I did this for a few weeks, just bike, no car. Bike was a Bandit 400, rare little thing stateside. At the time, not that I hated it, but certain things were a hassle, simply going to the store was a bit of a chore. I ended up selling the bike to get a car, and while I do like my car, and I bought it just for towing some bikes(turbo Volvo), I've been absolutely going crazy about getting another bike. It's just the finances aren't up to it, and I'm not sure if I really need a bike and a car. So comes the question, sell the sled and get a bike? Or just wait it out(who knows how long) to get another bike? I don't work a fantastic job, so saving the money would take a fair amount of time, but would be doable if I just watched what I spent it on. It doesn't help that my helmet and jacket are hanging in plain sight in the closet. If I were to get a bike now, I would actually save up more money to get a car at a much faster rare, from the gas savings and insurance savings, and then I would be able to buy another tow worthy vehicle in a much shorter time than the time it would take me to save up for a bike.
Simply put, what would you do? Or, what DO you do if you are one of the people with no cage.
Steve
I had no car for over a year. For a while I didn't have ANY vehicle (and was taking the bus). Then I got the GS, and drove that as my sole vehicle for a year. Worked fine for me. Granted, I live in southern California. But I drove it year round, rain or shine (and believe me, it's scary to ride around in the pouring rain with a bunch of idiot drivers around you who barely know how to handle a vehicle when it's damp. :mad:). Now I've got a car and the GS, and I also live very close to where I work and go to school now. So now, ironically, I don't really need either of them very much. Sadly, I'm actually thinking of selling the GS. It's hard to justify owning two vehicles when I barley need one. But three years ago I was just driving the GS, and it worked fine as my main transportation.
I wish I didn't have a car.
I just got a flat on my way to school. luckily, I left my house 30 minutes early, but I still don't have a jack in my car. I'm "running" on Fix-A-Flat.
I don't think that stuff works.
I recently sold my truck to get my GS. Mostly because I wanted a bike, but also because of the gas and insurance savings..... $118 dollars a year!!!! shaZam! I was paying that to insure my truck for a month. So far no problems, it's only been two months though. It probably helps that I have all my issued goretex for the rainy/cold days.........just throw on my reflective PT vest over it and go.
I've been doing the bike only thing for almost a year now. I bought a truck one icey day last december. Drove it home and haven't touched it since. I enjoy riding and rain and cold aren't too big an issue for me. I'm pretty tough.
Yeah that's my only concern here, living in Florida, we sometimes get those freak rain storms, people in cars as such, tend to forget how to drive, making for a scary ride. But how do you guys deal with rain and the like? I had a good set up before, check the weather before I leave for work, and if it even looks like it's going to rain, I'd bring my bag with a change of clothes. I hate having wet clothes on at work(done this before), so I'd either need to find a good rainsuit, or just keep with my setup.
But what do you guys thing of my ideals? Is it silly to sell the car just to get back on a bike sooner? I suppose it's a pretty biased crowd I'm asking :laugh: . But I'm just trying to not make a bad decision.
Steve
I'm a poor college student, and I'm riding a GS largely because $1200 won't get you anywhere near a car but will get you a damn fine GS.
I don't have a car. I commute 20 miles each way to work, 6 days a week, rain or shine. Wouldn't have it any other way.
my gs is the onl;y way i can save money the other truck i have is a 89 ford bronco with a 6inch lift 36inch tires and no gear modding so gas goes quick i think its about 60 or 70 to fill it up and thats almost twice a week :o and my gs is about 20 to fill her up and thats about every two weeks. i cant really say anything abou tthe rain cause ours is just going away and i have not hit any yet so yeah. IMHO do whatever makes you happy. best of luck
Nope never owned one, never will. I just had bicycles and now got my 2001 GS500. That is all I need year round. Once in a while I bum a ride from my friends. When I get super old and "rich," I will THINK about getting a chauffer.
I live in SoCal, used to live in CenCal and I haven't had a car for daily driver status for almost 5 years now. I freaking love it. Commuting is like a mini-GP where I get to dodge cars and trucks and big, slow-moving heavy things. Feels almost like being back on my old dirtbike racing thru the woods of Minnesota/Wisconsin.
It's somewhat awkward if a girl you meet thinks you have a nice car AND a nice bike, but I wouldn't want to date somebody like that anyway.
i went without a car for the first 3 months of having a bike. thats the reason i got a bike. i had no qualms, but i'm glad i got the car back when i did because i wrecked the gs shortly thereafter. as soon as i get paint on the gs the car goes bye-bye for a month or two so i can save up and finance a newer BMW.
You know, I've asked this on another forum or two, and this is the most "I only have a bike" replies I've gotten. Good to hear. :)
Tells you something about the people on this forum. The weather is the big factor though, how do you guys deal with it?
Steve
I don't have a car, I have not driven since the mid 1970s. I am lucky enough to live within walking distance of a small town centre with pretty much everything I need. I also live on a pretty good bus route and near the railway station so all this combined with the GS serves my transport needs. Being over 60 I get the customary old git's free bus pass which is useful.
Given the past very wet winter we have had I have seriously considered getting a car, I would need to qualify from scratch but given the age thing and how long since I last sat in a driver's seat that seems fair enough. A lot of people manage to convince themselves that they could not manage without a car and probably a small percentage are right but it is like anything else, once you have a gadget, it has you. There seem to be plenty of small, gas-wise cars around some with five-year warranty available here so I might be taking that particular plunge before next winter.
I got my GS to supplement the gas expense I had in my 91 Suburban.
I found out riding was just plain better.
So I sold the truck.
Havent DRIVEN a cage for months.
i don't have a car... I don't have many issues with carrying things around either (unless it's too big to be on a bike anyway ;) as I have (currently, looking to get some more for touring...) a Ventura Rack (http://www.ventura-bike.com/english/products/pack_system/index.html) with two 45 litre bags, as well as a tank bag... looking to get some panniers for touring now as well though.
I travel about 180km a monday to friday atm to and from uni
Yeah, I've been really considering getting out of the car and into just a bike as of late, seems more and more I just get tired of driving, all I want to do is ride, thinking how boring a drive it will be, and how much more fun it would be to ride there. Funny how that works. Anybody have and good suggestions for all weather gear?
Steve
7 years w/out a car rode the bike year round in Oklahoma. As a home owner and parent and being professionally employed I kind of have to have more than 2 wheels. Plus you gotta have something to haul the dirt toys out to your favorite playground.
Yeah, see it's nice, I'm not married, no kids, I work in a service department, and go to school, so no suit and tie for me just yet. Thank goodness. :)
Steve