Buy a small car or bike?

**Amz** · 25th May 2008, 21:20

I'm looking at buying a 400cc v twin 215kg cruiser at the moment for $7000 as I'm going to have to do more open road commuting then my 1977 125cc trail bike can handle but friends and family are trying to convince my to buy a small car instead as they are safer. My other vehicle is a 3.1lt diesel Isuzu Mu 4x4 which does 11/100 as I drive it pretty easy and it's a lot of fun but I would rather not clock up the kms on it commuting but rather for towing trailers, boat, caravan or 4x4ing. At the moment I commute during the week in a company truck with the boss so no cost to me, 4x4 (only other vehicle) on road (unfortunately) sometimes 76 kms (2 trips) a week to see friends, motorbike during the week to appointments down town and around only say 20kms. But am looking at a possible commute out of town, open road of 80kms per day all things working out and possibly the friends trips weather dependent of course. The commute is known to have claimed a few riders, is quite shady and cold in the winter months. I guess I am just trying to justify buying the bike I have my eye on as I really enjoy riding my trail bike but it's only really enjoyable up to 75-80km per hour. I don't want to kill the poor little bike. And with fuel prices still climbing and my low wage.

So would it be better to get a cheap small car (1300-1500cc petrol) or a 400cc v twin cruser. Not interested in a smaller bike as I have the 125cc.

Bike:
Fun - hopefully, I've never ridden a cruiser so will be a little different
More economical????
Less safe
Higher registration
Quite expensive to buy

Car:
Safer
Safer
As economical?????
Cheap to purchase
Not even as fun as the 4x4

**hang0ver** · 25th May 2008, 21:48

Bike or Car? Could be the wrong place to throw that question out there...

There are always those who say 'why do you wanna ride on two you fool?', for a variety of reasons, its about how you think & feel yourself that matters...

Sure a bike won't be as safe, and everyone accepts that when they throw a leg over, but hey, no reward without risk?

(I'm totally plugging for the bike).

_-H-_

**Renegade** · 25th May 2008, 21:59

mate, you have a diesel mu if you get the bad feeling before you leave the house on a cold winter morning, but come summer you know the cruiser will be the first choice.

**rainman** · 25th May 2008, 22:03

Maybe shop around and get both - I did. My 800 cruiser was a bit over $5k, and I just bought a 850cc car for $2k.

The cruiser is the commuter (50kms/day @ 4.5/100) and the car is for running the kids around (guessing consumption as i've only filled it once but it looks like 300kms on a 20l tank for around town. (Not sure I'd take it on very long runs so I may never get to know the open road consumption....)

If only one, get the bike. The world needs more cruisers!

**mbazza** · 25th May 2008, 22:26

I used to be able to skite I didn't own a cage. Had to buy one last year. I use it with guilt. It's sole less and expensive if comfortable to run.
I ride ( last two winters ) all but 4/5 days down here on a short commute. Early 1990's I rode 50km on a commute in all weathers only frozen snow holding me up. The bike will massage your spirit as you commute. Go the bike in my humble opinion.

**Mike748** · 25th May 2008, 22:32

Hmmm, my money says it would be cheaper to run the Mu than buy another car for the commute.
By the time you factor in insurance, reg, wof, owning another vehicle will cost a lot more than paying a bit more in fuel costs each trip.

**FilthyLuka** · 25th May 2008, 22:38

Originally Posted by rainman

and I just bought a 850cc car for $2k.

A mate of mine is selling a V8 hemi for a similar price, needs a decent tune and some brake pads. Shoulda just asked and you could've had an Awesome car

(pt)

**hang0ver** · 26th May 2008, 16:16

Originally Posted by FilthyLuka

A mate of mine is selling a V8 hemi for a similar price, needs a decent tune and some brake pads. Shoulda just asked and you could've had an Awesome car

(pt)

...that will rape you everytime you stop for gas.

**McDuck** · 26th May 2008, 18:41

Both.
http://www.trademe.co.nz/Trade-Me-Mo...-155250649.htm

**C_A** · 26th May 2008, 18:51

^ exac. buy a shitter car (can get mean deals for like $500 if you want to fix basic stuff. european cars are mean for this. i've picke dup two mint cars for $200. one had a gearbox prob, which was, rebuilt gearbox with shifter installed wrong (30min fix) one had leaky suspension and the fact it was a citroen scared the guy off hardout ($26 of parts to fix). both reliable as, and leaves you heaps of coin to buy a bike

**FROSTY:Me** · 26th May 2008, 18:54

gs500 for $2300 --still money for a cage

**nallac** · 26th May 2008, 20:05

id use the MU and spend the money on the bike,
no point in having two cars and one bike,
two bikes and one car yes..

**Brett** · 26th May 2008, 21:07

Car will be a cheaper option. I bought a 1995 Hyundai Lantra 1800cc manual as a run around and once all costs are calculated, it would be cheaper by far compared to the GSXR and cheaper than all but a 250cc bike. The car would get 750kms out of a 55ltr tank. My ZXR250c got only slightly better fuel economy.

**nallac** · 26th May 2008, 21:16

Originally Posted by Brett

Car will be a cheaper option. I bought a 1995 Hyundai Lantra 1800cc manual as a run around and once all costs are calculated, it would be cheaper by far compared to the GSXR and cheaper than all but a 250cc bike. The car would get 750kms out of a 55ltr tank. My ZXR250c got only slightly better fuel economy.

shit my old sporty got 20k's a litre, 55 litres woulda got me 1000ks
worth a fun.
the hornet only gets around 15kspl around town but thats still more than 750 outa 55litres
gets close to 20kspl on a trip.