Cheap commuting
Turbo Mini Forums

Cost of travel is ever increasing and a rare spot of sunshine on my journey to work today got me thinking if it would be cheaper to run a scooter or small motorcycle. I would probably be tempted back into the car if the weather was bad, but never having been on a bike I can't say for sure.

I'm currently using an mpi mini every day that is averaging 45mpg, and I maintain it myself so I don't know if bike running costs would be low enough to make it worthwhile. Having said that it probably would be if I factored in bodywork repairs from running a mini in the winter.

I have no idea about bikes so I'm after some pointers on what to look for. I do 50 miles a day on a mix of A and B roads, and due to specs cameras I generally don't get over 50mph either.

Thanks in advance :)

to be honest mate, the roads you use i wouldnt be bothered about using one. a scooter would be a bit much, if you were going to do it i'd get something a bit bigger

I bought an 1100 Metro for £85!

That's cheap commuting for you! and far more practical.

In the 13's at last!.. Just

I have also considered this, but there is so much to consider. You would have to find a bike/scooter that was very good on fuel to justify it in the short to medium term. It is not just fuel, you have to look at everything, tax, insurance, tyres, brakes, etc, etc.

I often look at my diesel and think I could get one that did 70mpg not 50mpg, but it would cost me say 5k, how long would it take to pay that back in fuel savings?

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A man without a project is like a like a woman without a shopping list.

after driving my girlfieinds cinquincento sporting i'd have to recomend it.

its good on fuel, about 45mph but with the 5th gear and softer suspension gives a pretty relaxing ride compared to a mini.

theyre dirt cheap to pick up, and generally pretty reliable, also the shells ar gavanised so don't usually tend to rust. pretty easy to work on to suprisingly.

I drove one of those cinquincento's for a week and it was great fun, was averaging 45/50 to the gallon i reckon and it was a nippy little thing!
Shame it was bright yellow!

I'm sure TD will agree

Buy an old sierra! Diesel ones like mine return 70mpg on commute and 50mpg in town. It tows my mini well too!

Not really the sexiest car in the world though...

No brainer bike v car - how much do you like or are you attached to your legs? LOL

On 5th Sep, 2011 Vegard said:
I stand corrected. You should know

Get a derv then run it on rape seed oil, or penaut oil watever you fancy really! Have a little play with the pump pressure give it a wiff of propane and your be a flying machine!!

Hi,
I ride bikes so I'll put the pluses up.
20 years riding still got all my own limbs with no added hardwear It makes oyu more aware of your surrounding which will improve your driving too :)
Scooter tax £10 a year
Should do 70+MPG
Even a brand new one won't cost you a fortune :)
Cheers,
Gavin :)

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I used to have a scooter and i loved it. Very cheap to run like Bat says but i only rode it on nice days. Gets a bit scary in the rain and wind when getting overtaken by lorries.

---A friend in need's a friend in deed, in a car at speed is better---

You need to do the maths really.

As you will still have the mini (so it will be all still paid for) the only saving is on fuel. Everything else is extra.

I commute in the 998 turbo. This does 40+ mpg com[pared to the Legacy that does 25mpg. The saving on fuel over the year basically covers all the costs of the mini (insurance, tax etc).

In reality a diesel would make more sense, but this way is much mor fun. Also I have to park on th street, it is easier to find a space for a mini, and as it's a pice of shit I don't mind leaving it all day.

Fastest 998 mini in the world? 13.05 1/4 mile 106mph

i've been riding bikes for about 6 years i origionaly got into it because a 400cc bike at 17 is faster than any car you can realistically insure at 17, it really is great fun, and you might even start to enjoy your commute to work on a bike.
stear clear of a 50 cc 2 stroke they arnt they great on fuel and very slow a 125 4 stroke is nippy 65-70mph and good on fuel something like a honda dylan or pantheion (spelling) is a good place to start they are simple maintenence and dont really go wrong, if you fancy a bike bike stear clear of the sporty 125s in my opionin a fully grown man just looks alittle silly on one, something like a cg or yamaha equivelent
you could pick somthing up thats a few years old coming up for its first mot for a grand and insuarance and tax is peanuts if your over 21,

do you cbt and see how much you enjoy it it takes a day and is about £150 i think get a few mates along too, you'l be hooked

Speeding is like masturbating, everyone does it, but not all of us film it and put it on the internet

[quote=fab,8th Oct, 2010]fuck off

The mini belongs to my missus and she's not bothered about it any more, so we could get rid of it which would make the maths work.

Thanks for the replies, lots of food for thought.