1981 VIN pin ... again...

[neil_x]

It's still in the "chuckle" stage until I can get to the BMV here in Indiana but when your insurance agent is a Gen-Xer and you try to insure an imported '81 bike, things get a little humorous. I'm sure there's a thread for this already. (there's an app for that )

Seems Ms. Gen-X wants a 17-character VIN number or my insurance won't apply. I tried to explain that the bike was a 1981 model, and the 17-character VIN rules did not go into force until 1981. The bike, with it's 4R0 number probably didn't make it off the boat until late in 1980 .. if then!

"Hello Walls!" -- 'cuz she certainly wasn't listening. "If it was a 1951, perhaps, I'd understand", she said. I just nodded my head and left the office.

I am pretty sure I'll get better results when I talk to Flo directly.

[natemoen]

Find someone else to talk to. If they don't understand, they never will.

And god help me.....I move to Indianapolis next week! I better not have any problems!

[neil_x]

the insurance game ...

Find someone else to talk to. If they don't understand, they never will.

And god help me.....I move to Indianapolis next week! I better not have any problems!

Heh - Nate, I figured if I had no problems insuring my SG (same office, different personnel) they'd be okay with the SH a year later. I thought some of the fellows might get a laugh out of this. Some of her assistants might be a little slow, but overall, Flo has never let me down. Actually, they will insure me, but they figure from the serial number that I have a franken-bike or something ... and the premiums go up accordingly. I'll fix it - no biggie - but I just expected more knowledgable people taking my cash! A litre-plus bike at my (advanced) age and (low) IQ with only liability coverage should be in the neighborhood of only about $200 or so yearly.

PS - It's not all rainbows and ponies in Indy, but it ain't half bad, either. I hope you have a safe and trouble-free move ... and can I be the first to welcome you?

PPS - I noticed I've been advanced from noob to XSive!! This RAWKS!! The way I see it is ... any promotion a guy can get in THIS economy ...

- N

[natemoen]

You will have to show me the good roads around the area once I get things settled in.

[motoman]

It's still in the "chuckle" stage until I can get to the BMV here in Indiana but when your insurance agent is a Gen-Xer and you try to insure an imported '81 bike, things get a little humorous. I'm sure there's a thread for this already. (there's an app for that )

Seems Ms. Gen-X wants a 17-character VIN number or my insurance won't apply. I tried to explain that the bike was a 1981 model, and the 17-character VIN rules did not go into force until 1981. The bike, with it's 4R0 number probably didn't make it off the boat until late in 1980 .. if then!

"Hello Walls!" -- 'cuz she certainly wasn't listening. "If it was a 1951, perhaps, I'd understand", she said. I just nodded my head and left the office.

I am pretty sure I'll get better results when I talk to Flo directly.

Guess wasn't unusual for the 81's, Special or Standard. My Venturer was in question putting on a temp. tag at the dealershiip when new. Three plus decades ago, but remember it like yesterday. Dealer and inspector from state patrol got into a fairly heated discussion, with dealer ending conversation by saying he didn't think the Colo.StatePatrol had enough money to take on the Yamaha motorcycle division. Apparently not enough characters in vin being an 81'. Problem was, since all the bikes are built the year prior, they come up one character short of the required for 81. Guess the conflict would be manufacturer date as opposed to actual year model. Ironicley, selling my Venturer after having it ten yrs. from new, I unknowingly came across it some 14yrs. later buying it back from an even different PO. Had to have a dealer sign off on it to tag it again! Guess the discrpency is caught by some and not others.

[DGXSER]

Try having this discussion with your agent when you already have one 81 XS1100 insured with them that has a 17 digit VIN, and your trying to insure another 81 XS1100 that only has 13 digits. Fortunately for me, I have been insured with the same person since I started driving....a LOT of years ago. So they worked with me, but it took a good thirty minutes on the phone walking to the bikes...looking at VINS....looking at stamped numbers.....yada yada yada...

[donebysunday]

It's still in the "chuckle" stage until I can get to the BMV here in Indiana but when your insurance agent is a Gen-Xer and you try to insure an imported '81 bike, things get a little humorous. I'm sure there's a thread for this already. (there's an app for that )



Seems Ms. Gen-X wants a 17-character VIN number or my insurance won't apply. I tried to explain that the bike was a 1981 model, and the 17-character VIN rules did not go into force until 1981. The bike, with it's 4R0 number probably didn't make it off the boat until late in 1980 .. if then!

"Hello Walls!" -- 'cuz she certainly wasn't listening. "If it was a 1951, perhaps, I'd understand", she said. I just nodded my head and left the office.

I am pretty sure I'll get better results when I talk to Flo directly.

SUPER, someone that knows what they are doing !

[jjz28]

Last year I had progressive, first time ever insuring a bike. I insured my little xs750 first and later added my xs1100 when I got it running. My insurance was 180 something a year. This year I insured my xs1100 first and progressive was going to charge me almost $300 a year. That's almost double on one bike, last year I had 2. I think it was because they insured the 750 first and then just added on the 1100 like it was a 750, I don't know. So, I went to another company and got the 1100 at $170 a year. I let it run out in the winter for a couple of months last year, maybe that was why but I did not owe anything, just didn't renew. Next year I am going to try and insure my 750 first and then add on the 1100 and see what it is. I don't ride the 750 so I really don't need to insure it but oh well.

[donebysunday]

Last year I had progressive, first time ever insuring a bike. I insured my little xs750 first and later added my xs1100 when I got it running. My insurance was 180 something a year. This year I insured my xs1100 first and progressive was going to charge me almost $300 a year. That's almost double on one bike, last year I had 2. I think it was because they insured the 750 first and then just added on the 1100 like it was a 750, I don't know. So, I went to another company and got the 1100 at $170 a year. I let it run out in the winter for a couple of months last year, maybe that was why but I did not owe anything, just didn't renew. Next year I am going to try and insure my 750 first and then add on the 1100 and see what it is. I don't ride the 750 so I really don't need to insure it but oh well.

All depends, might try collectors insurance ?

[CaptonZap]

Dairyland sells a Broad Form policy, which covers any bike you ride. No one else is covered, just you. My policy, which covers an XJ, 2 XS's, and two 50 cc scooters, plus any others I want to license, cost me $170 a year. That is just for the minimum liability required by the state.
They can add uninsured owner, collision, etc, for additional cost.
CZ

[TopCatGr58]

Hey Neil,

I rebuilt my 81SH with a 9 number/character VIN in 2001 and insured it with Progressive then with no problems at all! I get a years basic state required liability for under $100.00 a year, I oopsed last year and missed the payment, so I lost some my continuous member discount, but was still like $85.00 or so. Of course I'm also over 50, married, and so I'm sure that contributes to the lower rates. I'm pretty sure I signed up for it ONLINE, and it's noted as an 81 model, but it accepted the VIN # and such just fine! YMMV!?

T.C.

[dpotter58]

Sometimes but not always, I get a letter from DMV when I renew. Same problem, not enough digits the vin so I call the insurance company and they work it out.
My title only has 10 or however many are on the bike and they gave me the title...