is motorcycle insurance compulsary in the UK?

"Are you required by law to have motorcycle insurance in the UK?"

Yes.

The law states you must have the appropriate insurance, in order to operate any motor vehicle on a public road in the U.K. Failure to do so can result in up to 8 penalty points on your driving licence and a fine of up to £5,000.

"...do you pay every year or do you even need to pay road tax??"

Yes.

The law states that the owners of all vehicles under 40 years old must pay for their road tax annually. Currently, that means the owner of any vehicle registered on U.K. roads since January 1st, 1975 has to pay road tax. Failure to pay can incur a £400 fine.

Vehicles registered before 01/01/1975 are zero-rated for road tax, so it's free. Next year, vehicles registered before 01/01/1976 will become eligible, as the exeemption rolls on annually.

The only exception is if you won't be using your vehicle for some time. You can then declare a S.O.R.N. (Statutory Off Road Notice) with the D.V.L.A., which means you do not have to pay road tax, but the vehicle must be kept on private property (i.e. off the road).

Penis