TOURING MOTORCYCLE INSURANCE

Shoe1 J Wing motorcycle helmet (Courtesy: Arai) Although not the cheapest or the most agile, tourers are arguably the most comfortable motorcycles and are perfectly suited to eating up cross-country miles.

Manufacturers have increasingly recognised and addressed the particular demands of long-distance tourers and commuting riders by bringing a number of specific models to market.

In 2005 Ewan McGregor and Charlie Boorman’s adventures in The Long Way Round series certainly boosted interest and sales in the adventure sport touring market.

What Makes a Touring Motorcycle?

Even though most motorcycles can be equipped and used to tour on, touring motorcycles generally have larger engines and are specifically designed for the demands of long-distance riding. Typical features include a more comfortable seating position for rider and pillion, hard luggage fitted as standard, increased weather protection via larger fairings with a fixed or adjustable screen and large capacity fuel tanks (for more miles between fill-ups).

In addition, the Motorcycle Industry Association (MCIA) states that to qualify as a tourer, the motorcycle generally should:

weigh more than 200kg
have a wheelbase of between 147 and 155cm
have a more upright rider position

Get a Touring Motorcycle Quote

To compare touring motorcycle insurance quotes and buy online just click on the ‘Get a Motorcycle Insurance Quote’ button below.

Alternatively, if you have more specific needs, call one of our friendly motorcycle insurance advisors on 0800 200 369. Lines Open: 8am – 8pm Monday – Friday / 9am – 5pm Saturday.

Our Prices:

Some example touring motorcycle motorcycle insurance premiums

Motorcycle type and value	Comprehensive Motorcycle Insurance	Third Party Fire & Theft Motorcycle Insurance
Honda VFR800 2003 valued at £4,495	£99.40	£75.60
Honda NT 650 2008 valued at £7,695	£94.50	£74.54
Kawasaki ZZR 1100 2000, valued at £3,499	£109.20	£75.60
Honda ST 1300 Pan European 2005, valued at £8,295	£137.55	£78.19
BMW K1200 RS 2007, valued at £8,695	£147	£80.29

The above is based on a 38 year old married male rider living in the RH12 postcode area. Rider has full unproteced no claim discount and has held a full, clean licence for 10 years. Bike is garaged over night and has a cat 1 alarm & immobilser fitted and is not modified. Use is social, domestic & pleasure not exceeding 10,000 miles per year. All prices are correct as of March 2010 and include Insurance Premium Tax where applicable.

Go Touring

For specialist touring gear check out M&P Direct, Europe’s largest motorcycle parts & accessories online retailer

Touring Books

The ten best motorcycle travel books of all time, as chosen by Judy Kennedy of www.whitehorsepress.com, specialist motorcycle bookseller and publisher, are:

One Man Caravan, Robert E Fulton Jr
Jupiter’s Travels, Ted Simon
Two Wheels to Adventure, Danny Liska
Ghost Rider: Travels on the Healing Road, Neil Peart
10 Years on 2 Wheels, Helge Pedersen
Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance, Robert M Pirsig
Around Australia the Hard Way in 1929, Jack L Bowers
MotoRaid, Keith Thye
Riding the Edge, Dave Barr
Long Way Round: Chasing Shadows Across the World, Ewan McGregor & Charley Boorman

The top motorcycle adventure books chosen by Grant Johnson of www.horizonsunlimited.com are:

Adventure Motorcycling Handbook, Chris Scott
Alaska by Motorcycle, Greg Frazier
Blood, Sweat & Gears: Ramblings on Motorcycling and Medicine, Flash Gordon MD
Desert Travels: Motorcycle Journeys in the Sahara and West Africa, Chris Scott
Into Africa, Sam Manicom
Jupiter’s Travels, Ted Simon
Motorcycle Journeys Through the Alps and Corsica, John Hermann
Motorcycle Journeys Through Baja, Clement Salvadori
Obsessions Die Hard: Motorcycling the Pan American Highway’s Jungle Gap, Ed Culberson
One Man Caravan, Robert E. Fulton Jr.
Riding the Edge, Dave Barr and Mike Wourms
Rugged Road, Theresa Wallach
10 Years on 2 Wheels: 77 Countries, 250,000 Miles, Helge Pedersen
Two Wheels to Adventure, Danny Liska

Popular Touring Motorcycles

There is an extensive range of tourers available. To check whether we cover your particular model, please call one of our friendly advisors on 0800 200 369. Lines Open: 8am – 8pm Monday – Friday / 9am – 5pm Saturday. Calls may be recorded. To view the most popular touring motorcycles click on the links below: