It’s a grim world out there.
What with the economic downturn, the clogged and clotted roads and, dare I say it, the cost of living rocketing into space. Rolled together, it’s time to start thinking about how you can cut back your travel expenses without reducing the conveniences that you are so well accustomed to.
We have put together a guide to the approximate cost you can expect to pay if you were to hop on a scooter today and, as I’m sure you’ll agree, it really is too cheap to miss out on!
From scratch then, you will need to…
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Do a Compulsory Basic Training (CBT) course – £95 – A one day training course which is not a test. The instructors will teach you the basics on an enclosed yard, like how to pull off and stop, how to balance, how to turn and how to use the controls. Once you are confident and safe, you head out on the road with the instructors who will keep a watchful eye on you. At the end you get a certificate which is valid for 2 years. Once expired, you must repeat the CBT to continue riding legally.
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Buy a helmet – From £50 – There are many helmets available today, ranging from £50 budget buys to £500 racing replica helmets. It is recommended you try on different brands as they can vary in fit. Get the helmet to suit your head, not your wallet. It must fit well and not cause pain as you will be wearing it for prolonged periods.
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Buy a jacket – From £60 – Most motorcycle jackets come complete with elbow, shoulder and sometimes even back armour, which makes them far better than a normal casual jacket. Fabric motorcycle jackets tend to be waterproof (it is always wise to ask the salesperson though). Leather jackets are rarely waterproof, so if you are planning to ride in all weathers choose your clothing carefully.
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Buy a pair of gloves – From £20 – Like with the jacket, motorcycle gloves are usually much more substantial than normal gloves. With knuckle armour and sometimes wrist protection, motorcycle gloves are thick and tough to ensure that the vulnerable hand are well protected. If you will be riding in all weathers, again go for a waterproof textile pair. Thermal inner gloves are also a great idea if you will be riding in the cold.
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Buy a scooter! – From as little as £10 a week – A guideline example would be for a Piaggio Zip 50cc Scooter, which is available on finance from just £10 a week. When you take into account that this includes:
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A years full road tax
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2 years manufacturers parts and labour warranty
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L-Plates
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Numberplate
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A full tank of petrol
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A full tank of oil
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It’s difficult to believe that you could be scooting around town, to and from work on a super economical scoot for such a little start-up cost. For your kit, that’s a total of £225.
And as if this isn’t enough to convince you, what car can get tax for at just £15 a year and fill it’s tank with less than £10?! Not to mention that these zippy little scoots will do over 100 miles to the gallon!
It’s time to start saving money…