Longlegpete

Another factor i guess would be the amount of use bikes get in Spain, in the UK and and most of northern Europe the amount of time to ride a bike for pleasure is considerably less, in fact most people will store there bikes over winter, yesterday i went for a 100 mile ride in the mountains around us, would not bother in the UK, cold and wet, not nice.

It also can be seen with the mileage on used spanish bikes, much higher than is the norm in the UK

bobd22

Couple of points per Linea Directa from my dealings re insuring a scooter. When I spoke to them re me being non resident and holding a UK licence they said that made no difference at all as it is a recognised European Licence same as holding a Spanish licence. Although they quoted me the price including breakdown and medical cover relating to any incident relating to scooter use, when I asked if it could be lower they said it would be 60 Euro per year lower without breakdown and accident cover. So that leads me to believe that breakdown cover is not obligatory as someone stated earlier. As for cost I agree with others certainly life and motorcycle cover in Spain is more expensive. As I mentioned earlier in the UK I have 2 larger and more expensive bikes on 1 policy which is fully comprehensive includes breakdown UK and Europe and same fully comprhensive cover in Europe for up 90 days in the year, cost £165. My policy is in Spanish but all communication is in English on the phone their English is perfect can't realy tell they are not Native English. Obviously no idea what they are like re a claim.

missile

I am sure we can all cite tales from our dealings with insurer's> I can only speak from my own experience. I never said breakdown cover is compulsory for your info:4. Breakdown cover
Most policies include breakdown cover. 75% of Spaniards have adopted this service. The breakdown service normally covers the policy holder, spouse, single dependent children, and parents and grandparents living under the same roof. The 24-hour telephone number of the breakdown service’s head office is shown on a card, which should be kept in your vehicle. If you have an accident or break down, you simply call the emergency number and give your location, and a recovery vehicle is sent to your aid. Accidents are covered anywhere in Spain. Breakdown usually exclude cover within 15 or 25km of your home.If one is unfortunate enough to have an accident, I can confirm Linea Directa service is very efficient and as I said, ALL communications are in English.
I would suggest cheapest is rarely the best option for motor insurance. TPF&T is not an option I would consider.

bobd22

Missile not disagreeing with anything you say, I never said it was you that said breakdown was compulsory I said " as someone said earlier " it was a comment on page 1. I as you have found Linea Directa very efficient and easy to deal with in English. I was merely emphasising for the OP that from my experience you will pay more in Spain for similar motorcycle insurance. As for cheaper not always the best agreed I use a well renowned specialist motorcycle insurance broker in UK I just showed what I pay as an example of the difference with Spain nothing more.

missile

OK, my response was in poor taste. My apologies

bobd22

Accepted no problem

Casa Santo Estevo

No I said it was compulsory, but having looked around the interweb it may not be. I do apologise.
But I do not understand is why someone things it is a bargain to drop it off the insurance. It usually cover you all over the EU. In Spain you certainly cannot use a tow rope and anyone who is licence to pick a vehicle up from the road side must be licensed. The vehicle used to recover you from the road side must have a pair of these on.


If your vehicle is disabled by an accident or breakdown then you will be glad you have the Grúa cover.

bobd22

I am not saying it is a good idea to not have breakdown cover just that it was an addition as is the medical cover on my policy. I took both but on reflection my stays are normally around 2 months and I have an ongoing comprehensive travel insurance through the Police federation that covers me for any accident including motorcycle so next year I will remove that . As for breakdown well it is a scooter I only use to get me up and down the coast etc no distance at all just convenience and reduces my car hire needs. I am quite proficient re motorcycle repairs etc so I may well remove that but I will see what difference it makes next renewal. If I tour any distance in Spain it is when I have my bike over from UK and I have full cover on that. Level of insurance really comes down to what your needs are, I like you thought breakdown was compulsory in Spain and just pointed out that certainly for a scooter that is not the case. I don't know about larger bikes or cars?

Longlegpete

Must admit I thought it was compulsory as well but I would take it anyway, I can see in your situation with only local journeys and a small bike it's probably not worth it and yes it's down to the personal needs of the insured, out of interest has anyone needed to use any of the breakdown services offered with insurances in Spain, are they any good ?

bobd22

I don't know about bikes but friends have used breakdown for cars from their insurance and have received very good efficient service no different to what you get in UK.

bobd22

The one thing that does make me think breakdown cover even in my circumstances is worthwhile is the possibility of a puncture not like a car with a spare wheel. When I ride my bike over from UK I carry a couple of the inflator puncture repair aerosol things. However I have never used them so I don't know how effective they are?

Longlegpete

Have used a product called slime on a mates bike once, a far few years ago now , worked to a degree , enough to get the bike home, what a mess afterwards!.
I used to do a lot of touring all over Europe and always carried all the gear to repair a tubeless tyre at the side of the road, i have the mushrooms that fit inside the tyre and vulcanising solution, 3 polished tyre levers, a push bike pump was good for endless air, the hardest part was breaking the bed , a G clamp can do this, I'm 6ft 6" and 19 stone so never found it a problem once the first part of the bed has gone, once trye is repaired you can put the tyre back on and seat it as best you can, there is normally one part on each bed that wont seat unless you have a airline but i found with a little washing up liquid and water around the rims you can ride the bike slow and they will poop onto the rim, then just pump up to pressure.

This may sound a little extreme but its not a lot to carry, you should always have tools to remove front and back wheels anyway so its not loads more, only had to do it on a FZR1000Exup but practiced it on other occasions when fitting new tyres

bobd22

Yes I have heard about the mess left by using the slime and similar aerosols but in an emergency I suppose needs must. I used to change and repair all my own tyres but that was on 70,s bikes and competition Trials bikes where the tyres are easier and more malleable. I looked at changing the tyre on my Tiger 955i last year but decided to take tyre and wheel to a tyre fitter. Now have a r1150gs and think I would do the same with that or call out recovery these days lol

Longlegpete

Yes the older tyres were more malleable but I always thought the trade off was in tubeless tyres favour, you can put the lever in and not have to worry about pinching the tube, even now I have a trail bike that's tubed with two tyre stays and I find it a pain compared with a 190 55 tubeless.

How do you get on with the BMW, I have often fancied one but just cant get on with the final drive, have only test ridden a few various boxer engine BMWs over the past 12 years or so and just can't get on with it so never taken the plunge. I know its possible to ride these at a fair pace in the twisties but not by me it would seam!!

I have just brought my Honda XLV1000 over and put it on Spanish plates, it was a toss up between the expense of getting Spanish reg or going for a R1150gs that a local dealer have down the road but with the expense of transfer here in Spain I decided on the devil I know

bobd22

Not rode the GS much as not had it that long. I am hoping to ride it down through France etc to Spain next summer. Although it is a large lump of a bike quite light to manouver when moving. Actually less top heavy than my Tiger 955 was having the boxer engine. It is comfy and should be good for long distance touring. I am looking at doing around 230 to 250 mile a day on my summer trip. On the Tiger when I rode it over I was doing 350 mile a day. I find that too much these days being 62. As for final drive I don't mind the shaft, less maintainance than chain but yes something you either like or don't. I have had a few shaft drives over the years an old RT100 and a Kawasaki VN 1500. I also have had a 1200 Sportster Harley with belt drive I found that OK as well. I also have a 44 year old Triumph T100c which these days and compared with the BM feels like a moped, mind sounds nice and puts a smile on your face when riding it.