Motorcycle vs car

[simon.r]

reading some of the replies it looks as though a motorbike is great for the weekend or fun rides out but not for commuting daily.

I'd agree with that. I'd be very reluctant to part with my motorbike, but it only gets used in Summer and only does about 2k miles a year. Riding motorbikes in bad weather really isn't much fun and it can easily become much more dangerous than driving a car in icy or very wet or very windy conditions.

You could consider buying a car and a motorbike? Use the motorbike when the weather's fine and you should save on fuel costs (assuming a fuel-efficient small capacity bike), but would obviously have two lots of insurance etc to pay for. I doubt it'd be cost effective, but it would give you the opportubity to try riding amotorbike without the pressure of having to ride it.

 

[terry_gardener]

after looking into CBT it looks more like a 1 day training course rather than a strict test. will it give you a feel of what it is like since it includes a min 2 hrs ride, for someone who has never been on a motorbike.

also will the company doing the CBT supply all what you need or do you have to supply it yourself.

 

[simon.r]

My ex-wife did the CBT a few years ago. She paid a fee (£100 I think) that included hire of the bike and all equipment, the training and the test (a one day session). She came away with a certificate that allowed her to ride a 125cc motorbike on the road, although I think it was only valid for a year or two.

Check with a local training school, but I'm sure most offer the option of hiring you the gear for the day.

 

[al78]

"There is now the option of the 456cc single cylinder direct injection diesel engine 13hp @ 3600 rpm."

Significantly more than the measly 1 to 2hp put out by an averagely fit cyclist! I'll concede that it probaly isn't the fastest vehicle available (BTW, I've never ridden one, just intrigued by the concept).

??
1-2hp is around 750-1500W. I don't think many cyclists are capable of that.

 

[simon.r]

Figures taken from Wikipedia, http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Horsepower

I'll happily stand corrected, but the above link says:

"A healthy human can produce about 1.2 hp briefly (see orders of magnitude) and sustain about 0.1 hp indefinitely; trained athletes can manage up to about 2.5 hp briefly[8] and 0.3 hp for a period of several hours."

 

[Globalti]

Did you know that a motorcycle has a worse coefficient of drag than a double-decker bus?

If you want to get to work quick you need a café racer: http://www.deus.com.au/gallery/

 

[Linford]

Did you know that a motorcycle has a worse coefficient of drag than a double-decker bus?

If you want to get to work quick you need a café racer: http://www.deus.com.au/gallery/

Yer, but the power to weight ratio is another thing

Fairings make a huge difference to the aerodynamics. When riding my old 600, I couldn't get above 140 when sat up, but tuck in behind the screen amdthe speed just starts to climb, and put an indicated 30mph onto that which is a considerable amount (even if it is only an indicated number). You see Rossi riding into a corner, he sits up, and sticks his leg out. This is done to create as much drag as possible to help slow him down. I'd never stick my leg out (cos I'm not Rossi), but sitting up into the airflow is a normal riding technique when braking from any speed on the track. You do feel a lot of wind resistance on your chest/head when tyou do this, so itmust be working

 

[Linford]

before I started college in September 2011 I use to have a 06 fiesta zetec climate 1.4 TDCI.

my commute was about 18miles up the A19 (dual carriageway) since then i have sold the car due to the cost since i no longer have a job and i currently don't need a car.

the fiesta cost on average.

insurance £480 (last purchased in 2010)
tax £35 for the year
MOT and service cost £150
fuel about £100 per month

reading some of the replies it looks as though a motorbike is great for the weekend or fun rides out but not for commuting daily.

Don't get me wrong, I commute on my bike from March to November every day unless it is hammering down, and then I'd use the car if I coud get it, but I ride in a leather suit and these aren't waterproof. If I were to ride in a decent textile suit, I'd be happy to ride all year around apart from snow and a heavy frost.
I didn't buy the bike as a frugal commuter as there are plenty of bikes out there you can do this with which will return 70mpg. I bought it because it is immense fun with a 0-60 performance of 3.1 seconds, and a fairly sharp tool to play with (for my sins)

 

[Linford]

[QUOTE 1726831, member: 45"]I had one of those (the scoot, not the lady). Black 125. IT had proper gears an everfin.

I have a feeling I might have another on this year if things go to plan.[/quote]

I've got to be honest, I really really want one of these and would be happy to give up road riding on the big bike and use one as a commuter for a bit. they are not cheap toys though

 

[MarkF]

I rode m/bikes for 32 years, the last 2 I've just had scooters. The latter are utility machines, the former just sat in the garage as I preferred to cycle in my leisure time. Commuting? I can't think of any way that a m/bike is better than a scooter. Short distances I've mainly used 125cc+, when I was commuting 60 miles round trips, I had a Yamaha YP250 which was superb, I only got wet when stationary, which was very rare............125cc belt driven scooters have ample power (instant full torque) to beat cars away from the lights, they are safe, I would not want to use a UK restricted 50cc scooter. I don't spend any time "getting ready" I just get on and go, no specific m/bike clothing or protective gear.

I've just sold a LML 4stroke 125cc, 150mpg+, £15 road tax and £90 insurance and I now use a 1962 Vespa 150GL, 100mpg+, zero road tax and £90 insurance. Residuals? It's worth more every week!

I'm just thinking about selling my car, I do need one but not often, I am considering hiring one when neccessary (but need a 4x4) I'll probably buy another Yamaha YP250, 80mpg, £35 road tax, £100 insurance. I'd expect to pay sub £1k and lose nothing when I come to sell it.

 

[MarkF]

[QUOTE 1726839, member: 45"]I wouldn't go for a classic. I've got mates with them and they're too precious to commute on. I'd rather it just sat in the hall as a work of art. Another nice PX125 or one of the LML 4-stroke copies would do me.

And I'd be too scared to take the mirrors off like the proper scooter boys do.[/quote]

I commute on this, not a week goes by without somebody asking to buy it or a note left on it asking to buy it. I can't understand not using a vintage scooter, it's metal, if I fall off it won't disintegrate like a plastic scooter, what's the big deal? I'd prefer some more patina tbh, it doesn't look "right" too nice. It's been covered in ACF50 during the winter and has come out of it pretty good.

I would not have a recent PX125 (I have owned on) they are too slow for modern traffic IMO, an earlier one yes, or 150, 200cc. My 4T LML was a lot quicker and therefore, safer.

 

[Linford]

[QUOTE 1726839, member: 45"]I wouldn't go for a classic. I've got mates with them and they're too precious to commute on. I'd rather it just sat in the hall as a work of art. Another nice PX125 or one of the LML 4-stroke copies would do me.

And I'd be too scared to take the mirrors off like the proper scooter boys do.[/quote]

I'd never ride a m/bike without mirrors, but I just love the look of the Lambretta's. I rode a PX100 for a little while, but to me, the Lambretta is a style icon. I would change the points to electronic ignition though. There are a few in India up for sale through export companies for a song. It would be worth a flight out there to secure a nice one as they are about 1/3rd of the cost of buying one here.

 

[Linford]

10,000 Indian Rupees is approx £130 GBP Some great stuff here if youput a search in

http://www.olx.in/nf/motorcycles-scooters-cat-379/lambretta

 

[Night Train]

reading some of the replies it looks as though a motorbike is great for the weekend or fun rides out but not for commuting daily.

I used mine commuting in winter. It took far too long to get all the protective and weather proof stuff on and off so my day was extended considerably. It was not nice riding in heavy rain on a busy motorway and A road and my boots often filled up with water. Riding in snow and ice was crazy dangerous as much for other road users as the lack of safety on the bike itself.

 

[fossyant]

If I was looking at one for day to day use I'd start by looking at some of the bigger engined scooters that are available nowadays - on the face of it they have the advantages of better weather protection and more storage space than most 'normal' motorbikes.

I'd rather poke my eye out with a quick release skewer than EVER have a moped !