Will motorbike use increase?

[striker]

I've cycled to work all my working life, 25 mile round trip for the last 15 years.
I'm a keen cyclist though and was racing most weekends, so it was a way of getting in some extra training.
I did it most weather's, however if it was icy or snow on the ground, I would take the car.
I wouldn't like to guess, but must have saved me a fortune in fuel over the years.
Some days it was mentally challenging if the weather was bad, especially the return journey if you'd had a tough day at work.
I'm retired now, and still ride most days, however I don't miss my commute!!!

 

[highseas]

I keep looking lovingly at my j reg Honda cg in the shed and think it would be a good idea to get it back on the road...then it rains and I realise I am about 8 stone heavier than last time I rode it

 

[Bullet2012]

I walk to work everyday, I have considered cycling but that would increase my commute by about 100 yards so I do not bother with the bike. once my commute is finished I jump in whatever vehicle is required for the day and use that for the journey.
my maximum commute is 50 yards.

 

[Morrisman]

Well, as a biker who rides for pleasure I can't see me ever commuting on one. Unless it was a really stupidly fuel efficient thing (which probably means slow, boring, etc) I really don't need to. The Skoda averages 58 mpg (that's over the last 2k miles) and I've always taken the view that 30 mpg is the cut off point. If you can't afford that then perhaps. Until then, arriving at work only to have to change clothes, store the bash hat, change boots to shoes etc, nah. I'll keep the car ta.

I ride my bike as often as I can, rather than take the car. It's far more fun plus more nimble.

The bike, a 1997 BMW 1100, gets about 45 mpg while my Mondeo a diesel averages 53mpg. So fuel costs are about dead equal per mile. Smaller bikes will get far better mpg. My friend has a Kawasaki Mt03, twin cylinders, pretty quick bike, he gets average 80mpg.

MAG is currently fighting to get the govt to lift this proposed ban in 2035 of ICE bikes, but the full hysteria of the green movement is against them.

 

[Richiew]

I think as living standards continue to equalise around the world (if you know what I mean) you'll see more scooters, motorbikes and cycles over the coming years in the UK.

 

[stuvy]

tw lads at work are on about getting there tests to lower the fuel costs

Iv stopped using the V8 as a daily and have a cheap banger to use in the mean time

Once I have a cbr600f front wheel I will be using my new CRF450R as a supermoto commuter

 

[MetalMonkey]

It would have to be getting a damn sight more than 35mpg for me to consider switching - not when you can have the comfort, convenience and safety of a car doing almost double that.
I would consider cycling more - used to cycle a lot when I was younger, but it is a pretty hazardous occupation out in the sticks. You are quite likely to end up as mush under the treads of a fastrac or HGV. Bad enough in a car - bike would be suicidal on a dark wet night.

 

[stuvy]

I’m looking to move a lot closer to work so I can cycle the £100 a week I was spending will be saved for a mortgage

 

[8ob]

The useable tax and mot exempt bikes are allowed everywhere, pick on something reliable that qualifies and you are sat on an appreciating asset that costs nine parts of nothing to keep on the road.

Bob

 

[stuvy]

The useable tax and mot exempt bikes are allowed everywhere, pick on something reliable that qualifies and you are sat on an appreciating asset that costs nine parts of nothing to keep on the road.

Bob

Where do you sit on an engine swap for older bikes in terms of an IVA or are they subject to different rules?

 

[tom2207]

I've just put that Bandit on the road, and it made me wonder if motorbike use will increase in these straitened times.

2004 Bandit 1200, 35 - 40 to the gallon, 12 months tax £101, insurance £190 for the year. It's eligible to go into any of the Clean Air Zones FOC except the ULEZ in London, and there are the obvious benefits regarding traffic congestion.
Insurance is fully comp with legal, breakdown and helmet/leathers cover included. S,D & P with commuting, parked on the drive overnight as well as locked away at the unit, in Birmingham (high-ish group by area).

If you wanted to run a 400 say, you could pretty much halve the tax and insurance cost.

For single person commuting over walking distance that's got to make more financial sense than any other mode of transport? Cycling is obviously cheaper, but I'm not sure where that would sit comparison wise for distance. It seems that most cycle commutes are urban and long walk distance.

compared to my 107 ,,,
800 quid bought it
20 quid tax
86 quid insurance
genuine 50+ to the gallon

I couldnt afford to run a bike by comparison , and its got 4 seats , a heater and a radio. , I changed the oil two years ago and I may do it again next year , hasnt got the power to wear out tires or brakes , and its so light its not worth anything for scrap ,,, it just sits there for two quid a week ish ,,, plus a couple of gallons of petrol when I remember .

 

[minimutly]

There's a decent choice of small learner/commuter bikes and scooters too.

Don't start me - you need a CBT every 2 years, or pass your test, wahat a pallaver, sorry I think it's nonsense. If you want to cut road deaths the way forward is retest everyone every 5 years, not just people on learner bikes.
It would cause uproar, but believe me, it would work.

 

[Cato]

compared to my 107 ,,,
800 quid bought it
20 quid tax
86 quid insurance
genuine 50+ to the gallon

I couldnt afford to run a bike by comparison , and its got 4 seats , a heater and a radio. , I changed the oil two years ago and I may do it again next year , hasnt got the power to wear out tires or brakes , and its so light its not worth anything for scrap ,,, it just sits there for two quid a week ish ,,, plus a couple of gallons of petrol when I remember .

There's cheaper transport no doubt depending on where you live and what you use it for. If you have to go into one of the Congestion/Clean Air Zones for example most bikes are FOC and an older car is £8 - £15 per visit.

 

[tom2207]

There's cheaper transport no doubt depending on where you live and what you use it for. If you have to go into one of the Congestion/Clean Air Zones for example most bikes are FOC and an older car is £8 - £15 per visit.

I do keep a couple of sports scooters too of course ,,,

 

[fizzy]

Considering the weather we get in Wales no thanks!
The M4 and the dual carriageway to Carmarthen has been resurfaced with horrible shiny tarmac. It holds so much water it is a death trap. In the van at 50mph with new tyres the traction control was kicking in all the time at 50mph
Far too dangerous on a bike.

 

[stuvy]

Considering the weather we get in Wales no thanks!
The M4 and the dual carriageway to Carmarthen has been resurfaced with horrible shiny tarmac. It holds so much water it is a death trap. In the van at 50mph with new tyres the traction control was kicking in all the time at 50mph
Far too dangerous on a bike.

Went out wit a mate in his car the other week

Lovely sunny day, came around a corner loose chipping a for a few miles

 

[tom2207]

Went out wit a mate in his car the other week

Lovely sunny day, came around a corner loose chipping a for a few miles

its the tram lines after the gas or waterboard or what ever at the moment round here ,,, and as for pot holes ,, vicious they seem to have sharper edges now than they ever did ,, and its not me on low profiles either.

 

[Cato]

I do keep a couple of sports scooters too of course ,,,

Is that another term for those e-scooters?

 

[stuvy]

Is that another term for those e-scooters?

Maxi scooters I think is the proper name

Big cc scooters in other words

Iv had x2 250cc Yamaha majesty’s ugly as sun but a lot safer than a 125cc

 

[Cato]

Considering the weather we get in Wales no thanks!
The M4 and the dual carriageway to Carmarthen has been resurfaced with horrible shiny tarmac. It holds so much water it is a death trap. In the van at 50mph with new tyres the traction control was kicking in all the time at 50mph
Far too dangerous on a bike.

A motorbike on the motorway is a grim experience no matter what the tarmac's like. Plus it misses the point of both the bike and the road.