Ducati Monster Forum

Moto Board => General Monster Forum => Topic started by: powerhammer on May 12, 2008, 05:15:10 PM

Title: Grad School and You with a motorcycle. advice requested
Post by: powerhammer on May 12, 2008, 05:15:10 PM
I'm only asking this question because I don't think I can live three years without a motorcycle to ride and I'm absolutely lovin the Husky. 

Condensed version:

Bought a new Husky SMR last fall having not gotten into an exclusive MFA program the previous year even though I reapplied.  Dumb finance move, but got a hell of a trade in deal on my 2001 M600 and got promoted at work with a nice raise.  Found out I got in this year and still owe less than half what I financed the husky for.  Also to note, no wife or dependents.  Tuition will be paid for through a guaranteed assistanceship only need money for fees/books/rent/steel/gas/food/etc.

Do I:

Sell the husky and  pay off loan then use money for grad school, the whole time being heartsick not having a bike in a beautiful area to ride. (to note the roads there are better for something that can handle distance then the Husky)

Keep it and go for broke this summer to pay it off starting school with little saved and utilize minor student loans to fund livin expenses.

[evil] Sell it and buy a cheaper used bike I can rat out and have fun moddin in free time. (anyone have a used M900?)

The 510SMR is one of my bikes to own on my growing list of bikes so if i sell it now I'll lose a TON of money on it as well as have to buy another one down the road after school.  It is a little impractical though in the sense that it's a race bike and requires more maintenance and won't do long trips very comfortable (meaning my ass will hurt like hell and the engine won't like me much)   I do miss my monster too though and realized I have to buy another one of those eventually.

Any advice is appreciated.
Title: Re: Grad School and You with a motorcycle. advice requested
Post by: Vindingo on May 12, 2008, 05:21:23 PM
Sell your car, buy an Aerostich and pay off your lone with the leftovers. 
Title: Re: Grad School and You with a motorcycle. advice requested
Post by: corey on May 12, 2008, 06:13:55 PM
finance everything until you die. if you're going to be in debt, you may as well enjoy it!  [beer]
Title: Re: Grad School and You with a motorcycle. advice requested
Post by: PizzaMonster on May 12, 2008, 07:53:37 PM
Quote from: powerhammer on May 12, 2008, 05:15:10 PM
[evil] Sell it and buy a cheaper used bike I can rat out and have fun moddin in free time. (anyone have a used M900?)


You still get to have some fun and you don't go broke.  Three years is a long time to support a race bike on student loans.  Besides...you did say that another Monster was on your list of future bikes.
Title: Re: Grad School and You with a motorcycle. advice requested
Post by: Evil_Ductator on May 12, 2008, 07:57:11 PM
I just read the TWO magazine review on that 510SMR.  Sounds wayyyy to awesome to give up if you currently own one  [thumbsup]  They call me "the enabler"  hehehe
Title: Re: Grad School and You with a motorcycle. advice requested
Post by: powerhammer on May 12, 2008, 08:09:55 PM
Quote from: PizzaMonster on May 12, 2008, 07:53:37 PM
You still get to have some fun and you don't go broke.  Three years is a long time to support a race bike on student loans.  Besides...you did say that another Monster was on your list of future bikes.

The beauty is that I have a Scott's reusable oil filter, 3 oil filter o rings, 2 drain plug crush washers, 3 oil screen o rings, plenty of waterproof grease, coolant, 10w-60 Motorex, etc. to last me at least a couple years in general maintenance....  i'd only get hosed if something serious got jacked.


Quote from: Evil_Ductator on May 12, 2008, 07:57:11 PM
I just read the TWO magazine review on that 510SMR.  Sounds wayyyy to awesome to give up if you currently own one  [thumbsup]  They call me "the enabler"  hehehe

Oh it's awesome alright, just rejetted last weekend and tuned the rear shock a little...  damn if the front wheel didn't jump up in 3rd while gettin on it..  no clutch, no fork compressin, just twistin the wrist. 

I got stuck in traffic on the highway the other day and basically rode the grass to the access road and jumped the curb into the Arby's parking lot to cut through the strip mall lot and get to work.  It's the bike that makes you do that, not the rider.  [evil]
Title: Re: Grad School and You with a motorcycle. advice requested
Post by: ltnuke on May 12, 2008, 08:27:07 PM
Do you have a car?  If you do sell it.  Its definitely possible to be "motorcycle only".
Title: Re: Grad School and You with a motorcycle. advice requested
Post by: powerhammer on May 12, 2008, 08:29:37 PM
Own my truck and it's paid for.  Can't really afford to sell it in my line of study though.
Title: Re: Grad School and You with a motorcycle. advice requested
Post by: jagstang on May 12, 2008, 09:15:38 PM
I'd sell the husky, get yourself a 900, and go nuts.  But I don't have much love for supermotos, so there ya go.
Title: Re: Grad School and You with a motorcycle. advice requested
Post by: psychochild on May 13, 2008, 03:18:25 AM
when you say "rat it" then say M900, something dosent connect,  why buy another Ducati to kick on for 3 years, Buy an old honda or jap twin and go Cafe style!  (or chop it, drive it stock, whatever)  your looking at a running bike for 400$ instead of 4K .  Just so you know, Ive owned 6 bikes since I started my undergrad degree including a TLR 200 I rebuilt in a 4th floor Dorm Room.  of thoes 6 bikes i paid under 500$ for 5 of them,  the 6th is my M900. I think either way a bike in college is a good thing, even if its just a little 250 purely for the purpose of saving money on gas.  [thumbsup]
Title: Re: Grad School and You with a motorcycle. advice requested
Post by: cyrus buelton on May 13, 2008, 05:25:30 AM
sell the husky and buy a cheaper bike
Title: Re: Grad School and You with a motorcycle. advice requested
Post by: powerhammer on May 13, 2008, 02:22:41 PM
Quote from: psychochild on May 13, 2008, 03:18:25 AM
when you say "rat it" then say M900, something dosent connect,  why buy another Ducati to kick on for 3 years, Buy an old honda or jap twin and go Cafe style!  (or chop it, drive it stock, whatever)  your looking at a running bike for 400$ instead of 4K .  Just so you know, Ive owned 6 bikes since I started my undergrad degree including a TLR 200 I rebuilt in a 4th floor Dorm Room.  of thoes 6 bikes i paid under 500$ for 5 of them,  the 6th is my M900. I think either way a bike in college is a good thing, even if its just a little 250 purely for the purpose of saving money on gas.  [thumbsup]

sound advice, i'm definitely not opposed to pickin up an older model anything that runs, having something i can mod would be key.  the husky was fun to add stuff too but I can't see myself messing with the ergos' or anything serious on it cause it works so well the way it is. 

Quote from: cyrus buelton on May 13, 2008, 05:25:30 AM
sell the husky and buy a cheaper bike

leanin toward that route

thanks for the help everyone.  anyone want to buy a badass husky?
Title: Re: Grad School and You with a motorcycle. advice requested
Post by: Alex on May 13, 2008, 02:38:51 PM
I agree with the cheap bike route. I am in the same boat, and I have to say, even with an assistantship that covers my tuition, fees, and rent, grad school has still been very expensive. Those $500 per quarter textbooks are always a nice surprise to see building up on your credit card... It's unrealistic to think you will have hardly any extra money laying around for bikes, but also unrealistic to think you will survive three years without having any fun. Luckily, cheaper bikes are nearly as fun as fancier bikes, so cheap is the way to go.

There are tons of reasonably nice m900's between $3000-$5000.
Title: Re: Grad School and You with a motorcycle. advice requested
Post by: akmnstr on May 13, 2008, 03:30:06 PM
I say sell the bike and keep out of debt.  I know it is tough, but get a rat bike and ride the piss out of it.  There is
pain associated with graduate school so suck it up.   [bang]
Title: Re: Grad School and You with a motorcycle. advice requested
Post by: jclin on May 13, 2008, 03:38:30 PM
Have your cake and eat it, too: get a student loan from the government. Interest free. It will help with expenses and keep you sane by having a decent living "wage". I won't encourage you to keep the husky and still get a loan because all the taxpayers on the board will get pissed (they're paying for your interest, essentially).... but you get the idea. Also, the interest rates that the government gives are competitive.
Title: Re: Grad School and You with a motorcycle. advice requested
Post by: Augustus on May 13, 2008, 06:57:27 PM
Where are you, and what do you want to sell the SMR for?
Title: Re: Grad School and You with a motorcycle. advice requested
Post by: Pedro-bot on May 13, 2008, 07:11:02 PM
Can you work at all during your program? I say keep it dude.  [wine]
Title: Re: Grad School and You with a motorcycle. advice requested
Post by: powerhammer on May 13, 2008, 08:02:31 PM
Austin, TX is where the bike is.  listing up on other bikes for sale already.
Title: Re: Grad School and You with a motorcycle. advice requested
Post by: akmnstr on May 13, 2008, 09:09:36 PM
QuoteTuition will be paid for through a guaranteed assistanceship only need money for fees/books/rent/steel/gas/food/etc.

Steel????  Going to be doing some welding in grad school?  Coool 8)
Title: Re: Grad School and You with a motorcycle. advice requested
Post by: powerhammer on May 14, 2008, 07:13:45 AM
MFA in Metals, but more specifically blacksmithing.

the name isn't just for scaring off women.  it's a tool i use to shape hot steel.   :P
Title: Re: Grad School and You with a motorcycle. advice requested
Post by: silentbob on May 14, 2008, 09:53:26 PM
Quote from: powerhammer on May 12, 2008, 08:09:55 PM
I got stuck in traffic on the highway the other day and basically rode the grass to the access road and jumped the curb into the Arby's parking lot to cut through the strip mall lot and get to work.  It's the bike that makes you do that, not the rider.  [evil]

I know what these bikes will make you do all too well.  I can ride my 1098 like a little old lady if I want, but the moment I get on the Husky all bets are off.  Suddenly, riding up a staircase seems like the logical thing to do.

The cheap used bikes seemed to have jumped up this year along with gas prices. Last year I could find plenty of bikes for $500.  This year I can't find anything for under $1000.  Also keep in mind that the Husky is new, is bullet proof, and you have all the maintenance items already.  The Husky is also easy on gas and tires.  A $2000 beater can run you double in tires, brakes, chain, battery, and other unexpected small stuff.  If you sell the Husky for a loss, re-pay the loan, buy a beater, fix the beater, you will end in the same place financially and still wanting the Husky back.  Now, you might luck out and find an awesome deal on a really cherry bike but you will only end up saving a $1000 or so.

Throw a 15 tooth sprocket on the front and have the seat re-done by CeetMan and you'll be fine. 
Title: Re: Grad School and You with a motorcycle. advice requested
Post by: psychochild on May 14, 2008, 10:11:20 PM
what school you doing blacksmithing at?  Im a senior in a foundry program at Alfred University,  if you think buying metal stock is expensive try buying 50lb ingots of bronze.   [bang]
Title: Re: Grad School and You with a motorcycle. advice requested
Post by: James.M on May 15, 2008, 01:27:14 PM
Im a undergrad and in a little debt, I plan on being done so I can just do grad full-time w/ no job and no debt...

so whatever it takes you to not be in debt, thats my vote. =(
Title: Re: Grad School and You with a motorcycle. advice requested
Post by: powerhammer on May 15, 2008, 02:00:54 PM
Quote from: psychochild on May 14, 2008, 10:11:20 PM
what school you doing blacksmithing at?  Im a senior in a foundry program at Alfred University,  if you think buying metal stock is expensive try buying 50lb ingots of bronze.   [bang]

should be around $8/lb unless you're getting a bulk price or raped even worse than that.  hell i just bought recycled steel for 24cents/lb which is triple what i was paying 5 years ago when i started doing this stuff.  talk about suxor. 

I've done some bronze casting at my undergrad art school, it's fun as hell if you ask me and you can get some insanely awesome results.

Southern Illinois University Carbondale is the only Grad school in the country that offers and MFA in Blacksmithing.  The school itself isn't hard to get into but that department/major is when they only have 9 grad students allowed for the program at a time.  2 slots opened this fall and i either got super lucky or better at what i do to get one.