32 replies to this topic

[TroyTempest]

My head hurts.

So I'm shortly going to be doing Direct Access () and I've been typing in some random numbers into comparethemoneysupermeerkat.com to get an idea for the cost to insure myself on various bits of kit. Assuming it's not a horrible ride, I'm looking at a new Honda NC700X, described as a perfect big bike for a new bike rider which does (repeated in real world testing I might add) ~75mpg. All in all my commute to work will wind up costing about £4 a day including fuel and parking. Lovely job.

Now onto the insurance. Unhelpfully not even Honda's own pet insurance broker have got it on their list of bikes which they insure. Which seems a bit nuts as I've actually seen one on the road already (how that bloke has gotten insured, I just don't know) so I don't know how he's insured.

So for a bit of a laugh I've tried looking at bikes I aspire to ride, initially a VFR800 and then a VFR1200 (which is actually much prettier in the flesh than in photos).

Now remember, I am not going to do DAS, pass my test and get on something stupid, I'm just idly interested in what I might get in a couple of years time, I'm going to staid sensible. For the 1200 (at a cost of £12,500) with me, at my real age with my real experience (i.e. none) I was looking at £3,220, not actually as bad as it might've been but still way beyond my budget. I get to wondering if my age is a major factor, so I change my age and push myself over "a magic number". £2,687! :stars:So being just a bit too young I'm £650 more dangerous. Ok, so I'm not really that fussed about being two years older, but I'm really interested in, how much is this going to cost if I buy one in two years time, if I'm that inclined. Clicky Clicky, £1,783. So, with two more years experience being two years older, I'm now a further £900 less risky.

Right, well ###### that then.

hmm. How about a VFR800?

If I wanted one today £889, hmm, ouch! So what if I were two years older? £855? Really? So on the other bike I'm £650 more dangerous and on this one I'm only £34 more dangerous. Ok, whatever. So, two years from now, licence for two years, two years older and I'm £687. Happy Days! That's still loads of bloody money but, you know what, if I don't get the missus a Christmas Present, you know, I think I'm on

[Rocket]

Yes but in two years time the insurance would have gone up by that much anyway, so in 2 years time you'll still be paying the same amount and would have had 2 years without a bike!

[TroyTempest]

Yes but in two years time the insurance would have gone up by that much anyway, so in 2 years time you'll still be paying the same amount and would have had 2 years without a bike!

Isn't that the chuffing truth!

[callsign-kid]

Good starter bike that should be a bit easier to ensure SV650. Being a V twin its quite light, very nimble, requires less gear changes, its a bit thinner too which in London is ideal. its also a bit more insurer friendly. or possibly a CB500. The NC700X is a bit sports bike looking which throws insurers right off. The SV650 won't be as fast but it has plenty of grunt especially in the lower part of the rev range. I'm not a big fan of the VFR range myself. If you look at a more classic bike you might get some decent results. Something like a Triumph Bonneville. I'm waiting to be old enough to do the DAS currently.

[TroyTempest]

Good starter bike that should be a bit easier to ensure SV650. Being a V twin its quite light, very nimble, requires less gear changes, its a bit thinner too which in London is ideal. its also a bit more insurer friendly. or possibly a CB500. The NC700X is a bit sports bike looking which throws insurers right off. The SV650 won't be as fast but it has plenty of grunt especially in the lower part of the rev range. I'm not a big fan of the VFR range myself. If you look at a more classic bike you might get some decent results. Something like a Triumph Bonneville. I'm waiting to be old enough to do the DAS currently.

Yeah with regards to the NC700, I'd disagree, it's aimed squarely at first big bike owners and is in the same CC bracket at the SV650. It has been often described as having a bit to play with in the lower rev range (what it's designed for) but otherwise boring. Perfect

When you say, sports bike, do you mean adventure bike? Each to there own but the Bonneville not really my bag.

[DukeDan]

Type of bike, where you live and where you store it are big factors in the price of bike premiums. I did DAS too and when I passed my premium was £288 TPFT. I imagine this is because I keep my bike in a locked, concrete garage with lock on the bike as well (no alarm though). I also put a relative on as named driver which knocked the premium down by about 20%.

If your budget allows it, I'd go for the NC700X. But if you want to save money on insurance, go for an older bike. It won't be as upsetting if (or when, more like) you drop it.

Try Tiger for bike comparison. I found it the best for bike insurance and believe me, I spent many many hours online and on the phone.

[TroyTempest]

Tiger looked good but doesn't cover my future bike

So I phone Carol Nash, and would you adam and eve it! They want £1364!! I can get insured on a brand spanking new CBR600 for less than that

I am, to be honest a bit disappointed with that.

[TroyTempest]

oh and get this, as it's a new bike it suffers from greatly increased risk of theft!

[DukeDan]

Tiger looked good but doesn't cover my future bike

So I phone Carol Nash, and would you adam and eve it! They want £1364!! I can get insured on a brand spanking new CBR600 for less than that

I am, to be honest a bit disappointed with that.

I wouldn't worry too much. It takes a while to do your DAS; by the time you pass, it will probably would have become a more common bike. I'd be surprised if it wasn't. I hope you're not intending to use it for DAS?

[JH99]

I've been a year on a full licence in May, and am 25 and still can't get quotes for anything over 650cc. I'll see what opens up after the 12 month plus on my licence

[TroyTempest]

Nope, borrowed everything until I actually pass. Then by the looks of it more research before I buy a bike

[TroyTempest]

On the plus side, a hornet is £555

[maka]

i have looked at moving up from 125cc and, at the moment it's not worth it. was looking at Varradero's and they say around £500 insurance.. i'll stick to cheap and cheerful!

[HazRat]

£70 a year fully comp on a 2004 BMW R850R. Perfect for commuting. Very reliable.

[TallGuy]

£70 a year fully comp on a 2004 BMW R850R. Perfect for commuting. Very reliable.

Out of interest do you declare your Class 1 ticket to your insurer?

[DukeDan]

Out of interest do you declare your Class 1 ticket to your insurer?

He must have to get it that cheap!?

[HazRat]

Out of interest do you declare your Class 1 ticket to your insurer?

Yes and I've got IAM and ROSPA gold as side dishes!

[gordon]

On the plus side, a hornet is £555

Good reliable bike, but I'm biased, I'm on my second one now.

Re Carole Nash, they might be expensive on first quote but you can normally haggle if you have another offer. Also they include legal, EU breakdown and accident recovery in the cost. When I had an accident the other year they had the solicitors organised and calling me before i'd even left the hospital.

[Oscar Delta]

Im under 20, riding nearly 3 years and have a BMW F800GS. Moved up from a Supermoto to SV 650s and now 08 plate Beemer. Insurance is £874 on a £6500 bike. Not bad i guess especially when most under 20 year olds don't have a BMW.

I would suggest a SV 650s as a learning curve, outstanding bikes and gave me the experience in how a big bike handles.

[Seandesy1]

As the above, I've been on an '08 SV650S sinec I passed last May, at the age of 19 with a restricted licence insurance was just shy of £900 for TPF&T. Reckon it'll hit £650 this year. Handles nicely for a first bike, comfortable position, a softer ride so you're not jarred on bumpy roads and plenty of grip.

[DukeDan]

I've obviously been very lucky with my insurance at £288. That's for a 600, the day I passed my DAS and I was 21.

[Lord Vader]

My 250cc scooter costs ~£70 a year to insure fully comp I'm with Hastings Direct... or Hastings Bike, something like that.

[TallGuy]

One ST1100, one ST1100A-P, CBR600FY, CRF450R all for £200, fully comp, business and commuting. With Ramasis (Wicked Quotes) and under written by Equity Red Star. I used to be with Norwich Uniion until they stopped quoting for multi-bike policies during the rebranding to Aviva. It's still cheaper to insure all four bikes than the most expensive of them on its own.

[TroyTempest]

Internet Forum goer does double header off of parking lot

PS.com user known only as WhatAmIDoing has fallen to his death after becoming depressed at the cost of motorcycle insurance for a motorbike with a 38KW power output being twice as expensive as a sports bike with 60KW.

A source said "He'd posted this little lighthearted thing on the cost of bike insurance and was looking forward to doing DAS soon. Unfortunantly a bunch of experienced and highly qualified motorcyclists hovered around him, pecking at him trying to outdo each other with, 'neh neh neh neh neh, my bike insurance is 12p' and 'yeah, well the insurance company pays me to ride my bike'. I think it all just got a bit too much for him."

He leaves behind a warrant card and a motorcycle theory test pass certificate.

Barstewards. The lot of you

Edited by WhatAmIDoing, 07 February 2012 - 02:32 PM.

[DukeDan]

Barstewards. The lot of you

I told you what you wanted to hear!

Also, I refuse to be pigeoned holed into this group of "experienced and highly qualified motorcyclists". I'm neither.