Exhausts and insurance

[keitht1]

Hi,

I've got the chance to buy an Akrapovic full system for my SV650. However, not sure what to do about insurance. The system isn't road legal so insurance would be invalid, apparently. There is however a road legal version of the system so could I tell the insurers I've got that instead - would they check if it came to it? Or should I just not tell them?

What have others done - any advice gratefully received.

[fergus]

Keith

As been said before, whether they choose to refuse a claim depends upon whether they believe the exhaust was a contributing factor. If the claim was a theft claim, they would have to prove (beyond resonable doubt) that the exhaust was on the bike when it was stolen and that it hadn't been subsequently retro-fitted following the theft. If you had a crash on the road, the police may say you were going too fast, but how the 5-8hp the exhaust may give you could be said to be a contributing factor, I'm not sure.

If I were you, I'd take a chance. If the old bill stop you, there is a chance you will get a fine for non-BSI marked cans (they're not bothered about the system part of it), but you'll need to take it on the chin if that happens.

[stooz]

mines illegal, and the insurers know about it.

They are not insuring you to be legal, just against accidents. they assess the costs on that.

as :: they don't pay out if your nicked for breaking the law, so its none of their business.

tell them.

[fergus]

under the road traffic act (1988), the vehicle has to legal to travel on the road. From a technical standpoint, the insurers could refuse cover if this wasn't the case, thereby effectively making you liable to riding w/o insurance.

If the insurers know about this, they must be a bunch of c**ts, or you just spoke to a monkey on the end of the phone.

[iguana]

Mines insured with race exhaust & dynojet kit no probs.

Dont worry about the old bill & BSI marks, loads of companies sell stick on or rivet on plates in the back of MCN etc, or just do as I did & engrave it your self

How can it be illigal officer? its got the BSI stamp & everyfink, oh yes maybe it is a bit noisy I guess some of the packing has been blown out over the years

[AJB]

"or you just spoke to a monkey on the end of the phone."

Do insurance companies employ anyone else ?
I've never phoned an insurance company and spoken to anyone who couldnt be classed as a monkey !

My System is illegal and has a plate on the side saying "Not for road use, does not conform to BS???"

lucky no one has ever pointed this out to me (Bib included) it passes the mot every year with out it being mentioned. Infact it was on the bike when i bought it fron a main dealler (who also never mentioned it).

I dont think it makes much differance any more coz most sports bike have probably got non standared exhausts.

[stooz]

fergus said:

under the road traffic act (1988), the vehicle has to legal to travel on the road. From a technical standpoint, the insurers could refuse cover if this wasn't the case, thereby effectively making you liable to riding w/o insurance. If the insurers know about this, they must be a bunch of c**ts, or you just spoke to a monkey on the end of the phone.

so? road traffic act is no interest to insurers. you are insuring against accidents or theft, not breaking the law.

PS i have a LETTER accepting the exhaust from the insurance firm. so no arguements on claims there..

[Steve_T]

I have a Renegade system on mine, insurers informed and no issue with insurance as not a performance enhancing mod.

Steve.

keitht1 said:

Hi, I've got the chance to buy an Akrapovic full system for my SV650. However, not sure what to do about insurance. The system isn't road legal so insurance would be invalid, apparently. There is however a road legal version of the system so could I tell the insurers I've got that instead - would they check if it came to it? Or should I just not tell them? What have others done - any advice gratefully received.

[keitht1]

Just spoken to the insurance lot again - 1st question they ask is 'is it road legal, does it have a kitemark?'

If I can't send them a copy of the original documentation to certify the kitemark then I have to write them a letter confirming the make and model, and that it's road legal

Bonus is that it shouldn't affect the premium

[Steve_T]

Find a different insurer or broker - I use H&R.

Steve.

[rsvnigel]

When I mentioned race / non-E marked cans to H&R they've always said they won't cover them.

I had to go with CIA in the end, nearly all the brokers won't touch you with a race can fitted, or are you phrasing it differently?

[dern]

This has been done to death but the view I take is...

*Technically* a non-road legal can won't pass an MOT and therefore *technically* you are not riding a road-legal bike and therefore *technically* your insurance is invalid.

From what people have said in the past many MOT places turn a blind eye, many police turn a blind eye and some insurance places pay out anyway (sometimes for 3rd party damages and sometimes for your damages too).

Nevertheless, no matter how many reassurrances you get the fact is that *technically* you shouldn't do it and the worst possible outcome is you have an accident and the insurance company don't pay out for 3rd party costs. It sounds like most of the time the outcome is a lot more favourable. The choice is yours.

Mark

[Caggs]

Do they (Akrapovic) not make the systems with removeable baffles for "trackday use" which are all kited up and road legal?

£610 ish IIRC

[fergus]

For £600 you can get both front and rear suspension sorted, which will make the bike go a lot faster than a new zorst!!

[rsvnigel]

Yeah, Arrow make some as well.

If you get caught without the baffles fitted then you could be done under the construction and use regs; just as if you'd stuck a E/BSI sticker on a race can.

[keitht1]

fergus said:

For £600 you can get both front and rear suspension sorted, which will make the bike go a lot faster than a new zorst!!

True - would be good to do that. Only spending 1/2 that much though - buying the system 2nd hand.

Have to admit I'm mainly after looks and sound, not sure my 3 months riding experience warrants new suspension!

Looks like the easiest way forward is to check if the system is the road-legal version before buying it.

Thanks for the good advice.

[gRsf12]

So for £300 you could instead have:

1. 2 full sets of tyres, or
2. around 81 gallons of fuel (enough for about 3500 miles - that's some experience building for you), or
3. 2 - 3 trackdays, or
4. 1 or 1-and-a bit sessions at the California Superbike School or the European Superbike School where you can learn some more about riding skills, or
5. a fun day or weekend off-roading or supermoto-school for another dimension to your riding, or
6. a day at a wheelie school to make the best of what you currently have.

I'm sure there are many other options people can think of, some of them even bike related :wink: - it's more than just getting your bike looking (and sounding?) 'nice'.

[stooz]

rsvnigel said:

When I mentioned race / non-E marked cans to H&R they've always said they won't cover them. I had to go with CIA in the end, nearly all the brokers won't touch you with a race can fitted, or are you phrasing it differently?

yes, they are correct, the exhaust is not covered. if its damaged in an accident, they will replace with a standard can (which will cost them more!). as long as the can doesn't cause the accident, im covered.

[Davel]

With my Multistrada, Ducati Insurance said cover was no problem with Termis fitted but any pay out (on fully comp) to replace the bike would exclude the price of the fitted Termis (£800).

Didn't fit them anyway cos will only keep the bike 12 months before changing her.

[rsvnigel]

stooz said:

rsvnigel said: When I mentioned race / non-E marked cans to H&R they've always said they won't cover them. I had to go with CIA in the end, nearly all the brokers won't touch you with a race can fitted, or are you phrasing it differently? yes, they are correct, the exhaust is not covered.

I mean't that they wouldn't offer insurance on a bike with a race can fitted; the policy at the time was with MiG though them.