~looks left, looks right~ Thinking of become a power ranger
Discussion
So after 8 years of performance car ownership I've started to "Think Bike" as it were.
With both insurance and fuel costs rising rapidly I'm thinking about selling off my daily driver 300hp MR2 Turbo, buying a diesel slag to run daily, and then doing my bike test and getting a weekend toy.
There's a place nearby I can do the Get On scheme free ride to see if its really for me or not, and I'm blown away at how little the insurance would be!
Thinking about a 400 for my first bike. Insurance on say a CBR400RR is £283 for my first year which really surprised me.
Am I nuts?
Keen to hear from anyone else who has ditched performance cars for some 2 wheeled madness!
With both insurance and fuel costs rising rapidly I'm thinking about selling off my daily driver 300hp MR2 Turbo, buying a diesel slag to run daily, and then doing my bike test and getting a weekend toy.
There's a place nearby I can do the Get On scheme free ride to see if its really for me or not, and I'm blown away at how little the insurance would be!
Thinking about a 400 for my first bike. Insurance on say a CBR400RR is £283 for my first year which really surprised me.
Am I nuts?
Keen to hear from anyone else who has ditched performance cars for some 2 wheeled madness!
Edited by Marf on Monday 21st March 14:30
Marf said:
Am I nuts?
Keen to hear from anyone else who has ditched performance cars for some 2 wheeled madness!
You are not nuts. You are enlightened. Keen to hear from anyone else who has ditched performance cars for some 2 wheeled madness!
I had a Lotus Elise which I sold to get onto two wheels; don't regret it at all. It's not about the cost to me, it's simply that biking is much more involving and rewarding.
I always fancied giving motorbikes a go - when I was a bit older (35 now) - but I knew for sure that it was for me when I was on my CBT - I "opened up" the little 125 on a NSL twisty and beamed from ear to ear
As you say, have a go via the GetOn scheme and you'll know whether or not it's for you. I'm sure you'll notice the difference at the petrol pump, if nothing else!
Efbe said:
have you ridden before?
No, never. Not ridden a pushbike in years either.Hence why I want to do the Get On scheme to see if it's really for me.
I guess you're getting at my choice of bikes? What cheap (£1-2k) bike would people reccomend as a first bike?
Bearing in mind I'm 30 and have got all my "drive like a tw-tiness" out of my system.
Sossige said:
I always fancied giving motorbikes a go - when I was a bit older (35 now) - but I knew for sure that it was for me when I was on my CBT - I "opened up" the little 125 on a NSL twisty and beamed from ear to ear
That's what I want to get back, as fun as my MR2 is, its a bit detached and not as raw as my previous cars, I want to get the adrenaline rush again!Sossige said:
I'm sure you'll notice the difference at the petrol pump, if nothing else!
That would be most welcome!!Go for it! Personally I would get a 10 year old 600cc sports bike if you like that type of bike (GSXR600, R6, etc) rather than a 400.
Most of the 400's are pushing 20 years old and are knackered. If they are tidy, they pull more than £2K.
Lots of value in the older 600cc market.
Otherwise, as you are likely to drop it, can't really beat SV650's and Honda Hornets without fairings for first bikes to learn the ropes on. Lots of fun at sane speeds.
Most of the 400's are pushing 20 years old and are knackered. If they are tidy, they pull more than £2K.
Lots of value in the older 600cc market.
Otherwise, as you are likely to drop it, can't really beat SV650's and Honda Hornets without fairings for first bikes to learn the ropes on. Lots of fun at sane speeds.
Whatever you do, when you've decided it is the right thing for you (you're a big girls blouse if it isn't 
) make sure you do the DAS based approach so that you're not limited to 33bhp for two years.
Agree with the views on getting a 600 / 650 too, much better choice, although £2k will limit this a bit.
) make sure you do the DAS based approach so that you're not limited to 33bhp for two years.Agree with the views on getting a 600 / 650 too, much better choice, although £2k will limit this a bit.
Had a Cayman S.
Got my bike licence. Got a Hornet. Within 8 months got CBR600RR.
Sold Cayman.
Bikes just give so much more bang per buck, you feel what you are doing, over take and filter much easier etc etc.
Trackdays are much cheaper on a bike and more friendly too as the garages are just that much more packed with people.
Mistakes on a bike can be unforgiving tho...
Would still like a *fast car* but I know it would just sit there in summer and in winter it would be a salt encrusted depreciating lump of worry.
Got my bike licence. Got a Hornet. Within 8 months got CBR600RR.
Sold Cayman.
Bikes just give so much more bang per buck, you feel what you are doing, over take and filter much easier etc etc.
Trackdays are much cheaper on a bike and more friendly too as the garages are just that much more packed with people.
Mistakes on a bike can be unforgiving tho...
Would still like a *fast car* but I know it would just sit there in summer and in winter it would be a salt encrusted depreciating lump of worry.
Marf said:
Sossige said:
I'm sure you'll notice the difference at the petrol pump, if nothing else!
That would be most welcome!!I remember thinking to myself at the time - that waving that receipt under the noses of the drivers spending £60+ to fill up their tanks would surely be a convincing argument to get more people onto two wheels.
I suspect more and more performance car drivers are considering this of late. I’ve been at it for 2 years and never looked back. My bike is primarily for commuting and for fun when the weather gets better, the car is the work horse and for doing everything that the bike can’t. I had some nice cars in my time but since having a bike getting a performance car is just an itch that has never returned.
I look at this way, on the roads where I live I could have whatever car I wanted but would still be held up by traffic. On a bike traffic slows your progress down a fraction of what it would in a car.
Bikes aren’t without their draw backs, mainly this countries weather doesn’t help matters but when the sun is shinning just makes it more special. Some of us are all year round bikers. I’ve got used to the cold, rain, ice and snow now but this kind of biking isn’t for everyone. Pretty much decided in future the bike is going away between November and February from now on.
Do it and enjoy.
I was in a similar spot, even had an MR2 Turbo, had been thinking for years that I'd like to get a bike, but always told myself that I'd get hurt and made excuses not to do it. Got to 27 and thought I'd actually get round to doing it as I wasn't a liability in the car and I wouldn't want to regret not doing it in years to come.
Sold the car shortly after passing my test and got myself a CBR600 and haven't looked back since (concentrating too hard on what's in front of me!).
As suggested above, a 600 is a good starting point and plenty quick enough to be getting on with.
Sold the car shortly after passing my test and got myself a CBR600 and haven't looked back since (concentrating too hard on what's in front of me!).
As suggested above, a 600 is a good starting point and plenty quick enough to be getting on with.
Not owned any crazy fast cars myself, the best being a 330ci. A mate has an E55 AMG with 550bhp and whilst nice and fast, it's still not in the same league as the R1. You wont look back if it's the performance you're after, but you'll not be laughing when it's peeing down and cold...it's not a lot of fun then.
Remember if you're spending say 2k on the bike, you'll end up spending another grand on all the gear.
Remember if you're spending say 2k on the bike, you'll end up spending another grand on all the gear.
Marf said:
So after 8 years of performance car ownership I've started to "Think Bike" as it were.
With both insurance and fuel costs rising rapidly I'm thinking about selling off my daily driver 300hp MR2 Turbo, buying a diesel slag to run daily, and then doing my bike test and getting a weekend toy.
Just a point, as you talking fuel costs. My SV ranges between 44 and 66mpg, which at worst is as good as my MB2 Civic gets at best, but the maintenance is looking like it is going to be much more. Yes it won't have a major service everytime, but the service interval is half what the car is and needs much labour, the cars major service was cheaper then the bike. But I guess cheaper than a 300 horse MR2. With both insurance and fuel costs rising rapidly I'm thinking about selling off my daily driver 300hp MR2 Turbo, buying a diesel slag to run daily, and then doing my bike test and getting a weekend toy.
Chilli said:
Rawwr said:
Chilli said:
Remember if you're spending say 2k on the bike, you'll end up spending another grand on all the assless chaps and lube.
Good to know the costs though, I had in my head £800-1000 for the gear.
Willy Nilly said:
Yes it won't have a major service everytime, but the service interval is half what the car is and needs much labour, the cars major service was cheaper then the bike. But I guess cheaper than a 300 horse MR2.
The MR2 isnt that bad really, I do it all so it's just parts costs. Oil change twice a year £100 total
K&N gets washed and oiled once a year £15 for the refurb kit which lasts 3 or 4 cleans
set of sparks once a year £20
leads/dizzy cap/rotor arm each year(bit excessive but ignition bits aren't known for lasting on a Two). £150
With regards to servicing a bike, what's involved over and above a car?
I do most mechanical work on my car myself, so I'm not afraid to get stuck in.
Willy Nilly said:
Just a point, as you talking fuel costs. My SV ranges between 44 and 66mpg
Nice. Really with the MR2 it's the fuel costs that are stinging. 24-26mpg on the commute at £1.44/l is becoming frustrating.Edited by Marf on Monday 21st March 18:11
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