Motorcycle insurance.

[qwerty]

I've taken a close look at my mission objectives (safety, comfort, and economy while commuting) for getting back on a bike, and decided a 200-300cc bike will be best. I'm still undecided over new or used (I'd build an early XL250 or XL350 motard if I could find a good bike to start with), but I've narrowed the search down to the following new models:

Honda Nighthawk 250
Yamaha TW200
Yamaha XT225
Suzuki DR200SE
Kawasaki KLX250S
Kawasaki EX250 Ninja

Then I called my insurance company for quotes. All will run $230 to 250/year for liability and comprehensive, except the Ninja, which would be $790 per year. Why the discrepency?

[Shorts]

I imagine because it kinda jumps into the "sportbike" category. (come on Verm, explain that one to the insurange agent)

[jonnythan]

I've taken a close look at my mission objectives (safety, comfort, and economy while commuting) for getting back on a bike, and decided a 200-300cc bike will be best. I'm still undecided over new or used (I'd build an early XL250 or XL350 motard if I could find a good bike to start with), but I've narrowed the search down to the following new models:

Honda Nighthawk 250
Yamaha TW200
Yamaha XT225
Suzuki DR200SE
Kawasaki KLX250S
Kawasaki EX250 Ninja

Then I called my insurance company for quotes. All will run $230 to 250/year for liability and comprehensive, except the Ninja, which would be $790 per year. Why the discrepency?

Because the Ninja attracts the type of person who wrecks his bike much more often. It's seen as more of an entry-level sportbike, so it attracts the young entry-level sport/stunt riders.

*shrug*

[VermilionX]

go with state farm.

they only go by engine size. which is advantageous to smaller engine bikes that produce a higher power output.

[anarchy]

whatever you go with - also check into under insured and uninsured coverage... in case the other person isn't carrying enough (or no) insurance to cover your bills...

[DivideOverflow]

The best thing you can do is check around with many insurance companies.

Most companies wanted to charge me $3k per year on my Ducati because it is an exotic. State Farm said "Ducati? Is that the make or model?" and I went "YESSSSS!!!". $696 per year in comparison... which I consider acceptable for my age and the displacement of the bike.

[qwerty]

One year liability on a cheap 250 = $101. I like that figure.

[DivideOverflow]

whatever you go with - also check into under insured and uninsured coverage... in case the other person isn't carrying enough (or no) insurance to cover your bills...

+1. It isn't smart to do liability only. It will only add a little to that $101 price tag (which is dirt cheap). Don't take chancing with guessing if the driver who hits you will be insured or not.

[Jbien]

I agree with having uninsured on your coverage, it was I think an extra $100.00 on to my coverage. I pay $442.00 a year for my 2004 Suzuki GS500 , and I have one speeding ticket under my belt, and I think that’s pretty good, and that’s with Geico But if you go with Geico tell them you took the MSF course, it saves you like 10%, and they don’t even ask for proof that you took the class, at least they didn’t ask me.

[qwerty]

I only need liability to be legal. I'm only going to pay $1000 to $1500 on the bike, so what will I gain with a $1000 deductible? I have a very good health and medical policy through my work, with a $1000 deductible and 20% co-pay to a maximum of $2000 out-of-pocket per year, so I don't need medical. I have a no-questions-asked income replacement policy if hospitalized over night, and it includes rehabilitation as an outpatient, so I still have an income even if I can't work for a while. I have 57 workdays paid sick leave I haven't used. If I get smacked, I make a lot of money foir the first 57 missed work days. If I get smacked to the point I can no longer work, I have insurance for that, too. I also have pre-paid funeral arrangements so I won't be a bother to my children.

Now, the Boss Hawg (precursor to today's Boss Hoss) is different. It is a prototype and not replaceable. I have stated value comprehensive on it, with the values determined by the average of three bids from the blueprints for custom parts, and retail value of over-the-counter parts. Now, this bike has no liability or uninsured motorist coverage because it's been stored since 1979. It will have full coverage when it's ready to hit the highway.

All rubber on the chassis has been replaced, and the original FI 327/375 is out of the frame. A carbed 320hp 383 built from Edelbrock Performer parts, which will run happily on 91 octane pump all day long. Since the bike only has a single forward speed, a wide powerband is necessary for good performance.

I don't ride the Hawg for two reasons. First, I haven't ridden in eleven years, so I want something smaller to knock the rust off. Second, the bike isn't re-assembled. I should have it back together by spring, and I'll use it for road trips because it is exceedingly comfortable cross-country at whatever speed I want to go. People freak when I have the cruise control on and wave right-handed. I'll continue to use the small bike for commuting.