Small car or motorbike?

Small car or motorbike?

Author
Discussion

dave0010

Original Poster:

1,405 posts

176 months

Sunday 23rd January 2011
quotequote all
So guys, I recently have got myself a new job whoop.

I now need to either get a small diesel car or motorbike for the daily commute, with the weeks total mileage between 200-300 miles.

So guys what would you do, buy a car or bike ( budget is maximum of 2k ).

Have found a few diesel fiesta's and a few cheap bandits but am asking here because of the wealth of knowledge, there must be people who have faced the same dilemma.

P.S this is purely a commuter and performance does not come into the equation, just mpg, reliability and cost.

Fivey

1,215 posts

196 months

Sunday 23rd January 2011
quotequote all
Bike nuff said.

R1 Loon

26,988 posts

192 months

Sunday 23rd January 2011
quotequote all
Bike, as long as you don't mind being very cold for a few months of the year, it'll be a bit cheaper, but not much when you factor in tyres, more frequent servicing, protective kit etc.

The time saving is the best aspect for a commuter compared to a car.

Rob_F

4,134 posts

279 months

Sunday 23rd January 2011
quotequote all
Depends entirely on the roads. If it's fairly free flowing motorway or A-roads i've have the car, in town i'd take the bike.

One thing I would say is bike's never seem as cheap to buy/run as you think they would becompared to a car given they are 1/5th the size and have half the number of wheels.

Night Runner

12,320 posts

209 months

Sunday 23rd January 2011
quotequote all

brillomaster

1,509 posts

185 months

Sunday 23rd January 2011
quotequote all
surely a car if you ever planning taking anyone or anything anywhere, plus they're safer and a lot warmer and drier!

200-300 miles a week on a bike would begin to grate unless you actually like riding - cant imagine doing it a week when its raining constantly. get a nice small diesel and a decent radio.

Adam_W

1,096 posts

215 months

Sunday 23rd January 2011
quotequote all
125cc bike... so long as you dont have any roads that are 60+ mph

Caruso

7,497 posts

271 months

Sunday 23rd January 2011
quotequote all
Depends on the journey and availability of parking where you work.

I commute by motorbike, but it's entirely because of the journey time and cost of parking. I don't mind the winter weather too much, except if it's icy. It's ok if you've got the right gear, but you'll need to budget £300 for that alone.

If I'm honest I would say that if I could park for free I would rather take the car a lot of the time.

dave0010

Original Poster:

1,405 posts

176 months

Sunday 23rd January 2011
quotequote all
hi guys,

I already have most of the gear as have a had a few bikes, roads are A roads and duel carriageway but the A roads are terrible for traffic in the morning and evening.

Parking at new job is provided as is changing room facility so a swap into work clothes is available.

The only reason I'm thinking bike instead of a car is most diesel cars below 2k have a huge mileage attached to them, if i could find something with a low mileage for its age then a car would be preferred.

XitUp

7,690 posts

219 months

Sunday 23rd January 2011
quotequote all
Night Runner said:
I'd go for that.

Night Runner

12,320 posts

209 months

Sunday 23rd January 2011
quotequote all
XitUp said:
Night Runner said:
I'd go for that.
Don't forget- it's LPG too.

shovelheadrob

1,564 posts

186 months

Sunday 23rd January 2011
quotequote all
Night Runner said:
XitUp said:
Night Runner said:
I'd go for that.
Don't forget- it's LPG too.
I don't know where he is getting LPG at 65p a litre though it has gone up to 75-80p most places now