LPG vs. Motorbike
Discussion
Well the time has come for me to ask for another a completely biased opinion before being advised to buy an Mx5...
Basically I've got an Jag XJR which I bought with the intention of fitting LPG to it. However it's coming up to crunch time and after mulling it over I'm contemplating going another way and getting a bike licence and a motorbike. I've costed it up and I can do it for roughly the same money although obviously depending on the bike.
Problems are that I live in Scotland and the weather is f
king awful, I've seen a few nasty bike crashes (and I'm slightly wary) and the whole point was that I'd get to drive the Jag more!
I know it's largely preference but I'm looking for opinions... I also have a Micra for those rainy days when I'm not going cross-country!
Do I LPG and put off the bike for another year or do I do it while I can and hang the risk?
Basically I've got an Jag XJR which I bought with the intention of fitting LPG to it. However it's coming up to crunch time and after mulling it over I'm contemplating going another way and getting a bike licence and a motorbike. I've costed it up and I can do it for roughly the same money although obviously depending on the bike.
Problems are that I live in Scotland and the weather is f
king awful, I've seen a few nasty bike crashes (and I'm slightly wary) and the whole point was that I'd get to drive the Jag more!I know it's largely preference but I'm looking for opinions... I also have a Micra for those rainy days when I'm not going cross-country!
Do I LPG and put off the bike for another year or do I do it while I can and hang the risk?
Lol @ Rawwr's edit including the words "Gay power ranger" and additional emphasis on death.
All in a all fitting a decent kit is going to cost me about £1500 with the parts I've sourced, petrol to and from my mate's garage, additional tools and beer/pizza for participants.
A 5 day DAS course local with CBT and bike hire is £695. The rest of the money would be spent on getting a bike. I've got a good mate who can get me decent deal one. I already have some of the "gay power ranger" costume as well.
I think the Bike would be more fun. But how many chances will I realistically get to ride it with the weather? The Jag is fun no matter the weather (Ish!).
EDIT: I've also costed my mileage against the cost of LPG and at current fuel costs it will pay for itself in 2.5 years. This is assuming the cost of petrol doesn't go up massively in respect to LPG. Not to mention it's just about the only modification you can do that you recoup some of the costs in resale!
It's not just an argument of economics though...
All in a all fitting a decent kit is going to cost me about £1500 with the parts I've sourced, petrol to and from my mate's garage, additional tools and beer/pizza for participants.
A 5 day DAS course local with CBT and bike hire is £695. The rest of the money would be spent on getting a bike. I've got a good mate who can get me decent deal one. I already have some of the "gay power ranger" costume as well.
I think the Bike would be more fun. But how many chances will I realistically get to ride it with the weather? The Jag is fun no matter the weather (Ish!).
EDIT: I've also costed my mileage against the cost of LPG and at current fuel costs it will pay for itself in 2.5 years. This is assuming the cost of petrol doesn't go up massively in respect to LPG. Not to mention it's just about the only modification you can do that you recoup some of the costs in resale!
It's not just an argument of economics though...
Edited by G_T on Tuesday 27th January 14:20
My 4x4 is converted to LPG and its not the huge saving its meant to be, certainly not now anyhow.
Firstly, when running on LPG the car is more ineffecient. Mine will do about 24mpg on petrol but i only get about 18mpg on LPG.
Secondly, when the petrol prices went through the roof recently, LPG was put up proportionaly, but it has NOT come back down as fast. There used to be a differential of about 45p/litre. Currently its about 34p/litre.
Roughly, taking all this int account, mine costs about 20p/mile when running on petrol and about 15p/mile on LPG. This equates to a saving of about £15 per tank. In other words, i've got to do about 20,000 miles to save a grand.
The petrol companies are taking the piss with LPG and coz hardly anyone uses it, no one is making a fuss. I convereted mine 3 years ago so it has more than paid for itself, but unless the LPG price gets back down to what it was a year ago, i wouldn't bother again. Cant see where any pressure is coming to shift the prices either...
So, buy a bike, change your name to Bob, and get a donor card....;)
Firstly, when running on LPG the car is more ineffecient. Mine will do about 24mpg on petrol but i only get about 18mpg on LPG.
Secondly, when the petrol prices went through the roof recently, LPG was put up proportionaly, but it has NOT come back down as fast. There used to be a differential of about 45p/litre. Currently its about 34p/litre.
Roughly, taking all this int account, mine costs about 20p/mile when running on petrol and about 15p/mile on LPG. This equates to a saving of about £15 per tank. In other words, i've got to do about 20,000 miles to save a grand.
The petrol companies are taking the piss with LPG and coz hardly anyone uses it, no one is making a fuss. I convereted mine 3 years ago so it has more than paid for itself, but unless the LPG price gets back down to what it was a year ago, i wouldn't bother again. Cant see where any pressure is coming to shift the prices either...
So, buy a bike, change your name to Bob, and get a donor card....;)
Edited by Tuska on Tuesday 27th January 14:28
More info?
The micra is a joint car so selling is not an option. I love the Jaguar and I got it for an absolute bargain so I'm not keen on getting rid of it even though I reckon I could make a profit.
I miss the more involved driving experience that my old MR2 and Mx5's gave me. I also don't have the driveway space to get another car (live in the city) whereas I can stick a bike on the patio to work on it etc.
Good idea about the CBT but that's far too sensible for me. I'm more of an all or nothing type of guy.
EDIT: I'm well aware of the inefficiencies associated with LPG. I worked these into my calcs at a loss of 15% (Which is what other people claim to have experienced). It is definately 2.5 years at the current fuel costs at my estimated mileage.
The micra is a joint car so selling is not an option. I love the Jaguar and I got it for an absolute bargain so I'm not keen on getting rid of it even though I reckon I could make a profit.
I miss the more involved driving experience that my old MR2 and Mx5's gave me. I also don't have the driveway space to get another car (live in the city) whereas I can stick a bike on the patio to work on it etc.
Good idea about the CBT but that's far too sensible for me. I'm more of an all or nothing type of guy.
EDIT: I'm well aware of the inefficiencies associated with LPG. I worked these into my calcs at a loss of 15% (Which is what other people claim to have experienced). It is definately 2.5 years at the current fuel costs at my estimated mileage.
Edited by G_T on Tuesday 27th January 14:27
s2art said:
The clue was in the question; Scotland. How many days use do you think you will get out of a bike? Its cold and it rains a lot in Scotchland.
True.But if you're out in the country in your car during those few days of sunshine we have by God you forget the s
t weather. It's proper driving country.Gassing Station | The Pie & Piston Archive | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff