkowski, a longtime rider training instructor and currently the Field Operations Manager for the Rider Training Institute, knows a thing or two about motorcycle safety and has a complete arsenal of motorcycle riding skills. So when she talks about the approach that older riders should take to riding, we do well to heed her advice. We know you'll find the following article extremely interesting. Thanks for sharing, Barb!

A Really Great Show Ottawa Motorcycle Show 2013

Wed, 16 Jan 2013 11:19:43 PST

It was the biggest and best motorcycle show in Ottawa ever. A weekend of fun with something for every motorcycle enthusiast who came through the doors. Every detail came together, the level of enthusiasm from everyone was highly contagious, and we can't wait to do it all again next year!

Riders Plus Ottawa International Motorcycle Show 2013

Mon, 07 Jan 2013 10:08:13 PST

Riders Plus Insurance is pleased to announce that we will be the title sponsor of the Fourth Annual Edition of the 2013 Ottawa International Motorcycle Show, January 11-13, 2013. The biggest and best trade show event for motorcyclists in Eastern Ontario and beyond, The Riders Plus Insurance Ottawa International Motorcycle Show promises to have even more to offer than ever before. If you own a motorcycle, want to own a motorcycle, or simply want to check out motorcycles and all things associated with motorcycles, you will definitely want to come out to this one!

Where to Ride Over the Winter?

Sun, 06 Jan 2013 08:14:34 PST

Ok, we know that there are days in every month of the year with temperatures above zero and bare roads, but those days are fairly few and far between during the deepest darkest months of winter in Ontario. So you have a choice: sit and cool your heels, wishing desperately that you could go for a spin, or go to where the riding is good. The first option makes for an awfully short article, so we'll examine the idea of going elsewhere and riding in more amenable climates, because that's an idea that appeals to us! But there are some important insurance issues to be aware of as well if you ride elsewhere, and we mention a few of those here as well.

Why You Should Take a Rider Training Course

Sat, 05 Jan 2013 08:49:44 PST

New motorcycle riders are almost unanimous in accepting that taking a rider training course in order to qualify for your M2 licence in Ontario is the only way to go. What are the arguments against it? Cost and lack of time tend to dominate the list of excuses for not taking the course. In this article we examine and dispel these and other myths that you, the new rider, may be entertaining.

Season's Greetings from Riders Plus

Fri, 21 Dec 2012 13:10:13 PST

This is the time of year when motorcycle riders in Ontario dream less of sugar plums and such things than they do about dry, unfrozen roads and reasonably warm temperatures. But do not panic; by the time you get your ride completely winterized and detailed, battery safely stored and gasoline stabilized, it will be time to check out at least one of the many motorcycle shows such as what promises to be the best Eastern Ontario motorcycle show ever, the Riders Plus Insurance Ottawa International Motorcycle Show January 11, 12, and 13, 2013. What better opportunity to take advantage of great deals and an excellent variety of offerings to complement your list of motorcycle accessories and clothing. Or...

Christmas Shopping for Motorcyclists

Thu, 20 Dec 2012 11:52:21 PST

One of the big stressors of the holiday season is trying to think of that Perfect Gift for each person on your list. That's why nobody minds having a motorcycle enthusiast on their list, whether as a family member or a Secret Santa pick. The range of items available that will make that biker happy is so extensive in scope and price range that it's like picking off sitting ducks. And that's why writing an article telling you where you can find excellent gifts for your motorcycle enthusiast friend/spouse/Secret Santa is like an early gift in itself...

Please also note that Riders Plus will be closed from noon on Friday, December 23, 2011 until Tuesday, January 3, 2012. If you need to report an emergency claim, please call 1-866-931-0570.

Intact Insurance Buys Jevco: What It Means to You

Fri, 14 Dec 2012 15:08:20 PST

The deal whereby Intact Insurance Company purchased Jevco Insurance Company formally closed in September, 2012. In a very swift transitional process, Intact has most of the pieces in place to begin issuing new motorcycle insurance policies in Ontario under the Intact name as of January 1, 2013, and to issue Jevco motorcycle renewal policies under the Intact name as of February 1, 2013. As with all deals of this nature, eras both begin and end with these developments. We make some observations on related issues that might be of value in the article below.

Ottawa, Ontario and Motorcycles

Thu, 13 Dec 2012 10:12:56 PST

The weather in Ottawa in January tends to be brisk. The trade-off for cold temperatures is a reasonable one: fresh, clean air. Oh, sure, it's not motorcycle riding weather, but that fact is true in most of Ontario at this time of year anyway.

Ottawa is a drop-dead beautiful city with tons of great things to see and do and thousands of great people living and working there. This town is ideal for a vacation at any time of year, but what exactly does a motorcycle enthusiast do in Ottawa in January? We have the answer, and you'll love it.