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Our Modifications Quick Reference Guide

The Bennetts Guide to Modifications and Accessories

Bennetts is a broker and it’s our responsibility to ask the right questions about you and your bike, to enable our panel of insurers to provide you with an accurate quote.

It is entirely normal within the industry to collect details about modifications and accessories, as they can affect the value and performance of your bike.

Whilst many bikers will be well aware of the majority (if not all) of these modifications and accessories, we also understand that to some customers it can be a complex area. In the absence of industry-standard definitions we have produced a quick reference guide for our customers, which we hope you find helpful.

This is a quick reference guide and not advice; if you have any doubt then call our free advice and quote line on 0800 056 3843.

However, it is important to note that like-for-like replacement parts due to servicing or ‘wear and tear’ are not considered as modifications or accessories. Examples could include replacing worn tyres or air filters.

Please note: Our modifications and accessories list may change from time-to-time and this guide includes common items. For a complete list, either telephone our call centre or refer to the drop-down modifications menu on our quote website.

The following non-standard modifications/accessories do not affect your premium or our ability to quote, although you still need to disclose these:

Lights / Indicators There are many different styles and sizes of lights and indicators, i.e. bulbs v. LED’s although they must be road legal.
Sissy Bars (Long Back Rest) A sissy bar is an addition to the rear of a motorcycle that provides support to the rider or passenger.
Crash Bars A loop of steel tubes mounted each side of a motorcycle's lower frame, intended to protect the motorcycles engine, body panels and hopefully the rider.
Crash Bobbins / Protectors Also called frame sliders, frame protectors or fairing protectors, which help to maintain the bike's side fairings and internal components in the event of an incident. Made of plastic or aluminum, they are usually located and installed on the engine bolts on either side of the fairing.
Tank Pads Protective stickers that help to prevent tanks from being scratched by clothing.
Heated Grips Designed to keep riders hands warm during cold spells, heated grips can have different heat levels.
Radiator Bars Also known as a radiator guard, these are designed to protect the radiator from damage.
Scottoilers A vacuum-operated chain lubrication system that continuously lubricates the chain whilst on the move.	No image available
Seat Cowl These are fitted either in place of the passenger seat or by clipping over it. It is designed to protect the seat while not in use and can improve the aerodynamics and aesthetics of the bike.
Huggers A rear hugger acts as a protective shroud, protecting the rear shock/underside of the bike from rain and dirt.
Change of Screen A screen or “bubble” can be changed to improve the appearance of the bike. Some screens can affect the aerodynamics and performance of the bike.

The following common modifications/accessories may in some cases lead to an increase in premium and in exceptional cases may lead to a decline to quote. Unless we specify otherwise, you must disclose these items in all cases.

Exhaust (Road Legal) We don’t need to know about like-for-like exhaust changes due to damage or wear and tear. But if it is non-standard, it must be road legal, even if looks good and sounds nice. If it increases performance by 5% or more it could incur additional premium and in some cases insurers could decline to quote.
Fairing/Panniers/Luggage Unless the bike comes straight from the manufacturer as standard with fitted luggage equipment (e.g. Goldwing or Pan-European) you must tell us this has been added, i.e. an after market rear box and rack. You do not need to tell us if it’s soft luggage i.e. a tank bag.
DynoJet Kit (Stage 1, 2, or 3) There are three options (stages) available, each connects to the carburettor to increase power and optimise fuel economy.	No image available
Air Filter Upgrade Air filters can be upgraded to increase the flow of air and improve performance.	No image available
Seat Replacement You must tell us if it is non-standard i.e. not the original seat that came with the bike.
Belly Pan A belly pan is fitted below the engine and designed to divert the flow of air to reduce aerodynamic lift, although it’s more commonly added for cosmetic reasons.
Power Commander A Power Commander is an adjustment unit for fuel injection and ignition timing.	No image available
Wheel Change We don’t need to know if you’ve replaced like-for-like wheels, i.e. following a collision. We do need to know if they are changed from original manufacturer specification, e.g. size, width, number of spokes, manufactured materials (chrome, carbon or alloy, etc) and so on.
Tyres If your replacement tyres are a different size or speed rating to the original specification you must tell us - of course they must be road legal. If it’s a simple swap for worn or damaged tyres, either like-for-like (same brand) or a different brand but they are still the same size and speed rating, this is not a modification.
Bar Ends Bar ends are weights which are specially designed to reduce the handlebar vibrations felt by riders.
Suspension Changes You must tell us if you change suspension equipment to a different specification or parts with a higher value than the original manufacturer specification. You don’t need to tell us about like-for-like replacements, i.e. ongoing bike maintenance.
Carbon Fibre Replacement Parts Carbon fibre replacement parts will reduce weight, enhance the appearance of your bike and could increase its replacement value.	No image available
Braided Hoses Synthetic rubber tube, wrapped with a steel wire braid. Very flexible and most commonly used for brake hoses.
Race Replica/Paint/Decals We aren’t referring to “GB” stickers, nor do we need to know that “the other half fell off” or your admiration of the Woodland Trust, but we do need to know if your bikes appearance has been altered to look like a race replica, just like Scott Redding's for example.