Topic: "We won't insure it."

[johngenx]

My "top secret" not-so-secret project this winter has been my naked-biked Hayabusa.  The bike was disassembled  and the engine completely overhauled with the heads opened up and new big bore lower compression pistons installed in anticipation of forced induction.  The FI has been remapped and larger injectors and higher capacity fuel pump supply the added fuel needed for the pressurized engine.

The turbo is not the outrageous stupifying  Garret large turbo system made famous by the "Ghost Rider" in Europe, but the smaller, faster spooling, lower pressure Mitsu TD05 16G.  With 9psi of boost combined with the enlarged displacement, the bike is expected to dyno 330-340RWHP.  You can install the turbo on a bone stock 1300 engine without reducing compression and even using stock injectors for 280-290hp, but I figure "go big or go home."

(the bigger Garret with more cubes and all the goodies will lay over 500hp at the rear tire, but the cost goes up by 4X, ouch...)

The stock 'busa transmission can handle the power, but adding a billet output shaft is a good idea once 300hp is exceeded.  The fast spooling turbo engines benefit greatly from a wider ratio transmission (the engine revs so fast it's almost insane trying to shift and keep it at WOT) but that is a pricey bit that wasn't in the budget.

With the bike strewn all over the shop and spring like weather, we've been thinking about putting it back together.  Needs insurance and a plate.

The first question from my agent: "has the motorcycle been modified?"

"Yes"

"Sorry, we won't insure it."

"Not even basic PL/PD?"

"Absolutely not."

Turns out that even the Facility insurance ($$$$) can say "no" if the bike is modded.  I used to ride and insure modded sport bikes all the time.  Seems the world has changed, and not for the better.

The search for insurance begins...

[blur911]

The first question asked by insurers in Ontario is:  Is it turbocharged?
Methinks you'll have to lie, or look for specialty insurance of some sort.

[johngenx]

Methinks you'll have to lie...

Out of the question.  Not worth the risk of being uninsured if something happens.

[inco]

Easy solution JG - self insure it - start your own company!  Seriously though you are going to have a hard time because it has been modified. Stock bikes are hard enough and I know you have years of experience on your side, but it's still modified.

Maybe rRocket has some leads.

[overtakeyouintheleftlane]

Not surprised, same with cars.

When I called my insurance company to tell them I tinted the car and installed HID, they wanted to know if I did anything to the engine. I didn't.

They advised me that if I did ANYTHING to improve the performance (more HP, more torque, supercharging, turbo and yes, even an intake) they would not insure the car. It must stay stock. Superchargers or turbos are fine if the car was built that way. If not, forget it.

Too much of a risk I guess.

[johngenx]

A diesel Smart is turbo'd from the factory.  Maybe an engine swap for the busa turbo engine.  (A Smart with 340hp would be a handful...)

[ktm525]

Not surprised, same with cars.

When I called my insurance company to tell them I tinted the car and installed HID, they wanted to know if I did anything to the engine. I didn't.

They advised me that if I did ANYTHING to improve the performance (more HP, more torque, supercharging, turbo and yes, even an intake) they would not insure the car. It must stay stock. Superchargers or turbos are fine if the car was built that way. If not, forget it.

Too much of a risk I guess.

I wonder where CAIs land? How about a reflash of the CPU? No one ever asked....

[rrocket]

My insurance company knew my Supra was modified.  No problems with them (State Farm).

[The Mighty Duck]

They advised me that if I did ANYTHING to improve the performance (more HP, more torque, supercharging, turbo and yes, even an intake) they would not insure the car. It must stay stock. Superchargers or turbos are fine if the car was built that way. If not, forget it.

Sounds like you need to find an insurance company not run by a bunch of uptight sissies. The logic that they'll happily insure a factory-spec 500 hp Mustang GT500 (for example), but not a self-modified 200 hp Honda Civic boggles the mind.

For all its fault, at least ICBC doesn't play that game. They're in the business of insuring cars.

[rrocket]

They advised me that if I did ANYTHING to improve the performance (more HP, more torque, supercharging, turbo and yes, even an intake) they would not insure the car. It must stay stock. Superchargers or turbos are fine if the car was built that way. If not, forget it.

Sounds like you need to find an insurance company not run by a bunch of uptight sissies. The logic that they'll happily insure a factory-spec 500 hp Mustang GT500 (for example), but not a self-modified 200 hp Honda Civic boggles the mind.

For all its fault, at least ICBC doesn't play that game. They're in the business of insuring cars.

They're not sissies.  A stock Busa is no joke, let alone one making 250+HP.  These things can warp time.  As such, people can get hurt on these things rather easily.  To give you perspective, his 'Busa should be able to hit 8s in the 1/4 mile with ease...

[vdk]

A Busa turboed Nice project!

Goodluck finding insurance, it's hard enough to insure modestly modified cars, I'd imagine a turbo Busa is in a whole other league.

[The Mighty Duck]

They're not sissies.  A stock Busa is no joke, let alone one making 250+HP.  These things can warp time.  As such, people can get hurt on these things rather easily.  To give you perspective, his 'Busa should be able to hit 8s in the 1/4 mile with ease...

The statement I quoted was from overtakeyouintheleftlane...

"...more HP, more torque, supercharging, turbo and yes, even an intake) they would not insure the car."

Reading fail.

[rrocket]

They're not sissies.  A stock Busa is no joke, let alone one making 250+HP.  These things can warp time.  As such, people can get hurt on these things rather easily.  To give you perspective, his 'Busa should be able to hit 8s in the 1/4 mile with ease...

The statement I quoted was from overtakeyouintheleftlane...

"...more HP, more torque, supercharging, turbo and yes, even an intake) they would not insure the car."

Reading fail.

No I understood...I guess my reply was confusing now that I've re-read it...I was sorta replying to 2 threads at once.  Whoops!  Anyways they're not sissies..they're just scared of ANYTHING that's modded because then it will be "where do we draw the line".  An intake on an Echo does nothing...but an intake on a GT500 or a Supra can be worth big ponies.  Know what I mean?

But I agree..it makes no sense at all.  For example, my Supra cost less to insure than my Echo.  Makes no sense at all, but that's the way it was.

[wing]

That is why when I slapped the supercharger on the S2k, I dropped the insurance and started trailering it.

[initial_D]

quote]

But I agree..it makes no sense at all.  For example, my Supra cost less to insure than my Echo.  Makes no sense at all, but that's the way it was.

Makes sense to me, people who drives Supra are extremely careful, and are super drivers.  ... avoiding accident wise.

Isn't insurance premium calculated based on the number of accident claims and the average payout per claim on that model, with a 'rape-scale' in accordance to the driver's age, gender, driving record, and amount of sun-lights on that day?

[initial_D]

I am lucky my insurance company does not ask that 'is it modded' question?

[tpl]

I am lucky my insurance company does not ask that 'is it modded' question?

Have you read all the very small print in the policy?    The Ins co I use doesn't ask ( has never asked) but down in the 1 point type they reserve the right to not insure/cancel if the car is modded and they are not told about it.

[toolatecrew]

Sissies? Heck many insurance compainies do not insure motocycles PERIOD.

Insurance is a businesas its based on %s and risk return. There are no %s on insuring a350 HP motocycle that will break all speed limits within about 4 seconds.

The number of people who have those type of bikes is tiny. Even chraging huge premiums on a tiny number of bikes probaly wouldn't offset the losses of a very few accidents. Theres no %s in it.

While you might be responsible enough to drive it slowly to the track there are many others who would be temted to crack the thottle on the street. As an insurer they can't tell which you are.

[DockMan]

....There are no %s on insuring a350 HP motocycle that will break all speed limits within about 4 2 seconds.

There, fixed that for ya. 

[blur911]

My insurance company knew my Supra was modified.  No problems with them (State Farm).

I don't understand that as State Farm is one of the worst companies for dropping modded vehicles 
A few years ago they sent out a statement to policy holders saying if your vehicles had any undisclosed modifications you could be denied coverage;   However if you disclosed those modifications your vehicle was dropped.
They didn't want to insure my 911 and many people in my auto club have problems with them, one friends car was denied coverage when his agent saw his motorsports club sticker on the car.

I bet your agent just forgot to get you to fill in and sign that bit about disclosing modifications because he wanted your business.   If a State Farm agent doesn't want your business for whatever reason they just quote you Facility rates and hope you go away.  If they do want it they can bend the rules a little for you.