Whats the point of owning a motorcycle in the UK , Rain rain rain , all the time .. actually pointless having a toy that gets 3 months a year to ride .. working out insurance probly costs me £50 per ride out Hate this cuntry Rant over
Solution is simple: Move. Most of us are similarly affected though. We have had a horrid start to summer, however, in my view, that only makes the good days even better. I say this though as a retired person with the ability to ride out on any weekday. For those of you reliant only on weekends for a good session, I can well understand your frustrations. Ownership though, is not all about the financial repercussions. Just having the bike in a garage (or lounge room) gives a satisfactory pride of ownership - despite the holding costs of insurance and road tax. I agree that I'm more tangible possessive than many. Consider the alternative: no bike. could you live that life?
Agree with Nigel that just having one in the garage is worth the expense or you can just ride it no matter what the weather says and still enjoy it!
I see what you did there. If I was to get my bike out just once in a year, for me it would still be worth owning one.
I live in London so my insurance is astronomical.. not going to work it out on a “per ride” basis as I’d probably be sick.. But I’m with Nigel - just the pride of ownership is great plus summers (well, hopefully) evenings after work rides are decent stress relievers. It doesn’t make economic sense (it’s basically the most expensive toy I’ll ever own) but I’d much sadder without a bike in my life
. I so wish I could do that. Last bike I bought as an 'all rounder' (the VTR) I rode for 30 mins in the wet and then spent about 2 hours preening it. No matter how much I want to ride all weather, the OCD factor hits. (And yes, Raph, I did pick up on your strategically placed 'eek' face!!)
I much prefer to be out in the sun and if it's honking it down then I wouldn't consider going out but if it's 50/50 I'll risk it. Sometimes I get caught in the rain but it doesn't mean I don't enjoy the ride. Modern tyres still give a lot of grip when the roads are damp and my 1 inch 'power' slides make me feel like Doohan, (in my head anyway)! Besides, ACF50 is wonderful stuff and cleaning the bike is part of the fun of ownership, isn't it......?
Then you check the forecast and see it is dry after noon tomorrow and so you plan your ride to work on Mufty Day Friday and a weekend blast around the local hoon roads. Weather is temporary, bike owning mentality is permanent
I am old One of my bikes I have not rode for over 12 months, costs me £2 a week to insure Age sometimes has its benefits, not many, but some Fook riding in the rain nowdays Rob
Not riding only costs me in insurance, road tax, mot and not Including depreciation is only a fiver a week, I will gladly pay that for a times I can ride
Have to agree with everyone who has commented on this...... For me its so much more than being able to get out on a ride. I laugh when people say they're selling they're bike because they don't use it enough....... I'd never do that, just having it in the Garage (or soon to be) is enough for me. Buying things for it and tinkering, sometimes just standing there and staring at it and thinking...... This is mine and it makes me really happy! Thats the point
As well as my RR07 I have a 97 RRV in my garage and only put about 500 miles on it last year , my wife say I should sell it , but every time I take it out of the garage I tell her
Move to the USA, but not here..not to NY. Move down south or out west. Ride all year, eat fried food, get to 500 pounds and die on a Harley Road Glide..America!
My bsa this year has only been out twice, about 20 miles £78 insurance What’s that work out to? I don’t care because I love it The grin factor and getting away from the missus Can’t buy it
