If you are an avid motorcycle enthusiast or even if you just think owning a motorcycle might be easier for travel, then you’ll want to keep reading. Today we are going to look at the pros and cons of using a motorcycle for commuting to work. There are many factors to consider so the purpose of this post is to help you make the final decision based on your unique situation.
Pros
First, let us start with some of the positives for choosing to commute with a motorcycle.
Gas Mileage
Motorcycles tend to be a lot more fuel efficient than most other automobiles. Gas costs can be a big factor in what it costs to commute and this makes taking a motorcycle a great choice for those watching their budget. The further you have to commute for work the higher the potential savings, especially if you have to log a lot of highway miles to get there.
Cheaper Maintenance
Overall, the average cost of maintaining a motorcycle is much lower than a full size car or truck. When you have to worry about putting a lot of miles on your vehicle, it can be easier to do in a motorcycle since the upkeep will be less expensive in general than another vehicle.
Better Parking
Because of their smaller size motorcycles are much more maneuverable and when necessary, easier to park. If you work at a large office building or another location that is hard to find parking, taking a motorcycle can ease this headache.
Cheaper Insurance
There are a lot of factors that go into an individual’s insurance premium, so we can’t say that everyone who chooses to drive a motorcycle will have cheap insurance. In general though, motorcycle insurance policies are cheaper than a larger automobile. This is another financial perk of taking a motorcycle to work or on your next commute compared to driving a car.
Cons
Here are a few reasons you may decide that a motorcycle is not the right option for your commute.
Weather
One of the big downsides to riding a motorcycle is that you are constantly exposed to the elements. This can make getting to work dry a big problem. Dressing for the weather and making sure you have a change of clothes can help, but depending on the nature of your work, this can be a problem. Motorcycles are also much more vulnerable when it comes to low traction situations, such as riding in rain or snow. According to Roberts & Spiegel, weather conditions play a large role in car accidents so the risks of an accident are compounded for motorcyclists.
Outfitting Your Bike
Speaking of weather, one thing that full time motorcyclists have to deal with is constantly outfitting their bike for changes in weather. This can mean adjusting the tires, adding components to the bike to deal with wind and rain and other accommodations. This adds to the cost of the bike and the prep time for taking off when the weather suddenly changes on you.
Safety
Another concern that you may have about being on a bike is that you have less overall safety features than a car or truck. Motorcycles are just as likely to wind up in an accident thanks to other drivers, but with the decreased safety it can make accidents even more deadly. Motorcycle commuters should be outfitted with the best safety gear to mitigate injuries in an accident. Take into account the nature of your commute and decide whether safety is a major concern.
Storage Space
The smaller size of a motorcycle can be beneficial in some instances, but it can be a major downside in others. Even with a sidecar and other add-ons a motorcycle simply doesn’t have much space. If you find yourself running errands before or after work, picking up groceries and the like, you may decide that a motorcycle is not the best option for you. Take into consideration the type of tasks you may need to do outside of work and things like children when deciding what vehicle will work best for your commute.
Conclusion
There we have it, pros and cons to using a motorcycle for your commute. As you can see, there are many advantages and disadvantages to regularly driving a motorcycle. Try to take our list and match it with your own situation to help determine what is the best option for you.
