Motorbikes? Yay or Nae

Stylishkev1

A'rite guys,

Here's a query for you all, and would appreciate any advice.
Pondering getting a Motorbike, always wanted one. Haven't got My license yet or indeed the bike and kit to go with it at the moment but I would like to get one at some point

However a couple of things are worrying me
Most importantly I have a Baby on the way, the initial plan with the bike was to allow my wife to have the Car to get about to appointments etc while I am at my work each weekday.

We're not flush with cash and as i'm aware Martin says "Do I need it, is it a luxury" Yes in a way it would be a luxury but my logic is telling me a little 125cc bike will save me more day to day running costs than a car after the initial outlay, (Eg petrol)

I think it would save me money as I currently have to use the car to come into work each day through rush hour traffic, at least I would save on Money, traveling time and parking costs over the car, so would save year on year.

You views?

fivetide

Assuming you have a commute that is essentially traffic all the way then yes, it should.

a decent 125 or even a scooter, which can be more practical with underseat storage for bags and helmet, will get 60+mpg and cost very little to tax.

Insurance is the main thing, you'll want somewhere to store it. Plus, not so great in bad weather but decent waterproofs will be fine if you are only doing short journeys.

Certianly cheaper than a second car though.

You could do a taster session at your local training place, plenty offer this as an option - then price it all up and see what the maths say!

paddedjohn

Insurance can be cheap if you have a shed or garage, I'm paying the grand sum of £80 odd quid per year but it will all depend on your driving history, address and what scoot/bike you buy. (Steer clear of cheap Chinese cr4p)

RichardD1970

I've recently got my CBT (£130) and a new Honda PCX 125 for commuting. Will happily do 60mph plus even with my weight on it

Excluding the cost of the scooter itself (got 0% finance) I have spent a couple of hundred on kit (£100 for a jacket, the rest on helmet and gloves etc). Insurance for the first year for me is around £200 but will come down as my riding experience grows. Tax £17.

Day to day costs. At the moment I am still running the scooter in and am getting 90mpg, it is costing me £3-4 a week instead of £15-20 in the car. As well as the convenience for my wife of having the car when I am on nights (taking kids to clubs etc). In the past she has had to take me to work and get up early to fetch me, doubling the petrol cost and resulting in a grumpy wife .

CBT requires re-doing every two years so I am considering getting my full light bike licence (or even full bike) when I have a bit more experience.

It will take a while for it to pay for itself but in the long run it will be cheaper.

fivetide

RichardD1970 wrote: »

I've recently got my CBT (£130) and a new Honda PCX 125 for commuting. Will happily do 60mph plus even with my weight on it

Excluding the cost of the scooter itself (got 0% finance) I have spent a couple of hundred on kit (£100 for a jacket, the rest on helmet and gloves etc). Insurance for the first year for me is around £200 but will come down as my riding experience grows. Tax £17.

Day to day costs. At the moment I am still running the scooter in and am getting 90mpg, it is costing me £3-4 a week instead of £15-20 in the car. As well as the convenience for my wife of having the car when I am on nights (taking kids to clubs etc). In the past she has had to take me to work and get up early to fetch me, doubling the petrol cost and resulting in a grumpy wife .

CBT requires re-doing every two years so I am considering getting my full light bike licence (or even full bike) when I have a bit more experience.

It will take a while for it to pay for itself but in the long run it will be cheaper.

Case study right there! :beer:

im-lost

90mpg, £16 tax, my first years insurance was around £100 TPO as a new rider on a CBT, this year with 1 years no claims its £80 for TPFT, with a £200 excess.

servicing done myself for nothing more than the cost of parts,and im no spanner wizard, but its all simple stuff. new tyres at £30 a pop every 7k miles

cheap as chips... and you get to look cool* on a scooter




*by cool, I mean rather lame

fivetide

im-lost wrote: »

*by cool, I mean rather lame

What do you mean?

Jamie Oliver's got one.... actually... as you were

Stylishkev1

Spot on guys that's exactly the information I was looking for.

I think it's the initial outlay that'll be the toughest but I suppose Invest to save money

MEM62

Motorcycles can be a very efficient and economical form of transport. Until you get the bug. If it bites hard you will spend you hard earned on bigger, more exotic and more expensive machinery. Then there will be the 'must have' riding kit that goes with it.

I have been riding since the age of 16, some 35 years now, and love it as much now as I did then.

Buy a 125, the economics over a second car can make sense - but beware the biking bug biting!!

Stooby2

Have a look on eBay - there's second hand kit available and after it's washed will do you fine. I find textile kit with removable liners is better all year round as you can change it to suit the weather. However during the summer (best day of the year!) I have a lightweight mesh jacket and kevlar jeans to keep cool - but you may not need or want to spend that much. You will need separate summer and winter gloves though. A decent pair of boots are generally ok all year round, just don't go for the chunky trial rider type.

Again, have a look on eBay/Gumtree at the bikes available. You can pick up 10 year old bikes for cheap money that are absolutely fine - a friend of mine just picked up an immaculate 2003 Honda CB500 with 14k on the clock for just over a grand. It's an ideal commuter and dead simple to work on. There's bikes out there and no need to buy new.

Brallaqueen

Not trying to rain on anyone's parade but there are downsides to bikes - SMIDSY means that a lot more damage will be done to you and your bike than that blind sod and his car. The statistics are pretty frightening and you have a child and family to think of. I'm not saying don't do it, but I would suggest you do a lot more training than just the CBT.