Changing second car for moped/quad?

SailorSam

Weird_Nev wrote: »

Worst of all worlds: Heavy, horrible to cycle "properly", leaden handling, expensive. Unless you're physically unable to, just turn the cranks. It's the most efficient wheeled transport yet devised.

Read some of the reports on electric bikes they're getting more and more popular. Only 6mls a proficient cyclist says, you'll do it without breaking into a sweat, but that's 5mls longer than most people want to do especially on their way to work. ElecBike is something that's worth looking at Op.

http://www.pedelecs.co.uk/

facade

I fancied one of those 4wd quads, and as far as I could make out, the tax was stupid money as it counted as some sort of light van for tax purposes. They are also very easy to tip over when going around corners at traffic speeds, and the insurance is not cheap.

You are better off getting a very cheap small car.

The moped is viable, if you get a small light one then falling off on ice won't be too expensive, and on the 3 snowy days per year you can either pull a sickie, take holiday, take the unpaid leave, or get your other half up an hour early to run you to work and then walk back, you can do 6 miles in snow in about 4 hours.

londonTiger

dont buy a quad bike. you'll look like a complete !!!!!!!. there are some guys who ride quad bikes near where i live - theyre so loud and do not have any of the lane busting benefit of a bike. they are the worst of both worlds for driving bikes and cars.

Strider590

londonTiger wrote: »

dont buy a quad bike. you'll look like a complete !!!!!!!.

Out in the Greek islands, on holiday they're kinda fun/cool....

In the UK generally they're the domain of children and chavs.
It'd almost certainly get stolen within 6 months too, because you can drive it into your back garden to lock it up (as many people do with bikes).

ShandyAndy_2

I would cycle but 3 things put me off, the time it would take (I work long hours), I train in Karate and do a lot of exercise as it is so would be over doing it cycling 12 miles a day on top of that, thirdly the complete idiots on the road who go past too close and too fast, at least on a moped you can do 50 mph so less chance of getting overtaken. Maybe the quad is a no go then!, the only reason I mentioned a quad is because of the snow, I live in rural Derbyshire and its very hilly!. I am thinking now that running 2 cars may have to continue if I value my life!. We can afford to run 2 cars, but when the bills start coming in you think to yourself is it practical and sensible, there seems to be a bill every month, either servicing, wear and tear items, tax, insurance, breakdown cover, M.O.T and subsequent repairs, the 2nd car is a Citroen c2 1.4 and to be honest its fairly cheap to run, does 45 plus mpg, and has been very reliable. I will either go for a moped or keep the Citroen till its ready for scrapping and get the cheapest car to run possible....Toyota Aygo..Fiat Seicento 900...Fiat Panda 700cc...Suzuki Alto...Daewoo Matiz e.t.c. Thanks for all your helpful replies.

forgotmyname

Picking flies.. A moped is restricted to 30mph.

If you de-restrict it your supposed to register it as a motorcycle. Which means L plates and no passengers if on a car licence or a CBT.

But i think you mean a scooter or similar?

mum2one

I had 50cc mopeds from when I was 16 to about 28, I had a car as well from 18, the scooter was economical to run, cheap tax, cheapish insurance, and did the world of good.

A tank of petrol lasted well, 3 mile each way to work, I even use to nip to the shop on it.

Def recommend one, I'd love one again, but not pratical for me. x

Billy-no-Money

Another recommendation here for a modern electric bike; I converted my commute from a conventional bike a couple of months ago, and it's a revelation. You still get exercise, but it makes hills and headwinds almost enjoyable.

The downside is that they're expensive; I paid £1100 for mine, but it's worth every penny for the sheer enjoyment of riding it. If you're getting rid of a car then you'll soon pay for the bike.

It's true that a six-mile commute is reasonable for most people assuming it's not too hilly or windy, but electrically-assisted bikes make utility cycling vastly more accessible to the healthy-but-unfit.

I wouldn't dream of driving six miles to work these days (and I speak as someone who used to commute TWO miles by car when I was younger ).

I also ride a full-size motorbike and while I love it, even for a 10-mile trip it's a lot of faff getting kitted up; and then there's the fact that the kit is expensive, and getting a licence is expensive (I know the OP said 'moped' but does he/she have moped entitlement or would a CBT be needed? And riding a moped flat out at 30mph isn't my idea of fun.)

[Edit: OP refers to doing 50mph on a moped - which isn't possible, I assume he means a 125]

ShandyAndy_2

And riding a moped flat out at 30mph isn't my idea of fun.)

[Edit: OP refers to doing 50mph on a moped - which isn't possible, I assume he means a 125][/QUOTE]

It is possible nowadays, I had a Piaggio Zip 50 when I was 16 that did 47 mph, I then went to a Cagiva Mito 125 that did 110 mph.

When I had my Piaggio Zip 50, a couple of my mates left me standing on Derbi Predators, Peugeot Speedfights and Aprillia RS 50.

They would all do about 65 mph. The geared RS 50 are the fastest 50cc or used to be 10 or so years ago.

Stooby2

A 50cc moped that exceeds 30mph is not a moped for the purposes of licence classification and can't be ridden by a 16 year old, or as pointed out above, not covered by a full car licence.

I'd suggest getting a cheap 125cc scooter or motorbike - and I mean dirt cheap - doing the cbt and part 1 and just use that.