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Electric bikes - awesome or dumb
Dachshund
Registered User regular
Registered User regular
I sold my car a year ago and have biked everywhere since (except the 5 or 6 times that I needed a rental car.) However, I only have so much time in a day and it really isn't viable to ride 10+ miles each way every time I want to hit up Target or Barnes and Nobles. It is usually dark soon after I leave work and I don't enjoy night riding at all. This has really hindered my... uh I dunno, ability to obtain household necessities & read free trade paperbacks? Also I find that I don't do as much cool stuff as I used to, like rock climbing or going to the SPCA to pet kitties n pups, basically since they are all long distance (20-30 miles round trip) from home/work. Also, after my weightlifting routine I really need to relax and recover instead of exerting myself just getting places. OK I know I am a puss but I dislike excessive cardio.
The concept of a motorized bike is awesome to me. Again, I realize that I could just use my own kickers, but I still think its a neat idea. Are electric bikes viable or just a huge hassle? Is there a good DIY kit that isn't $500+? I don't like the idea of those pre-made electric bikes since they look so unnecessarily expensive. Also every kit website out there proclaims their product to be the best and to do all this BS that the others can't, so they are all sketchy to me.
I am mildly afraid of theft. I can take my bike inside at work/home but not other places obviously.
I am already very familiar with my state's (CA) laws regarding motorized 2 wheeled vehicles.
Should I just get a scooter or motorcycle? (I kid I kid.... or do I?)
The concept of a motorized bike is awesome to me. Again, I realize that I could just use my own kickers, but I still think its a neat idea. Are electric bikes viable or just a huge hassle? Is there a good DIY kit that isn't $500+? I don't like the idea of those pre-made electric bikes since they look so unnecessarily expensive. Also every kit website out there proclaims their product to be the best and to do all this BS that the others can't, so they are all sketchy to me.
I am mildly afraid of theft. I can take my bike inside at work/home but not other places obviously.
I am already very familiar with my state's (CA) laws regarding motorized 2 wheeled vehicles.
Should I just get a scooter or motorcycle? (I kid I kid.... or do I?)
Dachshund on
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Can trade TF2 items or whatever else you're interested in. PM me.
Critical Failures - Havenhold Campaign • August St. Cloud (Human Ranger)
Oh. In that case, do your license/training and pick yourself up a nice little 250cc. Everyone else calls it a "starter bike" - but if all you're doing is tooling around town, it'll be perfect for you.
Can trade TF2 items or whatever else you're interested in. PM me.
I hear that something called the NINJAAAA is the best starter bike y/n?
They are between 1-2 grand used in my area
I guess this is a motorcycle newbie thread now. We had one of those a while ago and I learned lots of goodness in it but uh feel free to repost or post new info about ninjas (the bike) & newbies.
Yep, Ninja 250 is pretty much the starter bike. It's pretty much a given that it'll have been dropped once though, since everyone starts on them. :P
Can trade TF2 items or whatever else you're interested in. PM me.
Nah. I got an '05 with 3500 miles for 2k. Great condition, never dropped.
Such an awesome bike. You can use it on the highway with no problem.
Let 'em eat fucking pineapples!
Critical Failures - Havenhold Campaign • August St. Cloud (Human Ranger)
Scooters tend to have storage compartments underneath their seats.
I had a 150cc scooter before I had the Ninja motorcycle. Nice investment for getting around a city.
Let 'em eat fucking pineapples!
Don't need to buy gas. (Do have to buy electricity)
You can make the same time as you could on a pedal only bike with less than half the effort.
The better assist bikes have a range of around 75 miles.
If you do run out of juice you can still motivate at a decent speed.
No license or insurance needed
It can be ridden on the sidewalk or greenway path.
It can have most service(shift adjustment, wheel true, flat repair) done at any bike shop.
A scooter has some of these same positives. It is faster, offers good economy, and can be cheaper than a good electric assist bike. They also often require no license or insurance, this is mostly for only models below 50cc. They also cannot be ridden on a greenway or highway. Service is limited to some motorcycle shops(many moto shops do not want to screw with scooters) and the few scooter shops around. No alternate propulsion enless you get a classic moped.
A motorcycle has the advantage of being fast, most have long range, they can be ridden on a highway. They also cost more to buy, more to maintain, and require insurance, registration, and you pay property tax on them. If it dies it has to go to the brand shop you bough it from or one of the few independent moto shops. No alt method of propulsion, unless you own a truck you will be hitting up a freind or paying a tow bill to get it moved.
I'm mostly just overwhelmed by the vast number of worthless cars that exist compared to good ones, and I can't tell the difference. I don't know any "car gurus" that can give me trustworthy info. Also the whole depreciation thing- can't stand it. I am 25 and can afford a new car, but my brain is still stuck in the "wow 20k is a lot of money" mode even though I have that many times over in the bank.
I bike because work is 2 miles from my house, 1.5 of which are downhill (huzzah 34mph bike ride)
I will just talk about gear, get a helmet that fits comfortably, try on dozens and don't let price bother you. I like full face helms but get whatever works best for you and wear it.
Get a jacket/gloves/boots, those are mandatory for when I ride, I would also suggest riding pants. I don't have any but I should, just haven't found the ones that work well for me.
There are motorcycle boots out there that look nice and are not all super decked out like in motocross. All leather tough boots work pretty solid for preventing your feet from bending and being torn up.
Some books to check out of you buy a bike.
http://www.amazon.com/Proficient-Motorcycling-Ultimate-Guide-Riding/dp/1933958359/ref=pd_bbs_sr_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1233772989&sr=8-1
http://www.amazon.com/Total-Control-Performance-Street-Techniques/dp/0760314039/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1233773050&sr=1-1
My motorcycle insurance is cheap as hell (347/year), only liability and uninsured/under insured motorist protection.
Collision insurance with a 500 deductible was going to be 700/year but I was like hell no, bikes only worth 2k.
A used Toyota Corolla is not a bad investment at all. I love those cars.
I was looking into the MSF course last night and saw that they require you to bring protective gear to the lessons. Does that mean I have to get all my gear before I even learn to ride, or can I wear jeans + steel toes (with leather uppers, as required for work in a power plant) + leather gloves?
Doesn't that also mean it's 1.5 miles UPhill on the way back?.... unless it's one of those awesome downhill both ways type of hills
i'd suggest a motorcycle as well... dirt cheap to use and maintain, and it can literally get you anywhere... even winter/bad weather is possible if you dress correctly (*possible* but not necessarily recommended)
also, you know, chicks dig motorcycles.... not too many dig bicycles
Please don't buy anything but a full face helmet.
Getting to work sweaty is a pain. Getting home sweaty isn't a problem.
Not in my city.
Full face absolutely if I do get a bike
I could not imagine doing that here. Some of the hills are freakishly steep.
That said plenty of people in the area have motorcycles and it seems like it'd be a lot more convenient vehicle wise, particularly in regards to parking.
Just call them up and ask them, I would suggest gloves and good boots which you seem to have.
Also, I would suggest buying a cheap Ninja, without going to old. Anything in the late 90's will be just fine, and cheap.
Motorcycles are easy to maintain, but they need to be maintained more so then cars. Get familiar and dirty with your bike learning how to take it apart yourself. The chain needs to be lubed every 300 miles (or whenever you fill up).
Also, do you panic? Panic is the number one thing that seems to kill people on bikes.
Parking is nice, easy and despite parking illegally you rarely get tickets for it.