Live without a car...?

[Asa600]

Being nearly 17 ive got to make the choice whether i want a car or a bike, and personally i love bikes and prefer them over cars. But obviously i cant have both and with many of my friends getting cars, its hard to just say no and get a big bike. Whenever i say im getting a bike people immediately say, "you won't want one in the winter or when its raining". But the way i see it is if you have a good set of leathers look after the bike properly and are sensible theres no trouble in using it as your main form of transport.
could someone give me their view on this?
Cheers

[Clanger]

When I was your age, all I had all year round was my motorbike!
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[Keir]

i would say get the car. Although a bike all year is fine its just not always as practical. ever tried going out on a first date on a bike with the bird all tarted up... she wont be impressed when you arrive!

[doggone]

If you have decent public transport in your area you might be OK with just the bike.
Or perhaps you have occasional access to parents/brothers/friends car?
Ideally you want to pass the car test now anyway while a lot of the crap is in your head.

[Asa600]

Yeah thats gonna be one of the biggest problems because all though i should think a nice bike is a good girl puller first off, it isn't too practical. See how hard the decision is.

[craigs23]

I've been riding for over 7 years now. Haven't seen the need (or point) on getting a car.

Do get lots of lifts to parties though.

[Asa600]

Yeah i think what i will do is do my bike test, get a bike then six months later do my car test and get insured on my parents car. That way i can use the bike all the time and use a car if i realy need to.
Thanks for the suggestions

[cagiva gezzer]

Your mates have cars, you don't need one. Had bikes since i was 16, didn't buy a car until i was 22.
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[Louise]

Id say get a car. Reason being a car licence gives you alot more opertuniy to jobs then a bike would

[Asa600]

Yeah thats a thought but if i take my car test when im 17 some time, if a job required me to have a car i could easily buy a cheap car and get it on the road with parents insurance ect.

Either way i think youve given me the confidence to get a bike because as i say my mates have cars and i can allways get insured on my parents.

Thanks for help

[Slickfish]

Im 25 and I've still never owned a car!!

Yeah I can drive but I choose not to!.

Can be annoying if meet mates and your wet through, have all the gear etc.

[Dark]

[instigator]

Cars can actually be enjoyable too...

*shock*...*horror*



(Try both before you take the plunge)

[Biker Boy]

yeh man, stick with the bike! I'm 19, was in a similar position to you when I was 17. As you say your mates have cars for lifts when you need em, but bikes are just so much better! I love my bike and really can't stand cars. Fair enough they may be more practical etc, but not at this age! I can see myself having just a bike for many years from now. If a job wants you to have a licence a lot of them will train you themselves, if it's that necessary.

As for your other post about the restriction (i know this isn't the same thread... but never mind), I'd advise you to stick with the restriction for the two years... When I passed my test I was planing on sticking with my 125cc Yamaha DT, but yeh, as time went by I just wanted more power. I got the Yamaha XJ600N which got restricted, but was still much more powerful and could easily hit the 100mph mark (on a track of course! ) I'm now 19, waited for the restriction to lift and got my ZX6R. It was worth the wait trust me!

Having the restriction there may seem dull, but it's there for a reason. and although i don't agree with a lot of the rules and laws forced upon us, i do with this one. it's for safety, gets you used to riding larger engines but stops you from going 0-60 in like 3 seconds until you've had some experience. just think, after you're 19 you've got so many years of riding left, it'll make the two you waited seem like nothing.

I was tempted to not get it restricted of course, but to be honest it's just not worth it. You get pulled or have a crash, insurance checks your bike, you're screwed. patience man, it'll pay off.
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[Asa600]

Yeah thanks for the replies, Youve probably convinced me to keep my bike restricted when i get it, after all you all know alot more about biking than me.
Cheers

[MarkJ]

I don't understand why everyone tells 17yr olds to get a car. It's not like 17yr olds have to carry a family round is it? Unless of course you need a car/car license for work i'd say get a bike, get a car & license in a few years time. And cars are expensive as hell at 17

[steveh]

same as the above had bikes since i was 16, no interest in cars, ridden all year round, rain, snow, wind, hail and all the other things that get thrown at you (fag stumps, dead things ect, ect)

wouldnt change it for the world.

all my mates that have cars and agree that they would like a bike, very few actualy go about doing it.


dont follow the croud.


Steve.
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[extreme3d]

[Finglonga]

Don't want to be nasty here but..But unless you have had both you wouldn't know! A car is much better to have in the winter than a bike.

Had a Bike 23 years and a car 20 years, the bike is fun in the dry, so so in the rain, but in the cold wet freezing winter its just not enjoyable. A car can be fun in all weathers, you can carry more shopping, friends and 'shock horror' although some girls think a bike is 'cool' they would rather be in a car when its wet and cold.

I would never part with my bike, I enjoy it too much but its nice when I am going to work at 4.30 in the morning on a winters day with a nice warm heater and keeping dry and not needing to take off waterproofs at the other end. Plus on Ice 4 wheels are easier than 2 to keep upright.

So as already said I would try the car first and see how you get on, you can always get a bike later.
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[bish777]

get a bike and a good pannier set!

Only ever owned one car for a month or so and never otherwise, always been a bikie.
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[jay_666]

I too have to make this decision. Well, actually, i've already decided.

Got my bike test end of the month, but i've also started to learn no drive a car. Been having a few goes in my moms car (Rover 214sei) and ive booked a car lesson for in a few weeks time.

I didn't plan on learing to drive a car, but my mom and dad said "you dont have to have a car, just get your lisence done and its ready for whenever you can afford to run a bike and a car."

My mom's also insured me on her car and said that when ive passed my test i can borrow it when i like, so long as i put some petrol in it now and then.

I have nice parents
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[colin1]

[Dragonfly]

when i was your age i had nought! i am 24 now and all i have is a bike. i cant even drive a car. i do all weather on the bike except really severe stupid driving weather.
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[wristjob]

but dont forgrt that at 17 there is such a thing as a car slut.
also if he lives with the folks a car is a shag palace.
ok a car a 17 year old can afford wont be anywhere near as much fun to drive as a bike.however there is room for driver and 3 girls in a car on a cold night down the rec.

[GearboxGeezer]

So thats why ur called wristjob u horny basturd!!!!!!!

Im just doing my car licence now, im 17, I wont be buying a car though, as I already got a bike but im gona be driving me dads car and work vans...