Bicycling vs. motorcycling

[mikdes]

OK, this is a serious question. I have a motorcycle I'm thinking of selling and buying a nice road bicycle instead. Before you think "that would be one SUPER nice bicycle" I should say my motorcycle is an 85 Suzuki gs550e. I might be able to get $1k for it if I'm lucky. My logic is to get a nice bicycle for now to help get myself into shape and save up for a nicer motorcycle next spring. I'm interested in bicycling for the same reasons I was drawn to motorcycling. Freedom, outdoors, wind in the face, speed. I know I may get biased opinions here, so any input from motorcyclists would be much appreciated.

 

[Daremo]

Fleabay the motorcycle, then fleabay a decent bike for yourself.

I put together 90% of my bike from EBay ........... now set up with mostly Ultegra 9-speed and still probably barely over $1000 from what I actually spent on it. Of course the other 10% I got at wholesale cost from my local bike shop I used to work at .........

 

[tanggoman]

I just did few months back! Mine is much newer -- 2002 GSX-R750. It started when I began riding my bicycle more and more than my motorcycle. So cutting the story short, I sold my motorcycle. Didnt have any regrets selling it as it didnt occur to me getting a new one or missed riding it.

 

[Marx SS]

Have both.
Sure bicycles get you fit, but they’re not as flexible as motocycles. Hard to pinion passengers & carry a load on a bicycle compared to a motorcycle. Large distances are a tall ask too on bicycles.

For me I started with a motorcycle to commute & the bicycle for the weekend exercise, back then it was a 1994 Kawasaki KLX650 (electric start) & a MTB Apollo Everest (Shimano LX, rigid forks).
Now I commute on the Apollo MTB convert to single speed & pavement tyres (also have a Specialised Stumpjumper MTB - LX Shimano, rock shox) & ride my 1997 Ducati 748 (Bi-Posto) strictly on the weekends only.

Out of the 3 bikes I have the old chromoly 1990 model Apollo single speed gets the most mileage down.

 

[Bolo Grubb]

I used to be an avid motorcycle rider.

Then I moved to the Phoenix area. Great weather year around for motorcycles right? Wrong. At least for me. When it got to be over 100+ I would take the car with AC.

Also the traffic has gotten very heavy in the city and a motorcycle is just not much fun in heavy traffic. I have to ride the motorcycle an hour or more just to get out of the city and to some roads that are fun on the motorcycle.

Bottom line for me was a cost versus fun time. I felt I was not getting enough fun time to justify the cost. The motorcycle would end up sitting for a few months at a time between rides.

So I sold it. It was a Bmw K100rs with 70k miles on it.

Now I have a bicycle that I enjoy like I used to enjoy the motorcycle. Except it is also getting me in better shape.

 

[BanditManDan]

Very interesting question since I've had similar thoughts. I have a Suzuki Bandit that I had before I started cycling, and now I find that I cycle much more than I ride the motorcycle. In fact my motorcycle has been sitting in the garage all summer and only ridden once but I used to ride it multiple times a week. In my case I live in Florida and I'm waiting for the rainy season to end before making a final decision. Perhaps when the weather is nicer/dryer I'll start riding the motorcycle more, if not I'll just sell it and buy a really nice road bike.

Dan.

 

[Ratty]

Dude,

I can fully understand your dilemma.

These are my babies. I ride the green one once or twice a month or so, and the other two 6 times a week. The thought of selling the ZX7 has crossed my mind, but I figure, I doesn't cost me anything to keep it and when I fell like going for a blast I can.

Hmmm, selling one to buy another would be a very difficult decision for me to consider. . .

 

[BanditManDan]

Nice bikes.

If I had your bikes I wouldn't likely sell my motorcyce either but in my case my only road bike is a in-expensive entry level one and I would love to buy a new bike for racing.

 

[Salsa Rider]

I went out to take My GPz to work yesterday. It would've been only the third time this summer I've ridden it. I used to put on 6k a year. I havent put 300 miles on it this spring. The battery was dead. That is a sign isnt it......... I think I might wait til spring, tune it up, and then sell it (*sniff sniff*). I'll be starting a new m/c fund with the money tho.

 

[JohnO]

I still have my old Honda CBX. It's sort of a collector item (inline 6 cylinder), but not worth a lot, and my garage is pretty big, so why sell it?

Plus, it's fun to get out every once in a while, feel that third gear punch, and hear that engine sing. Sounds a lot like a Porsche 911, taken up an octave.

But they're different machines. I ride a bicycle for peace of mind. I ride the CBX for a head rush.

 

[DHinrichs]

I would follow through with your plan. Sell the MC for now get a decent pedaller and save for a nicer MC for later. I myself ride both quite a bit. I've been riding the bicycle more this summer because I happen to have little money this summer and the MC ('99 Triumph Sprint ST) will soon need a new chain and tires. Although, since I just rode the tires off my Marin road bike (and yes they are both my babies, love them equally, waited a long time for both) and the MC is still moving, looks like I'm headed back to that for the time being. There is the Bianchi moutain bike though...it has seen too little use this summer... I know what you are are thinking, Bianchi MTB and Marin RB, isn't this reversed? The Marin is one of the best bikes I've ever been on and I love that it has a steel frame and Campy components. Oh yeah back to you, do the plan.

 

[el Ingles]

OK, this is a serious question. I have a motorcycle I'm thinking of selling and buying a nice road bicycle instead. Before you think "that would be one SUPER nice bicycle" I should say my motorcycle is an 85 Suzuki gs550e. I might be able to get $1k for it if I'm lucky. My logic is to get a nice bicycle for now to help get myself into shape and save up for a nicer motorcycle next spring. I'm interested in bicycling for the same reasons I was drawn to motorcycling. Freedom, outdoors, wind in the face, speed. I know I may get biased opinions here, so any input from motorcyclists would be much appreciated.

Save up and do both - you can´t take a date out on the back of a cycle

 

[Cruzzer08]

I ride a KX125 so it’s just for fun but I was thinking about selling it too. I decided not to, and put most my new Cannondale R1000 on a credit card. Well now summer is over and my KX didn't move the entire summer, I just can’t stop pedaling. If your MC is just for fun I say sell it, you will get a hell of allot more happiness from a performance roadie. I don’t know about you other guys but the more I ride the less I want to use anything motorized.

 

[phinney]

OK, this is a serious question. I have a motorcycle I'm thinking of selling and buying a nice road bicycle instead. Before you think "that would be one SUPER nice bicycle" I should say my motorcycle is an 85 Suzuki gs550e. I might be able to get $1k for it if I'm lucky. My logic is to get a nice bicycle for now to help get myself into shape and save up for a nicer motorcycle next spring. I'm interested in bicycling for the same reasons I was drawn to motorcycling. Freedom, outdoors, wind in the face, speed. I know I may get biased opinions here, so any input from motorcyclists would be much appreciated.

I like a bicycle much better as a recreation than motorcycles. There's nothing I like to do better when it's really hot out than go for a ride on a bicycle. Very little and highly ventilated clothing and a nice breeze. There's nothing worse on a hot day then a motorcycle. Heavy, insulating clothes and engine heat.

On a bicycle you can also hear what's going on around you much better. And of course there's the whole physical challenge of cycling that's totally absent on motorcycles.

 

[Telegram Sam]

We ahve a guy who has built a bike rack on his MC up here (sonoma county Ca). He rides the mc to Lake Sonoma, does a few laps on the bicycle, and then heads home- it is the perfect combination from a very creative enthusiast

 

[madbikebloke]

We ahve a guy who has built a bike rack on his MC up here (sonoma county Ca). He rides the mc to Lake Sonoma, does a few laps on the bicycle, and then heads home- it is the perfect combination from a very creative enthusiast

I think I have the perfect answer.

Fit an engine on the back of the bike like I have done .

Pushes me up the hills , then I turn it off on the flat or going down hill.

Its made my daily commute much more manageable.

 

[plainjim]

OK, this is a serious question. I have a motorcycle I'm thinking of selling and buying a nice road bicycle instead... I'm interested in bicycling for the same reasons I was drawn to motorcycling. Freedom, outdoors, wind in the face, speed. I know I may get biased opinions here, so any input from motorcyclists would be much appreciated.

This has been a fascinating thread for me. I'm the rawest newbie; I just put in the order for my first bicycle since Disco was all the rage, and I'm doing that because I'm selling the motorcycle (I've got this problem with a heavy right wrist; I do ALL the squidly stuff that I get all upset at the twentysomethings for doing, which resulted in my recent injury).

The road bike seems like a better balance between getting to go fast on the roads (without that cage around) and exposing myself to too much danger. I'm really looking forward to the bicycle. Pray that the delivery gods are kind, and that it comes into the shop in a timely manner!

 

[radbmxdad]

I sold all of my motorcycles and bought BMX bikes for my kids and myself. I always wanted to road race but it never worked out, now I race BMX with my kids and it's 10x the fun!! Now the kids are wanting road bikes and want to try their hand at cyclocross

 

[crashtd]

i've got both...couldn't live without either, lol.

i went without a motorcycle for 3 months, and hated every minute of it. There's nothing that compares to a motorcycle, especially if you're into sportbikes like me, no vehicle gives you that speed thrill. That being said, I can't think of what a week would be like where i didn't get 50 miles or so in. I'd prolly feel fat and lazy, and be just as moody as i was when i didn't have a motorcycle.

Keep the bike, save up for a bike.

2004 Kona Deluxe Road Bike

2004 Yamaha R1

 

[Ascenda]

OK, this is a serious question. I have a motorcycle I'm thinking of selling and buying a nice road bicycle instead. Before you think "that would be one SUPER nice bicycle" I should say my motorcycle is an 85 Suzuki gs550e. I might be able to get $1k for it if I'm lucky. My logic is to get a nice bicycle for now to help get myself into shape and save up for a nicer motorcycle next spring. I'm interested in bicycling for the same reasons I was drawn to motorcycling. Freedom, outdoors, wind in the face, speed. I know I may get biased opinions here, so any input from motorcyclists would be much appreciated.

I don't know where you live, but here in New Hampshire winters are long and spinning classes are offered only 3 nights a week, SO there's lots of free time to have another hobby. Three friends and I all bought vintage motorcycles and spent the winter rebuilding them (first time for each of us). I now have an inexpensive yet beautiful 1978 Yamaha XS650 on the road. Two of the three friends finished theirs as well. It was a great time with friends, not a financial burden, and I learned a lot. This method doesn't work for everybody, but if you have the time and desire I highly recommend it. Otherwise, keep the motorcycle and buy a Trek 1000 for $519 or something used at your LBS. Good luck with the decision dude, it's a tough one.

Jonathon