What's it like owning and riding bikes?
Discussion
It's great to be able to ride and have the option to ride if the conditions are right. I got into bikes at a late age last year (39) after always ignoring them for performance cars. For a new rider, it's a steep learning curve - but learning a new skill is always fun.
I assumed that the ability to pedal a car quickly would transfer across but it isn't that simple. Fast riding is a whole new skill set. I am one of those lunatics that did a DAS then went out and got a 5VY R1, against the advice of all of my biker friends. Although I've not come off, I have scared myself a few times when playing with full throttle and the margin for error on a sports bike is slim.
Have a read of Twist of the Wrist 2 by Keith Code. You need to understand and learn to avoid your instinctive reactions to perceived danger situations as every one typically reinforces an accident situation.
What I've found though, is that the roads are generally always so congested that you rarely get the space to experiment with technique at say 75% effort and I've found that a bit frustrating as I do want to practise and improve. Add that to the generally crap UK weather and I've only done 2500 miles on the bike since last August. But, getting past other traffic is just so easy that it's worth it for that alone.
I assumed that the ability to pedal a car quickly would transfer across but it isn't that simple. Fast riding is a whole new skill set. I am one of those lunatics that did a DAS then went out and got a 5VY R1, against the advice of all of my biker friends. Although I've not come off, I have scared myself a few times when playing with full throttle and the margin for error on a sports bike is slim.
Have a read of Twist of the Wrist 2 by Keith Code. You need to understand and learn to avoid your instinctive reactions to perceived danger situations as every one typically reinforces an accident situation.
What I've found though, is that the roads are generally always so congested that you rarely get the space to experiment with technique at say 75% effort and I've found that a bit frustrating as I do want to practise and improve. Add that to the generally crap UK weather and I've only done 2500 miles on the bike since last August. But, getting past other traffic is just so easy that it's worth it for that alone.
Tannedbaldhead said:
Momentofmadness said:
Bikes will change your whole world, that's a promise -
They certainly changed mine. I now have a funny walk. Big bikes are great fun till they aren't. In my case, several road bikes, crashes. One track day led to being a lunatic so went racing. More crashes, some lasting damage and even more money.
The biggest highs and lowest lows.
Would do it all again but although the desire for a bike is still strong I'd not race or track day again and the roads are full of morons out to knock you off, never mind the cameras!
You need to find these things out for yourself, if you're the sort of person who can be told no when they want something, you'll never do feck all
Oh, and a quick pop to the curry house to pick up the takeaway mid summer is great, but from experience I'd always wear decent clobber. Therefore it can be a faff, kit also stinks after being soaked for a week. Buy the best you can afford and never wear trainers, or s
t gloves, or fluro leathers, or any leathers with sponsors on...unless they're paying you.Edited by anonymous-user on Friday 24th March 18:39
I hate to admit this on this thread but I am car person, not a bike person. I never watched anyone ride a bike and thought 'Oooh I fancy some of that'.
Until Long Way Round (yes, I'm that bloke).
Was having some car bother and commuting pains, watching bikes trundle past endlessly in the traffic so I took a week of holiday and did the whole bike course in one week, from nothing to allowed to ride anything (scary prospect). I went to one dealership for a demo to buy a bike who said I would have to book a day and come back the following week and have someone follow me as I was new which was crushing, went to a BMW dealership and was welcomed with open arms, shown bikes and given keys to try things out. Been there ever since, just about to book my 84,000 mile service after having an ex-demo bike less than 4 years.
Are they really best kept for fun journeys and nice roads, or are they a viable car alternative for day to day use?
I have never been for a ride just to go for a ride (other than big trips - Europe etc). On the other hand I had no car for about 3 years so it is not really a problem. You will loose your NCB though because that doesn't carry over (a personal rant goes here...) which I was unaware of.
Is a thick, heavy leather suit essential for every journey?
I wear Gore-tex textiles (Rev'it). Waterproof, armoured and have many vents that can be opened. Fantastic bit of kit.
Is it horribly sweaty wearing it in nice weather?
Textile stuff will allow the removal of thermal liners and opening of vents so when you are moving it is great. Walking about in it will get sweaty given that I have had it cope with -8°C.
Are you stupid to use a bike in wet weather?
Not had a problem so far BUT, there are no windscreen wipers and no heater vents. Steaming up is an issue I find but I am a sweaty b**tard. However that is to be balanced with it really is not as bad as it looks when you see someone on a bike in the rain.
Do they get stolen a lot?
So far so good on this one.
Is it difficult to find places you can safely leave them when out and about?
Again so far so good. The upside is pay and display and parking etc is often easy to find and free. A bike takes up v little space so things like the parking is often easier.
What else ought I consider before deciding if it's for me?
The surprises for me were:
How much bikes cost to buy, even second hand.
Quite frankly, utterly ridiculous acceleration.
How much you feel you are in the environment - that one is difficult to explain.
The amount of faff it takes to get geared up to go somewhere. Going out for a meal requires extra clothes to change in to or wear under your gear.
For commuting there is nothing that gets close, when I first started biking I ended up getting up an hour later than when I was in a car.
How bikers seem to all get on, wave/nod.
How much I would enjoy biking around Europe.
The amount of fanny I get now... actually that's b0**ocks, I ride a GS...
Until Long Way Round (yes, I'm that bloke).
Was having some car bother and commuting pains, watching bikes trundle past endlessly in the traffic so I took a week of holiday and did the whole bike course in one week, from nothing to allowed to ride anything (scary prospect). I went to one dealership for a demo to buy a bike who said I would have to book a day and come back the following week and have someone follow me as I was new which was crushing, went to a BMW dealership and was welcomed with open arms, shown bikes and given keys to try things out. Been there ever since, just about to book my 84,000 mile service after having an ex-demo bike less than 4 years.
Are they really best kept for fun journeys and nice roads, or are they a viable car alternative for day to day use?
I have never been for a ride just to go for a ride (other than big trips - Europe etc). On the other hand I had no car for about 3 years so it is not really a problem. You will loose your NCB though because that doesn't carry over (a personal rant goes here...) which I was unaware of.
Is a thick, heavy leather suit essential for every journey?
I wear Gore-tex textiles (Rev'it). Waterproof, armoured and have many vents that can be opened. Fantastic bit of kit.
Is it horribly sweaty wearing it in nice weather?
Textile stuff will allow the removal of thermal liners and opening of vents so when you are moving it is great. Walking about in it will get sweaty given that I have had it cope with -8°C.
Are you stupid to use a bike in wet weather?
Not had a problem so far BUT, there are no windscreen wipers and no heater vents. Steaming up is an issue I find but I am a sweaty b**tard. However that is to be balanced with it really is not as bad as it looks when you see someone on a bike in the rain.
Do they get stolen a lot?
So far so good on this one.
Is it difficult to find places you can safely leave them when out and about?
Again so far so good. The upside is pay and display and parking etc is often easy to find and free. A bike takes up v little space so things like the parking is often easier.
What else ought I consider before deciding if it's for me?
The surprises for me were:
How much bikes cost to buy, even second hand.
Quite frankly, utterly ridiculous acceleration.
How much you feel you are in the environment - that one is difficult to explain.
The amount of faff it takes to get geared up to go somewhere. Going out for a meal requires extra clothes to change in to or wear under your gear.
For commuting there is nothing that gets close, when I first started biking I ended up getting up an hour later than when I was in a car.
How bikers seem to all get on, wave/nod.
How much I would enjoy biking around Europe.
The amount of fanny I get now... actually that's b0**ocks, I ride a GS...
Alex_225 said:
Interesting thread and some useful info.
I've been very torn with the idea of commuting into central London by bike. I live only about 20 miles south of London and it takes me 90+ minutes to commute in by bus/train for the sum of £230 a month.
I know I could halve the journey time and cost by using a 125/250cc bike for the journey. The only downside I can think of is safety and not so much on my part but others not seeing me and knocking me off.
Don't stress about it, I passed recently and said to myself, 'the bike is for fun only' and then ended up biking to work. Journey time from West London to East by train is 1hr 10 min (door to door), by bike it's been 35-41 mins ( a long stretch of it is ave speed cam), and that is going through some of the busiest areas in London. If you feel unsure about the gap between cars, don't go for it there is no one marking you down. As for safety, just expect the Uber/Addison Lee/Black cab drivers to stop unexpectedly , so keep your distance.I've been very torn with the idea of commuting into central London by bike. I live only about 20 miles south of London and it takes me 90+ minutes to commute in by bus/train for the sum of £230 a month.
I know I could halve the journey time and cost by using a 125/250cc bike for the journey. The only downside I can think of is safety and not so much on my part but others not seeing me and knocking me off.
It's economical, and fun, I actually don't mind going to work now and enjoy it coming back, I also leave extra early so I stop at a cafe for a decent breakfast, near my work, before heading in. I am now never in a rush to leave, never stuck by a delayed train and never squeezed in like a sardine.
I'm probably re-iterating everything that's already been said but here you go:
Are they really best kept for fun journeys and nice roads, or are they a viable car alternative for day to day use?
Perfectly good alternative, so long as you don't carry passengers very often or have to carry large loads. The use of a car for these occaisons is very good to have, but overall a bike is good enough as every day transport for me 99.5% of the time.
Is a thick, heavy leather suit essential for every journey?
Nope - get 2 piece leathers for summer blasts, textiles for winter and some kevlar jeans to wear with the jacket of the 2 piece leathers and you're good to go for all weathers.
Is it horribly sweaty wearing it in nice weather?
Only when it's 30+ degrees, otherwise you'll get hot standing around but once moving the air cools you down nicely.
Are you stupid to use a bike in wet weather?
Modern tyres and textile kit means bikes have lots of grip in the wet and can be ridden in pretty much any weather, the only weather they're not good in is severe ice or snow.
Do they get stolen a lot?
Only if you leave them in dodgy places... or London.
Is it difficult to find places you can safely leave them when out and about?
See above.
What else ought I consider before deciding if it's for me?
Freedom. Get on your bike on a Sunday and ride anywhere, no destination in mind. Cut through hundreds of cars going to work and smile while they're sat in their tin boxes going nowhere. Jump on the eurotunnel and be in the Alps in a day, camp for 20 euros a night and experience stunning roads and scenerey for a few hundred quid, bikes make cheap holidays possilble - £200 for 5 days through the Ardennes and Moselle valley, or £1000 for a 14 day, 3700 mile trip to the Italian Dolomites and Swiss and Austrian Alps.
Bikes also have that feeling when you ride that cars have lost, the feeling that you're 'connected' to the road - a lot of cars these days are fast, but 'numb' to drive. Not forgetting that £1500 will get you a bike that is as fast as any modern supercar.
Are they really best kept for fun journeys and nice roads, or are they a viable car alternative for day to day use?
Perfectly good alternative, so long as you don't carry passengers very often or have to carry large loads. The use of a car for these occaisons is very good to have, but overall a bike is good enough as every day transport for me 99.5% of the time.
Is a thick, heavy leather suit essential for every journey?
Nope - get 2 piece leathers for summer blasts, textiles for winter and some kevlar jeans to wear with the jacket of the 2 piece leathers and you're good to go for all weathers.
Is it horribly sweaty wearing it in nice weather?
Only when it's 30+ degrees, otherwise you'll get hot standing around but once moving the air cools you down nicely.
Are you stupid to use a bike in wet weather?
Modern tyres and textile kit means bikes have lots of grip in the wet and can be ridden in pretty much any weather, the only weather they're not good in is severe ice or snow.
Do they get stolen a lot?
Only if you leave them in dodgy places... or London.
Is it difficult to find places you can safely leave them when out and about?
See above.
What else ought I consider before deciding if it's for me?
Freedom. Get on your bike on a Sunday and ride anywhere, no destination in mind. Cut through hundreds of cars going to work and smile while they're sat in their tin boxes going nowhere. Jump on the eurotunnel and be in the Alps in a day, camp for 20 euros a night and experience stunning roads and scenerey for a few hundred quid, bikes make cheap holidays possilble - £200 for 5 days through the Ardennes and Moselle valley, or £1000 for a 14 day, 3700 mile trip to the Italian Dolomites and Swiss and Austrian Alps.
Bikes also have that feeling when you ride that cars have lost, the feeling that you're 'connected' to the road - a lot of cars these days are fast, but 'numb' to drive. Not forgetting that £1500 will get you a bike that is as fast as any modern supercar.
Bennet said:
What is good and bad about owning and riding a (motor)bike as a regular alternative to a car?
Having never even been on a bike, what should I know or consider before spending any money on lessons or buying one? I'm thoroughly naïve about this and I don't happen to know anyone who rides one that I can ask about it.
The sorts of questions I don't know the answers to are:
Are they really best kept for fun journeys and nice roads, or are they a viable car alternative for day to day use?
Is a thick, heavy leather suit essential for every journey?
Is it horribly sweaty wearing it in nice weather?
Are you stupid to use a bike in wet weather?
Do they get stolen a lot?
Is it difficult to find places you can safely leave them when out and about?
What else ought I consider before deciding if it's for me?
If anyone wants to just link me to some decent introductory reading material or a past thread, that would be fine. Google didn't turn up much.
Thanks.
Owning them is special and awesome, but because they are quite small, if you have any decent size garage or dining room, you can have about 4 or 5 bikes. They all look similar to most missus's also, so you can buy more and they don't notice or give you grief. Having never even been on a bike, what should I know or consider before spending any money on lessons or buying one? I'm thoroughly naïve about this and I don't happen to know anyone who rides one that I can ask about it.
The sorts of questions I don't know the answers to are:
Are they really best kept for fun journeys and nice roads, or are they a viable car alternative for day to day use?
Is a thick, heavy leather suit essential for every journey?
Is it horribly sweaty wearing it in nice weather?
Are you stupid to use a bike in wet weather?
Do they get stolen a lot?
Is it difficult to find places you can safely leave them when out and about?
What else ought I consider before deciding if it's for me?
If anyone wants to just link me to some decent introductory reading material or a past thread, that would be fine. Google didn't turn up much.
Thanks.
Riding them is special and awesome. Because if you are a pussy, you stay in a car, or on a bus. To get out on 2 wheels with an engine, you're f
king awesome, period. If you can do wheelies, they are f
king awesome. Girls drop their pant for a good wheely. Trudat.Jokes aside, do it. It's cool as f
k.
Just starting down the same path - I'm 44, and after a health scare last year I'm sorting our the bucket list! Theory test was easy, and CBT day was fun. Since then I've rented a 125 for a week to get a bit of practice, which hasn't been much fun at all. It's underpowered, at 6'5" I feel ridiculous and I can barely hook my foot under the shift lever, and spending 20 minutes getting dressed to go out for an hour or two of junction and roundabout practice is frustrating.
BUT when I took the rental 125 back to the lovely people at Road Trip Woking, they were kind enough to let me sit on a bunch of the big bikes they have, which felt so much better. Now I've got something to aim for, I'm determined to do my DAS and give this a proper go!
BUT when I took the rental 125 back to the lovely people at Road Trip Woking, they were kind enough to let me sit on a bunch of the big bikes they have, which felt so much better. Now I've got something to aim for, I'm determined to do my DAS and give this a proper go!
Bennet said:
Are they really best kept for fun journeys and nice roads, or are they a viable car alternative for day to day use?
- Fun journeys and nice roads are highlights. Touring (UK or further afield) much more involving on two wheels, but I use a bike whenever its just me and I don't need to carry much. I do 8k/year on a bike, about the same again in a car.
Is a thick, heavy leather suit essential for every journey?
- No, only for track days. Only dinosaurs use leathers for daily use, good modern textiles are warmer/dryer/cooler/more comfortable/just as safe.
Is it horribly sweaty wearing it in nice weather?
- No. A mesh jacket is like wearing a fridge in UK summer weather, and usually a good jacket, riding jeans and thin summer gloves are quite cool enough
Are you stupid to use a bike in wet weather?s
- Riding bikes is more like doing sport than driving cars. You're always focused on improving skills, and poor weather is an opportunity to do so. Modern kit is also very good at keeping you warm and dry in foul weather.
Do they get stolen a lot?
- Yes. So do cars.
Is it difficult to find places you can safely leave them when out and about?
- There's always room somewhere for a bike. The majority of car parks are free for bikes.
What else ought I consider before deciding if it's for me?
PCPs have really opened up the bike market. You can get a bike for £1000 down & £20/week that'll be fantastic fun, and not much more will get you a superbike that'll rip your head off.
- Fun journeys and nice roads are highlights. Touring (UK or further afield) much more involving on two wheels, but I use a bike whenever its just me and I don't need to carry much. I do 8k/year on a bike, about the same again in a car.
Is a thick, heavy leather suit essential for every journey?
- No, only for track days. Only dinosaurs use leathers for daily use, good modern textiles are warmer/dryer/cooler/more comfortable/just as safe.
Is it horribly sweaty wearing it in nice weather?
- No. A mesh jacket is like wearing a fridge in UK summer weather, and usually a good jacket, riding jeans and thin summer gloves are quite cool enough
Are you stupid to use a bike in wet weather?s
- Riding bikes is more like doing sport than driving cars. You're always focused on improving skills, and poor weather is an opportunity to do so. Modern kit is also very good at keeping you warm and dry in foul weather.
Do they get stolen a lot?
- Yes. So do cars.
Is it difficult to find places you can safely leave them when out and about?
- There's always room somewhere for a bike. The majority of car parks are free for bikes.
What else ought I consider before deciding if it's for me?
PCPs have really opened up the bike market. You can get a bike for £1000 down & £20/week that'll be fantastic fun, and not much more will get you a superbike that'll rip your head off.
If you are serious about getting into bikes, head over to the Biker Banter forum on PH.
I have always been a car person but decided to do my CBT 4 years ago so I could save money commuting. Trouble is I caught the biking bug and got my big bike license 6 months later. Got a slightly bigger commuter and then decided to get a second fun bike.
I also did a BikeSafe course.
Bikes are great, but they do make you feel vulnerable sometimes, and you can become quite aware of your own mortality. After 3 years of trouble free riding I was driven into the back of by an SUV while I was stationary at a junction. The bike and I went down with me ending up trapped underneath by my foot. Fortunately I had no injuries as I religiously wear all the safety gear, but the bike was written off. So what would normally be just bumper damage in a car, can end up much worse when on a bike.
Bikes are also much easier to nick than cars, so security when parked, or stored at night requires more consideration.
All things considered bikes have more positives compared to cars, but convincing your family of that can be tricky, especially if you get knocked off it!
I have always been a car person but decided to do my CBT 4 years ago so I could save money commuting. Trouble is I caught the biking bug and got my big bike license 6 months later. Got a slightly bigger commuter and then decided to get a second fun bike.
I also did a BikeSafe course.
Bikes are great, but they do make you feel vulnerable sometimes, and you can become quite aware of your own mortality. After 3 years of trouble free riding I was driven into the back of by an SUV while I was stationary at a junction. The bike and I went down with me ending up trapped underneath by my foot. Fortunately I had no injuries as I religiously wear all the safety gear, but the bike was written off. So what would normally be just bumper damage in a car, can end up much worse when on a bike.
Bikes are also much easier to nick than cars, so security when parked, or stored at night requires more consideration.
All things considered bikes have more positives compared to cars, but convincing your family of that can be tricky, especially if you get knocked off it!
Why has this been moved to BB? Surely the thread made more sense in GG since it was for the interest and perhaps the education of those who don't ride bikes. I mean, everyone in BB owns a bike so we will hardly benefit from it but it could have been a good read for someone who maybe hadn't considered biking beforehand.
I was a latecomer to bikes, but sharing an office with two bike mad loons I eventually caught the bug. I sat my CBT Sept 2015 and spent a year or so pootling about on a 125cc whilst I learned my roadcraft (so to speak) and had a lot of fun. Only did about 2600miles on the little 125cc but considering i spend 50% of the year working away from home I think that's not bad. I passed my full test last year in October and bought a sensible Versys 650. I've just put down a deposit on a 'sportbike', CBR650F as a first stepping stone above the versys.
Are they really best kept for fun journeys and nice roads, or are they a viable car alternative for day to day use?
No, I use mine as general transport. Luckily I have panniers on the Versys so easy to nip to the shops and load up with two big bags of shopping if needed. Or just throw some clothes in and head off.
Is a thick, heavy leather suit essential for every journey?
Nope, I have kevlar jeans which apart from the shin/knee protectors just look like regular jeans, have a leather jacket for summer, and a textile jacket & trousers for wet/winter riding.
Is it horribly sweaty wearing it in nice weather?
Wouldn't know, all the stuff i have is either ventilated or quite light weight.
Are you stupid to use a bike in wet weather?
Not really, unless it's a biblical flood. Be more wary about cold weather or high winds.
Do they get stolen a lot?
Apparently if you live in London, yes, but not sure about near me. Just get a sturdy disk lock or chain, and if kept outside get a permanent grounding point installed that you can chain it to.
Is it difficult to find places you can safely leave them when out and about?
I'm lucky that we have at least two places in town with free bike parking. But generally because you are much smaller you can sneakily park it in a hell of a lot of places you could never park a car.
What else ought I consider before deciding if it's for me?
Go for your CBT, at worst it's a half day of learning something new. On my CBT, the first stretch of road that we went up to 40mph and I knew it was for me. Such a glorious feeling.
Are they really best kept for fun journeys and nice roads, or are they a viable car alternative for day to day use?
No, I use mine as general transport. Luckily I have panniers on the Versys so easy to nip to the shops and load up with two big bags of shopping if needed. Or just throw some clothes in and head off.
Is a thick, heavy leather suit essential for every journey?
Nope, I have kevlar jeans which apart from the shin/knee protectors just look like regular jeans, have a leather jacket for summer, and a textile jacket & trousers for wet/winter riding.
Is it horribly sweaty wearing it in nice weather?
Wouldn't know, all the stuff i have is either ventilated or quite light weight.
Are you stupid to use a bike in wet weather?
Not really, unless it's a biblical flood. Be more wary about cold weather or high winds.
Do they get stolen a lot?
Apparently if you live in London, yes, but not sure about near me. Just get a sturdy disk lock or chain, and if kept outside get a permanent grounding point installed that you can chain it to.
Is it difficult to find places you can safely leave them when out and about?
I'm lucky that we have at least two places in town with free bike parking. But generally because you are much smaller you can sneakily park it in a hell of a lot of places you could never park a car.
What else ought I consider before deciding if it's for me?
Go for your CBT, at worst it's a half day of learning something new. On my CBT, the first stretch of road that we went up to 40mph and I knew it was for me. Such a glorious feeling.
wemorgan said:
MajorMantra said:
Good thread.
I'm a (pedal) cyclist but I have a longterm hankering to try a bike with an engine. This is giving me an even stronger urge to scratch that itch.
Pedal cycling is a good base to begin with. Low speed control, hazard awareness, braking are quite similar.I'm a (pedal) cyclist but I have a longterm hankering to try a bike with an engine. This is giving me an even stronger urge to scratch that itch.
In answer to the OP, I've not got much more to add than has already been said, however, most journeys on a bike can feel special and fun whereas only a few in the car do.
Cheers,
Tom
Bikes are great, but they are also a PITA because:
- it takes ages to put your gear on and take it off, esp in winter
- they are easy to steal, so planning where they won't get stolen and chaining them is a time consuming PITA
- they aren't as reliable as cars
- they have much more frequent service intervals than cars
I have a 1300cc touring bike now, but it is not as much fun or as carefree as then I had a 125cc when I lived in Vietnam and I didn't have to flaff with as much gear or worry about it being stolen.
- it takes ages to put your gear on and take it off, esp in winter
- they are easy to steal, so planning where they won't get stolen and chaining them is a time consuming PITA
- they aren't as reliable as cars
- they have much more frequent service intervals than cars
I have a 1300cc touring bike now, but it is not as much fun or as carefree as then I had a 125cc when I lived in Vietnam and I didn't have to flaff with as much gear or worry about it being stolen.
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