Car versus motorcycle? costs

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1014 posts

Uber Geek
Inactive user

#1987789 3-Apr-2018 17:59

kingdragonfly:
- can use some bus lanes legally (not "bus only")

Actually, I recall a motorcyclist took that to court and won (for an Auckland motorway bus lane which is NZTA being a State Highway) - the wording in the legislation required a specific exclusion of class otherwise entitled to use the bus lane in order to be enforceable, and "BUSES ONLY" was considered a general exclusion. It was only the District Court though so it didn't set a precedent they'd have to follow in future.

Aredwood

3885 posts

Uber Geek

#1987841 3-Apr-2018 19:43

Assuming it was an actual district court hearing, and not a disputes tribunal hearing. The district court can definitely set precedent.

cadman

1014 posts

Uber Geek
Inactive user

#1988145 4-Apr-2018 12:15

Aredwood: Assuming it was an actual district court hearing, and not a disputes tribunal hearing. The district court can definitely set precedent.

Considering you can't take an infringement or traffic offence notice to the Disputes Tribunal, it was the District Court. I'm pretty sure the doctrine of precedents says they are are only binding on lower courts, and the District Court is our lowest court.

MikeAqua

5818 posts

Uber Geek

#1988179 4-Apr-2018 13:12

In Welly CBD it's illegal to park a motorbike or moped in a regular car park. You have to use designated (free) motorbike parks.

Mike

askelon

662 posts

Ultimate Geek

Subscriber

#1988205 4-Apr-2018 13:48

MikeAqua:
In Welly CBD it's illegal to park a motorbike or moped in a regular car park. You have to use designated (free) motorbike parks.

Your allowed to park on the footpath there though right as long as your not impeding foot traffic?

mattwnz

16481 posts

Uber Geek

#1988210 4-Apr-2018 13:59

MikeAqua:

In Welly CBD it's illegal to park a motorbike or moped in a regular car park. You have to use designated (free) motorbike parks.

Even if you pay for the space? Doesn't sound very logical if you can't. I recall reading that there were very few of the free one, due to how popular they are.

On2or3wheels

46 posts

Geek

#1989433 6-Apr-2018 12:31

It's a bit disappointing that people have given the extreme worst case costs for motorcycling. We should be encouraging more people to ride :)

That registration cost that was given was for bikes over 599cc. The band below that, although still expensive, is $417 I think. You also won't be paying $500 for a tyre if you pick a sensible bike aimed at commuting. Insurance cost can also vary on the type of bike & cc rating so a smaller commuter shouldn't be too bad.

If you're really just looking for practical, cheap, safer, instead of excitement, you could get a Yamaha Tricity 155. Registration is only $76!

This would also give you storage & weather protection. I also add a rear box to any bike I get these days. It keeps your backpack dry when it rains for starters & you can store your wet weather gear.

You can save money on a jacket by buying a cheap one that still has the armour, but isn't as waterproof, & then buying a separate %100 percent waterproof thin jacket that you wear over top. I got one recently from a safety store & it's more waterproof than an expensive motorcycle jacket anyway. Because you only wear it when it's raining it should last a long time.
Your motorcycle jacket should last longer than two years but they tend to get grubby with pollution & fumes.

Cheers

timbosan

1705 posts

Uber Geek

#1989478 6-Apr-2018 13:40

On2or3wheels:

It's a bit disappointing that people have given the extreme worst case costs for motorcycling. We should be encouraging more people to ride :)

That registration cost that was given was for bikes over 599cc. The band below that, although still expensive, is $417 I think. You also won't be paying $500 for a tyre if you pick a sensible bike aimed at commuting. Insurance cost can also vary on the type of bike & cc rating so a smaller commuter shouldn't be too bad.

If you're really just looking for practical, cheap, safer, instead of excitement, you could get a Yamaha Tricity 155. Registration is only $76!

This would also give you storage & weather protection. I also add a rear box to any bike I get these days. It keeps your backpack dry when it rains for starters & you can store your wet weather gear.

You can save money on a jacket by buying a cheap one that still has the armour, but isn't as waterproof, & then buying a separate %100 percent waterproof thin jacket that you wear over top. I got one recently from a safety store & it's more waterproof than an expensive motorcycle jacket anyway. Because you only wear it when it's raining it should last a long time.
Your motorcycle jacket should last longer than two years but they tend to get grubby with pollution & fumes.

Cheers

I disagree with some of these points, primarily because as a motorcyclist I need and want to protect myself from the idiot car drivers in Auckland.

* I would rather pay $500 for a decent tyre that half that then have it loose grip. Plus a quality tyre should last longer

* Yes, rego costs given are for bikes over 600cc (its 601cc and above) as that's what I have, but as you noted the next band down is still a LOT more expensive than a car (about $80)

* I would never ride a small bike on the motorway, after trying it on my 125cc scooter. Too hard to keep it at 100 when traffic is moving fast, too light for windy conditions (Newmarket viaduct, Harbour Bridge), and no safety features like ABS.

timbosan

1705 posts

Uber Geek

#1989481 6-Apr-2018 13:51

So to answer the question asked by the OP (since no-one has actually done that), here is a VERY basic calculation I did in 2 mins. Assumptions:

* Amounts are for a year
* Petrol costs are for my car, a 1.6L
* My bike is 660cc so sits in the top category for rego costs
* Gear - you can ride in jeans and a jacket, or spend $1000 on leathers, so I cannot account for that
* Car Parking is based on downtown Auckland as that's where I work. Around $20 a day for earlybird
* I have separate insurance for my bike as they cover gear, track days, etc.
* Parking for motorcycles is free where I park mine (and in Auckland Council parking buildings)

kingdragonfly

4652 posts

Uber Geek

#1989619 6-Apr-2018 16:45

On2or3wheels: ...If you're really just looking for practical, cheap, safer, instead of excitement, you could get a Yamaha Tricity 155. Registration is only $76!

Technically it's registered as a car, hence the cheap registration.

The rule of thumb for how the importer registered a particular 3 wheeler model:
* front tag, it's a car
* no front tag: it's a motorcycle

This article talks about 3 wheel Yamaha Tricity 155, and Auckland.

http://www.driven.co.nz/reviews/road-tests/yamaha-tricity-the-rise-of-the-three-wheelers/

It's like God's abomination: the amphibian. Hey frogs, pick either the land or water! :)

On2or3wheels

46 posts

Geek

#1989625 6-Apr-2018 17:07

timbosan:

I disagree with some of these points, primarily because as a motorcyclist I need and want to protect myself from the idiot car drivers in Auckland.

* I would rather pay $500 for a decent tyre that half that then have it loose grip. Plus a quality tyre should last longer

* Yes, rego costs given are for bikes over 600cc (its 601cc and above) as that's what I have, but as you noted the next band down is still a LOT more expensive than a car (about $80)

* I would never ride a small bike on the motorway, after trying it on my 125cc scooter. Too hard to keep it at 100 when traffic is moving fast, too light for windy conditions (Newmarket viaduct, Harbour Bridge), and no safety features like ABS.

There's nothing wrong with YOU wanting a $500 tyre or having higher rego, but I didn't want the OP or anyone else thinking that's what you HAVE to spend.

I wanted to give a better starting price. Everyone's requirement will be a bit different, I wouldn't ride a 125 on the motorway either but some people may not have to travel on one. Of course the motorway may be at a standstill anyway so a 125 is fine :)

On2or3wheels

46 posts

Geek

#1989628 6-Apr-2018 17:14

Petrol costs can be a lot lower on a bike than a car but it really depends on the size & style. Larger bikes really aren't much better than a car.

My 300cc Versys long term average is 3.5L/100km. The Tricity is 2.5L/100km.

The new Yamaha X-Max 300 would make a nice commuter.

kingdragonfly

4652 posts

Uber Geek

#1989693 6-Apr-2018 19:24

Slight off subject, there's this 3 wheeler about to be production, which could be registered as a car or a motorcycle, since it weighs less than 1,000 KG.

I was thinking of getting one, registered as a car.

https://electrameccanica.com/

On2or3wheels

46 posts

Geek

#1989705 6-Apr-2018 19:55

I don't think you'd get away with that in a bus lane or a motorcycle park LOL

kingdragonfly

4652 posts

Uber Geek

#1989898 7-Apr-2018 09:19

If I'm reading various posts I found elsewhere, the Electrameccanica Solo

* would nornally be registered as a car

* would be exempted from seatbelts, but would require you a wear a helmet (bummer)

* would be insured as motorcycle

For three wheelers, or as NZTA puts it, "motor tricycle (LE)", here's what NZTA considers a motorcycle

* has three wheels symmetrically arranged in relation to the longitudinal median axis

* has a gross vehicle mass not exceeding one tonne (1,000 KG / 2,205 lbs); and

* either:
--- has an engine cylinder capacity exceeding 50ml;
--- or has a maximum speed exceeding 50km/h.

https://nzta.govt.nz/vehicles/vehicle-types/motorcycles-and-mopeds/

As I've mentioned already, it's up to the importer to decide whether to register the model as a car / motorcycle.

From another forum

"Trikes below 1000kg can also be registered as cars (in fact this is the standard classification) but they must meet motorbike statutory requirements.

A good example of this is the Can-am Spyder which is registered as a car but described on the registration as a 'Factory Custom Trike'.

It has various exceptions in the registration that make it closer to a motorbike e.g. you don't need a seatbelt but must wear a helmet.

Strangely a Spyder is insured as a bike and you get a lower excess if you have a bike licence."

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