# Bikers: Motorcycle insurance question
**URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bikers-motorcycle-insurance-question/355494
**Category:** Factual Questions
**Created:** [May 5, 2006, 2:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bikers-motorcycle-insurance-question/355494 "2006-05-05T02:47:48Z")
**Posts on this page:** 18
**Page:** 1
### Author:  [@Argent\_Towers](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Argent_Towers)
#### Post date: [May 5, 2006, 2:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bikers-motorcycle-insurance-question/355494/1 "2006-05-05T02:47:48Z")
A question for the motorcyclists: How much would the lowest form of insurance be for an 80s era Honda CB750, Honda CBX or Kawasaki KZ1000? I am 19 and have a clean driving record. Just give me a ballpark estimate.
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### Author:  [@pkbites](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pkbites)
#### Post date: [May 5, 2006, 4:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bikers-motorcycle-insurance-question/355494/2 "2006-05-05T04:17:13Z")
Call an insurance agent. There are variables that you must include:
What area do you live in? (Matters!)
Have you taken the riders course?
How long have you been riding
How long have you been driving?
Do you have a motorcycle license endorsement?
Is the bike actually in your name, or your parents?
I pay $190 per year (12 months, no down time) for FULL coverage on a '95 Harley custom. But I’m 45, been a licensed rider for almost 30 years, have a record so clean you can eat off it, and I’ve not only taken the basic riders course (plus refreshers) I’ve also taken a police riders course (it’s tough! :eek: ). So my situation is nothing much like yours.
Also, my policy is simply a rider on my auto/home owners. A seperate policy would cost much more.
I know when I had a [Honda Hawk](http://www.powersportsnetwork.com/enthusiasts/pre_owned_detail.asp?PreOwnedVehicleCode=97076) back in 1980 when I was 20 it seemed insurance was a million dollars.
I sure would not want to have to pay the rates a 19 year old pays, even with a clean record. Growing older does have _some_ advantages.
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### Author:  [@Argent\_Towers](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Argent_Towers)
#### Post date: [May 5, 2006, 5:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bikers-motorcycle-insurance-question/355494/3 "2006-05-05T05:34:10Z")
I hate to sound weasely but are you implying that I would have to pay less if I were to ask my father to insure and register the bike under his name?
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### Author:  [@bdgr](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bdgr)
#### Post date: [May 5, 2006, 6:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bikers-motorcycle-insurance-question/355494/4 "2006-05-05T06:04:12Z")
I"ve never paid more than about 70 bucks a year for liability on any bike I’ve ever owned.
That includes big harleys, BSAs, triumphs, guzzis, etc. I think I pay about 50 a year for my BMW R80/7.
I’ve never taken the safety course, I do have a pretty clean record…one speeding ticket. Been riding 20 years or more but never bothered to get a motorcycle endorsment. YMMV
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### Author:  [@Johnny\_L.A](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johnny_L.A)
#### Post date: [May 5, 2006, 1:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bikers-motorcycle-insurance-question/355494/5 "2006-05-05T13:43:14Z")
I think I’m paying about $350/year for full coverage on my R1. Maybe less, but I don’t remember.
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### Author:  [@MizGrand](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MizGrand)
#### Post date: [May 5, 2006, 2:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bikers-motorcycle-insurance-question/355494/6 "2006-05-05T14:39:21Z")
Brand new Kaw Ninja cost 34 y/o hub less than $200/year, two years ago.
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### Author:  [@pkbites](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pkbites)
#### Post date: [May 6, 2006, 1:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bikers-motorcycle-insurance-question/355494/7 "2006-05-06T01:32:05Z")
> [@Argent Towers](#):
>
> I hate to sound weasely but are you implying that I would have to pay less if I were to ask my father to insure and register the bike under his name?
I’m implying nothing. I asked because a lot of 19 year olds still live with their parents and operate vehicles owned by the 'rents. I asked who actually owned it because that can be a determining factor of the premium. Many times vehicles insured on a home owner policy auto rider will cost less than a seperate auto policy.
I don’t suggest titling a vehicle in someone elses name unless you will also be named on an insurance policy. It could be fraud.
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### Author:  [@Zulema](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Zulema)
#### Post date: [May 6, 2006, 3:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bikers-motorcycle-insurance-question/355494/8 "2006-05-06T03:44:00Z")
We get our motorcycle insurance through Progressive, it’s very reasonably priced. For a 2002 Honda VTX 1800 and a 1994 1100 Virago we pay 278.00 for the whole year.
Get your own quote here;[http://affinity.progressive.com/product/motorcycle.asp?code=8004009333](http://affinity.progressive.com/product/motorcycle.asp?code=8004009333)
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### Author:  [@bdgr](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bdgr)
#### Post date: [May 6, 2006, 3:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bikers-motorcycle-insurance-question/355494/9 "2006-05-06T03:47:53Z")
> [@SP2263](#):
>
> We get our motorcycle insurance through Progressive, it’s very reasonably priced. For a 2002 Honda VTX 1800 and a 1994 1100 Virago we pay 278.00 for the whole year.
>
> Get your own quote here;[http://affinity.progressive.com/product/motorcycle.asp?code=8004009333](http://affinity.progressive.com/product/motorcycle.asp?code=8004009333)
Thats full coverage right?
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### Author:  [@Zulema](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Zulema)
#### Post date: [May 6, 2006, 3:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bikers-motorcycle-insurance-question/355494/10 "2006-05-06T03:57:20Z")
> [@bdgr](#):
>
> Thats full coverage right?
Yes. I just got my policy out to check, it seems ridiculously inexpensive.
The Honda is $175/ year, the Yamaha is $103. Both are $250 deductible for collision and comprehensive, includes roadside assistance.
We are both in our 40’s and live in a small town in Wisconsin. We got a homeowner and multi-cycle discount.
I know someone over 50 with the same Honda and the price goes way up, probably double.
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### Author:  [@Argent\_Towers](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Argent_Towers)
#### Post date: [May 6, 2006, 3:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bikers-motorcycle-insurance-question/355494/11 "2006-05-06T03:59:03Z")
Thanks for the insurance website. That helps a LOT.
How in the FUCK do these frat guys on CBRs afford it? More than 250 dollars a month for a 2004 600 sportbike (if you’re 19) - are these guys riding around without insurance?
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### Author:  [@Zulema](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Zulema)
#### Post date: [May 6, 2006, 3:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bikers-motorcycle-insurance-question/355494/12 "2006-05-06T03:59:10Z")
I should have said the liability only would be $39.00 for the Honda and 23 for the Yamaha.
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### Author:  [@bdgr](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bdgr)
#### Post date: [May 6, 2006, 4:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bikers-motorcycle-insurance-question/355494/13 "2006-05-06T04:07:44Z")
after 20 years of insuring bikes, a couple of tips.
SHOP AROUND. for long stretches I would switch between dairlyand and progressive every single year. One of them was always willing to give me a lower rate when the other went up.
If you dont have a motorcyle endorsement, don’t volunteer that. I’m not saying lie about it, but if they dont ask…
I once had an agent tell me to say I was married when I wasn’t. He said there was now way they could check and you get a lower rate. I am in fact married now so it’s not an issue for me.
Many agents dont want to bother with motorcycle insurance…You could get a high quote from dairyland for instance, and then call another agent and get a quote for half that amount.
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### Author:  [@Argent\_Towers](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Argent_Towers)
#### Post date: [May 6, 2006, 4:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bikers-motorcycle-insurance-question/355494/14 "2006-05-06T04:09:52Z")
Is it common practice for people to ride around without the M on their license? What happens if you get caught doing so?
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### Author:  [@bdgr](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bdgr)
#### Post date: [May 6, 2006, 4:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bikers-motorcycle-insurance-question/355494/15 "2006-05-06T04:13:44Z")
> [@Argent Towers](#):
>
> Is it common practice for people to ride around without the M on their license? What happens if you get caught doing so?
Depends on the state. In Texas, yes it is common. Its a small fine if you get caught. I’ve had a few tickets for it, many many years ago. I did it in Utah, till I found out they took it seriously up there.
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### Author:  [@Zulema](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Zulema)
#### Post date: [May 6, 2006, 4:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bikers-motorcycle-insurance-question/355494/16 "2006-05-06T04:26:51Z")
**Argent Towers** What did you find out about how much you would have to pay for insurance?
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### Author:  [@Argent\_Towers](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Argent_Towers)
#### Post date: [May 7, 2006, 4:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bikers-motorcycle-insurance-question/355494/17 "2006-05-07T04:01:09Z")
Got some Progressive quotes that look very good, nothing above 40 dollars a month for the particular bikes I’m wanting. I’m very relieved.
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### Author:  [@Argent\_Towers](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Argent_Towers)
#### Post date: [May 7, 2006, 4:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bikers-motorcycle-insurance-question/355494/18 "2006-05-07T04:02:43Z")
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