What about a motorcycle's age?

adri

adri

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Does anyone have any info on if there is any magic number where a motorcycle's insurance suddenly becomes noticeably cheaper, similar to the way insurance rates drop after you turn 25 years old?

My Triumph T120 will turn 10 next year.
My BMW G650GS is now 15 years old.
My Vespa GTS250 is now 20 years old.

I've been eye ******* a bike on marketplace that's 27 years old.

I've read the @VifferFun sticky that says the motorcycle's age has only a small impact... But in two years that thread will be old enough to have its own license, sooooo...

What do I need to know?
 
I haven't seen a magic decrease as bikes age. The vast majority of the premium is for your meatbag and not the bike.
 
In my (admittedly short) investigation, I found pretty much the opposite.

Annual insurance premiums for 2010–2017 Multistrada 1200/1260 models were in the $3k–$4.5k range.

From the 2018 MY onwards, they dropped to roughly $2k, and the cheapest quote I got for a brand-new 2025 was $1.9k.

Someone here mentioned it might be because older bikes are more accessible to buy than new ones, which makes sense. Still, I would’ve preferred a used 2010–2012, but the insurance just didn’t make any sense.
 
PacoT said:
In my (admittedly short) investigation, I found pretty much the opposite.

Annual insurance premiums for 2010–2017 Multistrada 1200/1260 models were in the $3k–$4.5k range.

From the 2018 MY onwards, they dropped to roughly $2k, and the cheapest quote I got for a brand-new 2025 was $1.9k.

Someone here mentioned it might be because older bikes are more accessible to buy than new ones, which makes sense. Still, I would’ve preferred a used 2010–2012, but the insurance just didn’t make any sense.
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While it’s still a guessing game, that’s my experience as well.
Same for auto:
I changed from a gutless Honda Civic commuter to a certain Subaru model that is over double the power and somewhat… notorious, among the vape bro crowd for hooliganism. My insurance went down. The reason I was given is that newer cars have more safety features.
 
Wind Shear said:
While it’s still a guessing game, that’s my experience as well.
Same for auto:
I changed from a gutless Honda Civic commuter to a certain Subaru model that is over double the power and somewhat… notorious, among the vape bro crowd for hooliganism. My insurance went down. The reason I was given is that newer cars have more safety features.
Click to expand...
Makes perfect sense...I can insure a new Hayabusa for the same as a new Harley Low Rider S.
 
adri said:
Does anyone have any info on if there is any magic number where a motorcycle's insurance suddenly becomes noticeably cheaper, similar to the way insurance rates drop after you turn 25 years old?

My Triumph T120 will turn 10 next year.
My BMW G650GS is now 15 years old.
My Vespa GTS250 is now 20 years old.

I've been eye ******* a bike on marketplace that's 27 years old.

I've read the @VifferFun sticky that says the motorcycle's age has only a small impact... But in two years that thread will be old enough to have its own license, sooooo...

What do I need to know?
Click to expand...

It may depend on your insurer, if at all. My State Farm agent once explained to me that their best rates are for newer vehicles with the latest safety features and readily available parts.

From personal experience, I've never seen my insurance rates drop significantly over the years. My 38-year-old Hawk has never been more expensive to insure under regular insurance. But the beauty of a really old bike is that you can get vintage insurance if you're not daily riding it and for the amount of times I would ride it in a year compared to my other bike(s), the restrictions are worth the savings.
 
Relax said:
My 38-year-old Hawk
Click to expand...
giphy.gif
 
adri said:
Does anyone have any info on if there is any magic number where a motorcycle's insurance suddenly becomes noticeably cheaper, similar to the way insurance rates drop after you turn 25 years old?

My Triumph T120 will turn 10 next year.
My BMW G650GS is now 15 years old.
My Vespa GTS250 is now 20 years old.

I've been eye ******* a bike on marketplace that's 27 years old.

I've read the @VifferFun sticky that says the motorcycle's age has only a small impact... But in two years that thread will be old enough to have its own license, sooooo...

What do I need to know?
Click to expand...
Co-operators offers vintage motorcycle insurance for bikes 25 years or older. $125 per year
There is no mention of it on-line and not all brokers know about it.
I deal with Toni McEathron in Belleville 613 966-5055.
Basic PL PD and 3000km a year (nobody checks)
Ideal for taking your vintage bike for a Sunday ride.
Your length of having a M lisence is also important.
My motorcycle operators permit (predates M designation) goes back to 1967.
The insurance company could only find records going back to 1984.
It seems the stone tablet inscribed with the info was misplaced.
 
guzzirider said:
Co-operators offers vintage motorcycle insurance for bikes 25 years or older. $125 per year
There is no mention of it on-line and not all brokers know about it.
I deal with Toni McEathron in Belleville 613 966-5055.
Basic PL PD and 3000km a year (nobody checks)
Ideal for taking your vintage bike for a Sunday ride.
Your length of having a M lisence is also important.
My motorcycle operators permit (predates M designation) goes back to 1967.
The insurance company could only find records going back to 1984.
It seems the stone tablet inscribed with the info was misplaced.
Click to expand...
I'm going to have to look into this next year.
My vintage 1997 ST1100 clearly falls into the 25 years or older category.
I ride around 3000 km per year.:rolleyes:😇
I've had my M designation since 1972, didn't bother with the G until 1974.

Wish I'd seen this post earlier because I just paid for this year. I'm taking note of the Broker's name and phone # for future use. Thanks
 
@guzzirider thanks for the info!



I just spoke to Toni. There is good and bad news @Malks ...



Good news first:

She confirmed, $124/yr. Liability only. She specified primarily for "club use only" - no commuting etc.

Basically my understanding is:
- If you want to go get ice cream at your favorite ice cream place 20 minutes away - COOL
- If you want to run an errand like picking up some nuts and bolts at the hardware store 2 minutes away - NOT COOL

Ok... Fair enough...

You can get collision and comp if you want, for fire and theft, but that would require an appraisal.


Bad news:

Toni said the motorcycles need to be 30+ years old. Not 25+ years old.

That sucks because the early 2000s were probably my favorite era of motorcycles (fuel injection, and nothing else for electronics, just the way I like it).

Still it was good to know this option exists, so thx again Guzzirider.


If anyone knows of any other companies offering vintage insurance on 25+ bikes rather than 30+ please let us know!
 
NFP Moto

Thread 'Vintage Motorcycle Insurance'

Vintage Moto insurance does have lower rates but it is a totally different kind of policy, riding restrictions, requires an appraisal and other documents. The rider has to qualify for this as well and one of the requirements is a Full M license and 5+ years moto licensed. You will have that option available in a few years but honestly the smaller the engine size the less it makes sense to insure it as vintage anyways. Ends up being better to insure normally once you factor in the appraisal costs and restrictions. Also not the best idea if it is the one...
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2006 klr650 - 613$
2025 klr650 - 847$

from Desjardin. Newer bike has ABS and is a safer ride. Riddle me that one.....
 
Relax said:
NFP Moto

Thread 'Vintage Motorcycle Insurance'

Vintage Moto insurance does have lower rates but it is a totally different kind of policy, riding restrictions, requires an appraisal and other documents. The rider has to qualify for this as well and one of the requirements is a Full M license and 5+ years moto licensed. You will have that option available in a few years but honestly the smaller the engine size the less it makes sense to insure it as vintage anyways. Ends up being better to insure normally once you factor in the appraisal costs and restrictions. Also not the best idea if it is the one...
  • Like
Click to expand...

Thanks.

As an anti-social person, I didn't like that one at all though. It only seems to allow for rides tied to some kind of social event.
I ride my motorcycle to get away from people, not to get closer to them lol

I asked Toni if I could take a vintage insurance bike out spur of the moment to get an ice cream 20 minutes away on a warm summer night she said Yes. But it sounds like with NFP I couldn't take the bike out unless there's an ice cream social happening when I get there... Screw that.
 
NFP is just the broker, and those are mostly guidelines. I think my Hawk was underwritten by Echelon. In any case, check with your broker to confirm details of restrictions based on underwriter.
 
Malks said:
Same here.🤣 My price this year was $607 for the year. No fire/theft, because no one is going to steal a 29 year old ST with almost 200K on it!
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I *do* have fire/theft on my 29 year old TL1000S, partly because somebody *might* steal it, but mostly because comp coverage on it is very cheap. No collision though
 
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