Insurance on your track bike?

[Murf99]

GSXR Racer Mike - Correct on both accounts!- I love that track.

Java - I have to respectfully disagree. I have a friend who I consider fast (runs middle-of-the-pack in NESBA Advanced), has done almost 40 track days, and has not crashed. He takes small steps and rarely passes 90% performance potential, maintaining a safety envalope to pick up the slack of his own, or somebody elses, mistakes.

That's what I consider Track Days for... since I can have plenty of fun at 90%!

Perhaps that's just my mindset, because I'm sure I'd be faster than I am now if I pushed harder for a greater span of time. However for me, track day riding is simply about having fun, and having weighed the options of riding that extra 10% all (most) of the time and suffering the odd crash as a result, or leaving a 10% safety margin and grately deminishing my chances of a wreck... I have chosen the latter and consider myself no less for it.

For the record, I am not particularly afraid of falling. The fact that my bike is covered by insurance aids this... and the thought never has entered my mind when I am riding. NEVER. That being said, I have crashed on the street, and it is not a pleasurable experience. Thus, I try to optimize the compromise between crash risk, and having fun going fast.

Racing is a whole different story, though, since there the mission statement is to operate your vehicle at the greatest extent of its performance envalope avalible to you. I intend to get my race liscence and do 1 club race this year -- with my ZX7! hen all bets are off!

Cheers all, Merry Christmas!

[96SNAKE/03RR]

I do agree with Java on being scared and possibly crashing because of that fear. Fear is good in some respects but if you are worried about damage to your bike while actually riding on the track, you could be in trouble out there or at least not progressing as you could be.

That said, I worry the night before, arriving at the track and even when I slip off the tire warmers but once I enter the track entrance lane, that all goes away. At that point, it's all about being as fast as I can and crashing is just about the last thing on my mind. The competition helps keep you on your game. It may only be a track day but it sure is fun battling out there with others or just a lap timer.

I will say my cool and fearless attitude goes right out the window after a nice power slide on an exit once the rear tire begins to sign off. Then, you realize your equipment is telling you something and it's time to listen. For me, that's when I usually end my day.

Merry Christmas!!!

[VTEC_EATER]

Originally Posted by javawhz

Asking insurance to pay for your track crash is pretty silly. If you're serious about getting fast be prepared to go down multiple times. I have not met a single fast guy who has NEVER crashed in his life. Going down is an eventuality, if you must improve then you must push yourself and it will happen sooner or later. How many times are you going to claim insurance? It's silly.

I see many newer riders come to the track with shiny new bikes riding all slow and scared. Well, if you are so concerned about scratching your bike then the racetrack is certainly not the place for you OR your bike! Stick to the bike nights ;-)

The funny thing is that the more scared you are of crashing your bike, the greater your chances of crashing...sort of like a self fulfilling prophecy

If this is in any way directed towards me, slow your roll. I never said I wanted insurance to pay for any crash damage I may experience. As I stated earlier, I dont even have collision and comprehensive on my FZR because the bike is not worth enough to outweigh the insurance price, and if I claimed anything, my insurance would skyrocket. So, I will not be claiming any accident to my insurance company.

As for being scared of going down, well ofcourse I dont want to go down, but Im not going out there to be the fastest. I want to improve my riding and know what its like to use the bike to its potential while in a safer environment than on the street. If I go down, then I go down. Yeah it sucks because you have to fix what you break, but thats the price you pay for trying to improve your riding abilities.

My question was about being sued, and so far jeeps84 has been the only one to actually answer the question. Thank you Jeeps for answering me. So now I know I dont need to insure my FZR anymore.

[hybrid]

All I am gonna tell you is that your a fool if you dont have theft coverage or fire protection. Most homeowners insurance wont cover anything with an engine in the frame. So dont get caught with your pants down on something so dumb.

as far as collision, waste of money, wreck it once you might be okay, twice your gone

[btjzx6]

dude,

what happens on the track is left on the track!!! thats it, if someone took you out no question confront them, and get the officails to kick his ass, he doesnt belong.
lawsuits are to be left home, anyone thaty gets on a track should understand this, if everyone sued over stupid contact on the track, racetracks wouldnt exist. when you go out on track at that point you have taken full responsibility for all of your own equipment, but thats it, none of anyone elses. You dont ride like you dont care about anyone else, ride senseably, but dont go out there scared to get in there and have fun cause you might possiblly, maybe take someone out, and that will get you sued, thats too much on your mind at one time. When on the track the only thing in your mind should be riding, pay full attention to that, and you will be good.

i dont have insurence on my zx6rr racebike as of now, i want to get theft and fire, butg this would only be for when it is in my garage or on the trailer. I dont have it yet, because my previous insurence company told me it would be $7000 a year, because the only way to get it would be full coverage, WRONG!!! it has to be a seperate policy, nothing like the normal policy you would have on a street bike. I think i heard state farm was one company doing this, but i am unsure, go ask some racers, most will have them insured, they will tell you how.

go out there and be safe, maybe i will see you out at the track someday, most importantly HAVE FUN!!!
Brian

[mattg]

Originally Posted by btjzx6

I think i heard state farm was one company doing this, but i am unsure, go ask some racers, most will have them insured, they will tell you how.

this is correct. I have a full policy with state farm for my gsxr, but right now its a comprehensive only policy. theft/fire/etc. if i'm on it and its running, its not covered sort of deal.

i'm not sure if you can just get only the comprehensive coverage.

[MELK-MAN]

Originally Posted by javawhz

Asking insurance to pay for your track crash is pretty silly. If you're serious about getting fast be prepared to go down multiple times. I have not met a single fast guy who has NEVER crashed in his life. Going down is an eventuality, if you must improve then you must push yourself and it will happen sooner or later. How many times are you going to claim insurance? It's silly.

I see many newer riders come to the track with shiny new bikes riding all slow and scared. Well, if you are so concerned about scratching your bike then the racetrack is certainly not the place for you OR your bike! Stick to the bike nights ;-)

The funny thing is that the more scared you are of crashing your bike, the greater your chances of crashing...sort of like a self fulfilling prophecy

Progressive pays at the track. Personally (and from an underwriting standpoint) i think insurance co. would rather see you at the track. If you crash, it will only be for that bike. You wont be crashing into a car and causing damage they have to pay for, or hitting a pedestrian who will sue for big $$$.
I crashed my bike at the track about 6 months into track riding after having ridden on the street 6 months. No problem, told em i was there. As someone else pointed out, as long as it was not a "race" event.. just an open track day that anyone could come to they are fine..

[mattg]

Originally Posted by mattg

this is correct. I have a full policy with state farm for my gsxr, but right now its a comprehensive only policy. theft/fire/etc. if i'm on it and its running, its not covered sort of deal.

i'm not sure if you can just get only the comprehensive coverage.

well, I can now say that I'm covered at nesba events. I just taked with my insurance company and they said as long as we're not 'jumping' or preparing for a race, it will be covered.

I can't wait for April 21st.