Motorbike or scooter for courier delivery job?

[londnbikR]

Hi guys

I may be changing jobs soon and working as a courier driver. I would be working around the london area. not so much central london, more the outskirts of it. I am 30, no bike experience at all. Im planning to take my cbt test in the next few weeks and looking get on the roads straightaway using a 125cc with learner plates.

Im now trying to decide what bike I should get for myself. I have wanted to get a bike for a while now and with this new job coming up it seemed perfect timing to finally get one.

I had planned on getting something like a used honda cbr/cbf or yahama ybr/yzf. A pretty standard decent learner bike. However, after doing a bit of research and just generally looking around at other couriers, it seems they all pretty much drive scooters. There has to be a reason for this. And Im guessing a lot of it has to do with comfortability, having to drive around for 8 plus hours every day.

This kind of bummed me out because I would really like to get myself a proper bike not a scooter. But if this is not practical, obviously ill have to change my plan. What do you guys think? What would be the best option for me? Are scooters a much more superior option for a courier job? in terms of comfort and other issues like mobility around town?

Ive also looked at the ergonomics between the cbf/ybr and the sportier cbr/yzf

It seems the uptight seating position for the cbf/ybr's are comparable to a scooter. With the cbr/yzf's having a sportier look leaning forward.

The latter is the kind of bike I had wanted to get originally. It just looks and seems more fun. But would driving around in this forward position for 8 plus hours a day be practical or end up leaving my back in agony?

How much of a difference do these seating positions make?

Thank you so much guys, I look forward to hearing your thoughts!

[arry]

YZF and CBR - probably not best choices. Theft, riding position, practicality reasons.

YBR fine. CBF watch out for rust.

Scooter more practical; point and squirt no faff, extra under seat storage etc. But that doesn't mean you can't use a YBR and just fit a decent top box.

Do your cbt, see how you feel. Worry about bike after.

Oh and check insurance carefully. Bike courier policies are expensive even at 30 when you're a noob with no NCD.

[DrSnoosnoo]

Did you see the recent BBC documentary thing about how that boy got a job couriering - got a new bike on finance - got paid pants - missed payments on bike - topped himself ?

If I was going to courier on the outskirts, scoot, probably. Hop on, under the tucano urbano invalido blanket and twist and go. But I'd buy a used scooter, not a brand new one and hope it didn't get nicked when I was delivering.
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I'm Sam; Northern, Ginger, Lover
Did have: '95 ZZR600 '83 CG125 '97 ZZR1100 '15 Hypermotard 821 SP Do Have: '10 ZX10R

[Polarbear]

I hope it works out for you, I really do but I think you'd probably do better working in McDonalds.

I'm no expert but everything I have heard said and read about couriering is that it's a hell of a job (hell being the operative word) for a new person.

Ask Marmalade or Sickpup. They will probably give you the best information.
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Triumph Trophy Launch Edition

[AshWebster]

like Snoo said, buy the cheapest ped you can, learn how to maintain it (haynes manual £10). its your means of an income so look after it. anytime its off the road you're losing money.
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Honda cg125 J reg peice of shit ---> CB650F ---> 2016 CBR600RR
Ford KA ---> 93' MR2 ---> 94'MR2 ---> 98' Subaru WRX STI Ver 3 (track car)

[iooi]

It never fails to amaze me that any company would employ a courier on "L" plates...

Still I guess there is no fool like a new one..


Would you trust a taxi driver on "L" Plates....
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Just because my bike was A DIVVY, does not mean i am......

[Polarbear]

[Teflon-Mike]

Go do CBT and try learn a thing or three about bikes.
Then if you still think its a wonderful idea.... go talk to a courier in the street.... preferably when its raining, and ask if they a) make anything close to NMW for their efforts b) would do the job if they could earn as much or more stacking shelves in Tesco's, not getting wet or dodging SMIDYs.... then go ask half a dozen others the same.
Tell wannabee L-Platers time over time, in the list of things they need worry about, getting a bike is the last thing on the list. In this case, THAT is but the bottom bit of an entire business plan.
What bike? Scooter vs Plastic-Fantastic? THAT is really just SOooooo not a relevant question, the very fact you THINK it is one, just shows how much you DONT know to be able to make this even work, let alone work well enough to earn a living wage from. Its just a Non-Issue.... More, a LOT more, home work required, and if you STILL think scooter vs bike is something to be worried about after... you get an 'F' for it; go back, do the home-work again!
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My Webby'Tef's-tQ, loads of stuff about my bikes, my Land-Rovers, and the stuff I do with them!
Current Bikes:'Honda VF1000F' ;'CB750F2N' ;'CB125TD ( 6 3 of em!)'; 'Montesa Cota 248'. Learner FAQ's:= 'U want to Ride a Motorbike! Where Do U start?'

[virus]

Holy fuck a Tef post that fits on one screen!
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own: 81 xs1100g...
owned: 85 rat CG (sold), 91 GS500e (stolen), 84 gsx400f (scrapped), 81 z250 (siezed, siezed, scrapped), 83 cb250rs (sold), 84 gpz750r ratfighter (killed) 84gpz400 (sold), '80 cb650 ratfighter (wrote off) 95gsx6/12f ratfighter (killed) 91 xj900 (sold)
stinkwheel Well I just had my hands up a pigs fanny. Which makes your concerns pale into insignificance.

[stevo as b4]

They can actually be just a handful of paragraphs.
But if it starts with the operating cycle and first working principles of the two stroke/four stroke/ steam engine then you know it's unlikely to be one of those!

[Courier265]

[sickpup]

[Courier265]

[sickpup]

[iooi]

[Courier265]

[Courier265]

[Shaft]

[stirlinggaz]

varadero 😉

[notbike]

honda innova 125

[stinkwheel]

[Speedy23]

[struan80]

Scooter

[londnbikR]

ok cheers guys

[OmegaA]

Bike - if it is your first one, them you most likely to drop it, scooter has lots of fairing and it may break
Having said that, bike chain will need maintenance, and it is a pain, even if you install touring Scottoiler
Don’t think space under your seat will play much role - couriers usually have huge boxes for staff
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All-year-round rider since 2005