desperate times - desperate measures

[homesteadingnky]

Anyone having to resort to "cheaper" transportation? I've been considering buying a motorcycle or a gas moped. The Mrs. wants me to get the moped. A XM150cc we found online at scooter depot or something like that. They say they'll get 60-80 mpg and some will go 70+ mph. They also have a bike that looks like a harley and will go 120+ mph.

I watched some videos (some cool) that showed the mopeds on you tube. But was curious if any of you had experience with these particular gas mopeds. Or what other alternitive means of transportation you might use.

I've read about some folks who made a suzuki changfa or something like that. They modified a bike to run on diesel and were getting around 110 mpg and were running it on biodiesel that they were making themselves for about 70 cents a gallon or so. I can't remember if I read that on this site or where but it was cool.

I know for us something HAS to change. If we move I will have to work an entire 8 hr day just to pay for gas and my income is all we have to live on. The mopeds seem to be cheaper and it appears that they would be cheaper (taxes, etc.) to maintain. Any thoughts??????

Homesteading Dad

[Mr.B]

When I lived in Germany most of my friends had Scooters like Vespa's, or small motorcycles. Its too bad public transportation sucks in the U.S., Im American Id like to point out just incase someone jumps me for that comment.

Im not sure what your looking for I had a old Vespa with a 198cc engine for awhile but its good to know how to work on older scooters. You can find old mopeds sometimes for $100 around my area. In high school I had a Honda Spree 49cc scooter.

Check the links:

http://powersports.honda.com/scooters/

http://www.yamaha-motor.com/sport/products/lifestylehome/home.aspx

[hardrock]

If you're considering a motorcycle, better hurry!
A year ago you couldn't give an older motorcycle away
in my neck of the woods. Today those same bikes from the mid 80's are bringing $1000.00 plus in rideable condition.

My neighbor and I started picking them up about 6 mo. back. Made some pretty good money along the way.
Between the local classifieds, craigslist and eBay there are still plenty of used parts around to keep them going.

He kept one particular bike for himself to ride to work.
An '82 Yamaha 400 Maxim. One of the best MPG bikes in it's class. 60+ MPG. It holds it's own in freeway traffic, too.
The bike, a new battery, a pair of tires, a coil, and routine tune & lube and he was good to go for under $600.00. :)
JMHO, but stick with a popular model, and throw any loose change into extra spare parts when they pop up.
Buy a good manual for your specific model.
There's alot of reliability in those older Japanese machines.

For me, I just parked my diesel pickup that only got 24 MPG and started driving a Volkswagen pickup that gets 45 MPG on gas. Yeah, gotta have a truck! Not a bugs in the teeth kinda guy.........yet!

[homesteadingnky]

The VW pickup sounds like a good way to go. *Though, I doubt I could afford it. *I know what you mean about the prices of bikes going up. *It's unbelieveable, but if I don't do something soon I guess I'll have to just quit work.... *It's getting where it cost more to go to work than it does to stay home. :-/ *What's this world coming too ???

Homesteading Dad

[hardrock]

The little VeeDubs are still around, if ya look hard enough.
I bought 4, two years ago for $200.00 Package deal.
All diesels.
Two trucks and two sedans. two were wrecked, but all ran.
I know, I know, who needs that many vehicles!
Just thinking about spare parts, I guess.
That, and knowing what was around the corner, I figured they were money in the bank.
Between the farm and all my "to do's", I haven't found the time to get the best one up and going.
Then a friend of my nephew calls me up and says he wants to sell his VW truck. Gonna buy a newer Z-71 4X4, he sez. Poor kid!!
$300.00.........SOLD!
After I collected myself, I had to call him back and ask what year, color, gas, diesel, etc. Really didn't matter much,
It turned out to be quite a decent little truck.
Now I stuff my 6'2" 250lb. frame in the li'l sardine can and go..........Like the title says, desperate times....

[logansackett]

I picked up a 78 kz1000 for $200 and all it needs is the basic tune up to be back on the street.It was too good a bargin to pass up even though I cant put any money in it right now.