What you earn?

[terbang]

A popular statement.."If it Flys, Fucks or Floats then its cheaper to rent it". I have have owned planes and boats and I am married so I guess you could say I bought there as well. I can vouch for the above statement as I am now a lot poorer than I once was. The good thing is I have kept my bikes and am a firm believer that ownership of them is mandatory and more fun and cheaper than all of the above..! Ahh err (sorry Mrs T) maybe not more fun than all..

[Insanity_rules]

I work like a Bastard, my bike is a cheapie but its my toy and a great means of blowing off steam.

Didnt want to blow a bit bundle till I get my full.

[riffer]

I don't like credit, or HPs so I stay away from them.

Therefore all of my bikes have to be bought in cash.

Which is why I ride a ten year old bike ...

to work, cause I hate the train and cage parking is freakin ridiculous...

and I love to ride.

When the kids are older, and I save some more money, I'll get a newer bike.

[Freakshow]

Originally brought it for a combination of commuting and bit of fun. I am now having fun commuting and having fun riding and i most definatly want a bigger bike so back to saving again. Everyone has to have their toys!

[madboy]

I bought a house as a solo-parent, so couldn't afford fast cars anymore. Bought a 400 to still get a bang but for less [borrowed] bucks. Always said it was a toy, so if the money got tight it would go. The money got tight, but by that stage I had gotten addicted to police chases, carving up traffic, wheelies, stoppies and just being a hooligan. I couldn't part with it, unless I bought myself a bigger and faster bike instead - so I borrowed more. Then my partner moved in and I got a significant pay rise and suddenly the bike became affordable again.

It helps that it's cheaper to run than the car, free to park in town and doesn't require me to share with 1,000 other stressed, grumpy and smelly people on the train.

Now every time I walk past a new 1000cc sportsbike I avert my eyes... I don't need more debt.

[RantyDave]

If it was just for commuting I'd still be on a scooter so it's safe to say the bike is at least partially a toy. BUT:

* Catching the bus home causes me to become a miserable bastard - so the bike pays for itself in stress reduction for the rest of my family at least.
* Driving in would cost a fortune.
* Tried cycling, doable on a good day. Not on a bad day. I still get knackered doing it.

So this bike just about pays for itself. The next one won't though. The next one will fall squarely on the "overpriced, childish, un-necessary, midlife crisis boy shit" side of the ledger. Oh well.

Dave

[Ixion]

What Mr Motu said. Never been able to afford expensive bikes. Never spent more than $3K to buy a bike. And that made me flinch. But doesn't need to cost a lot to have fun - in fact I suspect it's in inverse proportion. The funnest bikes I've had have been the cheapest.

I justify the cost of the BMW on the basis of what I save using Ratty for commuting.

And I tell Mrs Ixion that the two smokers are an investment. Which is maybe not totally untrue.

[Freakshow]

* Tried cycling, doable on a good day. Not on a bad day. I still get knackered doing it.Dave

I couldn't believe it last night as My stepdad rides a pushbike to work and on his reurn journey home he was knocked sideways by some lady in a car.

Now has bruises and bumps and a buckled wheel and he had all the reflextive gear and big flashing tail lights and a massive head lamp. He should be easyer to see than us on bikes so I am glad I have the power to get away easier from these idiots as there are plenty of them .

[sels1]

My bike is both a hobby/ interest and my main form of transport - it replaces the 2nd car. I ride it to work and go play with it on the weekend. Some of the guys I work with have boats/yachts/caravans and moan about the amount of time they get to use them.....I enjoy my toy every day.

[Jackrat]

I work for my money I've payed cash for everything bar my house,an that bastards going to be payed for in half the time the parasites think.
As for the bike,it's just another toy like everything else.

[Gremlin]

Haven't bothered voting as I could tick all of the first three. Its my only form of transport, but I suppose you don't really need 122hp for commuting, but it makes it bloody fun.

Still, I worked hard, and saved and spent as little as I could in order to have the 7.

Can't imagine how people drive anywhere in auckland anyway, so hopefully it will be a while before I have to watch my life pass by in a cage.

[Krusti]

Got mine cause I'm stupid and live beyond my means.....

[Big Dave]

the bike is a toy on the side for me

'Its side' - I've seen you ride.

[Big Dave]

Got mine cause I'm stupid and live beyond my means.....

>>live beyond my means

Welcome to 2006. Who doesn't? That's why I get up in the afternoons innit?

[kickingzebra]

Everything is a toy, Its just sometimes I hate the fact I have soo much damn money and income tied up in houses. So the first bike was HP, the next were too shitty for a finance company to touch, so I paid cash, then I got re addicted, and now the bank officially owns the pretty blue telefonibike... Screw them, they'll have to fight me for it!!!

I'm going to become a cashed up citizen sometime soon, learn what it is like to rent, and have cash in the bank. Then buy racebikes!!

Soo, err, anyone want to buy a cheap house in Hamilton, or an expensive cheap house in Snells Beach?? Both selling, all (if any) profit going to Mrs Kicking Zebras bun in the oven fund, and my Racebike and business fund!!