To go without insurance is madness because if you get stopped even once there is every likelihood that not only will you lose the bike, you will also get a huge fine or worse. The chances of you being stopped in Europe is high.

I dare not even consider the consequences if you hit something or god forbid, someone. Someone hit in me 1991 and fortunately for them they were insured. Part of the settlement was that I was awarded 18 years loss of earnings, that was less than half the final amount. I was a police officer at the time and was on a good salary. Imagine how the rest of his financial life would have been if he was not insured.

Under no circumstances ride a bike in Europe without insurance.

Steve

Number plate recognition doesn't work for non EU registered vehicles. I don't know if it's been changed since I lived there but the congestion charge cameras in London didn't even work for non UK registered vehicles.

Also for things like speeding you can't get penalty points on non EU licences.

Personally though I would have insurance in Europe, it's not worth the risk of being caught without.

In the UK they actually need a reason to stop you, from experience I have been stopped at road side checks in France, Spain and Germany. They always asked to see vehicle and insurance docs.

I've ridden around the states twice, but only stopped once. And all docs were needed.

It only takes 1 stop.

But that reason could be anything from checking your tax disc, a popped tail light or a "Vehicle matching this description was reported in a crime"..

I've been stopped LOADS of times in the U.K. No reason given. Coming up to Christmas, there is usually plenty of drink driving checks etc.

The U.K especially is a total 'Big Brother' state. The only people with rights in the U.k are Albanian goat herders in Caravans with a boot full of cemtex.

You missed the "just riding a motorbike" :-)

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Ok, i completely understand that not having insurance is a terrible idea. but i promised my friend thats going with me that i would actually pose the question to the forum.

So now that that is settled, how do i go about getting insurance for a bike that i plan to buy in Ireland, ride for a month then sell at the end?

as usualy any help would be greatly appreciated!!!!

Do you intend buying in Northern or Southern Ireland (it may make a difference).

Do you have a bike dealer in mind ? They could help you.
Do you have a bike in mind ? You can get quotes in advance.

Have you factored in the time to buy and sell a bike at each side of the trip ? or will you buy it/them before you arrive.

Do you know anyone there who can help? I am sure someone will pop up in here eventually.

Have you tried any of the online insurance companies already suggested ?

In the mean time I will ask some people I know.

Ok, feed back from friends in Ireland (southern).

The majority say DO NOT BUY there.

Because

1) Bikes are more expensive than elsewhere. (But coming down with the recent financial trouble).

2) The insurance is silly price.

They say that you can use Carole Nash, as previously mentioned.

Maybe you should consider buying in the UK ?

The grand-daddy of all threads for this subject:-
http://www.horizonsunlimited.com/hub...et-cheap-34822

One "big" problem with your plans, you said that you were planning on buying the bikes in Ireland then finishing your trip in London and selling the bikes?
Selling an Irish registered bike in England will be a PITA. It's not like the states where you can sell say a Florida registered vehicle in Texas with no major hassle AFAIK.
The buyer would have to import the bike to the UK!! Re register it and possibly pay import duty. It's the same for any country in the EC when it comes to vehicles. You really need to buy and sell in the same country. With the financial crisis bike prices in Ireland have actually gone through the floor and the quality of bike for sale has actually improved recently, a lot of status symbol, weekend warrior stuff for sale!! Have a look on DoneDeal.ie - Ireland's biggest classifieds site or the sale section on Fáilte chun Biker.ie, Ireland's Premier Motorbike Forum just bear in mind that it's a relatively small market and it might take time you don't have at the end of your trip to sell them on.
For all these reasons I would actually advise to buy and sell in the UK, you'll also have a lot more choice in the insurance market, only four players in the Irish market, three of the four are subsidiaries of UK based insurance firms who charge more in Ireland than they do in the UK and the other is a bankrupt:helpsmilie:
BUT and this is a biggie, please don't let me put you off bringing your bikes to Ireland, the North Antrim coast is superb, if your schedule allows get over here for some of the road racing ( think 190mph on "roads" that wouldn't pass for a southern moonshiners driveway) and then continue another 50/60 mile to the north western coast of Donegal/Sligo/Mayo and I'll meet up with you and show you some roads that will blow your mind:thumbup1:

Sorry Zig that's wrong, customs don't care about insurance but the copper who pulls you out side will.

I've imported cars and bikes into the UK, never been asked for insurance.

Paul

Just talked to a Kiwi mate who insured a bike in the UK - he did it on line with esure.com

Hi I did the UK and Europe (some of) in 2010. I bought a bike in UK, cheaper than freighting from home. The insurance was a nightmare. I finally got a policy from Footman James. They accepted an international licence, the only company I could find that would. Everyone else required UK licence.
The policy I got was the minimum. At the time if I recall it was about 95GBP, this included cover for Europe and breakdown recovery for 12 months. You can cancell and get a refund for balance of time.
The recovery was fantastic. I got stuck at Duart Castle on Mull with a stripped out spline on the clutch. They picked me up the next morn in Tobermory, went and got the bike, and then did a 12 hr freight to Leeds where I had a friend to fix the bike.
Anyway, an address is something you will need. If you don't have friends, one possibility is a postal drop company that will provide an address for a small fee and forward your mail to where ever you want.

If you have questions feel free to ask.
Ed