Switching from car to motorbike

altin_2

Hi,
Planning to get a motorbike to commute to work (after years of driving cars....and sitting on traffic).
With the wet weather dominating in UK, I'm quite sceptical if will work (so is it worthy getting a licence, buying the bike, all the gear etc....).

Anyone sharing the experience.

Thanks.

facade

Not in my opinion.

I have a 'bike, and sometimes ride it to work.

Given that it takes 10 minutes to unchain it, get it out of the garage and lock the garage up, then 10 minutes to change clothes at work, then 10 minutes to get ready at work, and another 10 to put it away at home, it doesn't save that much time. (but it feels like it does, as I'm not sitting in a big queue, but would it really save 25 minutes a day??)

In the Summer it is all hot & sticky in the protective gear, as opposed to all nice and dry & cool in the air conditioned car, in the rain I'm all moist on the 'bike, if I don't get wet pants (there is no such thing as waterproof and breatheable clothing. One or the other, not both, they might work on day one, but 2 years down the line they leak like a sieve)
In the cold my visor immediately mists up when I go below 20mph(yes I have tried every magic fluid there is) unless I hold my breath, and I can't see a thing in the rain. (and only the glare from all these HID headlamps in the rain in the Winter)

I do save £12 a week in fuel though, but this doesn't pay for the running costs of the 'bike.

I get punctures, as riding past queues runs my tyres on the bits of the road where car tyres don't go to pick up all the nails and screws, and despite careful observation I still get the odd one stuck in my (back usually) tyre.

Then you have to pay tax & insurance, and in your case buy the 'bike, all the gear and pay for the training as well as the test.

Also, the older I get, the less I feel like driving full stop, nevermind getting the 'bike out, so I don't even use it for "A quick blast" at weekends.

forgotmyname

Probably one of the few sensible things i did (buy a scooter for commuting).

A journey that used to take under 10 minutes had become one that was becoming a 40 minute one. Same journey just the traffic conditions.

But i still had the car, Running costs the scooter was not really cheaper than a small efficient diesel car.

Having to get the correct licence may mean your spending more than sticking with a car.

I would use mine in all weathers, They used to laugh that i would arrive in terrible conditions on the bike but teh 1st sunny day i was in the car.
Sometimes though i needed to go somewhere after work or needed to carry something too large for the bike.

At least if you have lots of driving experience you will know the damgers to look out for on the bike. Cars changing lanes in traffic without looking happens a lot.

BillJones

As above, there's an awful lot of faff at each end involved with a bike, so much so that my big bike rarely gets used.

On the other hand, my scooter's my main mode of transport. With a big top-box on the back for my helmet, and space under the seat for my waterproofs.

I'd recommend doing your CBT, using the schools bike and equipment, and see if you like it. I still love biking, but for me nowadays the "proper" bike us for leisure, and for having adventures on, not for transport.

Retrogamer

I'm doing similar.

I use a diesel as a daily driver for going to work just now as it's cheaper than the trains (Ibiza FR TDi)
The problem is at certain times the roads and motorways are jammed for ages.

I've picked myself up a used and needing some work 90's Yamaha 125cc.
Does around 80Mpg and tax and insurance won't cost much.
I plan on getting it taxed, fixed, MOT'd then getting my CBT to use it for commuting. Will be much better in heavy traffic as can "filter" with it, better fuel and free parking available for bikes near me.

altin_2

Thank you all for your replies,

Honestly, I was starting to 'fell in love' with the idea of riding the motorbike (never ridden one B4, and at 40, I think there isn't much time left :-) for experiments).
Visited a couple of dealers, and 'picked' the Honda CBR 125 as my next buy.

But yes, I see your valid points....thanks again.

Avoriaz

altin wrote: »

..Honestly, I was starting to 'fell in love' with the idea of riding the motorbike (never ridden one B4, and at 40, I think there isn't much time left :-) for experiments)..

Read the statistics on early middle age men discovering motorbikes for the first time before you plunge in.

Norman_Castle

If you're still interested http://www.geton.co.uk/have-a-ride-2/

Stooby2

I ride to work daily - 13 miles from Croydon to Earls Court. I've been riding for about 27 years and wouldn't commute any other way. It takes me about 45 minutes to do the journey, door to door. Leave home at 7am, sitting at my desk by 8am. Car would take about 90 minutes to two hours. Bus and train takes bout 90 mins and costs more.

I have good kit, so, I don't get cold or wet in the winter or roast in the summer, even on a 900cc air cooled bike.

It'll be pricey to buy a bike and kit at first, but compared to the price of a season ticket, it works out cheaper in the end - unless you spend a fortune on a brand new bike, but I go for the 10-15 year old bikes as they're pretty cheap, cost less to insure and there's quite a few good ones out there.

All you really need is somewhere to park it at work and somewhere to store your kit - and let it dry if it gets wet.

jbainbridge

altin wrote: »

Thank you all for your replies,

Honestly, I was starting to 'fell in love' with the idea of riding the motorbike (never ridden one B4, and at 40, I think there isn't much time left :-) for experiments).
Visited a couple of dealers, and 'picked' the Honda CBR 125 as my next buy.

But yes, I see your valid points....thanks again.

Why start with that?

Years ago I did a 4 day DAS course, failed 1st test. Then came back a few months later, did one more day and passed my test.

Then got a 600 Suzuki Bandit ... best thing ever! Even on training we used 500's.

Bandit was great for commuting in London and just general riding at the weekend.

Anyway, good luck!

Arfa__

If you want to switch to a bike, you should really do it because you really want to ride. It probably won't save much cash, if any. It might save some time if you regularly hit traffic jams (once you're confident at filtering), but otherwise probably not.

Do try the Get-on sampler course, or go for a CBT on weekend. You'll get a good idea of what it's like with little initial outlay.

However, if you get serious, I would definitely recommend going for your full DAS test asap and get a decent bigger bike. Much easier and safer to ride than a little 125. I went from never ridden to DAS and riding Fazer 600 into London every day, in just 6 weeks. Winter is a bit miserable, but once you gear up, it's certainly a damn sight preferable to the tube.

Do make sure you are fully aware of the up front costs though, especially all the gear costs if you ride year round.

• CBT: £120
• Theory: £35
• DAS: £600-800 ish
• Bike: £1500-2000 (I wouldn't recommend spending more on first bike, as it's so common to drop and trash them when starting out. Plus insurance will be more of a killer).
• Security: £200 on decent 16mm chain & padlock.
• Gear wise you'll need:
• Boots (DM's/Cat's will do to begin with and in summer, but for winter get something decent, even if 2nd hand) - ~£50 2nd hand alpinestars SMX's
• Jacket. You'll want textiles for wet/winter weather + maybe a summer leather jacket. Goretex wins, but costs. (£30-100 2nd hand/£150-400 new)
• Trousers. As above really.
• Helmet. Always buy new, £60-£600... Do get a Pinlock visor for winter though to stop fogging up.
• Gloves - Definitely need summer gloves (£50+) and highly recommend heated gloves (£150) or grips for winter. You'll end up collecting tonnes of pairs.
• Base layers - for winter you'll needs few pairs of thermal base layers. Watch out for Aldi/Lidl deals. [£50-70 for few sets]

They'll also be tonnes of other stuff you'll pick up and buy regularly: chain lube, neck tubes, visor cleaner/water repellents, etc.
Budget on new set of tyres every 10K odd (£200+)

Ultimately the best reason to get on two wheels is not for commuting, but when you got a decent bike and head out in some random new direction into the country, continent or further...