Will high priced car insurance mean more bikers?
Discussion
Following another thread about the very high rates for young drivers insurance...
Despite the complex licences for motorcycles in general, getting your scooter licence and bombing around is still comparatively cheap and straight forward compared to a car. So it would seem an increasingly sensible option for a lot of young people.
I think it's also fair to say that many will go on to develop a taste for riding bikes, which offer a lot of thrills at a fraction of the costs associated with most cars. Let alone the "fun ones".
This is further compounded by the fact that cars are increasingly complex and expensive. Bikes, albeit not immune to rising prices, carrying higher part costs, and using more consumables, remain fairly simple and economical to run. Even a cheap bike often has capabilities beyond it's rider.
So, I wonder, do we expect to see more petrol heads defecting from cars to motorcycles?
Despite the complex licences for motorcycles in general, getting your scooter licence and bombing around is still comparatively cheap and straight forward compared to a car. So it would seem an increasingly sensible option for a lot of young people.
I think it's also fair to say that many will go on to develop a taste for riding bikes, which offer a lot of thrills at a fraction of the costs associated with most cars. Let alone the "fun ones".
This is further compounded by the fact that cars are increasingly complex and expensive. Bikes, albeit not immune to rising prices, carrying higher part costs, and using more consumables, remain fairly simple and economical to run. Even a cheap bike often has capabilities beyond it's rider.
So, I wonder, do we expect to see more petrol heads defecting from cars to motorcycles?
I see more and more mopeds and 125s on my commute these days, mainly for the costs reasons I guess.. MPG is great, insurance is very cheap. Apart from being open to the elements and the downside of instant death, why would you not ride a bike?
In serious though, all these kids passing at 17 and moaning they cant afford a car, go spend £100 on a CBT and you can ride a moped/scooter upto 50cc using yor car licence. Insurance might not even be a quater of what you would pay for a car.
I've looked into it for my daily commute. Insurance would cost me £80 per year (27 years old) on a 50cc of some sort and all I would need to do is a CBT and then I can ride on my car licence.
In serious though, all these kids passing at 17 and moaning they cant afford a car, go spend £100 on a CBT and you can ride a moped/scooter upto 50cc using yor car licence. Insurance might not even be a quater of what you would pay for a car.
I've looked into it for my daily commute. Insurance would cost me £80 per year (27 years old) on a 50cc of some sort and all I would need to do is a CBT and then I can ride on my car licence.
MysteryLemon said:
In serious though, all these kids passing at 17 and moaning they cant afford a car, go spend £100 on a CBT and you can ride a moped/scooter upto 50cc using yor car licence.
Why bother passing a car test and restricting yourself to 50cc? When you pass CBT you can ride up to 125cc (and 15bhp) on your provisional bike licence.xRIEx said:
Why bother passing a car test and restricting yourself to 50cc? When you pass CBT you can ride up to 125cc (and 15bhp) on your provisional bike licence.
Because it's a car you really want but the 50cc will do until your a bit older.Plus, if you don't keep failing, passing a car test is far cheaper than passing a bike test, and going by what I've been told, far easier too. You also don't have to ride with L plates like you do on a provisional and wont have to renew every 2 years or take the CBT ever again. All car licences come with a full moped (upto 50cc) licence that is activated by taking a CBT.
Edited by MysteryLemon on Tuesday 26th February 12:04
MysteryLemon said:
Because it's a car you really want but the 50cc will do until your a bit older.
Plus, if you don't keep failing, passing a car test is far cheaper than passing a bike test, and going by what I've been told, far easier too. You also don't have to ride with L plates like you do on a provisional and wont have to renew every 2 years or take the CBT ever again. All car licences come with a full moped (upto 50cc) licence that is activated by taking a CBT.
L-plates are no real problem, you just can't take a pillion, but you wouldn't want to if you had a fifty anyway. If you tick the 'Motorcycle' entitlement when you apply for your car provisional, it's on your licence at no extra cost. I just don't see why you'd restrict yourself to 30mph, when you could have 60-65mph (and less scary) for no extra effort.Plus, if you don't keep failing, passing a car test is far cheaper than passing a bike test, and going by what I've been told, far easier too. You also don't have to ride with L plates like you do on a provisional and wont have to renew every 2 years or take the CBT ever again. All car licences come with a full moped (upto 50cc) licence that is activated by taking a CBT.
Edited by MysteryLemon on Tuesday 26th February 12:04
I have considered a bike, though I've been driving a car for a year now and my insurance fell to a much less painful figure.
My dad used to be bike mad, I would like to revive that one day and maybe get one myself to get him back into it, it is way cheaper than owning a car (well usually).
My dad used to be bike mad, I would like to revive that one day and maybe get one myself to get him back into it, it is way cheaper than owning a car (well usually).
It's true, I don't think anyone has ever been killed or injured riding a bike..Bikes have always been cheaper than a car at 17 years old.
Most yoofs get their first taste of freedom at 16 on a moped with a CBT, and then buy a car at 17 (you can get more girls in a car).
Some (like me) keep both. But the change in the bike test will put a lot of people off biking as a long term thing I dare say.
Most yoofs get their first taste of freedom at 16 on a moped with a CBT, and then buy a car at 17 (you can get more girls in a car).
Some (like me) keep both. But the change in the bike test will put a lot of people off biking as a long term thing I dare say.
Kong said:
I doubt it, largely due to the fact of the old adage people come up with
'Oh I'd kill myself on one of those...'
Load of b
ks really.
The risks involved with a bike put me off having one. Even if I had the balls the family would go nuts if I was to buy a bike. It may or may not be accurate but the dangerous image that goes with sports bikes put loads of people off.'Oh I'd kill myself on one of those...'
Load of b
ks really.It's actually a lot cheaper still to buy a Bicycle 
This has the added benefit of helping you to stay fit.
I bought one in November last year and now commute 3-4 days a week on it. I can say without a shadow of doubt that I love it, even when it rains.
The best bit is that when I can afford to replace my car I won't have to worry so much about fuel economy, insurance or running costs as my limited milage will mean they are all far less of an issue.
This has the added benefit of helping you to stay fit.
I bought one in November last year and now commute 3-4 days a week on it. I can say without a shadow of doubt that I love it, even when it rains.
The best bit is that when I can afford to replace my car I won't have to worry so much about fuel economy, insurance or running costs as my limited milage will mean they are all far less of an issue.
If younger guys are " forced" onto two wheels in the first part of their driving lives is not really that bad a thing.
1. you are more aware of road surfaces
2. you are more aware of protecting yourself
3. more importantly it teaches you to be very aware of other road users.
Go to France on a motorbike and it is plain to see how drivers are well aware of your presence and not only that make space for you wether its an overtake or at a junction!thats because a vast majority start on two wheels.
In fact if you "prove yourself" on 2 wheels it should then be reflected in your car premiums in the future giving incentive to get your act together at an early stage! Less risk.....Less premium.
1. you are more aware of road surfaces
2. you are more aware of protecting yourself
3. more importantly it teaches you to be very aware of other road users.
Go to France on a motorbike and it is plain to see how drivers are well aware of your presence and not only that make space for you wether its an overtake or at a junction!thats because a vast majority start on two wheels.
In fact if you "prove yourself" on 2 wheels it should then be reflected in your car premiums in the future giving incentive to get your act together at an early stage! Less risk.....Less premium.
toastman said:
If younger guys are " forced" onto two wheels in the first part of their driving lives is not really that bad a thing.
1. you are more aware of road surfaces
2. you are more aware of protecting yourself
3. more importantly it teaches you to be very aware of other road users.
I agree but the downside is in a car or on two wheels youngsters are more inclined to believe in their own imortality........ Which doesn't work out so well1. you are more aware of road surfaces
2. you are more aware of protecting yourself
3. more importantly it teaches you to be very aware of other road users.
I started on two wheels before moving to four wheels and it worked out as you say making me more aware of surroundings and road conditons
toastman said:
Go to France on a motorbike and it is plain to see how drivers are well aware of your presence and not only that make space for you wether its an overtake or at a junction!thats because a vast majority start on two wheels.
Agree here too much better awareness of two wheels in France toastman said:
In fact if you "prove yourself" on 2 wheels it should then be reflected in your car premiums in the future giving incentive to get your act together at an early stage! Less risk.....Less premium.
Unfortunately I can't see that happening anytime soonGassing Station | General Gassing | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff