minion82 ([info]minion82) wrote,
2005-08-30 18:54:00
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  • Mood: relaxed
  • Music: Around the World in a Tea Daze - Shpongle

Pondering new vehicle

So with gas prices being as ridiculous as they are ($2.81 for normal unleaded in Berkeley, and over $3 for diesel), I am giving very serious consideration to the purchase of a cheap, high mpg motorcycle. I still have a lingering fear of things like, you know, "death" where motorcycles are concerned, but the cost of a car that gets decent mileage would probably eat up any money I save on fuel.

My lab manager recommended a Buell Blast, which runs $5k new and gets around 70mpg. However, five seconds on Yahoo killed that idea, as there are many people who have had major problems with that model; problems which Harley (owner of Buell) has refused to address. That information really turns me off to the Buell Blast (and the Harley/Buell brand in general), because I really don't like companies that ignore problems with their product and try to shift the blame around instead (e.g. Glock's .40 cal pistols).

I'll just keep my eyes open for now, because paying over $50 to fill my tank is really eating into the ol' budget.

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  • 13 comments

[info]atek128

August 31 2005, 16:29:33 UTC 6 years ago

He had the right idea, mid sized single cylinder 4-stroke but the wrong maker... buell's have issues... to put it politely.

consider this:


Suzuki DRZ-400 SM... very very light, you can drop it and not break anything expensive, gets fantastic gas milage, cheap to insure, handles very well, very narrow, very upright riding position.

Only downside is the gas tank is ~2 gallons. You'd be refilling about every day or so w/ your commute.

[info]minion82

September 1 2005, 01:25:17 UTC 6 years ago

I don't suppose there's any way to get a larger gas tank? The "dirt bike" look is definitely more my style than the "sport bike".

[info]atek128

September 1 2005, 04:41:37 UTC 6 years ago

you can buy larger plastic gas tanks for most of the popular dual sport or enduro type motorcycles.

atek3

[info]atek128

August 31 2005, 16:36:03 UTC 6 years ago

then again, the kawasaki ex250 and ex500 are great, fuel efficient commuter bikes. Also very cheap:


[info]cryptor_00

August 31 2005, 23:28:26 UTC 6 years ago

i have to say that i agree with your general direction, and must say that the ninja was fun to ride... you should defenitely go down to sac and check out ian's (or go down the block to brents, i suppose :) Hell, ian said he may be selling his anyway, so possibly ask about it (i'm pretty sure that it has not been in his possession long enough to have succumbed to ian-vehicle death)

[info]minion82

September 1 2005, 01:27:18 UTC 6 years ago

I'll ask Ian about it, it's worth considering.

[info]torvinstrife

September 1 2005, 00:14:17 UTC 6 years ago

you know what would be awesome? If you spray painted your bike day-glo orange!

[info]minion82

September 1 2005, 01:26:11 UTC 6 years ago

How about instead, I strike myself repeatedly with a blunt object? Both would probably bring the same amount of enjoyment. :-)

[info]torvinstrife

September 1 2005, 02:33:38 UTC 6 years ago

If that is the plan, can I have your Magic cards? Obviously you won't be needing them what with the lower-IQ and all. On that note, you will also need to change your political affiliation to Republican.*cringes awaiting flames*

[info]minion82

September 1 2005, 05:54:40 UTC 6 years ago

So all I have to do is smack you about the head area, and you become more conservative? Now where'd I put my smackin' bat...

[info]torvinstrife

September 2 2005, 02:10:53 UTC 6 years ago

I didn't say more conservative, just Republican. Specifically the crazy religious ones. Both the parties are run by rich, old, white guys anyway.

[info]minion82

September 2 2005, 02:27:32 UTC 6 years ago

Oh come now, we all know the purpose of government is to force your own world view down other people's throats (ahem to both Dems and Republicans on that one).

There was an excellent quote recently by a news writer named Thomas Sowell:
"Those of us who believe in the two-party system regard voting for a third party as throwing away your vote. However, we could use two new parties to replace the Democrats and Republicans."

[info]torvinstrife

September 2 2005, 17:10:41 UTC 6 years ago

*gleeful giggling* That guy is my new hero.
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