Quote Originally Posted by Jon_W
[quote author=monday21 link=1342298769/92#92 date=1342724220][quote author=BMWGraeme link=1342298769/66#66 date=1342690599]I can still visually recall two particular incidents in my biking career from over 30 years ago when I was invincible and knew everything. One was stupidity on my part and the other stupidity on a car drivers part that wouldn't have been a problem if I hadn't have been so stupid and riding so fast ;D Got away with both apart from the mental flashbacks

Mind you, I thought the bike statistics (as opposed to cars) had moved somewhat from my day when it was all 19 year olds crashing to the more up to date statistics that has 40+ year olds returning to biking being in the highest risk category? And 60% of these don't involve another vehicle?
Graeme, where did you source these figures from? The only reason I was asking was because the alleged higher risk element is certainly not reflected in insurance premiums for older motorcyclists. My bike is group 15, yet costs (£150) nearly half of my small engine van. [/quote]

I've heard similar. Bear in mind Ken, you've probably ridden all the time and built up to the Fazer.... the people in question were buying GSX-R's after 20+ years out and not surprisingly throwing it at the scenery.....[/quote]

Ken, I can't remember to be honest where I have read these - but it was recent. I think there are two main categories at high risk, 16-19 scooter/moped/125 learners and the 35-39 age ranges. There was some evidence I read that for the 40+ range of riders, as Jon points out, its the return to biking guys (its about 94% who are male in this category) who last had a Z1000 in the 1980's who buy the latest superbike (because the kids have gone and they can afford it) and on the first or second fast sunday afternoon run bin it into the hedge. I think that's related to the high percentage of accidents that don't involve another vehicle.

There's lots of other statistics and information insurance companies use to make up your premium not just accidents and age ranges although of course its a major factor. My bike insurance is twice that of my car, but thats not because of my age.