Does riding/owning only a motorcycle or scooter make you car free?
08-13-05, 08:24 AM
#26
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The question should be does it matter? One lives car free due to econmic reasons, another lives car-free due to environmental reasons, if having motorcycle does not violate the reason why one does not have a car then there is no problem, right?
In our society, a car has become a status symbol, but let's not make "car-free" a status symbol among us cyclists. At least, I do not think it should be a status symbol.
In our society, a car has become a status symbol, but let's not make "car-free" a status symbol among us cyclists. At least, I do not think it should be a status symbol.
08-13-05, 01:52 PM
#27
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Originally Posted by Miles2go
Back to motorcycles. There's a lot more to riding a motorcycle than most people imagine. My wife went through the MSF course and did great. She could never get comfortable with riding in traffic however. Looking out for yourself on a motorcycle is a lot of work and full time. She had a lot of cofidence going into this since she's a great bicycle handler and ex-racer in road and mountain biking. I'll be selling all her riding gear and BMW F650.
The biggest detracter to motorcycle operation is the tires. Having to replace tires every 5-10K miles in bothersome. That's easily six motorcycle tires in the time that a small car would wear out four. And, if you get a nail in a motorcycle tire, it's often advisable to replace it rather than repair it.
The biggest detracter to motorcycle operation is the tires. Having to replace tires every 5-10K miles in bothersome. That's easily six motorcycle tires in the time that a small car would wear out four. And, if you get a nail in a motorcycle tire, it's often advisable to replace it rather than repair it.
Just kidding. Or... Maybe not kidding.. I've been meaning to get an F650 for a while, seems like it would suit me well, but I'd prefer a non-fuel injected version, so I can do more of my own maintainence. I suppose I could be talked into a GS, but the dealership just scares me, things are so expensive there...You should do better with tires on the F650 than the R1100, since you aren't pounding them with those extra CCs all the time. But its true, motorcycles do wear out tires faster. I think there are some longer range touring tires that are meant to take a little more abuse at the expense of a little traction, but they can be worth it for frequent riders.
peace,
sam
08-13-05, 04:23 PM
#28
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Seriously, I wouldn't mind having a motorcycle or a bigger scooter from time to time. It saves on gas and gets you around, and you can ride between cars (in some states, at least), and it's not as polluting as cars, so I'd be cool with having one.
Koffee
Koffee
08-15-05, 12:00 AM
#30
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My 1993 BMW K1100 had a catalytic converter, as well as anti-lock brakes, as does the 2000 R1100 model that I drive now. Way ahead of the curve on safety and emissions. Almost all of them have secure hard luggage also, for carrying stuff. And shaft drive for minimal maintenance. An excellent car replacement, if not cheap to run. However, a 45mpg motorcycle is a pretty good way to reduce one's carbon footprint, not to mention one's parking and freeway footprint too! (I often split lanes here, where it is legal).
I admire all of you who can go vehicle-free, but for some it is just not yet practical. I wish our government were wise enough to phase in a carbon tax over time, to reduce fossil fuel usage and CO2 emissions, as well as to fund better public transport and vehicle alternatives. Some day it will be necessary, but obviously it won't happen in the next few years.
I admire all of you who can go vehicle-free, but for some it is just not yet practical. I wish our government were wise enough to phase in a carbon tax over time, to reduce fossil fuel usage and CO2 emissions, as well as to fund better public transport and vehicle alternatives. Some day it will be necessary, but obviously it won't happen in the next few years.
08-18-05, 10:27 PM
#31
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Bah if you want to go with a moped, get a whizzer....100+mpg...and just about as fast.
08-22-05, 09:11 AM
#32
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My wife and I were about *this* close to picking up a 2005 Yamaha Vino 125. We worked out the math, and found that grarging one of our cars for eight months and riding the scooter instead would save us over $1000 a year. But, we have all but abandoned the plan now, what with the upcoming winter and the fact that she has already prepaid the insurance on the car until April 2006. I've posted a topic in this forum in regards to this issue, please check it out...
10-06-05, 03:25 PM
#33
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I've been thinking about getting a "motorized bicycle" - somewhat as a toy and also as a bit of a crutch when I don't want to take the bus. (now that I'm about sell the car)
I've never owned a motorbike but I find early 1900's bicycle/motorbike hybrids uber cool. Take a look at this page and tell me those aren't pure sex on wheels:
https://home.planet.nl/~motors-20th-century/drawings.htm
See also: https://www.motorizedbikes.com/
and https://freespace.virgin.net/stones.ukp/triumph.htm
You COULD pedal those ones if you wanted to bike. Or if you ran out of pocket change for the fuel...
I've never owned a motorbike but I find early 1900's bicycle/motorbike hybrids uber cool. Take a look at this page and tell me those aren't pure sex on wheels:
https://home.planet.nl/~motors-20th-century/drawings.htm
See also: https://www.motorizedbikes.com/
and https://freespace.virgin.net/stones.ukp/triumph.htm
You COULD pedal those ones if you wanted to bike. Or if you ran out of pocket change for the fuel...
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10-12-05, 09:58 AM
#34
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A motorcycle is not a car. Therefore I would say yes, riding/owning a motorcycle does make you car free (so long as you don't have a car). 
10-12-05, 10:06 AM
#35
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Originally Posted by Miles2go
BMW motorcycles have had cats for years. The converter on my 2000 BMW R1100S is bigger than many you'd see on cars. They don't advertise it but BMW is an eviro minded company. They were producing ULEV vehicles long ago and have been working on hydrogen powered cars since the 50's.
Nobody pressures them to make the cleanest burning motorbikes in the world. I value this and vote with my wallet.
In a year or so I hope to only own a car for occasional use and a BMW designed Mini would be a pretty good choice. They get alot better than 28mpg, in response to whoever stated that it was what you should expect.
Back to motorcycles. There's a lot more to riding a motorcycle than most people imagine. My wife went through the MSF course and did great. She could never get comfortable with riding in traffic however. Looking out for yourself on a motorcycle is a lot of work and full time. She had a lot of cofidence going into this since she's a great bicycle handler and ex-racer in road and mountain biking. I'll be selling all her riding gear and BMW F650.
The biggest detracter to motorcycle operation is the tires. Having to replace tires every 5-10K miles in bothersome. That's easily six motorcycle tires in the time that a small car would wear out four. And, if you get a nail in a motorcycle tire, it's often advisable to replace it rather than repair it.
The way I see it, a relatively clean burning small car that gets 50mpg is better in some ways than a motorcycle. I just hate replacing tires, even on my bicycles.
Cheers
Nobody pressures them to make the cleanest burning motorbikes in the world. I value this and vote with my wallet.
In a year or so I hope to only own a car for occasional use and a BMW designed Mini would be a pretty good choice. They get alot better than 28mpg, in response to whoever stated that it was what you should expect.
Back to motorcycles. There's a lot more to riding a motorcycle than most people imagine. My wife went through the MSF course and did great. She could never get comfortable with riding in traffic however. Looking out for yourself on a motorcycle is a lot of work and full time. She had a lot of cofidence going into this since she's a great bicycle handler and ex-racer in road and mountain biking. I'll be selling all her riding gear and BMW F650.
The biggest detracter to motorcycle operation is the tires. Having to replace tires every 5-10K miles in bothersome. That's easily six motorcycle tires in the time that a small car would wear out four. And, if you get a nail in a motorcycle tire, it's often advisable to replace it rather than repair it.
The way I see it, a relatively clean burning small car that gets 50mpg is better in some ways than a motorcycle. I just hate replacing tires, even on my bicycles.
Cheers
I owned a '00 Toyota Tundra fullsize pickup that was a ULEV and that had a 4.7l V8 engine. I don't own that vehicle anymore though, just didn't have the need and it was horrible on gas.
10-12-05, 10:17 AM
#36
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by definition (courtecy of Dictionary.com)
car
4-wheeled motor vehicle
Motorcycle
A two-wheeled motor vehicle resembling a heavy bicycle, sometimes having two saddles and a sidecar with a third wheel.
Bicycle
A vehicle consisting of a light frame mounted on two wire-spoked wheels one behind the other and having a seat, handlebars for steering, brakes, and two pedals or a small motor by which it is driven.
car
4-wheeled motor vehicle
Motorcycle
A two-wheeled motor vehicle resembling a heavy bicycle, sometimes having two saddles and a sidecar with a third wheel.
Bicycle
A vehicle consisting of a light frame mounted on two wire-spoked wheels one behind the other and having a seat, handlebars for steering, brakes, and two pedals or a small motor by which it is driven.
10-13-05, 01:01 AM
#37
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https://freespace.virgin.net/stones.ukp/triumph.htm
These are pretty cool! So are the ones on that page of sketches. What kind of mileage do bikes set up like this get? How fast to they go? Are they/the motors expensive? Do you need some kind of a license to have one on the road? I'd LOVE to have something like that for longer trips, heavy loads, big hills, winter riding...
These are pretty cool! So are the ones on that page of sketches. What kind of mileage do bikes set up like this get? How fast to they go? Are they/the motors expensive? Do you need some kind of a license to have one on the road? I'd LOVE to have something like that for longer trips, heavy loads, big hills, winter riding...
