Would running a motorcycle be cheaper than using the train?

Jami74

I know this is a bit of a vague question but wondered if anyone who knows anything about motorbikes can offer any advice.

I'm due to start a course in September which requires me to travel to London four days a week. The cheapest I can price it on the trains is a weekly ticket for £109.

It looks a fairly simple drive of about 60 miles. We (as a family) couldn't afford a second car for me to do this so I was wondering about the possibility of getting a motorbike for the journey. I passed my bike test years ago and would be most comfortable driving about a 200cc bike I think. Would a bike of that size use less petrol than a car and might it work out cheaper than a £100/week?

All advice/suggestions really appreciated.
Thanks.

geordieracer

ok well first of all look at a term season ticket. You can buy an anytime ticket as a season - i.e for any period of 7 days or more

but i guess really what it boils down to is where you have to travel from and to

grizzly1911

How long is the course?

What is the likley upfront cost of the motorbike, clothing, helmet, insurance?

Sixty return or one way? How long do you think it would take?

How long on the train and what about getting to the train cost/time/how?

If it is sixty one way would seem a push on a 200 I would have thought, day after day. Both for you and it.

Jami74

geordieracer wrote: »

ok well first of all look at a term season ticket. You can buy an anytime ticket as a season - i.e for any period of 7 days or more

but i guess really what it boils down to is where you have to travel from and to

I keep experimenting with different train options, ie individual journeys with rail card, train tickets and oyster card, seven day travelcard etc but having to travel in peak times makes it expensive.
I'd be travelling from Brighton/Hove area to Clapham Common.

How long is the course?

What is the likley upfront cost of the motorbike, clothing, helmet, insurance?

Sixty return or one way? How long do you think it would take?

How long on the train and what about getting to the train cost/time/how?

If it is sixty one way would seem a push on a 200 I would have thought, day after day. Both for you and it.

The course is 36 weeks.
Not sure on upfront costs but as cheap as possible (ie second hand).
Sixty miles each way. Google Maps reckons on one and a half hours.
Train journey including the tube and five minutes walk either side would be about two hours.
I've never ridden more than a 200, I'm female and not very big, would this make a difference?
Actually, looking at my answers I realise now that it was probably a daft idea.

Thanks both for your replies.

asbokid

don't do it.. let the train take the strain. when you slide under a bendy bus, why should the taxpayer foot the bill for your electric wheelchairs?

missile

Maybe you would enjoy riding in the summer. Not so clever for a 36 week starting in September.

Empty_pockets

Ridden for years, recently given it up.

I'd advise using the train service. It's a lot less hassle.

Financially bikes seem appealing but they aften aren't. maintaince costs can be very high and MPG isn't as good as you would expect. I would advise a minimum 500cc for motorway journeys. Don't forget helmet and PPE will set you back another 300+ for anything reasonable. Wear cheap gear and you'll hate the riding experiance.

fid1892

You should also bear in mind the fact that the length of the course is going to mean you are travelling in some pretty inclement weather.

As well as the start up costs involved in motorcycling, take into account the time it will take you to get to the train station, and from the station to the course .... weigh this up against the additional time you could spend at home if you were to bike it there.

On a personal level, there would be no contest, and I would bike it every time

geordieracer

Jami74 wrote: »

I keep experimenting with different train options, ie individual journeys with rail card, train tickets and oyster card, seven day travelcard etc but having to travel in peak times makes it expensive.
I'd be travelling from Brighton/Hove area to Clapham Common.

The course is 36 weeks.
.

Travelliong at peak times will always be pricer. Go to brighton station and ask them about a ticket and how much it would cost - I take it the 36 weeks is constant with no breaks in between yes?

Now i just looked on southern trains season ticket calculator and for the journey you want its coming up as £2668.10 for 9 months - thats £74.11 a week..
Now this is only a brighton to london zones 1-6 which would give you the freedom to travel around in london for free also should you go up on a weekend day out or somthing.

Now if you asked for a point to point rather then the TC then it may come out cheaper - I havent checked.

Yes its a lot of money up front but its the cheaper and easier option and you really dont want to ride a bike up to Clapham every day - the traffic in south london can be horrendous at the best of times. But thats your choice.

EDIT: In fact if you pop over and register on http://www.railforums.co.uk/forumdisplay.php?f=105 and post in that thread - you may be able to actually split your season to just outside the TC zone area and then an oyster on top of that. As i have no access to any machine i cant get you the better option but they will

moonrakerz

Think on this one !

"Your chances of being killed on a motorcycle are 42 times higher than that as a car passenger and 307 times higher than that as a rail passenger."

(http://www.roadskill.org/factshop-15facts.asp)

Gordon_Hose

I get the train into London everyday. Sod riding a bike in the freezing cold.