Thinking about getting a sportbike to save gas

[Buick355]

Need a cheap one. Would something like this be a good buy?

http://dallas.craigslist.org/mcy/679333394.html

Does this bike get good gas mileage

[BottleRocket]

Probably looking at ~45-50 depending on how its ridden.

[MattB]

That's carb'd and not all that quick, but to just scoot to work and back and get ~50MPG, it will most likely suit your needs pretty-well AND not lose value over the next year or two.

[HobieF3]

If you want to save money some kind of cruiser would be a better idea. While that yzf isn't all that agressive it's still going to chew through tires pretty quickly. Don't forget gear, insurance, etc.

Buying a second vehicle to save money almost never works out.

[futant]

Buying a second vehicle to save money almost never works out.

It's so funny though to watch everyone defend their decisions though, even when presented the cost of tires , insurance, certain death on the freeway from idiots...
Especially when it comes to sport bikes :D
some may save a little but it won't be much in the long run. Even then the bikes devalue rapidly , more so than many cars.

[PWTRTXSS]

If you want to save money some kind of cruiser would be a better idea. While that yzf isn't all that agressive it's still going to chew through tires pretty quickly. Don't forget gear, insurance, etc.

Buying a second vehicle to save money almost never works out.

He didn't say he wanted to save money. He said he wanted to save gas. Maybe he is going green?

:D

[Neiladin]

Buying a second vehicle to save money almost never works out.
so many people say this, but they rarely ever take into account the other factors of buying a second vehicle, especially a motorcycle. we who love motorcycles will always justify the purchase, initially, by saying it's an initially cheaper purchase than a car/cage vehicle and that it gets twice the gas mileage of our daily driver, but we all know why we really want one. they are bad-ass and tons of fun. i am usually more than willing to overlook how long it will take up the cost in gas savings by throwing 3-4k at a bike and gear for the mere fact that i will be having fun at the same time. enjoying my commute to work while saving gas makes me happier than not enjoying my drive to work and saving in the short run.

[89stangGT]

If you want to save money some kind of cruiser would be a better idea. While that yzf isn't all that agressive it's still going to chew through tires pretty quickly. Don't forget gear, insurance, etc.

Buying a second vehicle to save money almost never works out.

yep. $4K or more can buy LOTS of gas. Hell, go throw that money onto one of those reloadable Visa cards and use it only for gas. till it's gone.

[BottleRocket]

yep. $4K or more can buy LOTS of gas. Hell, go throw that money onto one of those reloadable Visa cards and use it only for gas. till it's gone.

it'll be depressing when its gone in a few months lol

[futant]

it'll be depressing when its gone in a few months lol

3 months = approx 90 days
4000/90= 44.50$ a day / 3.60 =12.36 gallons a day
in a truck that gets 15mpg (common) = 185 miles traveled per day
in a car that averages 25mpg = 309

I'll have to admit it isn't that hard to use up 4000 dollars in gas in 3 months , you just need a very long commute with a poorly efficient vehicle and work every single day.

in a bike that averages 44 mpg(guess) = 543
like you could ride that much a DAY on a bike!

[LINCOLN BOY]

i really dont see a bike as a gas saver. who keep their bike under 70. weekend and weeknit rides..

[5.0_CJ]

i really dont see a bike as a gas saver. who keep their bike under 70. weekend and weeknit rides..

if you even MANAGED to get 20mph on a sport bike you wouldn't live to tell anyone, thats how stupid you would have to ride.

[BottleRocket]

3 months = approx 90 days
4000/90= 44.50$ a day / 3.60 =12.36 gallons a day
in a truck that gets 15mpg (common) = 185 miles traveled per day
in a car that averages 25mpg = 309

I'll have to admit it isn't that hard to use up 4000 dollars in gas in 3 months , you just need a very long commute with a poorly efficient vehicle and work every single day.

in a bike that averages 44 mpg(guess) = 543
like you could ride that much a DAY on a bike!

wow, so literal???

[89stangGT]

3 months = approx 90 days
4000/90= 44.50$ a day / 3.60 =12.36 gallons a day
in a truck that gets 15mpg (common) = 185 miles traveled per day
in a car that averages 25mpg = 309

I'll have to admit it isn't that hard to use up 4000 dollars in gas in 3 months , you just need a very long commute with a poorly efficient vehicle and work every single day.

in a bike that averages 44 mpg(guess) = 543
like you could ride that much a DAY on a bike!

most bikes won't get 44mpg. hell, most liter bikes average in the low 30's if that. my bike gets about the same as my civic if I drive over 65mph.

[krazy kris]

all I got to say is if you get one MAKE DAMN SURE YOU GET GEAR can not stress how much importance that is, youll thank me when you go down

[05Jickser-6]

if you even MANAGED to get 20mph on a sport bike you wouldn't live to tell anyone, thats how stupid you would have to ride.


thats about what i get on mine.... but mine is re geared but not heavy. -1 +2 but the highway is what kills me. Sitting at around 80-85 mph on the highway my rpms are at like 9,000.

BUT when i used to work like a mile away i didnt fill my bike up for almost a month haha

[5.0_CJ]

thats about what i get on mine.... but mine is re geared but not heavy. -1 +2 but the highway is what kills me. Sitting at around 80-85 mph on the highway my rpms are at like 9,000.

BUT when i used to work like a mile away i didnt fill my bike up for almost a month haha

good lord man.

[FastFord19]

I'm about to get back on a bike again to scoot around on. 05 ninja 500. 3500 miles. 1k.

[MattB]

I'm about to get back on a bike again to scoot around on. 05 ninja 500. 3500 miles. 1k.

Wow, that's a deal! For $1k I'd be willing to ride something that underpowered for 50-60 MPG.

[LINCOLN BOY]

give me a schwinn and a long down hill to work

[MattB]

most bikes won't get 44mpg. hell, most liter bikes average in the low 30's if that. my bike gets about the same as my civic if I drive over 65mph.


Literbikes getting low 30's?? WTF? Not any that I've owned! Everything has been 40+ for me...

[That_Is_My_El_Camino]

Literbikes getting low 30's?? WTF? Not any that I've owned! Everything has been 40+ for me...Yeah, but you weigh like 68 pounds in full gear. :D

[FastFord19]

Wow, that's a deal! For $1k I'd be willing to ride something that underpowered for 50-60 MPG.


That's what I'm sayin. I'm not looking to go fast. I've already had a ninja 1000 before. Just lookin for some mpg now.

[Buick355]

I've seen a lot of Ninja 250's cheap.

[JasonRR]

I might have to start riding my '77 Yamaha LB80 Chappy to work on the side roads. It has a 1.0 gallon tank and will travel roughly 115 miles (or a week's worth of commuting for me) on a full tank.

Only problem is top speed is 45mph, and I'm hesitant to go down a tooth or two in the rear sprocket cause it's WAY underpowered the way it is now.

I've got it taken apart now, but am gonna go work on it some today and see about putting it back on the road soon.

- Jason

P.S. My '02 954, geared -1/+5 averages around 25mpg, which is only slightly better than my G35 coupe (18-21). The small savings doesn't justify the increased risk of commuting in heavy traffic on the bike, yet alone the inconvienence of no radio or A/C.

[T-TOPPS5.0]

It's so funny though to watch everyone defend their decisions though, even when presented the cost of tires , insurance, certain death on the freeway from idiots...
Especially when it comes to sport bikes :D
some may save a little but it won't be much in the long run. Even then the bikes devalue rapidly , more so than many cars.
Some would argue that arguement........ LOL
He already said hes looking @ used for daily driving, so I doubt devalue is a big issue.

52 weeks in a year.

$85.00 X's 52 = $4420.00 just in gas for my Truck. ( not counting car or bikes )
40.00 per oil change = $160.00 for oil change given est. 12K miles a year.
Insurance at ball park 100.00 per month = 1200.00
New tires for just truck = 600.00 ( not going cheapest or most expensive )

Total for the year on just the truck = 6380.00 or 5780.00 without cost of tires...

Bike
We will say ten months worth of riding because you cant ride every single day with ice or thunderstorms. I ride in rain but not storms.

42 weeks
$12.00 a tank sometimes two so
$24.00 X's 32 = $768.00 in gas
Dont know how much you get tires for, but I get a set all day for under 200.00 and dont always go through 2 sets a year. ( I get duel compound not the latest track tire of the month )
Tires = 400.00 (given if I replace the set twice a year )
I only carry liability with theft so I pay 600.00 a year for insurance.
I do my own oil on my bikes so 15.00 X's 4 = 60.00

total of 1213.00 Vs. 5780.00 = savings of $4567.00 to drive a bike most of the year. I would say I save allot of cash driving my bikes daily. We use the girlfriends car when we go out. ;) I would say thats a huge savings in just a year. :)
I didnt factor in gear because I already have it. But you can get your helmet, gloves and jacket for under a grand. There are great year round jackets that are Nylon/Leather mixes with all the padding and armour of a full leather with removeable liner for 300.00. I dont care what anybody says..... a DOT approved helmet is as good as another,. Speed vision did a special on helmets. Once you get past the shell that is snell or dot approved, you pay for ventilation and paint jobs.

[futant]

yeah that was more in reference to the people that just go out and buy a 5+K dollar bike (near new) , and really won't save any of that money for at least a couple years.
Then that doesn't account for all the times someone almost hit you on your way to work, you got wet when you miscalculated the rain/weather that day.
Also you didn't calculate in the missing 10 or more weeks that you drove the truck into those figures, or the initial purchase price of bike

I know though fuel is so high now, you'll probably save something but it your gonna have to ride ALL THE TIME. Something I can't even really stand. Especially since there are like 30 stoplights on my way to work.

[T-TOPPS5.0]

Also you didn't calculate in the missing 10 or more weeks that you drove the truck into those figures, or the initial purchase price of bike

I know though fuel is so high now, you'll probably save something but it your gonna have to ride ALL THE TIME. Something I can't even really stand. Especially since there are like 30 stoplights on my way to work.

Sure I did. Notice I stated 32 weeks instead of 52 when I did the multiplying? I ride year round. Even in rain. Only when there is ice or severe storms will I not ride. And if I go somewhere with somebody, I ride to their place or they come get me. I ride as much as possible. But I would agree buying a new second vehicle or even used wont save you at first with all the new costs. Good idea to pay cash if possible.
I just wanted to point out that if you can buy a bike cash outrite..... you can save big time on gas alone and dont always try to buy the most expensive tires or gear.

[LINCOLN BOY]

yeah that was more in reference to the people that just go out and buy a 5+K dollar bike (near new) , and really won't save any of that money for at least a couple years.
Then that doesn't account for all the times someone almost hit you on your way to work, you got wet when you miscalculated the rain/weather that day.
Also you didn't calculate in the missing 10 or more weeks that you drove the truck into those figures, or the initial purchase price of bike

I know though fuel is so high now, you'll probably save something but it your gonna have to ride ALL THE TIME. Something I can't even really stand. Especially since there are like 30 stoplights on my way to work.


i rode my bike last summer for a month ( did not even drive the car any where that month) it got a bit too much and exhausting at that too. plus it getting fucking HOTT. what does it matter how much gas is.... how many thing do you buy that you dont really need and poeple talk bout how much gas is up now. hell i usually spend 20-30 buck a day on redbull, lunch, breakfast, and other little bullshit.. p.s. riding in the rain sux.. cant see....

[HobieF3]

Literbikes getting low 30's?? WTF? Not any that I've owned! Everything has been 40+ for me...

Without really killing it I get about 35mpg on a 600RR, lower 30's if I'm ripping it. I've seen high 20's on litres before.

[89stangGT]

Literbikes getting low 30's?? WTF? Not any that I've owned! Everything has been 40+ for me...

hell, go look at the supersport showdown for the '08 600's. most were averaging mid 30's.

[futant]

Sure I did. Notice I stated 32 weeks instead of 52 when I did the multiplying? I ride year round. Even in rain. Only when there is ice or severe storms will I not ride. And if I go somewhere with somebody, I ride to their place or they come get me. I ride as much as possible. But I would agree buying a new second vehicle or even used wont save you at first with all the new costs. Good idea to pay cash if possible.
I just wanted to point out that if you can buy a bike cash outrite..... you can save big time on gas alone and dont always try to buy the most expensive tires or gear.

That's what I'm saying . You're comparing 32 weeks to 52 weeks .
Not even remotely fair.
You need to compare 52 weeks to 52 weeks. That's all. You need to add in the other 20 weeks of the truck to the figures for the bike.
Then you have a straight comparison for a year, right?
That will reduce your savings appropriately. I bet your savings would be closer to 3000 then. Which is what I'm saying = it would take a year or two to see any savings if you purchase a 5k - 6k dollar bike .

I'm not saying it doesn't save a significant amount of money, just that you need a long commute in a inefficient vehicle to make it worthwhile.