What to do!!

[Seamripper]

Hi,

It's been a while since I've been on here. I missed (mostly lurking) in this great forum.

I absolutely love my silver 2006 R1150R. I ride it everywhere and it's been extremely reliable. Over the years, I've invested in valve adjust tools, a throttle sync device, an after market exhaust that I really like, mount for a case that I use for hauling photography equipment with me. It's been almost the perfect bike.

Last year, my insurance sent me my yearly statement for the up coming year (July 11' to July 12'). I was floored that in my province (in Canada) I was one of about 50 riders whose rate increased drastically. The rest of the riders in the province got a decrease in their rates. This is based on a "public insurance" so there is NO NEGOTIATING!!! You pay what they ask for. There was no amount of debate to get them to change their policy on my BMW r1150r. Basically they said the bike has been "re-classified" as a "naked sports bike". WHAT!! A NAKED SPORTS BIKE!?!?!....... YUP.

I used to live in Ontario (until 2010) without public insurance and the rate was about $1400 per year. I moved to this province and the rate when I fist got here (2010) turned out to be $1800'ish per year (tolerable...). But again, for 2011, the rate went up to almost $2700 for NO REASON!!!!

So, What bothers me, is that I can't sell the bike now cause no-one wants it because of of the cost to insure. I can't trade it in, because the dealer won't touch it. So now I'm screwed. I wan't to keep the bike, but who wants to pay close to $3000 for a bike EVERY YEAR. And that is with a spotless driving record too. I don't hoon the bike (often). I just like to take it easy and ride. Really? Is this a sport bike?!?

What can I do? I want to keep the bike, but for the extra I'm paying now (almost double the previous year) I could make a decent payment on a new bike.

[f4tweet]

Redistribution of wealth. So sorry.

[yao]

can you sell it to someone in the US?

[Buckster]

Are there other insurance agencies you can go to? I don't know how they can "re-classify" this bike after that amount of time. Sounds like they can "re-classify" any bike they wanted to so you would have to pay the sportbike premium. I would move to America!

[citrusbbee]

Is it possible to put all but the minimum insurance on hold during the winter months? Suspend all but comprehensive (fire/theft) while it's parked? I've done that before to save $. Or, like another poster suggested, maybe sell the bike to someone in the U.S. or another province?

[Seamripper]

Is it possible to put all but the minimum insurance on hold during the winter months? Suspend all but comprehensive (fire/theft) while it's parked? I've done that before to save $. Or, like another poster suggested, maybe sell the bike to someone in the U.S. or another province?

No, here in Manitoba, we pay higher monthly payments during the riding months ($300+-) and a lower (like $6.00 or something) per month during the winter months. They do this to prevent us from registering only during the riding season.

[Seamripper]

can you sell it to someone in the US?

I wouldn't get enough selling it in the US. Lots of Canadians are buying bikes from the US... WAY cheaper.

[Seamripper]

Are there other insurance agencies you can go to? I don't know how they can "re-classify" this bike after that amount of time. Sounds like they can "re-classify" any bike they wanted to so you would have to pay the sportbike premium. I would move to America!

No other insurance option, hence public insurance. There is only one we can go with. Same for everybody here.

Yes, the CAN "re-classify" any time they want. That's the biggest flaw in the system. It's actually a type of fascism IMHO!!

[citrusbbee]

Wow, sounds like your options are to either move back to Ontario or "pay the man" and enjoy the bike. Lucky you don't own a Ducati!

[ROXTR]

I guess I have nothing to complain about with my insurance premiums. 05 Rockster with 15k miles and a 24 y/o rider with full coverage for $375/yr.

[CycleRob]

I thought Canada, the BEST ally we have (our biggest Oil donor, help with the Wars, intelligence cooperation, friendly vacation spot) was in the process of shedding their drift into socialism after seeing the road to serfdom ahead. Unfortunately, BOTH our countries are going there, little by little via social justice and fairness.

The Canadian winter really puts the brakes on the riding season too! In Gainesville Georgia, where I ride all year long, my 1 year `02 R1150R coverage, with passenger, costed $324. My `09 F800ST now is $337/year (with passenger coverage).

You have 4 choices:
1--Pay the fare.
2--Try other insurers.
3--Get a smaller bike.
4--Move (to my state[?]).

You have my sympathy for the sacrifices in all your available choices.

I hope that wasn't too political.

[slowtorque]

Wow, my R1150R coverage is 150 per year, with a $500 deductible. Sorry.

[riceburner]

Is it worth getting a local politician involved?

after all - they have to be good for SOMETHING!

[ron prior]

What sort of 'new' motorcycle can you get, that will mean cheaper Ins? And is the difference enough to off-set the purchase cost, even justify the purchase cost?

I agree as well with the sell it here {US} idea. Not to rub it in but, I'm 60 and have three motorcycles, my "R" & two cruisers, and only pay just over $500 p/year

What sort of price are you thinking ? if you [did] sell it?

Ron

[Sunbeemer]

Are you required to have insurance on a motorcycle in your jurisdiction?
If not, I'd tell them to take a hike and become self-insured.
This is a racket that needs to be broken.

[sjbmw]

I'm sorry, that is flat out robbery without a gun and mask.
Politicians fleecing a minority (motorcycle riders) who are not numerous enough to unelect them.
Are there any provinces not taken over by these types of criminals? Maybe you can sell the bike there, and get a RT or something with a different classification.

If there ever was a reason to create the Manitoba Riders for Economic Justice club, this would be it.


Everyone has there opinions of the AMA here in the USA, but at least US motorcyclists have a PAC that tries to protect their rights at the Federal and State levels. I gladly pay my dues.

[Seamripper]

I'm sorry, that is flat out robbery without a gun and mask.
Politicians fleecing a minority (motorcycle riders) who are not numerous enough to unelect them.
Are there any provinces not taken over by these types of criminals? Maybe you can sell the bike there, and get a RT or something with a different classification.

If there ever was a reason to create the Manitoba Riders for Economic Justice club, this would be it.


Everyone has there opinions of the AMA here in the USA, but at least US motorcyclists have a PAC that tries to protect their rights at the Federal and State levels. I gladly pay my dues.

Actually, there is a group of motorcyclist here that has been fighting MPI (Manitoba Public Insurance) for years. They have pretty much gotten nowhere. The problem is we keep electing the same political idiots who stay away from the issues. Most people here think we motorcyclist are a nuisance and we are blamed for the high price of insurance! This makes no sense due to the fact that we ride for such a short time during the season and the rest of the year is where most accidents happen with cagers on icy roads.

Yes, they are robbing me and I'm pissed. I will keep fighting them and hopefully I can get them to decrease my rates.

[NoRRmad]

Hm. You seem to be saying that only 50 riders in Manitoba had this rate increase, and everybody else had a decrease. Is there some document that spells this out? I took a look at the AutoPac guide and see that the classifications of bikes is a bit ... uh... coarse. Types are:
Sport
Touring
Sport-touring
Scooter
and Other.
It seems that the R1150R has had a reclassification, probably from 'sport-touring', to 'sport.' You're now sitting in the same group as the Hayabusa and the V-Max. That's nasty -- and possibly appealable. It depends on the claim history of the model, but a case can be made.

Good luck.

[Boxer]

Okay, I got your solution. Sell it to me for $10. Pay to have it shipped here. Send me the title. I'll make it "mine" here in Georgia. Just Paypal me the amount of insurance each year. You can come here and ride it on some of the nicest roads in the U.S....ANYTIME! Free room for you.. and the missus...if there is one.

One caveat. I'll have to keep the battery up by taking it for a spin now and then.

Oh, my insurance on my F650GS twin is $205 a year. It couldn't be too much different on a 2006 sport bike.

[bmwdave52]

This sounds like California.