I've just bought a 1959 AJS 16MS in trials trim, I believe it would have originaly been a standard road bike. I just called Footmas James who I have another classic bike insured with and they say they won't insure it because it's a trials bike! When I asked them if it would make any difference if it was an original factory trials bike they said it wouldn't as they don't insure trials bikes!

Can anyone recommend any insurers who will insure a classic trials bike?

Thanks and here's a pic of the bike.

That's odd they insure my Bultaco Sherpa along with my road bikes unless they have stopped taking new trade on trials bikes

I've since found MSM Insurance who offer cover for trials and enduro bikes in competition usage and spoke to a really helpful lady called Jan, so competition cover problem solved. http://www.msminsurance.co.uk/trialsenduro.asp

Thanks Deryk, yes I was aware that it's a converted road bike when I bought it and I believe the price reflected that. Had it been a genuine 16 MC/16 C I don't think I would have been able to afford it, so I saw it as an affordable (for me) way into pre-65 trials, (I also have a Sherco 290 and a Bultaco). I'd be interested to know what the differences are between what I have and a genuine version that make it only "look vaguely like a trials bike" if you could enlighten me? And am I wasting my time using it in club trials?

Thanks, Martin.

Edited September 2, 201411 yr by tyrefryer

msm are the insurers of choice if you wish to do road trials.. 4 trials a year and you ll be in credit against using on the day insurance. carol nash insure all my bikes simply and cheaply.. on reg numbers or frame numbers.. also unlimited aa call outs.. against an aa recovery/roadside policy which now limit to 5 call outs per year on a std policy..

im about to enquire with msm about the possibility of cars whilst on long distance car trials

Hi Deryk, yes I guessed the steering head angle and gearing would probably be different, as for the weight a fair bit has been done and I can do more. But at the end of the day if I get the carburation, timing, clutch and controls etc setup, I'm sure the bike will be more capable than my abilities will push it to.

I'm 15 minutes from my clubs practice ground (Milton Buzzards) so I'll be getting plenty of use of it there and I would like to have a go at some of the road trials like the Arbuthnot as we were discussing in the other thread.

Cheers, Martin.

msm are the insurers of choice if you wish to do road trials.. 4 trials a year and you ll be in credit against using on the day insurance. carol nash insure all my bikes simply and cheaply.. on reg numbers or frame numbers.. also unlimited aa call outs.. against an aa recovery/roadside policy which now limit to 5 call outs per year on a std policy..

im about to enquire with msm about the possibility of cars whilst on long distance car trials

Thanks totalshell, I'll give Carole Nash a call too.