winter beater

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frugalman

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While searching for a winter beater that is light on gas.. I found that insurance for it is going to a killer for a 2nd car.

Could I ride a street legal dirt bike on city roads? I only need to ride short distance to work.
 
Better option might be a scooter. If you can find a 50cc or 125cc scooter, you can get a set of Heidenau K66 Snowtex tires for it. That is the setup I am running this winter on a bws 125.
 
2nd car? So you already have a car + bike and need a beater for both? If that's the case, then you should be able to take insurance off your first car during winter, and only have insurance for the beater over winter. If anything this should save you money.

You also make it sound like you have a street bike and a street-legal bike. If that's the case, getting insurance on your street-legal dirt bike (for the year) would cost more than a car for the winter, or year for that matter.
 
Looking for a second car to the first transportation which is a motorcycle or a second car as in you have another car?

If latter I find it ironic that your ID has the wird frugal lol.
 
frugalman said:
Could I ride a street legal dirt bike on city roads? I only need to ride short distance to work.
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You can ride anything street legal at any time. Scooter is the way to go if you want a winter bike. More frontal coverage, lower center of gravity so if you do go down it's not a long way. Your legs are tucked in so they won't be the first thing to hit the ground. Main issue is starting it after sitting in below freezing temps.
 
Why not just get an e-bike? No insurance bullcrap....the tires are skinny little things so they'll cut through the snow, and I'm sure you can pick up em cheap. Plus considering you have a short distance to go just take the battery with you so it doesn't freeze during the night / day. I see guys on those things in my neighborhood in below freezing temps I would never dare ride my bike in. They just bundle up like hell when they go out.
 
bboySushi said:
2nd car? So you already have a car + bike and need a beater for both? If that's the case, then you should be able to take insurance off your first car during winter, and only have insurance for the beater over winter. If anything this should save you money.

You also make it sound like you have a street bike and a street-legal bike. If that's the case, getting insurance on your street-legal dirt bike (for the year) would cost more than a car for the winter, or year for that matter.
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+1

Just reduce your coverage to Fire and theft on the car that you want to park for the winter since you want to drive a beater.
 
Apologies if I wasnt too clear.
My main car is a minivan. Need it for transporting family.
But when I am alone and need to go somewhere, I like to take the bike.

I want to continue this in the winter months. Or at least when it gets too cold I will use the car at no choice.

Oh I initially I wanted to get a small car that uses little gas. Thats why I was looking for a "beater"
 
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if your second car (beater) is cheaper (insurance) than your minivan, then make your beater as the primary vehicle and you should see some difference (assuming you are keeping full year coverage in both).
 
frugalman said:
Apologies if I wasnt too clear.
My main car is a minivan. Need it for transporting family.
But when I am alone and need to go somewhere, I like to take the bike.

I want to continue this in the winter months. Or at least when it gets too cold I will use the car at no choice.

Oh I initially I wanted to get a small car that uses little gas. Thats why I was looking for a "beater"
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Exactly what is "a short distance"?
 
frugalman said:
Oh I initially I wanted to get a small car that uses little gas. Thats why I was looking for a "beater"
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Saving money on fuel by purchasing a second vehicle is false economy. There are very very few circumstances where the fuel savings will even approach the costs associated with the second vehicle (and in the city it is probably impossible unless vehicle #2 is an ebike). If you want something for the winter go ahead, but don't try to justify it by potential savings.
 
GreyGhost said:
Saving money on fuel by purchasing a second vehicle is false economy. There are very very few circumstances where the fuel savings will even approach the costs associated with the second vehicle (and in the city it is probably impossible unless vehicle #2 is an ebike). If you want something for the winter go ahead, but don't try to justify it by potential savings.
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+1

if the distance is indeed short.
just keep riding until the "days" that you can't ride then either take the van or even a cab. definitely makes more economical sense than buying a beater.
 
What exactly is killer for insurance on a second car? What kind of second car are you looking at? If it's just an older cheap "beater" how bad can it be? :dontknow:
 
Ural. 2 wheel drive and sidecar stability.
 
I couldnt believe it either. A car worth 4000$, insurance would be same as my van. About 2k a year.

Anyway. So a 2nd car is out of question.



Short distance is 15 km city roads.
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