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?
 
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
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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.
 
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