Maybe I shouldn't have... In 2012 year to date, I've spent $3040 on gas (1366L) in just the BMW, which includes almost no commuting, which the CB900 does. Granted, it's given me about 24,000km but that's $3k I'm still missing (I'm not even digging up my costs for tyres and servicing... maybe if I want to feel suicidal)
Originally Posted by Marius Elvenwood So, would we say that it all depends on what vehicle we are using? A small bike (usually) consumes less petrol than a large bike. A car consumes more than a bike. A bus, meanwhile, would consume more petrol than a car and costs more in the end. You're looking at it the wrong way... Put one person on a small bike and you might use 3 litres per person per 100 km. My Falcon 4 up uses 2.5 litres per person per 100 km. Take a decent sized bus and you're talking maybe 0.5 litres per person per 100 km. And once you work out that the fuel cost is only ever 30-40% of the total running cost...you're getting close. Anyway, most of us ride bikes because we want to, not because they are a cheap form of transport...
Originally Posted by Marius Elvenwood So, would we say that it all depends on what vehicle we are using? A small bike (usually) consumes less petrol than a large bike. A car consumes more than a bike. A bus, meanwhile, would consume more petrol than a car and costs more in the end. An economical car uses less than some bikes. They're getting damn economical, but there is no sense comparing some slug to a sportsbike...
So, would we say that it all depends on what vehicle we are using? A small bike (usually) consumes less petrol than a large bike. A car consumes more than a bike. A bus, meanwhile, would consume more petrol than a car and costs more in the end.
Interesting Discussion. I used a GN250 for commuting for a few years. It would do 28km to a litre of gas, I changed the oil every 3000k & had it serviced as per the warrenty, the only mods were a bigger bulb in the headlight & a decent rear chain & rear tyre. The only issues were a lack of power on the motorway & staying dry in the rain. By comparision a toyota vitz does 16k/litre, is more expensive to buy & service, but has cheaper rego I hardly ever used buses or trains as they never seem to have a decent timetable or go where I want to go.
Public transport is way cheaper than a bike...if you're being realistic For the first 50,000 kms, my 2008 GSX750F has cost near enough to 50 cents a km to operate. That is taking into account minor modifications, all servicing, tyres, rego, insurance, plus fuel of course. Ironically, petrol works out to maybe around 10 cents per km. Compare that to my 2008 Ford Falcon XR6, now at 70,000 kms and so far at around 65 cents a km all inclusive. I like the car, but the bike is a more soulful experience...unless it's pissing down with rain, then the bike stays in the garage So when I hear someone saying that bikes are a cheap form of transport I just giggle to myself and let them dream their little dream!
Originally Posted by Gremlin Dangerous to see a motorbike as pure cheap transport, as it isn't really, when you factor in the gear, servicing and maintenance and whether you run into any issues. More dangerous when the bug bites and you want more power... which strangely costs even more, but then, you don't care. Then you start riding more, which burns more gas, and suddenly you're addicted and the bus would be cheaper Still, enjoy, and we'll wait until you stop counting your distance! I stopped counting after about 10 hours, and I have no clue now... think I've done more that 250,000km in 7.5 years, so the bug has well and truly got me I do dread the day when I can't put the servicing off any longer. And maintenance too for that matter... As for being addicted, I'm not sure how long that will take, or even if i'll get completely hooked at all! Here's hoping. It seems that nobody really stops counting, do they? But I will enjoy the time I spend on the road here and now, not how many kilometers are behind me, or ahead. Cheers Gremlin.
Originally Posted by vifferman When I started my current job in January, it was costing my wife and I $18/day and 90 minutes to travel to work and back on the bus - and then I had a 5-10 minute walk to work or from work to the bus. I know it's not the only cost, but petroleum distillates for the VFR wouldn't cost me $18 a fortnight, and it takes me from my garage to the one in the basement of the office, in less than 15 minutes, and it's good for my soul, as opposed to being soul-sapping. Exactly. It would be hard for anyone here to disagree. The only problem is the walking to the bus stop, which i'll admit was probably my greatest exercise for the week.
When I started my current job in January, it was costing my wife and I $18/day and 90 minutes to travel to work and back on the bus - and then I had a 5-10 minute walk to work or from work to the bus. I know it's not the only cost, but petroleum distillates for the VFR wouldn't cost me $18 a fortnight, and it takes me from my garage to the one in the basement of the office, in less than 15 minutes, and it's good for my soul, as opposed to being soul-sapping.
Your Blogs are tribute to that very thought I would suggest Gremlin May they long continue.....
Dangerous to see a motorbike as pure cheap transport, as it isn't really, when you factor in the gear, servicing and maintenance and whether you run into any issues. More dangerous when the bug bites and you want more power... which strangely costs even more, but then, you don't care. Then you start riding more, which burns more gas, and suddenly you're addicted and the bus would be cheaper Still, enjoy, and we'll wait until you stop counting your distance! I stopped counting after about 10 hours, and I have no clue now... think I've done more that 250,000km in 7.5 years, so the bug has well and truly got me
Originally Posted by Berg Well done on the purchase. Mrs Berg started on a GN (abet the 250 version) and put about 12,000kms on it before updating to a larger bike. She said it was a fantastic learner bike and she learnt lots riding it. Enjoy your new found freedom Cheers! Already i'm having lots of fun and i've barely owned it for 3 weeks. I've noticed how many GN250's there are around town, they are quite popular. They are almost like the big brother to my wee 125. Maybe in the distant future i'll upgrade to something larger, but never over 600cc. Freedom. That's the perfect word to describe it. Thanks.
Well done on the purchase. Mrs Berg started on a GN (abet the 250 version) and put about 12,000kms on it before updating to a larger bike. She said it was a fantastic learner bike and she learnt lots riding it. Enjoy your new found freedom
Yeah those first costs seem like a bit of a drag. I never paid for an optometrist to check my eyesight though, that's a big bummer! We should just be glad that our licences won't expire any time soon eh? And I know how you feel about leaning to ride! I don't even have a proper car licence yet, so riding on the roads is going to be dangerous! Once I get my bike for the first few weeks I won't really be going anywhere except the local empty carpark to really hone my skills once and for all! I wish you luck in your search for someone to ride with in Chch, that is something every first time rider needs. A big hello to anyone reading this who lives in Dunedin, has several years exp and doesn't mind a tag-along who must learn how to keep his bike upright!
I also recently got my class 6 (early Sept), then signed up on here haha. So far its cost over $300 something and I still don't have a bike.. Basic Handling cost $100 from Dan Ornsby (motorcycletraining.co.nz) which got me an hour of lessons and included the cert). He was very patient with me as it turned out I wasn't as good as I had thought.. (about 6 hours on a bike ever) then $100 for OPSM to tell me my eyes are fine, $96ish for the test, $25 for the road code, $12.50 for the sample tests, and $6 for the L plates.. (scrap alloy for making the mint bracket) but after 4 odd years of "I'm gonna get my bike license" I finally did it.. and I love it, Now i Just need to hang out with some Chch riders to avoid developing too many bad habbits.. the frustrating thing I guess is the catch 22, "to be allowed to learn to ride, you must first learn to ride"
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