How to justify buying a bike

[Benno]

I can afford to own both a car (I already do actually) and a bike, for now at least. Obviously this is the best way to have it, but I'm still very aware of my funds, which are by no means endless! I live about 200 miles from where I go to uni and it is about the same cost to drive in my little nissan micra or take the train. All I use the micra for when at uni (hell, even when at home) is errands and social things (the latter is very infrequent because most socialising is done within walking distance of my residence).

I've always wanted a motorbike, but now that I'm closer to owning one than ever before I'm struggling to justify it since I don't commute further than a mile every day if at all! The closest thing to a commute I do is go to Oxford every Tuesday for training (in the TA), which means I have to go to the train station, a long walk, and I can't park my car there (but bikes park for free! )

So...at the moment the only financial saving I'm going to make from owning a bike is less fuel costs. Otherwise it's a big chunk out of my savings for...what? This is the part where I need convincing...

For one thing I need to learn if I'm to do the mongol rally on a bike next year I suppose

[J4mes]

Dude the only justification you need is "Because I want to"

Everything else is irrelevant.

[Derivative]

[Benno]

Another thing my housemate won't keep asking me for is for that spare fuel I keep in a jerrycan in the boot of my car and taking forever to get it back to me

But yes, you're right, I'm not a mature student, I'm an undergrad (2nd year + gap yah). I was thinking that a possible alternative is to keep the car, but have it SORN'd (and sitting at home in Devon) while I am at uni. Only downside of this is trains are really, really boring to sit on for 4 hours at a time, and I can't stop at a roadside mcdonalds

I'm trying to live a more minimalist lifestyle now, having a bike would help fit in to that I suppose.

As for after uni...I have passed the first phase of army officer selection (AOSB, Briefing) with a cat 1, so all's good and I'm part way there, but of course there are still hurdles to getting in so I'm not taking it for granted. I'll probably rent for my first few years out of uni and get by on whatever I can (owning a bike instead of a car will probably help me cope financially in this situation).

Arrgh there's too much to think about, one minute I have a pro, next minute it gets overshadowed by another con...

[dextersaurus]

I currently have my 1.6 xsara vtr and my CBR600f. Travel to work and back, 40 mile round trip monday-friday.

I always had a bike through school and college/uni, used it to commute, then got my car.

The reason i have a bike? Because they are awesome, and i want one.

I say if you can afford the extra insurance and running costs, go for it.

I get more mpg out of the bike than i do out of the car!

Cheers

Dunc

[Derivative]

[dextersaurus]

[Derivative]

[Benno]

The 200 miles would be done either by car or by train. The bike I would only use while at university during term time for errands, social use, and maybe driving to the TA centre on tuesdays (or at least to the station to get the train there). And for fun, because riding IS fun. Maybe I'd bring it home to Devon now and then. But not often, if at all. My parents are against me owning a bike and when I was 17 and first getting onto the road I wanted a bike and they really put their feet down about it.

Insurance for my car is £450 a year (3 years no claims, loyal to the same company, discount for insuring my parents on it also. TP fire & theft). For a bike it's slightly cheaper.

I'm trying to budget a maximum spend of £1500. I think that's a reasonable figure to include everything (CBT, purchase of a bike, tax, insurance) and although it takes a sizable chunk from my savings I still have a fair amount left.

But owning both a bike AND a car is what really makes this hard for me to justify to myself.

[GSTEEL32]

[Derivative]

[crackfinder]

[Benno]

[Sako]

just buy one, no need to justify it.

[dextersaurus]

[Teflon-Mike]

If you try throwing sums at the job, there is rarely ANY real justification to get a bike, OTHER than you want one!

If you are young, difference in price insuring a car to a bike can make it more favourable, if you are an old git like me, make it insignificant...

BUT, togging up, training up, getting over the thresholds JUST to get o the road, it ent cheap, and fuel savings, not necesserily that large as to see any 'real' return on the set up costs in a hurry.

If you NEED a Justification to do it THIS year.... its becouse IF you get a 125 and get a licence with it, then in two years you'll have fulkl unrestricted A group licence, without spening even MORE money on DAS training, or having to jump through hops of the iminent 'progressive testing' system, working your way up from a 125 only licence....

JUST DO IT if THAT is what you want!

Your a stuident and a Toy Squaddie.... lets be honest here. if you DONT you'll only waste the money on BEER and and rank kababs!
____________________
My Webby'Tef's-tQ, loads of stuff about my bikes, my Land-Rovers, and the stuff I do with them!
Current Bikes:'Honda VF1000F' ;'CB750F2N' ;'CB125TD ( 6 3 of em!)'; 'Montesa Cota 248'. Learner FAQ's:= 'U want to Ride a Motorbike! Where Do U start?'

[Benno]

[Derivative]

[Teflon-Mike]

[Derivative]

[kestrel]

[P.]

I bought my first one because my brother said to.


Then I just went on buying bikes and riding them.

You don't need to justify further than "that sounds like i'd enjoy it" You'll never know until you try AND if you buy a 125, you'll get your money back if you decide in a month that it isn't for you.

[Polarbear]

Do it now, while you can afford it. In a few years you might have a mortgage, a woman and even some rug rats. Your won't be doing it then I can assure you!
____________________
Triumph Trophy Launch Edition

[cdlxxvi]

[Englishman]