Gas Prices - Less Riding or Less Drinking?

[gsjay]

With gas pushing towards $3.00 a gallon I've begun to ask.......

Will this cause me to ride less this season?

I suspect I'll ride the same amount just won't buy so many bottles of wine to bring home!

What about the rest of you? Gas prices bugging you yet?

Jason
gsjay

[jeneralist]

The gas prices actually have me planning to ride more this season.

Reason 1: my bike gets better mileage than my car.
Reason 2: since I expect gas prices to keep going up, it makes sense to take The Big Tour now rather than put it off

[pmdave]

I'm less concerned about the price of gas than I am about the acceleration of global warming.

I think it's really obvious that temperatures are rising, and if the rise continues to accelerate, we're going to see some really major problems, such as sea levels rising to inundate a number of major cities, and significant weather changes that affect food production.

So, I'd prefer to not compound the problem by burning up any more fossile fuel than I really need to. That means I'll be weighing the value of all vehicle trips against the needed fuel. Yes, I'll still ride, but I'll choose my events and be more conservative about just hopping on the bike and torching tanks simply for my own amusement.

You do what you think is appropriate.

pmdave

[Burnszilla]

$3.26 for premium here in the bay area. Motorcycle sales should go up this spring. :thumb

[PAULBACH]

During good weather will use motorcycle more and cage less. My F650CS gets 65 mpg. The Ford Taurus gets 22 mpg.

Just read local newspaper story about increased sale of motorcycles in Albany area. This is an increase over usual spring sales.

Regular gas is now $2.87 and premium just went over $3.00

:bikes

[gsjay]

Does anyone know what an R12000GS is rated at for MPG?

jason

[tessler]

Living in the Big Apple with relatively minor commutes and not being car owners, my wife and I will use various forms of public transportation, my bike or actual human foot-power to get where we need to go within the city, so the price of gas will have little or no impact on my riding this season.

Like Dave, I'm less concerned with the price of gas than with other overarching environmental issues. I'm more perplexed and aghast, however, at the incredibly obscene compensation packages (http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20060416/ap_on_bi_ge/exxon_pay_7) awarded to the executive ranks of big oil.

[RandyB]

$2.94 for 91 octane. Between work and social life, I ride about 700 miles a week. 43 mpg and one less car. Selling the cage in fact. '03 Mitsubishi Montero Sport, excellent condition. It's a divorce legacy. Make me an offer....

If you think the compensation packages are obscene, consider that Saudi Aramco revenues were $62 BILLION in '03 and the first check the corp. wrote was to the Saudi royals for $59 BILLION. Fill 'er up. :mad

I'll cut back on food before I cut back on ale and guiness.

[ironMan]

The older I get the more I ride and drink (not together) I am more concerned about the size of the wine bottles. They just don’t seem to last as long as they did a couple of years ago.

[bubbagazoo]

Premium is $1.11ish a litre now in Edmonton. More reason to ride my bike instead of driving my little SUV. The way I see it, my little truck has a 60 litre tank and I can usually drive it for 2 weeks back and forth to work on a tank of fuel. My bike has a 26 litre tank and I am able to do the same thing. Sooooo, the math works out in favour of the bike :brad .

About the only thing I cannot do with the bike is get groceries. But I shop 5 blocks from home so the really short trips for food should result in one tank of fuel for the entire summer (I doubt it but it's a nice dream).

What really frosts many of us Edmontonians is the fact the refinery is just outside of the city (I can see it from the roof of my house) and we pay more in the city than the folks in Camrose, about an hour away. It is almost as if the oil companies are telling the folks who refine it to BOHICA (Bend Over, Here It Comes Again).

Anyways, even with the higher fuel costs, a bad day of riding is better than any day at work (no matter how good the day at work).

[soffiler]

Does anyone know what an R1200GS [fixed] is rated at for MPG?

jason

With a mix of rural, secondary, highway, and a touch of city riding, with a moderately aggressive throttle hand, I am seeing about 42 mpg. That's solo riding, with side cases but no top case, loaded with about 210 lb of combined rider/gear/tools/briefcase/lunch. At sea level, on mid-grade fuel.

BMW provides fuel consumption specifications right in the owner's manual however I don't have my manual right in front of me. Nor would I put all that much faith in numbers provided by the manufacturer since YMMV of course!

With a very careful throttle hand, I would not be surprised to see 50+ mpg, but I can't seem to convince my hand to try it.

[RandyB]

I've talked to riders who are getting 50+ on theirs and they ride like it's fun. Saving my pennies for one so I hope it gets better than my R100 (43 riding as you should, 38 like I normally ride.)

[cjack]

Snip.
What really frosts many of us Edmontonians is the fact the refinery is just outside of the city (I can see it from the roof of my house) and we pay more in the city than the folks in Camrose, about an hour away. It is almost as if the oil companies are telling the folks who refine it to BOHICA (Bend Over, Here It Comes Again).

Snip.

I understand that Pineapples cost more in Hawaii then they do here.

[SheRidesABeemer]

With gas pushing towards $3.00 a gallon I've begun to ask.......

Will this cause me to ride less this season?

I suspect I'll ride the same amount just won't buy so many bottles of wine to bring home!

What about the rest of you? Gas prices bugging you yet?

Jason
gsjay

I'm out of work so I've been watching my pennies. I sure do miss $3.00 bike fill ups. I've earmarked some stock to sell so I can ride in peace this summer. I created a spreadsheet, 20,000 miles is going to cost me about $1,400 for fuel (at $2.76). $1,500 if it goes to $3. It puts a damper on joy riding but it's still entertainment dollars well spent.

Taking the bike instead of the car doesn't save me a dime because I'll ride an extra 50 miles to home if I have the bike. :p

[Hotspice]

I've already bought a smaller car so my gas hog pickup truck can sit unless I need it.

My mileage has been going up each year and I think with $3/gallon for gas this year isn't going to be any different. It's still weird to see the dollar amount when I fill up the GS's tank though :cry

[Mika]

SRAB sums it up well. When I can get back on the bike it will be my daily commuter. I don't save much because of the intreresting routes I take for fun, but money well spent.

[YB in IN]

I'll probably be riding less miles overall, but will be taking my bike for more of those quick trips around town when usually I'd hop in the car for convenience's sake. Stuff like running to the bank down the street, or the grocery a couple of blocks away. You know, errands when it takes as much time to get the riding gear on as it does to make the trip itself. I also won't be making as many small multi-day trips, or I may just stay a little closer to home to save some bucks.

[gfspencer]

Does anyone know what an R12000GS is rated at for MPG?

I get about 45 to 50 mpg on mine.

[Grey_Matter]

Like many have already pointed out I will ride more & drink about the same amount. I get between 45 – 50 MPG on my GS so it is hard to beet for economy reasons.

[riderR1150GSAdv]

I will ride my bike a lot more than ever before. My Chevy Avalanche gets 20 MPG ,but for my work I tow my boat and it then gets 16 MPG. Add to that the gas for the boat and it really hurts :banghead. My friends in some marinas pay $ 3.50/gal for gas already. :cry
Those overpaid oil exec's are beyond words. Ridiculous doesn't begin to describe those kinds of bonuses and salaries. I am all for making money, but screwing over the entire nation and potentially wrecking the economy is uncalled for. YMMV

[Grey_Matter]

but for my work I tow my boat
I just looked at your web-site. You fish for a living! You sir are a god too me.

(not THE God mind you, just a god)

[riderR1150GSAdv]

I just looked at your web-site. You fish for a living! You sir are a god too me.

(not THE God mind you, just a god)

I'll take any compliment :buds ;)

[ironMan]

I will ride my bike a lot more than ever before. My Chevy Avalanche gets 20 MPG ,but for my work I tow my boat and it then gets 16 MPG. Add to that the gas for the boat and it really hurts :banghead. My friends in some marinas pay $ 3.50/gal for gas already. :cry
Those overpaid oil exec's are beyond words. Ridiculous doesn't begin to describe those kinds of bonuses and salaries. I am all for making money, but screwing over the entire nation and potentially wrecking the economy is uncalled for. YMMV


Most gas purchased at the marina includes the Federal Highway taxes. I think you are entitled to a tax deduction for non highway vehicles. Might be worth checking on.

[The_Veg]

Maybe I'll convert The BatBike to run on French-fry oil.

[Motorman]

If you can afford a new BMW the cost of fuel will be rather inconsequential. If you are going to be drinking and then driving the bike, please put me on your insurance policy as a benificiary.

I won't be changing the bike driving I have been doing. I have the bike as a way to save fuel with it's 40 MPG over the other motor vehicle I have in the avatar that gets about 8.5 MPG. Frankly filling the bike at $10.00 is rather easy compared to buying 200+ gallons of diesel at $2.50 + per gallon. I find it kind of hard to believe that anyone who can afford a new or newer beemer is really having problems at gas over $2.00 a gallon. C'mon.

For those drinking and driving, well that's another subject, perhaps for Darwin award nominations. Hopefully no one else will be injured or worse for that decision. We see notices in the MOA and sometimes on the forum about members who are no longer with us that were not impaired or even at fault in any way but still killed in traffic. If you can't stay "dry" and drive on 2 wheels, save more gas and don't have the bike at all. Take a taxi, bus or just walk. The rest of us would appreciate it.

[basketcase]

I'm job hunting (tired of working by myself), and whatever I land, I plan to commute on two wheels as often as possible as a result of gas prices.

I'm not a scooter kind of guy, but almost anything that gets 60 mpg is sure looking attractive.

[cjack]

I find it kind of hard to believe that anyone who can afford a new or newer beemer is really having problems at gas over $2.00 a gallon. C'mon.
.

My grandparents retired when they were in their late '30s. They traveled for half the year and instead of airconditioning, they used to check into the hotel at the lake if it got too hot. Even so, my grandmother used to chase me all over town to save 10 cents on a gallon of milk.
So there is more to it than affording it, but not much can be done about the price of gas by complaining.

[mullerjd1]

I bought a Civic to save on gas as opposed to driving my Ram around so saving a few cents more isn't a huge concern. As long as it's nice out I will definitely be riding to work, more for the enjoyment though.

[Rod Sheridan]

In North America, we have extremely low fuel prices, which encourages us to waste the resource, and contribute to global warming. (I agree with PMDAVE).

The only time we conserve fuel or energy of any description, is when it affects our wallets, so for the sake of our children, and our environment, let's hope that fuel prices continue to rise.

Regards, Rod.

[riderR1150GSAdv]

Most gas purchased at the marina includes the Federal Highway taxes. I think you are entitled to a tax deduction for non highway vehicles. Might be worth checking on.


That's true, I hope my friends have a good cpa. I get gas on the road as it saves $$. I just now filled up my boat and truck and $100,= later only got 32 gallons.The lady at the gas station looked at me as if $ 100 was too much untill I asked her to do the math.. :brow
This summer the prices will be at on near $ 4 /gal at the rate it is going up. :banghead

[riderR1150GSAdv]

In North America, we have extremely low fuel prices, which encourages us to waste the resource, and contribute to global warming. (I agree with PMDAVE).

The only time we conserve fuel or energy of any description, is when it affects our wallets, so for the sake of our children, and our environment, let's hope that fuel prices continue to rise.

Regards, Rod.


I hope you realize that our economy is not geared to-wards high gas prices as so many working poor people depend on the gas guzzlers (older cars) to get to work. Often to jobs that don't pay too well. I understand where you're going with this as I too am sick of the mobile-phone-booth-SUV crowd that just has these POS vehicles to keep up with the Joneses.
If this nation want to get rid of oil imports we will need more and better public transportation. Forcing Detroit to higher CAFE standards is important too but as long as lobbying (called bribery in other nations) on the hill is allowed, America will get no where fast.

[cjack]

In North America, we have extremely low fuel prices, which encourages us to waste the resource, and contribute to global warming. (I agree with PMDAVE).

The only time we conserve fuel or energy of any description, is when it affects our wallets, so for the sake of our children, and our environment, let's hope that fuel prices continue to rise.

Regards, Rod.
I read that the price of gas in Europe, etc. is actually a bit lower than here, but the taxes are much higher, making the final price to the consumer much higher.

[PUDGYPAINTGUY]

I read that the price of gas in Europe, etc. is actually a bit lower than here, but the taxes are much higher, making the final price to the consumer much higher.


You are right, a few weeks ago in the UK the price of gas was approx $5.80/gallon and there is only one grade of fuel...unleaded at most pumps.

Gas has always been high over there, it is evidenced by the size of cars (one for each foot) over there and the average gas mileage on vehicles approaching 40mpg. Taxes are high also on almost everything as you pointed out cjack, the cost of wanting free medicine and a full service fiscal safety net. That is a whole other discussion though lol.

[PAULBACH]

My last tankfull of gas on the F650 CS was at 65.7 mpg. :p

[soffiler]

Filled up this morning. 43.4 MPG This was a very typical tank for me, in terms of riding habits. One casual ride with the wife on pillion. The rest of the tank commuting to work on a mix of rural roads, secondary roads, short highway blasts at relatively high speeds (pacing the rest of the morning commuters who move with great sense of purpose in my part of the world) and a bit of (sadly unavoidable) city riding. I live at sea level, which also makes a difference.

[Cliffy777]

With gas pushing towards $3.00 a gallon I've begun to ask.......
Will this cause me to ride less this season?
I suspect I'll ride the same amount just won't buy so many bottles of wine to bring home!
What about the rest of you? Gas prices bugging you yet?
Jason
gsjay
Sure gas prices bug me, but it is all the more reason to do your daily commute on your bike if you can IMHO.

[Emoto]

I will not allow anything so mundane as the price of gas to prevent me from enjoying one of my favorite activities to the fullest extent that time allows. I will also not change my drinking habits. :)

[R80RTJohnny]

Finally back. Had to rejoin online with another computer as my browser did not accept the new format.

Will I ride more? I hope so. No more car. 20 year old airhead means no bike payments and as for the drinking I make my own beer. Ah sweet, sweet beer!

Hope to be at Essex, VT this summer.

Cheers!

[jerryb]

[QUOTE=R80RTJohnny]Finally back. Had to rejoin online with another computer as my browser did not accept the new format.

So you had browser problems on the Forum too! My AOL browser freaked out just days ago after working fine for about 6 weeks. My soft ware engineer son in law said it was probably because some small change was made to the Web site that AOL didn't like. So I'm using Internet Explorer now which works but seems to be a lot slower in almost all applications (I have dial-up).

jerryb

[BradfordBenn]

Being a software product manager I can tell you that AOL does lots of strange things with the interweb. I also know that the techincal team tests the MOA website with various operating systems and browsers, so we do try to be aware of the various configurations.

[jerryb]

Being a software product manager I can tell you that AOL does lots of strange things with the interweb. I also know that the techincal team tests the MOA website with various operating systems and browsers, so we do try to be aware of the various configurations.


My soft ware engineer son in law is impressed with this Web site and from my experience I'm amazed at how well it works.

jerryb

[basketcase]

Said jerrybI'm amazed at how well it works.Me too -- considering what we know about the drinking habits of both the management ... :drink

and while on the subject, the rest of us, too. :buds

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sorry -- i just couldn't resist the jibe. :nyah

[Kutcher]

I agree with many of the posts that riding is going to go up this year due to gas prices. It was one of the main reasons for me -getting back into it as a "practical" practice rather than just a sport.

Therefore, Anyone interested in a 2005 SAAB 92x Aero...Give me a call! :deal :deal

kutch_L@juno.com