Keep or Get rid?

[Marcg868]

Well with Autumn and Winter fast approaching and with a excellent summer so far (minus the odd heavy downpoor) and really getting to grips with my bike after my accident in Feb and breaking my leg. I finally recovered from the fracture but still have cartilage damage that needs fixing I've been enjoying my work commutes and social rides.

Now I have this niggling thought at the back of my mind do I risk another winter or sell up and get a car. I can't afford both. Due to my work place and start time public transport is a no go. My commute is mainly A roads and motorway.
But last years snow it was impossible to get off our street as its on a hill.

I don't want to get rid of my bike but I'm scared of smashing the bike or myself up. Any thoughts?
____________________
JACK, MISS YOU LOADS YOU LEGEND.

[clancy]

Keep the bike I'd say, possibly change it to a cheaper one of you don't want to drop it etc

Changing to a car for winter is a sensible option but is realistically far more expensive, got to buy it Abd there more expensive, insure it again more expensive, tax, fuel etc, would save a lot of money keeping your bike

Possibly change the bike for anither that could handle the bad weather better ?
____________________
KLX 300r

[Kai.Wilson]

buy a cheap 50/125 for bad weather

[clancy]

[J.M.]

You can take a 125 on the motorway.

I wouldn't want to take a 50 regardless of legality.
____________________
2004 R1 & 2018 XSR900

[Wonko The Sane]

a 125 is legal on the motorway, think it needs to be over a certain power.

Something like a varadero would have enough power / speed to be in traffic flow while feeling like a bike and not a toy (I struggled going from vara to CG!
____________________
Looking to pass your CBT / Bike tests in Bury Lancashire? try www.focusridertraining.co.uk Would recommend.
They're also on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/pages/Focus-Rider-Training/196832923734251

[Marcg868]

My Current bikes a Suzuki GSR 600. And I love the thing. Was looking for a cheap hack but there all £500 plus. If I was to exchange bike what would be more suitable. Girlfriend says don't feel like you have get rid of the bike, and she thinks I'd miss it too much. Her daughter (17 year old) says it would take away some of my magic as they both have known me as a biker, not a average Joe in a car.

When I had my accident (self inflicted, too much throttle pulling away from lights) I stuck my leg out to save the bike from hitting the deck, and snapped my fibula. Normally I set off smoothly in 2nd but wasn't concentrating, on the way back from seeing my Mum who was in critical care and seeing my now deceased Gran after my Grandpa had a heart attack.
____________________
JACK, MISS YOU LOADS YOU LEGEND.

[clancy]

Keep the bike the mate just decide if you wanna keep it ir buy another or cheap hack

Just a case of keep looking for real cheap bikes, they sell really quick

I find Gumtree is the best, bikes on eBay or auto trader are normally more expensive
____________________
KLX 300r

[-Matt-]

From what you've described winter wasn't a factor in your accident.

Why do you feel you should sell/play it safe for winter From the sounds of it you've well and truely learnt the relevant lesson [too much throttle], so i would of thought continue biking, hell even the mrs and the daughter want you to keep biking - count yourself lucky

[clancy]

Also pre loved.com but the website is but if a pain to navigate
____________________
KLX 300r

[G]

I'd have thought you could easily get a cheap bike and a car from selling your bike?

[clancy]

Cheap cars can be hit Abd miss though, could be a money Pitt
____________________
KLX 300r

[G]

If you choose carefully you can generally get something with a full year's MOT which will do you for a year for less than a lot of cars will cost for a service!

Ok, scrap prices have pushed the bottom up a bit, but a bit above this and there's plenty of options.

Very cheapest GSR on ebay is £1800 and next is a good bit more than that.
£1000 on a car and £800 on a bike should give you very good options for both.
Or swap it the other way, get a bit cheaper car and a G/J model ZX6 I reckon - bit of an upgrade on the bike and a nice light FWD (get a paid of winter tyres now if you can) for the snow.

[Marcg868]

I paid £2000 for my bike as it was my mum's partners. It's done 3,050 miles and is immaculate on 06 plate. Probably get £2500 for it.
Car insurance prices for me range from £900 to £1800 27 and zero no claims bonus on a car.
____________________
JACK, MISS YOU LOADS YOU LEGEND.

[Robby]

Find a winter girlfriend nearer work. One that doesn't have a daughter 10 years younger than you.

[Necrotix]

This is exactly what I'm doing all wrong. Using my beloved hornet for winter riding. I've replaced way too many bent brake levers because of it.

The guys here are offering amazing advice. I think i'll follow it as well and get a cheap winter bike that I can throw around without caring too much.

[Marcg868]

[c_dug]

Actually with an already damaged leg and a £2500 bike I would be tempted to get a car between say October and February/March, at least until your leg is sorted or the weather picks up again. Thats a lot of money to go throwing down the road and an existing injury to worsen too. I guess you have four options:

Keep the shiny £2500 bike and don't go to work when it is icy or snowy.

Keep the shiny £2500 bike and risk it when it is icy, might make it unscathed, might not. Worst case scenario you end up writing off the bike and battering an already weakened leg. Even a minor slide will likely leave some scratches/dents to the bike.

Sell the bike and buy a cheaper bike that you don't mind sending down the road (I'm thinking CB500 type bike). Still risk injuring leg and possibly writing off value of the bike.

Sell the bike and buy a car for the winter. Still risk crashing in the ice and snow but at least massively reduce the likelihood of crashing and in the event of a crash lessening the likelihood of further injury.

In all honestly if it was me in your shoes I would probably go down the cheaper bike route, but I'm a fool, and a fool and his money are soon parted. With the benefit of being an outsider looking in I would recommend the car.
____________________
I am a bellend, I am a man of constant sorrow, I am a gummy bear, I am a rock.

[Rogerborg]

[Kebabmonster]

Get a look on retro rides in the cars for sale section. Plenty of cheap hacks on there for your winter driving.

[mic]

Bolt on a sidecar for the winter?! Still be on the bike and a bit more stable?
____________________
zzr600

[G]

[Marcg868]

I'd probably be happy if I can find a piece of shit 125 bike or scooter with a mot from December till April and leave the big in inside on life support (trickle charger) till spring. Hopefully if I getthe microfracture ssurgery timing right, I can get 12 weeks of winter out the way as I won't be walking
____________________
JACK, MISS YOU LOADS YOU LEGEND.

[TwoWheelsDail...]

Buy a quad?
____________________
Suzuki GSR 750 - 33BHP (Restriction Ends 17/12/2014)
KTM Duke 125 - SOLD
www.facebook.com/TwoWheelsDaily | www.twitter.com/TwoWheelsDaily | www.instagram.com/TwoWheelsDaily

[G]