License Changes Go Live
Well the time has arrived when the impending Motorcycle License changes come into affect. The changes mean that if you are under the age of 24 there are a number of things you will need to bare in mind when thinking about getting a motorbike.
Read my article on the changes and how they will affect you here.
As unfair as this all seems there is light at the end of the tunnel. For one the impending changes have meant that there has been a huge influx of people getting themselves a motorbike license before the laws come in. Test centres up and down the country have been booked up all the way till 19th January (the date the laws come in) with budding motorcyclists eager to get on bigger bikes before they are restricted for what could be 6-7 years. So that's good news, at a time when the industry usually sees a winter lull, things have ticked over quite nicely this year. In theory all these new riders on the road are going to need bikes, gear, insurance etc so as the summer approaches, dealers can expect a visit from a number of new customers lets hope.
So we've got a whole load of new riders coming but what if you've missed your chance to get your test done before the changes? Never fear! The bike manufacturers have created a host of motorcycles tailored to the changes. Honda, Kawasaki, Suzuki, Yamaha and KTM have all got a batch of small capacity motorbikes ranging from 50cc-125 for the AM and A1 licenses. As well as this 250cc-400cc machines have made a comeback with the likes of the Honda CBR250R and the Kawasaki Ninja 300 which fit in the guidelines for the A2 license. KTM have also thrown in a 390cc Duke. Not only this, but Honda have brought out a range of 500cc machines that meet the maximum bhp level for the A2 license. Based around the same engine these bikes come in sports, touring and standard styles at affordable prices.
So it's not all bad then. An influx of new riders and bikes will be out on our roads very soon, congratulations to everyone who has passed their test over the last few months. Check out my License Changes Infographic that gives you a break down of all the information you need! Ride safe all.
Useful Links:
License Changes Infographic - All the information you'll need about the different types of license and what they qualify you to ride.
License Changes Article - A Summary of the changes coming in.
Honda - Big H's new range of bikes.
Yamaha - Yam's offerings.
Kawasaki - In the Green, bikes from Kawasaki
Suzuki - Not the largest range of small cap bikes, but some.
KTM - The Duke range.
15.01.13 - Big Ed
