Essentially there are seven different types of motorbike, and within each type there are many different models with different levels of performance, different costs and consequently different insurance premiums. Here we will indicate each of these types and which insurance groups they are likely to be placed by specialist motorbike insurers. There are 22 groups in total though most motorbikes fall into groups 3 to 17, and it is the higher groups that attract the higher premiums.
Mopeds
Mopeds are bikes with very small engines of up to 50cc, which can also be driven by pedalling just as in an ordinary bicycle. Essentially they are motorised bicycles and because they have relatively low levels of power they fall into the lowest insurance groups of around 1 to 3.
Scooters
Scooters are often a popular choice for getting around towns and cities as they are very cheap to run and convenient to ride. Lower powered scooters fall into the lower insurance groups, possibly 3 to 6, though nowadays it is possible to buy some quite powerful models which are more expensive to insure.
Sports Bikes
Sports bikes are the most popular and often are fast and have powerful engines. They also look good with aerodynamic fairings. Typical manufacturers are Honda, Yamaha, Suzuki, Ducati and Triumph. These are likely to be in groups 10 to 17 depending on their performance levels and cost.
Naked Bikes
Naked bikes are generally sports bikes without the fancy fairings of sports bikes, and similar considerations apply in terms of insurance groups.
Cruisers
Cruisers typically have low seats are longer than conventional motorbikes, and a general retro look reminiscent of the Easy Rider era. The most iconic of all cruisers is the legendary Harley Davidson, which are likely to fall in the higher insurance groups.
Adventure Sport Bikes
Adventure sport bikes are made to go off-road as well as on-road because of this they are endurance machines and are built with toughness in mind. They are also long distance bikes and tend to have large petrol tanks and luggage compartments which can make them very expensive to buy and insure.
Touring Motorbikes
Touring motorbikes are made to eat up the miles by the thousand and provide the rider with high levels of comfort including all the electronic devices available such as an intercom for the driver and passenger and – believe it or not – air conditioning. They can be very expensive to buy and attract high insurance premiums.
Motorcycles are the ultimate symbol of cool. The faster the bike, the cooler it is. Here are 10 of the most advanced super bikes today, in no particular order.
1) Dodge Tomahawk
This beastly muscle-bike houses a nuclear generator of an engine in its chunky metallic chassis–one that is derived from that of the famous Dodge Viper. While not as sleek and sexy as many of its competitors, the Tomahawk throws itself from point A to point B in a blink of an eye with its unrivaled speed and power. This is definitely one of the baddest boys on the block.
> Engine: 8.3-liter V10 SRT10
> Horsepower: 500
> Top Speed: 480 km/hr
2) MV Agusta F3
This mechanical work of art is dubbed “The Most Beautiful Motorcycle in the World.” Quick and compact, there isn’t really another super bike with such a tiny engine in this elite class.
> Engine: Three-Cylinder 675cc
> Horsepower: 126
3) Kawasaki Ninja ZX-14R
Although relatively large and heavy, the ZX-14R has an incredible displacement of 1441cc. It has been dubbed “The World’s Most Powerful Production Motorcycle” and has yet to live up to that moniker. Only in due time will we see if the Ninja assassinates every rival that competes against it.
> Engine: 1441cc
> Horsepower: 200
> Price: $14,699
In a black and yellow paint job, the aggressively-designed S1000RR looks like an angry killer bee ready to ruin someone’s day. With its finely-tuned engine and ultra-light construction, it will wreck almost every opponent it gets matched up against. BMW’s high-end offering is both aesthetically attractive and pleasantly affordable.
> Engine: Four-Stroke 999cc
> Horsepower: 193
> Top Speed: 305 km/hr
> Price: $14,000
5) Suzuki Hayabusa GSX1300R
The Hayabusa is a super bike named after the fastest bird in the world–the Peregrine falcon. This bird is able to dive at top speeds of nearly 200 mph. Similarly, the Hayabusa can reach just about the same maximum velocity. With beautiful curves and a price tag that isn’t reserved for the rich and famous, the Hayabusa is like a fine lady who isn’t just after your wallet.
> Engine: Four-Stroke 1340cc
> Horsepower: 197
> Top Speed: 330 km/hr
> Price: $14,000
6) Ducati 1199 Panigale Superbike
This new version of the Ducati flagship model has been enhanced in a number of ways. Lighter, sleeker, stronger, and faster, the 1199 Panigale takes high-performance to another level. It is one of the most powerful pound-for-pound super bikes ever made.
> Engine: 1199cc V-Twin
> Horsepower: 195
7) Honda CBR1000RR
Starting in 2008, the speedy CBR was redesigned to be even lighter and faster than before. Much of the focus was on making the body more aerodynamic and reducing weight wherever it wasn’t needed. The end result was a better version of this already excellent import crotch-rocket.
> Engine: 999cc Inline-Four
> Horsepower: 178
> Price: $13,800
8) Erik Buell Racing 1190 RS
This super bike is another futuristic marvel of engineering that combines luxury with performance for those who want everything in a cycle. Unfortunately, you’re going to have to pay up if you want a taste of this milkshake.
> Engine: 1190cc V-Twin
> Horsepower: 175
> Price: $39,999
9) Yamaha YZF R1
A favorite among sports bike enthusiasts, the YZF R1 is the perfect blend of velocity and drive-ability. Ranked among the “Japanese Big 4” super bikes, this speed demon is guaranteed to put pretty much any Eastern or Western opponent to shame.
> Engine: Four-Stroke 1000cc
> Horsepower: 150
> Price: $14,500
10) MTT Turbine Superbike
This super bike is super sleek with its futuristic armor-plate-like body. Like all things from the future, this bike is equipped with an arsenal of high-tech devices including a laser scrambler and rear-mounted camera. The unbelievable part about the MTT Turbine is that it actually runs on a turbine engine unlike those found in jet planes. If this thing had wings, it would definitely take off.
> Engine: Rolls-Royce-Allison 250 Turbo Shaft
> Horsepower: 320
> Top Speed: 370 km/hr
> Price: $175,000
This guest post was written by Will who writes for a host of motoring companies and related businesses titanium supplier Dynamic Metals. Metals they stock include 17/4PH amongst many other metal alloys.
Showcasing 4 cool motorbikes that we’d love to own in 2012. Mind you, you’ll need deep pockets to buy one, not forgetting the cost of bike insurance for the privilege to own one of these bad boys!
1. Confederate X132 Hellcat Motorbike
Named after the famed F6F Hellcat fighter plane of WWII, the Confederate X132 Hellcat Motorbike is a fighter in its own way. This third-generation two-wheeled ride is built using the highest quality components possible, from its billet aluminum case to its carbon fiber wheels, all of which are hidden in plain sight thanks to the X132’s unique au naturale design that showcases craftsmanship over fancy bodywork. Available for pre-order now for delivery in the first half of next year and costing a cool $45,000.
2. Harley-Davidson VRSCDX Night Rod Special Motorbike
This special edition sport bike features a blacked-out 1250cc V-Twin Revolution engine good for 125 hp, blacked-out cast aluminum wheels, a double-barrel exhaust with brushed-finish dual mufflers, blacked-out end caps and exhaust shields, Brembo brakes, a blacked-out low-rise handlebar, an ultra-fat 240mm rear tire, a slimmed down fastback tail section with LED tail lamp, a — what else — matte black paint finish, and blacked out forks, triple clamps, and swingarm. Great for discrete cruising after dark, not so great for avoiding attention at the beach. Costing $15,300 and up, we’d love to own one of these bad boys!
3. Ducati Streetfighter 848 Motorbike
Powered by a new 848 Testastretta 11° engine and sporting Ducati Traction Control, the 848 has been designed with ergonomics and user-friendliness in mind, making it as suitable for everyday commutes as it is for high speedsters.
4. Akrapovic Morsus (Marcus Fenix’s Motorbike)
Saving the best bike till last say hello to ‘Morsus’, a unique custom machine built for aftermarket exhaust giant Akrapovic. Akrapovic has always been authority on exhaust systems, whether its with cars or motorbikes.
With a cool attention-grabbing design that features, among other things, teardrop mirrors, 3D triple trees, and 26″ carbon wheels, this bike is probably top of our most wanted list. Add that with a drivetrain that carries a 1,852 cc S&S motor with Akrapovic’s modified exhaust pipe and you have a beautiful chopper that boasts of 114 horsepower.
With a motorbike like this, it should be a hot seller in the market, right? Unfortunately, despite its awesomeness, there’s still a catch – and a pretty big one at that: it’s not for sale. Having said that, you can still keep tabs on this custom chopper as it participates in a variety of custom-oriented events for the year. It’s not as good as owning one, but hey, it’s still something to look forward to.
Cool cobra snake concept motorbike by Belgian designer Delussu Bruno. He gained his inspiration from Daniel Simon, the German concept designer and a futurist in the automotive department. His visionary book, Cosmic Motors got him more than just fame. Bruno’s latest concept has earned the name ‘Snake Road’ since it bears resemblance to a cobra.
The motorbike has a completely closed form of body which improves its interaction with the atmosphere while in movement. The fiberglass finish of the bike gives it a sturdy look and is actually lightweight. But what gives the bike the above said retro look is the traditional speedometer and an engine that is internal combustion. The bike is designed such that the rider needs to lie on the body like on a racing bike rather than sitting upright. Also the rear wheel is twice as thick as the front wheel which gives it a very monstrous look which is what the youth prefer. The one and only disadvantage noticeable is that the bike has no space for a pillion rider.
Have you seen this cool alligator bike or ‘gatorbike’! A charity fundraiser decided to spread an entire alligator skin over a custom-built chopper motorbike and sell 1,000 raffle tickets at a snappy £75 each.
Jim Jablon, owner of the Wildlife Rehab centre in Hernando, Florida, devised the GatorBike to raise funds for the charity, which rescues neglected or abused exotic pets. The 120mph reptilian ride features the skin and skull of an alligator culled and donated by state officials. ‘I thought, “Why not put it to good use?”’ said the 45-year-old.
The skin is detachable but the head is fixed perm-anently into the handlebars and has the speedometer implanted into the back of the skull. And the prize draw is set to be just as quirky as the toothy two-wheeler itself – with the winning ticket to be plucked from a pool full of alligators by a 22-year-old model. ‘It’s not dangerous,’ said Mr Jablon. ‘We’re not going to tie a chicken to her or anything.’
The cool Mavizen TTX02 electric motorbike is being dubbed as a laptop on wheels. A really cool fast laptop on wheels and an expensive one at $41,300. Besides it’s impressive top speed of 130mph, the interesting thing about this cool bike is that it features a dedicated IP address, on-board web server, WiFi and Linux.
Mavizen TTX02 Motorbike Videos
Whoa check out this cool Predator motorbike based on the movie. This Predator Motorbike was created by Pitstop Motors of New Jersey. This cool bike it is not just for show but is a fully functional 2007 Suzuki Hayabusa with a monstrous engine and runs like anything on road but with increased intensity and presence as can easily be seen with the variety of images from Miggiddymatt, iO9, SSBMag and theOOrig.