Prov License - Won't quote insurance unless "Factory Restricted"

Homework

Hi all,

New to bikes and now need one to commute. The 2 insurance companies are telling me that they won't insure me unless the bike is "Manufacture Restricted". i.e. they won't insure me if a bike shop fits a restrictor on a bike. I'm 32 btw.

Is this right? If so where do I find 2nd hand bikes without driving all over to view. i.e CBG.ie only have a hand full of restricted bikes GSXR600 which I've been told I would probably kill myself on. Ideally I'd like a CBR600 factory restricted bike. Is there any such thing? Otherwise a full faring bike.

Can anyone point me in the right direction?

Thanks.

ifah

does it have to be such a big bike ? given that you're new to bikes and will be using it for commuting - what type of distance are you talking about and what types of roads ?

I have a 125 cc Varadero and to be honest don't need anything more - give some thought to starting on a smaller cc !

Ginger

They wont give insurance on shop restricted because you can get them removed too easily. They will on factory restricted tho.

Your main issue is that factory restricted bikes are generally ordered in. I am driving a 125CC honda cargo and it does suit for my commuting purposes, close to 15ks in traffic and because of the size of the bike, i can whip in through traffic whereas a bigger bike couldnt.

It honestly depends on how far you commute and in what type of traffic. If its all iopen road stuff then the bigger bike. Town/City smaller suits.

Idleater

Homework wrote:

Ideally I'd like a CBR600 factory restricted bike. Is there any such thing? Otherwise a full faring bike.

Can anyone point me in the right direction?

yup, I know of someone who had a CBR600 Factory restricted. Grand bike. Not he R or RR version - the naked street bike look.
Bought it new. Any Honda dealer will be able to order it in factory restricted or tell you if there are any factory restricted second hand bikes out there.

Don't mind people telling you to start on a small bike. Just be sure to get trained properly.

The CBR is a great bike like I said. There are plenty of other factory restricted bikes to look out for. Even a ZX6R. More sensibly, the BMW's can be delivered factory restricted too.


L.

Homework

Thanks for your feedback on this. I've received similar advice to get a good cc bike Nereid, get training and ensure that when you look at it in the next 6mths you still like it !!!

I started looking from the style of the BMW R1100 RT but couldn't find anything with a lower cc that I liked (incl. the Deauville).

I'll be travelling about 25-30klms each way so I don't think I'll be happy with the 125cc engines. Probably will be a mixture between the back roads and motorway.

Friends have warned me away from the GSXR600 (even restricted) at my stage - would you agree?

Tks.

madrab

well if they are warning you from gsxr they should be warning you from the cbr as well, both are big powerful bikes & way more powerful than a novice should be driving (no matter what age)

Homework

So what would you suggest I be looking at Madrab, baring in mind I'm looking for a full faring bodied bike with the distance outlined earlier?

Idleater

madrab wrote:

well if they are warning you from gsxr they should be warning you from the cbr as well, both are big powerful bikes & way more powerful than a novice should be driving (no matter what age)

Nonsense - The OP is talking about a factory restricted bike. This means by default he is going to (at least initially) be driving a 33hp/25kw bike.

Having said that OP, the problem with driving a big powerful bike choked down to 25kw is that you will not be doing the engine much good.

If you are looking for a "good" commuter, "big" bike, yet easily restricted, the Duville is a fantastic bike and will easily do any mileage (the gardai use them). Other options include the Kawasaki ER5, now the ER6 which comes in a specific learner legal 33hp guise and looks fantastic - might be a bit too much of a street bike for your liking though.

The problem with getting a fully faired sports bike is that you are restricted to the CBR600 Resticted and the ZX6R Restricted - don't know if the R6 is, or the triumph etc. Also there will not be much in the line of second hand on these bikes.

The Suzuki Bandit 600 is easily restricted too. Which brings me nicely on to a question regarding the insurance. When you rang them, did they blanket ban all non factory restricted bikes for your insurance or was it only the CBR etc that you asked for quotes on?

The reason I ask is because I have been quoted for insurance for the past 3 years on various different non factory restricted bikes like the bandit, africa twin etc and I wonder if these are seen as less "risky" in their terms.

Your main problem is that the style that you want is definitely Group 11/12 so you might have to alter your taste for the next three years anyway...

L.

madrab

any restriced bikes that i have been all have kept their acceleration but just had their top speed limited, & in my opinion a learner should learn on a small bike & work their way up, but now im just ranting sorry

in relation to a recomendation for a bike
400cc honda transalp, which is fully faired, great on mileage
honda cb500 learner bike, half faired & i hear is a really reliable bike
bros 400, not faired but a fantastic bullet proof bike & can be picked up quite cheap

Fr Dougal

Well Homework, What did you eventually get?

I'm in similar situation now, thinking of getting a bike for commuting 25-30km's each way in the fine weather. I had bikes 20 years ago on prov licence but it lapsed when I stopped.

Now at 43 just trying to figure out what my options are. I checked oasisgov.ie but still can't figure out what I'm allowed to drive.
I'm thinking of something like this. Would I be allowed drive it and what ballpark could I expect to pay for insturance?
http://www.bikebuyersguide.ie/Bike_detail.asp?CBGID=438034&ID=704699&NumPics=1&Make=Honda&Model=CBR%20250&frmFilter=All

Any advice appreciated.

galwaytt

....restricted or not, the likes of a CBR or GSXR aren't the best bikes for learning the fundamentals on, imho.... bikes like the mentioned CB, ER and even the XLV are though, good.

Fwiw.............I'm long past the learner stage, and I found the big bike for the short commute thing to be a complete pain, so when last looking for something more suitable for the commute, but easier, I bought a 'super scooter' - the Aprilia Atlantic 500. It's a sister bike of the Piaggio X9 500, and in the same vein as the Burgman's TMax's, etc etc. What a relief !! Out accelerates all the cars, very nimble handling for the cut'n'thrust of commuting, comfortable, but what I didn't know at the time, and which may be of interest, is the fact you DON'T need a full licence to ride one - and it's not restricted. Easily does 90 - two up !, and at 60 is right bang in the middle of peak torque, so is great for overtaking.

Because it's of modest power, but being heavy enough, you can ride it on a provisional as it has a low power-to-weight ratio.

And in case you're wondering, I didn't get rid of my 'real bike', but the RT hardly gets a day out anymore now........... makes every spin on it a novelty!!

Fr Dougal

Fr Dougal wrote:

Well Homework, What did you eventually get?

I'm in similar situation now, thinking of getting a bike for commuting 25-30km's each way in the fine weather. I had bikes 20 years ago on prov licence but it lapsed when I stopped.

Now at 43 just trying to figure out what my options are. I checked oasisgov.ie but still can't figure out what I'm allowed to drive.
I'm thinking of something like this. Would I be allowed drive it and what ballpark could I expect to pay for insturance?
http://www.bikebuyersguide.ie/Bike_detail.asp?CBGID=438034&ID=704699&NumPics=1&Make=Honda&Model=CBR%20250&frmFilter=All

Any advice appreciated.

To be within the law you would need to have a provisional A licence and that particular bike would have to be restricted to 25kW (33hp). The cbr 250 is a very popular bike so any garage should be able to do that for you. There are some nice bikes that dont have to be restricted such as the 400cc honda bros or the 250cc hyosung comet gt250 (in bikeworld).

Personally I dont like the cbr 250. I would definitely recommend sitting down on one and seeing if you like the stance and feel of the bike. It's a pretty small machine which might throw you if you are tall. I'm 5 11 and I "fit" it ok but like I said it just didn't suit me.