Entertaining "heathen-type" ideas...

**Str8 Jacket** · 12th August 2011, 17:00

I will be starting a new job next month which will require me to work 8-5. I have no problems with the hours but I have a problem with riding in traffic at those hours. I currently work 6.30-3 (by choice) to avoid traffic. Don't get me wrong, I have had my full for years and have ridden to work everyday for years, I am just over having to watch out for every other road users every move and dodging idiots that try and kill me everyday!
I am getting paid a bit more so I am thinking about getting the train to work every day rather than riding and paying rego, maintenance etc. The FXR will be stripped down to a bucket racer only.
Unfortunately I don't have a car licence and still need to run errands etc. I am thinking about getting a scooter but I am kind of scared of them. The thought of having my knees knock together etc whilst riding just seems wrong. But this seems like the best idea $$ wise (rego costs etc) and I am seriously considering it.

Anyone got a 50cc that they wanna lend me for a couple of hours to try it out? Probably be best if it wasn't a 2 smoker!!

**blackdog** · 12th August 2011, 17:22

Heathen indeed.

http://www.kiwibiker.co.nz/forums/sh...n-North-Offers

**slofox** · 12th August 2011, 17:33

You weren't kidding about "heathen-type" ideas were ya?

Frankly, scooters scare the snot out of me - those dinky wheels and as you say, the knees knocking together. Why not go for a smaller bike? 125 or 250. At least the wheels are "proper."

**Str8 Jacket** · 12th August 2011, 17:41

Originally Posted by slofox

You weren't kidding about "heathen-type" ideas were ya?

Frankly, scooters scare the snot out of me - those dinky wheels and as you say, the knees knocking together. Why not go for a smaller bike? 125 or 250. At least the wheels are "proper."

It's all about saving $$ (for a house). A scooter or 50cc is the cheapest of the rego costs and no WOF costs...

**FJRider** · 12th August 2011, 17:45

At least on a scooter .... you wont need all that bulky riding gear. No jacket or pants....

Shit ... you could even wear a skirt ...

**riffer** · 12th August 2011, 17:46

Originally Posted by Str8 Jacket

The thought of having my knees knock together etc whilst riding just seems wrong.

It'll be even worse if you have to wear a skirt to work Hels!

Seriously, does an FXR150 really cost that much to run?

**riffer** · 12th August 2011, 17:48

I actually enjoy riding with the mobile chicanes out there. It doesn't take long to get used to them. However my bike has eight times more cc than yours so that may help...

**slofox** · 12th August 2011, 17:49

Originally Posted by Str8 Jacket

It's all about saving $$ (for a house). A scooter or 50cc is the cheapest of the rego costs and no WOF costs...

Well, yes, there is that...

I recently traded down my housing so I could keep the bike...

**Str8 Jacket** · 12th August 2011, 17:51

Originally Posted by riffer

It'll be even worse if you have to wear a skirt to work Hels!

Seriously, does an FXR150 really cost that much to run?

I don't even own ONE skirt!

The FXR was always my interim bike while I paid off my debt. The FXR is way to scary to ride in the extreme wind and was way to slow and uncomfortable for anything near or over an hour of riding and try and overtake on it....!!!
Also, it needs much TLC and was always destined to become a 'bucket racer only' bike and then I was always going to look for a GB400/500 once debt was paid. TBH - I am kind of over riding on the roads. Prefer to keep it to the track, cause that's much safer *tui*

**riffer** · 12th August 2011, 17:53

Originally Posted by Str8 Jacket

I don't even own ONE skirt!

more's the pity...

**Paul in NZ** · 12th August 2011, 17:55

I heard that there was motorcycle parking in the basement hels

**Mental Trousers** · 12th August 2011, 17:56

When I was at Uni many, many moons ago I had a scooter for a short while. Talk about farken dangerous. I was absolutely certain that should I die on 2 wheels it'd be on a scooter in a car park. They are so unbelievably manoeuvrable it's impossible to ride the things slowly (throttles like a light switch too) so I'd do the same speed in the car parks that I would on the road. Problem is, full throttle in a car park is way too fast, but full throttle on the road was too slow.

Other people will tell you they're fine. I'd say have a blast on one and see what you think.

**Str8 Jacket** · 12th August 2011, 17:58

Originally Posted by Paul in NZ

I heard that there was motorcycle parking in the basement hels

Still on the lookout for a GB..... Oh yeah, wanna help me restore it? (then I can buy a cheapy)

Originally Posted by Mental Trousers

When I was at Uni many, many moons ago I had a scooter for a short while. Talk about farken dangerous. I was absolutely certain that should I die on 2 wheels it'd be on a scooter in a car park. They are so unbelievably manoeuvrable it's impossible to ride the things slowly (throttles like a light switch too) so I'd do the same speed in the car parks that I would on the road. Problem is, full throttle in a car park is way too fast, but full throttle on the road was too slow.

Other people will tell you they're fine. I'd say have a blast on one and see what you think.

hmmm, still not convinced. They look like the devil!

**Trudes** · 12th August 2011, 18:36

Hey Hels, would it be feasible to start your job and see if you could car pool with a work mate? That would save money on the train. The errands, are they while you're in town or getting groceries etc?

**Str8 Jacket** · 12th August 2011, 18:43

Originally Posted by Trudes

Hey Hels, would it be feasible to start your job and see if you could car pool with a work mate? That would save money on the train. The errands, are they while you're in town or getting groceries etc?

Yeah, you could be right. It's just "oh I am hungry, damnit we ran out of beer" type errands really... you know how it is!