Am I just getting senile or bike crime...?

[gorillaonabik...]

In my 20s and 30s, I insured all kinds of sports bikes in London.

However, I have just been refused insurance on everything I want ranging from a VFR1200 to a BMW K1300S because of theft. I am looking for a 5 year old bike but literally no company in the UK will insure me.

Comparethemarket, Carole Nash, BMW's insurance company, Honda's insurance company etc... all have turned me down flat.

I have been riding since the 90s, have a full no-claims bonus, no points, am no spring chicken and theoretically, my insurance should be decreasing but it's going the other way. The issue is 'theft' which was significantly less of an issue 20+ years ago.

Insurance companies are refusing to insure me without a brick built garage in Central London.

Has theft become so bad that motorcycles in Central London are now uninsurable?
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FZR400 (blown engine), ZXR750 (blown engine), ZX6R (accident), CBR600 which had engine issues after which I learned to change gear..., CBR900, CBR924 (stolen), CB600, CB1300 (everything blew up), BMW K1300GT (written off, hit from rear while stationary), Bandit 1250 for a couple of months, Triumph Sprint ST 1050 (nicked) and somewhere in there, I wrote off a Ducati 748 at Cadwell.

[Wonko The Sane]

have you tried thebikeinsurer.com might have more results as it's bike specific comparison site

I live North of the peak district so can't help with London-ness
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[ZX-7R]

From what i have read,Central London has a massive theft problem,and especially of the high end models like you mentioned.

Watched a vlog on Youtube the other day and the guy and his mate both had their multistrada's stolen the same night in Central London.
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Current Bike - 2000 ZX-7R

[Enduro Numpty]

I can't speak for London but if it's anything like Scotland then motorcycle theft has effectively been decriminalised. Police for whatever reason don't seem remotely interested in motorcycle crime unless it's dishing out fixed penalties. On the rare occasion where they do catch some of the thieving scum the courts hand out ridiculously lenient sentences.

[gorillaonabik...]

[Alex A]

TPO? Cheaper bike? Move?

I'm not surprised that insurers don't want to touch the theft risk on high value motorcycles, given those statistics.

[adam277]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vLIK5u2x9r4

250kg kilo bike stolen in central London in seconds.


Fucking scum. Glad I don't live in London.
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Bikes: Previous Bikes: Piaggio x8 125: 2012/2013, YBR 125: 2013/2013 BMW R1150GS 2013/2017, Honda CBR600RR 2017/2017, Honda CB500 2018/2018, Suzuiki Address 110cc 2019/2020, BMW R1200GS 2021-2023
Current Bike: Honda CBF 125: current

[ZX-7R]

I always use a disk lock if i need to park it out of sight anywhere.Immobolisers,alarms etc. ain't gonna stop someone wheeling it away.
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Current Bike - 2000 ZX-7R

[bassmastergen...]

[adam277]

What we need is a dark knight.. a superhero who cleanses the roads of the filth and scum a man that will stand up for the defenseless and kill all these fucking scum.


Anyone wanna don the cape and become a vigilante?
I got a few costume ideas.

[img]https://s-media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/236x/b0/86/42/b0864256032a3e5fa05e8beb35eb90f2.jpg[/img] Too camp?

https://i1217.photobucket.com/albums/dd391/mikeymorphine1/lukelf8_Bad_Superhero_Costumes-s456x626-65306.jpg
Check out that cameltoe.
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Bikes: Previous Bikes: Piaggio x8 125: 2012/2013, YBR 125: 2013/2013 BMW R1150GS 2013/2017, Honda CBR600RR 2017/2017, Honda CB500 2018/2018, Suzuiki Address 110cc 2019/2020, BMW R1200GS 2021-2023
Current Bike: Honda CBF 125: current

[M.C]

Tell them it's kept in a garage and don't claim if it gets stolen from your address?

It's what I do

[Polarbear]

TPO and chain a gun toting doberman to it at night
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Triumph Trophy Launch Edition

[Fidge]

[Val]

[talkToTheHat]

So many policies are closed to me because of 'garageing policies' in the back of beyond. Cruisers are dirt cheap. Bandit is a "sportsbike innit" and costs me more tha twice as much as the virago. Its an ass.

Have you tried fishing for quotes with added security like a (hiss) immobiliser fitted?
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Bandit. does. everything.

[Silver_Fox]

I couldn't quite make it out, did they force the steering lock on that GS first and then wheel it away? Then into a nearby van?

[Rogerborg]

The pedboi will put his foot on it and push it along, either to a van or a lock-up. Steering locks are about as effective as a sign saying "please don't steal this bike".

[angryjonny]

[Rogerborg]

[angryjonny]

I suppose as long as the bike doesn't turn up again you're fine.

"The steering lock hasn't been broken? I guess they must have fitted a new one, then."

[M.C]

[CaNsA]

[J.M.]

[TheArchitect]

@OP - that really doesn't sound right. Something else must be affecting your premiums in a very big and bad way.

I live in north London (Zone 3) and work in the city, commute every day. At home I park on the street with nothing but a disc lock and datatool alarm declared to my insurer. I've had [reasonable] quotes for same scenario for a 2007 GSXR600, 2006 Blade and 2010 Z1000. All were sub-£500 TPFT w/commuting. I have 5 years no claims now but have had full licence less than 2 years.

So.. I think there is something definitely wrong with the quotes you're getting. I know theft is an BIG issue in London, I've had two attempts on my GSR not too long ago but it's not so bad that you become uninsurable.

Edit: Had licence less than 2 years not a year.
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GSXR 600 K6 - Stolen
GSXR 600 K6 - Stolen
MT09 - Almost stolen

[Rogerborg]