RE: [ST] FYI Gas prices

["Andrew F. Kay, Jr. " <captainquack@xxxxxxxxxx>]

The point being that regardless of what it costs, the motorcycle is
impractical, for reasons of carrying capacity, weather problems, safety,
etc.  Most people don't want to even ride on one, much less own or
commute on them.  We are exceptions, not the rule.

Automobile ownership in some large cities is a form of masochism.  So
what, most of us don't live there and those that do, move as soon as
they can to the 'burbs, where they buy a 6 liter Mammoth 5000 to go the
gym.

Economics is the prime mover in all of this.  When gas gets expensive
enough, consumption will fall and alternatives (oil shale, etc) become
viable.  Check out the "incentives" on large trucks and SUV's already.
Regardless of government intervention, the mass of people are practical,
using the easiest and least expensive alternatives to their wants and
needs.  That's why roads are built, along with the fact that people want
to drive their vehicles on them.

Anyone got any stats on how much oil we could save if we converted 50%
of our electrical generation to nuclear and burned coal in the rest?
Want to save energy?  Throw away your clothes dryer and hang up your
laundry.  Oh wait, can't do that, many communities have
laws/restrictions against displaying clean laundry.  Let's see if the
Friends of the Earth want to do anything about that.

Another cool saying:  "EARTH FIRST!  We can pave the rest of the solar
system later."

Andrew F. Kay, Jr.
Riders of the Lost Empire, LC,  13355 79th Street, Fellsmere, FL 32948
www.lostempire.com   andy@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx 
"Sound, sound the clarion, fill the fife, throughout the sensual world
proclaim, one crowded hour of glorious life is worth an age without a
name." Thomas Osbert Mordaunt, 1730-1809



- -----Original Message-----
From: owner-st@xxxxxxxxxx [mailto:owner-st@xxxxxxxxxx] On Behalf Of
Thomas Emberson
Sent: Thursday, April 07, 2005 11:26 AM
To: ST@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Subject: Re: [ST] FYI Gas prices


Andrew F. Kay, Jr. wrote:

> FUN!  It still burns gas, if not as much as a 4 wheel vehicle, so how 
> do you justify running it in times of shortage or high prices?  Anyone

> want to defend bikes as transport in the US as an alternative to cars 
> and

According to my math, if you are riding a modern motorcycle, designed 
for extended service (ie. Not a Ducati) there is no way a Motorcycle is 
more expensive to commute on. If so, how come motorcycles/scooters are 
much more common in other countries???

For me
truck 23k, over 100k == $0.23/mile + $0.13 (17mpg) = $0.36/mile
FJR   13k, over 100k == $0.13/mile + $0.06 (40mpg) = $0.18/mile

ding, ding, ding I've been ridign the FJR to work every single day
lately.

BTW, oil changes every 4k miles, difference is about $10 more for the 
FJR, and 4x$150 ever 30k miles for the truck or 2x110 ever 8k for the 
FJR, so for every 30k miles, the truck needs $600 in tires, and the 
$880. Add in valves mybe $500 for valves and a couple of TBS every 30k 
as well, and you will bump it up by about 1.5 cents per mile.

So, I am saving about $0.16 per mile riding the bike. If you exclude the

extra for the tires and extra maintenance, the bike costs half as much 
to ride to work.

Now, imagine if my commute vehicle of choice was a Ruckus 250, with much

cheaper rubber, cheap maintenance and 70mpg ...... Ohhhhhh.

Ruckus ~6k, over 100k == $0.06/mile + $0.04 (70mpg) = $0.09/mile

So, that would reduce travel expenses to 1/4 of that of my Truck. With 
my 8 mile on way commute that would save me over $777 per year over 
commuting with my truck.

And yes, I assume that any given vehicle is going to be ready for the 
wrecker at 100k miles.

> The average American isn't afraid of mass transit and car pools, they 
> simply dislike them, and the attendant loss of freedom.  Let's stop 
> spending money on government boondoggles that no one shows up to ride 
> in/on.

Interesting thought, the company my wife works at has three offices, 
London, New York, and here in Allen, TX. Very few of her co-workers who 
live in London or NY have cars. Many ask why bother, between the Metro 
and occasional cab ride they spend less per month, and can get most 
places quicker.

'Tis true that many on this list prefer to ride/drive, but again, I 
don't think you can paint most people with that brush. I know many 
people who think of owning a car as necessary evil because the public 
transportation where they live sucks to badly.

What you do not discuss is

a) Back in the 60's are cities and states where designed around the car,

not public transportation

b) Chicken/egg, can't get great PT until you have the ridership, and 
can't get the ridership until you have great PT ......

I can guarantee you, that if we see a per longed $3.00+/gal fuel price, 
PT would would start to get more attractive!


- -- 
Thomas Emberson



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