You'll likely have noticed that my photo is not of a scooter, but rather what I am presently riding: a Honda Shadow 125cc. Fire-engine red.
I loved my 50cc scooter, never had a problem with it, fuel seemed to last forever, needing only to fill up every month or so with about £10 worth of petrol. However, after riding it for 1-1/2 years, I found that the impatient drivers in traffic were tending to follow very close. The scooter, being restricted to use without a motorcycle licence, could only do a maximum of 30 mph, which wasn't enough to get away from those pushy drivers. So, back in Feb this year I decided that I needed to move up to the next level of vehicle, a 125cc scooter, preferably a Vespa to go with my image of summer on the riviera. To ride a 125, you simply need to do a CBT (Compulsory Basic Training - see DVLA website for full details) which is a one day training course after which you are given a certificate of completion. I booked my CBT with Get Bike, completed the day, was handed my certificate and led into the sales room to look at the 125s they had available for sale or hire. I was surprised by how much the used Vespas cost, generally from £2,500 upwards. As I considered how long I would have to save before being able to buy one, I spotted in the corner a black Honda Shadow for under £2,000. It looked great! Big, black, mean ... I couldn't wait to sit on it. It felt powerful seated on the machine, a completely different feel from the little scooter I'd been riding. After doing some research, I found my red Honda Shadow at an even better price at a nearby dealership, and my love of motorcycles began.
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