View Full Version : Anyone looking to Downsize there bike?
Dicky Ticker
19-06-11, 04:14 PM
Just filled up at Morrison's £1.34.9 per litre=£27:86,I used to be able to fill the car for that cost
I think I might seriously consider going back to a 250 or 500.
New Honda CBR250 at 100mpg looks appealing
-Ralph-
19-06-11, 04:24 PM
If I was commuting I would, but the bike is for pleasure, and the bike I ride is part of that pleasure. To me to be out riding a bike that I didn't enjoy would be a waste of time and money, and enjoying burning 3 gallons in 100 miles is better than wasting 1 gallon.
If you think you'd enjoy it just the same, there's no reason why not, go get a test ride.
DJFridge
19-06-11, 04:47 PM
If I was commuting I would, but the bike is for pleasure, and the bike I ride is part of that pleasure. To me to be out riding a bike that I didn't enjoy would be a waste of time and money, and enjoying burning 3 gallons in 100 miles is better than wasting 1 gallon.
If you think you'd enjoy it just the same, there's no reason why not, go get a test ride.
Couldn't agree more. And actually, the SV drinks a hell of a lot less than either of the cars anyway, so unless the family is going out, the bike still works out cheaper. Although, we did Bognor to Littlehampton today to see the Olds two up on two bikes. Whether one car would have cheaper for that I wouldn't like to say. Don't care anyway, it was a lovely ride and it will only have been a few pence in it!
dicky ticker, do you have an SV650?? what bike could you fit £27 worth of fuel in??
Supervox
19-06-11, 04:53 PM
Nope - just ordered my new one :cool:
It costs me £43.57 to fill up @ £132.9 per gallon :(
DJFridge
19-06-11, 04:54 PM
dicky ticker, do you have an SV650?? what bike could you fit £27 worth of fuel in??
That's a good point. And if you're only paying 135p a litre, you're doing a lot better than down here!
Paid £1.40 a litre today. Got to the point where I had to fill up, drove past one at £1.38 should of stopped :( xD
andrewsmith
19-06-11, 05:03 PM
Nope - just ordered my new one :cool:
It costs me £43.57 to fill up @ £132.9 per gallon :(
GS12 or Guzzi adventurer?
Supervox
19-06-11, 05:12 PM
GS12 or Guzzi adventurer?
R1200 GS Adventure :cool:
Dicky Ticker
19-06-11, 05:37 PM
TK6-----No Sprint 21.5 litre fuel tank and about if not more to the gallon than the SV.
Vox,That is a fuel tanker sized tank on the Aventurer;)
Dicky Ticker
19-06-11, 05:42 PM
Reflecting on what has been said in other posts about having as much fun with a smaller cc bike but pushing it a bit nearer to its limits rather than a 1000cc bike which I never use to full power,but know it is there if needs must.
Sunday afternoon musing
ImplodedHamster
19-06-11, 05:49 PM
Just filled up at Morrison's £134.9 per litre
wow thats some expensive petrol :p
R1200 GS Adventure :cool:
I thought you already had one...:confused:
JamesMio
19-06-11, 06:08 PM
Must admit, I'm thinking about it. I love the blade to bits, but 'everything' is expensive with it. When I bought it, I had a decent paying full time job, and cost wasn't really a problem but these early days of self employment mean I'm struggling a bit with keeping it on the road.
It's not just the petrol (costs roughly £0.20 per mile on juice), more the way it destroys tyres, chains and sprockets.
The ideal situation might be to try and pick up a wee cheapy runner for doing most of the miles on and keep the 'Blade for better times...
Nope, I went to a slower bike and hated it, the thought of a scooter or 125 etc make me ill.
To be honest the blade does 40mpg most of the time anyway which is fine by me. I spend £500+ on diesel a month so £18 to fill the bikes tank for 130 odd miles I'm more than happy with.
dizzyblonde
19-06-11, 06:41 PM
But Mac, how many miles to the tank can you get for the money you fill it with?
Do you really want to be downsizing so much, all because of fuel?
seriously, hit yourself over the head with a dead fish of a large size will you.
We've already chatted about it over the phone, so I know whats going through your head besides the petrol. TBH..........just get something lighter that does the job you need, cause it won't be fun going to Scoootland on a 125 or a 250!
Old man, you need cheering up, not making yerself feel worse!!!
AND....no I wouldn't downsize from either of mine just because of petrol prices, as these days they are for fun and not for work.
-Ralph-
19-06-11, 06:43 PM
Reflecting on what has been said in other posts about having as much fun with a smaller cc bike but pushing it a bit nearer to its limits rather than a 1000cc bike which I never use to full power,but know it is there if needs must.
Sunday afternoon musing
I assume your talking about the thread where someone was asking whether or not to buy an SV650 or SV1000?
It depends how far you are going to take it. You probably would enjoy thrashing a smaller bike, I love the SV and I'm actually quite looking forward to riding Marc's next weekend just to see how it feels compared to the Daytona I have now, but having 70 odd bhp to thrash is a different kettle of fish to a Honda 250cc commuter.
Nope - just ordered my new one :cool:
It costs me £43.57 to fill up @ £132.9 per gallon :(
Thats some cheap petrol!
;)
yorkie_chris
19-06-11, 09:00 PM
Reflecting on what has been said in other posts about having as much fun with a smaller cc bike but pushing it a bit nearer to its limits rather than a 1000cc bike which I never use to full power,but know it is there if needs must.
Sunday afternoon musing
I would prefer to rag a smaller bike. However would a small un be practical for lugging lots of stuff about like on a long trip or have the weather protection?
Leads you to thoughts of having 2 bikes, but do you do enough miles for the savings on fuel to cover an extra set of tax and insurance?
DJFridge
19-06-11, 09:12 PM
I would prefer to rag a smaller bike. However would a small un be practical for lugging lots of stuff about like on a long trip or have the weather protection?
Leads you to thoughts of having 2 bikes, but do you do enough miles for the savings on fuel to cover an extra set of tax and insurance?
The problem with ragging a smaller bike is that you'll probably use just as much fuel as going easier on a bigger one. And as Y C says, you have to look at the practicalities - two up on a little bike is no fun at all
yorkie_chris
19-06-11, 09:14 PM
Nah, I could rag my GPZ and get 50mpg where ragging the SV does 27.
DJFridge
19-06-11, 09:17 PM
Nah, I could rag my GPZ and get 50mpg where ragging the SV does 27.
Blimey, well done! I was lucky to get 30 on the NSR!
dizzyblonde
19-06-11, 09:19 PM
. And as Y C says, you have to look at the practicalities - two up on a little bike is no fun at all
DT is highly unlikely to be doing 2 up journeys often
speedplay
19-06-11, 09:37 PM
£26 to fill up the daytona and another 15 or so to fill up the KTM.
My car is easily cheaper to run than the bike but on the rare times I use the bike these days, part of the experience is being raped at the petrol stations :(
Specialone
19-06-11, 09:41 PM
£26 to fill up the daytona and another 15 or so to fill up the KTM.
My car is easily cheaper to run than the bike but on the rare times I use the bike these days, part of the experience is being raped at the petrol stations :(
How much is the insurance, purchase cost etc, factor all that in I bet your car isn't cheaper, mine certainly isn't and I've got a diesel.
My sprint takes £20 and I average 160-170 from that.
-Ralph-
19-06-11, 09:57 PM
My car isn't cheaper than the Daytona, main dealer servicing and insurance see to that, but the wife's wee car is.
yorkie_chris
19-06-11, 10:10 PM
With the rip off car insurance prices it's a no brainer for me.
The Idle Biker
19-06-11, 10:17 PM
I'm loathe to admit that "they" could triple the price of petrol and I'd still fill up to ride my bike, at weekends.
Again it's shameful but I remember swearing I'd never buy another pint if it got to £1 / pint.
Don't downsize unless there's absolutely no alternative.
Smiles per gallon rules:)
Supervox
19-06-11, 11:05 PM
I thought you already had one...:confused:
I do - I'm just px-ing it for a new one :)
DJFridge
19-06-11, 11:19 PM
I'm loathe to admit that "they" could triple the price of petrol and I'd still fill up to ride my bike, at weekends.
Again it's shameful but I remember swearing I'd never buy another pint if it got to £1 / pint.
Don't downsize unless there's absolutely no alternative.
Smiles per gallon rules:)
78p for John Smiths and 80p for Fosters. Grr, what happened!?
I hope my sister passes her test this year and gets the 250 Ninja shes been talking about. Just so I can steal the keys and thrash the little thing to within an inch of its life \\:D/
Having ridden bigger bikes, 2bh I sometimes get frustrated at the SVs lack of grunt when going for faster overtakes. So for me I would never go any smaller than that, especially if it was my only bike
Oh and I can fit £20 into the ninja now, that gives me 120 miles on the road or 75-80 on the track :(
Dicky Ticker
20-06-11, 07:31 AM
I take on board what has been said but as stated earlier -"Just musing".
Thinking about the amount I use the bike,tax£90,insurance £150,set of tyres£200 maintenance about £300,then add the cost of depreciation, 100[approx]litres of fuel for 5000miles per year and you have just spent £1500 on what for me is a toy.
£1500 may not be a lot when you are working but if you are retired and on a fixed income you start to think about these things and down sizing for economies sake.
I have already downsized car-wise and did not find it any hardship and quite enjoy my little car doing 50+mpg so just wanted to hear other peoples views on downsizing
Taking into consideration that the bike has new tyres,suspension overhaul,4000miles before next service and taxed and insured till June next year I can't see a downsize happening in the near future,more likely that I will run it till it is knackered and it will probably see me out before then
P.S.A full tank of fuel gives me a least 250 miles before the reserve light comes on which is 50+mpg
i'm saving a fortune using the bike at the weekend. the bike gets 60+mpg the car gets on a good day 30 mpg.
startrek.steve
20-06-11, 12:40 PM
£1.32 at Adsa in Hull AND you get a penny of per litre if you use the Asda credit card!
Bedhead
20-06-11, 01:09 PM
How much is the insurance, purchase cost etc, factor all that in I bet your car isn't cheaper, mine certainly isn't and I've got a diesel.
My sprint takes £20 and I average 160-170 from that.
My motor cost me £500, if I sell it in a couple of years it'll still be worth £500, the insurance is £400 a year and the tax is £210, but saying that, If I do 20000 thousand miles a year, the bike will need probably upwards of £300 of tyres and chains alone, the car will go through maybe a couple of sweeney special tyres on the front at £20 each and a gallon of oil at £30 and a tenners worth of filters.
Still does 250 miles to £40 of juice, the CBR would struggle to beat that and the SV wouldn't be that much better. If I had to buy a vehicle on finace, I wouldn't be able to run it full stop.
Yea - im going to go back to a Hornet / Fazer / other light 600 - not Bandit - with a top box :), for my beautiful Zx6R...for practical reasons , expect the fuel will be about the same....much better than the car
Littlepeahead
21-06-11, 03:00 PM
By the time I've filled up the car - which has a 75 litre tank (we use up to 7 tankfuls per month - so £700+) and then paid my monthly rail costs which are £335 per month, then the bus fare, £50 per month, and three or four taxi jouneys at £10 a time as the buses stop running after 7pm the £23 it costs to fill up the SV suddenly seems like a bargain.
ian505050
21-06-11, 03:22 PM
I sold my SV1000 for an SV650 and a ybr125 and had a little change left over due to fuel costs
Even though the bike is just a toy, it doesnt stop me factoring running costs into the buying process. I've got a car which I paid £2500, costs me about £100 a year to service, has had £90 worth of tyres in 2 years and 24000 miles, gets me 430 miles to a tank of £62, and has only cost me about £140 in parts.
Bikes just cant be cheaper to run than cars now. Tyres alone probably put paid to that as if I was doing the same mileage, I'd be looking at £400 at least in tyres if not £500, and then other costs are similar.
Just filled up at Morrison's £1.34.9 per litre=£27:86,I used to be able to fill the car for that cost
I think I might seriously consider going back to a 250 or 500.
New Honda CBR250 at 100mpg looks appealing
When I have to put a price on having fun, I'll hang up my leathers.
I really don't give two hoots how much it costs to run my bike, and definitely never consider mpg when looking to buy a new one. I don't even look at how much the insurance costs or long tyres will last, or chains etc. If I'm enjoying it I'll pay the bills as they come.
Dicky Ticker
22-06-11, 11:51 AM
Which is an admirable way to look at it if you have the funds----when you have a constricted income and everything else is going up you think about it a bit more.
yorkie_chris
22-06-11, 11:52 AM
A right enough attitude to have as long as you've got the money to do it.
I hope my sister passes her test this year and gets the 250 Ninja shes been talking about. Just so I can steal the keys and thrash the little thing to within an inch of its life \\:D/
Foxy has a 250 Ninja. She loves it and having ridden it a few times, it's capable of doing 90 without too much stress. It needs a bit of effort to make it move quickly, but put the effort in and it can fly. It sips fuel like a posh bird sips a glass of champagne.
Paid £1.40 a litre today. Got to the point where I had to fill up, drove past one at £1.38 should of stopped :( xD
but with the size of the sv tank, the price difference is literally pence anyway, hardly worth worrying about.
I keep thinking that my 4 mile each way daily commute through town could be done much cheaper on another bike, but then Id have to try and sell the sv and lay out more cash to buy the next bike, so the saving is lost anyway, making it a pointless exercise.
My car does better mpg than my sv, (and its a £600 wreck, not a fancy modern fuel sipper) but beating the traffic at 4pm every day makes it well worth it.
dirtydog
22-06-11, 07:46 PM
but with the size of the sv tank, the price difference is literally pence anyway, hardly worth worrying about.
I keep thinking that my 4 mile each way daily commute through town could be done much cheaper on another bike, but then Id have to try and sell the sv and lay out more cash to buy the next bike, so the saving is lost anyway, making it a pointless exercise.
My car does better mpg than my sv, (and its a £600 wreck, not a fancy modern fuel sipper) but beating the traffic at 4pm every day makes it well worth it.
If you're only doing 4 miles for your commute then surely you'd be better off with a bicycle?
As for you DT I do see where you're coming from we're in the middle of downsizing the car to something a bit smaller older and with cheaper parts etc to try and cut down therunning costs.
As for you DT I do see where you're coming from we're in the middle of downsizing the car to something a bit smaller older and with cheaper parts etc to try and cut down therunning costs.
I'm downsizing my car to one that has no wheels, no engine, no seats and no bills. In short I'm getting shot because I never use the thing and it sits there doing nothing for weeks on end; I'm having too much fun on the bike in all weathers to want to bother with owning it any more.
dirtydog
24-06-11, 09:25 AM
Which is fine unless you have children to ferry about
Yes and dogs ,shopping etc.
suzukigt380paul
24-06-11, 05:13 PM
TK6-----No Sprint 21.5 litre fuel tank and about if not more to the gallon than the SV.
Vox,That is a fuel tanker sized tank on the Aventurer;)
what mpg does a sprint do on a run
Essex of Essex
24-06-11, 06:19 PM
what mpg does a sprint do on a run
I've just come back from an 1800 mile tour on my 1050 Sprint ST and according to the trip computer 52.9 MPG for the trip.
suzukigt380paul
24-06-11, 06:26 PM
I've just come back from an 1800 mile tour on my 1050 Sprint ST and according to the trip computer 52.9 MPG for the trip.
52.9mpg is dam good,i can get around that sort of mpg on a run on my bandit 1200 and not far off that on my 929 blade
youre ignoring me , youre all :safe:dogs :safe:
If you're only doing 4 miles for your commute then surely you'd be better off with a bicycle?
true I would, but I tried it a few months back, took almost an hour to cycle in, seems like its pretty much uphill all the way!!(obviously colchester doesnt peak at 4 miles high:p:p) although was only half the time coming home \\:D/
But as I only do about 160 miles a month on the sv Ive no plans to cycle unless I really have to :rolleyes::p
You could get one of those electric bikes ,if it re gened it would charge up ok the way home :P
dizzyblonde
25-06-11, 08:34 AM
true I would, but I tried it a few months back, took almost an hour to cycle in, seems like its pretty much uphill all the way!!(obviously colchester doesnt peak at 4 miles high:p:p) although was only half the time coming home \\:D/
But as I only do about 160 miles a month on the sv Ive no plans to cycle unless I really have to :rolleyes::p
You'd die a horrible death if you tried to cycle home to my house then. Yorkshire roads are cycled by hard gits, every roads a hill, and a big one at that!
Specialone
25-06-11, 09:04 AM
I've just come back from an 1800 mile tour on my 1050 Sprint ST and according to the trip computer 52.9 MPG for the trip.
That's not bad at all, my sprint isn't that much more thirsty than my sv as long as you don't keep it in the redline all day.
I regularly get 160-170 to a tank.
yorkie_chris
26-06-11, 07:56 PM
I haven't got any receipts because I paid in cash for all my fuel on recent trip, but from approx 900 miles there's a £160 shaped hole in my wallet.
dirtydog
27-06-11, 11:53 AM
true I would, but I tried it a few months back, took almost an hour to cycle in, seems like its pretty much uphill all the way!!(obviously colchester doesnt peak at 4 miles high:p:p) although was only half the time coming home \\:D/
But as I only do about 160 miles a month on the sv Ive no plans to cycle unless I really have to :rolleyes::p
But the more you cycled the quicker you'd get to work ;)
Need transport to get to work , usually have a 600 cc ish bike to keep costs down eg fazer / sv , however also like to go touring 2up and therefore treated myself to a 2nd hand sprint st1050 which is overkill for the commute but does everyhing I need
Sprint does approx 47 mpg commuting which is better than the wife's car which does about 30 mpg , sv650s I had averaged 55 mpg and fazer 600 50 mpg
The killer is the cost of tyres on bikes if you do any kind of mileage , however I am prepared to pay for the bikes running costs as need transport and is fun and keeps me sane in these difficult times , thats why I work , got to have something
If I was made redundant would def sell the sprint and get something like a gen 1 fazer 600 / sv650 again
cheers Steveg
Dicky Ticker
28-06-11, 09:53 PM
Jeeze---Specialone,if you kept it near the red line in anything above third gear it wouldn't matter as you wouldn't have a license to worry about;)
I'm with E of E,maybe even a couple of mpg higher but mine is the older Sprint with the 108bhp engine. Based on a very similar trip.
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