Give it two years. All the current noobs will be gone and we'll be treated to a new breed.
Noobie Explosion
- Thread starter awyala
- Start date
iegod
Well-known member
None of those points are why I started riding at the end of last year. It's neither cheaper on gas or insurance for me, and comes out to over double the cost of owning/operating my car.
I did it because I traveled in Asia and hopped on the back of a few bikes. I knew immediately I had to learn to ride one when I got back. And I did.
I did it because I traveled in Asia and hopped on the back of a few bikes. I knew immediately I had to learn to ride one when I got back. And I did.
awyala
Guest
Hero Honda?
Freak
Well-known member
There may be multiple reasons for new riders. I personally got my bike 2.5 months back because i was able to afford it plus my car is a piece of ****(Toyota 98, burns oil like crazy and isn't a good commuter). I drove bikes back home(Pakistan) all the time in almost any condition(driven in almost knee high water once during massive rain). My insurance is cut in half, my gas is half of what i used in my car, plus i enjoy riding a motorcycle.
suzuki2000
Well-known member
Soemtimes my right hand doesn't allow me to get what I consider good gas milage 
but even with better gas milage them most cars, I'm not so sure that you offset the additional cost of a second insurance payment. Supposing you pay $1000 annulaly for insurance, I pay consideably less for my bike alone, buit I know there are many who would pay quite a bit more.
If gas were to avg $1.30/L you would need almost 770 litres of gas usage to offset.
if you had a car averaging 9L/100km (which is far from the most fuel efficient) that euqla about 8500 kms annually.
Not sure what the avg communte, but if you drive 500kms weekly, that is about 4 months of driving.
This is also presuming that you have both means of transportation.
When additional maintenance etc is added, the numbers may be even further offset?
Somebody can double check my math should they want to.
Myself, I ride becasue I enjoy it and can afford it as a primarily recreational activity at this point in my life. I do commute on my bike from time to time, but in my work it isn't always practical
but even with better gas milage them most cars, I'm not so sure that you offset the additional cost of a second insurance payment. Supposing you pay $1000 annulaly for insurance, I pay consideably less for my bike alone, buit I know there are many who would pay quite a bit more.
If gas were to avg $1.30/L you would need almost 770 litres of gas usage to offset.
if you had a car averaging 9L/100km (which is far from the most fuel efficient) that euqla about 8500 kms annually.
Not sure what the avg communte, but if you drive 500kms weekly, that is about 4 months of driving.
This is also presuming that you have both means of transportation.
When additional maintenance etc is added, the numbers may be even further offset?
Somebody can double check my math should they want to.
Myself, I ride becasue I enjoy it and can afford it as a primarily recreational activity at this point in my life. I do commute on my bike from time to time, but in my work it isn't always practical
Soemtimes my right hand doesn't allow me to get what I consider good gas milage
but even with better gas milage them most cars, I'm not so sure that you offset the additional cost of a second insurance payment. Supposing you pay $1000 annulaly for insurance, I pay consideably less for my bike alone, buit I know there are many who would pay quite a bit more.
If gas were to avg $1.30/L you would need almost 770 litres of gas usage to offset.
if you had a car averaging 9L/100km (which is far from the most fuel efficient) that euqla about 8500 kms annually.
Not sure what the avg communte, but if you drive 500kms weekly, that is about 4 months of driving.
This is also presuming that you have both means of transportation.
When additional maintenance etc is added, the numbers may be even further offset?
Somebody can double check my math should they want to.
Myself, I ride becasue I enjoy it and can afford it as a primarily recreational activity at this point in my life. I do commute on my bike from time to time, but in my work it isn't always practical
Just as a quick comparison...the $ that I save on fuel from driving my car (Genesis Coupe) actually pays for both the monthly bike payment, and the insurance on the bike ($750/year)...Once I factor in gear, maintenance on bike (offset by less maintenance/wear/tear on car) and reduced mileage on the car, I think I come out pretty even...but a full analysis...not concerned about it enough to make it a 100% comparison...
I commute to work basically 5 days a week, and only use the car on weekends (sometimes not even if I can get away with it) so to me it made sense.
Kri$han
Well-known member
I'm 30 in a few months, and I recently had to move back into my parent's house so I can save $$ to get married. Most people who criticize those in my situation should look up historical data on the cost of living vs. average income (even for white collar careers)
I'm glad that at a minimum, I own a house (it's rented).Anyway, I disagree with the quoted comment: In Canada, a bike CANNOT be a viable (or serious) commuting tool. As a hypothetical, let's compare to a mid-90's civic. On the bike;
- it s more dangerous (esp. at times when bikes aren't expected on the roads)
- weather IS a setback, regardless of your tolerance, are you gonna take a full change of clothes when it rains on the way to work? Full gear? Where will you keep it, under your shared cubicle desk?
- insurance is not any cheaper than would be for a mid-90's civic hatchback
- gas cost is only marginally worse in the civic; definitely not enough to justify the initial cost of the bike
- winter (for 99% of riders) is not practical
These are toys here. Some of us are lucky that we can commute on them, to feel better about the ownership costs. I got my first bike because I had 5k of disposable income, I was hooked after taking the M1X course, and because I ****in' felt like it.
kiwi
Well-known member
is bike parking free there?
this is why young men start, not sure about the women.
met an 18 year old with a fancy new r6, I couldnt fathom the "fun" i would have in high school with an SS. good for him!
holy crap, did you know there's a motorcycle in that photo??
took me a while to see it.
SeaBreez
Well-known member
Welcome noobs and not noobs...this explosion has been happening for decades. I never looked at riding from the cost savings view. Isn't riding about the freedom from the cage?, the smile on your face when you hit the open road? Finances aside...don't we all ride for the sheer fun of it? Even after several decades of riding I still get that noob feeling when I twist the wrist and sink low in the seat and feel the wind on my face...ahhh....time for another spin. 
yes I park near the tel building, where the bicycle racks are.
awyala
Guest
Good point. Which is why I suggested even the notion of there being an explosion a talking point.
From eye balling it, compared to when I started 12 years ago, there is a definite increase in the take up rate. By that I mean two wheels in general, from E-bikes, to scooters, to low capacity bikes, and so on. There is clearly a marked surge in low capacity bikes. 12 years ago you wouldn't be caught dead on anything less than a 500 (2 strokes excluded of course). There was a shame on starting on anything less than 500cc. Insurance was much cheaper. I would see no more than 4 or 5 riders in a day (all forms of motorized 2 wheels). And there was like all but 2 scooters to choose from, over priced, and ugly Yamaha offerings. Even back then I would see maybe all of 1 biker a week in the month of December. I thought of myself as something of a die hard. This winter, even when I threw a parka over my leathers and headed to work in snow, I would arrive and see 2 or 3 scooters parked in the usual spots. The rise of almost year round scooters is simply stunning and a fairly recent ocurance. My experience is grounded in urban Toronto of course, not suburban or rural settings.
I can't say there is an explosion in 600cc+ bikes, in fact I have noticed a decline in 1L bikes to be honest.
But anyone can also attest to the sheer rise in female riders. It used to be a once a month sight no more than 10 years ago, and now....you get the idea.
I would love to see how my observations compare against official stats though.
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Rebelrider1
Well-known member
For Me - Two things - I can't take the people on the TTC anymore. I really don't know whats wrong with wearing deoderant, It's summer and hot. The second - I want to do a ride for my Dad for prostate cancer. They have a ride up north in his town and it would be great to do that for him.
+1... except I'm a man
GentlemanRacer
Well-known member
Motorcycles are hitting critical mass on the roads in town, and they don't all look like they were designed for anime or mech-warrior nerds. They are still being designed by people whose main aesthetic influence is comic books, but some of them are actually designed for adults.
Maybe kids today are finally finding some balls?
Maybe kids today are finally finding some balls?
Katt
Well-known member
Eh I started Riding this season because I have wanted to for years! - Plus I finally got enough money saved to buy my first bike. Its unfortunate that I haven't met any other female riders in my area!
And I keep riding because its exhilarating, it feels like ultimate freedom without leaving the ground, especially when you first start up the bike in the morning before heading out, its subtle vibrations and the sound as you rev the engine (not too much of course ;D - less i cant help myself) =D
And I keep riding because its exhilarating, it feels like ultimate freedom without leaving the ground, especially when you first start up the bike in the morning before heading out, its subtle vibrations and the sound as you rev the engine (not too much of course ;D - less i cant help myself) =D
