Switching from a cage to a bike

[maddprof]

So I had an interesting thing happen today. I went to see an early flick and when I come back to my truck (I drive an 01 s10) and theres a note with someone wanting to buy my truck. So heres my delimma, I don't have my license yet (was going to wait until after my jaw surgery in march) and use whatever I get back in taxes and what I can scrounge up to get a bike. Do I get a bike, hurry up with the license procedure and sell my truck or do I suck it up financially for a few monthes and keep both vehicles? Eventually I wanted to sell my truck in the first place and just own the bike.

[Satchel]

keep both or you will be sorry on rainy days like this.

:thumbsup:

[Robert]

It's a good idea to have a cage also, my .02 cents

[r1brip]

I agree, i need a cage

[Fornstar]

A cup of coffee on a cold rainy morning is nice for the ride to work. Just something to think about. Keep your truck and get a bike in my opinion.

[Bart]

I can't imagine having a bike as my only means of transportation. It would definitely make life more difficult. Besides, having a truck and a bike goes well together - good way to transport your bike.

[r1metalhead]

yea, rain is annoying, but keep the truck especially for carrying things like people, groceries, and your bike when you go to a track day (if you do). also if youre going to dui do it in the truck...

[wanderer]

who needs a car!!


oh yeah.. i do... .i have 3!

[maddprof]

well my only problem is I still live at home, and just owning the bike (massive insurance discount as my truck is on a bank loan), it will enable me to move out finally. So with that consideration... Plus in all honesty I don't like to cart people around, I have no problem in the world contributing gas money when I ride with folks, when I drive, I like to drive solo, I'm just weird. My last two cars were a crx and now the truck (crx blew up...)

[Hellbound]

Keep the truck as well... Stay home best advice. Save some money on the site. Trust me riding in the rain is no fun. I fish tailed so many times and when your tires get on top of the water its sooo much fun...... you will want to have another car of some sort when it rains.

[gixxerx8]

Cage+bike=smart.

[Andre Alforque]

Sounds like you're in a financial bind. The truck sounds like a wallet drain. What bike are you thinking of getting?

I know plenty of people that have just a VFR as their mode of transportation. The saddle bags on those puppies are huge and can carry a lot. And they are lockable. But, if you don't want the added bulkiness, you can go with a top box (top box can go on just about any bike - check out Givi (http://www.giviusa.com/)). While people say riding in the rain sucks, I can attest to it not being so bad. I trekked from LA to Escondido on an FZR 600, two up, in a torrential downpour. My 'stich (http://www.aerostich.com/riderwearhouse.store) kept me fairly dry (though the one piece 'stich seems to have a zipper leakage problem; I recommend the two piece). I have been on a few other rides where I was in the rain as well. Proper gear does wonders. You can get used touring gear for a good price on the BMW list (http://www.ibmwr.org/) - I paid $300 for mine (http://img.aguto.com/03r6c_misc/IMG_6339) (picture of me wearing it (http://img.aguto.com/03r6c_misc/IMG_7554)). They are quite easy to get in and out of, even the two pieces; I can't imagine ever riding without full body protection.

For a couple years, I would only use the bike to go see my niece in Temecula. I tried to ride it everyday to work, but stopped because, well, it was an R6, and riding it 3 miles just wasn't happening. I wound up taking the "long" way to and from work on a regular basis. And don't even get me started on "lunch." :)

As I said, a few of my friends have their bike as their only means of transportation because of finances. It is very doable. One of them is on an SV 650, and she has enough room for all of her groceries. But if a bike is your only mode of transportation, you'll have to think about investing in full coverage insurance. Bikes are easily damaged or stolen.

Bottom line: if and when you can afford a car, get it. But if you're thinking about having a bike as your only means of transportation, it's a great money saver.

[gixxerx8]

One of them is on an SV 650, and she has enough room for all of her groceries.

Wow...was she on a bubblegum diet, Andre? :lol:

[Lost]

When i lived in hawaii, i had just a bike for over a year or so... Here is the problem, unless you have a family car or a girlfiend you can sponge the car off of every now and then its a pain. Also when you wreck its a huge hassle.. PLUS!! If you keep the s-10 you can carry your bike to the track!!! :thumbsup:

[HondaRider22]

Keep both! What are you going to use to bring your bike to the track ;)

[LV_styles]

I'd keep it...think you will regret it if u sell. B/c soon enough u might just end up buying another cage. Better to keep the truck so you can transport the bike if you plan on going to the track, etc. U never realize how useful a car is until u don't have one, EVEN if u do commute on ur bike.

[badiozam]

Car's real important in SoCal... if you were in NYC or Chicago or even SF, you could get away with it and ride mass transit, but not here... people don't even know there are buses and trolleys here! LOL.

[GPTECHMAN]

I'd keep it...think you will regret it if u sell. B/c soon enough u might just end up buying another cage. Better to keep the truck so you can transport the bike if you plan on going to the track, etc. U never realize how useful a car is until u don't have one, EVEN if u do commute on ur bike.
Ditto, you gotta have your car, plus it'll prolly lower your insurance if you have both...well maybe.
Besides you need a truck just in cvase anything happens to you on your bike...you dont want to be that guy who says, man and I just sold my truck........
Stay at home save money, and dont rush into getting a bike, do you even know what you want?
do you know how much you are going to spend?

[maddprof]

Okay, so I'll have to go refinance my truck and get that lowered asap. I'm not going to be horribly picky for my first bike, after all its my learner. I wouldn't mind a used CBR, but I'm looking at about $2k available to spend.

[pgold21]

One more vote for the (cage + bike) group. I have yet to meet any chicks who like to sit b*t** while wearing Friday/Saturday night party clothes.

[maddprof]

hahha thats funny. Most girls I know are constantly trying to talk me out of getting a bike, no so much they fear what I may do, more of what other people on the road may do to me. Some people have no respect for bikers in this town, I myself am that guy that will get over during rush hour to let the lane splitters have more room.

[Robert]

I myself am that guy that will get over during rush hour to let the lane splitters have more room. :thumbsup:

[deno]

I went without a car for about a year here in San Diego and it wasn't that bad. Ended up putting around 15k miles between a 92 Seca II and 02 gsxr600 that year. I lived on campus (sdsu) so groceries weren't really a problem and there were plenty of people to mooch rides off of.

Most girls I know are constantly trying to talk me out of getting a bike, no so much they fear what I may do, more of what other people on the road may do to me

well, your girlfriends are exactly right. Riding in the rain isn't bad, it's riding in the rain in traffic that is dangerous. They can't see you and its harder for you to see them as well. So, for about 354 days out of the year your straight. If cash is tight, you can definitely get by on just a bike. Do I enjoy having both forms of transportation. Hell yes, it's much more convenient.

[Jelco]

i would suggest keeping the truck....

with that said, if you are interested in selling the truck later this year, im interested. if you are willing to entertain an offer, what condition is the truck in??

[maddprof]

Minor paint dmg, needs new front bumper (got into a fender bender about a year+ ago, never got around to having it replaced), and it needs new shocks (hehe kinda ruined mine mudding...). Other then that I just replaced the clutch (60k+ miles on the original), all basic maintence, and I'm about to change the front brake pads as it is time. Its fully tinted (limo tinted in the rear, 1 step lighter limo on the side). I'll take some pictures and post them up later.

[RRandawg]

i'd keep both man. i can't count the times i needed a truck. you might have to reconsider if you decide to go to the tracks.

[maddprof]

But how long before any of you guys started going to the tracks to race? I do think I'll keep the truck for the time being, mostly depending on the money issues when it comes to decide on bike and/or truck.

[Andre Alforque]

But how long before any of you guys started going to the tracks to race? I do think I'll keep the truck for the time being, mostly depending on the money issues when it comes to decide on bike and/or truck.Buddy of mine hopped on just after a few hundred miles of riding. It's the best, and really only place to be getting your adrenaline, fast-paced riding done. :)

[maddprof]

okay then I got a question for you track runners. On average, what is your bodily build? Currently I'm a big dude, but i'm about to go through some corrective jaw surgery in like 3 weeks, so I'll be dropping a ton of weight fast. I just would like to get an idea of a size I should shoot for before getting a bike (aka mostly for the gear, jacket primarily). But I'm assuming the most fun exercise in the world is riding full leather in the summer, just sportin' a camel bag full of gatoraide to keep refreshed.