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Who here has made the "jump" to all bike-no car?

just resurrected the old Golf (was down from 01/07) in honor of the deer I killed that made it a little hard to ride for awhile
 
i had a beat up pickup truck that i never drove so i got rid of it a few months ago. even when i had it, and before i started riding motorbikes i rode my bicycles everywhere. but now that i dont have my truck at all, i ride my bicycles in-town, take my moto out of town, and walk/bus in the rain (screw riding in the rain!!!)
 
how do you people without trucks/cars get back and forth from the track or dirt biking :confused

I was bike only for 3 years while commuting from SF to burlingame/foster city/fremont.

It was just fine and you can get away with it but I'm much happier now with all the dirt riding I'm doing.
 
I've never owned a car. Bought my first bike at 20, and have been bike only ever since.
 
One thing I find funny when I do drive a car every once in a while (usually with the owner in the car): the first couple stops and turns I realize it's not as fun to take the corners at speed and the to brake so late in a car, especially with someone else in the car. Then I'll sheepishly say, oops I'll remember to not drive like I'm alone on my bike.

Then I usually remark at how annoyingly bad drivers are and how I don't usually witness this phenomenon as much because I don't typically stick around cars (when on the bike) to enjoy their stellar driving (sarcasm).
 
My Shelby Daytona hasn't been started in four months. last time I drove it was to charge the battery after it sat two months.
Course we do use the GF's minivan for grocery runs on the weekend.

Karbon said:
That is to say you've bought or have a beater pile of a car you hardly ever drive and 1 to 3 bikes of your choosing or no car and a small stable of bikes.

I can imagine there is a minority of crazy people among the crazy.

contemplating this jump, more so because I love riding more than I hate cars.

thnx.
Click to expand...
 
Still need my cage for things like taking the cats to the vet, heavy duty grocery shopping, etc.
 
I was bike only for about 6 months or so.

It's a little tough when you have 2 kids to not have a cage. I guess I'm not hardcore enough.
 
A month ago, I went bike-only for the second time in my life... I spent 2 years in L.A. without a car too.

My employer gives a $100 monthly stipend to anyone who doesn't use a car parking space, which exactly covers $50 for monthly motorcycle parking plus $50 for Zipcar. :thumbup
 
I did the "no car" thing while in college and a little while after. I'm over it. Motorcycles for me are fun again. Not just transportation. I can choose the right tool for the job. If I need to haul stuff, I use my truck. If I want to zip through traffic, I can take a bike. I like having options.
 
Getting my tires changed with just my bike is the hard.. so i had to borrow my roomates car today
 
I've got 6 bikes and a 20 year old van. I drive about 6 times a year only because there are things that just don't fit on a bike (xmas tree, couch, motorcycle, guitar amp etc.).
I've got an old GS/PD with heated grips etc. as a rainbike for winters and a ton of gear.
The other bikes have their own specialties- traffic, speed, style, you know- the fun stuff
The people I work with think I'm hardcore, but I'm really not. There just isn't any way to get around this place if you're not on two wheels. Driving now though, scares the hell out of me.
 
I haven't had a car in almost 14 years. The rewards are great. In practice it's not so fun. You do learn the value of good gear, you can get scary fast in the rain, and if you want to become a better rider there are few ways better that lots of seat time. Also in your own mind you become an imaginary badass for living by your skills, this can lead to humility or you'll be a douchbag. I think I'm both but I'm not suprised you wouldn't understand since you probably (sneer) drove here.:twofinger
 
Karbon said:
That is to say you've bought or have a beater pile of a car you hardly ever drive and 1 to 3 bikes of your choosing or no car and a small stable of bikes.

I can imagine there is a minority of crazy people among the crazy.

contemplating this jump, more so because I love riding more than I hate cars.

thnx.
Click to expand...

I made the jump earlier this year when my car was totaled in a traffic accident. Switching to bikes lowered my monthly finance payments by about $50, and my insurance premium by $150 a month. If I need a car, I can usually rent one for $22 a day from Hertz, or borrow my girlfriends.

If you make the move, be sure to get a comfortable bike. I love my BMW, and would recommend any good sport-touring bike with a large tank and heated grips. You'll also have to get yourself some quality riding gear. Finally, consider if you expect to see any ice on your normal commute route, and how comfortable you feel riding through rain, fog, and at night.

Finally, you'll practically have to give up drinking. I'll drive a car on one beer (which is below .08 for me) but would never do it on a bike.
 
Did the whole bike only thing for year in college in oregon. lot of rain riding... was no problem except for getting groceries. i lived with 3 other roommates and none of them had a car, so going grocery shopping was a pain (usually just borrowed a car)
 
I did it in San Diego for a year because it rarely ever rains there and I was just going to school.

I don't think I would ever do it in the bay area though.
 
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