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There is definitely money to be saved, but the opinion against buying a bike to save money comes from the many questions on various forums the past few years, where the poster makes a comment on increasing fuel prices, his truck is expensive to run and he wants confirming advice on a mint 06 CBR1000 with Akra pots and a Power Commander...
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Jun 14, 2011 12:40
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Well, yeah, but the answer is still "do it."
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Jun 14, 2011 13:55
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Ola posted:There is definitely money to be saved, but the opinion against buying a bike to save money comes from the many questions on various forums the past few years, where the poster makes a comment on increasing fuel prices, his truck is expensive to run and he wants confirming advice on a mint 06 CBR1000 with Akra pots and a Power Commander... Hmm, going to call my insurance company and see about adding that 125 onto the policy for the F2. It's in dire need of a home made "Povertovic" exhaust system to replace the huge OEM item, and some egregious stickers. I plan to talk the owner round with promises of a free battery and replacing the ancient Deathwings with Distanzias. e: 
Saga fucked around with this message at 14:30 on Jun 14, 2011 |
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Jun 14, 2011 14:27
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Put a set of Norman Hyde rear set controls on my Bonneville. Makes the seating position a bit sportier, and the bike seems like it's easier to lean into and out of corners now. The lower position of the brake pedal took a bit of getting used to though. I'm thinking of changing the handlebars next, prob should have just bought a Thruxton in the first place, but this way it's my bike, not a factory job.
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Jun 15, 2011 06:58
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Goddamit, dropped the bike off for a service and it turns out the cold top-end noise wasn't out of spec valves, it was a shagged cam-chain and tensioner. *sigh* Another ~$450 in parts + labour on top of the ~$350 for the normal service. Ah well, at least it got caught now before it snapped.
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Jun 15, 2011 09:04
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Armyman25 posted:Put a set of Norman Hyde rear set controls on my Bonneville. Makes the seating position a bit sportier, and the bike seems like it's easier to lean into and out of corners now. The lower position of the brake pedal took a bit of getting used to though. Oooorah devil dog! (Is that a new custom title or am I confused?) Have you sorted out the shocks yet? Based on my brother in law's Bonnie (the cast rim one - can't remember what they call it...), they're the first thing I'd sort out for a little more chassis performance. I like the Bonnie, but it does drag its rear end a bit.
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Jun 15, 2011 09:32
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Armyman25 posted:I'm thinking of changing the handlebars next, prob should have just bought a Thruxton in the first place, but this way it's my bike, not a factory job. Let me know if you find a pair you're happy with. I'm not a big fan of the stock handlebars, but all of the replacements I like the looks of seem like they could put me in a less comfortable riding position.
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Jun 15, 2011 13:53
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It's time for some maths, stats and bike biased analysis! Fuelly.com and keeping my service records is adding up to some useful data. I did a quick and dirty cost analysis, had to do some finger-in-the-wind extrapolation but should be pretty accurate. Over 30,000 km I go through two rear tyres, one front, one set of chain + sprockets + 5 cans of lube and oil change every 5000 (I go further, but shortened interval to account for consumption + filters). Also included one set of brake pads all around. I then added road tax and insurance divided by three (since I do about 10,000 pr year) and came out with 0.96 NOK pr km, or 0.28 USD pr mi. The pr km cost from fuelly adds up to 77% of running costs, giving it a pretty big leverage on totals. If I could go twice as far on my already frugal chains, sprockets and tires, I would get down to 0.89 NOK pr km. But a 10% decrease in fuel consumption brings me down to 0.87 NOK pr km. Both are unrealistic as improvements, but it does show that picking a higher mileage bike has a big impact given similar maintenance conditions. Now for some travel cost comparisons, a 40 km bus ride I take quite often costs 49 NOK, or 1.23 NOK pr km - 28% more expensive than riding. Bergen - Oslo is 499 km according to Google Maps, that ends up at 479 NOK. Plane trips can be had as low as 299, but the cheapest train ticket from Oslo airport to the city is 110, while the Bergen airport bus is 95. That gives a lowest possible total of 504 NOK. There is also a train service between Bergen and Oslo, lowest price is 499. I live within walking distance of work, but if I moved outside the city centre I could take the bus. It costs 25 NOK one way within the municipality, which breaks even with the bike at 26 km. That's over twice the distance to the dense suburbs that surround the city, typical burbs are around 12 km away - less than half the price of the bus. There are toll roads into the city centre, but bikes pay nothing. A 30 day bus pass is 660 NOK. Given 22 work days in that period, that comes out at 15 NOK pr trip, breaking even with the bike at 14.4 km which is easily beyond the suburb radius. Yes, that doesn't account for repairs, tools, riding gear etc etc. There are also routes where ferries are unavoidable, that adds a lot to the total pr journey. It's also amusing to note I have already amassed 40% of the 30,000 km running costs in speeding fines alone. But I'm looking for self justification am I not? Bike ownership loving vindicated!
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Jun 15, 2011 14:54
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You could cycle if you lived in the 'burbs. What about that cool tricycle (bicycle?) in the my first bike thread. Still got that somewhere? Alternatively, if you're only talking 12km, the best option would be something like http://www.icebug.se/Product.aspx?m=436 poo poo, I WISH I could live 12km from work...  My wife won't move any closer.
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Jun 15, 2011 15:22
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Running 12 km every morning without a shower at work (let alone a body capable of it) is such an unrealistic option for me you might as well compare to a magic carpet. Haven't got the bike anymore sadly. I would consider a bicycle if I was 5-ish km away from work and could choose streets outside the normal commuter flow. Then after some consideration I would reject it and ride the GSX anyway. 
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Jun 15, 2011 15:26
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I will allow the soothing strains of Hollywood Holt to answer all of your questions about cheap commuting: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w_kIUSr7-is
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Jun 15, 2011 15:30
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Z3n posted:I will allow the soothing strains of Hollywood Holt to answer all of your questions about cheap commuting: Haha, I love that song, but those guys are loving idiots: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8yJcP4YQ1cU&NR=1&feature=fvwp "We're not hipsters, we grew up in lower middle class neighborhoods!"
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Jun 15, 2011 15:45
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I wonder what the increased running costs and initial investment of a kit is compared to a stock bitch.
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Jun 15, 2011 15:48
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Ola posted:Running 12 km every morning without a shower at work (let alone a body capable of it) is such an unrealistic option for me you might as well compare to a magic carpet. You can do a lot with a towel, a tap, a toilet stall and deoderant. My new office doesn't feature a shower either, but when I cycle in, that's what I do. 12km is like 7.5 miles...a month of gradually increasing training, even if you start from a base of zero running experience, and you could manage that without any trouble. ne: I can't listen to videos at work, but I gather it involves some OG style Puch Maxi love. Respect.
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Jun 15, 2011 15:55
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Ola posted:Running 12 km every morning without a shower at work (let alone a body capable of it) is such an unrealistic option for me you might as well compare to a magic carpet. I considered riding my bicycle to work (10 miles-ish), and after some consideration I rejected it and continue to ride my Pegaso anyway. Now I need to do something with the push-bike before all the bits that can rust do. Best option I think would be to trade it for a folding bike which I could more realistically ride to the nearest tube station and then lock up at work (as well as keep in my front hallway at home). However, given my track record, this idea would probably also be rejected in favour of taking the Pegaso anyway.
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Jun 15, 2011 16:14
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Saga posted:You can do a lot with a towel, a tap, a toilet stall and deoderant. My new office doesn't feature a shower either, but when I cycle in, that's what I do. I appreciate the theoretical possibility (although a towel down in the bathroom is not really an option) and the health benefits, but it's just not happening. I do a bit of walking, there are nice scenic hikes practically in the Bergen city center and walking 2.6 km (1.6 mi) to work, in any weather, is just nice. The only time I will run on purpose, non-emergency, is doing the "running man" on the dancefloor.
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Jun 15, 2011 16:29
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12k on a road bike is peanuts, especially in your nordic summers you won't really sweat. Give yourself sufficient time so you don't have to really push it hard and you'll be fine. This coming from someone who sweats more than normal.
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Jun 15, 2011 16:49
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Russian Bear posted:12k on a road bike is peanuts, especially in your nordic summers you won't really sweat. Give yourself sufficient time so you don't have to really push it hard and you'll be fine. This coming from someone who sweats more than normal. Shh, I want to see him do it on the [e: kiddie bike!]  Saga fucked around with this message at 16:56 on Jun 15, 2011 |
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Jun 15, 2011 16:53
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Saga posted:Shh, I want to see him do it on the [e: kiddie bike!] Ola is my hero.
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Jun 15, 2011 19:35
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Why can you not get yellow rubber for motorcycles?
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Jun 15, 2011 21:29
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Ola posted:Why can you not get yellow rubber for motorcycles?  
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Jun 15, 2011 21:54
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Ah yes, the burnout upgrades.
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Jun 15, 2011 23:07
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So happy to stand corrected.
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Jun 15, 2011 23:14
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JP Money posted:
35 mpg? You can get 40mpg out of the F4i easy. If I keep mine up in the powerband, then I get like 37 mpg. Might want to check your air filter or something 
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Jun 16, 2011 02:29
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xd posted:35 mpg? You can get 40mpg out of the F4i easy. If I keep mine up in the powerband, then I get like 37 mpg. Might want to check your air filter or something It was replaced a few months ago making no difference. That's city, not highway. Highway I'd get near 40. I never put on a speedo healer but I went 1 down in front so it's a bit off I guess but not by much. It's not exactly advanced fuel injection, at least that's what I chalked it up to. Doesn't matter now, it just got totaled 
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Jun 16, 2011 02:52
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JP Money posted:It was replaced a few months ago making no difference. That's city, not highway. Highway I'd get near 40. I never put on a speedo healer but I went 1 down in front so it's a bit off I guess but not by much. It's not exactly advanced fuel injection, at least that's what I chalked it up to. I guess 35 would make sense then. What did you trade up for?
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Jun 16, 2011 03:00
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xd posted:I guess 35 would make sense then. What did you trade up for? As of right now? A check in the mail from their insurance. I'm in the search for something newer with USD forks and a bit more performance I guess. I still can't really knock the F4i for anything even though I've tried. For someone who has had some dirt experience and a level head I really have no problem recommending it for semi-beginners. It was a joy at slower speeds but still kept up with all the newer bikes. The upright seating position was nice in town but I feel like I wanted something a bit more "race" inspired for harder riding. It's also pretty forgiving of little slip ups and things but maybe that's just my experience with it. I'm still nowhere near fast enough to be close to maxing out the F4i though, don't get me wrong. I've just got new bike fever haha. I'm pretty sure all the upgrades I'm seeking are more bling than truly necessary upgrades.
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Jun 16, 2011 03:07
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For what it's worth, my Harley is now QUIET.
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Jun 16, 2011 04:05
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I popped my wheelie cherry (on-road, anyway, I did one on the Ninja in the parking lot at work when I shifted into first without the clutch, with the choke on and the bike running at ~6k) today by accident when I got mad at a taxi turning right from the middle lane of Highland and cutting me off. Popped the front up MAYBE 3 inches, but 
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Jun 16, 2011 05:08
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VTNewb posted:For what it's worth, my Harley is now QUIET. Blasphemy! What'd you do to it?
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Jun 16, 2011 05:19
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Speaking of accidentally doing things, I accidentally launched the R6 going to work last week. The horn switch on my bike is still messed up from when I crashed in October and I can't be assed to fix it, so I don't have a horn. So instead, whenever someone does something retarded I give them a nice 20000rpm blip of the throttle. I was turning right onto a 2 lane street. Dudebro in his accord was making a left out of a gas station on the road I was turning onto. People do this all the time at this intersection so I saw him long before I ever turned onto the road. I was never in danger of him hitting me, but I let him get pretty close to my bike, so he probably thought he was going to hit me. By this time I was nearly stopped and gave him the 'ole blip. All was well so I was starting to accelerate back to speed. Well, it turns out I didn't let the clutch out as much as I thought. So when I got hard on the gas the revs spiked back to around 18k. At this point I was already feathering the clutch and could feel the front wheel starting to get light so I said gently caress it and went with it. Now If only I could do that on demand
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Jun 16, 2011 05:22
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Z3n posted:Blasphemy! What'd you do to it? Made it stock
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Jun 16, 2011 05:26
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-Inu- posted:Speaking of accidentally doing things, I accidentally launched the R6 going to work last week. The horn switch on my bike is still messed up from when I crashed in October and I can't be assed to fix it, so I don't have a horn. So instead, whenever someone does something retarded I give them a nice 20000rpm blip of the throttle.
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Jun 16, 2011 05:38
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Z3n posted:Blasphemy! What'd you do to it? Well that's obvious isn't it... 
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Jun 16, 2011 06:34
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Saga posted:Well that's obvious isn't it... Had to lay 'er down?
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Jun 16, 2011 07:10
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Saga posted:Oooorah devil dog! (Is that a new custom title or am I confused?) New custom title, apparently a Marine wasn't happy with my opinions about his service.  Haven't done anything with the shocks yet, not sure what direction I'd go with that. I'm thinking of getting an air box removal kit, and working out the controls. Has anyone tried flipping the stock bars upside down?
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Jun 16, 2011 07:19
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Armyman25 posted:New custom title, apparently a Marine wasn't happy with my opinions about his service. Marines can type? Holy poo poo dude we're in trouble now. If you flip the bars would you possibly hit the tank under full lock? I'm guessing from my limited Bonnie-riding experience that if you want it to handle like a cafe racer, you're going to need more ride height and more spring at the back. It basically sits on/rotates around the back axle even when you aren't on the throttle. To let you load the front properly and let the back end work for harder/"sportier" riding, I'd sort out the shocks before making changes to riding position or adding more power. Just my 2c... MotoMind posted:Had to lay 'er down? Well it's quieter now it don't hardly run no more...
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Jun 16, 2011 10:08
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Well, the first thing I did when I bought it is de-eagled it. The only problem is I had SCREAMIN' EAGLE pipes on the thing. The bike has been sitting at my friends house for a month now, and he tossed on my high pipes and the optional extra ($$$) baffles. Just took the thing out yesterday. It's quiet enough that I can hear the intake. My butt dyno says more top end power, but who knows. Need to take it back to a real dyno.
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Jun 16, 2011 13:01
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MotoMind posted:Had to lay 'er down? I'm not exaggerating that I just choked on a mouthful of breakfast when I loving read this, holy poo poo hahaha. Perfect timing man, perfect timing.
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Jun 16, 2011 14:23
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I AM SO BUMMED! Went to the Backfire-moto meet last night in Ballard and went home with a huge goddamn nail in my 1000-mile old 180-width ME880, and it's not exactly a slow leak. Now I have to go through the bother of taking the wheel off, bringing it to a shop for a patch, and crossing my fingers it doesn't need to be replaced, because it wasn't a cheap tire.
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Jun 16, 2011 16:02
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