Let's talk motorcycles as a primary vehicle (or anything else that sips gas)

General General Discussion
1

So… I’m having to drive a lot as of the last year - a 50 mile commute each way (100 miles round trip). That equates to almost 2,500 miles a month with work and personal errands/outings combined. My gas expenses come out to $300-350. My wife has additional driving and gas expenses on top of that. Combined, we’re spending right at about $500 a month on just gas.

I’m currently driving an old 92 Dodge which gets ~25-27 MPG average.

I really want to reduce gas costs, if possible. It’s simply a lost expense that there’s no recouping.

My first inclination is to simply buy another car with insanely great gas mileage, such as a Prius or Diesel VW. However, there’s the potential for us to move closer to work within the next year or two. My Dodge only has 116,000 miles on it and runs great, so I don’t want to buy a new vehicle for gas savings only to not take advantage of it any longer after a year or so.

In addition, there’s also the cost factor. While we could pay in full for a car, we’re saving for a down payment on a new house, so if I did purchase a car over $5,000-6,000, it’d probably be partially financed. If we did move within the next two years, any savings in gas expenses would most likely be lost to the cost of the vehicle (referring to high MPG models).

So… enter motorcycles. I haven’t done all that much research, but I do know that they get very, very good gas mileage, especially on the interstate (which is where most of my driving is). Combined with the relatively low cost of them, I’ve been thinking heavily about getting one. Even if they only cut my gas bill in half, that’s $2000+ a year in savings. Over 3 years, that’s $6000. It appears that it would basically pay for itself.

That said, I hear all the time about the inherent risks, especially with interstate driving. That’s the only reason I haven’t really fully committed to the idea.

So, what’s your input? I’m open to pretty much any ideas for cutting down gas costs. I’m open to cars as well, though I haven’t found any that would make the purchase for MPG alone worth it.

2

If you’re going to be commuting 25,000 miles a year on a motorcycle just make sure your life insurance is paid up and there is a really big payout for your widow. And don’t forget to fill out your organ donor card in case any of your parts are still useable. Our streets and highways are full of people not smart enough to operate a car OR a cell phone and they’re out there doing both AT THE SAME TIME! They may be too busy with that cell phone to notice you in time.

I’ll admit I’m biased. My brother was nearly killed 2 years ago while out for a quiet Sunday ride in a small town because someone didn’t see him and pulled out in front of him. It was quite a shock because nobody even knew he had a motorcycle. Last year a professional drummer and recording artist I used to work for lost his left leg when he crossed over the center line and hit a car. Add to that 6 friends and acquaintances of mine since 2007 that died riding bikes. Bikes are cool. Bikes are fun. But you’re at the mercy of luck, the laws of physics, and the dumbest person on the road. And there are millions of them.

Get a more economical car and give yourself better odds. Good luck.

3

I ride a Yamaha FZ6N most of the spring, all summer, and into the fall. Basically whenever the weather permits. I paid $2400 for it, it’s an '05 with 8k miles. I’ve not done much interstate travel on it but what I have done wasn’t bad. It’s the naked version of the FZ6, so the faired version would be a lot better for interstate travel. There is also options for taller windscreens, the capability of adding hard-cased saddlebags and a top trunk. I typically get 45mpg, which is almost strictly city driving.

This is basically what mine is like:

But you can outfit them like this:

But you can basically outfit any bike like that. I like my bike because while it is more of a “sport bike” it isn’t like the super sports you see driving around. Its a comfortable upright riding position, not leaned way forward with feet back. It also has plenty of usable power for a 600cc bike. It’s got more torque than most 600cc super sports but let horse power, making it a good choice for the average joe.

4

This is my kaw 1000

while I do get 40something mpg these bikes go through tires pretty quick but its a hella blast. I can break 100 in 1st gear:D

5

I have a Z-71, a company car and 2 bikes. If I could I’d ride the bikes 90% of the time. You have to be careful with bikes as many of the “cool guy” bikes get crappy mileage. As far the risks, we all take them. Only you can decide if the risks, along with the increased situational awareness required are worth it. They are to me. I’ve been riding off and on since I was 5 years old. A long time.

My Harley cost $19,000.00 and gets 40 MPG, which obviously wasn’t a factor when it was purchased. I also own a Triumph America, which gets around 42 MPG and cost around $8,000.00 new. I taught my wife nad 2 kids to ride on a little Yamaha 250cc cruiser that I bought used for $1700.00 and it gets aboout 70 MPG.

Currently the Japanese are introducing many new models that are designed for commuting in mind. The new Honda NC700 is relatively inexpensive(7,000.00 new), performs OK, and gets 60-70 MPG.

I will ride as long as I can and as much as I can. It’s my preferred mode of transportaion when alone. My vote is to find a used “standard” bike around 600-900 cc’s and then simply ride.

6

I used to ride a motorcycle for a very short daily commute, and there were days that I was absolutely miserable. A near-death experience caused by an idiot caused me to hang up my helmet for good.

These days I have a daily commute that’s a bit longer than yours (67 miles each way), and there’s absolutely no way I’d do it on a motorcycle.

Doing the math–and considering your commute may get shorter in the next year or so–I think the smartest thing financially is to continue to drive what you have.

7

Aren’t you in Middle TN?

There is no way I would be on I-40, I-24 or I-65 around Nashville on a motor cycle in perfect weather.

Add in inclement weather and HELL NO.

Don’t forget, you will loose a lot of body heat on a motor cycle so when it is cool/cold you will really have to bundle up which is probably going to slow down your reaction time.

And Nashville area drivers…:stuck_out_tongue:

I would look for a decent used Corolla or Civic. You should be able to get them for less than a new bike costs and they will get 36 to 38 MPG on the interstate. (Better if you can get non-ethanol)

I would be wary of the hybrids, they are excellent for stop and go driving (regenerative breaking) but on long hauls they usually have to revert to running their combustion full time and it really drops their mileage. Plus, I have heard their batteries are mega expensive.

Have you looked at a SMART car?

8

I made the 100 mile round trip commute on my Dyna from 2008 until I retired in 2011. It was an easy choice the bike got 44mpg, the Ranger 22mpg and my 76 Bronco 11mpg.
All I can say is keep your head on a swivel and trust no one.

9

Let me preface this with the fact that I live in Florida, I ride 365 days a year unless its storming. If it gets below 40* its usually setting a record so riding year round is not an issue. I have a vehicle but I’ve only put 845 miles on it this year, contrasted with almost 7000 on my bike. I get 20 mpg in my car. That’s a lot of money I’ve saved with my bike.

I’m a bit younger than some of you guys (I’m guessing) and a bit more willing to endure things most older guys wouldn’t in order to look cool/be stylish and go fast so I got a sportbike.

I ride an '09 CBR600. If I am screaming through town at 10,000 RPMs (Thats only ~40 MPH in 1st gear) I still get 40 MPG. If I am cruising safely and cautiously its 45 mpg minimum. I was going to grab a liter bike but, like you, I wanted excellent gas mileage.

Not exactly the queen of comfort especially coming from sport tourers and being tall. But I swear, and I never thought I would, I’ve gotten so used to it that I can’t even ride a cruiser anymore without feeling like I’m going to fall over. A sportbike just feels great now.

A sportbike is cool because you’ll fit in with everyone and make lots of great friends. Unfortunately some of them like to act stupid so you will spend quite a bit of time explaining to cops you weren’t the one that just ran from them or going to funerals of guys you know.

I’ve taken my bike on 1200 mile road trips and would go farther if time allowed or if I had a reason to. I ride on the interstate every single day. Interstate driving, contrary to what most people will tell you, is actually safer than riding in the city because you don’t have anyone violating your right of way which is how most motorcycle collisions occur. No one is going to pull out in front of you, as long as you keep a safe following distance and maintain awareness of vehicles next to and behind you the possibility of a collision is almost zero.

The bad part is motorcycles get stolen pretty easily. Luckily sportbikes are small.

Get one. You’ll never want to drive a car again.

As far as costs - I go through a set of tires every 8000 miles. I could probably go longer but I choose to be safe. I could also get a set of sport touring tires and maybe get 12,000 even 15,000 but I like knowing the extra grip on sport tires is there even if I don’t need it. A set of Dunlop Q2’s front and rear cost me about $450 installed. Other than tires the maintenance costs are very comparable to any vehicle you’d get, if you get a Honda :wink: Maybe even less because you won’t have to worry about the AC breaking, window motors not working, and you can do almost everything yourself.

10

Nice bike Euro, we just got rid of the wife’s CBR600RR not too long ago. Fun bikes, I got out of the sportbikes in 08, my back just couldn’t take the riding position for very long anymore.

11

I just went and spent some time calculating the costs per mile between my Mercedes and my CBR600

The Bike is 16.4c/mile + $50/mo insurance and the Car is 25c/mile + $100/mo insurance

15,000 miles a year works out to $3060/yr for the bike and $4950/yr for the car. This includes tires, oil changes, gasoline and insurance.

Surprisingly the mileage intervals and costs of the brake pads are just about the same for both but I got lazy and omitted them. The unseen benefit here is that a major overhaul on a motorcycle engine is a couple thousand dollars max where a new Mercedes engine is $5000 minimum and a transmission repair can hit the $2000 mark before they even diagnose the problem. For the price of a Mercedes engine you can just buy a new bike. :cool:

Thanks Don. I know, the bent over riding style can get rough but hopefully I’ve got a few years before I get wise enough to switch to something else :smiley:

12

Grew up riding in the dirt and when hit 16 started riding older friends street bikes. Several of those friends are no longer around thanks to deadly accidents. The issue is not usually the motorcycle driver, it’s the car driver that underestimates the motorcycles speed or simply doesn’t see the bike. Even on empty roads, a slight covering of fine dust, sand, sawdust, what the fuck ever can help you with a nice case of road rash. I’ve had, and seen, some truly bad cases. No fuckin’ way I’m riding on the street anymore. Lost too many friends as well as seen myself and friends get eaten up on the road by other driver’s mistakes. I’m not risk averse, I still train BJJ/MMA, shoot much, and hit the dirt. But street bikes…no.

13

I just noticed your comment about highway riding and it’s spot on. The only time you really have anyone encroaching on you is once you get near the on/off ramps around large cities.
In 30 years of riding I’ve never had a friend get taken out on the interstate, but have had a lot including me get clocked in town. I got rear ended in 09 by a Ford Explorer doing 45 in a 30 zone through a stop sign.

14

I don’t know if I am nuts, but pretty soon I want to

  1. Enlist in the Air Force and try to become a JTAC/TACP (some of you may have seen my posts).

  2. Learn how to ride a motorcycle because it sounds fun and interesting. And gas money. (I live in CA. The gas station by my house is $4.19 right now).

15

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16

As a surgeon who treats facial trauma, I strongly recommend against buying a motorcycle.

Believe me, I am a kid at heart and a bona fide toy collector. With that said, you will never find me on a motorcycle. I’ve seen too many terrible outcomes. Same goes for road cycling. “Share the road” is laughable at best.

17

lol Euro… LOV the pic of the bike in the looks like a hotel room!!

Can’t tell you how many i’ve had to pull my Harley or Custom Chopper
in and out of “rooms”.
When i got my FIRST Harley in early 90’s they were VERY tough to come by AND
i lived in a townhouse so inly safe place to keep it was
my living room!!
Since i live in Oregon if i did get caught in rain i had a big blanket
I’d pull it in on.
THIS pic just happened to be at X-mas time i think 92
so we moved love seat for x-mas tree.

EVEN when we moved to a place with garage i sank SIX eyelets down into the concrete to chain it down in side my triple locked garage.

Gotta LOVE my High-Tec “Brick” phone!! thing was so big if filled my tool bag on handle bars and i paid i think $300 for it!
it stored up to 20 numbers!! had a talk time of 20mins with that battery. :dirol:

18

I will tell you from personal experience… motorcycles can SUCK when it’s too hot, too cold, too dark, or just a little wet.

Maybe I’m just a wuss, but there have been many times where I wished I was sitting inside of an air-conditioned car listening to music rather than defying death while splitting lanes in bumper-to-bumper traffic in 90 degree heat.

Communting on a motorcycle is simply this: soft, tender, blood-filled, relatively delicate, pain-sensitive organism perched atop 500 pounds of hot steel and aluminum traveling 70 MPH over rough pavement while surrounded by hundreds of 5000 pound steel cages being operated by half wits.

Motorcycles are definitely fun. If you want to play the risks and ride for fun, that’s fine. As a practical tool, they ain’t so practical.

19

I put about 20000 miles over 2 years on a cbr600, months would go by where I would never drive my car so it’s doable but you really have to love riding and have it be a passion. I wouldn’t necessarily do it just to save on gas.

20

That much time on the road and something will eventually happen. For years I drove more than that everyday and my wife drives about the same as you everyday. She has a diesel VW. IMHO it cannot be beat for this type of commute. Fuel mileage is awesome, plenty of power and fairly easy to work on. Her original motor & tranny have 340,000 on them. VW considers up to around 250,000 a low mileage motor.

As I mentioned, that much time driving and something will happen. A bike is unforgiving in this regard. A few months back my wife hit a fiberglass ladder that fell of a truck full of wonderful laborers from South of the Border. Other than being scared, she was ok. On a bike that would have been a bad day. Day in/day out you will get tired, mind will drift, get complacent, another situation that is a recipe for disaster on a bike. With that kind of mileage, you’ll end up working on the bike before too long as well. Lets not even talk about how a dip in the asphalt pool is going to hamper you buying a new home. My advise after over 1.5 Mil miles on the road, keep driving your car & look out for a decent VW TDI (Jetta or Pssss…psssssss…PASSAT!) and go from there. Drive it till the wheels fall off then sell the motor to some 4wheel drive rock climbing junkie. You cannot lose with that type of car for this type of driving. I would also recommend a manual tranny. We have an auto and from all the VW guru’s I’ve talked to, we probably have the 1 in a mil (knock on wood) auto trannys that didn’t go out by 120,000k. If I had a dime for everytime I’ve heard that tranny is running on borrowed time. The manual VW tranny is suppose to be rock solid like the motor. If you stay on top of maintenance and wear items, the VW will do you right. It’s awesome to fill up and drive North damn near across the US on 1 tank. The bike may be cooler (on sunny warm days) but being run over by a couple 18-wheelers IS NOT how I’d like to check out of this life if I can help it.

Choose wisely.