Bike or car...

[Feasty]

Hey all

I've been biking for a fair few years now, mainly commuting until November last year when I ended my job. I stopped riding and at the end of January this year I found a new job.
Because of childcare issues for my little girl and one thing and another (my missus being pregnant etc) I decided a 2nd car would be the way forward instead of having a bike (my missus needed our current car for her work). So I bought myself an S reg VW Polo and put the bike up for sale, not in too many places yet though!

Since then the Polo has been great for the crap weather and not having to get suited and booted every time is just a lot easier. My missus had to be taken to hospital a couple of times in emergency situations recently and having the car meant I could bring her home again much more easily.
However, I've also spent over £500 in repairs on the bloody Polo and it still needs a couple of tyres and a full exhaust/cat system before it's next MOT. There may also possibly be gearbox and steering issues to come... not my best buy!

A further issue is that my new job is only 20mins away on A and B roads, so it's pretty pointless having an XJ900. Might as well downgrade to a 650 or something instead, at least a more offroading bike would deal with the crappy weather better too!

So what the hell do I do, get rid of the car or the bike?? in Harry Hill's words... FIIIGGHHHHTT!!!!


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Previous: Aprilia Habana Retro 50cc (beauty), Yamaha SR125 (fell apart), Honda XR125 (nippy little commuter), Honda SLR650 (Geewhizz), Yamaha Diversion 900S (Smoooooth) written off courtesy of a stupid escaped horse.
(7 year gap), BMW F650 (Relaxing ride). Aprilia Caponord ETV1000 (Big and bold). Yamaha FZS600 (got me in trouble too quick!).
Current: Yamaha TDM 900 (Comfy, light but big, power when needed). Also now a Tiger 1050, easily best of the lot!

[Polarbear]

I'm of the opinion that if I want to keep the peace in my houshold we have to have 2 cars. My missus needs one for work and I need one to take the dog out in, do the shopping, run the kids around etc. I still have my bike but its a pure fair weather toy now.

My arguement for keeping it (other than I love riding it, obviously) is that its always there to sell if we really need money. Worked so far

So keep 2 cars and your bike. Maybe change your car for something smaller and cheaper to run!
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Victory Cross Country American tractor.

[kawakid]

We have 2 bikes and a car.

In December I took the car for the month, other than that the wife has it.
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I've a twin and a 4.

[hellkat]

I'd stop spending money on the car*, sell it and buy a banger.

But then that's just me: my car currently only has one working windscreen wiper.

And that's on the passenger side.


*a cat system? Feck that. Let the next buyer buy that!
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Not nearly as interesting in real life.

[iooi]

[quote="FeastyI decided a 2nd car would be the way forward instead of having a bike (my missus needed our current car for her work). So I bought myself an S reg VW Polo and put the bike up for sale, not in too many places yet though!

My missus had to be taken to hospital a couple of times in emergency situations recently and having the car meant I could bring her home again much more easily. [/quote]

Sorry I don't get that one..... If your Mrs was in hospital, she would not be using the other car.....
Even if you had to go and pick her car up, it would have cost less than you have paid out for the 2nd car.

Seems simple to me.

Bike for you, car for her.
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Just because my bike was A DIVVY, does not mean i am......

[Feasty]

Sorry I don't get that one..... If your Mrs was in hospital, she would not be using the other car.....
Even if you had to go and pick her car up, it would have cost less than you have paid out for the 2nd car.

Seems simple to me.

Bike for you, car for her. [/quote]

Well it was just more of a case that she had a bit of a fit, and was taken by ambulance to hospital. I was shitting myself with worry and so dashed to hospital to see her, wasting time going home first to pick up the car wasn't really ideal - and neither was being at hospital on the bike, because then she'd have needed to get back home at 2 in the morning on her own!

And hellkat - the car IS a banger! I couldn't get much more of a banger for my money
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Previous: Aprilia Habana Retro 50cc (beauty), Yamaha SR125 (fell apart), Honda XR125 (nippy little commuter), Honda SLR650 (Geewhizz), Yamaha Diversion 900S (Smoooooth) written off courtesy of a stupid escaped horse.
(7 year gap), BMW F650 (Relaxing ride). Aprilia Caponord ETV1000 (Big and bold). Yamaha FZS600 (got me in trouble too quick!).
Current: Yamaha TDM 900 (Comfy, light but big, power when needed). Also now a Tiger 1050, easily best of the lot!

[Dazbo666]

My missus has her car for her work, the weekly shopping, and to chauffeur me to and from work in crap weather (or for me to "borrow" when she's not looking).

And I have the bike for fun, my own convenience, and because I hate driving... I got rid of my car some years ago, no regrets, and very rarely even have any thoughts about it.
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1st bike (Sept'06 - May'10) : 1991 GPZ500S / Current bike (since Nov 2009) : 2003 Suzuki Bandit 600N
Word of the day : DILLIGAF