Biking - costs?
Discussion
Got my license years back, and haven't ridden much since then (married to a woman who wouldn't let me on a bike ... now divorced 
)
Wondering on the general costs on a cheap, commuter friendly bike.
Few things to think of :
1. Insurance costs. I'm getting on a bit (38), would insurance on something up to 600cc be similar or less than I'm paying on a car (I'm paying around £300 fully comp on a Laguna)
2. Servicing .... which bikes are more reliable - always considered a CBR600 to be a good all round bike.
3. Economy. What sort of mileage can you get out of something on a gentle (not suicidal) commute to work?
Which bikes would be worth considering? Got absolutely no idea on budget at the moment though, but maybe a couple of k?
)Wondering on the general costs on a cheap, commuter friendly bike.
Few things to think of :
1. Insurance costs. I'm getting on a bit (38), would insurance on something up to 600cc be similar or less than I'm paying on a car (I'm paying around £300 fully comp on a Laguna)
2. Servicing .... which bikes are more reliable - always considered a CBR600 to be a good all round bike.
3. Economy. What sort of mileage can you get out of something on a gentle (not suicidal) commute to work?
Which bikes would be worth considering? Got absolutely no idea on budget at the moment though, but maybe a couple of k?
1. You'll definitely be able to pay less than that for a bike - I pay £220 for my VFR, and I've got zero NCB and less than a years riding experience.
2. I've been led to believe Honda are pretty much the pick of the bunch.
3. I get about 40-45mpg out of my VFR commuting - that was a 50:50 mix of fast motorway and then central London.
If you aren't too concerned about image and just want to commute then at that budget I'd be looking at a Honda Deauville (Dullville). Otherwise there is nothing wrong with a CBR6
2. I've been led to believe Honda are pretty much the pick of the bunch.
3. I get about 40-45mpg out of my VFR commuting - that was a 50:50 mix of fast motorway and then central London.
If you aren't too concerned about image and just want to commute then at that budget I'd be looking at a Honda Deauville (Dullville). Otherwise there is nothing wrong with a CBR6
UpTheIron said:
1. You'll definitely be able to pay less than that for a bike - I pay £220 for my VFR, and I've got zero NCB and less than a years riding experience.
2. I've been led to believe Honda are pretty much the pick of the bunch.
3. I get about 40-45mpg out of my VFR commuting - that was a 50:50 mix of fast motorway and then central London.
If you aren't too concerned about image and just want to commute then at that budget I'd be looking at a Honda Deauville (Dullville). Otherwise there is nothing wrong with a CBR6
Ta.2. I've been led to believe Honda are pretty much the pick of the bunch.
3. I get about 40-45mpg out of my VFR commuting - that was a 50:50 mix of fast motorway and then central London.
If you aren't too concerned about image and just want to commute then at that budget I'd be looking at a Honda Deauville (Dullville). Otherwise there is nothing wrong with a CBR6
Just done a check on the insurance, and even with zero ncb I can get an NT650 insured for less than £200! Thats without any details of immobiliser/etc. Not bad .... will have to continue saving then.
VFR750 would only come in at around £250 ....
So get a bike, cut the cars insurance costs by halving the mileage I'd be doing. Save on fuel. Have a total laugh on the way into work. Would have to get a set of leathers though.
clonmult said:
(married to a woman who wouldn't let me on a bike ... now divorced
I wonder why you got divorced :Panyway, I recently got the cbr 600 F very old one and get about 55-60mpg insurance for me is £500 TPFT 19years old and only passed my test 2 weeks ago so understandable. I would imagine it would be sub £300 for you fully comp but do some quotes to get an idea. Not sure what a service is on mine but I am having to fork out £200ish on new tyres this week.
fantastic bike the cbr =D
steven182 said:
clonmult said:
(married to a woman who wouldn't let me on a bike ... now divorced
I wonder why you got divorced :Panyway, I recently got the cbr 600 F very old one and get about 55-60mpg insurance for me is £500 TPFT 19years old and only passed my test 2 weeks ago so understandable. I would imagine it would be sub £300 for you fully comp but do some quotes to get an idea. Not sure what a service is on mine but I am having to fork out £200ish on new tyres this week.
fantastic bike the cbr =D
Its always been the CBR600 thats attracted me, and that sort of economy is absolutely stellar!
One of the guys at work was suggesting the later CBR6 as a better bet - later models went for fuel injection over carbs, which are more reliable in cooler conditions? Carb icing?
clonmult said:
One of the guys at work was suggesting the later CBR6 as a better bet - later models went for fuel injection over carbs, which are more reliable in cooler conditions? Carb icing?
More reliable starting when cold, and hot - I rarely have an issue, even when sitting in a freezing garage in winter for a month.Though I do miss the overfueling/trailing throttle backfires of carby bikes.
clonmult said:
One of the guys at work was suggesting the later CBR6 as a better bet - later models went for fuel injection over carbs, which are more reliable in cooler conditions? Carb icing?
yeppo so far haven't had trouble starting mine although it is summer well its warmer than february a bit...I think you get better mpg and performance with the injection models and you could hook up powercommanders and all that jazz to increase performance.
the later models also have a lighter frame (aluminium i think) and cooler bodywork but I still love mine and it was cheap and insurance friendly so =]
clonmult said:
Got my license years back, and haven't ridden much since then (married to a woman who wouldn't let me on a bike ... now divorced )
Wondering on the general costs on a cheap, commuter friendly bike.
Few things to think of :
1. Insurance costs. I'm getting on a bit (38), would insurance on something up to 600cc be similar or less than I'm paying on a car (I'm paying around £300 fully comp on a Laguna)
2. Servicing .... which bikes are more reliable - always considered a CBR600 to be a good all round bike.
3. Economy. What sort of mileage can you get out of something on a gentle (not suicidal) commute to work?
Which bikes would be worth considering? Got absolutely no idea on budget at the moment though, but maybe a couple of k?
Same age )Wondering on the general costs on a cheap, commuter friendly bike.
Few things to think of :
1. Insurance costs. I'm getting on a bit (38), would insurance on something up to 600cc be similar or less than I'm paying on a car (I'm paying around £300 fully comp on a Laguna)
2. Servicing .... which bikes are more reliable - always considered a CBR600 to be a good all round bike.
3. Economy. What sort of mileage can you get out of something on a gentle (not suicidal) commute to work?
Which bikes would be worth considering? Got absolutely no idea on budget at the moment though, but maybe a couple of k?
passed last year and bought a 14k mile, 2000 plate Bandit 600S for £1400, £108 tpft ideal for commuting the 20 miles each way every day I get 40 mpg at the moment, and that's from thrashing it everywhere
Definitely do it
Nimbus said:
clonmult said:
Got my license years back, and haven't ridden much since then (married to a woman who wouldn't let me on a bike ... now divorced )
Wondering on the general costs on a cheap, commuter friendly bike.
Few things to think of :
1. Insurance costs. I'm getting on a bit (38), would insurance on something up to 600cc be similar or less than I'm paying on a car (I'm paying around £300 fully comp on a Laguna)
2. Servicing .... which bikes are more reliable - always considered a CBR600 to be a good all round bike.
3. Economy. What sort of mileage can you get out of something on a gentle (not suicidal) commute to work?
Which bikes would be worth considering? Got absolutely no idea on budget at the moment though, but maybe a couple of k?
Same age )Wondering on the general costs on a cheap, commuter friendly bike.
Few things to think of :
1. Insurance costs. I'm getting on a bit (38), would insurance on something up to 600cc be similar or less than I'm paying on a car (I'm paying around £300 fully comp on a Laguna)
2. Servicing .... which bikes are more reliable - always considered a CBR600 to be a good all round bike.
3. Economy. What sort of mileage can you get out of something on a gentle (not suicidal) commute to work?
Which bikes would be worth considering? Got absolutely no idea on budget at the moment though, but maybe a couple of k?
passed last year and bought a 14k mile, 2000 plate Bandit 600S for £1400, £108 tpft ideal for commuting the 20 miles each way every day I get 40 mpg at the moment, and that's from thrashing it everywhere
Definitely do it
Doubt I'd ride that fast most of the time, so if a Bandit can get 40mpg while being thrashed. Its insurance friendly too - TPF&T would set me back less than 100 notes a year. £150 full comp ....
Set of clothes isn't too bad - a lid around £50, jeans, jacket, shoes, gloves ... all can be had around that sort of price.
Bet my mum won't be too happy, but then my dad was a biker, and she used to go everywhere with him on the back of a bike ....
AndyDRZ said:
So you don't kid yourself:
By the time you've bought the gear, paid for tyres, chains, servicing (All these items seem to come up a lot more often than on a car) The bike will not save you money....
However, it will be very very fun.
I drive a Renault Laguna.By the time you've bought the gear, paid for tyres, chains, servicing (All these items seem to come up a lot more often than on a car) The bike will not save you money....
However, it will be very very fun.
That just eats consumable. So just using that at weekends or evening for ferrying around the kids will save a huge amount on wear and tear.
On the journey to work I'm always being passed by a variety of bikes (single lane A roads). So if it cuts 10 minutes off my commute each way its worth it. Honestly, 10 minutes longer in bed would be heaven .....
Actually, I only have one problem. The front of the house isn't even slightly flat .... its very awkwardly sloped, and normally filled with the Laguna and the other housemates Impreza ....
steven182 said:
clonmult said:
Actually, I only have one problem. The front of the house isn't even slightly flat .... its very awkwardly sloped, and normally filled with the Laguna and the other housemates Impreza ....
Do you have a garage/shed?clonmult said:
steven182 said:
clonmult said:
Actually, I only have one problem. The front of the house isn't even slightly flat .... its very awkwardly sloped, and normally filled with the Laguna and the other housemates Impreza ....
Do you have a garage/shed?steven182 said:
clonmult said:
steven182 said:
clonmult said:
Actually, I only have one problem. The front of the house isn't even slightly flat .... its very awkwardly sloped, and normally filled with the Laguna and the other housemates Impreza ....
Do you have a garage/shed?It'll be a little bit before I can actually go for it though. Maybe in what counts for "autumn", bike prices may be a little lower then?
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