So you’ve had enough of sitting in the car, burning fuel, wasting your time and increasing your blood pressure on your daily commute. You’ve had a look at the alternatives and decided that getting a bike or scooter is the best option for you.
Well here is a brief guide to getting on to two wheels and the things you need to consider if you want to commute on them.
Firstly you’ll need the right paper work. If you already have a car licence you’ll need to get motorcycle entitlement added (category A). Once you’ve done that you’ll need to do Compulsory Basic Training (CBT) which is a full day’s course (or at least it should be) involving a minimum of 2 hours road riding. This costs around £90 and includes use of a bike and crash helmet. A lot of trainers will lend you some gloves and maybe a jacket too but discuss this with them when you ring up to book. Consider what else you’re going to wear. Shorts and flip-flops are a no no. Stout boots, a thick jacket and jeans are about the minimum.
Completing CBT validates your provisional cat A licence and allows you to ride a machine of up to 14bhp and 125cc on the road with L plates. CBT is valid for 2 years after which time you’ll have to retake it. Ideally you’d take and pass your test within this time.
Once you’ve completed your CBT you’ll no doubt want to get a bike or scooter. It’s worth waiting until after you’ve done CBT in case you decide half way through that you’ve changed your mind. There is a bewildering range of machines to choose from but the type of riding you’re going to be doing most and your physical size may well be the deciding factors. Your CBT instructor or local dealership should be able to give you some guidance but it’s worth doing some internet research or finding someone else at work or in the pub who knows about bikes and asking them too. 9 times out of 10 they won’t be as scary as they look.
Your choice of steed will need insurance and road tax and if it’s more than 3 years old an MOT too just like the car, but often cheaper.
Next on the shopping list is security, a disc lock or big chain and padlock should stop the opportunist thief and parking it somewhere well lit and busy and with CCTV coverage is also a good idea. If you have to park it outside at home then a cover is a good investment too.
Kit is the main thing you need to consider. Buy the best you can afford but don’t assume that just because it’s expensive it’s good. Lots of bike magazines do product tests but you don’t have to go to specialist bike shops to get decent stuff. Aldi & Lidl do bike kit specials once a year and it’s usually pretty good kit imported from Germany. If you’re really on a budget wellies and thick socks will keep your feet warm and dry and high end builders / gardener’s gloves are better than frozen fingers. A crash helmet must conform to ECE 22.05 but it’s worth consulting the Sharp ratings for a more informed opinion on what’s worth your hard earned cash. A cheap lid might offer the same relative crash protection as a more expensive one but it may well be draughty, noisy and less cosseting too. Only you know what your head is worth.
For more information visit
http://www.geton.co.uk/
http://www.begin-motorcycling.co.uk/
