How many miles in 12 months

[Quiff Wichard]

just had my MOT .

no road trips or long long ride outs or Luckpants' tours for me this year and so .

.. MOT to MOT only 712 miles.


hmmmm is it worth having a bike for only 712 miles a year I wonder?


you? how many . ?:smt019

[Bibio]

yes it's worth it :-)

that is unless you don't get the same buzzzzzz

ooohhh and its about 8k for me and that's just getting out on sundays. bikes now away till March.

[Thunderace]

Of course it's worth having, a bad days biking beats a good days work every time!

No idea on mine I've stopped paying attention now, the Ace is to old to bother with such trivialities!

[kellyjo]

Not many more than you Quiff, about 1000 in spring then 500 this summer :-( Returning to work has been great but I have no time to myself.

[andrewsmith]

I'll know hopefully by the weekend

[-Ralph-]

No, if you look at what it cost you in insurance, MOT, tax, depreciation, etc, you could rent a bike for that kind of mileage.

I do worry about the mileage thats gone on mine this year, as it was such a low mileage bike, but its there to be used, I'll keep it until its old enough not to matter, and I enjoy it, so bolox to it!

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[Specialone]

It's always worth it IMO, I've done over 8k maybe 9k with the drz, all pleasure miles, don't regret it for one minute.

[Bibio]

it's not always about money. having a pleasure in life makes life worth living.

[dizzyblonde]

it's not always about money. having a pleasure in life makes life worth living.

This. I don't have any money, nor time at the moment to even think about a bike. However, they are a pleasure of my life, and therefore worth the money just to sit and smile at them when I open the dizz cave. Why sell them for a short term monetary gain, when in the long run I won't ever afford to buy them in the future?

Think I'll stick with less miles than yours Quiff, and save em for a sunny day when the little fella goes to school........only a couple of years :'(

For the record, the sv had more miles than that JUST, but only because Peg put them there, dunno about the VRap, its done 300 miles since its MOT in July.

[-Ralph-]

I get pleasure from riding motorbikes, doesnt matter whether its rented or not. I personally wouldnt keep one if I was only doing 700 miles a year.

A days riding for me is rarely less than 200 miles. I could probably rent a better bike than I could afford to buy, and try a different one each time at that.

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[dizzyblonde]

Well that's you and not me. I'm a mum of two whose only real passion before her second child was motorcycles. Rain ,wind ,snow, ice ,dark ,sun, 5am commute, 1000 mile tour.
Would you take that pleasure away from me because I've done 300 miles this year?

I'd frickin dare anyone try!

[fatlad]

4300 for mE

[Thunderace]

it's not always about money. having a pleasure in life makes life worth living.

Well that's you and not me. I'm a mum of two whose only real passion before her second child was motorcycles. Rain ,wind ,snow, ice ,dark ,sun, 5am commute, 1000 mile tour.
Would you take that pleasure away from me because I've done 300 miles this year?

I'd frickin dare anyone try!

Feckin Right! Don't listen to the nay sayers, if biking still floats your boat, don't sell it coz you'll just buy another one!

[-Ralph-]

Well that's you and not me. I'm a mum of two whose only real passion before her second child was motorcycles. Rain ,wind ,snow, ice ,dark ,sun, 5am commute, 1000 mile tour.
Would you take that pleasure away from me because I've done 300 miles this year?

I'd frickin dare anyone try!

Calm down dear, just because I said I wouldn't keep one myself at that mileage, did anybody suggest that you shouldn't?

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[carelesschucca]

If you've enjoyed those miles then yeah its worth having.

I dunno how many miles I've done in 12 months but the bikes done 12,000 since I got it April 11... I don't ride into work unless I'm heading out afterwards.

There are times when I wish I hadn't got the Triumph but the Gixer was starting to need serious love so I moved on but I do miss her outright madness...

[-Ralph-]

nay sayers, if biking still floats your boat

???

Biking cant float your boat if its on somebody elses bike then?

Guess it depends whether your boat is floated by biking or bike ownership, or a combination of the two, and at what cost?
Its a very personal thing, why do people seem to think there is a right or wrong answer?

Its up to how Quiff feels about it at the end of the day. He obviously has some doubts or he wouldn't be asking the question.



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[carelesschucca]

Would you take that pleasure away from me because I've done 300 miles this year?

I'd frickin dare anyone try!

Is anyone brave enough, I'll pay cash* to watch the fun!!!

*maybe £5

[21QUEST]

I agree with Ralph.

In my opinion, it's a waste of money(and a good bike ;) )

Sure, it's each person's money but that doesn't chnage the hard fact.

Been there, done it, got the T shirt :D

[fizzwheel]

hmmmm is it worth having a bike for only 712 miles a year I wonder?

Depends £1 per mile or £1 per smile. If it still makes you smile and you still enjoy it, then thats IMHO money well spent.

Mines sat in the garage for while now nd not been out. Its done no miles this yer and has no MOT on it. When I feel like it I'll ride it again.

I have though done more miles on my pushbike than you have on your VFR in the last year ! :-)

[dizzyblonde]

Somebody I know, sold a bike a wee while back, that put a massive smile on their face when they rode it. They had a life change, which meant selling the bike.
It was far from a commuter, and was in the garage asleep more than out playing, couldn't justify the cost of keeping it, as they had a bike they used for work, this one was purely fun, and thirsty.

When they sold it I asked them if they missed it, they said they regretted selling it the moment it left the drive.

[chezvegas85]

daily commuter but its a short commute, try to go out for longer rides, usually with cx5. around 5k this year. bike is pushin towards 50k so don't really keep an exact eye on the mileage

[Dipper]

Pushbike 2000 miles, SV 5000 miles.

For me it's the ownership thing, time in the garage fettling bikes is as therapeutic as the riding.

[Thunderace]

???

Biking cant float your boat if its on somebody elses bike then?

Guess it depends whether your boat is floated by biking or bike ownership, or a combination of the two, and at what cost?
Its a very personal thing, why do people seem to think there is a right or wrong answer?

Its up to how Quiff feels about it at the end of the day. He obviously has some doubts or he wouldn't be asking the question.



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Riding any bike! If it's in your blood don't sell your bike! I was in the same position once, sold my bike 2 weeks later bought another! It's an itch you'll never scratch. If you love it stick with it!

[Tim in Belgium]

1332 (approx) miles round the Nurburgring on the R1 this year, and probably another couple of hundred or so on the road.

[Jackie_Black]

I did about 600 on the hornet and sold it cos it wasn't for me.

I'll be getting a V-,twin in the spring. Not sure which but definitely a twin. Fours just aren't for me

[shonadoll]

Last year I did nearly 8000, this year I've been unwell so maybe 700. It's personal choice, ill keep my bike as I can afford to, and it's mine. Got tours planned for next year, and wouldn't want to do it on any other bike. It's not the cost, but the pleasure. Anyone that can afford to have a bike for pleasure rather than commuting and a car as well has to weight up pleasure vs cost, and for me, that 700 miles this year was priceless.

[maviczap]

Pushbike 2000 miles, SV 5000 miles.

For me it's the ownership thing, time in the garage fettling bikes is as therapeutic as the riding.

Similar here, more miles on my pushbike this year than the SV.

Multitude of reasons, carp weather, no track days, only one EAR ride out, no AR for me this year, stopped doing CBT training, work

Most of my free time was spent cycling in preparation for my Alpes trip, but I have no intention of selling the SV

[Kenzie]

I think I have done less than 1500 miles in the year and a half I have owned my SV. Do I think it's pointless or a waste? No. I know that I have a motorbike waiting for me whenever I want to go out for a blast. I can't not have a bike as I get really bad cravings the moment I see someone out on theirs and I haven't got one. My wife has an 11 plate ER6F as well with less than 2000 miles on it, but it's there if she needs it. I regretted selling my TS125R which was my first bike, and I regret selling my RGV250L as well. Yes it needed work but I could have left it under a cover and fix it up when I had the money, and I didn't and seriously regret it.

[Sir Trev]

No, if you look at what it cost you in insurance, MOT, tax, depreciation, etc, you could rent a bike for that kind of mileage.



Northamptonshire must have a lot more bike rental outlets than Buckinghamshire if you can seriously consider that option. And what do you do if half way through a Saturday morning's gardening you say "sod it" and want to go out on the bike? Can you get a loan/hire bike, with all the paperwork and insurance hassle sorted, on your drive within 15 minutes ready for you to head out? I can see where the economic argument comes from Ralph but like a lot of people my bike is there for when I want it, not just for pre-planned trips.

I was only putting 500 to 1,000 miles a year on the SV but have done close to 2,000 in the year I've now had the GSX. Sure it spends ages in the garage between rides but having it there for those "sod it" moments is worth every penny.

[-Ralph-]

Strange approach to take IMHO, if you enjoyed your 700 miles, then whatever it cost was worth it.

I'd very much enjoy a 100 quid bottle of whisky, doesn't suddenly mean that bottle would be 'worth' 1000 quid.

What if you could do more miles, at a lower cost?

If you've got a bike in the garage that is old enough not to depreciate much, and you havent insured it and its on SORN, and you dont need to service it this year, thats different as it's not costing much at all.

I've a couple of friends (both older wiser ones above the age of 60 mind you) who rent bikes rather than own. Last year one of them turned up to a trip to Ireland on a Goldwing, the year before he had a Harley, this year he wants to get a cheap flight to Spain and rent a GS. For one long trip a year he likes to try something different or best suited to his trip. Then for weekends he has a chain of dealers nearby that rent out their demonstrators. They have three branches, one Kawasaki, one Suzuki, and one Honda and he has the pick of all three ranges. Sportsbike one weekend, supermoto the next. He does a similar mileage to Quiff each year and reckons he spends less than bike ownership.

Obviously there are those who love thier particular bike and will never get rid of it, love cleaning and polishing, love a bikes particular characteristics, etc, but thats a different equation which is why there is no correct answer for everybody.

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[yorkie_chris]

Guess it depends whether your boat is floated by biking or bike ownership,

She just likes having something shiny to look at! :-P

[Jackie_Black]

I like biking, but last years miles cost me £1500 in tick, insurance etc then god knows how much in depreciation. So that's over £2 a mile, and they weren't that much fun as i didn't really go anywhere (too big for the bike!).

[dizzyblonde]

Retired old blokes are a different kind of scenario altogether.
For the general populace its probably not likely that they can just feck orf to Spain and hire a GS, or got to Ireland and hire an armchair when the mood suits, or indeed get chance for a test ride in a dealers.
Some of us can go and book test rides to our hearts content, but a lot of members are of the category dealerships aren't interested in giving test rides to.

Sir Trevs post pretty much nails it, as far as renting is concerned for me. I think Ralph, you are in the minority as far as that approach to biking may be concerned.

[yorkie_chris]

How many miles, not enough!

Probably about 6000 miles on the mighty 900.

Commuted on the SV back end of last year, had a minor spill on it then headlight issues so went back to the 900. Way less than 1000 miles since sorting it out. Took it out on one glorious sunny sunday rideout in the dales and was ready for breaking it for bits on eBay by the time I got home. Grudging it's fuel consumption, not able to get my moneys worth out of it cos of coppers and kn*bhead power rangers everywhere, could honestly have hung the keys up there and then.

Day after took it out and thrashed the living b*llocks out of it round some little nadgery back roads, got flat out enough to actually see any point in building it to the spec that it is. Decided I was keeping it.
Then finished the interesting twisty bit, set off much steadier homewards and fell off.

Now mostly fixed but still no headlight due to HIDS4u monkeying around.


The 900 on the other hand has all the handling prowess of a p*ssed up donkey on roller blades. However I do like the thing, rides of note like going up to Lancaster when it was blowing a force 8 and slashing it down enough that I had it through 12" deep water at one point and got hit by a bit of tree on the M6... fighting the bike and the elements all the way, absolutely loved it.

[yorkie_chris]

I've a couple of friends (both older wiser ones above the age of 60 mind you) who rent bikes rather than own.

A mate of mine has done similar, rented a goldwing for a trip.

Absolutely hated it, hated the logistical hassle, hated not being able to sort it out with his own comms, tyres, seats etc. Even more hated having hunts honda in manchester rob him of the best part of a grand by blaming damage on him that he didn't do.

Says it was a decent holiday but the whole rental thing left a sour taste in his mouth. Oh and the goldwing being a gutless, ill handling tractor didn't help either.


And the rental cost more than a years ownership (depreciation, tax, test, insurance) of a reasonable if slightly older sport tourer that would go properly and handle. And not cost you a grand for not damaging it.

[-Ralph-]

Retired old blokes are a different kind of scenario altogether

Errrm, no, this is Quiff we're talking about ;) :lol:

The blokes I refer to are over 60 (just), kids have flown the nest, but still married, and still full time employed not retired (yet).

My view may be in the minority on this forum, it may in in the minority full stop, but search Autotrader for the description 'lack of use forces sale' :rolleyes:

[Bibio]

then you have people like me who have no option but to own. i can't just walk into a shop and say 'geez a bike for the day' as NONE of them fit. well i tell a lie the 250 kawa does but i'm not riding 400+ miles on one of them.

including buying the bike, servicing, tyres, fuel, insurance, road tax it has cost me +- £250 a month for the 2 years i have owned the bike and considering i average 1k a month that's 25p a mile so far and that cost will go down with every mile i ride.

[missyburd]

hmm nearly 9000 first year of having SV, done just over 2000 since last MOT in July. Commute's now a lot shorter though.

Interesting thread. I completely understand why folk keep their bikes whether they can ride them much or not, mine's my only transport so I'm not going to even contemplate not having it, too painful and buses give me nightmares! For me it's not just the bike itself (which clearly only girls get emotionally attached too...yea right :-P), it's the emotional release you get from the odd joyride, the opportunity to meet up with like-minded mates, the little old ladies who love to come and chat for no apparent reason but because they're intrigued to see a girl on a bike. A bike is so much more than an object that's sat in a garage, it opens up a whole way of life that some folk just cannot get out their systems. Fair enough, if you've plenty of cash then they can quickly become disposable, renting one at leisure is a luxury, though I can't see it being anything more than a feckin' pain in't 'arris :-P

YC has his SV sat doing not a lot most of the time but the thought of getting rid of it is pointless, it's not worth much to anyone except in certain bits anyway. But the memories attached to it means it more than earns itself a place in the garage (even if it currently makes a better crap rack).

[Quiff Wichard]

well well a thread I have started that has become interersting..

you make a good point missy re looking at the bike and deriving pleasure..

My bike is currrently parked out on the cobbles and I am in the conservatory looking at it..

whilst the VFR does not inspire me when static like the gixxer did, I do look at it and recall trips etc and think:

Have I really been to Spain and through Andorra on that bike and here it is standing on my drive ..

so yea.. maybe 700 miles this year was because of the weather and time restraints etc and bring on next summer cos me needs a road trip!

[Luckypants]

Only managed 2500 miles in the UK but with a euro trip thrown in I made it to about 5500 for the year. But I would not be without her now, there will be money thrown at her over the winter to make her a bit of keeper. I love having a bike and would not be without one now.

There were times when my curvy barely turned a wheel, in fact I did 0 miles the year I moved here as it languished in a mate's garage. But I never considered getting rid, it was such a great bike to have and polish :-D After stacking the SV I was without a bike for only two weeks while my leg healed - I managed 15K miles that year, 13K more than the year before. Have it and use it when you need / want to.

Heart rules head in this case.

[theboatman]

Just over 24k in the year. Commuting to Scotland, plus ride outs.

[Woogie]

SV did around 5k in 3 months before it died on me... The ER-6f has currently done around 1k since I got it. Ill cover an average 19k without any fun rides in a year.

As for Renting a bike... can you walk in that day and walk out with a bike? How many times have you woken up one morning its a nice day and decided "Fk it... im off out on the bike?" Sorry I don't want to decide that then have to go down to the stealership and fill out paper work etc etc and before you know it you have lost 2/3 hours that you could have been out riding.

[Owenski]

roughly 6-7k work miles and around 1k pleasure.

[-Ralph-]

can you walk in that day and walk out with a bike?

How many times have you woken up one morning its a nice day and decided "Fk it... im off out on the bike?

Question 1, depends if they have a bike a available or not. Paperwork takes 10 minutes, its just like renting a car. I'm guessing you'd phone first anyway.

Question 2, if you've only done 700 miles in the year, probably not very many mornings.


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[yorkie_chris]

How much is the hassle worth to have to get back when you said you were going to versus coming home whenever the hell you like?

[-Ralph-]

I know two people who do this and it works out very well for them and suits thier lifestyle, their budget, and where they live very well.

The refusal to accept there there are other options out there, and the general level of narrow mindedness on this forum continue to astound me. Whoever you are, the choices that you make in life, and the way you choose to do things is NOT the only feasible way.

Bibio has already told us he spends 3 grand a year on bike ownership, and thats what suits him so thats fine, but the bike rental option is a bona fide option for some people.

Must own a bike - lick window, cannot consider an alternative - stuff mouth with sawdust. Doh!

[yorkie_chris]

Well if you're talking to me, if you choose to read my posts as saying that, do what you will... but that's not what I'm saying. I'm giving reasons why I think it's a bad idea. Is recounting a true story of how my mate was robbed by a rental dealership, ruining the memory of his hard won holiday a case of stuffing sawdust in my mouth? Or is it a case of giving the best advice I can in case anyone is tempted towards bike rental instead of ownership, and them getting a balanced picture that it's not all sunshine, lollipops and freedom from stress?

You've got two mates who this works for, fine, but it's as retarded as you make anyone else sound to not expect to hear tales of who it didn't work for in return!

[shonadoll]

I think in this economic climate, lots of people are unsure about job security and are therefore selling things (like a second bike) purely for financial reasons, especially if they don't use it a lot. I'm fortunate I'm not in that position but personally I'd avoid selling if possible at this time of year, depending on the market where you live. I'm amazed some people can afford to run two cars and two bikes on one wage, but that's their priority, and not for me to judge.

It's a totally personal choice.

[dizzyblonde]

I never rejected rental as a total no no. Neither am I some window licker who stuffs sawdust in my mouth. Nobody said the way they carry on with their riding is the 'only feasible way'....... although Ralph it seems you are getting a little cross that not many see your way is the right way :smt019:rolleyes::p

However, if one has such a lifestyle, where you can pre-arrange a date, and a time to go rent a bike, and then have a pre-arranged date and time to take it back, then fine bully for you, jolly pleased your time is of no restriction. Of course my narrow mindedness also dictates my brain to think that these type of people have more money than most and have no responsibilities in life, so can swan off whenever they feel like it.

For such a person as myself, that would not be possible. Usually taking one of my vehicles entails a pre arranged, and carefully negotiated appointment with my childrens grandparents. By the time I have taken kids in car, dropped them off, come back, got all my gear on, if any part of the plan is knocked sideways, the day is either cut short or written off. Which is half the reason I don't bother riding at the moment!

I own my vehicles outright, each and every one of them. Personally I see renting a bike, a bit like renting a house, money down the drain, at least if you own it, its your little piece of heaven, to do with as you see fit. See if you rent a house, you have to abide by somebody elses rules, you can never change it, without permission, and you have to give it back when you've finished, just the same as renting a bike to me.

That might not be everyones view, its neither the right or wrong way.......ITS JUST MY WAY :mrgreen:

[-Ralph-]

Wasn't talking specifically to you Chris, when I am I'll make that clear.

You Chris, are giving reasons why its a bad idea for YOU. That doesn't mean its a bad idea for everyone.

I'm talking to anyone who cant seem to get thier head round it and dismiss the idea as nonsense, simply because it doesn't suit them, or they personally wouldn't want to do it.

You will happily phone a restaurant on a Friday to book a table for Saturday, drive to the restaurant, wait for your meal to be served, eat it, then drive home. You will happily do it because that's normal practice for a restaurant, you don't have the think about an alternative way of doing it.

My mate looks at the weather forecast, phones a bike dealership, books a bike for the Saturday morning , drives to the dealership, has day/weekend/however long he wants riding, takes it back, drives his car home. No different and requires no more planning or inconvenience than eating in a popular restaurant, or booking a lane for ten pin bowling.

It costs him £70 a day for an SV650 or ER6F and he'll typically cover 200 miles or more per day. £350 quid per 1000 miles. Its a special treat/day out for him and he has a great time.

If he had his own bike, his rides would be planned in advance anyway, based on weather forecast and other commitments, as is the case for the many, many, fair weather bikers with family commitments.

Anyone who can't see/accept that it is a very viable option, for some people who are paying £500 a year on insurance alone, but are doing less than 1000 miles a year, and live near a dealership that does bike rental is indeed a window licking sawdust stuffer, who is unable to think outside of the little box that encloses thier own lives and defines the way they do things.

Just because it doesn't suit the way you do things, it doesn't mean its a bad idea.

From some responses on this thread, you'd think I'd suggested going to work naked.



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[-Ralph-]

I never rejected rental as a total no no. Neither am I some window licker who stuffs sawdust in my mouth

Did I say you did, and you are, or do you seem to be taking a post not addressed to anyone in particular rather personally?

although Ralph it seems you are getting a little cross that not many see your way is the right way :smt019:rolleyes::p

Really? Where did I say my way was the RIGHT way? I thought I'd been quite clear about that all the way through this thread. Maybe you should read it again.

Its a very personal thing, why do people seem to think there is a right or wrong answer?

which is why there is no correct answer for everybody

[dizzyblonde]

Two members have wondered, who you were directing that comment to. Two members have also given a reason why they would not rent a bike over owning. So naturally they would assume they were in your little equation too, neither have taken it personally either, merely elaborated further.

Now, now Ralph, no need to keep getting that knicker elastic twisted ;)

[Bibio]

From some responses on this thread, you'd think I'd suggested going to work naked.


Y_C working on bikes naked now that would be funny :-D

[-Ralph-]

Well if you're talking to me

I never rejected rental as a total no no. Neither am I some window licker who stuffs sawdust in my mouth.

Well yes, one member did seem to 'wonder' if I was talking to him.

My knicker elastic is perfectly straight thank you, they don't feel as nice and soft to wear if they are all twisted ;)

[Stenno]

9746 miles according to Fuelly.

The car on the other hand has hardly moved. It's incredible how bad it's gotten from going no where apart from a fortnightly commute to the supermarket. Seals leaking, windscreen wiper assembly seized.

Thing is I need the car as a back up to get to work in the winter incase it snows etc but I'm starting to wonder if I'm better of selling it and gambling on renting a car when it does actually snow.

[dizzyblonde]

Awww poor Ralph, it doesn't matter if its 'I' or 'If', it means the same thing as far as insulting the audience is concerned...generally speaking mind


Don't worry, we understand your need for applying your authority over us.....we'll roll over and agree

[-Ralph-]

Dizzy, you know me so well, how is it we were never married? :rolleyes:

[yorkie_chris]

You Chris, are giving reasons why its a bad idea for YOU. That doesn't mean its a bad idea for everyone.

Anyone who can't see/accept that it is a very viable option, for some people who are paying £500 a year on insurance alone, but are doing less than 1000 miles a year, and live near a dealership that does bike rental

No I'm not, in this thread I've given a specific example of my mates rental experience, you can't argue that is anything to do with what I do. For him it would have made sense except for the rental firm robbing him (he wanted a bike to do a euro tour...)

Then I asked how much is it worth to be able to come and go as you please. How many rideouts have you been on? How many ran on time?


Who in right mind is paying £500 to do 1000 miles, you've got a point there granted. BUT I reckon anyone who'd want to, and would be able to, rent a bike would be someone older with disposable cash who wouldn't pay anywhere near £500 on insurance. Which has got to change the equation a bit if the 2 days playing costs the same as being able to do it all year?

[Specialone]

I'm not into the rental thing myself but it wouldn't be £500 either to do 1000 miles or whatever, if you have a fairly new bike, it will need a minor service every year too, tax, insurance, tyre wear over whatever miles will still be factored in (maybe 5k miles over 5 years, £250/5= £50 per year)

[-Ralph-]

Most people dont dare count what they spend on thier bikes Phil. I need to spend £350 just on brake discs to get the bike through the MOT, and thats non OEM and me fitting them myself. This year its brakes, last year it was tyres at £230 per set, next year it'll be chain and sprockets, etc.

Whats really crazy is folk who buy a bike on finance and still do no mileage.

I reckon my mates insurance wouldnt be that far off £500 Chris as he'd have zero no claims, but as Specialone pointed out it costs way more than just insurance to run a bike. Then you've got the couple of grand he's saved not having to buy a bike in the first place. For something like 110 quid for the day hes getting a brand new 10 grand motorbike to ride. £70 quid gets you a 5 grand bike.

As for rideouts overrunning, thats only a problem if you pick up the night before. Most dealers are open at 8am, then its not due back til 8am the next morning. Most of the time he decides to make a weekend of it anyway, which is a Friday night to Monday morning at the same rate as 2 days

I dont really understand the disposable cash argument, hes saving money, not spending more.

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[Tim in Belgium]

Ralph, in effect my biking was £5+ a mile, but luckily I utilised "man maths" and it's all ok :thumleft:

One man's reason is another man's rhyme ;)

[andrewsmith]

Time to give my correct mileage:
5,100 miles
Bike was off the road about 10 weeks total with problems (accident, blown fork seals and injuries to me!)

[rictus01]

I won't play mileage numbers as it'd be irrelevant to most, but on a cost factor of rental bikes, they work out expensive, but if you're only a very occasional hobbyist then the indulgence is worth the extra cost, you have no other overhead and don't need to store a bike at home.

On the other hand the greater mileage you do makes the annual costs (tax/insurance/mot) cheaper as you go, so if you were to put a yearly budget to your biking at it was limited to say £1,000, then it would be a close call between the two options.

I've hired bikes in the past, generally it's been because I was unable to get to a location on one of mine, but it'd quadruple my riding bill were I to do that for my normal needs.


Cheers Mark.

[Lozzo]

Only 8,000 this year so far. My excuse is I had use of an FJR1300 for the first four months of the year so racked up huge mileage on that at my boss' expense rather than use my own.

[Lozzo]

I get pleasure from riding motorbikes, doesnt matter whether its rented or not. I personally wouldnt keep one if I was only doing 700 miles a year.


I can see where you're coming from with this opinion, but not sure I agree 100% with it.

For a few years I all but gave up riding bikes because of working abroad a lot and having young kids to bring up when I was at home, but there was an old RD250 sitting in my garage, I still owned bikes and occasionally I'd drag it out and go for a short ride.

In my garage right now there are a number of bikes, but only one of them gets used. If anything were to happen to me which stopped me riding, I'd sell the road legal one and keep the others purely because I enjoy owning bikes as well as riding them. The mere fact that I've got a bike in the garage is enough - doesn't matter what it is or how much I use it... it's there and it's mine.

[ManxMatt34]

Mines barely moved this year, the weathers been terrible. Dyzio stopped with me TT race week and we went for a few runs. I attended a funeral at the front end of the year and thats got to be about it. Next year though i'm coming back! You've all been warned :D

[yorkie_chris]

On the other hand the greater mileage you do makes the annual costs (tax/insurance/mot) cheaper as you go, so if you were to put a yearly budget to your biking at it was limited to say £1,000, then it would be a close call between the two options.

I dunno, £200 insurance, £100 in tax and test, £100 on tyres, £100 on "etc" and that leaves £500 for petrol... 5000 miles of entertainment?

I reckon it only works out a close call if you only had a few hundred quid to play with on very few days out. Say £500 and you want to take a bike out 4 times.

At least then you could test ride the exotic stuff without lozzo shouting at you :-P

[rictus01]

theoretically you maybe right, but practically it's different, you have breakdown coverage, parking/ storage, not to mention work the bike would require to be laid up and then got back on the road, other stuff like tools, fluids and time; all have a cost, a hire bike comes "ready to go" most people wouldn't even check tyre pressures.

Cheers Mark.

[daved407]

Its a case of each to their own. Early this year i was cracking out the miles. then the weather turned grim. Ive done about 4K, at 06:00 when I look out the window to leave for work if its dismal I use the van. I dont mind a bit of rain on my way home as I can get showered and changed but cant be fussed getting to work wet and cheesed of. My life, my choice and my money.
My wife has an SV which has done 0 km this year. In fact its an ultra low mileage 2000 model SV with under 500 Km on the clock.
Ive dared raise the topic but its her choice, she pays the bills. If nothing else it keeps my optimate in work. The battery doubles up on my SRAD 750 track hack. Same size but the SV has a few more amps

[yorkie_chris]

you have breakdown coverage,
parking/ storage,
not to mention work the bike would require to be laid up and then got back on the road,

Fair point there are a few more costs but I'd say they don't add up to much.
Especially if you're willing to learn, fettle and play and not be some brainless "consumer" type.

Regarding time of playing with them, well do you cost up your time on bikes or is that part of the hobby?

[theboatman]

What about contract hire? Surely it is cheaper to rent per day short term, but what would be the difference between owning and contract hire for heavier users.

[rictus01]

Regarding time of playing with them, well do you cost up your time on bikes or is that part of the hobby?

for those most likely to hire bikes, they either don't know how or wouldn't want to bother with learning, if you convert that to cost of paying someone else.......

[Amadeus]

I did about 400 last year, due to a number of reasons, work, homelife and weather. I see no reason to sell it tho - hopefully I'll do more next year.

[-Ralph-]

What makes the big difference Chris is paying a dealer for servicing, or paying for a bike on monthly finance, of which you do neither.

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[widepants]

I have family in Germany who have a lease bike for the summer and simply hand it back for the winter.That may account for the low milage Euro imports we used to get alot of.

[daved407]

Its quite common in Germany to have a season number plate. this has in the top right corner something like
04
10
indicating its allowed to be used from start of April untill end of Oct. Making it clear to all if its out on the road outside those dates. Having this kind of plate has rewards like lower insurance and road tax but if its mega sunny on the 1st of Nov its no go. So seasonal plates are very much the summer users. Not always low mileage though. That said if its cold over here theoretically you should have winter tyres fitted. Cars and scooters also included.

[DJ123]

Just over 12,000 miles. All pleasure miles.

[missyburd]

a hire bike comes "ready to go" most people wouldn't even check tyre pressures.

Then that's just a bit daft in my eyes, to automatically assume that a rental company is going to make sure everything's hunkydory. Or that the person who rented it beforehand wasn't a nutcase. Not that I've ever rented a bike, is it written in the contract that the bike was in full working order and maintained to its highest standard when you as a customer get hold of it?

[DJ123]

It is always up to the driver of the vehicle to ensure it is safe and road legal to drive, whether it's on hire, a friends or your own.

[rictus01]

Whilst it's true a hire vehicle is the drives responsibility to make sure it's legal to be on the road, hire companies have been held accountable for poor maintenance, generally you'll have to sign off the basics are OK when you take delivery; you'll be shown the various bits such as tire wear.

the same argument could be leveled at wives that use their husbands car or borrow a friends van :smt102

[missyburd]

It is always up to the driver of the vehicle to ensure it is safe and road legal to drive, whether it's on hire, a friends or your own.
That's what I would have thought, mostly for selfish reasons admittedly.

[-Ralph-]

If the bike hasn't has been through the workshop for a clean, safety check and basic maintenance between each hire then you shouldn't be renting from them. I dont think any reputable establishment would risk sending customers away on poorly maintained bikes. The place my mate rents from uses the same fleet as the courtesy bikes and I've been made to wait there for a courtesy bike as it had only just been returned by the previous customer and thay hadn't had time to do it.

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