Will lots of half-mile trips destroy my bike?

[SWriverstone]

Hi All...we've recently been reduced to a single-car family (after Jamie's RAV4 finally gave up the ghost for good). So rather than jump into another car loan (we're already paying two mortgages now), we decided to see if we can get by with just one car...which means I'll be using my motorcycle every day for lots of super-short hops around town (like anywhere from a half-mile to 2-3 miles tops).

I work for a large university (WVU) and I'm constantly having to go to meetings all over campus (hence all the short hops around town).

It may be a dumb question, but will all these short hops kill my Wee-Strom? Seems like I've heard city driving is hell on cars...wasn't sure if it's the same for motorcycles? I'm just wondering if I shouldn't worry about it...or if I should start shopping for a 50cc scooter?

Scott

PS - I'd ride my bicycle...but that's problematic when I have multiple meetings to go to every day and have to look half-decent (e.g. I'd sweat like a pig on 80-degree days on my bicycle).

[Flyer]

...I'd ride my bicycle...but that's problematic when I have multiple meetings to go to every day and have to look half-decent (e.g. I'd sweat like a pig on 80-degree days on my bicycle).

What I would do, IIWY:
If you had secured parking at work, I'd ride the motorcycle to work, and leave it there.
Ride the bicycle in to work and look forward to offsite meetings, on the motorcycle.
Ride the bicycle home, doubling up on the gas savings and wear and tear on a barely warmed up engine.

[Kneescrubber]

I'm thinking a scooter would definitely be the way to go provided you live close enough to work to ride it there and back home.

2 things I've heard that short trips do to harm your engine are the battery doesn't get properly charged and moisture in the engine doesn't get heated up enough to dissipate.

[et]

I think the two most prevalent issues you'll be encountering are:

1) More cold start ups. Causing more internal engine wear.
2) More condensation forming in the motor. Due to the engine never getting hot enough to vaporize the internal moisture.

I think both can be greatly reduce by changing the oil and filter at shorter intervals.

Although you may still encounter the exhaust rusting out quicker.

[Cablebandit]

No campus shuttle?  

[JimWilliamson]

Great application for an electric scooter/small bike

Short treks (not warming the motor & fluids & exhaust) is heck on the car and the bike the same.

[phoenix]

you can't cover a half mile by foot?  

I felt like I walked 2-3 miles / day when I was in college.

[SLK50]

First, get and use a battery tender. Those short trips aren't enough
to replenish the battery.

Second, change the oil more frequently. I probably wouldn't go more than
three months between changes if your situation continues.

Lastly, try to get out for a longer ride at least twice a month; long enough
to thoroughly burn off any moisture in the engine.

These conditions come under "severe" by most manufacturers.
Condensation is your biggest enemy but even a bike not ridden will entropy.

[Rattlehead]

you can't cover a half mile by foot?   .........

Agreed. 1/2mi could probably be covered faster on foot by the time you get to the bike, start it up, throw on a helmet, ride to where you're going, park the bike, remove helmet, and walk up to the building.

I say quit being so lazy and just walk it. If you can't cover 1/2mi-1mi w/o sweating like a pig (regardless of temp) you clearly need to do some more walking anyway.   I work in an office myself and frequently walk 1/2mi down the street at lunch to grab a bite to eat and get out for a few. I'm no paragon of physical fitness but I never return smelly even in the humid midwest summer. Its actually refreshing to get up and take a walk sometimes.
*disclaimer- this was all said in good fun so don't take it too personal*  


Trips that short are ABSOLUTE killers for an internal combustion engine. The biggest problems will be A) lots of cold starts (the #1 source of engine wear), and B) condensation in the crankcase will never have a chance to evaporate because the engine will never get up to temp.
If there's just no way for you to walk it (I don't even see how that's possible), a cheap electric scooter is the ideal choice.

[Papa Lazarou]

you can't cover a half mile by foot?  

I felt like I walked 2-3 miles / day when I was in college.

This.

[Kamzilla]

I'm thinking a scooter would definitely be the way to go provided you live close enough to work to ride it there and back home.

2 things I've heard that short trips do to harm your engine are the battery doesn't get properly charged and moisture in the engine doesn't get heated up enough to dissipate.

+1 on the scooter, if walking isn't an option.  I took a position that's just 4 miles from home, and got a Zuma 50 for all the back and forth.  Couldn't be happier, and you'll probably be able to find one for cheap.

[scott19]

I rarely ride my bike to work ( a mile and a half away) for all the reasons others listed. That said, I think as long as you ride it for a solid hour or so at least once a week, you ought to be fine. If you're in West Virginia, don't act like you don't have anywhere to ride.  

I too find it hard to believe there's not a public transport solution here.  

[02Tac]

...or if I should start shopping for a 50cc scooter?

If a scooter will be suitable for the ride to work, then YES, pick up a used scooter.  I used one for years when I worked quite close to where I lived.  If not subject to serious abuse, a scooter will live for a very long time.  Mine (Yamaha Razz) had 12 or 13K miles on it (mostly short trips) and was still running like a top when I sold it.  They do not suffer from needing a decent trip to eliminate condensation and the battery in not much of an issue either, but a plug into a tender once in a while couldn't hurt.

[sagerat]

Doesn't WVU have that People Mover started in the '70s?

I'd do the walk or bike thing for the mtgs, unless you can with a straight face say why you had to ride the Wee 70 or 80 miles in the nearby roads to reach your intra-Morgantown destination.  

Yeah, short hops are hard on internal combustion engines.

[atadaskew]

As others mentioned, an electric scooter would be perfect.  Could not care less about short trips.  Don't need to worry about the range.

Or walk.

[falconati]

I gave you two legs, use them.

[Rogue]

How about keep a cheap bicycle on campus for shuttling around?

I understand though.  When I went to a University I had classes that went from one end to the next.  I had to hustle to get to each class on time.  Yeah it kept me in shape alright and got to check out the most beautiful women in SoCal.  But during fall when the weather was still hot, and all the girls were wearing the skimpiest attire, it was great but made you work up a sweat!  Some of the wiser folks rode around in bicycles.  The campus was filled with bicycle racks for locking up your ride.

[SWriverstone]

Thanks for the replies---and you confirmed my suspicion that the short trips aren't good for the Wee.

The reason I can't walk is that I just don't have time. I'm pretty high up in the university administration---so constantly meeting with big shots like the president and the provost (which is why I have to look decent). And my schedule is so packed there is no way I could afford the 1-2hrs out of my day walking would take (because trust me, that's how much cumulative time it would take). Got nothing to do with laziness---I'm a hardcore bicyclist!

I might look into the scooter thing...and in the meantime, I'll probably just plan to go for a serious long-distance ride at least once a week if possible to really heat up the moto and burn out the moisture (and change the oil/filter more frequently).

Oh, and WVU does have a bus system as well as the electric Public Rapid Transit system...but alas, neither of those go out to the buildings where my offices are (Waterfront Place). It sucks. I'm sort of stuck out on the edge of town away from the main campus.

This won't be forever...but possibly until the fall/winter. (And I still haven't figured out what I'll do when it pours rain---so far I've been lucky...) And our plan is to buy a bigger bike in the next year for 2-up riding.

Scott

[SWriverstone]

Letting it warm up for a few minutes is a good idea...I used to do that all the time for any ride...but at some point fell out of the habit. I'll get back into the habit!

I'm also thinking an electric bicycle would be great---I've ridden one before, and it was awesome (if you didn't want to work up a sweat). Only problem is finding one for under $1K. Many I've checked out online are $2-3K.   I spent that much on my mountain bike...but don't want to plunk down that kind of $$$ for an electric bike...

Scott

[Kraz]

I would ride the Wee.  

I understand it's not the best thing to do to a vehicle, but I really don't think it'll be a big problem with regular maintenance.  I think the damage may be more academic and theoretical than anything if you're not planning on doing this for more than half a decade.

If you can't walk or use a bicycle, I certainly wouldn't blow money on another vehicle - which is exactly what you're trying to avoid in the first place.