Motorbike insurance and questions!

Glaucus

Glaucus

Glaucus

Man of Honour
Joined
11 Mar 2004
Posts
76,678
I've done a few quotes on comparison websites and seem to be getting good quotes even for more powerful bikes. Had my license since 07/2000 and Full (restricted) since 09/2001 with restriction taken of obliviously 2 years later. So when I do quotes do I put 8years(:eek: I'm so old) down for license held?

Also what are some other insurance companies to get quotes of? I only now where to look for cars. doesn't seem to be a list in the sticky.

Is it worth getting insurance grade locks/chains and if so which ones should I look out for?

Going to spend hopefully around 800(1000max) in jan on a bike and another £300 to get the helmet, leathers, amour, gloves, boots for £300. Replica leathers from Pakistan/china. Anyone got any of these of ebay? They all have good ratings. Dependent on loan> I will be downgrading house and switching to a bike, even after loan I should be saving £200 a month from my cost of living.

So far these have caught my eye and seem to be in budget

Suzuki GPZ 500s
Suzuki Bandit 600
Yamaha XJ600 Diversion
Yamaha FZR600
Honda cbr600

But I think I would prefer xj/bandit style rather than a super sports. Anything else to recommend.
 
I put down whatever it says on the back of license.

Bandits are a solid bike, and the XJ looks the part :p considered a Honda Hornet?
 
I would say a hornet would suit you from what you describe.

Although, for a more sporty feel go for the CBR600-F which is a bit of both!

Cheers :)
 
Ignoring the bike, not a great budget for gear.

Helmet: £100+ (ok, you can get a Nitro for £50, but I wouldn't)
Boots: £75+ for a basic pair, depends how much you like your ankles
Gloves: £50 minimum for anything that will serve a purpose other than wind resistance
Leathers: £???. Those replica leathers often have such poor stitching on them that they split like banana skins on impact. I'd spend the money on 2nd hand leathers, or new textiles.
Lock and chain: £100 for anything that is remotely effective. Avoid Oxford products. Almax is very good, English Chain is ok.
Back protector: £40+ Having seen people walk away from potentially crippling accidents due to wearing them, I'd never ride without one.

Dont forget to budget for odds and sods like chain lube, maintenance items, spare gloves for when your first pair are soaked, Visor cleaner, spare visor if you want a dark one, anti fog products and hi-viz stuff (if you are going to use any).

You have some very differing bikes on the list. Comparing a CBR600 to and XJ600 is like comparing a Golf GTI to a Nissan Almera.
What do you want from a bike?
If you have the GPZ500S on your list (my first bike), then you should also look at Honda CB500's and Suzuki GS500's.
If you are interested in the CBR600, then why not the R6 or Kwak ZX6?
 
Have you considered the SV650? its probably one of the best 'bang for buck' bikes out there. Its most certainly better than every bike on that list bar the CBR, but then it is cheaper to maintain and insure.
 
emailiscrap said:
You have some very differing bikes on the list. Comparing a CBR600 to and XJ600 is like comparing a Golf GTI to a Nissan Almera.
What do you want from a bike?
If you have the GPZ500S on your list (my first bike), then you should also look at Honda CB500's and Suzuki GS500's.
If you are interested in the CBR600, then why not the R6 or Kwak ZX6?
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I would love the power of a supersports. however I'm not going to own a car. So I would prefer something more of a cruiser with a more relaxed driving style. Hence the Xj/bandit.

The reason for the cbr and not the others. I haven't seen many r6/zx6 in the price range in reasonable conditions. Although I do like the ZX6.

I'm going to get a decent helmet. I'm not worried about buying brand names though. As longs as they pas sthe Eu ratings The helmet will do me.
Once I've sold the car, that will pay for the security and maintenance kit.

mr jamez said:
Have you considered the SV650? .
Click to expand...
No I haven't will have a look on ebay/autotrader.
 
Also is there any sites like what car/parkers etc. That have all the bike info. Insurance group, bhp. mpg common faults ratings etc etc..
 
I am with e-bike insurance and they quoted me a very good price after passing test June this year, I then jumped straight onto a Ducati Monster S4 :D all 916cc of it.

One word of advice is spend as much as you can on quality gear, forget replica clothing you'll pay more for the design than for what it is actually designed for, protecting you.

First bike - hmm now this is a tricky one, depends what you want really...SV650 as someone mentioned is a nice bike, plus its a v-twin also (however still sounds pants next to a Duke all Termi'd up) bonus of a v-twin, lots of low down grunt but you'll loose out on top end (something that does not bother me) on the other hand you could go for the mentioned CBR600-F, this will have a lot more top end than the SV650 but will lack the low down grunt which really does make riding a bike a lot easier providing you can use it.

There is a LOT to consider the others on your list I would look at would be the Bandit and the Fazer very similar bikes from Suzi and Yam.

Ever considered a Ducati ;) - the sound alone sold me :D also if this is the first time you have ventured into the big bike area don't forget to budget for service costs as well, commonly a Jap bike will probably be near to an average family saloon to service, on the other hand something more exotic like a Duke will be anywhere from £300 - £1k+ to service depending on how many miles have been covered, whether belts need doing etc, just a little food for thought anyhow.

But dont forget, spend as much as possible on gear, I spent over £1200, helmet Arai RX-7, Wolf Sport 06' 2 Piece Leathers, Wolf Sport 06 Gloves, Oxtar TCS Boots - also get a good Know back protector - 8-9 plate one ;)

Stu
 
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AcidHell2 said:
Suzuki GPZ 500s
Suzuki Bandit 600
Yamaha XJ600 Diversion
Yamaha FZR600
Honda cbr600
Click to expand...

out of those - discount the CBR. a cbr for less than a grand WILL be a nail.
FZRs tend to be the equivilent of an old R6 and so will be thrashed to buggery. again, ignore.

i think the XJ probably fits your budget. you wont find an SV for less than a grand either.
 
Fireblade2K4 said:
Ever considered a Ducati - the sound alone sold me also if this is the first time you have ventured into the big bike area don't forget to budget for service costs as well
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I would love a full on street fighter over a Ducati. But Can't afford it :d. I've ridden a few big bikes. But never insured any. Maintance I can do myself so Don't have to worry about servicing.
 
AcidHell2 said:
I would love a full on street fighter over a Ducati. But Can't afford it :d. I've ridden a few big bikes. But never insured any. Maintance I can do myself so Don't have to worry about servicing.
Click to expand...

If you can do the servicing that is an added bonus, wish I could do it on mine, bits and bobs I do but valves, shims, belts etc ... thats a deal job lol.

Stu
 
helpimcrap said:
out of those - discount the CBR. a cbr for less than a grand WILL be a nail.
FZRs tend to be the equivilent of an old R6 and so will be thrashed to buggery. again, ignore.

i think the XJ probably fits your budget. you wont find an SV for less than a grand either.
Click to expand...

Yeah this is true, with a budget of £800 - £1000 your going to struggle a little to find a nice example of what you are looking for, unless you pick up a mildly accident damaged one and fix it perhaps, whether that is something you can do, or would consider is another matter.

Stu
 
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AcidHell2 said:
I would love the power of a supersports. however I'm not going to own a car. So I would prefer something more of a cruiser with a more relaxed driving style. Hence the Xj/bandit.
Click to expand...
If you're looking for a relaxed cruiser with decent power, why not take a look at the Beemers? You can easily get a decent K100 or K1100, RS or RT variants as per your preference, within a grand. They're bulletproof motors and take very little maintenance, and insurance should be next to nothing.
 
Crowze said:
If you're looking for a relaxed cruiser with decent power, why not take a look at the Beemers? You can easily get a decent K100 or K1100, RS or RT variants as per your preference, within a grand. They're bulletproof motors and take very little maintenance, and insurance should be next to nothing.
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This is very true, also you have no chain maintenance either, so no sprocket changes ever :D

Stu
 
I've just gone for a Kawasaki Versys 650. A good all round bike.

As you dont have a car, I'd of thought the pannier set would also be pretty handy for you. I've just put a deposit on one, brand new with the upgrade kit (panniers, vario screen and tank pad), for £4399.

As for insurance. e-bike. They're been great for me and very cheap.

Edit / OOps. Missed the 'less than a grand' bit. Dont know if I'd want to be riding a bike worth less than a grand.
 
I went to the scottish border, via the west of england and the lake district by A/B road. Then hooned it all the way back through north yorkshire.

All on a £400 bros 400 :)

Nothing wrong with bikes under a grand, or £500 for that matter!
 
Bug One said:
I've just gone for a Kawasaki Versys 650. A good all round bike.

As you dont have a car, I'd of thought the pannier set would also be pretty handy for you. I've just put a deposit on one, brand new with the upgrade kit (panniers, vario screen and tank pad), for £4399.

As for insurance. e-bike. They're been great for me and very cheap.

Edit / OOps. Missed the 'less than a grand' bit. Dont know if I'd want to be riding a bike worth less than a grand.
Click to expand...

I was looking at the Versys to compliment my 600RR.

What was the test ride like?

Any pics?

Cheers :)
 
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