Cost of having a Motorbike?

Norman_Castle

OnanTheBarbarian wrote: »

What a helpful post that was :shhh:

What a helpful post that was :shhh:

Zukkini

Arfa__ wrote: »

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.

Great post, really informative. I probably would get an all-rounder gear set first (I think Alpine do something as such). But I know the costs would add up, taking into account a TomTom navigator and holder etc... It would add up. Do you think I should look at BMW G650 GS or F650? Or, have a look at the Piaggio MP3 LT 300? Which is the three-wheeler motorbike that doesn't technically require a bike licence? It'll be cheaper, safer (I believe, as it has an extra wheel which means an extra brake and more traction), it has storage space, albeit, it's not as maneuverable as a 2-wheeler. What do you think?

Also, I noticed you're from London, any good and affordable places you know to do a 'Get-on' taster session? And probably go for A2?

Zukkini

AdrianC wrote: »

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.

Car = No changes.
Public Transport = 4 changes and possible delays. No you can't do anything, as i'll be thinking about my next change and at that time, you can barely 'read' or do anything on your tablet. I have tested this thoroughly, many times and public transport does reduce stress because I am not doing any driving but it's tedious, hot, boring and cramped. At least in a car, I can listen to music, have AC running and have the option to meet a friend, goto gym if I wanted to etc... It gives me more options. There are more reasons to why I got the car. Can we not discuss why I got it, just agree that I have it and which solution to go forward with?

Arfa__

Zukkini wrote: »

.... 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.

Not sure quite where you are in East London, but I've been doing Dagenham to London Bridge/Borough every day for last 2 years. Join A13 at Lodge Ave, then it's Limehouse Link, Highway and left over Tower Bridge, 13 miles total each way. When traffic is moving, it'll take me about 30mins, when the A13 is grid lock (most days, especially evenings), it'll take me 40-45 mins.
Sometimes I head to Holborn to drop my wife off at Uni on route, usually go along Victoria Embankment, then double back South over Waterloo Bridge and onto Borough. Either way, can normally do this in under an 1hr.

It will take you a good few months to get the confidence to filter enough, and you certainly shouldn't push yourself too much. Also, in crap weather you need to take things a little quieter.

As you're in bike theft central and will be a new rider, don't look at bikes beyond about £2k. Anything else and you'll just be paying crazy insurance premiums. Consider an old CB500, CBF500, Yamaha Fazer 600 (what I ride), Suzuki SV650, Bandit, BMW F650GS (prob cost more, but insurance is cheap) and so on. Your first bike will get dropped, bashed and scraped, don't look at posh new bikes (NC700).
Once you've gone through CBT and test, you'll have a much clearer idea though.

AdrianC

Zukkini wrote: »

Car = No changes.
Public Transport = 4 changes and possible delays.

Because, of course, the North Circular _never_ has delays...?

At least in a car, I can listen to music, have AC running

You DO know they won't be an option on a bike, right?

and have the option to meet a friend if I wanted to etc...

You happy to be stomping around wherever you meet in leathers carrying a helmet?

Can we not discuss why I got it, just agree that I have it and which solution to take.

Sure, but it seems a bit odd to choose the most expensive and inconvenient option, then complain about the expense and inconvenience, asking for an option that won't save much cost and will increase the inconvenience, particularly in areas that you then use to justify the inconvenience and expense.

Arfa__

Get on info and booking:
http://www.geton.co.uk/have-a-ride-2/

As for CBT, can recommend 1 Stop Instruction over near Fairlop. Got me through CBT and DAS first time very quickly.

BMW G650GS - too new, too much money. Insurance will kill you, too desirable to London thieves and you'll be too gutted when you trash it.

Consider the older F650 GS. Pre 2008, they were a single 650cc. Readily available for £1500-£2000. If you can stretch consider the later 2008+ ones, a twin and actually 800cc, abs as standard. About £2500-£3500 though, still not too bad on insurance (not too sporty) and I believe they can be restricted for A2 license.

Other cheap alternatives would be a Suzuki GS500 - A2 from standard, but not as good as a Honda CB500.
A Yamaha XT660 for more adventure styles type bike.
Or a Kawasaki GPZ500 restricted for something a little old but bit sportier.

Zukkini

Arfa__ wrote: »

Not sure quite where you are in East London, but I've been doing Dagenham to London Bridge/Borough every day for last 2 years. Join A13 at Lodge Ave, then it's Limehouse Link, Highway and left over Tower Bridge, 13 miles total each way. When traffic is moving, it'll take me about 30mins, when the A13 is grid lock (most days, especially evenings), it'll take me 40-45 mins.
Sometimes I head to Holborn to drop my wife off at Uni on route, usually go along Victoria Embankment, then double back South over Waterloo Bridge and onto Borough. Either way, can normally do this in under an 1hr.

It will take you a good few months to get the confidence to filter enough, and you certainly shouldn't push yourself too much. Also, in crap weather you need to take things a little quieter.

As you're in bike theft central and will be a new rider, don't look at bikes beyond about £2k. Anything else and you'll just be paying crazy insurance premiums. Consider an old CB500, CBF500, Yamaha Fazer 600 (what I ride), Suzuki SV650, Bandit, BMW F650GS (prob cost more, but insurance is cheap) and so on. Your first bike will get dropped, bashed and scraped, don't look at posh new bikes (NC700).
Once you've gone through CBT and test, you'll have a much clearer idea though.

From Beckton to Tower Bridge alone takes 25 minutes on a smooth free-flowing day. 35 minutes on a normal day and 45-50 minutes on a gridlocked day in Limehouse Link by car. That sounds amazing by bike. Yes sure, I think when I get a CBT, I would have a much clearer picture. Right now it's all theory until I work out the best approach to take.

RichardD1970

Zukkini wrote: »

But a motorbike offers less stress

Just one point to pick up on. If anything motorcycling is more stressful.

You have to be 100% alert at all times and concentrate a lot more than when you are safely cocooned in a car.

You have to pay constant attention to the road surface in front of you, as well as everything else around you, assume you are invisible and be ready to take evasive action at every junction.

Then there are the idiots who think filtering is "cheating and queue jumping" and will try to block your progress and rant and rave at you.

You will sweat like a pig in summer and freeze in winter.

Apart from that it is great, but i only do a short commute and don't know if I would want to do a lengthy one.

Zukkini

RichardD1970 wrote: »

Just one point to pick up on. If anything motorcycling is more stressful.

You have to be 100% alert at all times and concentrate a lot more than when you are safely cocooned in a car.

You have to pay constant attention to the road surface in front of you, as well as everything else around you, assume you are invisible and be ready to take evasive action at every junction.

Then there are the idiots who think filtering is "cheating and queue jumping" and will try to block your progress and rant and rave at you.

You will sweat like a pig in summer and freeze in winter.

Apart from that it is great, but i only do a short commute and don't know if I would want to do a lengthy one.

I rather be active and engaged than bored and waiting in car. I personally find things in general much more enjoyable when i'm constantly engaged with something. I think it wouldn't be more stressful than being stuck in a car. Trust me.

SailorSam

If the bike is only goingto be used basically for your commute, and you want to save money, why are you looking at a 650.
You don't have to go as small as a 50cc scooter but a much smaller bike would be adequate for getting through busy traffic.