Motorcycle or Scooter?

[Noctis3880]

As far as having to walk a few blocks... leave earlier, or get used to it. Couple of blocks is not a big deal. You could probably purchase a parking space (monthly). People do it all the time. That is part of the reason that I always have avoided working "downtown". Unless they gave me a parking space, which was a distinct possibility for my level, I would rather work outside of the "city".

Purchasing a parking space might not be economical given my $1,000 mortgage and my $1,400 income. On top of insurance, food, and school + texts?

The spacial awareness item concerns me. Hearing problem? Eye sight? You will have the same problem with a bike with the main difference being in terms of accidents is that for the most part YOU get hurt and the car occupants do not unless they hit something trying to avoid you or as a result of the collision.

Again, it wasn't an issue for me riding a bike, and it wasn't a problem when driving. If nothing else, I'm pretty calm when driving...in a funny way. Bird went kamikaze on my driver side window, dissolved in a puff of feathers. My mom kept screaming while I just kept on going with a massive grin on my face:thumbup:.

Another obvious downside, bike or scooter, is that any suicidal avian is going to impact me directly:thumbdn:.

The shortness of the frame between a bike and a scooter is something to consider. That is one of the reasons that big bikes are more comfortable.

I actually think the smaller wheels might throw me off. One big concern is that the weight might backfire on me, big time. I don't exactly work out... at all. The thought of having to lift, balance, or keep a 470 lbs bike from tilting over is enough to make my back hurt. I actually think the MUCH cheaper Honda Rebel is more for me. Larger wheels, less top heavy, still heavier than any scooter, and more fuel efficiency. Only downside being zero internal storage(might not be an issue if a suitable rack can be mounted).

 

[Bob W]

I actually think the MUCH cheaper Honda Rebel is more for me.

Depends on your size. I'm horribly cramped on one, and can't sit for long with my knees bent like that.

There's a good chance that if you take a riding course, they'll be using Honda Rebels for at least some of their training bikes.

There are other small cruisers to look at too, and you can often save money buying used because people don't keep them long. Check out the new V-Star 250, the new 500cc Harley Davidsons, and the Suzuki S40. Don't think the Honda VLX is in production any longer, but you might come across one used.

The level of success you have in the class will be a huge hint as to whether you might handle a larger bike, or if perhaps you need more time on a very small and lightweight bike.

You will save a fortune on insurance if you can tolerate a cruiser instead of sportbike. As I recall, full coverage on my 800cc cruiser was $333/year (cruisers jumped to $666/year once hitting 1000cc), while the smallest 250 Ninja was $500/year. Now it's $50/year, as I dropped full coverage the minute it was paid off.

If you have experience with on-road or on-street bicycling, that's a huge advantage. The vulnerability in traffic, practical limitations of a two-wheeler, susceptibility to road hazards, maintaining an escape option...
Riding a bicycle on the streets did you develop sort of a sixth sense about the cars and traffic around you? Predicting cars' random lane changes and turns, which drivers were alert and which were oblivious, which cars were going to pull out? That will absolutely help in your motorcycling career.

 

[22-rimfire]

Purchasing a parking space might not be economical given my $1,000 mortgage and my $1,400 income. On top of insurance, food, and school + texts?

Bummer. I spend $400 a month on groceries. I kind of figured paying for parking was out of the question even before I stated it in my last post.

 

[texas gun person]

As an avid motorcyclist... scooters are terrifying.


But I would love a Honda Grom.

 

[Noctis3880]

Was looking at this Honda Forza:

Unfortunately, mommy dearest put her foot down and said "don't you dare buy that thing":thumbdn:.

Rather sad to be reminded that my mother was destined to be Mayor Bloomberg's secretary, and the pathetic state of my life when I'm talked into signing into a $1,000/month mortgage and mommy gets to tell me how I spend my money(even if, in hindsight, it IS a pretty stupid way to spend it, but that pretty much defines the knife hobby doesn't it?:thumbup.

I figure I should wait for another nanny-state comment on my new Wolverine 1000 Mile Courtland Boots before I decide which part of my chest cavity I want to bury my grail in:thumbup:, because I have an inkling about how the rest of my natural life is going to play out:

 

[Bob W]

I recall when I was a kid, 40 years ago, and my dad had a motorcycle that he'd drive only two and from work, about a mile each way on a rural highway. His mom hated it. Even offered to buy him a car if he'd get rid of the motorcycle...

When I bought a motorcycle in the younger middle-aged years, my mom didn't care at all.
She has two other kids so I guess one is expendable.

 

[Noctis3880]

I recall when I was a kid, 40 years ago, and my dad had a motorcycle that he'd drive only two and from work, about a mile each way on a rural highway. His mom hated it. Even offered to buy him a car if he'd get rid of the motorcycle...

When I bought a motorcycle in the younger middle-aged years, my mom didn't care at all.
She has two other kids so I guess one is expendable.

"My dad's theory was, if I get rid of one, I'll just make another one. And then I will tell the new one what an idiot the last one was."
-Russell Peter

Funny thing that. She made a comment once when my brother bought a Subaru Impreza and had all kinds of "upgrades" installed and sped down streets at 60 mph, never actually threatened him over it. My purchase is not intended for speed racing, and I frankly think my bro had better odds of getting into a crash(or pulled over by the cops) then I ever did.

I used to think America was a place where you could do what you wanted so long as nobody else had to pay the price for your stupidity.

 

[C_Becker]

I don't live in America, but here in Germany, a common saying among parents is: "As long as you're putting your feet under MY table..." You can surely guess the rest
So as long as you live with your mother, you'll have to play by her rules.

And I can understand her decision somewhat-riding is dangerous period. Especially with soccer moms driving two-ton SUVs while yapping on their phone and texting.
Finish your studies, move into your own place and buy a Gixxer or a Busa, not some girly-man-scooter

 

[Noctis3880]

I don't live in America, but here in Germany, a common saying among parents is: "As long as you're putting your feet under MY table..." You can surely guess the rest
So as long as you live with your mother, you'll have to play by her rules.

Wonderful in theory. After all, my brother DID live in his own place during that time period...
Except that he was only paying part of the rent(and didn't always make each month's payment), while mom paid for the rest. Somewhat similar deal to what I have going, except for the fact that we're occupying the same place. I have no expectations for a fair life, I've been disappointed thus far. But you can only be crapped on for so long before you snap.

Sounds entitled? Sure, I don't have to worry about whether or not I'm going to eat tomorrow. Funnily enough, my coworker still hung himself in this society:thumbup:, and everyone still thinks my boss didn't contribute to that. First world problems! You contemplate offing yourself when billions of other people would gladly cut off their own nuts with a rusted knife to be in your position.

And I can understand her decision somewhat-riding is dangerous period. Especially with soccer moms driving two-ton SUVs while yapping on their phone and texting.
Finish your studies, move into your own place and buy a Gixxer or a Busa, not some girly-man-scooter

Not sure if I can live without free will for the next 6 years.

Why 6 you ask?

Reason 1 being my asshole boss will try to stick me with 40 hours a week on top of the 4-5 classes(still 5 years at that pace, I'm still not taking enough) I take unless I call my union rep down every 2 weeks. The irony being that, I would only be able to afford just the $1,000 for mortgage if I actually get the 24 hrs per week I want, sans food and actual money for the classes, semester bus pass, clothing, textbooks, school supplies, and current health problems involving my spine($2,000 later, and nobody knows for sure what the issue is).

 

[C_Becker]

I feel for ya mate, just finished 4 years of evening school, 4 days a week on top of a 40+h work week. I live on my own, so on top of that came household chores, learning for tests, doing a practical project in school and all kinds of other stuff.
Basically work from seven to five, drive to school, school until nine, drive home, sleep, repeat :barf: Weekend = learning and household.
Glad that its over, wrote my final exams last week and heres hoping I made it

I'd really try to find a better job, if thats possible. Other than that, you'll just have to pull through, nothing in life is for free.
From what I've heard, there are lots of people in the USA working multiple jobs to get food on the table, so there's always someone who has it worse than you.
At least when you're finished you'll be able to get a well-payed job. If you're not studying arts or something like that I guess
In any way, I wish you all the best :thumbup:

 

[Noctis3880]

I feel for ya mate, just finished 4 years of evening school, 4 days a week on top of a 40+h work week. I live on my own, so on top of that came household chores, learning for tests, doing a practical project in school and all kinds of other stuff.
Basically work from seven to five, drive to school, school until nine, drive home, sleep, repeat :barf: Weekend = learning and household.
Glad that its over, wrote my final exams last week and heres hoping I made it

Mixed blessing? I sometimes think Nanny Bloomberg could back off a bit when she orders me to take off that whipped cream from the Starbucks Frappacino I bought for the one and only time I actually get one the entire year. The other 364 days of the year, I go with instant coffee:thumbup:.

I'd really try to find a better job, if thats possible. Other than that, you'll just have to pull through, nothing in life is for free.

Sure there is, there absolutely is. "Free" means someone else pays the price for your gain. It's just a question of whether or not you're willing to throw someone else under the bus for your free lunch.

From what I've heard, there are lots of people in the USA working multiple jobs to get food on the table, so there's always someone who has it worse than you.

Indeed. They typically have a loving family to support them as well. Would you describe viciously beating a 6 year old(to 14, then it's just the death threats from then on) until he gets on his knees and begs for his life on a weekly basis to be "love"? How about sticking his head out a window 23 floors straight up from the ground level? If I'm 26, single, and don't have a single friend, it's probably because I'm deathly afraid of being loved.

At least when you're finished you'll be able to get a well-payed job. If you're not studying arts or something like that I guess
In any way, I wish you all the best :thumbup:

Accounting, and not because I like it. Frankly though, I'm not even sure what I like. I suspect posting on internet forums isn't exactly marketable skills.

I find it ironic that every school teacher and family member tells a (formerly 2.0 GPA, only barely passing high school, until the gun was removed from my head) 4.0 GPA college student that he's smart, and I still feel like the most clueless mook on the island.

 

[Noctis3880]

In any case, way off base now. Motorcycle or Scooter? Neither one, as her Majesty commands!

I'm killing this thread. <_<

I get that I could buy a small used car for the cost of the Honda Forza, but I would think insurance and gas costs would both be much lower, something important when your income and required monthly spending are almost equal as it is.