[Closed] Give me a reason NOT to buy a motorbike

You'll be killed. Horribly.

Buy a car.

WINTER

Spend the extra money on a more efficient car.Everyone on the road is out to kill you.

yeah - thanks for that. Any more likely than on a bicycle?

Causing your mother untold worry

Rain and you'll die riding it. Two reasons for the price of one

yeah - thanks for that. Any more likely than on a bicycle?

The solution is a car.*

*I've commuted by motorbike.

I would say that 35mpg for a petrol people carrier is quite good - and being as this is necessary this isn't an option.

I may be moving jobs from a location which is straight through motorway trip to a city centre commute of the same distance which is one of the big drivers for this.

I will still have the car to fall back on when the weather is truly awful

Go for the bike! They rock.

Also, in city centre traffic, is a motorbike actually much quicker?

Get a crosser and off road it to work.

Factor in unlocking the bike/getting it out of the garage, getting kitted up. Locking it up, getting the kit off. Add rain, sleet, snow (or driving during). Don't forget to add the cost of helmet, gortex, heated grips, locks. Add in the chance of death.

As sensible means of transport go bikes struggle to make sense. Better than a bicycle obviously, but crap compared to a car.

As a toy they're great.

Depends on the type of roads on your 20 miles, as a 125cc might be economical but a bit of a drag on that distance + you need to factor in the cost of helmet, boots, protective gear etc. Also, I found it a right pain getting all the gear on (and off) compared to just jumping in the car.

Great in the summer, often very miserable in the winter and you need to be [b]very[/b] aware of idiots to avoid coming to grief.

An I missing something?

No, get a bike. I miss mine desperately.

You will have too much fun, do your full test and buy something with a bit more grunt... thus negating much of the cost saving.

But you will be smiling 🙂

Seen too many dead motorcyclists.

Loddrik. In one shift in Sydney in 1985 I helped fix 4 pretty like those.

it's funny isn't it - had I asked "give me a reason not to cycle to work', the responses would have been far more moderated with no gory photo's.

Seriously, for a 125 on <40mph roads, is it that much more dangerous?

Seriously, for a 125 on <40mph roads, is it that much more dangerous?

A car is still better though. The clue is all the other cars. People choose them over bikes for a reason.

How about this, i was a naughty boy wen I was younger and had to go on a course for driving offenders. One of the scare tactic they used was to show you still of accidents, each book had about 40 still of each accident. The Policeman had 5 books and as he gave out the last one, I got a serious shiver! It contained detailed photos of one of my best mates who'd killed himself 10 months earlier smashing his bike into a sandstone wall at 60mph. His head and helmet were smashed to pieces and the only way he was identifiable was by his scars. The Officer said in 20 years of doing it he'd never had that happen before and I was excused from the course and offered councelling.

Scary stuff indeed!!

You'll die, loose limbs, wailing and gnashing of teeth will follow you wherever you go.

B*llix.

The faff of unlocking / locking, donning / removing gear etc is a fair point, but for distances too far too cycle (every day at least) a motorised 2 wheeeler makes perfect sense. Cars are sh!te for commuting, unless it's rural.

Ignore the predictable naysayers, get appropriate training, buy decent protective gear, and go for it.

I can see that changing as the fuel prices increase. I can see lots in my situation who need a car for the family, but will choose to commute by moped/motor bike.

A 60% reduction in petrol cost isn't to be sniffed at.

The faff of unlocking / locking, donning / removing gear etc is a fair point

I wouldn't look at a bike unless the commute was over an hour. Even then I'd need someone else to pick up the bill (assuming I was keeping the car as well).

Having had a couple of bikes, the main reason is the cold. Think of the coldest you've been on a bike, then imagine being that cold and sitting in a cold bath as well.

It's cold on a motorbike.

Disagree. I had a 13 mile commute a few years ago.

Cycle: 45 mins.
Motorbike: 20 mins.
Car: Up to 90 mins plus nowhere to park.

Hence I cycled in 3 days, used the motorbike 2 days a week.

Disagree. I had a 13 mile commute a few years ago.

Cycle: 45 mins.
Motorbike: 20 mins.
Car: Up to 90 mins plus nowhere to park.

Hence I cycled in 3 days, used the motorbike 2 days a week.

Yeah, I'd use a motorbike in that scenario too.

Actually I'd move.

crikey - Member It's cold on a motorbike.

Yes, but there's plenty of good kit, and heated kit. Not cheap admittedly, but riding all year round is perfectly feasible with the right clothing.

currently I get changed at work anyway as I keep all of my work clothes at work in case I cycle in - so that won't change.

As for the duration, the 20 mile commute by car could well be an hour if the new job happens - commute from near Kidderminster to north of Wolverhampton at peak time (coming home). Currently I commute to east Birmingham which isn't too bad especially as I finish at 4.

5thElefant - Member

You live somewhere strange and alien.

Yeah, I'd use a motorbike in that scenario too.

Actually I'd move.

Get a monkey bike. I had one, and they are the bestest thing ever.

Yes, but there's plenty of good kit, and heated kit. Not cheap admittedly, but riding all year round is perfectly feasible with the right clothing.

If the main aim is saving money on a (trivial) 20mile commute and you're not selling the car I don't think it makes any sense. At best it'll be cost neutral. Which is OK if you want to justify buying a toy, but if you really want to save money? Nah. Crap idea.

As for the duration, the 20 mile commute by car could well be an hour if the new job happens

It cost serious money to get trained properly, decent kit cost many hundreds, most motorcycles are not that much more efficeint than a car.

However its great fun ( unless the weather is horrid) its far quicker than a car, did i say its great fun?

i would have a scooter rather than a small bike tho

The pcx 125 is a scooter.

3 times more efficient than my car.

The clothing and other kit is noted though and needs factoring in. I had considered a helmet and decent jacket

You could always cycle 5 days per week, perhaps with the occasional public transport when you want some recovery. Yes, I've done that. It depends on how many hours you work and if (like teachers...) you work a million hours after work too.

cycling every day isn't an option as I need to get home to pick kids up from nursery. I can only ride on a Thursday when the missus doesn't work.

You obviously like the idea. Go for it. There are all kind of factors that will come into it but it'll be tougher than you imagine and cost more than you think, but until you try it you won't know if it'll work for you.

Do it then - you know you want to! I would if I had te spare cash to learn etc etc. I can't seen how it is more dangerous than me cycling the A167...

I'd say go for it. Just don't buy the bike new, unless you desperately need the 0%, bike depreciation is the most powerful force on earth.

5thElefant

Unless you're doing extreme distances that faff cancels out any speed benefits a bike offers.

It takes me about a minute to gear up. Textile suit over work clothes, dead easy. If you're a congenital faffer or messing around with the wrong kit then yes it can take a while but it doesn't have to.

(also, some people talk about the weather... I arrive in the office in my goretex drier than the people who've run in from the carpark in their office clothes 😉 )

Time yourself. Normal clothes to car. Car to pavement.

Now try that with a bike. Including getting the bike out of the garage.

It takes me a good 5-10 minutes (each end).

I got a Daelim S1 - Insurance is £90, Heated grips Priceless. I considered the PCX but could get similar quality and more storage for less at Daelim. Commuted all winter only beaten by the snowy days. I find its warmer than my transit van and needs no ice scraping! Tank costs £10 to fill and runs for 2 weeks. Bike has survived down to minus 18 with no problems and only needed oil changes and filters.

No more dangerous than urban cycling. Obviously high speed roads same risk as a "real" biker.

One reason not to buy a motorbike?

90% of society will treat you like a social leper, and try to convince you you're about to die from a horrible disease (riding a motorbike) anytime soon...

But if that doesn't bother you, go ahead and buy! You're probably safer commuting on a motorbike than on a pushbike in my experience... Though a bright yellow Ducati with a straight through exhaust might have helped other road users notice me though! 😉

5thElefant - Member

Time yourself. Normal clothes to car. Car to pavement.

Now try that with a bike. Including getting the bike out of the garage.

It takes me a good 5-10 minutes (each end).

I know how long it takes me 😕 Literally as long as it takes to take my boots off, take my overtrousers off and put my work shoes on. A minute? 2 tops. Getting the bike out of the garage is faster than getting the car off the driveway most mornings but even if it wasn't, it only takes about a minute to get it out. Genuinely have no idea how it can possibly take you 10 minutes unless you have to be sewn into your gear.

Get a motorbike/scooter, the best commuting vehicle bar none.

I commuted for 8 years, 5 miles on busy urban roads (Meanwood to Calverley) in Leeds, then for two year from Meanwood to Halifax, busy urban with lots of queues with wide open road inbetween.
A motor bike (or in my case a scooter) was by far the fastest way to do each commute. On the shorter and slower commute you just put up with the elements to a great extent so no faffing (and how long does it take to put on an oversuit and get a bike out of a garage anyway? five minutes? it took me that long to get onto Otley Road in a car).

On the longer commute my colleague had to leave his hovel in Cleckheaton before I left Meanwood to travel a 1/3 of the distance to work, I used to regularily buzz past him sat in a queue. Don't underestimate how much time you spend in queues in a car, on a small bike you can filter through anything and unless your bike is seriously pathetic you can get the jump on just about any car at a set of lights!

My scooter did 80mpg and was at full throttle all the time 55mph. Saved me I reckon about seven hours and £20 a week on the longer commute and that was at 1999 fuel prices.

I now have a company car and drive long distance, I was so much happier going to work on two wheels, bikes rock. It depresses me how few people I see commuting on powered two wheelers these days, I occassionally have to sit on the Edinburgh bypass in the heart of the rush hour, seldom see a motorbike. these ****wits that surround me must leave their house everyday knowing they're going to be sitting in god awfull traffic and none have the sense to get a bike, unbeleivable.

Spaceman -

It depresses me how few people I see commuting on powered two wheelers these days

Pop down to The Big Smoke and observe, everyday, the hordes of people with engines between their legs 🙂

If I could trust myself not to get fat and lazy, I'd get a ped. Watching how they thrash every other form of transport in London is recommendation enough. Then again, I do love my bicycle...

Anyway, just to repeat the best advice so far:

5thElefant -

You obviously like the idea. Go for it. There are all kind of factors that will come into it but it'll be tougher than you imagine and cost more than you think, but until you try it you won't know if it'll work for you.

There used to be a few reasons not to on rotten.com

I commute 90-100 miles per day on a motorbike, saves me at least 1 hour per day, if not more.

Just do it.

it's your life, do what feels right. You obviousley know the financial benefits. And if you shop around kit doesn't have to be that expensive.

Yes there are dangers, but no more dangerous than being on a bicycle, in fact probably less so, you don't see many commuters in head to toe kevlar and thick leather gloves/boots.

I haven't bought a bike yet.....the emphasis is on "yet"

I am currently sharing my commute between my bike, 15 miles each way, and my R1, 9 miles each way. I save myself no time if I leave before 8, but about hst an hour if I leave after. There is a lot of gear fact,but no more than cycing and only if I wear the full power ranger outfit.

As far as being dangerous goes, if you have any form of sense of set preservation and understand the need to keep an eye on traffic rather than doing the car driver thing of staring at the boot ahead, you'll be fine! Plus I honestly think (where I live anyway) drivers are more aware than they were even five years ago.

And those young lads in their kevved out shit heaps, generally the first ones to notice me. Point of interest really, no real relevance!

If you want to ride all year then Hondas are a good choice. Better build quality.

I would choose something with an offroad style. Helps you see over traffic and wider bars for accident evasion. Plus knobblier tyres for winter. Also it will go over kerbs and traffic islands better...

Choose kit that is uncomplicated for putting on quickly. Make sure its V BRIGHT!

If your not already an advanced driver then once your up and running join your local advanced group for some lessons.

Treat everyone else as an assassin/idiot.

You quickly develop fighter pilot skills..

You will arrive at work happy.

When the urge comes to get a faster bike. Buy a tatty 600 and take it to trackdays instead.

I have ridden lots of bikes, some commuters and some sportsbikes. When you commute you develop a sixth sense very quickly, if not you will get hurt.

When i had sports bikes, venturing out at rush hour was extremely scary as i always avoided it, so my commuting skills were rusty. But 140mph down country lanes seemed sane! Wierd us humans....?

I would have a bike to commute on tomorrow but i have no garage.

I would also have a track bike.

And a classic....

Enjoy dude

The main problem with any form of powered 2 wheeler is people who have NOT THE SLIGHTEST FRIKKIN IDEA what they are talking about telling you 1001 reasons NOT to get one and forcing their opinions down your throat.
Just ignore the lot of them and you'll be fine. Their opinions mean ABSOLUTELY DIDDLY SQUAT.

Once you get past that it's pretty much plain sailing, but flippin' heck there's some half truths and misinformation on this thread.....

Taking 20 minutes to get changed? What are you? A blind octopus?

"Plus knobblier tyres for winter."

WHAT???? Have you ridden even mildly knobbly tyres on the road? Or in the wet? They're shockingly bad. Knobbles DO NOT equal GRIP in the wet. If they did, F1 cars would be using them! If you want an MX style bike, fine. No problem there, I love 'em. But don't tell me it's better on the road, because it's not. That's what, err, 'road bikes' are for! 🙂

Having tried a few types of motorbike, I'll tell you right now, the one that's best for commuting and city traffic is the one that's (Not surprisingly) designed for it - Scooters.

Why? - No gears to faff with. Clean. Loads of storage space. Cheap to service. Reasonably crash proof (no gear lever to snap in a light spill etc) Economical. Lots of weather protection. Comfy. And you don't need to dress like a power ranger to ride one (I mostly ride mine in normal clothes TBH) Jacket, gloves, lid will suffice.

One Top Tip though!
DO NOT BUY A NEW SCOOTER! The depreciation can be horrific. Get a nice one that's 4,5,6 years old and you'll sell it for virtually the same price you bought it for. And stick to the brands that make the best ones - Piaggio, Vespa, Gilera (all Piaggio owned) or Honda, or possibly Aprilia. DO NOT buy one of those cheap Chineese things from a brand you've never heard of (Sym are OK mind) becasue they'll fall apart and end up worthless. I've got a Vespa GT200. It's a 53 plate, I paid £940 and it's lovely. In 2 years I'll probably sell it for £900......

------------------------------------------

In most situations most bikes will beat a car point to point.

Add traffic and ANY bike will simply wipe the floor with any car. It really is that simple. 🙂

EDIT
On the 'cost' thing, I worked out that on fuel saved alone (at the 72mpg the Vespa gets) it would pay for its self in 2 years compared to our Focus.....So when I sell it, I'd be in profit......

It was all going well. I was in favour of you getting a Motorbike then....

commute from near Kidderminster to north of Wolverhampton at peak time (coming home)

You'll be using the A449 at peak times!!!!! That's all the reason you need NOT to get one. You'd struggle to find a more danerrous road to commute on. That would be one nightmare commute whatever you do it in.

For your own safety, please move or find another job.

SB

Every journey is an adventure and you'll arrive at work with a big grin spread across your bake. Sure why would you want that?

On the killing yourself front.... psychology has a big part to play. I have absolutely no self control. I used to use commuting as practice for racing (it worked). I had to stop though as it was apparent what was going to happen if I didn't.

But... other personality types will be reasonably safe.

You'd struggle to find a more danerrous road to commute on

There's no such thing as a dangerous road. Only dangerous drivers. If you're not one, you'll be fine.

As sensible means of transport go bikes struggle to make sense. Better than a bicycle obviously, but crap compared to a car

That's bollocks. Over 20 miles a scooter will have a predictable journey time, and that time will be considerably less than either a car or a (push) bike. Accident on the A-Whatever? No problem, just filter down the side of the traffic and at most you've added a couple of minutes to your journey time. No parking at the destination? There is when you're riding a bike.

With the right clothing it'll be fine in all weather - although I'll admit that in heavy rain a car would be nicer! The only weather I don't use my bike in is when snow's predicted. No idea how anyone can take more than 5 minutes getting ready on the bike, either.

Basically: go for it.

Exeter centre to torquay centre - 45-60 mins depending on traffic. On a bike 25 mins whatever the traffic. I work an over suit which takes 1 min to slip on over work clothes. I used to get out of my bike suit at my desk, IE at work, on work time..

Slight thread hijak.

I am thinking of getting another bike for a bit of commuting, fun and maybe a bit of touring.

Last bike was an R6 and I had a ZX9R before that. Got rid of R6 as was not using it and wife thought it was dangerous so got rid of it to please her. Now don't have that problem so thinking about getting another. Think I am going to look at the new Fazer 1000 today. I hired a VFR800 and did some touring in the alps a couple of years ago and the comfort persuaded me I don't want another sports bike.

So Should I and if I do what should I buy 🙂

Just sold my race car (turbo Hayabusa powered 7) so have cash and hole in garage 🙂

I commute on my F650 Bmw, it cost £900 to buy had it two years. Cost maybe £350 to take the DAS about £250 to get a cheap but perfectly functional trouser and jacket thingy which has been warm enough in winter and keeps me dry in all but the biggest deluge on my 1/5 hour commute. Helmet cost £150 had it two years so figure I should be getting a new one soon. I put on heated grips this winter which are great £45. Petrol saves about £5-10 a week over the car. Costs about £150 to insure. I arrive at work feeling alive and awake, and now I cant ride bicycles anymore it kind of fills a gap a little. I feel safer on it than riding a bike or certainly much less vulnerable. It works as a second vehicle for us as my Mrs works at home mostly so doesnt really need a car, so on the few snowy days or heavy frost days I can take the car. I have dropped it once, at walking pace on ice this winter and had one scary moment with ice but the half dozen cars stuffed in various hedges gave me enough prior warning to slow down!!
Its cheaper than a second car but I wouldnt want to have to use it on every day of the winter.

PS Its being MOT'd next week so fingers crossed everyone.

One other thing worth considering is the benefits it will give to your cycling skill. If you ever ride a pushbike on the road, it makes you much more aware as the speed is greater and you react to situations more quickly. Well i noiticed a difference anyway. Plus its fun to filter past all those miserable drivers.

PeterPoddy - Member -
There's no such thing as a dangerous road. Only dangerous drivers. If you're not one, you'll be fine.

So if there's dangerous drivers, there's dangerous roads.

The A449 from Kidder to W'hampton has so many potential accident spots - junctions, brows, dips, bends, pubs, lights.... add in a few thousand impatient commuters. It's a dangerous road.

I commute on my F650 Bmw, it cost £900 to buy

[img] [/img]its a 1994 model and is not in the best condition. Did look like this, two years of living under a cover and commuting all winter it doesnt look quite as shiny but as long as it passes its MOT I'm happy.

I like that and looks like a good 'all-purpose' bike and quick enough to enjoy without scaring yourself on a regular basis.

Quite fancy an old XT/XL600 as a bit of as project commuter/fun offroader.

I've never seen such an accurate and well informed post on STW as PeterPoddy's long post above. Well done sir.

Just to reinforce one of his points, for any commute under 20miles a scooter is the ideal vehicle for numerous reasons... Weather protection, crash damage resistance, fuel economy, ease of riding, manouverability, cheaper tyres, no chain. I'm sure there's more but you get the drift.
Scooters are way more fun in traffic and at legal driving speeds. I've commuted on a GSXR, CBR, GS1000, RD350, tuned Lambretta, various vespas and a Piaggio Typhoon. Typhoon best commuting option by a mile.

I commuted on a C90 for a full year, it was 12miles each way of dual carriageway/city. Great way to get into work and I am still alive! Job changed so meant I had to drive in - not so good! Go for it but do go second hand for VFM.

[url= http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/xingyue-trike-150cc-not-bmw-c1-/320672013245?pt=UK_Motorcycles&hash=item4aa98a9bbd ]Something with added safety and will keep the rain off[/url] 😉

Best reason not to have a motorbike.

How about "I have an allergy to fun!" ?

I do a 25m commute through 30, 40 limits into Croydon, but with open bits of dual carrigeway. It's just far enough and fast enough to tip the balance in favour of a bike and away from scooter, as I also use it socially at weekends for longer trips. I use an SV, which is light, low, not too powerful, and easy enough to ride, with a torquy 2cyl engine. If I was driving, I'd still be queueing in traffic to arrive last wednesday morning. And dont forget free parking for bikes vs £6pd in towns in the south east.

errr...

He did actually [i]ask[/i] for reasons not to buy one...

So I cannot see where anyone gets off on shouting down people who suggest some. 🙄

Something with added safety and will keep the rain off

those things must be horrific in any wind

why are you buying new? Small engined bikes tend to hold their value a bit more, yes, but it still applies to the second hand market. Are you sure 125 is big enough, considering if there are many hills and your weight (incl.d. kit)?

+1 for Peter poddy

Not only are vespas super reliable, you get good protection and more importantly you'll pull birds.

I used to have a 1970 v90 with a 135cc kit on it.

Best thing in the world.

The new gt's are even better as they have brakes 🙂

Get a secondhand one and enjoy!

It (could) be a very painful experience

[img] ?maxWidth=500[/img]

But hey...I'm just scaremongering so feel free to ignore my pointless (although still valid) comment.

On the financial side, your 7680 miles cost about £1325 a year in a 35mpg car. On a 100mpg scooter, that's £464.

Assuming you still need a car around for other duties and the £200 a year insurance is an extra cost, plus you spend £3000 on the scooter, riding kit, lock, CBT, etc - it'll take about 55 months, or 4 1/2 years to break even.

Of course, if there's other factors like parking then break-even could be a lot quicker. Generally the compelling reason to do it is if you're saving a substantial amount of time over taking the car.

I like riding my bike in on the odd days when I feel like it. Not sure I'd want to do it day in, day out especially through the dark winters. Riding in the dark is fine, riding in the wet is fine, but both together is not very pleasant at all.

My L(M)BS had a very keenly priced RF900 advertised this morning so I thought I would pop in for a 'look'. Unfortunately someone had taken the train from Stockport to Durham today and ridden it away just before I got there.
They did have an immaculate one very similar to this though, which would have tempted me had the colour scheme been a little more subtle. Only 24k too!
[img] [/img]

Can't make up my mind whether to be disappointed or relieved...... 😕

I bought one last year after a lay off of 17 years. This year i'm selling. Just couldn't get back into it. I felt unsafe unless i was wearing all the gear and then found that I was too hot. When it was sunny it was such a faff with all the gear and i was sweating buckets + I preferred to be on my mtb. When it was raining I used the car. 🙁

so this year time to get rid.

I've turned into a boring old fart 😕

PeterPoddy

Knobblies.

I concede your point. The bike I was referring to was a KMX200 which had offroad style road Tyres if that makes sense!? I commuted through a couple of those winters where we had big snowfalls. Boy was it fun flying past all those stranded cars...

I'd buy a C1 but there's such a premium on them now!

I've been commuting on Motorbike for 10 years now, pretty much whatever the weather. As long as you are warm and dry then its great. Granted my commute is only 7 miles each way, but by car it would be 30mins, by m/bike its 15mins. Faffing aruond getting ready takes no time at all.
I manage to stay dry wearing my £150 textile jacket (now 6 years old) an £100 textile trousers (6years old). Extremities are the hardest to keep warm, toes and fingers. My boots are goretex, which cost £170 - a lot of cash, but I use them every day, plus leasure and for trackdays, they also keep my feet dry! Gloves are heated, I suffer from cold hands and have tried all sorts of gloves, goretex rukka jobs and heated grips. Only heated gloves have kept them toastie (£130).

Only time I dont enjoy my commute is Tues eves when I organize footy games. Getting changed into your bike gear after footy in the pooring rain and cold, then to lock up and drop key off at leasure centre is a pain.

Still, I must have saved shed loads of time and cash over the years (70mpg 250 commuter - KLR cost £1k, although pre 2008 it was my 750 GSXR). Sold the car years ago, wife has her car for its needs

I love commuting in on the m/bike 🙂

With the right clothes,even the coldest sub zero temps arent that bad.Ive felt a lot worse on cycle rides due to the sweating so ive never felt colder on a motorbike.
I have this stormrider heated bodywarmer http://www.exo2.co.uk/exo2.html#stormrider and have wired it in so that the socket is just next to my left thigh.I also bought the battery pack to go with it although i dont use it as much.Its not cheap but when you unplug it while you are out,you soon realize just how cold it is and the tensing up and lack of concentration kicks in.Once plugged back in it relaxes you and you get on with what you should be doing.. providing you have heated grips,and a good windproof neck arrangement!
Oxford heated sport grips too.. usually always on the hottest setting!