Many of your questions will depend upon where you are and if this is your first rodeo or not. Some states are tougher on this than others and there are a lot of variables to consider that can't be addressed without knowing more information. Even within each state the way the courts handle them varies considerably. Here in IL the cost for operating a motor veh without insurance is way more than I pay per year in insurance and it is labeled as a business offense.
Definitely get insurance on it as having proof that it's taken care of is your best shot at leniency. Depending upon when your insurance lapsed the approach of playing stupid and saying you didn't realize it had lapsed may work if you have it paid back up and in effect. If you haven't had a valid policy on it for a longer period of time I wouldn't try that card because they will know you your making that stuff up. I would recommend the honesty is the best policy approach as many prosecutors will push twice as hard to hammer you if they know you are being dishonest.
In some areas, depending upon your prosecutors office, it may be worth your time to contact them after you get insurance on the bike and before the court date and ask them if there is anyway it can be dropped or reduced without going to court. If it is an office that is short staffed and overworked they may be looking for an easier way to reduce their case load. If they are well staffed and under worked it could go the other way. Remember the prosecuting atty is the one that has the final say as to whether or not the case is prosecuted and if so how it is prosecuted. As for an attorney, it depends what kind of fine you are looking at. An attorney will cost you some money, if the fine is only a couple hundred it isn't worth the expense in my opinion if you can cut a deal on your own and keep it off your record. If you are looking at outrageous fines, $1000 or higher, it might be worth the expense to hire one but even then there are no guarantees. You need to get more information and then weigh it all out as what will work best for you.
Either way good luck with it. I would also recommend calling either State Farm or Country Companies if you have either in your area. I have Country and they gave me rates that State Farm couldn't even come close to.
