SORN a motorbike through the winter?

[swee'pea99]

Is there any significant saving to be made by using a bike just through the summer months, and SORNing it over the winter? I'm wondering about insurance companies' tendency to bump up premiums for anything 'non-normal'...do many offer six month deals, or is it just a case of you might as well just go for the 12 months?

 

[raleighnut]

It'd be a shame if it got nicked when it wasn't insured, similar if it was damaged in a fire etc.

 

[Hacienda71]

Why not go for a restricted mileage policy? Reflects lesser use, but you are still covered for theft etc 365.

 

[Piemaster]

Car example, but my Alfa Spider was mostly summer use but kept road legal all year round. Wouldn't have wanted to miss out getting out in it with the top down on some of those bright crispy winter days.
Only time I briefly had a SORN on it for a couple of months was when the MOT and tax ran out at same time and I was working away. Insurance was always on a multi-car policy anyway. If insurance is anything like VED 6 months won't cost half of 12 - they may work on 6 months being 2 lots of administration costs to cover. Try getting a quote for both and see if theres much difference.

 

[Levo-Lon]

I always kept mine taxed and insured..tax was cheap ..so was the insurance to be fair.
tho i was a year round rider..especially days like were having atm
i dont think insurance is affected by Sorn..if the bike is where it should be..tho ive not checked.
phone the company to make sure..

 

[swee'pea99]

Thanks all. Under £100 a year? That's amazing - who's your insurer?

 

[sheddy]

Also be aware of the 'rules' regarding SORN and VED timing and the risk of a fine from DVLC

 

[PhilDawson8270]

Also be aware of the 'rules' regarding SORN and VED timing and the risk of a fine from DVLC

"Charge"

 

[Electric_Andy]

I would also go for 12 months, declaring lower mileage. Ive just insured my 600 fully comp (including commuting) for £90 with only 3 years no claims. Declared 6k miles a year. Go on comparison site, choose cheapest, don't bother with legal cover etc. Also play around with security. Mine was cheaper NOT declaring any chains or locks, than it was to declare a disc lock. It's all a game; I think they assume you are in a risky area if you say that you use a lock and chain, hence premium is higher. And as far as I'm aware it's very difficult to get less than 12 month policy, you can pay monthly at a higher rate but you're just getting the 12 month rate on credit effectively.

just a note, they are getting more crafty with the policies now. On mine there was no option to state where the bike is stored when not at my house, and the policy states that if nicked further than 300metres from my locked garage, the excess is doubled.