Motorbike Insurance

Two-wheeled road users considering an upgrade may wish to get one sooner rather than later as motorbike prices are set to go up in 2009, it has been claimed.

Manufacturers have stated [that] the rise in steel and aluminium prices, coupled with increased shipping fees, will be reflected in the cost of new bikes, reports Motorcycle News. A spokesman for the Retail Motor Industry Federation believes that this trend is likely to continue into 2010. He explained that this is because bikes made in this period will use materials purchased while the cost was high.

In addition to this, the ongoing credit crunch and the weakness of the pound against the euro has also been cited as a reason for the increase. This is because the reduction in consumer spending has led to greater pressure on manufacturers to maintain healthy profit margins, something that can only be achieved with higher prices. A Ducati spokesman said: "The main selling season has been and gone and obviously the credit crunch is going to now have an impact. Just look at the retail shops announcing drops in sales."

Bikers considering buying a new machine before the prices start to rise should make sure they have adequate motorbike insurance. Ducati recently made a surprise sale to Hollyoaks star Stuart Manning who fell in love with a rare Desmosedici RR at the Goodwood Festival of Speed and promptly purchased the vehicle.

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