Have any of you gotten rid/sold of your car just to have your motorcycle as your only mode of transportation? What I pay for my car right now (plus insurance) is what I am currently paying for my housing.
I was just curious how feasable it is to have *just* a motorcycle as my only form of transportation. I live in SoCal so there isn't a big weather extreme, rains once in a while but nothing too significant. Plus I have a second bike so I would have a backup if the Duc needs to be in the shop.
Any feedback would be helpful.
I haven't needed a car in San Diego since 2003. I only use the truck for hauling the bike to the track.
Sell your car and acquire a POS pickup that works from craigslist. That's what I did, I only use it when it's pouring rain and you can haul your ride to the track too ;D
*Edit* Ha, ^^^, guess I'm not the only one! ;D
i had a car for a very short amount of time, then i got rid of it, or it got rid of me, then i got my bike and its been my main mode aside from public transportation since 2006. no problems.
I used to work with a dude that rode a BMW about 362 days out of the year. In Missouri. In the snow. In the ice. (BMW dudes are hardcore)
Personally I'm too much of a pansy to ride my bike in the winter. St. Louis can suck balls in the winter, then with all the nasty salt and chemicals they load up the roads with, yeeeesh...
But in SoCal i would totally try it, seems like getting a beater to use when absolutely have to is the thing to do.
1. Do It
2. Post Results ;D
I sold my car and one of my 2 motorbikes, so now all I've got is my 696. But I think it's important to see what your needs are and how safe the traffic situations are to your destinations. I work a few miles away and since Im selective of my routes, I thought going bike only would be okay. I can't just go places on whims anymore. If I lived in a place a bit more remote and I had to ride heavy traffic roads that could get hairy, Id probably still have my car. I dont do once a week grocery runs anymore, I go 2-3 times a week. My apartment has laundry. Hauling laundry to a laundromat in a large backpack gets old fast. I can't give people rides anymore(my girlfriend wont ride 2up). I couldnt go bike only if I had to park in an area where my bike could easily get stolen. Sometimes the little things that seem like conveniences with the car can be real hassles with bike only.
So yeah, I think its feasible but you just gotta make some changes to your routine. You'll smell like asphalt and gasoline wherever you go and youve got your gear to deal with.
I think the best solution is to get a cheap car or truck and park it. When you need it, it'll come in REALLY handy.
I sold my Jeep over 2 years ago now.
Been on a motorcycle ever since rain or shine. 27k on it so far [moto]
That being said I am going to make another attempt at buying a car next year. Some sort of 4 seater performance car like a Evo 8, 9 or WRX STI. [thumbsup]
Oh and it sucks when you need to pickup food or carry anything. I have a tank bag, Backpack and when I get really desperate I shove items down the front of my jacket ;D
My jeep needs a total brake job. I have let it sit for about 10 months. I used the monster through the entire winter rain or shine. Granted this is South Carolina, and the winter was mild(read: little rain). Personally, I felt I made a deeper connection as a motorcyclist with my bike, the road, and my commitment to the sport. The "convenient" option was eliminated, and I was amazed at what I could accomplish with just the bike.
I will get the Jeep operational again, but only because I want to haul my bike to the mountains for weekend riding/camping trips. 8)
Quote from: ROBsS4R on April 09, 2009, 08:57:05 PM
Oh and it sucks when you need to pickup food or carry anything. I have a tank bag, Backpack and when I get really desperate I shove items down the front of my jacket ;D
You're just not hardcore enough. [cheeky] I can carry just about anything on my bike. I always keep a set of bungees in my seat and usually have a tank bag and a backpack with me. I can do a week of groceries for 2 no problem. Including soda/juice. Just gotta be careful to put the eggs on top. In 5 years of using only the bike to go grocery shopping I've only broken 1 egg on the way home. BUT I can't go grocery shopping with anyone else because they don't like wearing a duffel stuffed full of food. It doesn't bother me to do it alone but I put up with a lot in the name of riding.
Some things to consider though:
1 - What kind of work do you do? Do you have somewhere to hang/ put your wet gear when you ride in the rain? (pants, jacket, helmet) When it's dry I don't mind putting the jacket on my chair and helmet on my table but the pants go on a shelf and when it's wet I don't like to put them there because they cause the shelf to rust. [roll] Also, putting the wet jacket on my chair means I can't lean back until it's dry or my shoulders get wet.
2 - Are you single? Gotta find a girl that doesn't mind riding on the back or you'll be another pussy that makes his lady drive them everywhere. [roll] Either that or you gotta drive her car.
3 - Kids? Along the same lines, if you will ever need to transport more than 2 people you're gonna need other wheels or a side car. [roll]
yeah dump the car.
I been there paying more for the car than for my house each month.
Its not clever.
Quote from: silentbob on April 09, 2009, 08:31:10 PM
I haven't needed a car in San Diego since 2003. I only use the truck for hauling the bike to the track.
And I thought you were a poser for trucking your bike to DIMBY. Shows how wrong we can be in jumping to internet conclusions. I think I already apologized, but I was really dead wrong.
To the original question: I used to ride my '66 Triumph Bonneville as my daily transportation. For awhile I had a really bad boss and the morning bike ride was one of the things that helped keep me sane. But I had an old beater truck as a backup. The bike never let me down, but the truck was very useful when needed for carrying things and weekend camping expeditions.
I don't ride year-round here but even in the summer I keep an old beater truck around, an '86 Toyota, that I only pay the legal minimum insurance on. And my wife has a real car, a RAV4 that we pay full insurance on, but it's not all that bad considering my talent for backing into things.
For city commuting a dual sport or street legal dirt bike is more practical than a Monster, for things like U-turns over median curbs and agility in negotiating potholes but if you don't already have one then you're back to the money issue again. And I found that a set of soft bags were almost a requirement to making daily bike transportation practical.
I only have motorcycles. Granted, I work in NYC and use subways as my main mode of transportation. Cars are too much of an expense and if you live somewhere where you can avoid using one, than def. take advantage of it. The $$ you save can go towards modding your bike. [thumbsup] [bacon]
I spent 4 or 5 months with no car, drunk driver hit me. I rode rain or shine...its not bad as long as it's not too cold. In So Cal youd be fine. I did it in Charleston like BastardHK.
wow im amazed at how many people are bike only! [thumbsup]
however i could never do that. i just haul too much shit. (oh and i live in the northeast)
cars trucks toys are supposed to make you feel GOOD inside. if you pay so much it makes you feel bad, get a jeep cherokee. they cost 2k-3k
they are rock solid, parts are incredibly cheap. fixing them is easy. you dont have to get coverage to replace the jeep because.... you can just buy another one [beer]
should pay for itself after a year (versus leasing a car) and you can haul stuff, people, and in the case it snows or rains too hard for the bike
-r
and no i dont own one
I have been mostly motorbike/bicycle for a while but still depend on a car for transporting the dogs, my violin (it's too nice, I need a beater for taking it on the bike) and occasionally things like moving a desktop computer for work.
While I still have a minivan (2 kids, having just a bike won't work for me) with my wife, I ride the bike to work everyday.
It's doable. In fact a number of friends of mine get by with just a motorcycle and just use zipcar/city carshare when they need to haul stuff.
One downside: Riding the bike on weekends can start to feel like nothing special. To avoid this I have a commuter bike (250 scooter) and a weekend ride (Monster)
My car battery has been dead for a month and a half now and I didn't really have a problem with it. The Monster has become my weekend twisties ride and the BMW has enough storage to fit a good sized shopping trip in the luggage. I've been thinking about getting a truck as well, seing as how all i do with the car is occasionally get groceries, go camping, and take it on trips when i really really really don't feel like two wheeling it. i don't think I could get rid of the cage all together though. While I rarely use it, I'll fork over the minimal liability payments just to have it as a backup and just drive it once a month (and get a battery tender :)) so she stays in driveable shape.
I can't do it.
I have a Tacoma, and ride the monter and SM weather permitting.
Live in the Northeast and during the winter I've had awd/4whl drive car and trucks stuck in my driveway, so winter riding would be all but impossible.
Have a dog that I try and take with me as often as possible, also need a small truck to do yard work and hall the bike.
Ride as often as I can when the temp is above 40 and I can get out of my driveway. During the riding season I may drive the truck 1 day per week.
I need a tank bag.
Quote from: Cuky_Monster on April 09, 2009, 08:20:07 PM
I was just curious how feasable it is to have *just* a motorcycle as my only form of transportation.
I did this for 4 years. It's a pain in the ass, don't do it. Here is what I discovered. Getting to ride a motorcycle is the best thing on earth. Having to ride a motorcycle is miserable. Ride your bike everyday. get an old truck, or car and park it. I have the Duc, and an old 96 GMC. Here's the thing, even a little rain and or cold sucks. Some days you wanna wear shorts and flip flops. Sometimes you wanna carry stuff and or friends from point A to point B. Life is just easier, and riding more enjoyable if you have options.
The only reason I got a car is because I had a kid. And it's ruining the time I have to ride. Agh!
He's lucky he's so damn cute.
Quote from: killaimdie on April 10, 2009, 09:30:37 PM
The only reason I got a car is because I had a kid. And it's ruining the time I have to ride. Agh!
He's lucky he's so damn cute.
That and the motorcycle was starting to hurt your mangina.
after moving to portland I decided I dident need a car. sold it and used half the money to get my s2r. occasionally ill miss the car when I cant buy anything bigger than a shoebox and get it home but im alright with that.
A used small pickup is a must have item as far as I'm concerned - $1500 to $5000. Money well spent.
LA
Quote from: Clickjack on April 10, 2009, 07:43:04 PM
I did this for 4 years. It's a pain in the ass, don't do it. Here is what I discovered. Getting to ride a motorcycle is the best thing on earth. Having to ride a motorcycle is miserable. Ride your bike everyday. get an old truck, or car and park it. I have the Duc, and an old 96 GMC. Here's the thing, even a little rain and or cold sucks. Some days you wanna wear shorts and flip flops. Sometimes you wanna carry stuff and or friends from point A to point B. Life is just easier, and riding more enjoyable if you have options.
I agree 100%
I have been bike only for 2 years and I am getting tired of it. I used to commute to work every day and ride all weekend long. I got sick of riding and stopped riding on the weekends for fun because I was commuting every day. It took a lot of the fun out of riding.
I can carry a shopping cart full of groceries on the bike and I have been pretty creative with strpping shit to it. I hate it. There was a point there I would rather walk and take a bus places because putting on my helmet, gloves and jacket was a hassle. I took a 2 week break from riding all together, and I started to enjoy it again.
I still want a truck though, and had no intentions of being bike only this long.
What Vin and Clickjack said:
It's more fun if you do have an alternative. Getting on the bike everyday gets old.
Sucks when your working out. Sucks when you're dating-she has to drive, because really, you going to buy gear for her for a first date? Think not. Can't have *any* liquor, and get home, and even if you wouldn't in a car, you can at least get a friend to drive you drunk ass home in your car. Carry your gear with you everywhere, everyday. Get used to wearing full gear, walking in heavy boots, with extra layers on in the heat.
I might consider it on a GS with bags, so I could carry regular clothes and stow the gear. On a Monster with no way to lock it up? Hell no.
I did it. I too live in socal (LA) and I too was paying for a car what some pay in rent. But it was worth it to me at the time. Eventually I decided I couldn't justify the cost anymore and sold it and got a bike. No regrets at all. Significant cost savings. However, my wife has a car. So when it rains or its time to go grocery shopping or I'm just tired, I have that option. Get a cheap car that u can treat like a rental. Dents and dings are inevitable (esp in socal) and having a cheap car is stress-free.many people in LA drive performance cars they can't afford and will never get the chance to push them to the limits of their capabilities. A bike is cheap, it saves time (legal lane-splitting) and its much more fun. Go for it.
But do get a beater car for the trader joes parking lot.
I did it [thumbsup]
I had a nice Jeep Grand Cherokee and gave it up when I moved to Copenhagen.
Reason one : Denmark wants you to pay 120% tax on every car you bring into the country and they estimate the price at the border.
Reason two : Best public transport in the world (computer controlled Metro, aircon buses, three meter wide bike lanes)
Then came the 695 and proved itself to be the perfect commuter bike and also fit for some tours and track days.
You dont need a station wagon, you need a friend who owns one ;)
i went bike only about 5 yrs ago.
there are times when it kinds sucks, but 99.5% of the time i love it.
i ride through snow, rain, cold, heat, ect...being in socal i believe you will only have to worry about the heat most often.
there was a thread recently about riding to work and how to deal with keeping your work clothes fresh. plenty of good advice there.
i bought a cheap pair of soft bags for the monster and things became much easier. i can carry dam near anything on the bike now, though there are times that my better judgement kicks in and i dont' carry certain things (full pieces of lumber for example)
i say if you want to doit then just do it. ween yourself off the car if you have to. do what makes you happy.
Me?
Bicycle, public transportation and now my (new to me) S2R.
The only problem I am going to have this summer is that I still need to take public transportation when I need to take my guitar with me as that I can't see a way to put it on the monster at all without killing myself or the acoustic.
did about 7 years in school with bike only, but wife had car for last three for emergencies, shopping etc.
bike's are great campus vehicles and my school had great motorcycle parking dirt cheap compared to horribly expensive and rare car parking. No big deal to ride in rain etc. as a student either.
In a professional field I think a car is needed. Perhaps you can still bike most of the time, but there are times when it's just not going to work.
But if you are younger and in a place where you can get away with it without it hurting your career or social life do it. I learned more street survival skills commuting daily by bike in all weather than I ever would have just weekending it as a hobby.
I think it's easier to start bike-only before you have a car than to go other direction. Pretty easy to get used to air con, heat, dry, storage, passengers, safety.
And as others have said, the commuter vehicle is a tool. A to B. I like the bike to be a toy. Point A to point A.
riding as an event.
something to get caught up in and get me away from the mundane monday through friday drudgery. But I may not feel quite like that now if I didn't do the commute by bike thing earlier. who knows.
Quote from: MsTek on April 13, 2009, 08:13:14 AM
Me?
Bicycle, public transportation and now my (new to me) S2R.
The only problem I am going to have this summer is that I still need to take public transportation when I need to take my guitar with me as that I can't see a way to put it on the monster at all without killing myself or the acoustic.
i've seen people carrying theirs in backpack style cases. most had some fomr of waist strap to keep it in place, and it didn't look like the neck was interfering their their helmet.
I have no idea how much they would cost, but it's a thought.
Where i live; Washington, DC; this is just not a option because of the weather. But weather aside, it depends also in what you do for a living. I am an architect and even though i own my own practice, I have to wear a suit from time to time and go to meetings with clients. In the bike, that would just not work. I do wear jeans to work most of the time and when I can, I ride my bike. In the summer, I can ride the bike for entire weeks and not even start the car. Riding with a suit, or even jeans with a nice shirt, shoes and a sport jacket just does not work.
Think of that before making your decision. You do not want to limit you life too much.
My 0.2 cents.
jo
Quote from: Cuky_Monster on April 09, 2009, 08:20:07 PM
Have any of you gotten rid/sold of your car just to have your motorcycle as your only mode of transportation? What I pay for my car right now (plus insurance) is what I am currently paying for my housing.
I was just curious how feasable it is to have *just* a motorcycle as my only form of transportation. I live in SoCal so there isn't a big weather extreme, rains once in a while but nothing too significant. Plus I have a second bike so I would have a backup if the Duc needs to be in the shop.
Any feedback would be helpful.
with regards to riding to work.
http://ducatimonsterforum.org/index.php?topic=21680.0 (http://ducatimonsterforum.org/index.php?topic=21680.0)
it can be done, and isn't that hard. you jsut have to plan for it.
Anything Can be done. I rode year around for 4 yrs, so have two of my close friends. We're talking quality of Life and or Motorcycle time here. Life is better if you have options. Ride everyday, year around, all weather if you want. but trust me, life will be easier if you have a car/truck/what ever to use when you need it or just want it, because you will get tired.
I live in L.A. and haven't had a car for 5 years, just a bike. When I need a car I rent from Enterprise. They pick you up and have great weekend deals. I have my groceries delivered from Albertsons or Vons. I take the bus and subway often. I ride a bicycle. I walk. It can be done.
Quote from: ROBsS4R on April 09, 2009, 08:57:05 PM
or WRX STI. [thumbsup]
The New STI's are amazing. My friend got one and put another 3k into it (Computer, exhaust, MTB / snowboard rack) and its just an extreme amount of fun. Nothing like going down 476 in PA at 120 + mph with two snowboards on the roof. I won't let him try that with my Cannondale on the roof though.
Quote from: Sause on April 14, 2009, 08:07:04 AM
The New STI's are amazing. My friend got one and put another 3k into it (Computer, exhaust, MTB / snowboard rack) and its just an extreme amount of fun. Nothing like going down 476 in PA at 120 + mph with two snowboards on the roof. I won't let him try that with my Cannondale on the roof though.
just be careful when you get up past 30. the troopers like to sit from there to the TPK.
I live in Japan and am only authorized 1 vehicle. All I have is my M400. Rain, shine, cold, hot, whatever works. Even a couple times in the snow (not my favorite). I've got gear for different weather.
If I had the chance, would I have another vehicle? Yes. I'd own a beater pickup for those days when riding just wouldn't work (which is very rare). Going car-less is much easier if you have decent public transportation too. And, a solid plan on getting the necessities.