M/C couriers? is it worth it??

[Jonnyfp]

Thinkin about becoming one will it destroy my enjoyment of biking?
Is it a secure job? does it pay well?

Tell me if ya know please :confused:

[krammer]

there must be some decent money to be made being a courier but i can't help thinking that the fun element would soon go out of it, especially with the even crappier weather coming. but if you do decide to give it a go remember to take a slug of sake and shout banzai ! three times before setting off.

[oggers80]

Yes it pays well but its not secure as most companies take you on a self employed basis, i.e. if your bikes off the road for any reason youre not earning, also if youre off sick you wont get paid. You'll also find your insurance will double.This sounds bad but I couriered for two years and loved it, it was just the thought of another winter coming up so I packed it in! :o

[Jonnyfp]

It'd take some preparation (H) lol. and a spare bike then.
plenty of lemsip and a CX500?

[BlackPig]

It'd take some preparation (H) lol. and a spare bike then.
plenty of lemsip and a CX500?


Only if it's black :D :D :D

[Yoda]

have never done it
and as you say it might ruin your enjoyment of biking, especially as the bad weather aproaches.

Yoda

[Mrs Reject]

Mitch didn't enjoy it much, spent a lot of time going down icy roads on his arse, waiting for breakdown recovery and knackered after doing 100's of miles a day + the money isn't fabulous either!
Don't want to put you off or anything :p

[Gypsy]

watch out for an amazing insurance leap

[Jonnyfp]

Ok we seem to heading in the direction on negativity.
Anyone want to balance this out. cos its not lookin good to me at the mo. :confused:

[saxman]

i did it for about 6 months, a few years back. knocked on the head when it got to the point that i didnt want to go out for a ride at the weekends.
but then you bein a poof n all, might enjoy it
:p

[Jonnyfp]

i did it for about 6 months, a few years back. knocked on the head when it got to the point that i didnt want to go out for a ride at the weekends.
but then you bein a poof n all, might enjoy it
:p


Did'nt i see outside The Viking on saturday? :D

Sax mate your slippin, me? a courier? is there nothing you want to add to that?

[Mash]

I spent a wee while as a courier a good few years back... Is it a good job ?? Well depends on your outlook Jonny...

If your a weekend warrior thinking its gonna be a "cool job" then I think your best in an office..

In reality its cold, ****ty and wiv long hours... You can earn good money in the cities but up here in the sticks there aint that much work...

As Saxman rightly says when you've spent all week riding do you really wanna go for a ride out wiv ya mates :eek: ..

[Doro]

I had a lot of courier mates in London and they enjoyed it as much as any other job (well not everyone loves their job) - it paid well and they got some perks (lotsa money for a long ride outa the city etc) - but they lived and breathed bikes so couldn't see them doing any other job really, certainly didn't spoil their enjoyment, they still went to rallies and on trips up north to see me etc. I learned a lot from Liz....she showed me how to make a decent spag bol. and how to 'train' a man to do yer bidding...! *grin*


funny story time

her boyfriend, john, used to get sick of having to find a loo when he was couriering so came up with the idea of attaching a pipe to his dick and hide it down his trouser leg - so he reckoned he could just wee down the tube when he was stopped at lights or summat - grand idea - trouble was, the one time he tried it, he forgot that when he was sat on his bike the tube would be shorter, and consequently he wee'd in his boots


laugh?? we nearly cried.... :D :D :D

[Dusty]

on the subject of perks 'n' that, did you realise that the laws have changed regarding 'self employed status'.If you're self employed and under contract or obligation to a company, then they have to give you 20 days paid holiday a year.(subject to certain conditions of contract etc).get your self a copy of the working time regulations for the full details.but in brief "any person who undertakes to perform personally any work or services for another person or company" is regarded in law as a 'worker' and as such entitled to holiday pay.

Good luck in the venture anyway

[brandersnatch]

I have ridden for a living for the last 22 years. 17 of them as a self employed courier. Over the years I have met some fabulous people, had some really good times and paid a mortgage and raised three kids. The upsides are the illusion of freedom, you are not really free as the companies like to work you to death. It might ruin bikes for you, many couriers I know only ride because it's their job and they have no other contact with bikes. I was lucky I've always enjoyed riding but many don't. The real problem at the moment is lack of work, most of the guys I know are scratching around for work. Clients are not willing to spent the money anymore so a lot of the distance work goes on overnight vans for a fraction of the price. Rates of pay have, in real terms, gone down and expenses keep going up. Also it’s hard hard work! Great in the summer, really sh*t in the winter. If you do decide to do it remember no parcel is worth your bike, your licence or your life. Take it easy and don’t take chances.
Sorry if I’ve been really negative about this, I’ve had a great time being a courier but it’s still a cr*p job. I still ride for a living but now I’m PAYE on a company bike and I take passengers not people. Good luck whatever you decide :) .

[Jonnyfp]

I'll maybe not look into it till spring then, one thing i can say is in traffic i ride very competitively every minute/second counts i think i have the attitude but this may not be the right time of year to start novicing in this field.

Cheer folks i really appreciated you input on this.


Jonny.

[brandersnatch]

one thing i can say is in traffic i ride very competitively every minute/second counts i think i have the attitude
Cheer folks i really appreciated you input on this.
Jonny.

As the risk of sounding like a boring old git, read my last paragraph again, the most important thing is to deliver the parcel, you don't get paid if you end up in hospital.

[Jonnyfp]

I guess its a city livin thing.
i happened overnight it seems one day i gave a **** next thing the defensive rider training we are all given was only apparent on the approach to junctions where twats may pull out.

Maybe this attitude is'nt quite the right one for this line of work.
Either that or i should stop drinkin so much coffee in the mornin.

[acidpixie]

I agree with Mr Brandersnatch,

I havnt D.R'd for about 15 years so i guess its changed a lot both traffic volume and legally so take the following as an out of date opinion please.

I did local stuff only, in London, using a z250 scorpion and a gt550 kwak.
I was employed so got less money but servicing, tax, sick pay petrol, tyres ect... were all paid for.
I worked for 2 years its brilliant in the dry, stinks in the wet.
After 2 years i stopped as when i got home i really didnt want to go anywhere near the bike.
Its absolutely fantasctic for your social life as london was jam-packed with bored secretaries. :D
hope this helps mate

[acidpixie]

but the best way to work is steady riding, learn the sequences of traffic lights , ride like a big man or a maniac and you'll be dead in a week.

a guy i knew worked 6months of 13 hour days, then he had 6 months off just bumming around the world, so it can pay (or it could pay then anyway)