What car or motorbike
Discussion
Have to keep this short as I'm at work. However, I'm just trying to decide whether to learn to ride a motorcycle or get a project car to work on and learn spannering.
I changed jobs six months ago and pretty much doubled my commute. Therefore, I was thinking of either investing in a more fun and comfortable car to run and learn spannering on, or go down the motorcycle route. My current journey to work (50 mile round trip) takes me down the A17 and I can spend ages stuck in a long line of traffic behind a lorry doing 40 mph. I know that the speed limit for these vehicles is due to go up to 50 mph soon, but it can be a real pain trundling along like that.
A bike appeals because I am really interested in learning to ride one. I thought that it would be a good tool for filtering through the traffic and it would also make my commute more fun. My fiancee hates the idea of a bike as she considers them to be death traps. We have a six month old, so that doesn't really help. She does understand though and said she won't stop me getting one.
Car wise, I thought it would be very useful to finally learn something useful about spannering and maybe get something more interesting. Current car is a 2007 Mazda3 2.0 litre petrol Sport and although it's a good car, it's just missing something. It's quite revvy and the chassis is good, but for the fuel economy it returns I'd rather be running something more meaty and comfortable. I do like
the idea of something with a 'V' engine in as I could always keep the Mazda and run it as my main hack, or get rid and get something cheap and cheerful to run alongside the favourable car.
I thought I'd open this up to the PH masses to see if anyone else has been in a similar situation. Any ideas anyone?
Thanks all.
I changed jobs six months ago and pretty much doubled my commute. Therefore, I was thinking of either investing in a more fun and comfortable car to run and learn spannering on, or go down the motorcycle route. My current journey to work (50 mile round trip) takes me down the A17 and I can spend ages stuck in a long line of traffic behind a lorry doing 40 mph. I know that the speed limit for these vehicles is due to go up to 50 mph soon, but it can be a real pain trundling along like that.
A bike appeals because I am really interested in learning to ride one. I thought that it would be a good tool for filtering through the traffic and it would also make my commute more fun. My fiancee hates the idea of a bike as she considers them to be death traps. We have a six month old, so that doesn't really help. She does understand though and said she won't stop me getting one.
Car wise, I thought it would be very useful to finally learn something useful about spannering and maybe get something more interesting. Current car is a 2007 Mazda3 2.0 litre petrol Sport and although it's a good car, it's just missing something. It's quite revvy and the chassis is good, but for the fuel economy it returns I'd rather be running something more meaty and comfortable. I do like
the idea of something with a 'V' engine in as I could always keep the Mazda and run it as my main hack, or get rid and get something cheap and cheerful to run alongside the favourable car.
I thought I'd open this up to the PH masses to see if anyone else has been in a similar situation. Any ideas anyone?
Thanks all.Indeed. A tourer type bike would be good. Something big and comfortable.
I'm 6ft 4in tall and heavy, so a nimble little sports bike would be wasted on me.
Speaking of bikes, is it beneficial to do the CBT and spend some time learning the craft on a smaller bike before leaping in and doing the full test?
Thanks.
I'm 6ft 4in tall and heavy, so a nimble little sports bike would be wasted on me.
Speaking of bikes, is it beneficial to do the CBT and spend some time learning the craft on a smaller bike before leaping in and doing the full test?
Thanks.
andburg said:
Yes and no, as a new road user I'd say yes. As you can already drive, its more about learning to control a bike, I'd book a course with room to add an extra day or 2 of tuition on a bike before doing the test if you felt so inclined.
Thanks.I'm 35, so will have access to certain machinery if I went down the direct route. However, even though I have ridden bicycles for years, I've never ridden a motorbike. I think it would be a very good idea to learn on a 125 and get some experience on that before going for the big stuff.
Speaking of a 125, will it struggle with a lump like me on it?
crofty1984 said:
My advice would be yes to the pootling round on a 125 for a couple of months. A 125 Varadero would probably suit you for that task, and you'll probably get most of your money back when you sell it.
Also, yes to getting a bike rather than a project car. If it's a second vehicle you have a lot more room to work around it, it's simpler if you want to learn the spanners and bits are (usually!) more accessible.
If you're on about chopping in the Mazda to get a project car as an only vehicle, I'd definitely advise against it (having done it!). Tinkering about with a car/bike is fun, but you'll find it's dramatically less fun if you HAVE to finish that job by Sunday or you're not getting to work on Monday.
Thanks. If I'm honest, I would like to keep the Mazda and just get something else alongside it. As you say, it wouldn't be good for me to be messing around with my primary method of transport.Also, yes to getting a bike rather than a project car. If it's a second vehicle you have a lot more room to work around it, it's simpler if you want to learn the spanners and bits are (usually!) more accessible.
If you're on about chopping in the Mazda to get a project car as an only vehicle, I'd definitely advise against it (having done it!). Tinkering about with a car/bike is fun, but you'll find it's dramatically less fun if you HAVE to finish that job by Sunday or you're not getting to work on Monday.
The 125 thing is a good idea. I was having a look on Autotrader last night and noticed some 125's under £1k. I guess it is a good idea to go Japanese with a bike?
Freakuk said:
Similar experience years ago however I've been riding bikes for years, my commute was A roads and in excess of an hour each way in the car, stop/start for 50% of the journey. Once the weather picked up I started using the bike (KTM950SM) and could 1/2 my commute time, I took to counting how many cars I would overtake on the way in, without fail it was in excess of 100 each day!!!
Taking the bike didn't actually save me any time however, with getting the bike out, putting on my gear, warming the bike up, travel, locking the bike up, getting changed it was the same amount of time overall, just the actual travel/commute was quicker.
Thanks. Time at either end isn't an issue. It's just the dreary plod down the A17 in a long line of traffic doing 35 - 40 mph that I would like to avoid. Taking the bike didn't actually save me any time however, with getting the bike out, putting on my gear, warming the bike up, travel, locking the bike up, getting changed it was the same amount of time overall, just the actual travel/commute was quicker.
GreatGranny said:
What section of the A17 do you reavel on?
I do Holdingham (A15) to Newark daily.
Yes does get tiresome behind 40mph lorries at times but also I can't imagine a 125 will be much fun pottering at 40-45mph.
I do Gosberton area/Sutterton roundabout to Sleaford daily. I do Holdingham (A15) to Newark daily.
Yes does get tiresome behind 40mph lorries at times but also I can't imagine a 125 will be much fun pottering at 40-45mph.
I live near Spalding so I have a few options including the A17 and the A52.
andburg said:
Yes, japanese!
do not risk buying chinese, they tend to break and will lose value, if you must buy a 125 then buy a good 125 from a jap brand and you shouldn't lose any money.
as mentioend a varadero is a much bigger 125 than most and ideal for a full size bloke
Good info. Thanks. do not risk buying chinese, they tend to break and will lose value, if you must buy a 125 then buy a good 125 from a jap brand and you shouldn't lose any money.
as mentioend a varadero is a much bigger 125 than most and ideal for a full size bloke
andburg said:
Sorry to hear that, its unfortunately far too common and why I wouldn't use one myself for commuting. Filtering is possibly the most dangerous aspect of riding. Urban busy environments where drivers are distracted and in a rush aren't great once you've filtered to get there either.
riding for me is pleasure, infact I misread OP's original post and in hindsight I'd do both, I'd get a dull comfortable commuter car that i can put the kids in and get a bike purely for pleasure.
Sounds like a good plan.riding for me is pleasure, infact I misread OP's original post and in hindsight I'd do both, I'd get a dull comfortable commuter car that i can put the kids in and get a bike purely for pleasure.
Sorry to hear about the accident. It's something that is always in the back of mind.
I know the risks are probably higher on a bike than in a vehicle, but people still die in both. Terrible.
Thanks all.
I passed my driving test in Sept 06, so have been driving for a while. I've also been cycling on and off for years, so have learned a bit of two-wheeled road craft that way.
I guess for me the 125 route may be a better start. I don't have the greatest confidence so a bit of familiarisation on a smaller bike would be useful. I live in rural Lincolnshire and don't have much access to dual carriageways. I have back roads and things that I could ride down and practice on.
There could be an issue with pottering at 50 mph. However, I think I need to see how it goes.
My other route to work (apart from the A17) is villages and twisty roads. Could be good fun on a bike and if I could make progress in places, could possibly work out quicker.
Finally, I have a single garage at my house that has a lot of bicycle stuff in. The motorbike and relevant stuff could go in there too.
Anyway, I'll have a good think based on what has been said in this thread. Thanks all.
I passed my driving test in Sept 06, so have been driving for a while.
I've also been cycling on and off for years, so have learned a bit of two-wheeled road craft that way.I guess for me the 125 route may be a better start. I don't have the greatest confidence so a bit of familiarisation on a smaller bike would be useful. I live in rural Lincolnshire and don't have much access to dual carriageways. I have back roads and things that I could ride down and practice on.
There could be an issue with pottering at 50 mph. However, I think I need to see how it goes.
My other route to work (apart from the A17) is villages and twisty roads. Could be good fun on a bike and if I could make progress in places, could possibly work out quicker.
Finally, I have a single garage at my house that has a lot of bicycle stuff in. The motorbike and relevant stuff could go in there too.
Anyway, I'll have a good think based on what has been said in this thread. Thanks all.
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