High-Risk Motorcycles
The SAAQ is responsible for setting rates for insurance contributions in a manner that is fair based on the level of risk that the different types of motorcycles represent on the road network. These rates are set further to an actuarial assessment.
In order to fulfill this obligation, certain motorcycles fall into a motorcycle category that represents a higher accident risk than other categories. This is why these so-called “high-risk” motorcycles require a higher insurance contribution.
Actuarial studies have shown that the categorization method used by the SAAQ to determine whether motorcycles pose a high risk, i.e. they are overrepresented in accidents, is accurate, as the motorcycles identified are consistently overrepresented in accidents involving one or more motorcycles.
Categorization of high-risk motorcycles
In order to adequately categorize motorcycles, the SAAQ studies their characteristics and various sources of information, such as guides, specialized magazines and websites, manufacturer information, etc. These sources of information are reviewed to learn about the characteristics of the motorcycles they cover and gauge the opinions of expert journalists and test riders.
In addition to reviewing this information, the SAAQ must also consider the motorcycles that have already been categorized during each categorization exercise in order to ensure the various models included in a given list are intrinsically consistent.
Characteristics of high-risk motorcycles
The high-risk Passenger vehicle, other than a power-assisted bicycle, having two or three wheels that has at least one characteristic different from the characteristics of a moped. category designates motorcycles that are designed for performance and recognized as such by manufacturers and specialists (journalists, authors, etc.).
They have the following visual and technical characteristics:
- streamlined fairing to improve aerodynamics, covering the sides of the engine, with a low windshield
- a forward-leaning riding position
- low, short handlebars
- foot pegs placed higher up and farther back
- a muffler placed at the rear and angled upward
- two disc brakes in front and one disc brake in the back
- a chain-driven rear wheel
- a power-to-weight ratio of over 0.5 hp/kg
- no centre stand
- an oversize frame
- a raised passenger seat
A motorcycle does not need to have all of these visual and technical characteristics in order to be in the high-risk motorcycle category.
Official list of high-risk motorcycles
Here is the administrative version of Schedule I (PDF, 1.2 MB) of the Regulation respecting insurance contributions. In the event of any discrepancy, the version published on Légis Québec, which takes into account the modifications published in the Gazette officielle du Québec , shall prevail.
The official list is updated three times per year. Once a motorcycle is added to the list, holders of learner’s or probationary licences or those who have held a Class 6A, 6B or 6C motorcycle licence for 24 months or less are prohibited from driving it.
Note that the reclassification of a motorcycle does not result in additional fees prior to its next annual registration renewal. However, the cost to register it will increase if the motorcycle is taken out of storage or registered to a new owner.
Provisional list
A provisional list is updated every month. Three times per year, the motorcycles on this list are added to the official list of high-risk motorcycles.
| First ten characters of the vehicle identification number, except the ninth | Make | Model | Year |
|---|---|---|---|
Imported motorcycles
Regardless of their model year, motorcycles with the characteristics of high-risk motorcycles that have never been marketed in Canada will be placed on the provisional list once they are imported to Canada. They will subsequently be added to the official list.
Last update: January 12, 2026