To ride or to drive, that is the question.

[kneescraper]

It might be a bit silly to ask this question in a biker forum but there must be some un-bais people in here.

In a years time I will have to complete around 1000kms every 2nd weekend for 5 months. The 1000kms is all open road riding...the reason for this is not important :woohoo:

Any who, would you ride or drive (bike or car)...I really want to ride but am alittle worried about not making it because of other morons on the road (get my drift). Once I deicde one which mode of transport I will be using I can not change to the other...:).

Would you trust yourself, bike, enviroment and other road users to make this trip this many times. Or would you have to have a metal barrier around you (cage)?

[avgas]

to be honest with you - if i could and it was more convieniant i would be on the bike for every trip.
As it stands, i have a g/f who doesnt want to get wet/cold, a laptop that is required for work (along with formal dress code at work) and a company car with fuel card. So i keep the riding for the afterhours.
as long as you stick to safe limits - "commuting" on a bike can be quite fun.

[R6_kid]

A 500km trip either way is a fair decent distance to travel.

To be honest I would say that the reason for travelling the distance is important. Riding is generally more physically draining than driving a car, and you are also at the mercy of the elements when it comes to the condition you are in when you arrive at the destination.

Personally if I would drive, assuming that it was going to be cost-effective enough. There is nothing worse than arriving at your destination after 5hrs + of riding, soaked through, cold and tired, and then having to start work/socialise with people. And for the return, if it's been a bad weekend and you then have to gear up knowing that you have a 6hr ride in the wet ahead of you it can bring you down, and thats not a good head space to be in when travelling long distances. Also if you are tired you can always pull over and sleep for a bit in the car, tough luck on the bike.

[JMemonic]

It does not matter with regards to the damage other morons on the road can potentially do whether you ride or drive a cage, I am making an assumption here that when you say other morons on the road you were not considering yourself as a moron? ;).

Take what you prefer and enjoy life :), consider road conditions and weather etc then decide on what to take on the day.

[avgas]

try it once - if you dont like it use a car

[Dave Lobster]

Who's paying for the petrol?
How much gear do you need to carry?
Is there a rush for your trips?

[kneescraper]

Ahhh R6 Kid, you make many a good points :)

I will be working away from home for this time and will travel home on a Friday night (500kms) and ride back Sunday night (500kms) so most riding will be done at night..

I spose a car would be the best way, just interesting to get others views on these things!

[Oakie]

Depends if you want to have a memorable trip or if you just want it to be a comfortable trip.

Wayward road users will ruin your day if you're in a car too remember ... just not as much.

[<Rhino>]

I would look at the weather and probebly take the bike every other trip maybe every third or somthing like that.

try it a couple of times and see how you feel at the end of it. Even though I commute rain or shine coz i have too, i would only do a trip like that in forcast fair weather! (I know you can't really trust them, but in summer it should be ok) <_<

[Griffin]

Trip of that distance on a regular basis - Id be flying. Cantstand being in a car for that length of time and although I commute on the bike I wouldnt want to ride it that long and often that it became a chore...

[Trudes]

I would decide about two hours before having to leave from your house based on general mood, weather, health etc. Sometimes you just can't be arsed and want to sit back in the car and dribble along with the radio on, and other times you may feel like going for a ride etc. Just go with the flow bro!:yes:

[<Rhino>]

I would decide about two hours before having to leave from your house based on general mood, weather, health etc. Sometimes you just can't be arsed and want to sit back in the car and dribble along with the radio on, and other times you may feel like going for a ride etc. Just go with the flow bro!:yes:

Actually thats pretty good advice, so is griffins idea of flying if you can afford it!!:scooter:

[Mom]

PM Unit. She has been doing a big regular trip like that for a while now, she can give you the reality of it.

Most of the trip at night, tired from working one way, and hard to be leaving the other? Weather and this considered, if you cant pick and choose between bike or car, I am going to say take the car.

terrible thing to say

[kneescraper]

I wont be flying, the cost is to high at this time also I dont mind driving for that distance...kind like seeing the different parts that NZ has to offer... Because of the money side of things I wont beable to afford both a car and bike...so thats why Im racking my brain trying to make up my choice early on.

[smoky]

I have a bike for the sheer fun and exhilaration of riding, as soon as it becomes a ‘have to’ or ‘only option’ then it looses it’s appeal for me.
1000 K’s every second weekend will certainly increase the chances of being involved in an accident statistically. Mind you it would also give you a lot of experience and should improve your riding.
I’d use a car

[Matt Bleck]

Ride......

[Maki]

Enjoy riding your bike for fun, not because you have to get somewhere 500k away in all weathers and at night. That does not sound like fun to me. It sounds risky, tiring and potentially very inconvenient because your are bound to have some mechanical issue when you least want it...

Use a car and get a bike when you can afford to.

[kneescraper]

Mind you it would also give you a lot of experience and should improve your riding.


This is my thought...I am/was trying to look at it from a adventure side of view but am also shitting bricks 'cause of other morons (not me...well I hope not) on the road.

But like what has been said eailer in this thread...it increases the chances of me ending up hanging with the worms 6ft under!

[swbarnett]

For myself it would be the bike, no question.

However, I'm a bit of a nut when it comes to weather. I don't mind getting wet now and then on a long ride and if it turns really nasty I just take it easy and enjoy it anyway (having the right gear helps).

Largely I think it comes down to how passionate you are about your riding. If you can't see yourself without a bike, ride. If you can you might be better off driving as you won't enjoy the ride as much.

You might also want to work out how much petrol you'd use in a car (and don't forget maintenance costs) and then look at the air fares. You may find the airfare is cheaper depending on your start and end points.

[Mom]

But like what has been said eailer in this thread...it increases the chances of me ending up hanging with the worms 6ft under!


I dont agree with that.

But, it will increase your chances of making a mistake while riding if you are tired etc (you cant factor dick head car drivers into this equation, they exist anywhere, anytime). It will also no doubt reduce the "enjoyability" of your riding experience having no choice, if you are sick or the weather is really crap etc.

Just to play devils advocate here though, good gear, good attitude and a "bring it on" sense of humour will ensure you become a very skilled and experienced rider for sure.

[swbarnett]

having no choice, if you are sick or the weather is really crap etc.
In light of this you may want to have a backup plan for not coming home on the odd weekend (bike or car). I presume your accommodation isn't just weekdays?

[kneescraper]

I like the way you think Mom, mmmm...I should have worded it different before. I can afford a car and bike but If I was to travel that distance I would spend the money on a very decent bike...

[scracha]

hmm...to be honest, for long boring runs I tend to take the car. Used to do it all on the bike but that was in my yoof and I couldn't afford both. There's nothing exhilarating about a 500km commute every Friday night, regardless of the type of car or bike. Plus it just fuck up your tyres, chain & sprocket, etc etc. Crank up the stereo and cruise along.

Take the bike when you feel like it and you'll appreciate it more.

[Mom]

In light of this you may want to have a backup plan for not coming home on the odd weekend (bike or car). I presume your accommodation isn't just weekdays?

Good call!

[kneescraper]

Yeah I could stay over the weekend...if the weather was real crap!

[swbarnett]

Have you looked into the bus? My wife used it a couple of times between Auckland and Hamilton while she was waiting for new brake disks and found it to be cheap, comfortable and timely.

[jrandom]

I'd fuckin' pedal it.

:rockon:

[nallac]

um let me think about it............
ride ma bike or
is there another option????.

I'd definatly go the bike way.

[marty]

how will you carry all your uniform on the bike?

[Bikernereid]

I can't speak as a rider but I used to do similar long journeys on a very regular basis and I would plump for a car. If you get tired and want to take a nap for safety reasons you can do this so much easier in and in comfort in a car.

Am doing a very long trip with OWNER next weeked to go to BSB. We decided that as he will have been working a very long day it would make more sense, not be so cold and be more enjoyable and safer for us to go on the Sat morning. We are lucky that we have the option to go on the Sat morning. If we had to do this trip on the Friday night I would drive us up for sure.

At the end of the day it is your choice but IMHO I would plump for a car especially if you will have to do this trip in the winter.

[awayatc]

...kind like seeing the different parts that NZ has to offer....

Thought you be doing the traveling at night...?

Car is transport......rational decision
Bike is hobby......emotional decision

I would drive......
keep my riding for when I WANT to ride a bike....not because you HAVE to get from A to B....