The Cost of Getting Back into Motorcycling: Understanding the Financial Commitment
Nobody warns you that the cost of getting back into motorcycling is mostly not the bike. It’s everything around it: kit that’s moved on a generation since you last bought any, insurance after a long gap, a refresher session you’ll be glad you booked, and the small running costs that quietly add up. This guide puts realistic UK numbers on all of it, so you can decide what you’re comfortable spending before you fall in love with something.
Prices are approximate and checked in October 2026. They move, so treat them as a guide and check current prices before you buy.
The bike is the headline number. The rest of the budget is what decides whether you actually enjoy riding it.
Kit: the part that's changed most
A helmet is the only piece of kit the law requires, but it’s a poor place to stop. A well-known branded helmet starts at around £100, and a sensible full set of mid-range gear typically lands somewhere between £600 and £1,000. As a rough guide, boots start around £70, textile jackets and trousers from about £99 each, and gloves run from £30 to £250.
Here’s what a few real purchases on this site cost: the Richa Force 2 D3O jacket at £159.99, the Richa Cold Protect Gore-Tex gloves at £116.99, the BMW Paceguard jacket at £495, and the Motoairbag MAB V4 at £559 for the vest. Our returning rider kit guide covers what to buy first and what can wait.
Training: the cheapest insurance you'll buy
A refresher day usually costs between £150 and £300, depending on whether it’s a half or full day, one-to-one or group, and whether bike hire is included. For example, BMW Rider Training’s one-day back-to-riding course is around £299 all-in. It’s worth far more than that if it stops one nervous mistake, and it’s the single best use of money before you commit to a bike. Here’s how to decide whether you need one.
Insurance: bigger than you'd expect, and it depends on the bike
Engine size is the biggest driver. Recent UK comparison figures put typical premiums at roughly £250 to £300 across all bikes, around £520 for a 650cc middleweight, and £950 or more for a 1000cc-plus sports bike. Your age, postcode and where the bike is kept overnight all move the price, and a long gap on your licence history can too. Get quotes before you commit to a particular bike, not after. Our licence and insurance guide covers what to check first.
Running costs: road tax, MOT and the unglamorous bits
Road tax is set by engine size and from April 2026 is £27 (up to 150cc), £59 (151 to 400cc), £90 (401 to 600cc) or £125 (over 600cc) a year. A motorcycle MOT is capped at £29.65 and is needed once the bike is three years old. Budget separately for servicing, tyres and a decent lock, plus a new battery if the bike has been sitting. None of these are dramatic, but together they’re a few hundred pounds a year.
The bike itself: the biggest swing factor
A sensible used middleweight is usually a low-to-mid-thousands purchase, while a new adventure bike like the BMW R1250GS starts around £16,000. That’s a huge range, which is why the number that matters is what you’re comfortable spending. If you’re still deciding, choosing the right bike to come back on is worth reading before you set a budget.
Three realistic budgets (before you buy the bike)
These cover everything except the bike, using the figures above.
- Lean, around £900: a branded helmet, budget textile jacket and trousers, basic boots and gloves, a half-day refresher, and insurance on a smaller bike.
- Sensible, roughly £1,500 to £2,000: mid-range kit, a full-day refresher, insurance on a 650cc-class bike, plus road tax and an MOT.
- Comfortable, £3,000 or more: premium kit including an airbag, a one-to-one refresher, and insurance on a larger bike.
Where to spend and where to save
Spend on the things that protect you: the helmet, boots, gloves and the refresher. Save on things that don’t, like luggage, gadgets and accessories, all of which can wait until you’ve ridden a few months and know what you actually miss. And if the total feels steep, remember that a lean budget with good basics beats an expensive bike with cheap kit every time.
When you’re ready, our 30-day plan for your first ride back covers what to do next.
For the story behind why I came back, and the advanced training that rebuilt my confidence, read 20 Years Off the Bike: Why I Got Back Into Motorcycling.
For one pair of boots that has lasted, see my Alpinestars New Land Gore-Tex Boots Review: Four Years in All Weathers.
