Cost of having a Motorbike?

Indout96

You can save quite a bit of money and plenty of time but why on earth are you looking at a BMW650, get a smaller bike and save miles more - the smaller they are within reason the easier to get through traffic.

have you learned nothing from the new car / 3 year finance fiasco ? get something you can afford to buy outright.

Mint1955

And a potential biker who thinks he can just weave in and out of traffic is an accident just awaiting to happen!

jaydeeuk1

I still think you're overestimating how much time you'll save by bike. Get a donor card for those days when its rained / snowed / bit icy / bit muddy / bit greasy / tarmack melting from heat / windy.

Either move closer, or find a different job, your current situation obviously isn't working. Have you asked about flexitime?.

bigjl

I would not advise going for a big bike right away.

A very good choice for commuting is either one of the new wave of larger Scooters.

Twist and go.

You can get covers to go over your legs when it rain.

You can also buy winter tyres for colder parts of the year.

I would not really worry about make or model they are pretty much a white good in my experience.

My preferred option be to go for a CBF 125.

Even new they are only around £2k

They will do well over 100mpg and they are fast enough for commuting in traffic whilst remaining light enough to manage in traffic.

When you get more confident, and save up more, go for one of the NC700/750bikes, there is the C which is a naked and i think the Adventure styled one is the X.

Both are available with ABS and an automatic gearbox, the engine is basically half a Honda car engine so doesn't rev high like most bike engines.

They are basically designed to be economical and reliable for mainly commuting use.

You will get upwards of 80mpg apparently.

I had a commute for a 4month training course back in the 90's.

I lived near Hornchurch.

Course was in Kenton.


Would have taken 2hrs on a good day in a car to get there for 7:30/45.

In the evening the worst was 3 1/2 hours.

I got an ex courier GT550 Kawasaki and i could do the journey each way in under an hour.

But i had lots of experience of riding bikes in London Traffic so i could filter easily.

If i was you go at your own speed and don't follow riders with more experience as filtering is dangerous if done carelessly.

From East London to just last LHR.

My route on a bike would be straight down the A13 follow the Thames then cut up TheMall, Constitution Hill, over to Belgrave Sq and pick up the Brompton Rd via Ovington Sq/Gardens then onto Cromwell Rd and off you go.

Wider roads always seem to offer better/safer filtering opportunities.

And as mentioned above your journey times will be fairly constant.

I would leave the BMW for a while a heavy old hector and not the best for a new rider.

In my experience Honda make the most reliable bikes.

The NC700/750x would be my personal choice of commuter motorbike.

With ABS and the Autobox, which is apparently a kind of DSG box and has no effects on fuel economy.

I wouldn't move closer as living at home allows you a good opportunity to save and you are well within your comfort zone in those familiar surroundings.

I have fond memories of working in East London for the LAS, some not so good but it is an area that i will always have a soft spot for.

Herzlos

If you're travelling from one end of London to near Heathrow, could you get away with public transport for part of it and walk/cycle the last bits?

AdrianC

Herzlos wrote: »

If you're travelling from one end of London to near Heathrow, could you get away with public transport for part of it and walk/cycle the last bits?

Well, quite. This is the most obvious suggestion by a country mile.

westwood68

arcon5 wrote: »

That doesn't even make sense!

How does buying a bike turn a 10 minute commute in traffic in to 30-40 minutes?
Simply comparing the cost of tyres for a car and a bike isn't even a fair reflection of overall running costs. You can pickup dirt cheap decent bikes for a fraction of the cost you'd expect to pay for a semi decent car.
Fuel economy is significantly different also as well as insurance significantly lower - especially at ops age. Not sure of ops credentials but going from car to bike for some 21yr olds could easily save in excess of £1k for starters.

All correct. Not sure it's right for the OP but the right bike can save huge amounts.

The KLE500 I use for commuting does 65mpg easily and doesn't get stuck for long periods in traffic. It has tubed tyres which I can get for £40-£50 each and last about 6000 miles. £58 a year in tax and £92 insurance (although this will almost certainly be more for the OP)

I do about 6000 miles a year commuting and over the last 3 years all maintenance has averaged about £160/year including tyres (tubed and cheap) as it's very agricultural and I do all my own work.

To save money just takes the right choice of bike

Arfa__

The BMW F650GS ain't a bad option for first big bike. Does around 65mpg, only 170Kg and fuel tank under seat gives it a low centre of gravity so easy to handle. Good BMW reliability, and will hold value well. Some of them have ABS which is always useful for newbies, it's upright and comfy, good for long distance and seeing over traffic.

Back to your original dilemma though:
Yes, a bike will definitely be a lot quicker to cross town, by a long margin.
Cheaper? Probably little in it, once you've factored in slightly higher service costs, decent security measures, gear, more gear for winter, cooler gear for summer, extra armour, extra fancy gear cause you're hooked, wear'n'tear from newbie bike drops and scrapes, video camera after getting nearly killed on a daily basis and wanted some chance of keep your NCD and so on.
Stress Levels, well, it'll be less stressful than a car or tube, but crossing London is most definitely not relaxing. You'll be able to keep moving, so always feel you're getting somewhere, but the number of idiots out there will raise your blood pressure and soil your pants.

But I would still definitely do it. Look up the free Get-On taster sessions. Book yourself onto a CBT. Then decide for sure and go for your full DAS or A2 license.

Zukkini

im-lost wrote: »

You'd think that a graduate would have done a few simple sums before signing a lease that seems wholly inappropriate for their needs

Norman_Castle wrote: »

Its worrying an engineer working for an airline who is also a graduate cannot work out their projected annual mileage and compare that to what is offered before signing a contract.
Obviously universities can't teach common sense.

Before you insult, relax and think “he may have had a reason”. Do not dare throw words around with ignorance.

Let me put it into perspective, as there are many reasons:

One of the reasons was that I was trying to get my No Claims Bonus as I never had any. I live in a high-crime area (according to statistics – personally, it's very safe). The insurance alone was going to cost me £5k+. At the time, I was developing Apps for Android and was travelling around spending a lot of money on travelling. VW had an offer which they give the first year of insurance free and it counts as a No Claims Bonus. So I instinctively took it because with 1 year NCB the insurance would make my subsequent insurance come down to 1.2k (much more affordable – not the best, but every year re-occurring would lower it substantially i.e. year after was £800 etc..).

Another reason: at the time, I was unaware that I will be part of an airline close to Heathrow. As I am contractor for this company, my actual company is situated in Victoria (which is just 45 minutes from where I live). When I joined the company, I was told that I would be in central London, however, as a few people got re-positioned from Heathrow, I was put there. Now, obviously, I knew that the mileage would be disappointingly high, however, I was already passed my cool-off period and well underway with the 3 year contract.

Another reason: My sister couldn’t afford a car and thought as she works on weekends as well as weekdays, that her having the car on weekends would’ve been great as I am only using the car till Central London. So this was another motivator to get the car.

Again, don’t judge nor insult. It’s very disrespectful.

macman wrote: »

If you wanted to save to get on the property ladder, then why did you saddle yourself with a 3 year loan on a brand new car at 21? If you sell the car at 18m old then you'll have taken the major part of the depreciation hit all on your own, and still be clearing the loan for another 18m. What is the penalty for early settlement?

There is no penalty for an early settlement, even if the mileage is in excess of the contract. This applies to PCP contracts, I’m not sure about HP or Business Lease. There is a clause that allows you to VT (Voluntarily Terminate) the PCP contract if you have paid on time each month for 50% value of the car. Which I will do by November this year. Which gives me the option to hand the car back in, even in excessive mileage with no penalties or hits to my credit rating (Confirmed by VW Finance in writing). It is the law apparently to allow people to have options. So this is something I am looking favourably towards. I will be saving £200 a month on finance, £180 on fuel, £100 on insurance (a month) and general wear and tear. Which around £400-500 will be saved, which I could possibly put towards a decent shared rental nearer to work.

forgotmyname wrote: »

The issue seems to be you had a new car and its sapping away your money. Go for something a few years old and you save a fortune in depreciation. GO for something 5 years old and you should have a reliable car that will lose little value.

I can do this but a motorbike has always appealed to me. Granted, a car allows me more opportunity to lug around any equipment, be safer and allow flexibility generally. But a motorbike offers less stress, manoeuvrability in traffic, less fuel cost, use of bus lanes and generally quicker to get around. I am in two worlds here. Should I move out, close enough to bike/walk/public transport or move out and have a motorbike to get to gym, work, home? I can rely on public transport but to get home (in East London) or go to gym it will become rather difficult to maintain.

jbainbridge wrote: »

Bikes are great. But having read your post ... you need to move closer to your job or get a new one closer by. A commute of that length and through / round London must get you down. How long does it take?? Even by bike it will be tedious.

Thank you for your concern. It is horrible. I feel depressed, angry and very negative most of the time. It is a very tedious, time-consuming and a frustrating commute. I stay because I want to gain as much experience as possible because the growth opportunity here is outstanding. Just the commute drains me out. Completely sucks the life out of me (I think people only understand once they sit in the passenger seat with me to see how it is actually like). It’s complete gridlock for 2 hours. A motorbike would probably reduce the commute by an hour or so (dependant on which route I take either through Central London, North Circular A406 or M25). Do you think getting a bike wouldn’t help? I thought it’ll be able to save at least 45-60 minutes because most the time I’m gridlocked in areas were motorbikes are completely filtering through no problem.

jaydeeuk1 wrote: »

Either move closer, or find a different job, your current situation obviously isn't working. Have you asked about flexitime?.

As I am a contractor “flexitime” isn’t really an option. However, the timings on when we come in and leave are very flexible. Even taking time off is quite relaxed, so this comes really handy.

Herzlos wrote: »

If you're travelling from one end of London to near Heathrow, could you get away with public transport for part of it and walk/cycle the last bits?

Public transport is an option but not an ideal option. I’ll have to make 4 changes which sums upto about 2 hours and it is very expensive as I am travelling from the last stop in Zone 3 to the last stop in Zone 6, which I have to pay for a monthly Zone 1-6 card. On top of this, it takes 10 minutes walk to get to the first train station near my house. Then when I reach the other end of Zone 6, I have to take a shuttle bus to the office (which takes around 15 minutes). All in all, it is expensive, tedious and tiresome.

bigjl wrote: »

I would not advise going for a big bike right away.
A very good choice for commuting is either one of the new wave of larger Scooters.
Twist and go.
You can get covers to go over your legs when it rain.
You can also buy winter tyres for colder parts of the year.
I would not really worry about make or model they are pretty much a white good in my experience.
My preferred option be to go for a CBF 125.
Even new they are only around £2k
They will do well over 100mpg and they are fast enough for commuting in traffic whilst remaining light enough to manage in traffic.
When you get more confident, and save up more, go for one of the NC700/750bikes, there is the C which is a naked and i think the Adventure styled one is the X.
Both are available with ABS and an automatic gearbox, the engine is basically half a Honda car engine so doesn't rev high like most bike engines.
They are basically designed to be economical and reliable for mainly commuting use.
You will get upwards of 80mpg apparently.
I had a commute for a 4month training course back in the 90's.
I lived near Hornchurch.
Course was in Kenton.
Would have taken 2hrs on a good day in a car to get there for 7:30/45.
In the evening the worst was 3 1/2 hours.
I got an ex courier GT550 Kawasaki and i could do the journey each way in under an hour.
But i had lots of experience of riding bikes in London Traffic so i could filter easily.
If i was you go at your own speed and don't follow riders with more experience as filtering is dangerous if done carelessly.
From East London to just last LHR.
My route on a bike would be straight down the A13 follow the Thames then cut up TheMall, Constitution Hill, over to Belgrave Sq and pick up the Brompton Rd via Ovington Sq/Gardens then onto Cromwell Rd and off you go.
Wider roads always seem to offer better/safer filtering opportunities.
And as mentioned above your journey times will be fairly constant.
I would leave the BMW for a while a heavy old hector and not the best for a new rider.
In my experience Honda make the most reliable bikes.
The NC700/750x would be my personal choice of commuter motorbike.
With ABS and the Autobox, which is apparently a kind of DSG box and has no effects on fuel economy.
I wouldn't move closer as living at home allows you a good opportunity to save and you are well within your comfort zone in those familiar surroundings.
I have fond memories of working in East London for the LAS, some not so good but it is an area that i will always have a soft spot for.

Thank you for a very informative post. This was very helpful. I think getting a smaller bike and working my way up would be a good option. It’s nice to know that you have been in a similar situation (albeit not the financed car). I was in two minds, either look at the Honda NC700 or the BMW G650 GS. BMW had a more off-road appeal, which seemed like an interesting bike to take out on on weekends. However, they are both great bikes (according to reviews and a friend).

Thank you for also understanding about moving out. I am very comfortable where I am, albeit, I’m not entirely fussed about going to a new area. However, I do enjoy living with my family as my siblings are fantasticly good friends that I have a good laugh with. On top of that, I have a very lively social life in East London, which really helps when work and the commuting is taking a toll on me.
How about the three-wheeler Piaggio MP3 300 lt? Don’t need a motorbike licence, has an extra wheel for stability, enough power to tackle a motorway, comfortable and storage space? However, filtering might not be as good but from what I’ve witnessed on the road, many people with these Piaggio’s 3-wheelers are filtering perfectly fine. What are your thoughts on this? Stick to a car or bike?

So, away from the negative and unconstructive posts. All of your inputs are extremely helpful in making my decision. Taking into account that I would like to save for a property aswell as work, as there is no point of working if I cannot be saving (my views anyway).

Thank you.

AdrianC

Zukkini wrote: »

I will be saving £200 a month on finance, £180 on fuel, £100 on insurance (a month) and general wear and tear. Which around £400-500 will be saved

Public transport is an option ... is very expensive as I am travelling from the last stop in Zone 3 to the last stop in Zone 6, which I have to pay for a monthly Zone 1-6 card

And an adult Z1-6 is £220/month total. £140 Z1-3 - dare I ask whether you'd even consider driving in to the central London office, if you were based there? So the extra cost of being out at Heathrow is £60/month. You're still saving ~£300/month over driving.

As for time, you say it'd take two hours each way - then you say it takes two hours each way by car. So, umm, that's the same. Except it's not wasted time - you can read/watch tv on a tablet/work on a laptop etc.