I am in a bit of a dilema at the moment. I've had 3 civics already, thefts keep going up plus i am getting bored, all of my civics had swaps and i think it's maybe time for a change.

If i am to go out and buy a bike how practical are they for daily riding, going to work, etc. Do any of you guys use them daily to go to work/school. What advantages and disadvantages do you find to riding instead of driving?

Given that i live in Canada where i don't have pretty weather all the time, it's 6 months of winter, and i might be able to squeeze 6 months of riding, do you think it would be worth it for me to get a bike for those those six months where i can actually ride, not just for fun, but as well for work, school and whatever else. I will obviously have to get some type of a cheap beater to compensate for the times when i can't ride, i am just not sure if it would be wise. I know a lot of you guys have bikes just as toys, i am 19 however and can't affort to have it just as a toy, if i do have it will be used daily for transportation.

What do you guys think?

 

definitely do not go get a bike and expect to ride it 6 months out of the year as primary transportation. i guess you could do it if you had to, but i think you really should learn to ride at your leisure, on nice days, when you're not rushed.

the chances of hurting yourself are reduced dramatically when you learn to ride with a clear head and in good conditions. too many days you'll be thinking about other stuff. its not a car with a gas,brake, big steering wheel and 2000lbs of steel for you to bounce it off of. just my opinion.

 

How much practice would i need in order to feel comfortable enough to use it daily. I will have the beater as well, but i think i will cancel my insurance on it for the summer months, that's why i would probably end up using the bike daily.

 

i know i only get to ride my bike durning the 2-3 summer months, when i am not working, and whether permitting, which is very slim for those two to line up.... but its worth it for me to have it.... bikes are kind of those things that can just sit in your garage and age, but will always run and be useful, and fun !

 

i used to ride to school when i was in highschool. its good when its sunny, but when its raining.... i took the train (especially because i had open carb.). its obviosly cheaper than car concerning gas (although my nsr used to go 12 or 13km/liter), buts there is alot more to care about than a car. once, i guess i pissed a truck driver off, and the truck driver tried to crush me (LOL!). it was freakin scary. anyway, people tend not to care about motorcycle riders, so safety would be the biggest problem. more you ride, a bigger chance you ahve to get into an accident.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by Junior. &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">How much practice would i need in order to feel comfortable enough to use it daily. </TD></TR></TABLE>

only you can answer that.

and when you think you feel "comfortable enough" ... thats when you're most dangerous.

 

To be honest i have no riding experience unless you consider popping wheelies on mopeds in cuba anything worthy of mentioning. I feel like i mastered those ***** in half a day, i've always been into bikes, like bmx/mountain bike, and then came cars. I don't know though...too many freaking decisions and ihave to decide now before i hit university.

 

that bx stuff will help when you stunt, but not for learning how to ride. i hopped on a bike and rode a f3 600 with no pbrobwlm, but maybe thats just me. if you were to buy a bike, take the msf course, because they will teach you the baiscs of how a motorcycle works and how to get out of bad situations. buy gear, even if its used. you can buy used gear all over ebay for chaep and it is worth it because it will save your life when you wear it.
as for transoprtation wise, my bike was great in college, i could park anywhere leave late, and spent $6 every 2 weeks on gas. when it rained, i took the bus or caged it. in CA, the bike is essential because of all the crappy traffic and becasue lane splitting is legal. i could not live without a motorcycle. once you ride, it gets in your blood.
so, whatever you decide, only thing i can say is wear your gear, and always respect your motorcycle, because the moment you dont, it will kill you

 

When I lived in Norfolk, Virginia, I did not have a car. I only had a bike. It is possible to just have a bike if you live somewhere where it doesnt snow or get really icy on the roads. As for the practicality of it.. for me it was alright. You will find yourself getting inventive when you have to haul around stuff that normally shouldnt go on the back of a bike.

Actually, right now I dont have a car either and I'm doing alright (except when it snows, then I have to bum rides).

 

I'll have to agree somewhat with falconGSR. I live in Wisconsin, so I somewhat know what it's like to have longer winters.

Realistically, you're not going to even WANT to ride your bike year round.

A couple things. If you're going to use it as a daily commuter, but a conventional rat bike.

Problems with using a sportbike as a daily driver

1.) When you come out of work, is your bike still going to be there, or is it going to be tossed in the back of someone's van, because they see it parked there every day?

2.) When I buy groceries, are they going to fit in a bag or crate lashed to the back of the bike, or am I not even going to be able to put a bag on because of fear of scratching my paint

3.) I'm feeling off today and I don't want to deal with wrist/back/knee pain and a really fast turn in, so I guess I'm not riding

It's not to say that it's not possible, there's just a few impracticalities that have to be dealt with.

I ride my SV for a good portion of the summer. I even go paintballing with it (BIG backpack..) but I still keep my car around for rainy days, grocery shopping, bigger things, and days when I'm just not ON.

 

if you live in canada. I wouldn't use it as a primary source of transportation. Maybe if you lived in california.

 

I would hate to use my bike for my only method of getting around. I've been in the same boat as you, thought about selling my car, but that car is so nice and relaxing compared to the bike. My ultimate goal is to sell the accord and get a pos pickup to trailer my bike in

 

i live in san diego.....my bike is my only transportation

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by immortal &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">i live in san diego.....my bike is my only transportation
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I hope to be like this guy in a few months