i've pretty much posted this before, but not in its own thread. i'm getting really close to getting bike. i've also said that before, but it's real now. i found a guy that will trade a nice gs for my car. it might happen. it's just up to the decision now. the advise i'm looking for is, am i an idiot for planning to ride this as a DD? i don't have to drive a whole lot, because i'm in college. so the idea is, i'll do my occasional medium length trips home (two hours tops), and go to work in the summer on it, and save on gas, insurance, and repair costs. i live in VA, so it gets cold, but i've budgeted in what is said to be some pretty substantial cold weather clothing. i accept that i'll have to avoid riding in the rain, snow, and in very cold below freezing temperatures, and that i can't carry too much. so with those down sides accepted, is this still a good idea? i'm just getting nervous that i might be making a big mistake. mostly safety wise. i can cope with the lack of storage, the need for good clothing, and problems getting around in the rain, but i'm just worried that putting so much time on a bike is going to end up ensuring that i'm dead before i'm 30. sorry to bring up a morbid subject guys, but what do you all think about this? should i do it?
I would say alot of the answer is how much do you want to let your life be controlled by the weather if you plan to try avoiding riding in rain snow and below freezing temps. I personally think the bike is a great commuter/joy rider but i personally could never give up my car and have just the motorcycle. I have been caught in the rain once and personally i thought it was miserable riding even though my gear kept me dry and i know their are a bunch of people on here that ride rain or shine but i much prefer riding in my car in the rain. Have you ever ridden/owned a motorcycle before or would this be a first experience?
I LOVE riding in the rain. You have to be careful, that's a given, but with some rain boots, cheap rain pants, rain jacket, and a full face helmet, I really enjoyed it. I have also been caught in the rain a couple times with my normal riding gear, and there is nothing more miserable than being covered head to toe in soaking went boots, pants, gloves, and a jacket. I live in PA, and at one point only used the motorcycle for transportation. I had to give up in the dead of winter, as there's no logical way to get around snow or ice, but if you're in college you'll probably be fine. Is this a campus where you can get to class without driving, or are you still miles away from your classes? It pretty much depends on what the winter is like, but there's no amount of rain or cold that can't be beat with heated grips and some good riding gear, the ice is your only concern.
i won't be needing to drive to campus. that's why i say i won't be driving much. i'll actually probably only take the bike out every week or less.
i've ridden very little before. i'm taking the class this weekend, so that will be more insight. thanks for the responses!
how about interstate riding? how scary is that? that's most of my worry. around town and around my home county, i'm really not worried about safety at all. but i can't get to my school without going on an interstate for about half an hour.... i guess i should just figure out that it's not that bad judging by how many bikes i do see on there. hell, i've seen i guy going down the interstate at about 70 standing on the gas tank.
It will vary from person to person, and I'm sure theres a statistic or something but..
Personally I think riding on the interstate is a lot less scary than around town. The drivers in boston do some crazy shite in town, but on the highway, theres more room for me to speedup/slowdown/dodge if need be. It could very well be that interstate statistically has more accidents, but personally I feel very comfortable with it
I'm confused, first you said you don't have to drive to class, then you said you can't get to class without a half hour on the highway?
Are you asking if it's scary being on the highway in general, or in the rain/cold? Being on the highway is fine once you're used to riding over 50mph, I tend to avoid it as I really just get bored of the highway and tend to start going faster than I should be to make it exciting again, so I just avoid it. There's nothing easier though. Merging is a piece of cake. No car roof or frame to get in your line of sight when you want to merge, and if you're still worried you can just take it up to 100 on the on ramp and pick a front in front of you that you want(I didn't say that, it's not safe), then you just cut straight over to the left lane and forget about it.
I've been on the highway plenty in the rain/cold. If you're worried about it you could buy a windshield, that'd block some cold and water. As long as your tires have tread it won't be an issue though. Some storms get a little windy, and you notice you're riding leaned over at a 45 degree angle and still going in a straight line. Most snow build up happens on slower roads though, highways tend to stay fairly clear and dry compared to other roads i think.
This really isn't a decision I feel comfortable making for someone else. I live in the city so I just ride my bicycle to work 52 weeks out of the year, so who am I to say.
sorry for the confusion. when i go to school for the year, i live on campus and don't need to drive. but when i go back to my parents house, it's at least a 1/2 hour hop on the interstate, and then another 1 1/2 hour off the interstate.
well thanks for the responses guys. i'm just wigging out cause it's so close to making a big decision. but i've had my mind made up on it for a long time so i'm sticking with it. thanks everyone!
Oh, well if it's just visits to your parents house, i wouldn't worry about it. I lived at school for years without anything better than a 2 hour bus ride, or an hour and 45 minute bike ride back to their house.... I know, pathetic that I can make it to their house faster on a bicycle than you can on a bus. I have my motorcycle at that point, but I didn't keep it down here. The only reason I have a car now, is because I happened to marry someone with one, but other than that I still bicycle everywhere. We also have two dogs, so it's pretty necessary should one get sick or something like that. Once I get the GS all squared away it'll still mostly just be used for joyrides as I don't have the patience for traffic or parking.
college plus motorcycle.... think of the CHICKS.
make sure its the gs-f... chicks dig fairings.
I ride were I need to go. I hate rain but ain't afriad of it. I keep my knees in the breeze and that is all that matters!
Robert :thumb:
Good luck!
It's a personal decision... Riding in the rain isn't that bad, as long as you've got the gear. You'll have to be more cautious, of course... road paint and metal manholes are slicker than snot when wet... plus the oil on the road just after it starts to rain (until it washes off the road surface)... but I don't find it horrible. Last winter, the coldest morning I rode was 17 degrees F. As long as there is no ice on the road or snow in the forecast... I'm good to go an hour each way to work. If I feel comfortable, I do it.
:cheers:
thanks everyone. i'm definitely going for the f. the main deciding factor is the wind screen, and i also want a very low mileage bike, so it's got to be within a few years old.
well i've got some pretty good gear picked out. i found these pants that are synthetic and "heavily insulated" for winter riding. $200! owch! and a nice big neck warmer, and some gloves, and i'll get boots too. and for the top i'm just going to make due with what i have for this year i think. unless it gets unbearable and maybe i'll pull some money together for a winter riding jacket. sweet.
Well if it is your ONLY vehicle then idk. you might need to say take your pc from college to wherever for repairs. or to grocery store. o=r hell it may rain for 5 days straight and youve no food there. but yeah given your circumstances. would be cheaper. in teh long run tho
actually all those situations are really not an issue to me. i have a laptop, i'm also getting a waterproof back pack at some point, if it's raining that long, then there's somewhere on campus that i can just walk to for food. though, those situations do still suck, but they are over come-able.
f-ing exited guys. i brought the price down on the car so maybe someone will buy it now!
i just finished my first full day of the MSF course and had a great time. there's not doubt in my mind now that i'll be getting this bike to use as a primary driver.
You won't be needing a helmet if you can't spell advice.
good joke there bud
Quote from: KasbeKZ on July 18, 2009, 02:33:34 PM
good joke there bud
Sorry didn't mean to be a duck...Just trying to help you out. :cheers:
And Skeets won't need new pads if he can't spell 'brakes'. It's not 'breaks'
Quote from: Paulcet on July 18, 2009, 02:46:06 PM
And Skeets won't need new pads if he can't spell 'brakes'. It's not 'breaks'
I corrected myself at least :)
Check out my thread mate.
it's all good. i had just woken up to the sound of some kid i don't like running my golf cart into a boat that's at my house for me to paint. i was grumpy. i'm just a terrible speller. they put me in special ed for spelling in elementary school, at the same time i was in "gifted", as they called it, for "reasoning skills". my take on spelling is that i'd worry about it more if it made sense. but it doesn't. it's just how people made it up to be.