I posted on here a while back that I was considering doing my CBT and buying myself a bike for commuting.
Well that was in April, and being as there has been a few posts on here about doing the same, I thought I would share my experiences.
I bought a Honda PCX 125 - a scooter I know, but it has been perfect for my commute - 20 miles each way on a mix of A and B roads including the A449 and Wolverhampton ring road. 3500 miles later (as I do a 4 day week, 3 on the scoot and once on the bike and on occasion in the car) and here is what I have found....
- spending £7 a week on fuel is WAY better than £30 a week!
- drivers seem more respectful of motorbikes than they do of push bikes (mostly)
- it is fun (mostly)
- spending as much as possible on decent warm, waterproof, comfortable kit was the best decision I made and is the difference between being comfortable in all weathers and being cold, wet, tense and terrified
- cutting through a queue of stationary traffic is nice
- rain is actually fine
- the dark is actually fine
- rain and dark in unlit roads with oncoming traffic is not so fine
- Pinlock visor inserts rock!
- being invisable may look good, but I'll stick with my Hi Vis thankyou
- check the mirrors, look behind and do it again (but keep an eye ahead as well)
- you will do some stupid things - just as you will when driving occasionally - bad judgement, etc etc - learn from them
- car drivers WILL do stupid things
- your hands WILL get cold
- you possibly have more grip than you think
- deisel is terrifying
- wet drain covers in the dark are sometimes only visible from a few feet away
- 'L' plates on a bike are like a sign saying 'overtake me NOW'
- a 125 will out accelerate pretty much any car up to 40mph
- if you do the speed limit on 'L' plates, something WILL try to overtake you
- if it's really grim, or you are suffering from a bad cold and sneezing lots, just use the car!
I am sure there are more things. I still have a lot to learn and will hopefully be taking my test in the new year.
Andy



