Free'ish biking

[Tank]

Looking for some free biking?

I mentioned in another thread that my wife spends $100 per week just running around the local Bays..

It got me thinking – and we went and grabbed her a little scooter (AN125 Suzuki).

After looking at the figures (albeit it in a simple manner and I did this as a quick brain dump so forgive me if there is a mistake) - here is a awesome way to save some serious $$$$

Scooter $2700 including on road cost for 6 months
Second 6 months registration to give 12 months riding $177
Insurance for year (3rd party via AMI) $27 (Yep – serious $27 – laughed my ass off)

Assuming that we don’t have a crash or have it stolen second hand values for similar types of bike are around $2200 for a 1 year old bike.

So total cost for 12 months – resale in 12 months gives a total cost of $704.

Looking at our fuel bill – we believe that we will save $40 per week minimum in petrol *. – a total saving of $2080

So the ROI on the bike is 17.5 weeks – giving me 34.5 weeks of free biking in the first year.

It gets better the second year

Second hand resale is about $1700.
Additional years rego $ 285.
Additional years insurance $27

So my total running cost to cover the second 12 months is $612 ($500 for the additional depreciation + rego + insurance). Weekly savings stay the same *.

Total cost for the 2 years is $1315 with a total saving of $4160.

Meaning that the ROI over the 2 years is 33 weeks – giving 72 weeks of free motoring.

Looking further ahead - they dont depreciate much in years 3 + 4 (say 150 per year) so this is almost free motering for both years.


***If fuel prices stay the same – if they go up the savings get better and better.

[sinfull]

(AN125 Suzuki).

.
Says it all really !

[thehollowmen]

While I've thought in similar lines, actually putting it down in figures works wonders.

Thank you.
Who knows, I might have to go shopping.

[mowgli]

You need to take a break and get out into the fresh air. Repeat after me. "Scootering is not biking". Carry on.



Nice work on the numbers though

[Tank]

Repeat after me. "Scootering is not biking". Carry on.

Yeah, yeah I know - but I gotta say it was a blast thrashing to work this morning just for a laugh. (She does her basic handling this weekend)



Nice work on the numbers though
Thanks!

[Nordy]

We factored similar numbers when looking at options for me working in town again. Worked out to a saving in fuel and parking of around 7k a year (currently drive a subaru). Definatly worth a bike.

[CookMySock]

Many days she will have to take the cage tho.. stuff to carry etc..

When I bought my 650 got it home and filled it up with gas after a 5.5hour ride.. wtf? 15 litres ?? thats not right... Check it again - yep, 15 litres. /me does the maths.. farrrrrrk 70mpg!!! It had never occurred to me - I just bought it coz I wanted it.

DB

[megageoff76]

Insurance for year (3rd party via AMI) $27 (Yep – serious $27 – laughed my ass off).

Thats the same amount they charge me for my 1100 for 3rd party.

I would have thought a scooter would have been a bit cheaper (?!) than that.

[Tank]

Many days she will have to take the cage tho.. stuff to carry etc..



We did think of that - that is why there is still $60 per week left in the above figures for cage fuel.

MOST days she goes to work and friends only. She is a professional swimming teacher - so she carries a towel and swimming shit (the scoot has a givi box).

So the $40 is a minimus saving that we can expect given basic usage only. I budgeted on the safe side.

[Tank]

Thats the same amount they charge me for my 1100 for 3rd party.

I would have thought a scooter would have been a bit cheaper (?!) than that.

probally covers the admin fee as well. Either that our Coastal East Coast Bays is classed as a high crime area.

[rocketman1]

Looking for some free biking?

I mentioned in another thread that my wife spends $100 per week just running around the local Bays..

It got me thinking – and we went and grabbed her a little scooter (AN125 Suzuki).

After looking at the figures (albeit it in a simple manner and I did this as a quick brain dump so forgive me if there is a mistake) - here is a awesome way to save some serious $$$$



***If fuel prices stay the same – if they go up the savings get better and better.
hey Tank,

Thats all good but have you sold her car to replace the bike?, if not you still have all the static costs of running a car for stuff all miles on the car, so then work out the cost / km for running the car, thats sitting at home most of the time, car rego, insurance wof and depreciation still all mostly cost the same whether you are using the car or not, works out costly to hold onto the car. Say the car cost $10K, much better to sell the car and buy a cheappie,and put the excess money in the bank, still keeping the scooter.

[Tank]

hey Tank,

Thats all good but have you sold her car to replace the bike?, if not you still have all the static costs of running a car for stuff all miles on the car, so then work out the cost / km for running the car, thats sitting at home most of the time, car rego, insurance wof and depreciation still all mostly cost the same whether you are using the car or not, works out costly to hold onto the car. Say the car cost $10K, much better to sell the car and buy a cheappie,and put the excess money in the bank, still keeping the scooter.

I know what you are saying - but we would have had those cost anyways regardless of the scooter so they are static - the above savings are only taking into account fuel and the bike 'stacking up' in its own rights.

[Swoop]

Either that or Coastal East Coast Bays is classed as a high crime area.
Quite honestly, I wouldn't be surprised if it is...

[HungusMaximist]

If you threw cash in my face, I'd buy a scooter any day. :yes:

[Devil]

Nice figures. Will be getting a scoot soon!

[Mikkel]

Scooters can be fun:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x5xgM6kRJI4

[Tank]

Scooters can be fun:

[you tube thinggie of some second rate scooter rider]



Id so own that guy racing SH16.

[cooneyr]

I think that the term free is a little wrong. Obviously it is still costing you something - it is just costing less. Cheaper travel is the more correct term.

It irks me when people say I saved lots of money by buying these 5 items on sale - wrong they just spent less per item than they would have spent at normal retail.

Also did you discount the value of the bike and the costs for future years back to NPV?

I pay with economics of transportation projects at work so I'm just pulling your leg. Good on you for actually thinking something through logically :D

There is no denning that riding a bike or scoot is cheaper than a car. I can do about 3 weeks commuting for $35ish on the bike at the moment. The car is about $60-80 for the same time and it nowhere near as much fun.

Cheers R

[Tank]

I was just revisiting this for a post on my blog and thought I would give an update.

Since the boss started riding a scooter we have found that she uses it everywhere.

Savings that we expected to be around $40 per week - have ended up becoming $60 per week.

We are extremely happy with the bike, and the savings it has brought to the weekly budget.

[madbikeboy]

Okay, so I've done the math...

1 x GSXR1000, worth maybe 10 grand.
1 x tank of gas, $30, lasts me 160 km.
1 x rear tire, $300 odd bucks, lasts perhaps 1,500 km
1 x set of leathers, $1,500
1 x helmet, $1000
1 x spare helmet, jacket, and wets, $2000

Okay, so I tried doing the math, I ride a gixer, so I'm too dumb. But, when I sat and stared at the spreadsheet, I worked out that if you include time into the equation, then the bike is ahead. If not, then the car sorta kinda works out better (something to do with excess fuel and tire consumption).

But, when it's sunny (like it is today), then all logic goes out the window and I end up riding across town on the scoot and the car sits unused...

[Mully]

1 x GSXR1000, worth maybe 10 grand.
1 x tank of gas, $30, lasts me 160 km.
1 x rear tire, $300 odd bucks, lasts perhaps 1,500 km
1 x set of leathers, $1,500
1 x helmet, $1000
1 x spare helmet, jacket, and wets, $2000


These are mostly sunk costs - as mentioned below, you still have to own the car and the bike and both have cost, regardless of whether they are used or not (purchase price, insurance, etc).

You need to just count the running costs (tyres, gas, etc).

Oh, and get a rear tyre not made out of candy floss - 300km? Yeesh.

[Forest]

Id so own that guy racing SH16.

Yeah. Who is that Valentino Rossi guy anyway...

[Tank]

Yeah. Who is that Valentino Rossi guy anyway...

Works at the local bakery - makes a fantastic steak and cheese pie.

[The Pastor]

my 3rd partys around $300 a year. 10 fold for full :D

[Oakie]

He he. If want to save real money get her a pushbike!

Nice job with the maths though. I did the same thing to justify me getting back into biking and off the buses 5 years ago.

[<Rhino>]

Mmmmm..... well done Tank, some minor adjustments and a bit of seed sowing and I might be able to use this formula to get a bigger bike....