Clifford wrote:
I have liability only for $100,000.00/$300,000.00 & $50,000.00. Last year the premium was $45.00 this year it is $42.00.

Clifford

More than 10X that cost here ....

Jason I need to change to your insurance co. Mine is double what you pay with State Farm. Mark I agree with you just not sure how they would make sure they are good enough to ride and hanle a critical situation with out putting them in one. I have been riding from the age of 17 and I am 65 now and I know my skills are still lacking but so far every thight I've gotten into I have come out of very well. I am sure my time will come some day. Just don't push it and ask for it. There are enough crazy's to do it for you.

Huston you wrote"Here in the US though, we pretty much can decide for ourselves"

I have to ask, just what state can you decide for yourself what you are qualified to drive? All states and provinces require you to pass government tests to drive on the roads. What I am getting at is that it is not too far of a stetch for them to increase restrictions based on age and experience for particularily dangerous vehicles. It is clear these kids cannot police themselves so someone has to do it for them. Just remember that it only takes one of the wheelie happy bunch to take out many others on a highway.

Curt, you hit the nail on the head when you said "I know my skills are lacking". That's the problem with the young invincible kids. They think they're skills AREN'T lacking and that they can handle anything.

We older riders (like me) know there's something to learn every day and on every ride. And it doesn't matter whether it's a ride to the store 2 miles away or to a fishing hole 500 miles away. Sum it up by repeating a tried and true movie quote: "A man has got to know his limitations". Trouble is some of these "adults" aren't mature enough to know that yet.

M7

Texas riders - when I took my msf course I was told that something like 90% of all motorcycle policies issued in TX are thru Progressive. I have all my other insurances thru Nationwide and they told me they couldn't touch the Progressive rate.



Helmut - I honestly didn't mean to be insulting and looking back I can see where it could come across that way. But most US citizens cringe when we hear of the types of govt controls that the UK & Canada have. It just wouldn't go over well here. And yes there are different licenses in the US but I have to admit the tests are an absolute joke. Anyone can get a general car license or a motorcycle license. And to get a CDL its honestly not that much more. I'm not slamming truck drivers either. My brother, a 20yr truck driver, is visiting my house tonight and he agrees.



So in summary, yes the US govt does set "some" standards but those are so easily met that they're laughable. Personally I like the law of natural selection but unfortunately that can sometimes get others involved.

You know, something in the original post really hit me and continues to make me angry.

The people honking...

About a year ago I was at a busy intersection waiting to go straight. The light was green for the oncoming left turn lane. Well, this young kid on a R1 took the corner way too fast and wiped out in the middle of the intersection. He happened to be wearing shorts, flip flops and a tank top. Road rash = big yes.

Well, I hop over to help get him and his bike out of the road. About 20 cars around us and I was the only one to get out and help. Well, that's just the nature of people I guess. What got me ANGRY was while I was getting him to the side of the road and pushing his bike out of the intersection I was dealing with cars pushing by me, honking, and screaming at ME to get the **** out of the road!

Not to mention the livid people that were stuck behind my vehicle while I was helping the kid. Granted they were stuck because of me (I ran to help him..I didn't want to take the valuable time to move to the side...sheesh), but hell I was trying to help a kid not get splattered after a fall!

So, yea...still angry about that one...

State Farm charges based on the cc of the engine. My GSXR-600 was cheaper than my Roadstar by far. My Roadstar is a 2000 and my gixxer was a 2005.

I don't put up with it I say what I think and most of the time they cower down I guess that they think this old coot has nothing to loose and might just as well shoot them. My mom always said I have a really mean look.