If you are of the age when you can obtain a provisional driving licence, you will no doubt be thinking of acquiring a 125cc motorcycle and there are numerous styles to choose from. Assuming that you have already applied for your provisional UK driving licence, here is some useful information to help you become travel independent on two wheels.
Bike Styles
As you would expect, there are quite a few bike styles to choose from.
- Sports Bike – If you fancy yourself as Mark Marquez or Valentino Rossi, check out the stunning range of Aprilia bikes at Wheels Motorcycles from a leading UK bike dealership. The new Aprilia RS 125 is a real masterpiece of design and state of the art engineering, with superb handling and awesome power for a single-cylinder 4-stroke engine and slick 6-speed gearbox. This machine oozes style and after a couple of years, you can upgrade to the super-fast RS 600, which incorporates racing track tech and can keep up with all the other makes.
- Naked Japanese Street Machine – The naked look is all engine, with no fairing and an upright seating position, this mean machine is perfect for the urban guy and with great handling and tons of power, this is the coolest way to get around in the city. Start with a Google search to find a few bike dealerships (Honda, Yamaha, Suzuki and Kawasaki, along with an Aprilia range) and you can book test rides at your convenience.
- Laid Back Tourer – There aren’t many bike manufacturers with a small engine tourer; most start at 300cc and go right up to 1300cc machines. The touring bike is comfortable for long rides and if the idea of long weekend camping is appealing, this is the style for you. There will come a time when you want to sell your bike and go for a more powerful machine; here are a few tips.
- Off-Road Bikes – The enduro-style bike is obviously diverse, as you can ride on almost any surface. Knobbly tyres and a higher design bring you a fun machine that you can ride through the woods and if you are the rugged outdoor type, this could be the style of bike for you. They have machines of all sizes, starting at 50cc for the kids, right up to the 750cc pro enduro bike.
Protective Gear
This is a one-time investment, if you buy top quality items and your collection should include the following:
- Top-Rated Crash Helmet – This is the most important component of your protective gear; choose a known brand and full-face is recommended, making sure you get the right size. Take good care of the visor, as they can scratch very easily and always lock your helmet on the bike when out and about.
- Leather Motorcycle Jacket – Despite many composite fabrics on the market, there’s nothing that comes close to leather when it comes to skin protection. When your skin comes into contact with asphalt, the road always wins and while you can easily replace a shredded jacket, your skin is a lot more difficult to regenerate.
- Leather Biker Pants – Again, leather wins hands down and while a good pair of biker pants will cost at least £100, they will last a lifetime. Stylish designs are available and paired with biking boots and a pair of gloves, you are good to go.
Click here for further reading on obtaining a provisional driving licence in the UK, which is one thing you will have to negotiate prior to jumping on your new bike.
