BMW motorbike insurance

BMW offers motorcycle models for most levels of age and experience. They also offer rider training courses for both new and more advanced riders at purpose-built training facilities. The better you ride your bike, the more affordable your BMW motorcycle insurance is likely to be.

BMW motorbike insurance will vary depending on a range of factors including your riding history, your age and the BMW motorbike you're riding. The more valuable it is and the bigger its engine, the more you are likely to pay to insure your BMW motorcycle.

It's always a good idea to find out the likely cost of your BMW motorbike insurance before you buy your ride.

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How much is BMW motorbike insurance?

The average price of BMW motorbike insurance is £345*.

Motorcycle insurance tends to get cheaper as you get older. From an insurer’s point of view, older riders tend to be more experienced and are less likely to have an accident. But age is just one of multiple factors that affect the price of your insurance.

*Confused.com customers paid £345.37 on average for BMW motorbike insurance between Oct - Dec 2023.

What affects the price of motorbike insurance?

There are several factors that affect the price of insuring your BMW motorcycle. These include:

  • The type of motorbike
  • Your location
  • Your age
  • Your riding history
  • The value of your motorbike

The type of motorbike you ride is important as it can determine what insurance group your it's in. Insurers place all motorbikes into insurance groups, which helps them calculate how much insurance policies cost. Insurers use factors like performance, value and repair costs to determine which groups to put a particular motorbike in.

Your location can also affect how much you pay. If your area has a high rate of crime, expect your policy to cost more compared to an area with low car crime rates.

Your age also determines how much your policy costs. The more experienced a rider you are, the less your policy costs are, compared to a younger, less experienced driver. Experience comes with age, but it's worth considering advanced driving courses to help lower your insurance costs.

Your riding history is also important. A riding record with no penalty points or convictions means you pay less than someone with a riding conviction. This is because insurers don't see you as a riskier motorcyclist.

The value of your motorbike means the more expensive or valuable your motorbike is, the more it tends to cost to repair or replace if damaged or stolen. Insurers take this into account when calculating the price of your policy.

How can I save on my BMW motorcycle insurance?

How much you can save differs from person to person because everyone's personal circumstances are different. But here's a list of ways that many people could save on motorbike insurance:

  • Shop around and compare quotes
  • Increase security
  • Increase your voluntary excess
  • Ride a less powerful motorbike
  • Pay annually instead of monthly
  • Build up your no-claims bonus (NCB)

Shop around and compare quotes. You don't have to accept the first price you're offered - compare different providers to see who has the best deal.

Increase security such as locking your motorcycle away in a garage or add an alarm or immobiliser to your vehicle.

Increase your voluntary excess, but make sure you can afford to pay it if you make a claim. Paying a higher amount shows your insurer you're serious about only claiming for a serious accident.

Ride a less powerful motorbike. The more powerful your motorcycle, the higher the insurance group it's likely to be in. This means a higher insurance cost.

Pay annually instead of monthly to help reduce costs. Choosing to pay monthly means insurers add interest charges, which increase your policy costs.

Build up your no-claims bonus (NCB). This comes with time and careful driving but building up a few years' NCB can reduce the cost of your insurance.

What insurance can I get for my BMW?

There are 3 levels of motorbike insurance available:

Third-party is the minimum amount of cover you can get and is a legal requirement in the UK. It covers damage to other vehicles and property but offers no cover to your own BMW.

Third-party, fire and theft offers the same third-party cover and covers for repair and replacement costs if your motorbike is stolen or damaged by fire.

Comprehensive offers the highest level of protection. It offers everything the other 2 levels cover as well as protection for damage caused to your own motorcycle. And it often works out as the cheapest of the 3 levels.

What optional add-ons can I get with my motorbike insurance?

Helmet and leathers cover helps cover the cost of your riding helmet and leathers if you're involved in an accident.

Pillion cover. This covers you if you carry passengers on the back of your BMW.

Sidecar cover protects your sidecar in the event of an accident. This might be included on your policy as standard, but if not, you can usually add it.

Motorbike breakdown cover is usually available at different levels of cover. Be sure to pick the right level of breakdown for your needs.

Personal accident cover provides a payout if you or a family member is seriously injured or dies in an accident.

Legal expenses cover helps cover any legal costs if you're involved in an accident.

BMW history and facts

Bayerische Motoren Werke (BMW) dates back to 1913, but back then the company produced aircraft engines.

In 1923, the legendary BMW designer Max Friz took motorcycle design and capability to the next level. He launched the 486cc R 32, which reached a top speed of around 60 mph.

BMW Motorrad, the motorcycle brand of BMW, continued its development of bigger and faster motorbikes. In 1928 it produced the 750cc R 62, with a top speed of 71 mph.

Innovation in the post-war years included the introduction of the classic R 69 S in 1960. The fastest 'Boxer' at the time, the motorbike boasted top speeds of 109 mph.

Introduced in 1977, the R80/7 was significant as it was adopted by police forces across the country and became a familiar sight on UK roads. The company continued to develop its offerings to riders and in 1997 BMW introduced its first chopper/cruiser – the R1200C.

The motorbike was immortalised on film when it was ridden by Pierce Brosnan as James Bond in Tomorrow Never Dies.

In 2009 BMW launched the S1000RR sport bike. Designed to compete with the major Japanese manufacturers, the motorbike showcased BMW’s expertise in developing advanced traction control systems.

BMW still continues to innovate. Today its range includes sports, tourer, roadster and adventure bikes. With its heritage range it incorporates classic shapes with modern tech. And when it comes to urban mobility, its fully electric CE 04 motorbike offers lots of power but with zero emissions.

The leading BMW motorbikes

Whether you are a motorcycle fanatic or a new learner who likes the idea of weaving a bike through congested city streets, BMW’s motorbikes offer something for everyone.

BMW R 1250 GS Adventure

With a starting price of £15,650, the R 1250 GS Adventure was launched in 2021 with BMW’s claim that “No destination is too far.” Referring to the motorcycle as the ‘Queen of the touring enduro’, BMW has designed it to overcome nigh-on impassable routes, withstand adverse conditions and enable access to the most remote destinations.

Thanks to the powerful boxer engine with BMW ShiftCam, BMW insists you can reach any destination in the world with ease.

BMW K 1600 GTL

For those wanting a touring motorcycle that offers luxury, the BMW K 1600 GTL ticks most boxes.

Launched initially in 2010 and with several upgrades over the years – including a 2021 model – the BMW K 1600 GTL has a starting price of £22,390.

According to BMW, this high-performance touring motorcycle represents the pinnacle of quality and sheer comfort, boasting the legendary BMW straight-six engine. With plenty of room for a partner on the back, the powerful K 1600 GTL has been designed to handle long distances and any weather conditions.

BMW CE 04

If you live in a congested city and like the option of a small and emission-free motorbike to get you around, then the BMW CE 04 certainly fits the bill.

For over 10 years, BMW has been developing solutions for urban electromobility and the BMW CE 04 electric scooter encapsulates much of this effort. Launched in summer 2021 and priced at £12,270 upwards, the 31 kw BMW CE 04 offers 130km of travel on each charge, with 0% to 80% charging power taking just over one hour. The scooter is simply charged at 220V domestic sockets.

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1Correct as of July 2024

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