Bikes/Cars,Whats Most Econimical?

wazza300

wazza300

wazza300

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Been thinkin bout it and whats really more economical in the long run?

125's are economical but they don't last verylong compared to a car,600cc + and your talking £150-£200 a pop for a pair of tyres vs peanuts for a car

fuel wise theres some eco cars and 0 road tax on some so really what's the best:confused:
 
Not sure how you mean a 125 doesn't last long? They'll easily do 40/50k if looked after.

As far as running cost go, no car will ever beat a used 125 (ignoring 50cc peds as they can't do more than 30mph). £17 a year tax, less than £200 insurance, 100+ mpg, minimal depreciation.

Now if you're looking at a similar price/performance ratio then any bike wins, as a 500cc bike will be much cheaper to run than a 250bhp car, but a cheap commuter car will be cheaper than a cheap 500cc bike.
 
not two stroke 125's not sure on four stroke,even so the price of maintainance vs a car is pretty high
 
It's not really though is it - a typical years costs for a used 125 is:

£200 insurance
£150 Set of tyres
£30 service/brake pads
Fuel cost for 100mpg is around 5p a mile - doing 5000 miles that's £250
Depreciation - £0-400

Compare this to a similar price car (£1500)
£500 Insurance*
£60 2x tyres
£30 service
10p a mile @ 50mpg - £500 in fuel
Depreciation £200

Ignoring depreciation (it only becomes a factor when selling) that's £630 for the year to run a 125, and over a grand (£1090) for a cheap run about car. Increase the mileage to 10k and it's £1090 for the 125 and £1590 for the car. Fuel cost is the biggest factor, and 100mpg just can't be beaten. Maybe with a new car that does 60/70/80mpg but you'll be losing £000's every year with a newish car.

A 125 will need an easy service once a year, and maybe £100 on a set of sprockets and chain, even then it's miles cheaper than running a car.

*2003 vw polo 1.4, TPFT, 10K a year, 0 ncd, licence held for 13 years - £480
Varadero 125, TPFT, 10k a year, 0 ncd, CBT - £180
 
And you can't really compare the running costs of a 600 to a ford focus shopping car - it's more accurate to compare it to running a Porsche, or any 400bhp car, and then the bike the makes more sense :D
 
Why wouldn't you compare a 600cc to a focus? Or a cheap ford ka?

Still say bikes wear out quicker than cars,I've owned my bike from new 98,and only just nearly hit 60k miles on it,that's nothing compared to a car

And a zx10r forget about it,it drinks petrol compared to my 600

When I look back at the 3 125's and a 100'cc I had makes me wonder if I'd have been better of with just one car,
 
Yeah cars will do much higher mileage than bikes, I mean for most diesels 100k is nothing unusual.

A 600cc bike and a cheap 1.6 car may cost the same, but that's all that's similar. I mean one is a low tuned box made with safety in mind, 0-60 in 10 seconds if you're lucky, can carry 5 adults and be treated like **** and work everyday.

The other is a 2 seater capable of 0-100 in 5 seconds, requires maitenence every 5000 miles, has no practicality. The closest car would be something like an old 911. A four stroke 125 is the closest thing to a normal shopping car.

But yeah, comparing a regular 600 bike to a regular car, the car will be cheaper to run. But you wouldn't take the long way back when driving home in a ford ka, or just go for a drive for no reason and with no destination, would you?

When I was about to start my new job in march I had 3 options for getting to work, the train at 1 hour 20 mins and £150 a month, with 2 changes per trip, or a car at about £150 a month and an hour time, or a 125 at about £80 a month and 45 mins. The bike won, obviously :D cheaper, faster, more fun.
 
I know what your saying,and I agree,but I still feel a car is a better option In the long run

I'm not talking about speed and 0 to 60 times,I'm talking day to day usage all year round,look how expensive a bike licence is and all the riding gear you need,plus bike parts are dearer than car parts,then what happens if you come off it?

Car is safer,warmer,you don't fall off it

I only have a motorbike licence myself for what its worth
 
True - overall a car will be cheaper to run (than a 600), safer, warmer, more practical. For everyday usage, shopping, commuting etc then obviously it's more suited than a bike. It's why most people own a car and not a bike. ;)

Passing your car test isn't cheap nowadays either though, when I passed 13 years ago lessons were £13 an hour and I seem to remember needing around 20-25 hours, passing 2nd time round. I'd hate to think how much lessons cost now, I'd say the £500 it cost me to pass my bike test is good value compared.

I have the use of a car at the moment but won't have that luxury soon, but there are ways around the limitations of a bike, I certainly don't regret getting a bike over a car.
 
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Yh I was gonna say what happens if it snows? Even a slight dusting of snow or icy/frosty roads and you can't use your bike

Luckily you have the car to fall back on
 
For the couple of days a year that happens, I'd train it in - living in Kent it's not so much of an issue, the recent snow over Xmas that the uk got, we didn't get a single flake. Frosty mornings aren't an issue, I've ridden every day this year, went to collect my new bike when it was barely above freezing at 8am on Monday. If you're sensible are ride to the conditions and have decent gear then you can ride year round through pretty much any weather, within limits.
 
Bikes will easily do 100k if serviced. There's a guy on the ukgser forum just coming up to 200k.

Workhorse bikes like the cg125 cost peanuts to run compared to a cheap car and will last just as long. The problem is people don't service them properly beyond oil changes and ignore the cycle parts.
 
Yh four strokes but 2strokes don't last long,24k I managed and engine went,that's with top quality oil and not ragging it
 
Factor in the costs of a helmet, gloves, trousers, jacket, lock etc and the margins narrow considerably.
 
Honda CG125 - Tank range is measured in continents!! :D
Actually, I think there's an Enfield 500 that gets 87mpg...

Bike kit - Armoured Frank Thomas leather jacket: £30, Armoured Halvarssons leather trousers £55, Gloves: £20, Boots: £15 BCH '82 issue combat boots (MkII version with thicker leather), Helmet: £110 Caberg V2.

My Mrs currently drives while I ride. We cover pretty much the same daily route, just on different working shifts. I spend about 14 every two weeks. She spends £40 per week. I filter, while she burns fuel from stop-starting in traffic.

My parts are pretty cheap, even OEM and not going second-hand.
While her car is pretty solid, any parts usually cost something with two zeroes on the end.

Tyres she can get for £40 each, if she so chooses... I'd refuse to even go near the car if she put that crap on, though!
Cheap tyres usually wear faster, perform awfully (costing more in fuel) and are more prone to failure.

Also - Parking fees...
Car - £8.50 per day.
Bike - FREE!!

Basically she's desperate for me to finish rebuilding her bike!!


wazza300 said:
your talking £150-£200 a pop for a pair of tyres vs peanuts for a car
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Blimey...!!
YOU might be talking that... I'd be shocked at paying more than £120 for a pair of top brand 125 tyres from a main fitter/retailer!!
Heck, a pair of über-fancy hard-to-find crossply tyres for my 1200 only cost £230, including fitting!

wazza300 said:
Yh I was gonna say what happens if it snows?
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Ride carefully.
Go look up the Elephant Rally to see what bikes can really do!!

I don't ride in deep snow, but a few inches isn't that much of a problem if you're sensible about it.
 
you cant ride in snow though can you? and ive paid that much for tyres on a 125 in the past a cagiva mito

125's simply don't last though,the engine fails after time/pistons/little or big end goes

I bet pricewise it works out even in the end vs a cheap used car
 
wazza300 said:
you cant ride in snow though can you? and ive paid that much for tyres on a 125 in the past a cagiva mito

125's simply don't last though,the engine fails after time/pistons/little or big end goes

I bet pricewise it works out even in the end vs a cheap used car
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125's last a very long time, I know ive had 5 (now own a kaw 650)

Are you really comparing a 2 stroke sports bike here? Tyres for any kind of sports car/bike will cost a fortune even if it is a 125.

If it snows properly most people won't drive in it anyway so the whole snow thing is a bit silly regardless if its a car or bike.

If you are comparing a car vs a bike you should compare a Honda CG125 vs a ford focus, The bike will win in terms of cost.
 
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ive never owned a four stroke 125 so cant comment on those,just personally speaking and 2 stroke 125's they don't last verylong

best bike ive owned is my 600cc,that would beat a car for economy over the years ive owned it

its still a toss up though I think personally (talking years an years of ownership with the same bike vs cheap car)
 
wazza300 said:
ive never owned a four stroke 125 so cant comment on those,just personally speaking and 2 stroke 125's they don't last verylong

best bike ive owned is my 600cc,that would beat a car for economy over the years ive owned it

its still a toss up though I think personally (talking years an years of ownership with the same bike vs cheap car)
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Ah I see, Ive had 3 2 stroke 125cc bikes and yes don't expect them to last long as they are highly tuned and unreliable.

A four stroke 125 is like a tank, they are VERY reliable but have low power just like a cheap car.




Please consider TIME into this because I save atleast an hour each day commuting to work each day on my bike, Time is money afterall
 
yh four stroke 125's wern't around a lot though when I was younger,then they phased out 2 strokers due to emissions

I used to do some delivery's on a Honda four stroke 125,it was like an auto yet you could change gear clutchless aswell idk what model it was tho and it was great on petrol,but ive never owned one myself
 
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