Does lowering the bike make any difference to insurance?

I should be picking up my new bike in the next few days and might be lowering it to make it easier for my wife to ride. We've ordered the lower seat for it, but if it's still not easy enough for her we're thinking about getting longer suspension links, as I know others have done on here. I phoned the insurance company to ask if we would have to declare that, and they said yes, but they didn't know how much difference it would make and would have to refer it to the actual insurers themselves at the time.

So, does anyone here that's lowered their bike know how much difference (if any) it makes to insurance? Or have people even declared it?

Depends on the insurers but I've been told by most that as it doesn't increase performance, its not important. So far it hasn't impacted on the price of the premium.

Ok, thanks.

[Viney]

I personaly wouldnt inform them for a couple of reasons. It doesnt add any value to the bike. It doesnt make the bike any more 'desirable', and it doesnt inclrease performance.

HTH

Originally Posted by Viney

I personaly wouldnt inform them

I did consider that, but one of the questions they asked was 'are there any modifications or alterations from the manufacturers specifications'. It just worries me that knowing how insurance companies will avoid paying a claim if they can, should the worst happen and they inspect the bike after an accident and notice the lower links which I didn't tell them about they won't pay up.

[Biker Biggles]

I'd tell them and explain why you did it.If it does not enhance performance or add value it should'nt make any difference,but if you don't tell them and make a claim it could give them an excuse to not pay out.

[northwind]

An awful lot of insurers have a car bias- and lowered means very different things to us than it does to a car policy. So, even though I'd usually tell my insurers absolutely everything, I'd be tempted not to mention this.