Thinking of downgrading from 650 to a varadero 125

[ogriofa]

Hi,
As the title says...
With petrol prices set to go up again, and me trying to save some cash & the fact that I haven't used the bike for anything but commuting for the last couple of years (5 mile commute at that!), I'm thinking of downgrading back to the Varadero.
I started on one years ago and loved it. I'm not a speed freak (no sh1t says you, I've got a Transalp!) and I reckon I'd be happy enough.

Question is, has anybody else done this?
Will the lack of power from take off be sorely missed?

Thanks for any time on this

[steveR]

Hi,
As the title says...
With petrol prices set to go up again, and me trying to save some cash & the fact that I haven't used the bike for anything but commuting for the last couple of years (5 mile commute at that!), I'm thinking of downgrading back to the Varadero.
I started on one years ago and loved it. I'm not a speed freak (no sh1t says you, I've got a Transalp!) and I reckon I'd be happy enough.

Question is, has anybody else done this?
Will the lack of power from take off be sorely missed?

Thanks for any time on this

Will you actually save that much dropping to a baby Vara? If you have a few years NCB, insurance will be not much difference, MPG? Save a few bob on the Vara I guess. The losses also come with the purchase and sale of the 2 bikes. If you can get a derestricted 125, they are OK, but as soon as you hit open road on 12hp, jeez is it painful after something with a bit more ooomph.

[Wigan Chris]

i started out on a baby vara for nearly 2 years, and loved every minute of the bike. comfort wise it was great, with great presence, but the lack of power didnt become apparent until i switched to the AT.
Im not interested in top speed myself, but i really dont think i could switch back without being frustrated all the time. Overtaking and setting off would be the worst times. Having said that im not the smallest rider, so it might depend on your size.
I reckon my advice would be stay as you are and go easy on the bike, try and save a few mpg.

[ADE THE BLADE]

Hi,
As the title says...
With petrol prices set to go up again, and me trying to save some cash & the fact that I haven't used the bike for anything but commuting for the last couple of years (5 mile commute at that!), I'm thinking of downgrading back to the Varadero.
I started on one years ago and loved it. I'm not a speed freak (no sh1t says you, I've got a Transalp!) and I reckon I'd be happy enough.

Question is, has anybody else done this?
Will the lack of power from take off be sorely missed?

Thanks for any time on this

sit down and don`t be silly..... vara 125 is a nice bike, but get shot of yer alp and you`ll kick yourself. traded my 650 alp in for vara 1000 few weeks / months back. dont get me wrong..........love the vara...very comfy and rapid. but i was hoping to hang onto alp too but funds dictated otherwise. if i hadn`t been seduced by my lovely blue bird, then me alp would be here now. give it some thought. your money i know
oh and yes, you will miss power lift at traffic lights ect

[ogriofa]

Will you actually save that much dropping to a baby Vara? If you have a few years NCB, insurance will be not much difference, MPG? Save a few bob on the Vara I guess. The losses come with the purchase and sale of the 2 bikes. If you can get a derestricted 125, they are OK, but as soon as you hit open road on 12hp, jeez is it painful after something with a bit more ooomph.

thanks Steve,
Yeah, of course your right!
Still, I'm rarely on Motorways. Last time was summer, and that was only till the next exit....
God, you're right aren't you (Just looking out the window there)
I'd only save a couple of hundred quid on pertrol over the year. ANd the power from the Alp helps to get me out of trouble from time to time.
Damn it your right.
Thanks Steve, I'll just stop my moaning now

[ogriofa]

i started out on a baby vara for nearly 2 years, and loved every minute of the bike. comfort wise it was great, with great presence, but the lack of power didnt become apparent until i switched to the AT.
Im not interested in top speed myself, but i really dont think i could switch back without being frustrated all the time. Overtaking and setting off would be the worst times. Having said that im not the smallest rider, so it might depend on your size.
I reckon my advice would be stay as you are and go easy on the bike, try and save a few mpg.

God, yeah, overtaking! Forgot about that - Nice one

[ogriofa]

Thanks guys, this reads like I'm in some self help group (suppose it kinda is)

Ta, I'll apologise to in at lunch!

[MandoBear]

5 mile commute...??

Can I break ranks here and suggest a possible heresy...?

Provided it's not too hilly, a 5 mile commute on a bicycle should take about 25-30 minutes, going at a reasonably moderate pace.

I've recently changed offices and now work about 2 miles from home - cycling to work on my push-bike takes 10 minutes give or take - that's the kind of time it takes me to get my leathers on and the bike unlocked/wheeled out, and my work clothes packed into my rucksac - and then I've still got to ride to work, lock up the bike, get changed out of my leathers into my work clothes. With the bicycle I can cycle to work in my civvies, lock up my bicycle and be at my desk in just a couple of minutes 10 minutes door to door. Big saving in time all round.

So what I'm wondering is, if you might think about keeping the Alp to ride to work once or twice a week, and bicycling in on the other days. You'll save a load of petrol, carbon footprint, and feel fitter too. I don't know what your work circumstances are, but there's now cycle to work schemes whereby you can "rent" a new bike from your employer for a year and then buy it off them for a pittance at the end - and you've just bought a new bike for nearly half price.

Just a thought...

[ogriofa]

Hi Mando Bear,
good point, but I run 30+ miles a week (combined, I'm not a freak) in the evenings, play football on Mondays too & go for a cycle during the weekend, so a daily bike ride would eat into my energy levels.
Also, Irish drivers are straight up dangerous, riding a bicycle is dangerous on the weekends, but during the week? No thanks!
Plus I'm not a morning person
Good idea though

[oggy]

Electric bike?