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It's hard to say it better than Robert M. Pirsig
“In a car you're always in a compartment, and because you're used to it you don't realize that through that car window everything you see is just more TV. You're a passive observer and it is all moving by you boringly in a frame."

He was right.  I can't think of many (any?) other ways of travelling around where you get as much pleasure from every little detail in the road or the journey.  On a regular commute you'll find you have your favourite roundabouts because the curve is just right, and bends where you love to get the line perfect.

You're more aware of everything around you, and you have a sense of freedom that you just can't get behind the wheel of a car.


Freedom and discovery - just for the hell of it
Do you remember that feeling when you were about ten, and you and your friends rode for miles and miles to the next town; with enough money for a packet of chips and a drink for lunch? You felt free from your parents for the first time and there was no turning back.

Well, it's like that, only faster and easier - and you don't have to be home in time for tea...

Time: you can have some of it back
You can save a lot of time by using a motorbike, and that's the one thing you can't easily get more of.  

To put it in to context, I travel from just north of Newcastle to the city centre every day.  It takes me up to 45 minutes in the car if the traffic is bad, but it's never more than 12 minutes on a bike.  
 
In total, that's an hour per day I can have back to do something more interesting than sitting in heavy traffic: spending time with my family, seeing friends or maybe just going the long route home for a coffee or slice of cake.

Roads? Where we're going, we don't need roads...
Well, almost.  Most bus lanes now are permissible for motorbikes (check the signs), so no more getting held up in traffic.  Most queues become a thing of the past as you effortlessly filter to the front of them.  Despite passing cars on the way, you'll find the vast majority of drivers are very courteous when you come to get back into lane.  

When it's safe to do so give them a friendly wave or nod.  It goes a long way, and they might be a biker too.


They are very fuel efficient...
Fuel, and other running costs are low.  Your average rider, doing an average trip on a Honda CBF125, PCX125 or Vision 110 will average over 110 miles per gallon.  That's about 5p per mile in petrol. 
 
Some of the more efficient big bikes, like the Honda NC750S, can comfortably average over 80 miles per gallon.
 
Road fund licence (road tax, if you must) is as low as £17 per year and insurance costs are considerably lower if you're under 25 versus a car, too.
 
It's not often being kind to the environment is the more fun option.

...and they are good value to buy
With bikes starting at under £2,000, and low rate finance available (subject to status) on many bikes at under £100 per month, it's a viable alternative to running a second car.
 

Parking: it's just not an issue any more
Well, nearly.  Lots of car parks at schools, colleges, hospitals, universities and places of work now have allocated motorcycle parking, and they are nearly always free. 
 
City centres are the same too, and in many instances the spaces closer to the entrances than any of the car park spaces. Life is  just better on two wheels...

You'll become a better car driver
Okay, this might sound like a odd thing to promote on here, but we promise you'll be more spatially aware, more observant of hazards and just an all round better driver when you do get behind the wheel of a car after spending time on a bike.

How safe is riding a motorbike?
Motorcycling is changing.  Not too long ago, pretty much everything we sold was a sports bike or a sport-tourer.  Bikes designed to get somewhere quickly, and as a consquence, that's how a lot of us rode (and sometimes still do).

Sports bikes have been in decline for ten years or so, and the rise of the adventure bike like the brilliant Honda Africa Twin, retro bike like the CB1100RS and street bikes line the friendly Honda CB650F tell you it's more about the exploring a great new route or getting around without fuss, and not necessarily about being on the limit everywhere you go.

If you ride safely within your limits, don't speed in built up areas (where speeds are limited to 30, 40 and 50mph) and pay attention to other road users then you'll very likely to never need the protective clothing we recommend that you should be wearing.

Bikes are getting safer each year too.  ABS is standard on new bikes over 125cc, 125cc have combined brakes and daytime running lights are now standard across the range too. 


You might never fall in love with it...
It would be great if you feel the same as we do about motorcycles, but if all you want to do is ride to work and back, and not give the bike much thought, then that's great too. It'll be good to have you on two wheels whatever the reason.
 
Go on, book your CBT or test training, and learn to ride with us.  It may well be the first day of the rest of your life...


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Get in touch with us now using the form below and we'll be in touch to say hello and start you on your motorcycling experience.
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