Any reasons not to get rid of my car?

[Dracan]

Hi. I've been driving for 10 years now, and have my motorbike test next month. I've not had a bike before, but shall be getting one as soon as I pass my test.

I'm seriously thinking of getting rid of my car. I now live just around the corner from work, so I usually just walk in. I use my car for shopping, going to the gym, and going up north to see my family. I only go up north about every 4 months, so I can rent a car for that (my gf comes with me, and it's a bit too far for her to be on the back of a bike).

Has anyone else here replaced their car for a bike? Were you glad you did it, or did you find that you missed the car? If you're careful, it is reasonably safe riding all year round (ie. in rain, etc)?

Cheers for any advice,
Dan.

[Hennessy]

Obviously there's certain advantages you get from having a car, which are;

-Getting friends in the car
-Not getting wet (unless your windows open)
-safer

Now in all espect for me, I ride all year from so riding in the rain for me isn't a problem... It's just you gotta know your limits in the wet and know the bike. I'd prefer a bike because of the great love and respect I have for Motorbikes and Bikers. It all depends what you feel would be the best move to make, a car is more efficient for shopping, and goin to the gym. A nice ride up north would be good if you like riding for hours!

But talking from a bias POV because I'm a biker, I would say get a bike, is there any chance you could have both?

-Hennessy
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"I Kick Into Fifth Gear and Tear The Roads Apart,
You'll Be Like Lil Jon Q and Get A Change Of Heart!"

[Stu_666]

I'd probably say keep the car if I was in your position. Perhaps get something like a cheap 1 litre engine and restrict the mileage per annum on the insurance. If someone gave me a choice though between either a bike or a car the bike would win hands down. Sooo much more fun than a car.

[Dracan]

[Bendy]

Ditch the car, if you can't live without it you can always buy another one.

[Hennessy]

well if I were you my intentions would be to get a bike, and keep the car. Because they're times when I have said, "I wish I had a car!" (Only because my bike has pissed me off cutting out or got surprising drenched when out on a ride) But the next day I'm happy again on my lovely motorcycle! lol

And I'm sure they probably will be times when you'll say exactly the same thing, whether it be getting the shopping in, or wanting to go out on a drive with some mates to keep you company!

All in all, bikes are great! lol... What bike have you got your eyes set on, because thats probably the cause of why you want to get a bike, you've seen something you like?

-Hennessy
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"I Kick Into Fifth Gear and Tear The Roads Apart,
You'll Be Like Lil Jon Q and Get A Change Of Heart!"

[Craggles]

How much shopping is involved? How much are you prepared to:
Look like a plonker attaching your shopping to your bike via bungies etc
Look like a plonker riding along with a french baguette sticking out
Limit your shopping to what you can fit on the bike

Craig
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[tony532]

riding in the pouring rain and -1 temps you get used to

both wheels sliding out on greasy deisel soaked roundabouts e.t.c




im an all weather rider but i rode 90 miles a day in driving rain the other week with car drivers flying past me as i struggled to see with the rain actually getting into my helmet and boots e.t.c


and i thought why the f**k am i doing this

[mr.z]

Unless i had a goldwing i'd not be doing a 100mile commute on a bike... even than i'd have to think carefully about it


Like has been said, you can buy a heap of a car for £200 and drive it till it falls to bits... use just your bike for a month (in winter) and see if you miss your car at all...


Usually anything requireing four wheels i'll scab a lift from somebody, easyer that way


(how far would you be traveling up norf + what bike is it?)
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>RidingSkills<->Tech Tips<->MyBikes<

[Hennessy]

For the love of Motorcycles Tony!!!! It is true though, it seems kinda mad getting to work with zero visibility and soaked through! The funny thing is, when you get to work, they send you home because your too wet... lol. Then you start cursing and things sorta go downhill from there!

But its all GOOD fun!!!!!

-Hennessy
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"I Kick Into Fifth Gear and Tear The Roads Apart,
You'll Be Like Lil Jon Q and Get A Change Of Heart!"

[theshmoo]

snow.
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CBR 1100 blackbird.

[stinkwheel]

I didn't do my car test 'till I was 21, used the bike for everything before that. I have a car which I use for work because I have to carry a hell of a lot of equipment. The only thing I use the car for in personal use is to take the bike wheels to the shop to get new tyres fitted. I always used to just drop out the wheel in the bike shop car park though.

I could count on the fingers of one hand the number of times I use the car for anything else other than work in a year. It would not be economically justified for me to have a car for this, I would be cheaper to hire a car for these occasions, or scrounge a lift. The only reason I own my own car rather than having a company one is the fact that a company car screws over your tax code.

So I would say bike, I could live quite happily without a car.
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I did the 2010 Round Britain Rally on my 350 Bullet. 89 landmarks, 3 months, 9,500 miles.

[Dracan]

[Bendy]

Supermarkets deliver these days.

[G]

£100 a month?

As bendy suggested I'd get rid off it then.

You can always look at a cheaper car if you feel you need it in the future (go for something smaller/not as fancy and it shouldn't cost you nearly as much.)

I actually got a car licence so I could enjoy bikes more; getting to minimoto, trackdays and getting bike bits/wheels to the tyre place.

[Dracan]

[G]

I have done a few trackdays ... am now in my Rookie Season of Racing now as I found I enjoyed it a bit too much.

We have been doing some off road near motocross; M40 J6. You're welcome to come along and meet some people and maybe have a go (though I'm trying to get rid of my off road bike at the mo.)
Sure we'll be up there sometime soon.

[Dracan]

[Bendy]

Just a thought... there are a few insurance companies (H&R certainly spring to mind) who may let you use your car NCB towards your bike insurance, so if you're losing the 4 wheeler you might be able to bring your two wheel insurance down a bit.

Worth looking into.

[Dracan]

Wow - that would be brilliant! I've a full NCB, so that'll make a huge difference! Thanks for that

[Doddmaster]

I couldn't go without a car now, it's a lot more practical than the bike for me. Another thing is that because Telford is such a rough place, there aren't a lot of places I can leave my bike and feel it's safe!

[JonB]

Make the decision after solely riding a bike in winter. You won't sell the car then.
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[Tarmacsurfer]

I used to do a weekly shop on a bike with no problems whatsoever. How in the bloody hell does using a vehicle to carry stuff make you look like a "plonker"? Should we all ride with nicely stripped down bikes, set up for track use and only wearing one piece leathers or something, at the risk of looking like a "plonker" any other way?

If the car is something you're not too attached to then sell it, ride over the summer and into winter, then if the cold and bad conditions get to you just do as Bendy suggested and pick up a cheap hack. No real reason to run a car if your usual mode of transport is a bike and there are no work restrictions as far as I'm concerned /shrug

On the insurance front, Carole Nash do a "six wheel" policy (or certainly used to), that covers your car and bike on the same policy. That may also be worth looking into if you want to run both.
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