Returning rider can it be done?

[fastrhino]

I have lived overseas for many years and now live in the UK again, my last time of owning a bike here was 2007.

My last bike however was a 1200 GSA which I travelled across Australia on.

I am getting the itch again for adventure and want to buy a bike and explore this country and then Europe and perhaps further afield.

I am just sceptical about my chances of finding an Insurer who wont laugh at me when I go to insure a new adventure bike probably 800cc + possibly a 1250GSA.

Thoughts on making this happen without taking on the deficit of a medium sized African nation to pay the premium to travel here and Europe.

Edit: I should have added I am 55 years old and held my licence for several decades now.

[Hall]

Have a look on go compare , moneysupermarket and MCN and then you will know what huge bill you face , probably be OK

[garyboy]

No-one will laugh at you .. but they may take the piss, with your quote.
Confused dot com?
You don't even need to speak to anyone

[Magnusson]

Why not lighter bike, for example Honda CB500X? Lower purchase price, insurance, fuel consumption. Ideal for returning rider.

[DavidS]

Bemoto. Intelligent people and helpful.
Prices certainly tolerable for an old duffer like me with two bikes.

[Alexhoc]

You might be surprised! It was a few years ago now but I was surprised how low the quotes were when I tried to insure myself on a Honda Blackbird after 10 years without owning a bike...

[Richard Simpson Mark II]

I sometimes write about insurance for my day job...

In commercial insurance for fleets, insurers are often prepared to take on a perceived high risk (a young driver in a truck) if the risk is diluted with 'safer' drivers.

If you run a car, you could consider approaching Carole Nash, who do a 'six-wheel' policy that covers both.

My 'six-wheel' policy covers an ordinary car and four motorcycles...including a 1000cc Italian sports bike...and every time it comes up for renewal I am unable to match it by splitting the vehicles and insurers.

You could also consider getting in some additional refresher or advanced training, which would make you a more attractive in terms of risk to some insurers.

The real red flags for insurers are poor claims history and motoring convictions, plus keeping the bike in a high-risk poscode. If you are clear of those then I don't see it would be a problem.

The poster above is correct in that a middle-weight bike might be a wiser initial purchase.

[onslowe]

I'm 58 and found the CB500X cheap enough to insure at less than £150 though I do have some no claims discount on the policy, good luck with whatever you decide to buy.

[fastrhino]

Ideal for returning rider.

By returning rider, I mean returned to live in this country, I have a 3 year break off bikes my last being the 1200 GSA, all of my bikes over my last 10 years of riding have been big bikes. I am actually thinking the Tenere 700 or Africa Twin as I like the idea of doing some big trips on the European TET network and I have done the BMW oof road training and completed the BMW Safari in Australia mostly off road riding.

[fastrhino]

You might be surprised! It was a few years ago now but I was surprised how low the quotes were when I tried to insure myself on a Honda Blackbird after 10 years without owning a bike...

I shall try getting some quotes to get a bench mark price wise, I guess I was spoiled, insurance in Australia is not compulsory (third party is in your rego (road tax)) and it is very competitive for fully comp.