What are the pros and cons of owning a motorcycle vs owning a car?

Question

im 16 and i just bought my first car, but i always liked motorcycles. i was thinking when i turn 18 and go to college i might get myself a bike. but im not sure if getting a bike instead of another car would be the best move. If anyone has owned a car and switched to a motorcycle PLEASE ANSWER

Answer 1

you can like cars but you got to love m'cycles or you'll just leave it parked in the shed most of the time.

Answer 2

Totally depends on wear you live. We get snow where I live, a bike does not work in the winter owning a car is a necessity before a bike. That said my pickup moves about 500 miles total during the summer months, I ride day in day out.
Most of the pros and cons are obvious, my truck gets 11.6mpg my Harley gets about 50mpg. My truck is slow, my bike is fast. Mind you however i am a very experienced rider, i know how my bike handles instinctively, it takes years and many thousands of miles to achieve this level of skill. Given your age you should get a car first due to the danger.
The first summer I started riding, heading home one day doing 60mph in a 50mph zone, a small fawn jumped out in front of me from the ditch i never saw it coming, it was no more than 30 feet in front of me, i did the only thing i could with my skill level of the time i laid into the brakes hard, back tire locked up then the front, bike began to high side then bam hit the deer, slide 200'+ down the pavement broke my right hand and to this day i have persistent pain in my foot.
I still ride, and i love it, but learn the road first, cars are your enemy on a bike. Oh and when the time comes take a training coarse to improve your riding skills, i did and i swear by it.

Answer 3

Bike Cons:
Apart from little ones, bikes generally cost more to run than cars. (tires, servicing, brake pads, chains etc.
You have to wear good gear - and this costs.
Weather.
Carrying stuff.

Bike Pros:
Fun.
If its legal to "lane split" where you live a bike becomes a LOT faster through traffic/
You can find a park much more easily.
The people you meet - its a great conversation starter, and just carry a helmet into a cafe and you'll usually meet someone.

Overall - I've had just a bike, which is OK, I've had just a car, which isn't, and I've now got both, which is best.

Where I live it gets pretty cold in winter - so the bike generally doesn't get used for 3 months each year. I use a little honda hatchback to get to work 'cause its a heap cheaper to run than my Ducati. (tires for little car - $28 they last 15,000 miles - tires for big bike - $250 and only last 5,000 miles).

Answer 4

The car will allow you to drive in bad weather. It is better for long trips too. Riding a bike can get tiring on long trips. You have to maintain your balance for long periods of time. Bikes also get pretty cold if you are driving in the winter weather. The icy wind is really cutting.

A motorcycle is fine as a second form of transportation, but not that great as a primary one. Save up and if you want to get one, make sure you have a good car first. good luck.

Answer 5

Drew, I think if you live near your school area and you havn't driven on the road, traffic conditions aren't too bad and the weather is reasonably good most of the year then you should go for it!
I don't know what type of bike you are after but a small capacity machine would be the best option for someone who has never been on the road.
The other alternative is a small car!
Getting back to the rest of your question though!
A bike's advantages are fuel economy, easily parked, better for the environment, especially 4 strokes and they are a real joy to ride!
Disadvantages are, two seater, you get wet, carriage of equipment!

It depends on what you want and the environment you need to travel in.

Troy.

Answer 6

If you live where you are going to go to college, you should get a scooter. You can park them just about anywhere, some you don't even need to insure/license, and they get like 80 miles to the gallon. Of course, you're going to freeze your butt off in the winter if you live somewhere cold. Keep the car for rainy days, but drive the scooter the rest of the time.

Answer 7

Car:
-Good to carry more luggage and people
-Safer

Bike:
faster (can get past traffic)
Overall cheaper

Don't worry about the snow, with a decent adventure bike or dirt bike that shouldn't be any problem. (unless the snow is like a meter high)

Answer 8

1

Answer 9

to be a biker you must ride in rain sheet and snow... blue hand and frozen toes wet to the bone sounds fun dont it stick with the car til your older and know alittle more about the road ok.... but sure man get a bike cant beat the gas and wind...biker i drive my car about once a month

Answer 10

Car:
1. You can carry more than one passenger. And you don't have to bring a spare helmet to take home that floozie from the bar... or her sister.
2. You can take a nap in a car.
3. You can make out in a car.
4. You can eat, drink, and smoke while driving with your knees... all while talking on your cellphone.
5. Drive-through windows.
6. A/C, heat, stereo, and a roof!
7. Skin graft? Where?
8. Cargo space for shopping and moving.
9. On-Star
10. You can drive in reverse.
11. Bigger gas tank.
12. You can have bumper stickers.
13. No "helmet head."
14. Car chargers for cell phones, etc.
15. You can carry a spare tire.
16. You can drive naked!

Motorcycle:
1. Fun
2. Saves money on gas
3. You never have to clean out empty bags, wrappers, and beverage containers.
4. No one will ask, "oh, can you drive me to the airport on Saturday?"
5. You can go pretty damn fast.
6. You can always find a parking spot.
7. You don't have to lock the doors or roll up the windows.
8. You don't have to get up to fill the gas tank.
9. You don't have to air it out after parking it in the sun.
10. You can do wheelies.
11. You can get near cutting edge performance for next to nothing.
12. You don't have to rotate the tires.
13. You will never forget to roll up the windows when it rains.
14. You never need air freshener.
15. You will never accidentally lock yourself out.
16. Crackheads won't break your window just to steal the loose change you left on the floor.
17. You'll finally have an excuse to wear leather pants!

Answer 11

instead of upgrading to a better car just keep you're old car and get a cheap bike