Fun Stuff > CHATTER
Bikers....Recommendations
Something Witty:
Howdy. I ride a motorcycle every day, and let me make a point before I really go into this.
Do not buy a motorcycle to save money. To reiterate:
Do not buy a motorcycle to save money.
The cost of the motorcycle(~1500-2500USD) plus the cost of gear(~100 for a helmet, ~100-250 for a jacket that won't disintegrate on contact with pavement and ~25-50 for gloves that will let you keep your hands, ~50-100 for pants that will keep your legs intact, ~50-100 for boots.) adds up to a pretty penny. ~2000-3000 initial investment will take years to work out to even, with the price of gas the way it is presently.
Now, you may think to yourself, "I don't need all that gear, what's the point?"
Here's the point: If you like your face, you need a helmet.
If you like your hands and arms, you need gloves and a jacket.
Because you will fall down. If you're lucky, you'll be going nice and slow when it happens. If you're less lucky you'll spend a little time sliding on the asphalt.
All that said, there really is nothing that compares with riding a motorcycle. It's a great fun way to get around and find easy parking. But it's a bit of a nerve wracking experience. Why? Because everyone on the road is trying to kill you. That nasty fender-bender you got in that scraped your paint and dented your door? That's a broken leg and some road rash, depending on how fast you were going. That time you had to slam on the brakes to not hit that guy who ran out in the street? You lock up the tires on a car and it'll slide to a stop, rubber side down. You lock up on a motorcycle and suddenly you're going sideways instead of forward and will likely end up staring at the sky and/or kissing the pavement.
All that said, a motorcycle really is a great thing, but you can't just "want one to save gas," because yeah, you'll save gas, but you'll likely never actually save money, because of the initial investment of the bike and gear.
Neskah:
To be honest, I thought this thread would die =D. I'm pleased it hasn't.
I love the looks of those bikes redglasscurls. I've always preferred the classic look to something that looks like it came from a Japanese Sci Fi.
The Eliminator I had in mind looks like this
As per bicostp recommendations, it's lovely and low, I can get both feet comfortably on the ground, and I can handle the weight so I can lift it if I need. It's only 125 ccs. A max speed of only 100 km which is faster then I intend on going anyway, and learners licence restricts you to 70kph any way. The area I intend to travel is a motorway, and part of it is along a bay which can get very windy. I am aware I could face less then desirable driving conditions (On a bad day I'd most likely just catch the train). I like to get to work early and stay late anyway, so with luck will usually avoid peak hour. The commute can be anywhere from 25 mins to an hour in a car, depending on the traffic. I'm hoping to avoid heavy traffic.
Something Witty, you're absolutely right. The initial out cost is extremely expensive, especially as I do intend on getting all the right gear. I have no desire in tempting fate into tearing me up. I tend to err on caution. That and I live in a cold climate and HATE the cold. I'll be wearing all the warm, padded protective gear I can. It's going to cost. While I bought my car for only $2000, even my initial cost estimates on buying a bike (decent 2nd hand $2-6K, the gears, vehicle licensing, lessons and class likening etc.... it’s going to hurt the piggy bank a lot.
It won't save me money in the immediate future. In the long run tho..... No parking costs for a bike in the inner city, and no matter which city in the world you live in, inner city parking for a car can be pretty pricey. And from what I've gathered from other commuters who both drive and bike into the city from where we live, $80-100 week on petrol vs. $10-20 a week.
I've wanted a bike since I was a kid. My dad owns three. I've just always been looking for an excuse to get one. Sadly there have been other priorities. Now I use the commute as an excuse to go and do what I've always wanted to. Get a bike and learn to ride it.
Jimmy the Squid:
My housemate and I, and indeed my girlfriend, have all decided that we're going to go for the motorbike course that the RTA (Roads and Traffic Authority) runs for beginner bike riders. I don't have a car and honestly I don't want one that much. I would however like to learn to ride. I'm looking at basically getting one of these:
but probably not new as they seem to run at about $8,500 at least. I've seen older models going for less than half that so hopefully that would be ok. As far as I know I should be able to get one while still on my learner's as it's 248cc but I'll need to check with the RTA as they've apparently introduced a new rule that includes power to weight ratios and an engine capacity of 660mL which I'm not sure I'm 100% clear on yet. Still, that's the kind of body I'm looking at. I'm pretty excited about this.
Gemmwah:
My Dad has that bike, Jimmy. It's fairly nippy, a nice ride but riding pillion on it sucks balls. You're sitting so much higher up than the driver, and the seat is rock solid so your arse goes entirely numb within ten minutes or so. The weight distribution is definitely made for a single person ride, as if you get up any speed the nose starts to lift up, and if you brake too hard, expect your passenger to fly right over your head.
Ideally, the screen needs replacing to something with more of a bubble to it, because it's too low and just directs all the wind right into your helmet.
Otherwise, it's a beautiful bike, makes a beautiful sound, and is a nice ride. Definitely only for one person for any length of time.
Jimmy the Squid:
Well, it's not like I'm running a taxi service and if I end up going riding with anyone, chances are they'll have their own bike as I only ever really go anywhere with my girlfriend or my housemate. In fact I'm fairly certain I remember talk of starting our own motorcycle gang.
Navigation
[0] Message Index
[#] Next page
[*] Previous page
Go to full version