GStwin.com GS500 Message Forum

finally got my licence in order to get insurance.

$380+ to start the policy and the lowest amount was $1700 a year!  :x

what the heck! I mean, I asked the lady at the office why such a high price for a new bike, and she said its because it's a racing bike.  :o

racing bike? hell no, I bought this because is a commuter/beginner's bike!

so sad. I thought I was saving money by getting a motorcycle  :bs:

the insurance co is AIG btw (in the US).

I didn't even got discount for taking the MFS course, and the lady at the office said that practically no insurance company offers such discount.  :dunno:

Try prgressive. They will give you a quote right online in secconds.

I dont have full coverage, but mine is $68.00 a year :)

That's BS - most if not all companies give a discount for MSF.  Shop around.  Get a quote from Progressive, GMAC, Geico, State Farm, Farmers, whoever else you can find a number for.  Pick the one who gives you the lowest quote.

Yeah man. I agree w/ those other posts. Anytime the blood starts rushing to your head that much you should stand up from that bent over position and consider the fact that your not in jail and no one dropped the soap.

-ash

Thing is, I only feel violated because I already paid the $380+ dollars and I got the $1700 coming during the next 12 months  :x

In any case, I needed to get that insurance today (and I did) because this weekend I will be riding like there is no tomorrow...  :dunno:

If you cancel, they should prorate and reimburse you.  Go ahead and shop around.

the reason its considered a "racing bike" is because it has a full faring.
It is an 04 right?? Even minor drops can cost any easy $300.
Insurance companys dont like replacing plastics. They seem to do it alot with all those squids out there on their brand new gixxer's!!!!

Sucks bud, but you gotta do what you gotta do,
The dealer had a responsability to tell you that when you bought it. Bummer not many dealers give a lick about you, just selling a bike...


Hmmmmm maybe I should open a dealership. One based on honesty, and customer service..

What do you guys think?? Wanna buy a bike from me??

Quote from: DragonflyWhat do you guys think?? Wanna buy a bike from me??

Sure, I've got 750 miles under my belt, wanna sell me a new gixxer 1000?

Try Markel American / Bikeline

http://www.google.com/url?sa=U&start=1&q=http://www.bike-line.com/&e=9818

They've got an A+ rating from AM Best (insurance ratings/industry review company), so I'm sure they'll handle claims well if the need arises, they have excellent rates, and they only insure motorcycles, and really seem to know their stuff.

:thumb:  :thumb:  :thumb:

Quote from: dionysus

Quote from: DragonflyWhat do you guys think?? Wanna buy a bike from me??

Sure, I've got 750 miles under my belt, wanna sell me a new gixxer 1000?

I can sell you the Gixxer, but I will highly recommend the Sv-650, Gs500, Honda 599, Fz6. Or maybe even a Ninja 250 if your really not sure of yourself.
Your choice though. Remember factor in the expense of Buying proper Gear.
I VERY highly recommend Full leathers for any Supersport!

I get excellent rates with Farmers Insurance.

Quote from: dionysusSure, I've got 750 miles under my belt, wanna sell me a new gixxer 1000?

That's going to be too slow for a big guy like you.  You need a 1300 Limited.

Quote from: RoadstergalThat's BS - most if not all companies give a discount for MSF.  Shop around.  Get a quote from Progressive, GMAC, Geico, State Farm, Farmers, whoever else you can find a number for.  Pick the one who gives you the lowest quote.

by looking at your signature, I even thought about taking the bike back to the dealer and instead get a Breva V750.
That does look like regular bike and I might get a much lower quote from insurance companies.  :dunno:

what do you think? http://www.motoguzzi-us.com/bikes/breva/

It amazes me when people are surprised what insurance costs.  Before I bought my first bike, I knew what the three bikes I wanted would cost for insurance.  The GS came out ahead, although much higher than I wanted to pay initially.  The bike is classified as it is because they do get wrecked.  Its a percentage thing, just look how many 'Oops' threads there are here.

I chose my TL because although a liter bike, its insurance is lower than a 600 or any other 1000.  Just think about what it costs to replace a bike, and the risk of allowing a 'high risk' person to operate it.

Quote from: Roadstergal

Quote from: dionysusSure, I've got 750 miles under my belt, wanna sell me a new gixxer 1000?

That's going to be too slow for a big guy like you.  You need a 1300 Limited.

Are you sure you wouldn't like to try something more substantial like a Rocket III ????  It would handle the weight better and it corners like a 250 ;)  (btw, my boss has one of them and OMFG it is awesome)

Actually, even with 1000 miles... stay on the GS, I plan on staying for AT LEAST 5000 miles if not 10000

About the insurance, you only pay for what you used...  when you cancel, they are required to give you back the money you paid in, minus the cost for the time you were insured.

Quote from: subcThing is, I only feel violated because I already paid the $380+ dollars and I got the $1700 coming during the next 12 months  :x

In any case, I needed to get that insurance today (and I did) because this weekend I will be riding like there is no tomorrow...  :dunno:

Wow, you're paying $4.66 per day for that insurance!  If you cancel it, they will refund the unused portion of the $1700. You should be able to find something cheaper, but it may take a half-dozen phone calls.  

I would not recommend buying insurance without checking at least 3 insurers.

WHAT?!!!  :?

that's a lot of $$$ for insurance - i pay a total of $808 a year for both bikes - full coverage!

2004 gs500f one year full coverage w/ progressive insurance = $297

2003 zrx1200 one year full coverage /w progressive insurance = $511

dunno where you live, my zipcode is in the suburbs so insurance is much lower for me vs. someone that lives in brooklyn, nyc.

i get an added savings of $90 for multi-bike discount.
(also maybe i'm an old dude too - 40yrs old)

so sad. most online quotes come at $1500+ (the cheapest being $1554 or so) and even progressive quoted me at $2200+

could the reason be that I've been riding for less than a year? ( a month now to be exact).
if I get a street bike without fairings, will it be classified as a non-racing bike? and get better quotes?
Should I sell my new gs500F and get a 2002 gs500 without fairing and round front lamp?

what the hell  :dunno:

Quote from: subccould the reason be that I've been riding for less than a year? ( a month now to be exact).

Yep, that will have a lot to do with it.  If you're an unmarried dude under 25, that will have a lot to do with it, too.

I don't think the cost of changing bikes right now will make up for even the rapacious rates you're currently looking at.  You're going to lose a lot trading so quickly.  _Call_ (online quotes aren't always reality) every single solitary company you can find, get the lowest coverage you can deal with, and live with it for a year...

alright, I asked a quote for a 2002 GS500 at BikeLinE Motorcycle, and they said "$300+ dollars per year"  :o

the gs500F 2005 I have was quoted at $1590 per year (the cheapest quote I was able to find so far).
I am 28 years old btw.

So im thinking... I might cancel my current insurance (AIG at almost $1900 per year), switch to BikeLinE insurance, and then maybe even take the 2005 GS500F to the dealer and sell it, and get a 2002 GS500... ? maybe.

According to BikeLine, the 2002 GS500 is not classified as a racing bike (but as far as I know it has the same power, frame, and all the stuff the 2005 GS500F has... except the fairing and the fancy headlight).

what do you think  :dunno:

You might ask for quotes for a 2004 GS500 (don't mention "gs500f").  I've heard that sometimes, an insurer will have several different entries in its computer for the same bike (for example, EX500 and Ninja 500), and sometimes has different rates for each.


Another option, is to "self-insure": buy only minimum insurance.  That should cost under $200/yr., I think.   Take the $110/month you would have given to the insurance company, and put it into a separate "bike insurance" savings account at the bank.  If you have a typical newbie no-speed drop/tip-over, then you'll probably only break cheap parts (clutch lever, $13), and maybe break one or two (or three) of the expensive parts: headlight cowling ($105), windshield ($23), headlight ($96), side plastics ($139 per side), or rear plastics ($62 per side).  It should cost less than 3 months' of your bike fund to replace any two of those.

By next spring, you'd have $1k in the self-insurance fund, which is enough to replace the headlight, all the plastics on the whole bike, plus the exhaust.  At that point, I'd rename the savings account to be the "bike insurance/new bike" fund, and keep paying into it.  I'm sure that you'll see enough cool bikes out there to motivate you to keep saving.  And you can feel good, knowing that the insurance buzzards didn't get to you.

The biggest problem with self-insurance, is that many people have trouble  building-up the "insurance" fund and leaving it alone.  Even with the price gouging by the insurance industry, self-insurance is definitely not the best solution for everybody.

I'm with Bikeline.  I pay $300 something a year, with everything.  I put that I had been riding less than a year, was 25 and had took the MSF.  They even let me add my brother who is also 25 without any change to my premium and he was just in an auto accident a few months previous.  My bike is a 2001.

Well I'm with State Farm in MI and they're $2200 cheaper than Progressive was for me.  I have an 05 gsxr600.  Just keep shopping around until you find somebody cheaper.  Nice avatar by the way.

I like that idea rema, but if he financed the bike that may not be an option.  Gotta have full coverage.  

We should sticky this thread as a cautionary tale, renamed as the "why you should call insurance companies before you buy a bike OR how I learned to love used bikes".

FWIW, Nationwide, who I have my home and car insurance with, actually considers the GS500 (even my '96) an "uninsurable" bike!   :lol:  So I have Progressive, $140 for the whole year.  

jeff

Take the plastic off and tell them they have it classified wrong...  "It's a nekkid bike not a racing bike!"

Anyway, thanks to all for your replies.

Lesson learned  :x

If you are just starting with bikes and took the MSF course (like me), insurance will be high... specially if:

+ You have a 2005+ GS500 motorcycle
+ You are financing the bike (must have full coverage)
+ You use the services of a local company that deals with insurance companies all over the place (they will take some non-refundable $200 for their 'services')

So yes, I am saving on gas by using a motorcycle, and I am saving on repairs by getting a brand new gs500, but those 'savings' are actually going into insurance... so im back where I started  :dunno:  (except that now I can feel a lot of wind and see bugs splatter on my helmet).

Like I mentioned before, if I had bought a 2002 GS500 (considered non-racing motorcycle by insurance companies), I would be paying $300+ a year for insurance, instead of the $1700 im paying now.  :P

On the plus side, I went riding all over the place this weekend  :roll:

if your driving record is good, you are being ripped off.....shop around, you definately should be able to find a better deal ($1700/year for a $5000 bike is ridiculous)

look for an online broker, they will offer cutrate prices with full coverage from national companies.  with my trooper that I had progressive was the cheapest with 2200 a year (no mention of me having a motorcycle) through a broker still getting progressive, 1300 a year.

Don't know if the following helps or not:

I'm a 20yr old single male and I pay $287 for full coverage on a 91 gs500E from state farm. I have their MSF discount [wooot wooot $10 :roll: ]..For kicks one day I did an online quote from progressive and marked in one claim on my driving record......MY full coverage quote doubled to $600 and something... :o  :o  :o  So I must ask what kind of record do you have? Also if the bike isn't paid off yet that may also increase the rate as well as being 04' model will further jack-up the price. 1700 still seems way too steep...I'm thinking an 04 full coverage will run  you in the $800....Definitely short of $1000 bucks...I wouldn't settle for anything less.

If you do switch to a cheaper policy, be sure to write a letter to the head of this ripoff outfit and let them know that their lousy rates are being circulated among several massive email forums such that no one will ever buy a policy from them in the future. I think such letters can make a difference.

$550 yr on my '05 GS500F through Owners Insurance

Full coverage due to financing
First bike
27 yr. old
No MSF until August, have not asked Ins. if it will lower my rate.
1 ticket for speed a year ago approx.

Checked Progressive a few weeks ago for an '05 SV1000S and was quoted $1,197 a yr. :dunno:

Quote from: cobalt135$550 yr on my '05 GS500F through Owners Insurance

Full coverage due to financing
First bike
27 yr. old
No MSF until August, have not asked Ins. if it will lower my rate.
1 ticket for speed a year ago aprox.

Checked Progressive a few weeks ago for an '05 SV1000S and was quoted $1,197 a yr. :dunno:

:x  coverage not available in california...

btw, it's a 2005 GS500F -> considered a RACING motorcycle by insurance companies. There's nothing I can do about that, and they think I will be doing just that: racing (no matter what I say).

Like I said before, if I had gotten a 2002 GS500, then I would be paying about $350 per year for insurance, since companies consider a 2002 as a non-racing bike.

I need to find at least something less than $1300 a year in order to actually save money (since the broker already took more than 200 bucks for their 'service').

Did you try calling around saying it's a GS500 (without the F)?

actually, they don't have the 'F' model on records. Only a GS500E or something. And that's the one they use for their quotes.

:?   Hmm...  I'm confused then.

The only difference between the old ones and the new ones is the plastic...  Yet, the old one cost 1/4 as much...

Eh... I hate insurance companies.

Quote from: RVertigo:?   Hmm...  I'm confused then.

The only difference between the old ones and the new ones in the plastic...  Yet, the old one cost 1/4 as much...

Eh... I hate insurance companies.

you finally get my point  :P


btw, I mentioned the 'plastic difference' between a 2002 and a 2005 to a couple of the insurance companies... but oh well, i was speaking to employees only  :bs:

I bet the majority of 'sport' bike insurance claims are for cosmetic plastic parts. I dropped mine at 5mph and it's about $500 to fix ($725 if I let the dealer do the repairs and pay labor too).

That's what I'm saying!  Take the plastic off...  

Oh well...  Friggen' insurance tax.   :dunno:

I find the most important things are location, age and driving record.

Some tips:

-- don't get full coverage - leave off collision and theft. Depending on location, the rate can be jacked up by ~$500/year. As the savings from not paying that goes up and the resale value of the bike goes down (and remember to factor in the deductible) it will only take a few years of avoiding theft or wrecking to get your money's worth. It's a gamble, of course, but so is insurance to begin with. At least this way the amount you stand to lose goes down every year it's not stolen or wrecked, whereas if you have full coverage the amount you lose goes up every year you don't make a claim.

-- corollary: don't finance, and don't buy new for your first bike. Why make rookie mistakes on a $5000 bike when you can make rookie mistakes on a $2000 bike that runs 90% as well?

-- remember to tell the insurance company that the engine is 487 cc's, NOT 500. Who knows whether they have a policy that makes rates more expensive for 500 cc's and up?

-- shop around. There's always a better deal to be had. (Unless you're one of the guys on here who pays $4.32/year cause they live in Wyoming or someplace like that. Grrrrrr...)

Also you can check with your finance company.  I know i have mine financed through Suzuki and they only require that you carry liability coverage.  The difference in this state for insurance for me is $477/yr vs $2021/yr for full coverage.  That is with high deductibles even.  So if might be worth your time to see if the finance company requires full coverage.

oh forgot to mention that the self insure option is a great idea, I have my own opps fund building already.

Back threads discussing cheap insurance have suggested Farmers Insurance and Dairyland (and McGraw and American Modern Insurance).

Sometimes the big insurers give a lower price if you have a house & car with them (renters insurance usually counts).

Also, groups like Honda Sport-Touring Assoc. or AMA may have insurance deals available to members.

If you can't find any better insurance prices, then you might try changing the financing whenever you get the chance.   Selling the GS500F can be a problem, since you'll likely find that you owe more on it than it is worth.

EDIT:

Sorry, I meant to send a PM. I am smart.

Just a little info here regarding the post by natedawg120 about getting only minimum insurance:

I just spoke to the financing manager at Action Motorsports and she told me that with bikes under $10K, Suzuki requires no proof of insurance. This means that in a state without mandatory insurance, you can ride without insurance. In a state that requires the minimum, you can ride with liability only if you wish. Check with your local dealer before you change, but just thought I'd drop that info to ya'll.

I will go liability and comp until I get a garage; while the bike is parked in the tarped-off area in the back yard though, I will not risk getting it stolen.

Dave  :cheers:

hey, thanks a lot for the info 2005-GS500-PDX  :thumb:

I will ask the dealer and suzuki about this.

About the risk of the bike getting stolen: I think it doesn't matter if you store it on a garage or not, does it?
I mean, I use the bike for transportation, and I can't go from garage to garage all my life. at some point I must leave it parked in the street or a driveway (when I visit gf), or it might get stolen while im at the theater too.


good info. thanks

Very true SUBC. It could get stolen anywhere and at any time. It wouldn't be worth it if I bought the bike for $1500, but I bought it for $5K so I will be putting Comp on it.

Just to give you an idea of what you can expect to save, my policy went from $1490 a year to $467 just by dropping Collission and making no other changes. Hmmm, do I want to save over $1K a year?  :dunno: Uh, yes  :thumb:

Good luck. Call around after you get the A-OK from the dealer and find a good quote. I'm getting the cheapest so far from Geiko, but do some research and you'll come out ahead.

Dave  :cheers:

Just get a pitbull...  Take the dog with you...  It'll never get stolen.

Quote from: RVertigoJust get a pitbull...  Take the dog with you...  It'll never get stolen.

best advice ever  :thumb:  :thumb:  ( <- yes, 2 thumbs up)

Quote from: subcbest advice ever  :thumb:  :thumb:  ( <- yes, 2 thumbs up)

:thumb:  :thumb:  :thumb:

You can also lock it to things and get the disc locks...  But, I think pitbull would be more effective.

Are those locks pretty effective? It seems like any 2-bit thief that really wanted the bike could still get it. Any other theft-prevention items that would make my bike much less likely to be stolen? I'd rather spend $250 once to keep the bike for getting stolen than $250 a year, EVERY Year!  :bs:

Dave  :cheers:

Quote from: 2005-GS500-PDXAre those locks pretty effective?

:dunno: I can't get one because I KNOW I'd forget to take it off and wreck... :lol:

I see people with them all the time though.  (Seattle area has relatively high vehicle theft).

Anyone else have any reviews or opinions of motorcycle security devices? I Googled the terms and found a lot of products, but who knows what is a good deal and what is junk?

Dave  :cheers:

Quote from: RVertigo:dunno: I can't get one because I KNOW I'd forget to take it off and wreck... :lol:

I see people with them all the time though.  (Seattle area has relatively high vehicle theft).

Dude that's happened to me at least a dozen times. Start the bike, warm it up, put it into gear, start moving -- then the disc lock comes around and smashes into the brake. The wheel stops turning, the bike stops moving, and the engine stalls. Whoever is around silently laughs at what an idiot noob I am. But nothing was actually damaged, aside from my pride.

Yeah...   :lol: That would be me!  I went riding off the other day in my Vans...  I didn't notice until I shifted to 2nd...

I've also been flying along on the freeway and noticed that I forgot the strap on my helmet.  Good thing it's really damn hard to get off.

And I'm pretty sure I wouldn't have the GS any more if it wasn't for the kick-stand shut off...

Quote from: 2005-GS500-PDXAre those locks pretty effective? It seems like any 2-bit thief that really wanted the bike could still get it. Any other theft-prevention items that would make my bike much less likely to be stolen? I'd rather spend $250 once to keep the bike for getting stolen than $250 a year, EVERY Year!

Our bikes weigh around 180 kg -- all it takes is two guys and a pick-up truck and *poof* no more bike.  All security devices are deterrents only.

C

I'd say a bike cover is probably the first thing to get.  It takes effort for someone to come over and peek under the cover (and risk getting seen).  They may opt to jump out and steal a bike they can see.

If you park the same place frequently (like girlfriend's place), then locking the GS to something substantial is a good idea.

my garage works pretty good.   I used to use a brass padlock through one of the holes in the front brake disc, then roll it all the way foward so if I did try to go anyware I couldn't.  the way I figure it stealing bikes you are going to have some knolege about them, grab the clutch push it over to the truck, and pick it up.  if it won't roll foward to the truck you have about a 99% chance they are going to leave it eithe cause they think your clutch is fked up or they don't want to carry it to the truck.

and the best part is that padlocks cost like 5 bucks.

Davipu that is genius, i would have never thought to use a simple padlock.

Quote from: davipu... I used to use a brass padlock through one of the holes in the front brake disc, then roll it all the way foward so if I did try to go anyware I couldn't...

i got a padlock today.. a bit oversized  :roll:
on the front because the bike has to roll backwards



sorry about pic. low light + camera phone.

the padlock was too big to fit on the little holes  :P

I dropped the collision off mine and saved about 25%.  My bike is about 5 yrs old now and the deductible was about $500 bucks anyway.  I kept the fire and theft though becuase I didn't want to be out the cost of the entire bike if something were to happen that was totally out of my control.

From the bowels of hell returns the thread on insurance  :o  :o

I want to emphasize the point of shopping around and doing a lot of it. My story goes as such:

I got quoted for insurance at about $20 a month before I bought the bike. Sweet! So I buy the bike and find out I may need full coverage. Now insurance is $140 a month, and that is the absolute lowest quote I find  :x . shaZam!, so maybe riding this thing isn't going to be so cheap after all. But I need full coverage, right???  :dunno:

Or do I? I call the stealership I got my bike from and the financing manager tells me that for bikes under $10K, Suzuki does not require proof of insurance. Well yippie-ki-yay, I say. I call AllState back and ask them how much to drop the collission and comp. $56 a month? OK, nice!  :) But the aforementioned lady from the dealer gave me a number of a guy that she has done a lot of work with. So I decide to give them a call...

So I talk through my deal and ask for minimum coverage. He runs the info, and then says that he wants to run them with $500 deduct on comp and collision. I tell him to go ahead, but I'm expecting the worst. He calls me back an hour later and says "I have good news..."

What exactly does he have?  :dunno: Well, it turns out that if I add my Monte Carlo to the policy, not only will my bike insurance be cheaper, but so will my car! Yes, success!  :thumb: But I am hesitant, thinking it may turn out to be a faulty quote... so I wait.

Last night he met me at my house after Kung Fu. We go over the policy and this is my rate:

50/100/50 limits, 500 comp and collision, 1000 med- $21.37 a month. Oh, and the Monte went from $120 a month to $91. Hi, my name is Dave, and I am paying less then HALF what I was paying a month for insurance, and I increased my coverages!  :kiss: I love this!

My point is this: Do NOT give up in the quest for insurance. I kept getting higher and higher quotes (BikelinE wanted $4,233 a year, I shaZam! you not). But I stayed with it and couldn't be any happier right now. And I'm dropping in on the MSF class tonight to try for a spot, by the way  ;) Things are a lot better.

Don't give up, guys. I know a lot of people are struggling with the costs, so keep searching. Country Insurance is who I am with now. They may not work for you, but someone will.

Dave :cheers:

That is a sad story you have. My insurance gives a discount for 'The course"!   and other discounts.    Of course I have a 90 so the insurance is really low, $170 per year.

Yep ... there are discounts for multiple policies.  A friend of mine was quoted 2500 a year for a 20 year old SRX 600 yamaha.  Went to a new company and got $480 when he switched over his other policies too.

MY car insurance company now takes bikes .. they didn't a year ago but they acquired Primmum insurance which does cover bikes.  They are going to give me a quote.  Hopefully they save me some $$$ cause I am paying $650 a year which IMO is too much considering my age & profession, marital status etc.

We've had mostly good luck with Dairyland insurance.  For me alone its about $250 a year for full coverage (40 yr old female with mostly clean record (old speeding tickets have aged off my record) on a '93 GS500E).  

We have 3 bikes on it which may help - my GS and my husbands 2 Hondas ('82 CB750F Supersport and '02 919).  

Our biggest problem with them is that DH imported the 919 in from Canada - it's doable and legal as long as the same model is EPA-certified in the states and the company provides a letter saying that the model is the same.  We're in Vermont only 45 min from the border, too, which made it easy.

But now after 3 years of insuring it and not saying a word suddenly Dairyland realized that the bike has a Canadian VIN and balked at insuring it!

DH finally got them to make an exception but if all companies are like this it could mean that he'll never be able to sell the bike in the US if he ever wants to. No one would buy it if it's not insurable.

By importing it we saved about $1K because of the exchange rate plus he got the color he wanted, that wasn't offered in the US.  

LQ

Quote from: LizardQueen\Our biggest problem with them is that DH imported the 919 in from Canada - it's doable and legal as long as the same model is EPA-certified in the states and the company provides a letter saying that the model is the same.

Cool.  I wonder if I can buy a left-shift Royal Enfield in Delhi for 70,000 Rupees, and bring it back?  Wonder what container shipping costs.

I don't know - if the Royal Enfield model is sold in the US too (I don't know anything about them) you may be able to bring it in from elsewhere too.  But shipping could be prohibitive and trying to arrange things with a supplier in India could be a gigantic hassle - time delay, long distance charges, etc.  It may be easier to get one from England (I don't know what the exchange rate with the pound is running at right now).  
If the RE isn't already sold here you can pretty much forget bringing it in legally, as I understand it.

DH only had to borrow his brothers truck and go up to Canada to pick his up. There was a little bit of duty charges and paperwork at the border but overall it was very easy.   He bought it from a dealer that was familiar with how to do it and had done it a lot before.
Up there they call it a CB900F, not a 919. But it's the same bike.

The one oddball bike that I've seen that I'd buy if I had money and we had room is a mil-surplus Swiss army Ducati of indeterminate vintage (60s - 70s). I saw it advertised in a military surplus catalog - it's very funky looking, all olive drab, and is a 350 (single cylinder, I think, can't remember).  
It would probably be a big hassle getting it registered and insured, though.  

LQ

not sure where you are. i use rider insurance. they only insure bikes try them. i got mine for 308 a year, full.