Harley-Davidson youth plan spawns £6000 Sportster

Simple explanation - parts prices. Grey improrts like CBR4s cost 4-5 times the amount to build in parts as they do new; plus getting bits is a headache, so insurers jack up the fees - especially if you get a loan bike.

Try a quote for an old CB500 or DR350 with spares a-plenty and watch the price tumble....

ZX9s and ZZR11s were always for the more sedate rider than ZX6s or R1s, hence the price similarity there.

Im not 25 yet, and it would cost me more to insure a cbr 400 than it would to insure a cbr 900, I dont know why but that's how it works out, also my zx6r is only a few quid cheapr to insure than a 9r now aswell, a zzr 1100 is even cheaper. Although insurance has gone up a lot recently