Well my parents are currently trying to convince me that a 125cc would be a better choice for transportation whereas I would much prefer to get myself a car... I realise that bikes are cheaper to run (and usually maintain), and cheaper to buy and being a cyclist I'd find motorcycles a lot easier to learn on On the other hand I'd have to take my CBT, then in two years (after saving up enough for a car and driving license etc) take my driving test (or motorbike test), which is £500 down the pan. I can get myself an entire course and be passed my driving test for £650. I realise that cars are more expensive (in pretty much every sense) but people in professional positions are more interested in people with full driving licenses rather than bike licenses... Any recommendations?
I'm actually in a similar situation. I'm 23 and have never bothered to learn to drive, and am only now considering a CBT. How far do you have to travel/commute each day? It's interesting that your parents are suggesting a bike over a car, mine are the opposite. They (rightly so) keep telling me about how much safer a car is.
I'm pretty tempted by the idea of a bike as well (not that I can even afford the license). Cars just are so much more practical, safer and also open some jobs.. Just drive less and it isn't going to be more expensive
Get a car license. It opens up for so many more possibilities for activities and jobs. And the longer you wait, the harder and more expensive it will be. If the UK is anything like Norway, the prices will increase. You don't have to get a car. Just get the license, and the figure out what you want to do. Bikes are pretty good for transport in cities and in summer, but the rest of the year or for longer distances you want a car. I have a car and a 50cc scooter at the moment. In the summer I try to use the scooter as much as possible. It's slow, but pretty fun to drive. It's also way easier to get around in a city on a scooter. The car gets more used on days with bad weather, in the winter or when I need to transport anything bigger than a milk carton.
Bikes are cool too. I'm 28, driving 7 years and now saving for a 125cc bike, car is costing so much and a bike may help with travelling time. Would keep a car but costs on fuel will drop and get a reduced insurance type
I've got a driving licence. Which regardless of whether your driving or not is a necesity. I've been in quite a few situations now where being able to drive has come in very handy. On top of that I know a few people with some VERY nice cars, so if the chance rears its head I can drive them. (Managed to drive a 3.5ltr twin turbo x5 the other day... wow). However I don't plan on getting a car as I don't have a point atm. I do however plan on taking my CBT and getting a bike.
I'd get a full licence, then get a bike if the costs of a car are too much. Iirc the CBT is pretty cheap to do then you can get a cheap 125cc until you're in a better position to afford a car.
Agreed, get a car licence and learn the road, I learnt much more about driving and safety in a car, then if costs are out of hand get a CBT for £100 and try a bike for a bit and see what you like the most. I would miss the music in the car and is still main decider for me
OPPOSITE OF THIS. Riding a bike teaches you observation and reading the road like no other method, simply because your life could well depend on it. Get a bike for commuting/nipping about on, and do your car lessons in the meantime.
Having a bike as your sole transport is great until: A: It snows/gets icy B: It Rains Being in the UK we do get quite alot of the latter, Id start with the car license then get a bike, at least a car can be used all year round without freezing your nads off.
Was this before or after you learnt to drive? Its a fair point, but then you can do the same on a push bike. As to the other question point, professionals wanting driving licences. Its very true if your not working in london. It shows responsibility, maturity and ability to learn practically. Its as I said before very useful. At the end of the day your going to have to shell out for a driving licence at some point in your life. I don't know of very many bikers that don't also have a car licence. You might aswell learn young, so you've had your licence longer and drop your insurance when you do get a car.
I have both a bike and car license. Learnt to ride on a Honda Rebel 125 and from there went with a Honda CX500 then CX650. Had a Renault Clio for about two weeks before giving it to my sister. There are massive differences between two and four wheels. On a bike the field of view is greater, it's more responsive than a car and simply fun*. The bike is fuel efficient, cheaper to tax, cheaper to maintain, doesn't get stuck in traffic et al. It ain't warm though and cargo capacity is somewhat limited. Also, it hurts if you come off. However, chicks dig scars, so if you survive you automatically receive a +5 bonus (2% crit chance**) when chatting up the ladies. Having the right gear helps though, decent water proofs, gloves, heated grips, pinlock visor. *See Oxford English Dictionary (OED) for definition of; joygasm **does not stack.
