Conundrum
Mon, 16/08/2010 - 15:20
Hi All
Let me explain my situation first. I commute by train but live around 5 miles from the station, with a poor bus service into town. I have been riding a moped for the past two years but having moved house, I now have to contend with slightly higher traffic speeds (40mph) and crossing a busy ring road roundabout.
I have been happy with the moped as apart from in the worst of weather have been able to use it everyday, and could wear my suit, which I need to wear for work.
So to get to the point, I need to take my CBT and then either get a 125cc scooter (but concerned about stability in bad weather) or take the full test and get a motorcycle - something like a 250cc Ninja?
I must admit to secretly wanting a motorcycle but would appreciate some thoughts/arguments either way - what would you do type answers!!
My problems are therefore: scooter or bike and if bike - how to work around needing a suit for work, and not wanting to do a train journey in leathers!!
Cheers!!
Jonny
Mon, 16/08/2010 - 19:54
#2
Re: Conundrum
So to get to the point, I need to take my CBT and then either get a 125cc scooter (but concerned about stability in bad weather) or take the full test and get a motorcycle - something like a 250cc Ninja?
I must admit to secretly wanting a motorcycle but would appreciate some thoughts/arguments either way - what would you do type answers!!
Could "both" be a valid answer? ;-)
Don't worry, all forms of two wheeled transport are cool, especially when you consider the alternatives. I've been won over to the charms of scooters these past few years - you can't beat the combination of convenience, on-board storage, weather protection and low running costs. Added to the traditional bike virtues of being able to park where you like for free (often), and not being in a car/ bus/ train....but you already know all about those.
If it was me, with your intended route and possible requirement for business attire at your destination, I'd be looking at 125cc scooters with plenty of underseat storage. I'd use a textile two-piece riding suit with removable layers. The bike trousers should go over your suit kecks for the ride to the station and the suit jacket can go under the seat 'til you get down there. To ensure crispness of one's trouser, strap a Corby press on the rear rack (and pack a long extension lead).
I like the look of the new Honda PCX125, which seems to have room under the seat for a full face helmet (and probably most of the rest of your riding kit when you're not wearing it), as well as funky styling and so-cheap-it's-almost-free running costs helped by a stop/ start engine. Stability should be fine on the 14 inch wheels and I'm a fan of CBS linked brakes on Honda scooters, too.
Even the price looks more than reasonable at a shade over £2k:
http://www.honda125.co.uk/honda-pcx-125-scooter.htm#gpm1_1
Tue, 17/08/2010 - 12:48
#3
Re: Conundrum
Thanks - that Honda looks nice - better than my Zip anyway!
I suppose its the sensible option but....
Fri, 01/10/2010 - 10:37
#4
Re: Conundrum
So I bought a Honda PCX - in black - and rode it today for the first time. Its a seriously nice scooter, very funky stop-start (kept thinking it was stalling so constantly touching the throttle), huge underseat storage - room for full face helmet and padded waterproof trousers, and probably a bit more if I really tried. Its v quiet and quick too.
Love it!
Bike test next Spring though....
Fri, 01/10/2010 - 14:37
#5
Re: Conundrum
Looking at what you get for the price, these ought to sell by the boatload and be top of every magazine's "bike of the year" list.
I might well swap my TMAX for one at some point.
You probably won't need to fill the tank for weeks on end but, when you do, let us know how far you managed to get beforehand. In the meantime, feel justifiably smug as you cruise in style to the front of every traffic queue, leaving the massed ranks of the sadly unenlightened in your wake...
Fri, 22/10/2010 - 11:00
#6
Re: Conundrum
I was supposed to be riding a PCX several months ago but couldn't make the presentation in the end. I've heard plenty of good things about it though and I'll get a go as soon as I can, although there seems to be a new bike press launch every week at the moment and I'm getting no time for anything in addition to those...
Fri, 22/10/2010 - 13:37
#7
Re: Conundrum
So on the fuel point - I let the gauge reach the last block before filling up - odomoter said 112 miles. I put just under £6 in to fill 'er back up so will see how far she goes on that!
Had lots of comments on how good the bike looks - just a shame about the daft L plates...
Fri, 22/10/2010 - 14:42
#8
Re: Conundrum
If you'd like to know the exact mpg, then fill it to the brim and zero the trip. Ride it as you usually do, then when it's nearly empty again, fill it to the brim once more and note what the trip is reading. This gives you the number of litres you've used to cover that number of miles.
Convert the number of litres to gallons by dividing the figure by 4.54.
Then divide the number of miles you covered by the number of gallons and you'll get miles per gallon. It probably won't be as good as Honda is claiming but hopefully it'll be in the hundreds.
Tue, 01/02/2011 - 17:28
#9
Re: Conundrum
So I finally remembered to zero the trip:-
litres to gallons divide by mileage....
100.7 mpg is not bad I suppose!
Wed, 28/12/2011 - 13:48
#10
Re: Conundrum
Done 3k now and getting more mileage out of it... up to 113.7mpg. Seems pretty good to me!
Thu, 29/12/2011 - 00:32
#11
Re: Conundrum
Pretty good indeed. Seems like you made an all round good choice.
Thu, 29/12/2011 - 18:32
#12
Re: Conundrum
Sounds like you're single handedly saving the planet!
You dont say how far your train journey is,I would be looking at doin the whole journey by bike an cutting out the train..