Calgary - Info needed please

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allawybiker · #1 Post by **allawybiker** » Mon Apr 17, 2006 12:39 pm

Hi fellow Calgarians, I am moving to Calgary around June and was wondering how much I should expect to pay in tabs? How expensive is insurance for someone like me (38yo) with a very clean record - just a approx.?
How about the drivers in Calgary? Do they hate bikers like some do in other places?

Any info is appreciated, I am just trying to be as prepared as possible!
Thanks

Sev · #2 Post by **Sev** » Mon Apr 17, 2006 12:43 pm

I live about 3 hours North of Calgary, so things might be a little different.

For the most part people are tolerant of bikers around here, there are some jackasses, but not a lot. Just keep your eyes open.

Uhhh, I've got an 04 Honda 599 with liability and fire/theft/hail and it costs me $600 a year, my frind has an 04 Suzuki Marauder with the same at it costs him $400 now I believe. Comprehensive coverage was another $1000 tacked on top of that. So I decided against it.

BuzZz · #3 Post by **BuzZz** » Mon Apr 17, 2006 12:52 pm

Calgary drivers are faster and more aggressive than the folks up norther from there, FWIW...

One thing I can tell you, if you walk into the Vehicle Registry and ask for 'tags' or 'tabs', you will get blank, hollow eyed stares and not much else. They may even know what your talking about, but they will not lower themselves to actually help you.

You will just have to ask to register your bike and get an Alberta plate. And you will need proof of insurance before they will do that.

Wear your parka and mukluks.... and your toque, can't forget that.

High_Side · #4 Post by **High_Side** » Mon Apr 17, 2006 12:57 pm

Wow. I've been logged in for 2 minutes and noticed two new Calgary riders! With a new bike like yours at your age you can expect to pay around $500-$600 / year for full coverage (er, well no glass....

). That is IF you can avoid the "new driver" clause that they stick some newly-arrived Albertans with.
Check with a place called the Co-operators. They charge me a little more for my house and vehicles, but a lot less for my bikes. They have been spectacular to deal with when I have had a claim as well. The license will run you around $50 / year....
High_Side

ninja79 · #5 Post by **ninja79** » Mon Apr 17, 2006 1:12 pm

I'm surprised that so many of you are from Calgary. Don't you guys have winter for like 6 months? (ok, maybe not _quite_ that long, but still...)

Sev · #6 Post by **Sev** » Mon Apr 17, 2006 1:15 pm

Head office for TMW is in Calgary.

We just cram a whole years worth of riding into 6 months!

BuzZz · #7 Post by **BuzZz** » Mon Apr 17, 2006 1:17 pm

6 months? In our dreams!!!

Maybe a month and a half of riding in a good year.

Bloody fair-weather bikers.....

Sev · #8 Post by **Sev** » Mon Apr 17, 2006 1:19 pm

I don't know where you're living but, I've been out every day since the end of March

including yesterday, with the snow!

#9 Post by **dr_bar** » Mon Apr 17, 2006 2:00 pm

Some of the things you will need for your move to CowTown (Calgary)

A good warm downfilled parka.
Toque
Warm, (perferrably heated) gloves.
Mukluks (big warm and cozy boots for those not sure)
Canadian to American dictionary eh!
Probably the most important accessory for Calgary is of course the obligatory Cowboy Hat, required by law for residents...

Locals may have a complete list for you...

PS: You may need to get a hankerin' for country music...

A unique local tourist attraction is of course the Naval History Museum...

BubbaGump · #10 Post by **BubbaGump** » Mon Apr 17, 2006 2:59 pm

ninja79 wrote:I'm surprised that so many of you are from Calgary. Don't you guys have winter for like 6 months? (ok, maybe not _quite_ that long, but still...)

You would think that w. less than 6 months of winter...most of that without snow, they would be good drivers. Truth is they are 2nd only to Vancouver for playing bumper cars with 1/2" of snow on the ground! ha ha!

Seeing how TMW's offices are in Calgary I'm sure I'll be banned after this post! hee hee.