Here Are The Pros And Cons To Riding A Motorcycle

Whether you already own a motorcycle or are contemplating getting one, it’s always a good idea to weigh in on the pros and cons of this type of activity. There is no right answer for everyone; riding a motorcycle is a very individual thing.

Having previously owned a motorcycle restoration business, I’ve ridden all types and sizes of motorcycles and have been able to see the biggest pros and cons of riding. Consider these following points if you are still trying to make this personal decision.

Motorcycle Riding Pro: Increased Physical Health

You may have heard before that riding and owning a motorcycle can actually improve your physical health. Some may say this is debatable, but I can attest to the improvements on my physical health since I’ve owned a motorcycle.

There’s actually a little bit of a science to it. I mean, think about it; maneuvering a large machine obviously requires muscle engagement. Moving a motorcycle in neutral isn’t an easy task and your muscles make up for it, even if you don’t notice it.

Riding a motorcycle has shown to increase core strength and improve posture due to the engagement you have to use with your neck carrying a helmet.

Motorcycle Riding Pro: Increased Mental Health

Along with physical benefits, riding and owning a motorcycle actually has some mental health benefits as well. But this is something you don’t have to tell a seasoned rider twice; there’s a reason people love riding a motorcycle so much.

When you exercise and engage your muscles, your body releases endorphins. Endorphins are a type of hormone released within the brain and nervous system and essentially makes you “happy” or “feel good.”

Aside from that, being on a motorcycle means you’re out in the open getting some fresh air. This in itself provides increased mental health. According to heart.org, spending time outside can help relieve stress and anxiety, improve your mood, and boost feelings of happiness and well-being.

Motorcycle Riding Pro: Money Saver

A lot of people don’t realize how cheap it can be to own a motorcycle. Yes, it does cost money to purchase upfront, but you can really save a good amount of money if you’re planning on using it as a primary source of transportation.

First let’s note the gas mileage you can get on a motorcycle. Motorcycles get much better gas mileage than most commuter cars, in fact they get about double the miles per gallon. Most street bikes get between 30 and 60 miles per gallon, and that goes for a lot of the older bikes as well. I owned an old heavy Yamaha XS850 that got around 45 miles per gallon.

Additionally, a lot of people don’t realize how cheap motorcycle insurance can be. Unless you’ve caused a previous motorcycle accident or you want to get some crazy fast motorcycle, your insurance should actually be quite reasonable. I currently pay $21 a month for my motorcycle insurance. Not bad.

Motorcycles can also be considered DIY projects because they’re a lot easier to work on compared to cars. If any issues come up, you can often learn how to fix it yourself. Or if you do have to take it in to the shop, the bill is usually much lower than taking a car in to get fixed.

Motorcycle Riding Pro: Easier To Fix Yourself

One of the greatest things about motorcycles is the simplicity of their systems compared to other vehicles. It may seem intimidating, but motorcycles are pretty basic when it comes to their mechanical functionality. As I had mentioned before, they can also be considered DIY projects for those who are willing to pursue it.

When I was going to college, I started restoring motorcycles and sold them for a profit. I was injured while at work one day that put me out for the rest of the summer. I had a few hundred bucks to spend and needed something stationary to do, so I bought a 1981 Yamaha XS850 and started tinkering with it. I had zero previous experience motorcycles.

With a little help from YouTube and online forums, I was able to fix up that motorcycle and make it look stunning. I ended up selling it for a profit and found I could easily do this many more times. I was very surprised with how easy it was to work on motorcycles.

Take a chance on yourself and see what you can accomplish when it comes to fixing a motorcycle. You’ll be surprised at what you can learn if you’re willing to put in the time.

Motorcycle Riding Pro: They Last Longer

This is a point that a lot of people will argue. Most people assume that motorcycles don’t last near as long as cars and shouldn’t be used after they have a certain mileage on them.

The truth is actually quite the opposite. Motorcycles can last just as long as cars, if not longer. Like it was mentioned before, motorcycles are simple creatures and parts can easily be replaced at an affordable price. This, in turn, makes them last longer.

Most of the motorcycles I’ve restored have been older motorcycles. A lot of them were still running when I started restoring them and the ones that weren’t running didn’t take much to get them back up and running. The fact that some of them had been sitting in a field for years and only required a little bit of TLC to get it running says a lot.

As long as you provide the right maintenance, motorcycles can last you as long as you want them to. Be sure to change the oil at the right times, use the right gas (click here to see my article about the right gas to use in a motorcycle), and keep it out of the elements as much as possible. If you take care of it, then it’ll take care of you.

Motorcycle Riding Con: More Dangerous

Now that we’ve discussed the advantages of owning and riding a motorcycle, I’d like to touch up on the disadvantages of owning one as well. These are things you should pay attention to if you’re thinking about getting a motorcycle.

The biggest con you’ll hear about motorcycles is the increased danger that’s associated with them. Motorcycles themselves aren’t necessarily dangerous machines, it’s the lack of protection they provide that’s dangerous.

According to iii.org, motorcyclists are more likely to get injured than those who are driving a car. The hardest part about this is that cars cause almost half of the accidents that occur with motorcycles. Car drivers who have never ridden a motorcycle are very unaware of motorcyclists on the road and don’t think to look for them.

This is also in addition to motorcyclists thinking they can get away with riding in less than ideal conditions. For example, motorcyclists are more prone to accidents in harsh weather or being intoxicated than they would be driving a normal car.

Motorcycle Riding Con: A Bigger Target For Thieves

In a perfect world, we would be able to leave our belongings out without any worry at all. Unfortunately that isn’t the case, especially with motorcycles. In fact, motorcycles are more likely to get stolen than cars.

Motorcycles are a more frequent target because they’re much easier to access and much lighter than cars. With cars, you have to break in somehow, creatively get it started, and drive away without being noticed. Stealing a motorcycles requires much less time and effort.

There are a few types of motorcycles that are more sought after by thieves (such as Japanese motorcycles). It’s important that you keep track of your motorcycle, store it in a secure place when it’s not in use, use a cover when you can, and use a motorcycle lock when you have to park it in public places. Click here to see my list of recommended ways to secure your motorcycle.

Motorcycle Riding Con: Limited Space

Though this may be an obvious disadvantage to owning and riding a motorcycle, there may be a little more to it than you think. Be aware that a motorcycle has pretty limited space on it, so you should plan accordingly.

Unless you have a touring motorcycles that has several compartments for storage and luggage, using your motorcycle to run errands such as going to the grocery store is pretty much out of the question.

Having a passenger on the motorcycle might be iffy as well. If the seat is only big enough to fit one or one and a half people, there is not room for a passenger and it should not be attempted to do so.

I used a motorcycle to get around when I was going to college. It was difficult if I needed to carrying anything other than my backpack with my books in it. I often needed to ask for rides to go to the grocery store since all my groceries could have never fit on my motorcycle.

Motorcycle Riding Con: More Susceptible To Inclement Weather

I had mentioned earlier the physical and mental health benefits of what riding and owning a motorcycle can bring, but being outside can also be a big disadvantage at the wrong time.

Bad weather is no friend to motorcycle riders. Getting caught in a bad rain or snow storm while riding is not only uncomfortable, but it’s also dangerous. Motorcycles are more susceptible to hydroplaning in wet weather (see my article here for more info on motorcycles hydroplaning).

Other drivers around you either seem to panic a little or become even less aware of motorcycle riders in such conditions. Perhaps they’re not expecting motorcycle riders to be out riding in bad weather.

If you get cold enough and wet enough, it’s also possible to develop hypothermia pretty quickly. That’s why it’s so important to wear the right gear while riding and look at the weather ahead of time to make sure you won’t run into any trouble with mother nature.

Motorcycle Riding Con: Hardly Any Exceptions Made

People seem to think that motorcycles have special rules on the road. For the most part, that isn’t true and motorcyclists are required to abide by the same laws and rules as any other motor vehicle.

Motorcycles don’t have any parking privileges. You may have seen a motorcycle parked on the striped lines in parking lots or on the sidewalk up next to a grocery store. While not everyone gets a ticket for doing this, it’s actually illegal because it’s obstructing foot traffic. For more information about motorcycle parking etiquette, see my other article here.

Motorcycles aren’t allowed to ride in bicycle lanes either. You’ll see a lot of motorcycles taking advantage of that lane assuming their vehicle is more like a bicycle rather than a car. That’s also very illegal.

The few exceptions that motorcyclists do have, such as running red lights and lane splitting, aren’t legal everywhere. Though those advantages are nice to use, you’ll need to make sure to check in with your state laws before doing anything like that.

Conclusion

As you can see, there are plenty of advantages to riding a motorcycle. These advantages include improved mental and physical health, saving money, they’re easier to work on, and they last longer. The disadvantages include them being more dangerous and a bigger target for thieves, they have limited space, they’re more susceptible to inclement weather, and there are not many exceptions made for them on the road.

Personally, I love riding motorcycles and see the pros completely outweigh the cons. However, the decision is completely yours and should be thought through before making that decision. Let us know your concerns or thoughts about this, we’re open for discussion!