wild foamy Posted February 19, 2009 Share Posted February 19, 2009 hi everyone... are there any rules/terms a person needs to meet before they can become a motorcycle courier? (for a business or even privately) sounds like an interesting job, i would quite like to give it a go... anyone had any experiance being a courier? needs something with a bigger payload than my DT50 though... maybe a jawa with a sidecar - Steve Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Moderator Airhead Posted February 19, 2009 Moderator Share Posted February 19, 2009 Nah, you dont want a sidercar, you need to be able to ride on the pavement to be a good courier Only joking of course, but you will need to be able to filter and such to make good progress, I've never done it myself but i'ts a tough job and I wouldnt recommend it myself, you love bikes...being a courier might just change that. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wild foamy Posted February 19, 2009 Author Share Posted February 19, 2009 quite like the idea of riding bikes either as a "proper job" or just something to do on the side, i know there aint that much money to be made in it but id be willing to try it out failing that, anyone know any pizza places that still use mopeds to deliver? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pilninggas Posted February 19, 2009 Share Posted February 19, 2009 a mate of mine did it at 18 and struggled to make it pay. the insurance is very high for any drive-for-pay job if you are under 25. his superdream (an inaccurate name!) cost him £1000 a year tpo. you need a reliable bike, but if you are in newbury you are in striking distance of working the smoke, which is where the best money is. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chrisp Posted February 19, 2009 Share Posted February 19, 2009 I was a courier for about 4 years in the 80's. I earned very good money for not a lot, really, but you do have to work hard ! Some companies rent you a bike, others you use your own.....bikes like cx500 & gt550 were very popular then, so get a 400-600cc shaft drive bike and keep it in good nick. I guess sat-nav makes it a lot easier now, especially when you have a lot of jobs on at the same time!! I really enjoyed it, and the money was very good then i remember often taking home £300 + per week (this was early 80's) It does, however, take a lot of the fun out of motorcycling.....imagine you've been out on the bike all day and then all your mates pile over and suggest going out for a run!! All in all, i'd say give it a go!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ttaskmaster Posted February 19, 2009 Share Posted February 19, 2009 For Courier work, get a copy of The Riders' Digest (free from most good accessory shops). TRD was started by MC Couriers, for MC Couriers, hence a lot of such companies advertising. Talk to the companies that advertise in their pages. They will tell you the requirements, expectations, pros & cons, what you get bike and salary-wise, advise on insurance and all that. Many are there to advertise for drivers and riders anyway!! Or....... If you just want to be a hero, do something on the side as an excuse to ride and don't mind volunteer work, become a Blood Runner. After standard working hours, the NHS courier service does not operate - They rely on taxis and expensive private firms to ferry medication, blood and organs around in an emergency. These guys are volunteers, but they do an invaluable job and save lives almost daily. With some of them, you also get to ride a Hi-Viz bike with flashy blue lights!!! S.E.R.V Website Freewheelers website Each organisation covers different areas, so check both. SERV's webby has some heavy traffic at this particular momment (12:28), so check again when it's faster. You'll probably need an Advanced Riding qualification and 2-3 years riding experience first, as you'll be routinely riding faster than the "Speeding Twat" type bikers, but will have to do so safely with a loud siren deafening you and flashing blue lights hampering your vision. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wild foamy Posted February 19, 2009 Author Share Posted February 19, 2009 do i need any qualifications for courier work? that SERV thing looks quite good, maybe i will give that a try when i am on the 350, would take me an hour to get there if i was using the DT working the smoke?... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ttaskmaster Posted February 19, 2009 Share Posted February 19, 2009 do i need any qualifications for courier work? working the smoke?... Qualifications = Possibly. Might depend on the company. Ask 'em. Working The Smoke = Having a job in London Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wild foamy Posted February 19, 2009 Author Share Posted February 19, 2009 Working The Smoke = Having a job in London i'd never survive in a big city like that... im a simple bloke, me Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Moderator drewpy Posted February 19, 2009 Moderator Share Posted February 19, 2009 If you just want to be a hero, do something on the side as an excuse to ride and don't mind volunteer work, become a Blood Runner. After standard working hours, the NHS courier service does not operate - They rely on taxis and expensive private firms to ferry medication, blood and organs around in an emergency. that reminds me, i have a video short from the 80's called "blood runner" a bit more blood than running tho' Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lloydcrx Posted February 23, 2009 Share Posted February 23, 2009 Be prepared for a stressed out day being a courier with all those cars in the way lol Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Hedgehog Posted February 24, 2009 Share Posted February 24, 2009 Most replies here accurate - my mate was a despatch rider for years and loved it. No doubt about the hard work though, although he was at least lucky in that the firm gave him the bike (and maintained it). For sheer payoff London is the place.. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
x-jayney Posted February 24, 2009 Share Posted February 24, 2009 hi everyone... are there any rules/terms a person needs to meet before they can become a motorcycle courier? (for a business or even privately) sounds like an interesting job, i would quite like to give it a go... anyone had any experiance being a courier? needs something with a bigger payload than my DT50 though... maybe a jawa with a sidecar - Steve 2. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wild foamy Posted February 24, 2009 Author Share Posted February 24, 2009 thanks for the info Amanda, wasn't something i had really considered. think maybe being an S.E.R.V would be a better idea, still can't do it on the DT though.... maybe when the Jawa is on the road Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
x-jayney Posted February 24, 2009 Share Posted February 24, 2009 thanks for the info Amanda, wasn't something i had really considered. think maybe being an S.E.R.V would be a better idea, still can't do it on the DT though.... maybe when the Jawa is on the road Oh well ... good luck in whatever you choose. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pilninggas Posted February 24, 2009 Share Posted February 24, 2009 thanks for the info Amanda, wasn't something i had really considered. think maybe being an S.E.R.V would be a better idea, still can't do it on the DT though.... maybe when the Jawa is on the road steve do you have a career planned? do you know what you are doing when you leave school? i only ask as i am a secondary school teacher and wondered if you had recieved careers advice. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wild foamy Posted February 24, 2009 Author Share Posted February 24, 2009 as far as careers advice it has been available but ive chosen my own career path(s) my first choice would be an aviation technician (mechanical) for the RAF, ive already passed the selection test and went for my interview last tuesday, now i just need to go for a medical and a fitness test and hopefully it should all go well and i will be able to get in. alternatively, an apprenticeship at AWE, took the aptitude test today and passed so just need to book an interview i was considering being a courier for something to do on the side, i love riding motorbikes and being out and about so it seemed a logical choice. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pilninggas Posted February 24, 2009 Share Posted February 24, 2009 as far as careers advice it has been available but ive chosen my own career path(s) my first choice would be an aviation technician (mechanical) for the RAF, ive already passed the selection test and went for my interview last tuesday, now i just need to go for a medical and a fitness test and hopefully it should all go well and i will be able to get in. alternatively, an apprenticeship at AWE, took the aptitude test today and passed so just need to book an interview i was considering being a courier for something to do on the side, i love riding motorbikes and being out and about so it seemed a logical choice. go for the AWE role, nuclear power is coming back big time and skills pool in this country is painfully small. Youd be set for life. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mlc Posted February 26, 2009 Share Posted February 26, 2009 Iwas a courier for 5 years worked for Addison Lee on an open call circuit, money was good once you'd learnt your way around Soho & the city. Best to do lots of minimums (under 3 miles) together upto 12 jobs per hour,thats where i earned the best money. Once you've been there a while,if your any good you generally get offered a "Guaranteed minimum" per week. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
awh18awh Posted February 26, 2009 Share Posted February 26, 2009 I worked for ScooterMAN for a couple of months on my days off that was a good job. Got to tear around on a monkey bike then drive some flash cars. Anyone see it on top gear?? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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