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Text from visordown
Spend plenty of time viewing bikes
Careful what you part with your money on
You don’t have to spend big bucks to get two-wheeled kicks
WHEN it comes to working out the overall cost of getting on a bike, the usual answer is something like “how long is a piece of string?”It’s true, there are so many routes to a bike licence and so many options when it comes to buying a bike that you can really spend a limitless amount of cash doing it, and that’s before you start spending on bike kit. Get a full licence at every stage (moped licence at 16, A1 licence at 17, A2 licence at 19 and A licence at 21) and you’ll take nine test ‘segments’ overall. That’s one theory test and four two-part practicals. Not to mention doing your CBT and getting training at every stage. Plus buying a new bike for each stage Total cost? Into the thousands for the training and tests alone, and that’s before you look at the price of buying a different bike for each set of rules.
But very few will go that route. Most new riders are likely to use L-plates in their 125cc years and only go for the full test once they hit 19 and are eligible for the A2 licence. So that’s what we’re looking at here.
CBT
Let’s start with the CBT. After all, you’ll have to.Although often referred to as the CBT ‘test’ it’s not anything of the sort. It’s Compulsory Basic Training, and while you have to show a level of ability to actually receive a certificate of completion, there’s no actual examination element. The ‘approved training body’ administering the CBT will give you the certificate as soon as you show you’ve reached the right standard to start riding on the road. And for virtually everyone, that means one day. The cost? Around £100-£130 depending on the training centre and whether you use your own bike or one of theirs.
Total so far: £130
The CBT, along with a provisional licence (£50, but if you’ve got a car licence then you’ve already got the provisional bike licence) means you’re legal to ride on the road with L-plates. It’s probably a good idea to do that, if you’ve got access to a 125cc bike, to get some practice in before the next stage.
Motorcycle Theory Test
You’ll also need to take your theory test before any practical tests, so get revising and do it. Cost? £31Total so far: £181
The A2 motorcycle test
Next, virtually everyone moving to an A2 licence is likely to take a two or three day course incorporating both module 1 and module 2 of the practical test. Training centres book the tests in advance so you can take a few days off work and get intensively trained right up to the point of doing each of the two tests – either both on the same day or on consecutive days. The costs are usually around £500-600 including the use of a bike.Tota so far: £781
If all went well, now you’ve got your A2 licence!
Budget for your motorcycle and kit
The next cost is buying a bike and the related kit (if you haven’t already done it.) Call it £2000 for a decent, used A2 bike and at least £500 for gloves, boots, helmet and a jacket – the bare minimum, as soon you’ll be wanting winter kit, full leathers and every other accoutrement that marks the start of an obsession. Then there’s tax and insurance which, depending on your age and the choice of bike, is likely to total another £500.All in, we’re now up to £3781. Call it £4000 to give a bit of leeway for unexpected expenses.
Spread the cost
Ouch. But all is not lost. Once the initial costs of getting the licence are covered, and you’ve begged and borrowed riding kit – call it £1000 or so altogether – the rest is the sort of stuff that might well be spread out over multiple repayments. Insurance and the cost of the bike might well be paid monthly rather than up front, lessening the pain.not a bad assessment of the costs, and you can spread the costs further and more efficiently if you by a full power bike, then restrict it for the 2yrs and once that is up you have a bike you are familiar with with possibly 2-3 times the power!
Or do your test in 1984 for about £30!
did mine in ’92 and yes, time travel does seem cost effective and far simpler (including the design and manufacturer of said time machine) lol
I may be old,but I did get an easy bike licence! Passed my car test after 2 lessons, too. Mind you, driving a 3-wheeler for a few months probably helped.
I may be old,but I did get an easy bike licence! Passed my car test after 2 lessons, too. Mind you, driving a 3-wheeler for a few months probably helped.
Indeed! You don’t see many three wheelers these days either since the demise of Relaint, Bond etc
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