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Post by Sasquatch on Feb 12, 2011 13:37:40 GMT -5
With gas prices predicted to average $3.30 and some predicting $4 and $5 by 2012, is anyone considering riding a motorcycle or scooter as less recreation and more general transportation?
With a short commute it can really make sense in the summer, especially if prices skyrocket.
I was never really interested in bikes; they don't have a roof and new ones cost as much as nice cars. Motorcycles, in particular, are still very expensive used when you consider what you are getting. Scooters I always thought of as transport for alcoholics.
I could see where bikes are fun, but they just never turned my crank.
But with these gas prices, I'm seeing the merit of machines that can get 60, 80, even close to 90 miles on a gallon of petrol.
On curious thing I've encountered is a macho hangup over scooters. Granted, a lot of them look really stupid and many of them are two slow to carry a 250lb man in traffic. However, some of the bigger ones can do just fine. Still, a lot of guys I talk to just seem to think their beans would drop off if they rode a scooter.
It struck me as funny anyway.... maybe it's because I'm from outside of that "culture." To me, transport is transport, and I'd ride a pink pony before I'd feed my car $5 gas in the summer. I don't give a hoot what people think. (Winter, I think I'll go ahead and pay!)
Anyhow, is anybody considering buying a bike to offset gas prices?
Who is already doing it?
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Post by drs on Feb 12, 2011 15:21:42 GMT -5
With gas prices predicted to average $3.30 and some predicting $4 and $5 by 2012, is anyone considering riding a motorcycle or scooter as less recreation and more general transportation? With a short commute it can really make sense in the summer, especially if prices skyrocket.Who is already doing it? I really don't think we'll have much of a country by 2012.  |
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Post by HighCotton on Feb 12, 2011 18:27:18 GMT -5
Yes sir Sas! Bikes are a huge part of my life. Here's a pic of my wife and I on the Blue Ridge here! Still ridin' these bikes (both BMW's). My 1971 R75/5 "only" gets about 45 mpg - probably one of my favorite rebuilds. My wife's (the blue F 650CS) will get 72mpg - the best so far.  |
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Post by bookert on Feb 12, 2011 20:25:41 GMT -5
I've been riding forever and love it. Getting good gas mileage has always been a bonus. There are a lot of two wheeled options out there if your interested. If you plan on riding, make sure you get something that will get you up to speed on the roads you ride. It can be dangerous if you have a line of traffic trying to get around you.
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Post by jajwrigh on Feb 12, 2011 20:47:08 GMT -5
Yes sir Sas! Bikes are a huge part of my life. Here's a pic of my wife and I on the Blue Ridge here! Still ridin' these bikes (both BMW's). My 1971 R75/5 "only" gets about 45 mpg - probably one of my favorite rebuilds. My wife's (the blue F 650CS) will get 72mpg - the best so far. Those BMW sport tourings are so nice!! |
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Post by raporter on Feb 12, 2011 21:22:56 GMT -5
Love riding the Blue Ridge on two wheels.
I agree with not holding back traffic. And don't ride the right side of the road. Good way to get run off it.
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Post by Sasquatch on Feb 13, 2011 5:54:02 GMT -5
Yep, wouldn't get on anything that that can't get my carcass going at a stoplight.
Nice looking bikes, Highcottonguide.
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Post by kevin1 on Feb 13, 2011 13:01:47 GMT -5
Buying a bike just to save on gas doesn't make much sense, you won't recoup the savings over the lifetime of the bike. Switching from driving your car to a bike you already have makes more sense. And what's wrong with scooters? I'd love to have one for cruising the back roads.
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Post by Sasquatch on Feb 13, 2011 14:41:14 GMT -5
Buying a bike just to save on gas doesn't make much sense, you won't recoup the savings over the lifetime of the bike. Switching from driving your car to a bike you already have makes more sense. And what's wrong with scooters? I'd love to have one for cruising the back roads. Depends on what you buy! A new motorcycle, no; used equipment is a different story. A local place, for instance, has a 200cc scooter ( legally considered a motorcycle ) with a 1000 miles on it for just over a thousand dollars. With $3.30 gas, or God forbid, $5, it would be worth it. Of course, it could blow up a month later, but that's always true with anything you buy. I have nothing against scooters, aside from the looks of some. |
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Post by HighCotton on Feb 13, 2011 17:32:28 GMT -5
I just got in from a ~50 mile ride on my GS after working on my 1981 R100 BMW I am setting up for Land Speed Racing. It was too nice a day to spend "wrenching" in the garage. So I called my buddy and off we went. Keep in mind that I'm an IBA (Iron Butt Association) rider and LSR racer so there's not much I won't ride - no matter the weather, terrain, hours, etc. Here are some thoughts for those interested in getting into motorcycles... So my friend and I stoppped to talk and check out the bikes when I mentioned the topic of this thread. He reminded me of another friend of ours who helped produce some videos for Tucker Rocky and TourMaster. The focus of our discussion was to help those who want to ride get into the sport in a sensible way. First of all, I couldn't care less what other people think about what I ride or wear for that matter. I rode my BMW today wearing my leather Harley jacket. I get a little smack talk from my buddies when I do this and ya know what - I don't care. So if someone is interested in riding a scooter - Go for it! But that's just me - I love all motorcycles and I've had as much fun on scooters to my favorite Harley. I'm a big guy, almost 6' 4" and you would not believe the fun I've had on a 1982 Honda 125 I rebuilt! I am a huge proponent of the ABATE program. Get all the training you can. I've had a ton of fun at motorcycle safety to track days. If someone were interest in a good starter mcycle, I'd look at the Kawasaki KLR 650. This is a great bike and that is what the video shown here is all about. I've seen the KLR go for $2-3,000 and upward for newer bikes. It is a 650cc single that can easily do 100+mph. If you're looking for a smaller bike try the Suzuki DRZ400. These bikes are a blast and won't break the bank. www.youtube.com/watch?v=SYFxRdKwU7MIf anyone here on the site is ever interested into getting into motorcycling but might be a bit intimidated - or maybe it's just been a few years and you're a bit nervous about getting back on a bike - PM me here. If you can't tell, other than hunting and fishing---Sas has really hit on one of my other passions here! |
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Post by scrub-buster on Feb 13, 2011 19:32:33 GMT -5
I saw my uncle almost get hit head on by a person that didn't see him on his motorcycle. Scared the crap out of me. I was in the process of buying a used bike at the time. It changed my mind.
I will stick with my 96 saturn. Best car I have ever owned. Almost 200,00 miles and I still average 35 mpg. She's due for a new clutch though. It will be the first major repair I've had to do to it.
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Post by raporter on Feb 13, 2011 19:52:36 GMT -5
Highcotton you do a great job on those bikes. First one I ever owned was a 250cc BMW, one cylinder. That was a long time ago.
I believe someone wanting to start riding should become friends with experienced riders just as much as new hunters need to be mentored.
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Post by Sasquatch on Feb 16, 2011 14:33:59 GMT -5
Thanks for the tips, highcotton! I can tell you love yout two-wheelers.
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Post by esshup on Feb 18, 2011 11:11:22 GMT -5
My hat's off to you guys with the bikes. I've never had one, and prefer to drive something that I won't get wet on. I can see that they have their place, and they would be fun to ride.
I picked up a VW Jetta Diesel Wagon in 2004 and I'm pretty happy with it. I've averaged 50 mpg with it in the past 185K miles. Best was 63, worse was 41 (towing).
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Post by steiny on Feb 18, 2011 19:28:41 GMT -5
When I wanted one, I couldn't afford one. Good thing, I'd probably be dead.
Now that I can afford one, I don't have any interest.
I've got a Mustang convertible and some boats to scratch my toy itch.
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Post by Woody Williams on Feb 23, 2011 19:32:16 GMT -5
$3.29 in Newburgh today..
They sure are taking advantage of the middle east unrest..
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Post by chicobrownbear on Feb 24, 2011 7:29:54 GMT -5
Is that an R75 highcottonguide?
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Post by HighCotton on Feb 24, 2011 8:34:09 GMT -5
Yes sir chico! - I take it you know a thing or two about old vintage Beemers? That one is a 1971 R75/5. These bikes are commonly called "Slash 5's". I've rebuilt/restored/bought /sold a few dozen of the 1970-1972 models and the R75 or 750cc is my favorite. I mainly work with and ride these years since they are SWB models which stands for short wheel base (awesome in the twisties). I once rode the Dragon totally in 3rd Gear, once I got her there, ranging from 20ish mph to 80ish mph the total distance. Here's one of those rides actin' a little stupid for a "killboy" shot:  I've ridden the Dragon, Blue Ridge and twisties from the Rockies to the north Georgia mountains, to Smuggler's Notch in Vermont on this particcular bike. Funny thing is - it brings a hundred times the attention than any $20,000+ Harley I've had in the same areas. And you can find these R75's all day long for under $5,000 in excellent shape and good running order! |
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Post by chicobrownbear on Feb 25, 2011 6:34:52 GMT -5
I love Triumphs, with Toaster Tanks being a close second. I WILL own one of both one of these days. I guess I just like bikes with character.
My dream I guess is to put around town on them when we move back to the states. I have a Saturday morning lap that starts at about 0530 and includes the finest flea market, breakfast joint, and gun shop in my area. A Bonneville or a Toastie would suit me just fine. They turn my head every time I see one. WANT. BAD.
ETA: My buddy inherited his father's Norton 750 Commando. It's almost as sexy as a Bonneville.
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Post by HighCotton on Feb 25, 2011 7:52:46 GMT -5
I love Triumphs, with Toaster Tanks being a close second. I'm with ya - love all vintage/classic bikes. In 1982 I sold my 1966 "Bonnie" which I had hard-tailed and chopped out. I wish I had her back today - only BONE STOCK! |
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