Whats the deal with insurance?

[jdwhittaker]

Im currently doing my DAS and absolutely loving being out on a bike and although i haven't even done my MOD1 yet of course my thoughts are still of what machine i might get once ive passed.

One bike i really like the look of is the new Honda CB650R which i decided to nip in to the local dealership to take a look at because well, i just fancied looking at it even though i can't even test it yet! Whilst i was there i saw the CBR650R which to my surprise (never having thought id ever want a faired sport bike) made me completely over look the CB650R. I personally think it looks incredible, it was the matt black version.

Out of interest ive been looking at various bikes and cost of insurance for each. The CB650R and the CBR650R are identical bikes with respect to engine, chassis etc. everything except for the asthetics yet the CBR650R (supersport) is quite literally double the cost to insure than the naked variant. What gives? They are the same bike so surely my risk of crashing is equal on both? What am i missing.

Do insurers assume that because i have a supersport im going to ride it like a loon but if i had the naked version im all of a sudden Mr slow?

[leolion]

generally speaking supersport bikes are more prone to theft and that's a major arseache for the insurance industry at the moment.

[weasley]

We can all try and guess at why this is - the cost of repairs with a fairing, the risk profile of people who ride sports bikes vs those who ride nakeds, the phases of the moon... in the end it is what it is with little clarity or logic. Best to shop around the various insurance websites and then call them and see what you can squeeze out of them.
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Yamaha XJ600 | Yamaha YZF600R Thundercat | KTM 990 SMT | BMW F900XR TE

[Sister Sledge]

weasley has it - the insurance is quite literally random.

When it comes to getting actual quotes you need to contact the company direct and avoid comparison sites. Before you do that though, you really do need to clue yourself up on the pitfalls of bike insurance. There are lots of pages on here that will help and advise and I can't stress enough that you need to look through them and take it all in.

Insurance companies are slimy and will weedle out of paying if they can think of something. Don't ever believe they're fair or that they understand your machine or the rider.
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CCM 404 DS

[grr666]

I beg to differ, it's not completely random, it's calculated using tables compiled by actuaries and then sold by
salespeople whose job it is to schmooze you into the most expensive cover they can sell you, hence refusing to
pay a renewal quote often sees a large reduction. It used to be called chancing your arm, and they rely on good old
UK apathy to let them get away with it, it's no coincidence that speaking to them on the phone is always a
laborious and tedious experience. It's all part of the con. But it's the "sellers" that are responsible for this, not the
actuaries.

Even a minor drop on the floor will be an expensive claim. Fairings are extraordinarily expensive for what they are
and break very easily. Unlikely there will many second hand spares around yet either which means main dealer prices
and they sure know how to push the boat out when insurance is paying for the repair. Naked bikes are cheaper to fix on
average, thats how insurance works, but yes part of it is the assumption that you want the sporty looking one because
you want to ride it more recklessly.
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Currently enjoying products from Ford, Mazda and Yamaha
Ste wrote: Avatars are fine, it's signatures that need turning off.

[recman]

[jdwhittaker]

Thanks for all the replies. Will have to get myself clued up on the ins and outs of bike insurance only having ever had car insurance.

[Easy-X]

Careful of the fine print: insurance companies have wildly different views of what constitutes "modification."
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Royal Enfield Continental GT 535, Husqvarna Vitpilen 401, Yamaha XSR700, Honda Rebel, Yamaha DT175, Suzuki SV650 (loan) Fazer 600, Keeway Superlight 125, 50cc turd scooter

[Sister Sledge]

It's not completely random. It's calculated using tables compiled by actuaries!
I stand corrected - my bad choice of words but I still say it - know what you're looking for and what means what.
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CCM 404 DS

[Teflon-Mike]

[Ste]

[jdwhittaker]

[Pigeon]

My GSXR1000 is worth 40% more, has 80% more power than my Striple. But to insure, is 40% less than Striple.