question for 600cc bike owners

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With the increase in fuel prices I have been thinking of getting a motorcycle license. I plan to use the bike to ride to work. I live in north London and work in fleet Hampshire. I cover around 500 miles a week and it is costing me approximately 100 pounds a week.

That is a lot of money so I've decided to try biking if it works out cheaper. I probably won't be using it in winter as its just not safe even if u try to be safe yourself its impossible to make other drivers drive safely.

In terms of costs how much does it usually cost to fill up a 600cc tank and how many tanks or how much do u think it will cost me to cover 500 miles a week.

Thanks in advance.

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It costs me around 16 pounds to fill my tank (19 litres just over) I should get around 120 miles per tank, but I have an after market can which like to spit flames and back fire alot so I use<ahem> alot more!

Why isn't it safe in the winter? Tust me, it's just as dangerous in the summer, unless you're talking snow etc...which yes, is dangerous lol.

You might want to check this out as a rough guide...

http://www.visordown.com/road-tests/road-test-hornet-600-v-z750-v-bandit-650-v-fz6/4551.html
 
what ever an 18 liter tank will cost and about 200 miles about the same as a car about 10miles aa liter.. just asked hubby
 
It all depends on what bike you will be getting and how and where you ride it, same as a car really.
What tori said is about right, although I now have a BMW 1200 GS and it can return me 40mpg in city traffic and about 45 to 50 on a tun depending like said how you ride it.

Tax is cheaper and so is insurance depending on age, depending on bike tyres last only 4K depending on how you ride the bike.

spike
 
neil_g said:
as much as i hate being a party pooper, is a 600cc a good idea for a first bike?

ive seen old school mates die from getting bikes they couldnt handle.
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It will only go as fast as you twist the throttle, and it also depends on what 600 we are talking about.
A race rep I would say no(my first bike was an R6) but if OP is looking at say a hornet or fazer then yes

spike
 
Cb500 would be a better idea if your going for a commuter on the cheap, 60+ mpg cheap as heck on the insurance (120 quid for a 21 year old with 1 years ncb) my thundercat i wouldnt want to use as a commuter in london but even that gets 45 mpg (or about 12 when on one wheel :P )
 
Neil, I bought my bike the day I passed my test, a 600cc, and as Spike says, it will only go as fast as you twist the throttle. The bikes don't kill, the person sat on them being an idiot generally does. There are suitable 600's for new riders and some that are really unsuitable!

A fazer is a damn good first bike (Mine is a fazer so I can personally recommend it!) The hornet has a smalleer tank so you're filling up alot more. The r6/zx6 I would not recommend as a first bike. The bandit are a good bike, and kawasaki are doing 0% finance on some of their er6's I believe.
 
If I take it easy on my R6 I can get 40 mpg, my Vectra gives me 55mpg


Broadly speaking a 600cc bike is not an economical solution as 24000 miles a year will soon take it's toll on the machine :(
 
Tori said:
Neil, I bought my bike the day I passed my test, a 600cc, and as Spike says, it will only go as fast as you twist the throttle. The bikes don't kill, the person sat on them being an idiot generally does. There are suitable 600's for new riders and some that are really unsuitable!
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i understand that completely, but its like sticking a learner driver in a ferrarri for example.. accidents happen.

anyway, boring hat off.
 
It's nothing like that at all Neil. It's the attitude that causes the accidents. You have to be older to ride a larger bhp bike than you do a car. Maybe they should limit car drivers too!
 
Tori said:
It costs me around 16 pounds to fill my tank (19 litres just over) I should get around 120 miles per tank, but I have an after market can which like to spit flames and back fire alot so I use<ahem> alot more!

Why isn't it safe in the winter? Tust me, it's just as dangerous in the summer, unless you're talking snow etc...which yes, is dangerous lol.

You might want to check this out as a rough guide...

http://www.visordown.com/road-tests/road-test-hornet-600-v-z750-v-bandit-650-v-fz6/4551.html
Click to expand...

I think being a beginner it is not safe to risk it. I will consider it once i have more experience. I am 35 now and have been driving for almost 20 years but i doubt its the same as riding a bike :)
 
My first bike after passing my test was also a 600 cant help you with the fuel cost though :-)
 
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neil_g said:
as much as i hate being a party pooper, is a 600cc a good idea for a first bike?

ive seen old school mates die from getting bikes they couldnt handle.
Click to expand...

I was thinking of getting a CBR 600 but my boss is trying to talk me out of it as he thinks it is not something you use for everyday commuting. I am really looking for something that i can use for commuting and also on days out.
 
mrgubby said:
If I take it easy on my R6 I can get 40 mpg, my Vectra gives me 55mpg


Broadly speaking a 600cc bike is not an economical solution as 24000 miles a year will soon take it's toll on the machine :(
Click to expand...

Yes agreed. I was thinking just for the summer and get something better later on.
 
Tori said:
Neil, I bought my bike the day I passed my test, a 600cc, and as Spike says, it will only go as fast as you twist the throttle. The bikes don't kill, the person sat on them being an idiot generally does. There are suitable 600's for new riders and some that are really unsuitable!

A fazer is a damn good first bike (Mine is a fazer so I can personally recommend it!) The hornet has a smalleer tank so you're filling up alot more. The r6/zx6 I would not recommend as a first bike. The bandit are a good bike, and kawasaki are doing 0% finance on some of their er6's I believe.
Click to expand...

I just had a look on Google. The Fazer looks like a comfortable bike to ride. I am not looking to buy a new one though as i cant afford it. Im hoping to get a good condition used one.
 
CBR isn't really ideal either. Anything with the 'sporty' foetal riding position is going to be harder to get used to. Saying that I've had friends that have bought them straight after their tests and they've been fine. I like to be comfortable and long journeys hunched over with all your weight on your wrists (Especially in traffic) is a killer.
Best of luck, let us know what you get. The fazer is the way to go ;-) Plus they have an excellent forum if you need any hints/tips lol www.foc-u.co.uk
 
Brilliant! Thank you all for the info. I've been thinking of this for a long time and i think this year i will definitely go for it. Will update you on what i end up getting. :)
 
Cbr 600F would be fine, they are actually classed as a sports tourer and they will go forever and ever.

The CBR 600RR is the race bike seating position, i learnt on the sportsbike styled yzf r125 so im actually more comfortable on something a bit sporty, my legs tend to cramp on the upright ones
 
Frenzied Dwarf said:
Cbr 600F would be fine, they are actually classed as a sports tourer and they will go forever and ever.

The CBR 600RR is the race bike seating position, i learnt on the sportsbike styled yzf r125 so im actually more comfortable on something a bit sporty, my legs tend to cramp on the upright ones
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I did consider one of the 125s probably the Honda NSR but they are not allowed on the motorways.
 
ive got a zx6r (ninja) over £20 to fill the tank now and I get 115 - 130 miles per tank depending on how i ride ( speeding or silly speeding ;) )
 
The 600f still has a sporty riding position. Less so than a ninja or the cbr600ff but still not as comfy as a bandit/fazer/hornet.
 
Just my little 2p here, you'll save on tax and draw even on fuel but it will cost you more from a maintenance point of view. Tyres, chains, sprockets, brake pads - they don't last long at all on a bike.

Re the age/experiance thing. I passed my test at 17 and 1 day and the same evening took my RGV 250cc 2 stroke out, no problems there. 3 months later I bought a VFR400 4-stroke, 5 months after that an FZR 600. 3 days after my 18th I bought a GSXR600, that got written off by a sales rep in a citroen Xantia so a week later I bought a YZF750R. Being young the power on tap scared me into being sensible. I know of some a similar age that it all ended in tears, but then again I know experianced lads with bags of skill that have come a cropper as well. Few years on at 21 I sell my ZX9, pass my driving test and buy a BMW 318is. Similar fuel costs but tyres last a lot longer, I no longer have to worry about getting changed and doing my hair again when I get to work, if its cold I can put the heater on and best of all I can drive to Tescos and put all my shopping in the boot rather then having to carry it on the bus.

So, in my opinion you might get to work quicker but then you have to faff getting ready to work. The costs are about equal all things considered and then there is the convenience factor. If its for you though, consider looking at something like an F650 as well. Having commuted up to Cheshire and back on my YZF (500 mile round trip, £70 in fuel in 2002) there is a lot to be said for being comfortable and out the draughts.
 
ziggy©;3486610 said:
I did consider one of the 125s probably the Honda NSR but they are not allowed on the motorways.
Click to expand...

I thought 125s were allowed on the motorway? I'm sure they were when I considered going for a bike.

The reason I didn't go was cost. Cost of bike, insurance, mpg, PPE, tyres, lack of flexibililty(back seats & boot), foul weather, danger.

It may be more shrewd financially to go with a small car.

Sorry for being a killjoy :lol:
 
cw318is said:
Just my little 2p here, you'll save on tax and draw even on fuel but it will cost you more from a maintenance point of view. Tyres, chains, sprockets, brake pads - they don't last long at all on a bike.

Re the age/experiance thing. I passed my test at 17 and 1 day and the same evening took my RGV 250cc 2 stroke out, no problems there. 3 months later I bought a VFR400 4-stroke, 5 months after that an FZR 600. 3 days after my 18th I bought a GSXR600, that got written off by a sales rep in a citroen Xantia so a week later I bought a YZF750R. Being young the power on tap scared me into being sensible. I know of some a similar age that it all ended in tears, but then again I know experianced lads with bags of skill that have come a cropper as well. Few years on at 21 I sell my ZX9, pass my driving test and buy a BMW 318is. Similar fuel costs but tyres last a lot longer, I no longer have to worry about getting changed and doing my hair again when I get to work, if its cold I can put the heater on and best of all I can drive to Tescos and put all my shopping in the boot rather then having to carry it on the bus.

So, in my opinion you might get to work quicker but then you have to faff getting ready to work. The costs are about equal all things considered and then there is the convenience factor. If its for you though, consider looking at something like an F650 as well. Having commuted up to Cheshire and back on my YZF (500 mile round trip, £70 in fuel in 2002) there is a lot to be said for being comfortable and out the draughts.
Click to expand...

Thanks very usefully info there. I am planning to buy the bike anyway even if I decide not to use it to commute to work. I have always wanted one :)

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AndyB1976 said:
I thought 125s were allowed on the motorway? I'm sure they were when I considered going for a bike.

The reason I didn't go was cost. Cost of bike, insurance, mpg, PPE, tyres, lack of flexibililty(back seats & boot), foul weather, danger.

It may be more shrewd financially to go with a small car.

Sorry for being a killjoy :lol:
Click to expand...

I didn't think they were. I'll try and check to confirm.

(Sent from my HTC Desire using TP Forums)
 
125s are allowed on motorways just not when they have L plates on, however i would not recommend taking a 125 on a motorway, in headwinds your going to struggle to hit 70 without revving the utter nuts off it and your going to have to pray for your life everytime you get vans and such thundering past you. Cb500, er-5, Cbr 600F (Not the rr or fs), Thundercat, fazer or a gsf bandit are all much better choices although the cbr and thundercat are slightly more sporty (Bit more fun on the weekends imo :) )
 
I've gone back to being a motorbike rider six months ago after having been a car owner for nigh on 20 years. I've worked out that I can easily get 350 miles out of £11's worth of petrol using my new Yamaha 125 YBR custom 4-stroke engined bike - even at current petrol price (£1.43 per litre).
Factor in cheap insurance (£90 fully comp for a year with free breakdown cover) and £15 year's road tax and it's really a no brainer.
Granted I only do about 20 to 25 miles a day (always to work and home) but I don't regret having made the move. True, it is a bit horrible and hairy whenever it does rain or snow, but now that these lighter, drier and warmer days are starting to creep in, that's when being a motorbike rider really does come into it's own. :)
Oh, and I'm guaranteed a parking space every time when I get home. I just simply roll into my front garden and it's all good. :thumbs:
What about doing the food shopping? I just do it on the interweb. Thus saving even more on making that shopping trip.
Mind you, at 44, I am still single with no children so that's probably why it's so easy for me to make that change over to the motorbike. I only wish I did that a long time ago, the moment I became bored of being a car owner - which was something like a month into owning my first car! :D I would have saved myself a huge fortune - not to mention the hassle (breakdowns and people asking me for lifts).
 
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Ian D J said:
I've gone back to being a motorbike rider six months ago after having been a car owner for nigh on 20 years. I've worked out that I can easily get 350 miles out of £11's worth of petrol using my new Yamaha 125 YBR custom 4-stroke engined bike - even at current petrol price (£1.43 per litre).
Factor in cheap insurance (£90 fully comp for a year with free breakdown cover) and £15 year's road tax and it's really a no brainer.
Granted I only do about 20 to 25 miles a day (always to work and home) but I don't regret having made the move. True, it is a bit horrible and hairy whenever it does rain or snow, but now that these lighter, drier and warmer days are starting to creep in, that's when being a motorbike rider really does come into it's own. :)
Oh, and I'm guaranteed a parking space every time when I get home. I just simply roll into my front garden and it's all good. :thumbs:
What about doing the food shopping? I just do it on the interweb. Thus saving even more on making that shopping trip.
Mind you, at 44, I am still single with no children so that's probably why it's so easy for me to make that change over to the motorbike. I only wish I did that a long time ago, the moment I became bored of being a car owner - which was something like a month into owning my first car! :D I would have saved myself a huge fortune - not to mention the hassle (breakdowns and people asking me for lifts).
Click to expand...

Now that's very interesting...

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Tori said:
The bikes don't kill, the person sat on them being an idiot generally does.
Click to expand...

I found it to be cars that were the greatest danger, especially in London. All my accidents were from cars hitting me from behind or from the side and all but one of the drivers couldn't even speak basic English.

The last accident involved an Indian woman who could speak very good English though, so that did break the pattern which was emerging. I was hit from behind on the A4 and dragged 40 metres whilst under her bumper. Couldn't walk for three months but my bike gear saved me because other than ripped ankle tendons and a sore neck I didn't have a mark on me.

The best part was that the CPS wanted to prosecute me for dangerous driving. The judge instantly made it clear she disliked bikers and I was given 6 points and a £300 fine in less than 1/2 hour. What a joke and totally corrupt.

Because of losing the court case the driver automatically won the insurance claim for damages to her car plus whiplash (somehow?) and damages for stress!!!!! She was stressed about.....?

I gave up biking after that. I would advise against getting a bike, there's too many (crazy) cars on the road and it's not really a money saver as bikes aren't necessarily all that cheap to run. Tyres, punctures, bike gear, helmet, security stuff for the bike, tinkering lol And it's bloody miserable in the rain, you can't see so you put the visor down then it steams up (and that spray is crap), you get wet, you've got to watch what you ride over when cornering....
 
agree with the cb500 type of bike if ya want cheap commuting. 600cc sportsbikes dont encourage good mpg or behaviour on the road.and theyre not that comfy either.
and as said, if ya havent got the gear, you need to budget a hell of a lot of cash for good kit.
my 900 yamaha does 45 ish to the gallon and eats a £100+ back tyre in a few thousand miles.
so not THAT cheap to run.
 
gman said:
I found it to be cars that were the greatest danger, especially in London. All my accidents were from cars hitting me from behind or from the side and all but one of the drivers couldn't even speak basic English.

The last accident involved an Indian woman who could speak very good English though, so that did break the pattern which was emerging. I was hit from behind on the A4 and dragged 40 metres whilst under her bumper. Couldn't walk for three months but my bike gear saved me because other than ripped ankle tendons and a sore neck I didn't have a mark on me.

The best part was that the CPS wanted to prosecute me for dangerous driving. The judge instantly made it clear she disliked bikers and I was given 6 points and a £300 fine in less than 1/2 hour. What a joke and totally corrupt.

Because of losing the court case the driver automatically won the insurance claim for damages to her car plus whiplash (somehow?) and damages for stress!!!!! She was stressed about.....?

I gave up biking after that. I would advise against getting a bike, there's too many (crazy) cars on the road and it's not really a money saver as bikes aren't necessarily all that cheap to run. Tyres, punctures, bike gear, helmet, security stuff for the bike, tinkering lol And it's bloody miserable in the rain, you can't see so you put the visor down then it steams up (and that spray is crap), you get wet, you've got to watch what you ride over when cornering....
Click to expand...

i take it that was a magistrates court
i am facing the same charge but my case has just been moved to crown court
up to 2 years in prison 12 month ban :'(
 
gman said:
I found it to be cars that were the greatest danger, especially in London. All my accidents were from cars hitting me from behind or from the side and all but one of the drivers couldn't even speak basic English.

The last accident involved an Indian woman who could speak very good English though, so that did break the pattern which was emerging. I was hit from behind on the A4 and dragged 40 metres whilst under her bumper. Couldn't walk for three months but my bike gear saved me because other than ripped ankle tendons and a sore neck I didn't have a mark on me.

The best part was that the CPS wanted to prosecute me for dangerous driving. The judge instantly made it clear she disliked bikers and I was given 6 points and a £300 fine in less than 1/2 hour. What a joke and totally corrupt.

Because of losing the court case the driver automatically won the insurance claim for damages to her car plus whiplash (somehow?) and damages for stress!!!!! She was stressed about.....?

I gave up biking after that. I would advise against getting a bike, there's too many (crazy) cars on the road and it's not really a money saver as bikes aren't necessarily all that cheap to run. Tyres, punctures, bike gear, helmet, security stuff for the bike, tinkering lol And it's bloody miserable in the rain, you can't see so you put the visor down then it steams up (and that spray is crap), you get wet, you've got to watch what you ride over when cornering....
Click to expand...

The majority of bikers I see on the motorway are very responsible riders. However I do occasionally see a few that are just mad. I have seen quite a few who filter through traffic at very silly speeds. These are the ones that always show you the finger when they get involved in a near miss expecting the driver to have seen them even though the speed they were at would have been impossible for the driver to see them.

Of course the majority are very responsible and are usually very good at anticipating danger. It is the usual few that spoil it for others and give all bikers a bad name and so it probably makes it very difficult to argue your case even when you are the victim.

(Sent from my HTC Desire using TP Forums)
 
Being hit from behind is as clean cut as it gets I reckon with perhaps only the most extreme exceptions.

I agree though that unfortunately a select few do give the rest a bad name but that's the same with most traits in life.

It was the Magistrates Court in Hammersmith; woman Magistrate who did the barking. Doesn't bother me all that much to be honest as I believe in karma. The more important things in life have worked out well for me so that's all good :)
 
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