Motorcycle couriers ??

[swanman]

Has anyone done this in NZ/Auckland? I know in London you can make a decent living out of this.

I am imbetween jobs right now, so am considering this as a short term fix. Any companies that can be recommended or blacklisted? What is the min/best size of bike to have etc.

[NC]

I had a couple of mates that used to be motorbike couriers..

Saw a fucked up crash right outside work oneday..

I was sitting outside enjoying my Latte (when they cost $3 and it came in a good size bowl). And I said to a dude that I worked with “I think there is going to be a motorbike accident today” He asked where about and I pointed to “the spot”
. About 30 minutes later a motorcycle courier came booting down the road ( as they did on Normanby RD) A car pulled out in front of him and he T-boned the car.
He broke his back, legs, shoulder, arms…
I’ve been warned off by 3 ex couriers not to do it… I took that advice

[bugjuice]

400cc bikes are cheap and shit. No one cares too much if you ding 'em up, and they're small enough to get round the traffic etc.. or a beat up 6 may be.. just don't spend too much on one, cos you don't want to loose a shed load if a courier takes you out in his van...

[Quasievil]

400cc bikes are cheap and shit.

As an owner of a 400 I defend that position !!

[Marknz]

I'd have thought a 600 Hornet or Fazer would be the ideal bike for that sort of riding?

[bugjuice]

As an owner of a 400 I defend that position !!

how much did you pay for your 400 again...??

didn't mean 'shit' as in they are 'shit', I meant it in the context of 'more words than I can be bothered to type' type 'shit'

[NC]

how much did you pay for your 400 again...??

didn't mean 'shit' as in they are 'shit', I meant it in the context of 'more words than I can be bothered to type' type 'shit'

Damn 600 riders...
Go on, dig the hole deeper..

[bugjuice]

Damn 600 riders...
Go on, dig the hole deeper..

*deep breath..*......
no, can't be arsed. it's only a 400

[Eddieb]

If you do it, be prepared to be hurt. Even if nothing gets broken you will get knocked off & you will get badly bruised, often.

Ultimately shaft drive and low tech is the way to go and narrow helps a lot. At least make sure it's not a race rep, you'll be crippled within a week by the riding position in traffic all day if you are doing serious hours and mileage.

The main reasons you can make good money as a courier, especially in London are:
a) You work long hours riding like a maniac
b) You work as self employed with a good accountant who knows how to claim back and pay no tax, or,
c) You work as self employed with no accountant and 'forget' to pay tax. Not that I would know about this of course.

Wear good gear, ALWAYS. No matter how hot or uncomfortable it might be.

My old courier bike below, a state of the ark Kawasaki GT550..

[Wolf]

The bike couriers here in Hams ride CT110s - in all weather, on slippery roads. Braver or stupider than I...

Thought of doing formal courier work (as opposed to "informal" couriering of shit around on my bike as part of my main job) - would be good with a decent, low-maint, economical bike

[Wolf]

Eddie, dude, your thumbnails are bigger than the pictures themselves...

[MrMelon]

I was thinking a street magic would make a pretty good courier bike if you didn't have to deliver anything too far outside of the city. It'd Cost bugger all to run and maintain, and you could get away with parking anywhere.

[bungbung]

I don't think anybody is using motorbikes for courier work in the Welli CBD.

Hutt?

[Devil]

Have seen various courier bikes in akl cbd, from street magics, to hornet 600's, to cbr250rr's (ouch!)

[Mr Skid]

I discussed this with an ex-motorcycle courier once over a few jars.

His advice was if you wanted to make cash, the best option was to look at cycle courier work. Apparently you can make similar gross income and don't have the running costs associated with a motorbike.

I recall seeing around town a TR50/110 (Street Magic), a GSX250, and a Kawasaki D-Tracker being used for courier duties.

I think some sort of electric legged single would be the way to go.