WINKJ Posted March 25, 2013 Share Posted March 25, 2013 Guys, not sure if any of you can remember - around a year ago i mentioned I want to get my bike lessons/test in and get some money to buy a Harley 883 iron in matte black. well i passed my test in December and have been paid this month so I can afford to go and buy my new iron 883 ... however need some guidance on insurance. My insurance is coming in at 1k a year (only doing 2000 miles a year too!) Can you bike heads suggest anything? I have obviously tried all of the comparison websites. I remember on the insurance threads for z's people speaking with underwriters etc.. any contact details? cheers all Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MidnightRacer Posted March 25, 2013 Share Posted March 25, 2013 My advice would be to buy something smaller and run that for a year then look at it again. Have you actually ridden a Harley 883? I was so disappointed when I rode one it really spoiled my opinion of Harley Davidsons. Your head is saying "cool bike" "looks great" "rides sweet" when in reality it was Heavy bike, heavy clutch, heavy gearbox, no handling etc etc..... Harley is a lifestyle choice I suppose but they don't build the best bikes and if you don't really look after it it will rot before your eyes! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wizurd Posted March 25, 2013 Share Posted March 25, 2013 Im surprised your insurance is that much. whats your age though? I passed my test 4 years back. got straight on a suzuki sv 1000 and that was about 500 for the first year. I was 31 at the time though. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WINKJ Posted March 25, 2013 Author Share Posted March 25, 2013 MR - I am not looking for opinions on my bike choice....but appreciate the comments. Wizurd - I am 23... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
14N Posted March 25, 2013 Share Posted March 25, 2013 My advice would be to buy something smaller and run that for a year then look at it again. Have you actually ridden a Harley 883? I was so disappointed when I rode one it really spoiled my opinion of Harley Davidsons. Your head is saying "cool bike" "looks great" "rides sweet" when in reality it was Heavy bike, heavy clutch, heavy gearbox, no handling etc etc..... Harley is a lifestyle choice I suppose but they don't build the best bikes and if you don't really look after it it will rot before your eyes! +1000 I'd really advise on getting something else, other than a Highly Dangerous (sorry, not a fan) for your first bike. Run around on something else for your first year on 2 wheels, get a year's NCB and some experience before jumping in and buying a new Harley. Your views may change in those 12 months. to the world of motorcycles though. I really must ride mine more this year, it's lay redundant really since getting my Zed Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
14N Posted March 25, 2013 Share Posted March 25, 2013 OK, apologies for my views on H-D. I know they're not to everyone's taste, but neither are the bikes I like/ride. Regarding your insurance, there are plenty of 'specialist' brokers out there, just like there are for the Zed, pick up a copy of MCN or bike magazine and call a large number of them. Things like alarms and security tagging (like Alphadot or Datatag) can reduce premiums, aswell as keeping it in a locked garage with a ground anchor. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MidnightRacer Posted March 25, 2013 Share Posted March 25, 2013 Thats cool. if you want one then its all good, perhaps my advice would be to at least try one before buying eh! back on the subject in hand, I'd expect you to have high insurance at 23 trying to insure a Harley like that. I presume you have tried the usual suspects (Carol Nash, Hastings, MCE, Bennets, Bike Sure, Devitt, Swinton, Ebike etc etc) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Flex Posted March 25, 2013 Share Posted March 25, 2013 My bandit only cost £80 for the first year after I passed my test. You can pick them up pretty cheap £1200 for my 1200cc. I'm now fully comp after 3 yrs for £60! Plastic fantastics are more expensive to insure (if it's not already been mentioned). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WINKJ Posted March 25, 2013 Author Share Posted March 25, 2013 thanks for all of this guys - looking into it all as we speak! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
14N Posted March 25, 2013 Share Posted March 25, 2013 Like a car also, any 'non standard' parts can increase premium. So, if you do get your 883, keep it as stock as possible and try to refuse temptation with all the shiny bits! (Appreciate that's like saying "Don't mod ya Zed). If it's kept away from your home address (i.e. locked in a mates garage) can also affect the price. I think your main hurdles will be the value and desireability of the bike, your (current lack of riding) experience and your age. Ringing round though should see better results, Try the brokers MR mentioned above directly. Good luck Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WINKJ Posted March 25, 2013 Author Share Posted March 25, 2013 Like a car also, any 'non standard' parts can increase premium. So, if you do get your 883, keep it as stock as possible and try to refuse temptation with all the shiny bits! (Appreciate that's like saying "Don't mod ya Zed). If it's kept away from your home address (i.e. locked in a mates garage) can also affect the price. I think your main hurdles will be the value and desireability of the bike, your (current lack of riding) experience and your age. Ringing round though should see better results, Try the brokers MR mentioned above directly. Good luck Interesting point - I am adding on some screeming eagle stuff. new intakes (hypercharger), new pipes, upgraded ECU, but the insurance company I just rang (Devitt) said that this is not classed as a modification as its an 'optional extra' from HD... is this your view mate? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
14N Posted March 25, 2013 Share Posted March 25, 2013 That certainlly is interesting. I'm not an expert when it comes to the bolt on goodies available for a H-D (the plastyic fantastic's are more my kinda thing), but new intakes, pipes and ECU's sound like performance upgrades to me (which normally do hike the price up). I know Harley have a massive 'optional extra' catalogue and that forms a big part of their brand. I guess the important part is that if you do add the upgrades and/or optional extras, as long as you've told the insurance company, let them worry about what they class them as. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SteveM Posted March 25, 2013 Share Posted March 25, 2013 i have nothing against anyone wanting to ride a harley (think your mad but there you go) but i would seriously think about getting something else a little easier and predictable to ride as a first bike. 600 bandit or hornet or fazer would be my suggestions. the Harley will be an interesting ride and my experience of them is that as a novice the strange handling characteristics may cause you more problems than its worth get a couple of years under your belt on a more predictable bike then your premiums will be lower and you will be in a better position to ride the harley good luck Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rob63 Posted March 25, 2013 Share Posted March 25, 2013 No comments on your choice of ride, your choice. You'll have nothing to lose by calling Adrian Flux, at least you'll get to speak to someone with knowledge on the subject and a genuine desire to get the lowest premium for you. And in my experience they will price match anyone else, they have done so for me over many years with the cars and bike. Also, God forbid, should you need to call upon their services in respect of a claim they really do offer exceptional service. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Simon+Kat Posted March 25, 2013 Share Posted March 25, 2013 Have you tried insuring it as an agricultural vehicle? I think it's under that catagory! Sorry Harley riders, dont send the 'Angels round please!! 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WINKJ Posted March 25, 2013 Author Share Posted March 25, 2013 mods, can you please lock Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Flex Posted March 25, 2013 Share Posted March 25, 2013 In before the lock Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
14N Posted March 25, 2013 Share Posted March 25, 2013 In before the lock too! But, before it's locked, how have you got on WinkJ? Any improvement in quotes? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shane Brede Posted March 25, 2013 Share Posted March 25, 2013 (edited) Have a look at EBike they were the only ones that would insure me for my tuned Kawasaki 636cc ( hi flow K & N air filter & tunable Power commander ) & when I was knocked off a couple of years ago they reported the accident/chased my claim & picked up & returned my bike fully restored in six weeks ( £2000 worth of damage ) ,they also text & called me up to six times a day to let me know what was going on.If they do charge a bit more their level of service is second to none,I've been riding on & off 32 years & they are the best I have had to date. BIKES ( YAMAHA XS250 , KAWASAKI Z200 , YAMAHA RD200, DUCATI 748S ( TUNED ), KAWASAKI 636 ( TUNED ) hope this helps Edited March 25, 2013 by Shane Brede Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
14N Posted March 25, 2013 Share Posted March 25, 2013 Hi five Shane for the Duke 748S. I just sold mine Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mopedmark Posted March 25, 2013 Share Posted March 25, 2013 Hi guys my first post of any description on here been a Z owner for 7 weeks now and I lllllllove iiiiit.I am an active biker for 34 years and I build custom bikes,hi end fighters and custom sports but I would say at 23 on a 883 sportster the quotes are about right.Dont blame ya going with what you think is right for you but a smaller bike for a year would help long term. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WINKJ Posted March 25, 2013 Author Share Posted March 25, 2013 cheers guys - wanted to lock it as I thought I had as much info as i needed. clearly not! thanks guys!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WINKJ Posted March 25, 2013 Author Share Posted March 25, 2013 3rd party, fire and theft? brings it down to 300ish,. . . suggestions welcome! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
14N Posted March 25, 2013 Share Posted March 25, 2013 (edited) A lot of valuable lessons are learnt with your first bike (front brake mid corner :mono: leaving the side stand down leaving the bike facing downhill, in neutral ) would all be expensive lessons on such a valuable bike if TPFT and not fully comp. Again they're all good reasons not to have something so nice as your first bike. I really hope you never have to learn any of those lessons the hard way mate. Edited March 25, 2013 by 14N Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WINKJ Posted March 25, 2013 Author Share Posted March 25, 2013 if I wanted to buy a cheap bike and ride it for 2 years.. I would. If I want to buy an expensive bike for my first bike and end up dropping it, I will learn the hard way... if thats the case, then I will have to pay to fix it.. all about what I think the risk/reward is. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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