Okay I’m sixteen. I’m a computer wizkid but when it comes to cars/motorbikes i really dont have a clue (I’m working on it though using the net to find out how engines work etc lol)

Yeah anyway… to the point. I want to start driving. I work for KC Computer Repairs but I’m limited to the work I can do due to being restricted to my local area. I want to be able to expand and get a little further (The company aims to be with you within the hour of you calling for example if someone calls at 3.10 then a tech likeme should be with them by 4.10 and so im really limited)

I want to et myself a scooter/moped/motorbike whatever lol just something to get me a around for as cheap as possible.

I know i need a license but what license?
I know i need a bike (obviously :D)
I know i need insurance but whats an a average price I’ll be paying?
What else do i need?

All help greatly appreciated

Many Thanks, Keiron

At 16 in the UK you can’t ride anything bigger than a 50cc moped. You’ll need a provisional driving licence with motorcycle entitlement, your local Post Office (if there are any left) will have the forms you need to fill in to apply for this (note - you must tick the box for motorcycle entitlement, you don’t get this automatically). Then you will need to complete Compulsory Basic Training (CBT) with an approved instructor, which is usually a 1-day course. You can NOT fail CBT, but if your instructor feels you are not yet up to the required standard, he or she can refuse to issue a certificate. I’ve no idea what insurance will cost you, as I was considerably older than you when I started riding, but if it’s less than £300 I’ll be surprised.

You also need a helmet, by law. You can get one from around £50, up to however much you want to spend. You don’t legally need any other protective clothing, but I’d recommend it. Sliding on tarmac at 30mph, average denim jeans wear through in about a second - if you wear a suit for work it will be less. Decent gloves can be as little as £10-£20, boots that will offer some protection for about £50. A textile jacket with armour can cost about £100, if you are lucky some places throw the matching trousers in for free - shop around!

Once you’re 17, you’ll be able to make the choice between a bigger bike (125cc maximum) or a car. Given your job, the car would make more sense, but bikes are more fun! Good luck.

My sister lives in West Virginia. I’ve got a Honda Rebel, and she invited me over to visit and go camping with her, her husband, and their sons. I’ll be 16 by then, but I already have my motorcycle license. I might just get a car by then, but I would rather ride my Rebel than drive a car. Cars are bulky, slow, awkward, hard to control, poor on gas, not-fun to drive, require more insurance, take up more money in tires, require more maintenance and (worst of all) are *enclosed.* I don’t want to be *enclosed.* I want to be *exposed.* How can I talk the overprotective people into it? By trhe way, I have a duffel bag I can strap to my passenger seat to hold most of my required items, such as clothes, shoes, raincovers, coats, hats, food, water, etc. I can strap a sleeping bag over the duffel. Multi purpose there- A thing to lean back on, and a place to sleep. It would be cheaper than taking the bus, more faster, more fun, and a great oppurtunity to become a *real* biker. I can brag but I’ve never been anywhere. My longest distance trip was to Ada and back to get my license. And that was with Dad right in front of me. I wanna go alone, feel the wind in my hair, take pictures, live wild and free, and escape the daily drag of teenage life in general. And visiting my sister after all these years is a big plus. How can I convince Mom to let me go? If I could get my grubby mitts on a bigger bike, my dad would be a lot closer to letting me go. BTW- I may be getting a 750 Nighthawk in a trade with my uncle within the month, just maybe. But if I don’t, how can I talk them into it?
I just talked to Mom… She says it’s dangerous. I told her that the bus is more dangerous because it could go over a cliff, flip over on the highway, by highjacked, etc. She said shut up. Another reason, (I haven’t told her this one yet) is that once I get there, after taking the bus, I have no transportation.

Show them this post. It sounds like you have numerous points for riding over taking the bus. I’m not sure if you have a 250 or 450 Rebel, but either way, assuming you’re not talking a cross country trip, you shouldn’t have an issue. I just read an article in one of the bike magazines I subscribe to, about a gent from Saskatchewan, who did a 3 week road trip on his 250 Rebel. He wasn’t in a hurry to get anywhere, but it got him there and back again, without any big issues.
Another thing that might help convince your parents, if you haven’t already done so, is to take a MSF course. Then they’ll know you’re serious about becoming the best rider you can possibly be.
On a side note, if you’re getting a 750 Nighthawk, the MSF course is almost a must. That’s a pretty big leap up from a Rebel.
Good luck. You sound like you’ve really thought this out. Hopefully your parents will support you on this. Worse comes to worse, see if your Dad will do a ‘follow the leader’ thing with you. A father/son road trip to your sister’s could be cool too. If your Dad sees you’re a responsible rider, he might be more inclined to support you later on, when you ask to go on a solo trip.

Hi, ive got together about £1200 and have got two choices,
Option 1- Buy driving lessons, hopefully pass a test, this would use quite a bit of the money and leave me only the funds to buy a old/cheap car and insurance appears to be quite a lot for a 17 year old!
Option 2- Pass the CBT (compulsory basic training) for around £120 and possibly continue on to get a full motorbike license and/or buy a moped or motorbike (cheaper than a car) and insurance is much less.

I only need either one for getting to school quickly and getting to work without having to rely on public transport and stuff.
Any suggestions for cheap (somewhat stylish) cars under £1000 OR any reliable/stylish mopeds or bikes. 17yr old male.

I live in north East England so please no American related answers.
Detailed answers please, no time wasters.

How’s your weather up there? Are you willing and ready to ride a motorcycle in the rain and fog and cold temperatures? Can you carry all your school books and stuff you need on a bike? How does your girlfriend feel about going out on a date hanging onto the back of a bike?

Bikes are nice, cheap transportation, but if you can only have one vehicle, I’d go for a small car.