New Yamaha scooters up to 250cc now come with free third party insurance - until April 2 - and, as with all Yamaha motorcycles, mopeds and scooters, free RAC breakdown cover for a year.

The basic insurance, which covers up to four family members, can be upgraded to third party fire and theft, or fully comprehensive at heavily subsidised rates. These can give enormous savings, subject to personal details, particularly for younger riders.

Not content with just offering free insurance to its customers, Yamaha has joined forces with RAC to give a comprehensive roadside assistance package.

Called Yamaha Assist, the one-year scheme comes free with all bikes purchased in the UK from Yamaha dealers.

Because it's the machine that's covered, it doesn't matter who is riding, provided that the rider has the owner's permission.

Many commuters unhappy with public transport are looking for fast convenient, economical and reliable alternatives. Scooters can slash commuting times, so Yamaha hopes its offers of free insurance and 12 months free breakdown cover could be an even more tempting solution to those commuter blues.