Make sense to buy a motorcycle?

[roosterk0031]

I did my one hour commute at 22F and though I was tough, repairing wife's car so she took mine. And that was before making an electric vest or adding grip heaters.

I wouldn't worry about a 10 or 20 mpg difference, with your short ride even if gas goes to $5 agallon, it would be one gallon per day at 50 mpg, 2/3 of gallon at 75 mpg.

I always recommend dualsport for a first bike, you can gain a lot of experience in the dirt that will carry over without cars around. My first bike after 15 years without was a KLR650 $4900 brand new in 2000. I'd recommend a little smaller for a new rider, the DR200, KLR250, xt225's, CRF230l are all great bikes to start with and will do your commute just fine. DRz400s is lighter & narrower than the 650's (650's have big wide seats) KLR650 is most highway friendly, XR650L most dirt friendly and DR650se is in between with lowest seat height I believe). DR650se is probably best buy as it doesn't have the following of the other 2 keeping used prices up higher.

[NHRABill]

Originally Posted by roosterk0031

I did my one hour commute at 22F and though I was tough, repairing wife's car so she took mine. And that was before making an electric vest or adding grip heaters.

I wouldn't worry about a 10 or 20 mpg difference, with your short ride even if gas goes to $5 agallon, it would be one gallon per day at 50 mpg, 2/3 of gallon at 75 mpg.

I always recommend dualsport for a first bike, you can gain a lot of experience in the dirt that will carry over without cars around. My first bike after 15 years without was a KLR650 $4900 brand new in 2000. I'd recommend a little smaller for a new rider, the DR200, KLR250, xt225's, CRF230l are all great bikes to start with and will do your commute just fine. DRz400s is lighter & narrower than the 650's (650's have big wide seats) KLR650 is most highway friendly, XR650L most dirt friendly and DR650se is in between with lowest seat height I believe). DR650se is probably best buy as it doesn't have the following of the other 2 keeping used prices up higher.

I always wanted a dual sport but there are no place to go off road and Its a Loooong ride to find a gravel road. I understand the draw and fun of riding on dirt but i don't see how that will help you when riding on knobby tires and such a light responsive bike is much different that the caution and anticipation that is needed for the street? I may not have the experience in that area but it doesn't make sense to me.

Many people get their MC license every year and if you have a brain and some restraint you will have no issues. I attended a MC safety course it helped a lot. My 1st bike a Buell Blast, I had for 2 months then I moved over to my fathers Sportster after he passed on. I have driven 8 second race cars on the track and live in a city environment very dangerous for bikes. Using common sense and maturity I ride safe and enjoy it for the fuel savings and the experience of the ride. Motorcycles are not for everyone and it doesn't make you any less of a man if it is not for you I am not the stereotypical Harley dude. I can care less what people think of me I do it for the fun mostly and to remember my dad. The stops at the gas station are fun when I get 3 gallons to fill the tank every 175 miles or there abouts.

If you pick up the bike post a few pictures

[kawboyCAFE]

Originally Posted by euromodder

Given how cheap US gas is,....

this is funny. really. gas here might be cheap compared to where you are at, but i dont consider $3-$4 a gallon cheap. it was cheap here 10 years ago, not anymore.

[alvaro84]

We have near 7 USD/gal gas here at the moment, and AFAIK euromodder can buy it even more expensive in Belgium.

Financial outcome of owning a bike? I had a headstart: I had no car to begin with and bought a bike to control the damage I make by owning (and actively using) a vehicle and using gas.

Even with this headstart I don't say I saved a slightest amount of money over a car. I might even lose some - but at least I got fun in return. For the price of a used BMW F650CS I could have easily gotten a used car, in the same condition. I definitely save on gas, but I suspect the maintenance costs much more than for a car (first maintenance was pretty expensive both in parts and labor, and last year the drive belt and its rear sprocket had to be replaced, along with the front rim + brake disc). OK, it wouldn't be necessarily true for a 'cheap' 125 (which, bought new - I must remark - is not far in price from my Teresa. And a new 250 is more expensive.), but I wanted to get something I can really use on freeways when needed. And I needed to, pretty much. Riding gear is an extra cost as well.

All in all I may can not beat a car in cost/distance. All I can beat is - public transport

[kawboyCAFE]

i never did understand why people have this mis-conception that a 250 cant handle the freeways. i do it every day just fine, with some power to spare. but not everyone is the same. i guess thats why they make so many different bike sizes.

[alvaro84]

Our 250 (Hyosung GV250) can. A 125 is another question. Everyone and their dog advised against it (though, with my present experience, I'd probably try it. Because I'm wicked). Back that time I was looking for 250s too - and they were rare and expensive. Now we luckily have a wider choice.

[kawboyCAFE]

i would love to have a CBR125, but we dont get them here in the states. to bad too, because they are my favorite bikes. i know, call me crazy.

[richtate]

Originally Posted by kawboyCAFE

i never did understand why people have this mis-conception that a 250 cant handle the freeways. i do it every day just fine, with some power to spare. but not everyone is the same. i guess thats why they make so many different bike sizes.

kawboy, I got my son a Ninja 250 and was suprised how well it could handle the streets here in the Dallas/Ft Worth area (north central near DFW airport). So I decided to take it to work since it's 20 miles away in Plano. They just opened a tollway that has a speed limit of 70 but everyone goes 75 or 80. Now I'm 230 lbs, keep in mind, but when running 75 in the right lane to stay out of the way, I just didn't feel safe.

Now I ride an Ultra Classic, and it probably is that I'm just to use to the confort and heftyness of my bike. But I decided to keep riding my bike even though I get half the mileage. If I were not as heavy, it would probably be a game changer. Or if I modded the bike to be more areo and thus slip through the air better, I might be open to try again, but my son doesn't like the any of the mods I've shown him...

It is a good bike and I take it out for a spin around the city, but highway is just to much for big butt!

[alvaro84]

Originally Posted by kawboyCAFE

i would love to have a CBR125, but we dont get them here in the states. to bad too, because they are my favorite bikes. i know, call me crazy.

I won't. That was the first bike I considered buying

[tomauto]

I'm torn between buying a slightly used Honda 230m or waiting for the Honda 250R myself. I can't decide!