There is nothing quite like the open road, whether you’re heading off on a daytrip or an extended road trip. On a sunny day on a great stretch of road, you can have a lot of fun going out for a drive in your car. The only thing better is going out for a ride on a motorbike. Every year, thousands of people across the UK decide to ditch four wheels and switch to a motorbike, and after just a few minutes riding, it becomes easy to see why. The sensation of speed is a lot different on a motorbike, and cars simply cannot compete with their acceleration.
Before anyone decides to ditch the car and get on their bike, however, there are a few things they should know.
Your Driving Licence Isn’t Enough
Many years ago, if you held a full driving licence you could simply get on a bike and go. Now, however, even if you want to ride a low powered moped, you still need to complete a Compulsory Basic Training (CBT) course in order to ride a moped or motorbike. Even then you must ride with ‘L’ plates attached and complete a full moped or motorbike test within two years, or stop riding.
If you completed a driving test before February 2001, you can ride a moped up to 50cc engine size on your standard driving licence. However, we recommend you still complete a CBT, for your safety and the safety of other road users.
Make Sure You Budget for Accessories
If you are flicking through a motorbike magazine or checking bikes for sale online, you will quickly identify the bike you want - but remember, the costs don’t end there.
Riding a motorbike requires a lot of accessories, especially if you are going to ride comfortably and safely. Personal protection on a motorbike does not end at a helmet; you will need full protective clothing such as bike leathers to protect yourself out on the road. Some handy accessories like mobile phone holders and chargers are also welcome additions to your bike, giving you functions like GPS navigation and something you can play music on.
Motorbike Insurance Can Be Expensive
The insurance costs of any vehicle vary greatly from person to person of course, but as a general rule of thumb, motorbike insurance is cheaper than car insurance. It can still be expensive, however, especially when you first begin riding. When you are budgeting costs for your motorcycle and its accessories, be sure to shop around online for prices on motorbike insurance to get the best deal possible, just as you should for any type of insurance.
Before you get out on the road or go to the expense of buying a motorbike, make sure that you find out more about these three things. You are going to need to budget for your test, accessories, and insurance, as well as your new motorbike. It is easy to get carried away and stretch your budget to buy a great first bike, but without these other things, you won’t be able to get very far.