Insurance
In a word, cheap – even on L-plates – so no wonder so many of us took to two wheels. Most of us got away with Third Party Only cover for little more than the price of a few tanks of petrol.
Type your details into a comparison website, pick the cheapest one you’ve actually heard of, stick in your card number and off you go. Back in the 1970s you’d still be on the phone to a string of brokers who didn’t know a CB750 from a C50. Prices were definitely cheaper for learners back then, but these days most riders aged 40-plus can insure a 150bhp bike for less than £250 a year fully comp. That seems like good value.