Considering getting a bike
Discussion
Yo
I am seriously considering getting a motorbike to get to work in.
As a rough guide - my journey is about 15 miles - about 12miles motorway and the rest city roads on each end. The mai nreason I am considering a biek is to save time and money.
Couple of questions..
1) I have always been afraid of getting a bike due to safety - will I die?
2) Another annoyance I can forsee is having to weather all the safey equipment - what is the bare minumum needed? Bearing in mind I don;t wnat to go to work all sweaty
3) I will probably want a bike powerful enough to go on the motorway but doesnt have to be mega big or pwoerful and it has to be as cheap as possible (and look cool obviously) - any recommendations?
4) How much fuel can be saved with a motorbike i ncomaprison to soemthign liek a 1.25 Fiesta?
Any other info?
I am seriously considering getting a motorbike to get to work in.
As a rough guide - my journey is about 15 miles - about 12miles motorway and the rest city roads on each end. The mai nreason I am considering a biek is to save time and money.
Couple of questions..
1) I have always been afraid of getting a bike due to safety - will I die?
2) Another annoyance I can forsee is having to weather all the safey equipment - what is the bare minumum needed? Bearing in mind I don;t wnat to go to work all sweaty
3) I will probably want a bike powerful enough to go on the motorway but doesnt have to be mega big or pwoerful and it has to be as cheap as possible (and look cool obviously) - any recommendations?
4) How much fuel can be saved with a motorbike i ncomaprison to soemthign liek a 1.25 Fiesta?
Any other info?
[quote]
1) I have always been afraid of getting a bike due to safety - will I die?
[/quote]
U might, but then crossing the road you might. getting into the bath and slip. But it took me 10 years to do my Direct access and if i knew then what I do know I would have done it years ago. makes you a better rider/driver and more aware of other
[quote]
2) Another annoyance I can forsee is having to weather all the safey equipment - what is the bare minumum needed? Bearing in mind I don;t wnat to go to work all sweaty
[/quote]
Most textile's can be waterproof and not to warm in summer, many are very well vented. If u use the bike everyday you really need textiles first. but I feel safer in leathers.
[quote]
3) I will probably want a bike powerful enough to go on the motorway but doesnt have to be mega big or pwoerful and it has to be as cheap as possible (and look cool obviously) - any recommendations?
[quote]
if you driver a 1.25 zetec fiesta then even a 125cc bike will be very fast. my old FZS fazer 600 was much faster than my Tiger kit car. you want fast but comfy for motorways then Fazers are 1 choice.
[quote]
4) How much fuel can be saved with a motorbike i ncomaprison to soemthign liek a 1.25 Fiesta?
[/quote]
I go like a bat out of hell often. not always and have got avarage 50.4 MPG on my 1050cc Speed triple over the last 1500miles. my computer reads MPG when your on a run and if gental can get 65+mpg
plus it costs only £66 for over 600CC I think. well thats how much my triple costs me
1) I have always been afraid of getting a bike due to safety - will I die?
[/quote]
U might, but then crossing the road you might. getting into the bath and slip. But it took me 10 years to do my Direct access and if i knew then what I do know I would have done it years ago. makes you a better rider/driver and more aware of other
[quote]
2) Another annoyance I can forsee is having to weather all the safey equipment - what is the bare minumum needed? Bearing in mind I don;t wnat to go to work all sweaty
[/quote]
Most textile's can be waterproof and not to warm in summer, many are very well vented. If u use the bike everyday you really need textiles first. but I feel safer in leathers.
[quote]
3) I will probably want a bike powerful enough to go on the motorway but doesnt have to be mega big or pwoerful and it has to be as cheap as possible (and look cool obviously) - any recommendations?
[quote]
if you driver a 1.25 zetec fiesta then even a 125cc bike will be very fast. my old FZS fazer 600 was much faster than my Tiger kit car. you want fast but comfy for motorways then Fazers are 1 choice.
[quote]
4) How much fuel can be saved with a motorbike i ncomaprison to soemthign liek a 1.25 Fiesta?
[/quote]
I go like a bat out of hell often. not always and have got avarage 50.4 MPG on my 1050cc Speed triple over the last 1500miles. my computer reads MPG when your on a run and if gental can get 65+mpg
plus it costs only £66 for over 600CC I think. well thats how much my triple costs me
by the way are motor cycle drivers SUPPOSED to drive in between cars? i.e take up a space in between 2 cars liek a normal car woudl or are they meant to drive side by side (And basically overtake all the time) as my experience has been o nthem most of the time!
with regards to clothing - can you wear your normal shoes and trosuers normally?
soem of my friends were moped drivers but that is different to driving on the motorway obviously.
with regards to clothing - can you wear your normal shoes and trosuers normally?
soem of my friends were moped drivers but that is different to driving on the motorway obviously.
Couple of questions..
1) will I die?- YES everyone will die, I can't predict the future though to tell you if it will happen on a bike, probability wise 30-40% more likely to die if in a crash on a bike than in a car
2) what is the bare minumum needed? - legally just a helmet, (crash or safety-which ever you prefer to call it), though sweatyness is preferable to road rash, so more is recommended
3) I will probably want a bike powerful enough- do you intend to do the full motorcycle test, (changes to the test due in october)
4) How much fuel can be saved with a motorbike incomparison to soemthing like a 1.25 Fiesta?- depends what bike and how it's riden, though bikes will also need a little more maintainance
1) will I die?- YES everyone will die, I can't predict the future though to tell you if it will happen on a bike, probability wise 30-40% more likely to die if in a crash on a bike than in a car
2) what is the bare minumum needed? - legally just a helmet, (crash or safety-which ever you prefer to call it), though sweatyness is preferable to road rash, so more is recommended
3) I will probably want a bike powerful enough- do you intend to do the full motorcycle test, (changes to the test due in october)
4) How much fuel can be saved with a motorbike incomparison to soemthing like a 1.25 Fiesta?- depends what bike and how it's riden, though bikes will also need a little more maintainance
mouk786 said:
by the way are motor cycle drivers SUPPOSED to drive in between cars? i.e take up a space in between 2 cars liek a normal car woudl or are they meant to drive side by side (And basically overtake all the time) as my experience has been o nthem most of the time!
with regards to clothing - can you wear your normal shoes and trosuers normally?
soem of my friends were moped drivers but that is different to driving on the motorway obviously.
"filtering" is perfectly legal, ie on a motorway between slow moving traffic.with regards to clothing - can you wear your normal shoes and trosuers normally?
soem of my friends were moped drivers but that is different to driving on the motorway obviously.
aslong as you have a helmet on you can wear whatever you like, though self preservation should tell you to get the right stuff for riding.
Put it this way- a while ago someone did a post about coming off their bike whilst in full biking gear, whilst in the hospital getting checked over a moped rider came in having also fallen off- I'll let you guess who left the hospital first and in less pain.
If your thinking of wearing normal clothes when on a bike go and do a cbt and see if you still think that it's agood idea
Edited by Brite spark on Monday 14th July 19:02
mouk786 said:
Yo
I am seriously considering getting a motorbike to get to work in.
As a rough guide - my journey is about 15 miles - about 12miles motorway and the rest city roads on each end. The mai nreason I am considering a biek is to save time and money.
Couple of questions..
1) I have always been afraid of getting a bike due to safety - will I die?
2) Another annoyance I can forsee is having to weather all the safey equipment - what is the bare minumum needed? Bearing in mind I don;t wnat to go to work all sweaty
3) I will probably want a bike powerful enough to go on the motorway but doesnt have to be mega big or pwoerful and it has to be as cheap as possible (and look cool obviously) - any recommendations?
4) How much fuel can be saved with a motorbike i ncomaprison to soemthign liek a 1.25 Fiesta?
Any other info?
1. Eventually, yes. We all are. Your much more likely to die on the roads on a bike than in a car.I am seriously considering getting a motorbike to get to work in.
As a rough guide - my journey is about 15 miles - about 12miles motorway and the rest city roads on each end. The mai nreason I am considering a biek is to save time and money.
Couple of questions..
1) I have always been afraid of getting a bike due to safety - will I die?
2) Another annoyance I can forsee is having to weather all the safey equipment - what is the bare minumum needed? Bearing in mind I don;t wnat to go to work all sweaty
3) I will probably want a bike powerful enough to go on the motorway but doesnt have to be mega big or pwoerful and it has to be as cheap as possible (and look cool obviously) - any recommendations?
4) How much fuel can be saved with a motorbike i ncomaprison to soemthign liek a 1.25 Fiesta?
Any other info?
2. From a legal standpoint: A helmet. However from both a safety and practicality perspective you're going to want: leathers/textiles (two piece for practicality), boots, gloves. Maybe an uprated back protector and armour, depending on the quality of your gear. Ear plugs.
3. Anything 500cc upwards will do you.
4. Most will be more economical. Many will cost more to run (short service intervals, consumables etc)
You won't want to wear your work trousers and shoes, not just the safety aspect, but you'll get them wet or dirty or both.
UpTheIron said:
mouk786 said:
Thanks for the replies
the element of having to wear so much extra gear is going to be a massive stumbling block for me i think!
Why? I leave my suit at work and get changed when I arrive. Takes less than 5 mins.the element of having to wear so much extra gear is going to be a massive stumbling block for me i think!
I have a way of getting to work without having to go on the motorway
I guess I coudl always get a scooter or something
does a scooter have any benefits over a normal bike??? all the yungsters seem to be riding around on scooters with only their normal clothign and a helmet on.
i realise i cannot go on the motorway with the scooter tho.
I guess I coudl always get a scooter or something
does a scooter have any benefits over a normal bike??? all the yungsters seem to be riding around on scooters with only their normal clothign and a helmet on.
i realise i cannot go on the motorway with the scooter tho.
[quote=mouk786]
all the yungsters seem to be riding around on scooters with only their normal clothign and a helmet on.
quote]
simply, they do it because they are t
ts, simply. come off and slide along the raod at any decent speed and don't think you will be coming home without surgery,or a new elbow etc...
I've come off at 25MPH in thw wet and slid about 20 feet. if it was not for my jacket.
But if you want to take the risk thats up to you. its legal just to wear a lid as posted before
all the yungsters seem to be riding around on scooters with only their normal clothign and a helmet on.
quote]
simply, they do it because they are t
ts, simply. come off and slide along the raod at any decent speed and don't think you will be coming home without surgery,or a new elbow etc...I've come off at 25MPH in thw wet and slid about 20 feet. if it was not for my jacket.
But if you want to take the risk thats up to you. its legal just to wear a lid as posted before
Will you die? Doesn't sound like you care about your safety and just about your looks?? If you're gonna travel any distance get some decent gear, textiles over your work gear or keep stuff at work to change in to and have leathers. Textiles with decent armour work better for work as an all year round option.
An off at 45 on a scooter hurts as much (and leaves the same gravel rash) as an off at 45 on a big bike on a big road. The reason that kids don't wear any decent gear is because they still think they are immortal, let them see school/work friends of the same or younger age die and they'll soon realise they're not.
If you're that bothered about what your image is WTF are you doing considering a moped or in fact driving a Fiesta?
An off at 45 on a scooter hurts as much (and leaves the same gravel rash) as an off at 45 on a big bike on a big road. The reason that kids don't wear any decent gear is because they still think they are immortal, let them see school/work friends of the same or younger age die and they'll soon realise they're not.
If you're that bothered about what your image is WTF are you doing considering a moped or in fact driving a Fiesta?
mouk786 said:
bugger it, this pipe dream is over!
i'll stick to being stuck in the traffic in my fiesta or moving house!
Glad to hear it, no offence intended but I'd rather not have people like you on bikes, stick to your cars. IMO choosing to ride a bike shouldn't just be about practicality and getting to work quicker, there's so much more to motorcycling than typical cage drivers will ever understand. Most PHers excluded of course i'll stick to being stuck in the traffic in my fiesta or moving house!
In answer to your question....getting a bike/scooter is a FAR quicker, cheaper and a more enjoyable way of getting to work....i live near uxbridge and travel to central london every day(A40)i was a car driver who wanted a more practical way of doing the commute,so CBT and scooter me up!!
having done the trip for a year on a scooter and wanting to move further out i decided to get a big boys bike, to be honest the scooter was just quick over the 18 miles as most of the journey is thru traffic..its just nice to have the extra acceleration!!
-will you die???...........who knows!! all i do know is.. you drive car like a tt you'll die.. you ride a bike like a tt your more likely to die..........DONT DRIVE LIKE A tt!!
- I drive in with my work shirt and trousers on with textile waterproofs on leave my tie and shoes at work..job dun..I save an hour a day travel(at least) and about £750 a year
having done the trip for a year on a scooter and wanting to move further out i decided to get a big boys bike, to be honest the scooter was just quick over the 18 miles as most of the journey is thru traffic..its just nice to have the extra acceleration!!
-will you die???...........who knows!! all i do know is.. you drive car like a t
t you'll die.. you ride a bike like a tt your more likely to die..........DONT DRIVE LIKE A tt!!- I drive in with my work shirt and trousers on with textile waterproofs on leave my tie and shoes at work..job dun..I save an hour a day travel(at least) and about £750 a year
Gassing Station | Biker Banter | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff