Decisions decisions...

LustyLew · World Chat Champion Joined: 19 Apr 2004 Karma :

Righto chaps!

I need your help.

Last week I was involved in a 5 car pile up on the M1. I was lucky to only suffer minor injuries, which thanks to hefty pain killers are not too bad.

However, this has since knocked my confidence on the road, I'm OK in the car, but not so happy on the bike. As such I've not actually been on it.

Here's my dilemma.

I live about 40 miles out of London in Hitchin, a small town in North Herts. My choices of transport to work are either train or bike.

A month on the train works out to about £270. The bike would eat £100 in fuel in that same time.

I have recently had to have the bike in the garage for the front brake and forks to be sorted leaving me with a £140 bill. Also to be told that the forks will go again sooner rather than later as the shims are knackered.

Now, what do I do. Do I:-

(a) cut my losses, flog the bike (if someone buys it) and take the train and suffer the loss of funds.
(b) keep riding and repairing it as and when.
(c) get a smaller more economical bike, hell, even something like a CG125?

Just so you know, I ride about 45 miles each way, mostly motorway, using the A1(M) and M25, then on to the A10 for the rest of my journey.
My current bike is a 1998 Kwak ER-5 with 45k on the clock.

Any thought, suggestions or anything greatly appreciated!

Cheers!
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Sparks! · Sir Tart-a-lot Joined: 30 Aug 2003 Karma :

Fix the ER, get booked on some advanced lessons, buy a reflective vest/belt and continue with the biking.

1 month make work out more expensive on the bike than train, this time.... but next month you won't need forks done etc etc, so it'll be cheaper, way cheaper.. in the long run..

Advanced lessons, not saying you're a crap rider DONT GET ME WRONG, just you said you've lost some confidence so get it back by doing some advanced lessons / bikesafe course

Reflective gear.. if you commute then it'll make you a lot easier to be seen.. might make no difference, might save your life... who knows.. I don't wear one myself, but if I was doing a commute every day like yours then I'd wear one Thumbs Up

Just some thoughts, don't give up mate, don't sell your bike and don't worry.. Thumbs Up

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ginguar · Traffic Copper Joined: 19 Feb 2005 Karma :

You are thinking of taking a CG125 on the motorway?

El_Bandido · Trackday Trickster Joined: 08 Feb 2005 Karma :

I agree with Yams. You are just throwing money away on the train. A CG would not be suitable for the journey you are doing Thumbs Up

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Bendy · Mrs Sensible Joined: 10 Jun 2002 Karma :

Well option (c) is not happening... cg125 on the m25? No thanks.

Give it some time to get happy on the bike again before doing anything rash... the longer you leave it, the worse your brain'll convince you it'll be.

If the bike really does have problems, sell and replace. With a Honda. Wink

Robby · Dirty Old Man Joined: 16 May 2002 Karma :

Certainly the idea of getting back in the saddle seems like a good one.

Personally I much prefer car over bike for commuting, but I assume you require bike for its filtering ability.

It may well make better financial sense to replace the bike with a lower mileage similar machine. 45k+ on a 500cc commuter can get expensive, lots of bearings tend to give up around that time, and the engines are pretty worn out by then. I'd ignore the "I've seen a GS500 with 100k on the clock" brigade, its a cheap bike engine and not designed to last for ever.

Zoffo · Brolly Dolly Joined: 01 Feb 2005 Karma :

Can't take the InterCity for a blast at the weekend though can you Very Happy

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map · Mr Calendar Joined: 14 Jun 2004 Karma :

Another vote for keeping the bike Thumbs Up

What's the extra cost in getting to and from the train station? What's the amount of inconvenience this will cause. Can you guarantee trains will be on time for work and getting home. Sounds like a lot more stressful to me.

At least the bike will get you from door to door. For that it's worth iit alone. Extra training would also worth it and a good suggestion. If there's an AIM or Rospa bike group near you that'll help as they're volunteers.

Just some thoughts Thumbs Up

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LustyLew · World Chat Champion Joined: 19 Apr 2004 Karma :

Well,

after much umming and arring I got the courage to get on the bike on Sunday, it was sunny and not too cold. I had to ride down the A1 and M25 to get to a few mates, was planning a trip to Box Hill, but my riding buddy had people viewing his house.

I have to admit, I did enjoy riding again, bike may bea bit grotty at the moment but I still love it.

I'm going take the train for another week or so, give me a chance to heal up from the crash, then have a long hard think.

I'm having a rough time with my other half as of late, if thing's go bad I'll move back to London, sell the car and bike and probably get a new bike for pleasure and use tube/bus for commuting.

Thanks for all your comments and support! Top bunch of guys! Thumbs Up

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