I'm trying to insure my 2 bikes, and it's proving an epic.

Despite getting quotes from recommended insurers (Carole Nash, Bennets, Performance Direct), it appears that when you get into the T&Cs or definitions of the policies, they either do not cover 'Trials', any road use, or competitions.

So, how do people cover their bikes for off road use, with some on road transiting between sections, and for use in trials competitions?

Or are people being 'artistic' with the truth?

MSM insurance. They are a specialist company who do trials and enduro bikes. They are what you are after and I have found them to be very efficient.

Thanks - will give them a call

MSM insurance. They are a specialist company who do trials and enduro bikes. They are what you are after and I have found them to be very efficient.

:agreed:

MSM very helpfull

Useful, thanks.

I note that MSM (like many insurance companies) require that...

a mechanical immobiliser (such as Sold Secure / Thatcham Cat 3 chain & padlock or U-lock) will be used when bike is not being ridden.

First hits I discovered when Googling these devices was a YouTube video showing that many of them could be broken in under one minute, probably faster if there were two heavies having a go...

I wonder why they all insist on such devices if they are so easy to crack...? after all, these devices cost in excess of £100.

I know it would deter some opportunist thieves, but any one who was tooled up would surely only be inconvenienced?

Hmmmmmm?

Don't think a good chain and padlock is a bad idea and sure I didn't pay any where near £100

I know it would deter some opportunist thieves, but any one who was tooled up would surely only be inconvenienced?

Hmmmmmm?

I guess thats the reason - anything can be cut through. MSM at least know what a trials bike is and cover you during an event and during transit back and forth

I might be being stupid here, but why don't they make the chain bigger than the bolt cropper jaws !!

I might be being stupid here, but why don't they make the chain bigger than the bolt cropper jaws !!

Weight presumably.

I might be being stupid here, but why don't they make the chain bigger than the bolt cropper jaws !!

The links would be the size of a ship anchor chain lol

Getting back on topic, here's a excerpt of the MSM quote I received:

"The MSM Trials & Enduro Insurance Scheme has been specially

developed for Trials and Enduro riders in close consultation with the sports

governing bodies to ensure that YOU can benefit from cover that DOES

recognise and accept competition use, and will provide you with all-year

round road use cover with an insurance certificate to tax your bike, insure

you for road use to attend club meetings and events, practice grounds, or

the filling station to get petrol, and the road use that can occur during

competitive events, WITHOUT invalidating your insurance. Use on green lanes

is also covered."

"The quotations assume you and your motorcycle meet the scheme criteria, such

as being UK road legal, UK road registered etc., garaging, minimum security

on the motorcycle itself (Sold Secure/Thatcham category 3 mechanical

immobiliser such as U-bolt or chain & padlock for TPF&T). If in doubt that

you or your motorcycle meet the scheme criteria, please ring us to discuss -

our normal office hours are 9 - 5, Monday - Friday. Due to the strict legal

requirements of the Motor Insurance Database we are unable to insure an

unregistered bike for more than 14 days, and we are not offering cover for

other types of motorcycle such as motocross, supermoto, road racers, etc. We

also cannot insure the motorcycle for commuting or business use, or whilst

being used off-road (usually covered by the event organisers). We provide

cover for Social, Domestic and Pleasure on the road (including green lanes),

and use on public roads as part of recognised Trials or Enduro events.

Competitive use on the road, including your liability to Third Parties (such

as a pedestrian, vehicle or other property you have the misfortune to hit)

is covered by our scheme."

From this quote then:

1. 'The quotations assume you and your motorcycle meet the scheme criteria, such as being UK road legal, UK road registered etc'

2. 'road use to attend club meetings and events, practice grounds, or

the filling station to get petrol, and the road use that can occur during

competitive events, WITHOUT invalidating your insurance'

3. 'We provide cover for Social, Domestic and Pleasure on the road (including green lanes), and use on public roads as part of recognised Trials or Enduro events'

But in reality:

-How many road legal trials tyres are there, as would be required by No1?

-No2 says road use to go to petrol stations/practice grounds etc....but only as part of recognised trials events, as referred to in 3. How many practice areas are recognised events?

Admittedly I haven't contacted MSM further to discuss, but these are generic T&Cs that just wreak of 'we'll find a reason not to pay out, if we want to', and more to the point, you'll be liable when nicked by the Feds for having a non-roadworthy vehicle/no insurance, as a result.

So, how do people cover their bikes for off road use, with some on road transiting between sections, and for use in trials competitions?

the ACU's insurers (Locktons) offer one day "RTA" cover ie you get your bike insured by the usual suspects you list, then for the day of the event you pay a little extra to cover this (just under a £10). similarity if you want to do courier work, pizza delivery, etc - your normal policy doesn't cover you, you need extra cover.

Here's another one for you lot to ponder: 17 year old passes test (pre 19 Jan 2013) and gets an A2 Licence which restricts said rider for 2 years to machines =<25kW (33bhp) AND power/weight ratio not exceeding 0.16kW/kg. This may be OK for a road bike, but for a trials bike its impossible and might be the end of road trials for said 17 year old 'cos insurers want proof of bhp and power/weight ratio of trials bike. No manufacturer publishes such information and if they did it would probably exceed power/weight ratio 'cos they are so bloody light. Typically a modern trials machine weight is 66-70 kg, so to keep below the 0.16kW/kg power/weight ratio, the power of any trials machine to be ridden by a 17 year old after passing his/her test must not exceed 10.5kw (14bhp)....