localzuk Posted May 10, 2017 Posted May 10, 2017 As part of my new role covering multiple schools, I need to be able to travel between sites. I intend to learn to drive at some point soon, but am thinking of getting started asap by getting a little 50cc or 125cc scooter thing and doing a CBT. I've got a provisional license already sorted. Can anyone comment/advise? The idea of going from being a bus user to being a car driver so quickly is a little overwhelming, so my thinking is to get used to being on the road with something small and then move up.
CAM Posted May 10, 2017 Posted May 10, 2017 What does the role cover? If it involves bringing kit along then a bike won't be suitable. You will also be required to add business use to your insurance.
localzuk Posted May 10, 2017 Author Posted May 10, 2017 What does the role cover? If it involves bringing kit along then a bike won't be suitable. You will also be required to add business use to your insurance. Nah, it won't be for hauling kit - got a technician for that. Just going to meetings basically, and popping to sites when things are badly wrong.
Joanne Posted May 10, 2017 Posted May 10, 2017 I personally think the best way to do it is car then bike. If you have a mistake in the car, some metal gets broken... on a scooter it is more likely that you would get broken. Also imagine turning up to a meeting with wet patches all over you because your waterproofs had leaked over your suit? Bleh! 2
bossman Posted May 10, 2017 Posted May 10, 2017 @localzuk What are the roads like around where you will be travelling by way of congestion etc? For you to be travelling on a little scooter (50cc) could be quite daunting although fun, get as large a scooter as you can handle which your license will let you ride is my advice, as for learning to drive a car it is a totally different experience as with a bike you have to focus so much more and see things at greater distances which makes you so much more aware of the other road users around you its uncanny. I think all car drivers should have to ride around on a motorbike or scooter for 1 year before climbing behind the wheel of a car as it makes them a much better driver in my opinion. 1
FN-GM Posted May 10, 2017 Posted May 10, 2017 I would go for the car. You will have someone teaching you sat beside you to ease you into it. On a bike your out on the road on your own.
DJ-1701 Posted May 10, 2017 Posted May 10, 2017 I personally think the best way to do it is car then bike. If you have a mistake in the car, some metal gets broken... on a scooter it is more likely that you would get broken. Also imagine turning up to a meeting with wet patches all over you because your waterproofs had leaked over your suit? Bleh! This, 100% this. Can anyone comment/advise? The idea of going from being a bus user to being a car driver so quickly is a little overwhelming, so my thinking is to get used to being on the road with something small and then move up. I moved from being a bus user to a car driver, from a confidence point of view it's much easier to control a vechile in comfort and protection than be on a bike from the get go.
localzuk Posted May 10, 2017 Author Posted May 10, 2017 (edited) @localzuk What are the roads like around where you will be travelling by way of congestion etc? Light traffic 99% of the time. Mostly country roads, with one main road. For you to be travelling on a little scooter (50cc) could be quite daunting although fun, get as large a scooter as you can handle which your license will let you ride is my advice, as for learning to drive a car it is a totally different experience as with a bike you have to focus so much more and see things at greater distances which makes you so much more aware of the other road users around you its uncanny. I was thinking a 125cc so I can keep up with the flow of normal traffic - I'm not interested in being fast but I also don't want to be "that guy" going 30 when everyone else is doing 60. I personally think the best way to do it is car then bike. If you have a mistake in the car, some metal gets broken... on a scooter it is more likely that you would get broken. True, but the same could be said of cycling - which I used to do a lot on roads. Also imagine turning up to a meeting with wet patches all over you because your waterproofs had leaked over your suit? Bleh! I'm sure I'd manage that. Millions of bikers already do. Edited May 10, 2017 by localzuk
unixman_again Posted May 10, 2017 Posted May 10, 2017 I used to ride all the time (never had a car) and my waterproofs never leaked. It was quite funny - the boss would turn up to a meeting with his professional leather briefcase and I would turn up with a Tescos bag - did the same job - it kept my papers together. I wouldn't recommend a small bike - you need something with road presence. I used to have a Honda 50 Cub, a Yamaha SR500 with the worlds loudest exhaust, a Ducati 900 SSD and a Yamaha TX500 with sidecar. On the Honda - no respect on the road, on the chair - cars would pull over and give me all the room I wanted. Now I get to work on the train, and drive a car on weekends. A small car would be the go I reckon. Something like a Smart Car. Almost as easy to park as a bike and you won't get wet when it rains.
localzuk Posted May 10, 2017 Author Posted May 10, 2017 The thing is, I won't be driving much other than for work! So, I feel the need to buy and maintain a car is a bit silly for me. Whereas a bike will be much cheaper to maintain. 1
ChickenDhansak Posted May 10, 2017 Posted May 10, 2017 I personally think the best way to do it is car then bike. If you have a mistake in the car, some metal gets broken... on a scooter it is more likely that you would get broken. Also imagine turning up to a meeting with wet patches all over you because your waterproofs had leaked over your suit? Bleh! This..
foofighterjim Posted May 10, 2017 Posted May 10, 2017 I did a CBT on my provisional for a scooter nearly 17 years ago. It was absolutely fine training on the paddock, doing figure 8's and emergency breaking. We were told at lunch at we will be on the open road with one person in front and one behind the instructor, well I nearly produced enough bricks to hide behind. Having never been on the road at that point everything I learned in the morning went out of the window, I tensed up (not a good thing on a bike), got tunnel vision (i.e. only focusing on what was directly in front of me), nearly went into the back of the instructor when I was behind and ran wide on a left hand corner when I was in front. I eventually calmed my nerves and did much better on the second run, but looking back on it I was so vastly inexperienced in terms of the highway code, how the roads worked, the reality of being invisible to cars and still understanding the intricacies of my new scooter I was nowhere near safe. Still I passed and was careful enough to not have any issues; when I did go for my driving test I had been riding for a few years so I understood the roads and this speed up the process meaning I only needed 12 lessons.
CAM Posted May 10, 2017 Posted May 10, 2017 (edited) The thing is, I won't be driving much other than for work! So, I feel the need to buy and maintain a car is a bit silly for me. Whereas a bike will be much cheaper to maintain. It doesn't matter what road vehicle you buy, they all cost money. They all need tax, MOT, insurance (SDLC minimum), servicing and maintenance. Somewhere to park at home and at work, a way to secure it (larger consideration with a bike), emergency funds, the list goes on. To be honest you sound pretty set on a bike so I'd say go for it if that appeals. Don't discount cars entirely though, you can still buy small cars which whilst not as fun, can still offer the convenience and comfort of four wheels that can't be matched on two. Personally I am considering a move to biking, but that's only after years of sitting in traffic on my 40 mile commute and having my car in the way outside my basement flat's window. And yes, as above you need confidence. Hazard perception cannot be taught but is learned over the years. A sixth sense is needed to spot the slight movements or particular driving habits of someone who is going to do something stupid. Now imagine doing that whilst invisible! Edited May 10, 2017 by CAM
Theory Posted May 10, 2017 Posted May 10, 2017 I was actually thinking of taking a CBT myself (: However my dream vehicle is the Yamaha R1
localzuk Posted May 10, 2017 Author Posted May 10, 2017 Its amazing how polarised the views are with motorbikes. In this office I've got 2 people basically saying "bikes are evil", and on the other I've got our site manager, who rides a bike, saying go for it. Maybe I should take into account our site manager has been off his bike 3 times in 4 years though...
just_david Posted May 10, 2017 Posted May 10, 2017 i'd say do car then cbt the cbt is very very basic, and won't teach you all the rules of the road. plus, to mess up in a way to get hurt in a car requires something spectacular messing up on a bike almost always hurts.
Theory Posted May 10, 2017 Posted May 10, 2017 Although lets be honest here, Motorbikes make you look dope:cool: 1
Tesla Posted May 10, 2017 Posted May 10, 2017 If going the car route, i take it you'd be considering an automatic? (not using it much,easier/quicker to learn in etc?) Would make more sense to me (you can get a lot of old, low milage automatics, for quite cheap)
localzuk Posted May 10, 2017 Author Posted May 10, 2017 If going the car route, i take it you'd be considering an automatic? (not using it much,easier/quicker to learn in etc?) Would make more sense to me (you can get a lot of old, low milage automatics, for quite cheap) Yeah, automatic is the way I'm going to be going with the car route. Can't see the point of manual!
Tesla Posted May 10, 2017 Posted May 10, 2017 Yeah, automatic is the way I'm going to be going with the car route. Can't see the point of manual! Fair one, then yeah, a lot of cheap, low milage cars available! Which would potentially help with running costs (going on the loose theory that there's less likely to go wrong on a lower milage car..)
foofighterjim Posted May 10, 2017 Posted May 10, 2017 What I will say (and I am a big bike fan); if your home or your route is out in the sticks what are you going to do when it is icy in the winter? I love riding and I will ride in all conditions all year except for snow and ice, it is simply not worth the risk.
localzuk Posted May 10, 2017 Author Posted May 10, 2017 What I will say (and I am a big bike fan); if your home or your route is out in the sticks what are you going to do when it is icy in the winter? I love riding and I will ride in all conditions all year except for snow and ice, it is simply not worth the risk. My drive is on an A road, so properly gritted etc... The route between there and work is a single, 6 mile stretch, of A road. All our schools are within 7 miles of the main school, with none more than 0.5 miles off that same A road.
Theory Posted May 10, 2017 Posted May 10, 2017 I love riding and I will ride in all conditions all year except for snow and ice, it is simply not worth the risk. Do you also drive then? Or do you catch the bus in those conditions?
mjk Posted May 10, 2017 Posted May 10, 2017 I personally think the best way to do it is car then bike. If you have a mistake in the car, some metal gets broken... on a scooter it is more likely that you would get broken. Problem here is that you are more likely to make a mistake in a car - so it's a bit chicken or egg. I think it's now widely accepted that motorcyclists make better car drivers than vice versa. http://www.visordown.com/news/general/motorcyclists-23-better-behind-the-wheel-of-a-car
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