Owning and Insuring Your Classic Motorcycle
I have always found the opportunity to own and ride a
classic bike to be one of the most exciting aspects of getting into
motorcycles. I've been a New Jersey motorcycle accident attorney for over 23
years, and a rider for most of my life, and throughout this time, my love of
vintage motorcycles has grown exponentially.
I have always found the opportunity to own and ride a
classic bike to be one of the most exciting aspects of getting into
motorcycles. I've been a New Jersey motorcycle accident attorney for over 23
years, and a rider for most of my life, and throughout this time, my love of
vintage motorcycles has grown exponentially.
A classic bike enables you to preserve our heritage, and
enjoy a taste of the same thrill that famous motorcycle enthusiasts of the
past, like Marlon Brando and Steve McQueen experienced when they mounted their
bikes.
There are a few issues to keep in mind with older bikes of
course, some of which are consistent with riding a newer bike, and some of
which are unique to classic motorcycles.
What makes
it a classic?
Before we get to these issues, we should make sure we are
clear on exactly what we mean when we use the terms, "classic," or
"vintage," when it comes to motorcycles. This is the subject of
nearly endless debate within the motorcycle community. But if I had to boil all
these arguments down to what I think qualifies a bike as a classic, here are
the rules I go with.
Defining a
classic motorcycle
It must be
25 years old or older. This is a deal breaker. The only way to
know if a bike will stand the test of time mechanically and aesthetically is to
see how it holds up over the years.
It should
have a fairly traditional design or look that recalls the origins of these
vehicles. Air-cooled, two-cylinder engines, single headlights
and double supports on the rear wheel are acceptable.
No frame or
structural modifications.
Quality
performance and construction. This would seem to be
a no-brainer, but it is possible to nurse an inferior vehicle to the 25 year
old mark. These coddled bikes are not what I have in mind.
Rather than further hashing out this age-old debate, it may
be easier to just list a few agreed-upon classic models:
Triumph T120 Bonneville
Harley-Davidson WL 1950
Yamaha XT500
Suzuki SP370
Each of these bikes has stood the test of time and is widely
agreed to meet the standards I laid out above.
Insuring a
classic motorcycle
When it comes to insurance, I have never been shy about
beating the drum for full coverage, including health/medical coverage. This is
mostly because as a New Jersey motorcycle injury lawyer who handles medical
bills, I have seen bikers get the short end of the stick when they are involved
in accidents. So I'll say it once again: make sure you have more than adequate
UM/UIM coverages. This applies regardless of whether you're riding a new or
classic bike.
When you purchase coverage for the bike, you'll come to an
agreement with the insurance company on the bike's "Agreed Upon
Value." This is the market value of the motorcycle at the time you apply.
This way, if you have an accident, they will settle for the correct amount to
restore your bike to its pre-accident condition.
Since a classic bike can appreciate in value, you'll want to
be sure your policy covers the full collector's value of the motorcycle. And if
the unthinkable happens and you have an accident, you'll want to hire a
qualified motorcycle crash attorney with plenty of experience recovering
property damage in addition to bodily injury.
Remember, it costs the same to get an experienced motorcycle
accident attorney to protect your rights as it does to get one who doesn't
focus on motorcycle accidents. Consultations are always free and there is never
a fee until we win your case! So call 1-888-cycle-law, or visit http://www.motorcycleaccidentlawyerpa.com for
the most experienced motorcycle accident lawyer in Pennsylvania and New Jersey.
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