2 wheels or 6?

[dc112675]

I am debating selling my truck, and using the magna exclusively.  My wife has a car so I would still have access to a cage if need be.  Anyway, just curious as to how many of you guys have other modes of transportation other than your magna.  Thanks, dc

[Tenebras]

I think it probably depends a lot on where you live and how you think about driving. I've been carless for 5 years now and, aside from some longing glances at the new Minis, haven't seriously considered buying a car at all. Of course, I live in Santa Barbara CA where it hardly ever rains and it's sunny every day.

To answer your question, I also have a bicycle which I ride when I don't want to be all bundled up or worry about storing my jacket and things when I arrive. (A bike helmet weighs practically nothing and you can carry it around all day and not even notice it's there.)

Some things that I would consider would be passengers and groceries. I only buy groceries for myself. I have paniers on my bicycle to carry more and I've been thinking about getting some saddlebags for the Magna, but shopping for groceries is a different experience when you don't have the limitless storage of a car/truck. You have to plan a bit more and only buy one or two bulky items at a time. Now, I know that your wife has a car, but is she going to be cool with always being the one who has to pick up a packet of toilet paper on the way home from work?

The passengers thing is the same issue, I think. Will your wife mind having you take her car when you want to carpool someplace or go out with your buddies?

Regardless, I say go for it. I haven't had a car since I was in college, and so far it's been wonderful. If you don't mind me waxing philosophical for a moment, there's something very satisfying about knowing that if you want to go someplace you have to take with you exactly what you need or be without. Going out for the day is a bit like going camping. If you don't bring it, it's not going to be there; but you have to carry it with you (more or less) so you'd better decide what the heck is really important. There's a definite difference when you don't have the option of saying "aw, f*ck it, I'll just take the car today and throw all this stuff in the trunk in case I need it." I happen to like that difference.

Your mileage may vary. Void where prohibited. Offer not valid in Arkansas or Utah. Some restrictions may apply.

Ben

Edit- forgot to add: "2 wheels good, 4 wheels bad."

[roboto65]

I have been carless for years rain sleet or snow hehehehe I ride.  I live in houston TX so it does not get to bad it gets cold and thats the worst part.I like riding in the rain with the proper gear that is....

[Magnum Magna]

I live in north Texas.  My Magna is my main ride.   I take my wife's SUV on days if it is raining on the way into work, most days below 33 and stay home on ice days and watch TV news .  
My mom tried to give me their spare truck and my mother in law is insisting I take her spare truck.  In October, I may have a small truck for cold days.

[kdf9511]

I haven't totaly goten rid of the cage yet.  I sitll have to take the offspirng places occacionaly while the wife is elsewhere.  But since I got Val a year ago my main cage has only been driven mabey a dozen times.  Because of that I now have to get a new batt for it.

[Curtis_Valk]

When you need a battery tender for the cage, that's a good thing!

Curtis

[dc112675]

I forgot to mention that I live in a small West Texas town, where everything is close (read:5 miles max).  My commute to work is 4/10ths of a mile, so even in bad weather the commute is short.  

I do have two little ones, 3 1/2 year old and 2 week old, but my wife stays at home, and her SUV gets about the same use as my truck. It is not uncommon for us to only log 25 miles total between the Magna and the two other vehicles.  For that reason I hate to pay insurance on the truck so it can sit there and depriciate.  

The flip side is, it's nice to have a truck (esp since it's paid for) and an extra cage if need be.  While the magna is fun to ride, I did buy it to save money, so I think I should just sell old faithful.  Plus I wouldn't mind the extra 8-10k in the bank!

I know there are plenty of families who make due with one car, so 1 1/2 can't be too bad.  But again, it is paid for.  Guess I need to flip a coin . . .

[kdf9511]

When you need a battery tender for the cage, that's a good thing!

Curtis

Yep,  I finaly broke down and bought one.  Harbor Freight had them on sale a while back for 5 bucks.  The only down side right now is that I let the battery drain a few times too many while it was setting.  I threw the big chagrer on it last week since I have to start taking one of the kids to gymnastics on Thurs nights and after an hr I went out to start it up and noticed the sides are bulging and electrolite was boiling out the top.  Guess what I am doing this weekend?

[MagnaMan]

4/10ths of a mile!  Heck, I'd bicycle that. You'd make it there a lot quicker because you wouldn't have to put on all the gear. Grab your bike helmet and go! The Magna won't even be warm at 4/10.  

[Magnum Magna]

I was going to suggest a coat and umbrella and walk.

[ThomasMagna]

If you have the space and a mind to do it, you could do what an old service buddy of mine did. He had a hot Camero back in the late 60's and when he got home, he took it apart and stored it. When his daughter graduated from college, he painted it up and put it back together for her present. It's beautiful.

She took it for a spin but couldn't handle it. She was used to a 4 cylinder and all that power freaked her out. She couldn't keep the tires from spinning and the rear end from fishtailing. She gave it back, but when she got married, he gave it to his new son in law. They still have it but neither drive it. Son-in-law can drive it fine, but the increase in his insurance from getting some tickets keeps him out of it.

I only have the cycle, but the farm truck is at my disposal. I haven't owned a cage in quite a few years and only got the cycle last year. I just haven't needed one due to my living situation and my life style in general. You could sell it, put the money from the truck and what you save on insurance in the college trust fund or something. Then you can say the same thing about them going off to school as you do of the truck, "It's nice that they are going off to school. After all, it's paid for."

Good luck.

[danrogy]

Cat litter, toilet paper, hangovers, errands, out of town visitors, bad weather.  These are the main reasons I insist on keeping a cage. I'm surprised that people even ask me if own a car.  I live in L.A. where it's kinda dangerous to exist solely on a bike.  I admire those of us who are able to ride all the time but I really need and like cars.

-Dan

[Charles S Otwell]

I'll put my two cents in. If your not and attached to your truck sell it put the money in the bank, you can always find an older model truck for around a thousand, you'll still have a back up cage You can drop the collision ins and save that, plus you'll have money in the bank and you want be watching your truck set and depreciate.