1200rt alternatives without crippling insurance

mealies · Borekit Bruiser Joined: 11 Dec 2010 Karma :

Went to buy a BMW r1200RT and stupidly i only did the insurance quote just before i was ready to buy so it came as a bit of a shock to find the best quote was £2000, over 20% of the value of the bike- so am now not getting the bike.

After going through comparison websites and checking with my current insurer it turns out only 1 underwriter would even give me a quote. The rest refused as it wasn't going to be in a garage (off street resident's carpark) and that its a powerful bike?? I'm 29 years old living in the DA5 area. I passed CBT last Jan and got full licence last July with 1 years NCB. I know i am still a new driver but my sv650 is less than £200 to insure under the same conditions.

EDIT: meant to say that sv650 listed as cat9 insurance group and r1200rt as cat11 if that makes a difference?

So I am now confused to whether i can get any litre+ bike without crippling insurance. I was going for the 1200rt as it was the most comfortable bike i have found. The riding position and height were perfect for me, are there any alternatives which would have lower insurance costs?

MarJay · But it's British! Joined: 15 Sep 2003 Karma :

Triumph Sprint perhaps?
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multijoy · World Chat Champion Joined: 03 Oct 2008 Karma :

CBF1000, possibly VFR 750/800? Neither are quite as upright as the bimmer, but probably not far off. The former has much less fairing, of course.
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'11 CBF1000A, '99 C90, '98 CB500
silky666: He rode amazingly well considering his bike is the weight of a small van and had slicks on.

P.addy · Red Rocket Joined: 14 Feb 2008 Karma :

Bandit 1250? Comes with some half fairing options, I can insure one for £250 and im 23 with claims and points Thumbs Up

mealies · Borekit Bruiser Joined: 11 Dec 2010 Karma :

wow either you live in the safest postcode in the UK or the bandit is surprisingly cheap to insure.

All look like good suggestions - will get some quotes on them all and see what comes back. I had sat on a honda Deauville and found it not as comfy as I expected. That was cheap to insure as well - but i suppose cause noone wants to nick one Smile

edit: what about this pan european? https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Honda-ST1100-Pan-European-2002-Red-Motorcycle-/320915755129?pt=UK_Motorcycles#ht_981wt_1344

What are they like to ride? and is the age/mileage on this one to be concerned about

Andrew

Bendy · Mrs Sensible Joined: 10 Jun 2002 Karma :

Howabout a nice Honda Blackbird?

Like the one I'm selling in my sig.

Might be old and 'sensible' enough that the insurance wouldn't be so bad... you'd have to check of course.

</shameless>

angryjonny · World Chat Champion Joined: 01 Sep 2006 Karma :

What are your priorities from a features point of view?

A Pan-European (particularly an older one) may be cheaper to insure. Marmalade's all over Europe on his so they must be comfy.

My FZ1 Fazer is nice and comfy, upright-ish, semi-faired and I can insure it for £250-300 (34, 5 years ncb). I've also been through the sound-barrier on it.

mealies · Borekit Bruiser Joined: 11 Dec 2010 Karma :

fair question:- have severe chronic Arthritis which is making biking a tad tricky at the moment. the sv is a lovely bike but getting both leg cramps from peg positions and finding the seat too sore after 20+ miles and no wind protection not helping.

So looking for a bike with an upright seating position, supportive seat and fairings for wind protection. Panniers for longer journeys

MarJay · But it's British! Joined: 15 Sep 2003 Karma :

multijoy · World Chat Champion Joined: 03 Oct 2008 Karma :

have a play with this?

https://cycle-ergo.com/

Might not be 100% accurate, but if you know what you like for the BMW, might be a good guide for what to look for elsewhere.
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'11 CBF1000A, '99 C90, '98 CB500
silky666: He rode amazingly well considering his bike is the weight of a small van and had slicks on.

temeluchus · World Chat Champion Joined: 01 Oct 2008 Karma :

r1100rt/r1150rt? K1100RT, K1200RT?
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Mikey3 · World Chat Champion Joined: 04 Nov 2011 Karma :

map · Mr Calendar Joined: 14 Jun 2004 Karma :

panrider_uk · World Chat Champion Joined: 23 Sep 2007 Karma :

£81 to insure my Pan fully comp.

Mark
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Current bikes: Honda ST1100 Pan European. Moto Guzzi V85 TT Travel

HJM · Crazy Courier Joined: 15 Apr 2012 Karma :

angryjonny · World Chat Champion Joined: 01 Sep 2006 Karma :

That site suggests on my FZ1 at a mighty 6ft tall I look like:

mealies · Borekit Bruiser Joined: 11 Dec 2010 Karma :

Thanks for all the suggestions. I tried a few of the bikes and the one I picked was the Pan European.

I took it on a test ride and it was the perfect fit for me and the insurance is only £250

Obviously not used to the weight so difficult to push round but felt really secure when slow riding

UKRedwing · Trackday Trickster Joined: 16 Apr 2009 Karma :

panrider_uk · World Chat Champion Joined: 23 Sep 2007 Karma :