Should You Switch From a Car to a Motorcycle?
**A guest post as written for The Safe Driver.
If you’ve been driving your car for a couple of years then it’s probably crossed your mind at some point. With parking spaces getting more and more cramped and expensive and the increasing costs of vehicle ownership putting a dent in our wallets, it’s tempting to switch to a lower-power vehicle in order to save money and also be more environmentally friendly.
However, with the switch comes many advantages and disadvantages, and in this article, we’re going to be going over most of the big ones that you should keep in mind.
Convenience
The first major point is convenience. Yes, getting rid of your motorcycle is most likely going to invalidate any ability you have to ferry passengers. If you regularly drive your family or friends around then you’ll have to say goodbye to those days. At most, a motorcycle is going to safely carry a single passenger and that’s it. If you drive around multiple passengers on a regular basis then you’ll want to stick with your car. If you want to be more environmentally friendly, then there’s the option of switching to a hybrid or fully electric vehicle instead. This will come with most of the benefits of scaling down to a motorcycle but still be convenient enough to carry passengers and cargo.
Safety
It’s no secret that motorcyclists are at higher risk of a collision on the road than anyone else. This is because there is no protection around you, unlike having a metal shell surround you when you’re in a car. You have to know the features of your motorcycle before you take it out on the road because they could save your life. Make sure you wear your safety gear and ensure you’ve done the relevant inspections before you head out onto the road.
Value
Now we have to think about value. A motorcycle will ultimately cost less to operate than a car assuming you get a model status. A low-end car is going to cost less than a high-end motorcycle, but if you get one around the same level then you’ll see drastic savings in both the cost of the vehicle, insurance and also maintenance. Much of the motorcycle maintenance can be done on your own so you won’t need to hire a mechanic, and it’s fairly easy to get into. If you have knowledge about how your car works, then most of that knowledge will transfer over to motorcycles.
Verdict
Switch from a car to a motorcycle should only be considered if you don’t ferry passengers around or carry lots of cargo in your vehicle. If you feel like you could benefit from the quick and nimble nature of a motorcycle but still want to keep your car, then there’s the option of purchasing a motorcycle as a secondary vehicle. However, if you only have the money for a single one, then you should pick whatever fits your needs more. If you live alone or only with a partner that you seldom drive around, then a motorcycle is the perfect vehicle for city life.