Does money influence your riding?

[fleegle]

Biker's Nemesis said:

If I won millions on the lottery I would stop riding motorbikes, they're bloody dangerous.

I'm not sure I'd have the time to ride bikes

[Prof Prolapse]

If I was mega rich I'd stop everyone else riding.

Then we'll see who's the quickest.

[Biker's Nemesis]

fleegle said:

I'm not sure I'd have the time to ride bikes

Me neither, sky's the limit if you had millions

[Dog Star]

It wouldn't alter my attitude to road riding and fines etc - whether your jobless or you're a millionaire you only have 12 points to play with.

On the track - it might have done in the past but these days I'm more worried about breaking myself than breaking the bike.

[sjtscott]

If money was no object then I'd be riding solely for fun or getting somewhere other than work. Since the license points allowance doesn't change you still have to play by the same rules.
I think with a lot of spare cash I'd probably try some more track riding so that speed and road rules arn't the limiting factor more like my abilities are.
To be honest with enough money I'd be moving from the UK in any case, somewhere with better all year round weather and a nice quiet peaceful life More cruising than racing on bikes if this was the case.

[CorvetteConvert]

Almost everything in life is affected by money.
My car or bike (or house) choice is always dependant on what I can afford to buy and not skint myself. I get the very best I can reasonably stretch to and many others will and do.
I am fortunate enough to have a holiday home in Provence and a time share in La Jolla so we do get to see some great weather during an English winter, but again money dictates all that too.
I don't ride any different now to 10-20-30 years ago.
SURVIVAL feelings have slowed me down a touch I think though!

[MoelyCrio]

I'm on a day rate - no show no dough. My current contract is a 60 mile drive away. The prospect of breaking a leg or not being able to drive terrifies me.
Whether it influences my riding style or not I'm not sure, but its always on my mind.

[MrOrange]

woowahwoo said:

Yes, if I had the 'kind of money' which meant I didn't feel the need to be prudent, then I would own the scruffiest, least-cleaned £20k+ sportsbike, and forget about chains/disc locks, or where I leave it.

I'm 6 months into owning my 1299 and still not tempted to give it a clean. My MT09 owning brother is horrified. I don't own a disc lock.

[Pothole]

CAPP0 said:

555 Paul said:

No, what influences my riding is bike theft.

This is a good point - having chased all around the houses on here trying to decide what to commute on, with the Ark Royal turning it's mechanical toes up, I have bought a cheap TDM900. Partly because I've always quite liked them, but also because if push comes to shove, price-wise it is almost disposable (at least compared to train season tickets, never mind the actual living hell of minding the gap and boarding a train).

To the question in the OP, today I went into a Yamaha dealer for some brake pads and whilst I was waiting I looked at a new Tracer. Very much a modern version/equiv of the old TDM, and I'd really quite like one - but what puts me off is not the actual purchase cost but the risk associated with leaving something new/nice/valuable lying around in London. Having had a 6 month old bike lifted from town before, I'm happier knowing I can park up the TDM and walk away with nary a backward glance. Plus, it's comfortable, light, quite nimble, and quick enough for the commute.

You went to a dealer for brake pads...you're clearly not at all bothered about money.

[black-k1]

MoelyCrio said:

I'm on a day rate - no show no dough. My current contract is a 60 mile drive away. The prospect of breaking a leg or not being able to drive terrifies me.
Whether it influences my riding style or not I'm not sure, but its always on my mind.

Assuming you have your own company then getting the company to buy a bike is a very attractive option. You get all the VAT back (even if you’re on the flat rate scheme) on the purchase and the cost can be written off in the 1st year. The tax man effectively pays for almost 40% of your new bike! (Asuming your company is making a profit.)

You will have to charge VAT on the sale of the bike and the sale price will count towards company profit thus is liable for corporation tax.

If you ensure you only use the bike for company business then there are no personal tax implications and all "essential" equipment (helmet, suit, gloves, boots etc.) can be charged to the company.

Might be worth thinking about!

[RizzoTheRat]

...and bikes class as plant and machinery not a company car so tax liability is minute. I was tempted when self employed but luckily I didn't as I ended up going back to full time employment.

[dean100yz]

I would say yes it does. If I had more I would be more reckless on track and road but sometimes ride a little more within my limits as I can afford to slide my MV Agusta down the road

When I raced (which costs loads) I absolutely could not skimp on parts. I would get every bit I could out of them but they would be top end stuff as it just worked/felt/is better

Billet basket against oem. HH pads against crap EBC road stuff, high brand kit rather than cheap stuff that kind of thing

[MoelyCrio]

black-k1 said:

MoelyCrio said:

I'm on a day rate - no show no dough. My current contract is a 60 mile drive away. The prospect of breaking a leg or not being able to drive terrifies me.
Whether it influences my riding style or not I'm not sure, but its always on my mind.

Assuming you have your own company then getting the company to buy a bike is a very attractive option. You get all the VAT back (even if you’re on the flat rate scheme) on the purchase and the cost can be written off in the 1st year. The tax man effectively pays for almost 40% of your new bike! (Asuming your company is making a profit.)

You will have to charge VAT on the sale of the bike and the sale price will count towards company profit thus is liable for corporation tax.

If you ensure you only use the bike for company business then there are no personal tax implications and all "essential" equipment (helmet, suit, gloves, boots etc.) can be charged to the company.

Might be worth thinking about!

Interesting. I'd assumed a bike would attract BIK like a car so not worth doing. I pay for my car personally from dividends as it just didn't work out, even though its 100% for commuting as I have the family bus for weekends.
I bought a new MT09 Tracer this year as well! My invoice is in my name rather than the business <goes to find tipex>