Petrol; seriously what's going to happen?

tk338 · Nitrous Nuisance Joined: 29 Apr 2010 Karma :

I know there are a lot of threads on here about petrol prices, but I think as something I do worry about it deserves a thread of itself!

I'm currently 20 have 18 months to go have my 33bhp restrictors in and love riding. Something thats been on my mind is in these 18 months time will I actually be able to afford to fill my bike to appreciate it at full power?

And then I debate removing my restrictors, but I wont Smile

.

Petrol either has to

- Keep rising until people slowly drop off of buying it and it becomes a largely unaffordable luxury?

- Reach a Peak and level off for good? Rising with inflation?

- At some point drop!

I just wondered what peoples thoughts on this were, I put it in Biking news because I feel it is a current issue and I'd love to hear some replies from people who might have any idea.

Before my bandit I had a cbr 600, again restricted and my biggest regret was not trying it at full power. Now I may never get the chance.
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Ybr125(10)>CBR600fY(00)>Bandit650N(58)

TheSmiler · World Chat Champion Joined: 14 Apr 2011 Karma :

The only thing that will happen is the price will keep rising and people will keep buying it if you know anything about economics or studied it you will know that petrol has little elasticity. Although it is a demerit good which means the government looks badly on it hence why they tax it so much just like cigarettes and alcohol.

But at the end of the day everyone needs to get around to do their jobs or to do other things, it may come to a luxury good in the end however at the moment unless another way of powering vehicles is found the price will forever rise.

(sorry doing an economics assignment hence the technical speak Laughing

)

tk338 · Nitrous Nuisance Joined: 29 Apr 2010 Karma :

Technical talks fine (: I want more of it, all the media ever reports is another rise and I just portion of another chunk of my pay check to petrol Sad

. I know what's happening I want to know when its going to stop!

The thing is, is that like you say it is something everyone needs to get around, and unless all of a sudden people start buying electric(/hydrogen?), cars/bikes people will keep on buying it.

Where I get lost though is there has to be a point where haulage companies, taxi firms and other businesses that require it to survive can no longer provide an affordable service and make a profit and have to close because of it. Surely that will hurt the economy even more?

Also there must be a time where people say Im going to have to sell the car/bike and go by train/bus and it seems to me in a fair few areas of the country the public transport system is stretched as it is! So another big jump in petrol could cause problems there too?

Sorry its a bit of a late night ramble but its all ticking over up there Rolling Eyes

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Ybr125(10)>CBR600fY(00)>Bandit650N(58)

TheSmiler · World Chat Champion Joined: 14 Apr 2011 Karma :

Easter Bunny · World Chat Champion Joined: 20 Aug 2010 Karma :

Logically the average bike does approx 10 miles to a litre at £1.50 thats 15p per mile, hardly breaking the bank for the average commute of a few miles back and forth.

The problems arise when your commute is 50 miles each way, more than 10 years ago I used to ride from MK to London every day on a Bandit cost me £8 a day , at current prices it would be £13-£14 quite a jump
Try taking the train into London and see how much a season ticket is!!! I am amazed that you can get into London by own vehicle cheaper than it costs to take the train???Theres sommit wrong there!!(although parking then redresses the balance in a car!)

Take a look at the other things people spend their money on.....£3 on a beer, night out £20 minimum or a weeks fuel?

£5 on a packet of fags, 20 a day £35 a week! Shocked

Buy a new bike for that!!

Kickstart · The Oracle Joined: 04 Feb 2002 Karma :

joncwl · Scooby Slapper Joined: 25 Sep 2010 Karma :

not sure if any posted it here yet, but why not gas convert your bike?

its a possibility thats passed through my mind many a times, and i have a step dad who specilises in gas converetions and i spoke to him and he said its more than possible and so fourth, simple really the tanks are a bit ugly if yu decide not to have your current one copied and fitted accordingly but hey, after its converted your saving money and it pays for itself.
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currently being a cager cause winter......the bike will be back out during the summer now

last bike, 1990 yamaha tzr125 (2rk model) - still after a fairing kit for it !!!!!

Easter Bunny · World Chat Champion Joined: 20 Aug 2010 Karma :

dogbot · World Chat Champion Joined: 03 Mar 2011 Karma :

doggone · World Chat Champion Joined: 20 May 2004 Karma :

I don't see any immediate need to panic.
As a % of average earnings fuel is still not that expensive compared to several occasions over the last 50 years - and about 2/3 of the cost is tax so a bit of slack can be found.
It does seem there's more volatitlity which is probably caused by a more knife-edge supply/demand situation.
But a lot of the price spikes are caused more by speculators than real shortage.
Some alternative fuels do seem to be almost getting mainsteam and even if bikes can't realistically use some of them, this will take some of teh demand off oil and should stabilise things longer than some would have us believe.

joncwl · Scooby Slapper Joined: 25 Sep 2010 Karma :

joncwl · Scooby Slapper Joined: 25 Sep 2010 Karma :

kenjh · Borekit Bruiser Joined: 18 Apr 2011 Karma :

just a referance I converted my Harley to propain a few years ago useing a converter from a forklift,,,it works ..not as great as I had hoped ..but it was a lot cheeper to run and fiddiling with the mix you could get a neet blue flame out the pipes on the highway..now the price is right up there so I'm back to gasoline..
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If I don't know I ask..an' there is a lot I don't know. I am and old biker , not a bold rider there are no old bold riders ...