The definitive motorcycle insurance thread

**Big Dog** · 2nd August 2016, 00:30

Then they have improved a lot.
glad to hear that.

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**Akzle** · 2nd August 2016, 06:06

Originally Posted by cassina

Thanks will check the fine print. As I only ride once or twice a week the chance of a claim is reduced compared to a bike used for commuting so I am not keen to pay top dollar for cover for that reason.

YOU will pay more because you keep riding in to shit. and you still haven't worked out how plenty of people do more kms than you with less damage caused than you.

**Maha** · 2nd August 2016, 06:57

Originally Posted by Big Dog

Then they have improved a lot.
glad to hear that.

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I have been with them after getting a much better deal than John Baker/Star had been giving us. I would still say to get several verbal quotes (they can tell you over the phone within minutes) and then make the decision. Anyone on here will always put forward their own insurance company for no other reason than that the policy they have.. suits them.

**Big Dog** · 2nd August 2016, 10:47

Originally Posted by Maha

I have been with them after getting a much better deal than John Baker/Star had been giving us. I would still say to get several verbal quotes (they can tell you over the phone within minutes) and then make the decision. Anyone on here will always put forward their own insurance company for no other reason than the policy they have.. suits them.

Agreed. 90% of why I am with KiwiBike insurance is the convenience of multi bike policy. The other 10% being they were cheaper than going direct.

My distaste for state goes back nearly 2 decades. Nothing quite leaves you so sour as finding out the insurance you paid for 3 years to insure for 5k will only pay out on just over 1.5k less 1k excess, less just shy of 500 for some other reason I don't currently recall = 20 something dollar payout.
A fair bit of arguing and independent valuation of replacement etc I finally got $1500.
When I bought the first 2 Suzuki bikes I went with them again because they were the only ones offering insurance I could afford on top of my payments. Lesson for younger self. Always buy bikes clear of encumbrance.

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**Gremlin** · 2nd August 2016, 11:59

Yeah, I know KiwiBike asks me why I'm not with Star, but they have a restriction that the bike must be garaged. While it's in a carport out of view of the road, it's obviously not enough.

Swann for me isn't cheap (around $1600 ish), a, I have a claim and a bit of a record, but they also cover me no questions asked for all the cycling and running events I cover.

**Yumaha** · 5th August 2016, 10:38

Anyone able to point me in the right direction for track day insurance? It's my first track day and not really sure where to go.

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**yevjenko** · 5th August 2016, 10:49

Originally Posted by Yumaha

Anyone able to point me in the right direction for track day insurance? It's my first track day and not really sure where to go.

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Ask your insurance company

**Big Dog** · 5th August 2016, 11:02

If your own company won't cover a track day ( most do at low or bo charge if you just call them and tell them and the promoter is not on their blacklist ) then Protecta/State used to advertise track day cover.

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**neels** · 5th August 2016, 11:08

Just got an updated policy from AA Insurance, mainly with them because everything else is (and every time I talk to the call centre they seem surprised that I managed to get them to insure a Ducati, the old ST2 is exotic apparently

)

They've just changed to agreed value, and dropped the excess from $600 to $300, no change in the price of a bit under $400 a year for full cover.

I can only assume they have hacked my computer, and saw that I was getting quotes from other companies.....

**yevjenko** · 5th August 2016, 13:11

AA won't normally insure Ducatis or aprilia's as they say the parts are too expensive... Exotic as you say

**AJW** · 10th September 2016, 11:39

Hey there all. I am new to the KiwiBiker forum. I am after advice regarding the best insurance for my KLR650 (2008). Have had a few quotes and State so far is the cheapest, but am not sure if it is the best. Any advice? Also anything else I need to keep an eye on as get to know my bike. I have a rough idea and am still learning about the bike, but it is definitely the right style for me, re: my height, weight and want I am looking at doing. Also what groups are best suited to me regarding this type of adventure bike. I am just looking at getting experience generally before doing longer rides and going off road. Pretty excited at getting my bike delivered. So help me out and get in touch. Cheers AMOS.

**Madness** · 10th September 2016, 14:16

Wouldn't it be great if there was a definitive thread on motorcycle insurance.

If there was such a thread, I wouldn't be at all surprised if Kiwibike Insurance wasn't perhaps one of the most highly recommended insurance brokers, catering specifically to the needs of Kiwi motorcyclists.

**AJW** · 10th September 2016, 15:30

What is a good insurance company with best coverage and value for money re: 2008 Kawa KLR 650? I am new rider.

**Woodman** · 10th September 2016, 15:42

Originally Posted by AJW

Hey there all. I am new to the KiwiBiker forum. I am after advice regarding the best insurance for my KLR650 (2008). Have had a few quotes and State so far is the cheapest, but am not sure if it is the best. Any advice? Also anything else I need to keep an eye on as get to know my bike. I have a rough idea and am still learning about the bike, but it is definitely the right style for me, re: my height, weight and want I am looking at doing. Also what groups are best suited to me regarding this type of adventure bike. I am just looking at getting experience generally before doing longer rides and going off road. Pretty excited at getting my bike delivered. So help me out and get in touch. Cheers AMOS.

Sorry about axel he is quite cute, but a little annoying at times.

Klrs are great bikes, bulletproof and can take a lot of punishment. I had one for about 8 years and just couldn't kill it. They are not really great at doing one thing, but are probarbly the best bang for buck mule out there evidenced by the fact that they have remained relatively unchanged for 30 years next year. Just ride it and enjoy.

**pete376403** · 10th September 2016, 15:48

To the OP - apart from the insurance issue which is pretty much locale specific, advrider.com has huge amount of information on KLR650s in the Thumpers thread http://advrider.com/index.php?thread...thread.742912/

THe first Gen IIs '08 - '09) had issues with piston rings due to a redesign of the piston, and tend to use oil if run over 5000RPM for any length of time. Simple fix is to check the oil every time you fill up. They are an old design tractor engine so virtually any oil is ok (perhaps not chainsaw bar bar oil but then again, I'd use if there was nothing else). Running low on oil WILL kill the cylinder head exhaust cam bearings - not individually replaceable (ie new head time) Long term fix is to rebore and install a 685 piston from EagleMike (www.eaglemike.com).

There is lots of FUD about the doohickey (balancer chain tensioner lever) . The doo was redesigned for the gen IIs and is no longer failure-prone, but the tensioner spring is too long and runs out of tension early in the piece. An easy fix and the required tools can be borrowed.
Electrical issues have been known with wiring chafing under the tank, but nothing a roll of insulation tape and some cable re-routing cant fix. And keep the speedo drive in the front wheel clean and well greased, when it seizes it breaks the front hub.

Have a look at the NZ KLR650 facebook group. https://www.facebook.com/groups/671760996255954/ and the NZ adventure riders group https://www.facebook.com/groups/AdventureRidinginNZ/ It is probable that you'll find better information on those pages than here.

Apart from that, enjoy the bike for what it is, a jack of all trades (and a master of none, except maybe that of having fun)