Can't get an insurance quote for a GSX-8R

[TurbosSuck]

Morning,

I don't seem to be able to get a quote for a Suzuki GSX-8R; it's either not listed or won't return any quotes if it is.

I can get a reasonable quote for an S1000 or RSV1100, so it's unlikely to be because I'm uninsurable. I think it might be a glitch.

I've tried the comparison sites and just tried a broker who said they'd have to send my details to an underwriter, 3-5 days, which is not exactly conducive to shopping around for a good price...

Any suggestions? Has anyone experienced this before with a new bike model?

Thanks

[esuuv]

Different type of bike entirely - but I was looking to buy a BMW F900GS last week - until the insurance came back at 4 times the quote for a 850 or even the 1250 - and only from a few companies.

Apparently as it's a new model the databases aren't up to speed with repair costs etc - and you basically get a computer says no.

[carinaman]

They may've heard of it. They've an 0800 number too:

https://bikes.suzuki.co.uk/owners/ownership-inform...

[stu67]

Surely it's because it's so new, just won't appear on the drop down menus. This can play in your favour insurance wise as there will not be any historic precedence claims wise.

[TurbosSuck]

carinaman said:

They may've heard of it. They've an 0800 number too:

https://bikes.suzuki.co.uk/owners/ownership-inform...

Yep, rang them earlier but it was £80 more than a new MT09 which seems a bit steep.

The bike does appear on some sites, it just doesn't return any quotes when chosen. I'm a bit surprised it's such a faff as the bike's been available for a good while now.

[Skyman]

This is all very annoying, when particular models are late in being properly categorised and underwritten. I have the same issue with a Streetfighter V2 which I am considering. Just one quote on CTM at over £2k pa. Compare that with a cheapest figure of £600pa for a V4S, and an abundance of other quotes. Might have to be the latter then.

[Factualist]

Its the absurd situation of insurance, I was on the fence of buying a Z900 or a Speed Triple, mind was made up when the ST was a four figure quote, compared to the 3 figure of the Z900.

[srob]

If it's a new model I'd imagine it's just they don't know how risky they are yet. It'll take a while to get data to put it into a 'risk' category.

Annoying but not a new issue. When I bought one of the first ZX636 B1-H's in 2003 it was a nightmare to insure until they were a bit more common.

[TurbosSuck]

Well, I've just bought one now - fingers X'd I can insure it!

[Time4another]

TurbosSuck said:

Well, I've just bought one now - fingers X'd I can insure it!

That's the best way to do it. Get it bought and sort the minor details later lol.

[carinaman]

Congratulations! Which colour did you go for?

[TurbosSuck]

carinaman said:

Congratulations! Which colour did you go for?

Thanks! Went for stealthy black in the end, though I haven't actually seen that colour in the flesh...

[carinaman]

TurbosSuck said:

Thanks! Went for stealthy black in the end, though I haven't actually seen that colour in the flesh...

I think that comes with a gloss black tank. The other two come with matt granite kitchen top type black that are too high maintenace for me.

[TurbosSuck]

carinaman said:

I think that comes with a gloss black tank. The other two come with matt granite kitchen top type black that are too high maintenace for me.

Possibly? I thought the rear section of tank was the same for each colour bike, to be honest - it isn't very clear from the pictures. I test rode a silver one, but I can't remember the tank at all.

[Nakath]

Registered to say I had the same issue and much googling over trying to figure out why not a single company would offer a quote led me here.

Its baffling as its not like it just came out last week. Took 3 days of phoning different companies for exactly the same results.

Hastings direct offered me a quote eventually but had to drop the bike value to 6k. Having a garage helps too.

Hope you can find something! Picked mine up yesterday and it feels so smooth to ride. Love it.

[TurbosSuck]

Nakath said:

Registered to say I had the same issue and much googling over trying to figure out why not a single company would offer a quote led me here.

Its baffling as its not like it just came out last week. Took 3 days of phoning different companies for exactly the same results.

Hastings direct offered me a quote eventually but had to drop the bike value to 6k. Having a garage helps too.

Hope you can find something! Picked mine up yesterday and it feels so smooth to ride. Love it.

Glad you're enjoying your new bike. I can't believe Hastings asked you to drop the value, that doesn't seem right to me. Did you go with them in the end? Hastings are now the only company who'll quote me through Compare the Market, the other comparison sites either don't have the bike listed or won't quote. I rang Suzuki insurance and the person on the phone quoted £280 but later sent me an email with £207 on it, which doesn't seem too bad.

I haven't actually sorted the insurance yet as I don't have the number plate etc, so I'll sort just before it arrives in the week. Hopefully a few more places will be quoting by then!

[Ecosseven]

TurbosSuck said:

Nakath said:

Registered to say I had the same issue and much googling over trying to figure out why not a single company would offer a quote led me here.

Its baffling as its not like it just came out last week. Took 3 days of phoning different companies for exactly the same results.

Hastings direct offered me a quote eventually but had to drop the bike value to 6k. Having a garage helps too.

Hope you can find something! Picked mine up yesterday and it feels so smooth to ride. Love it.

Glad you're enjoying your new bike. I can't believe Hastings asked you to drop the value, that doesn't seem right to me. Did you go with them in the end? Hastings are now the only company who'll quote me through Compare the Market, the other comparison sites either don't have the bike listed or won't quote. I rang Suzuki insurance and the person on the phone quoted £280 but later sent me an email with £207 on it, which doesn't seem too bad.

I haven't actually sorted the insurance yet as I don't have the number plate etc, so I'll sort just before it arrives in the week. Hopefully a few more places will be quoting by then!

Hope you get in sorted for a reasonable price. O/T but I bought the GSX-8S in January and the really enjoy the bike. The 8R is supposed to handle and ride even better.

[trickywoo]

Might well be my next bike but I’ll need a good test ride.

It’s funny because I’ve seen more than a few US reviews suggesting the quick shifter doesn’t work going down. No mention of QS issues in the UK reviews.

[TurbosSuck]

trickywoo said:

Might well be my next bike but I’ll need a good test ride.

It’s funny because I’ve seen more than a few US reviews suggesting the quick shifter doesn’t work going down. No mention of QS issues in the UK reviews.

It definitely works going down, it just feels a bit 'crunchy'. I read somewhere it gets much better once the bike's run in.

It's really great up through the box though.

[snagzie]

TurbosSuck said:

trickywoo said:

Might well be my next bike but I’ll need a good test ride.

It’s funny because I’ve seen more than a few US reviews suggesting the quick shifter doesn’t work going down. No mention of QS issues in the UK reviews.

It definitely works going down, it just feels a bit 'crunchy'. I read somewhere it gets much better once the bike's run in.

It's really great up through the box though.

Late to the thread but sometimes its worth adjusting the shift lever by a notch (had to do it on my KTM) to aid in the shift