07-07-2019, 01:56 AM
Sorry MP have to disagree on all counts. You are not the only one who has lived with just a motorcycle. I did for several years back in the 70's. I think I have a little motorcycle experience I can rely on for my opinion.
but lets compare apple to apples, and we're talking in developed countries not Asia or something.
My 2003 Honda ST 1300 motorcycle cost the same as my 2003 Honda Civic, both cost right at $17,000 dollars. Both were liquid cooled 4 cyl engines with shaft drive and about 125 hp. Both averaged about 40 mpg. Full coverage insurance on the Civic was much cheaper than full coverage insurance on the motorcycle. The Civic required no valve adjustments for the life of the car, the ST a costly valve inspection every 8000 miles. Tires on my Civic went 80,000 miles set. On the ST an average of 10,000 miles. Brakes on the Civic cost $99 and went 120,0000 on the front and I never did replace the rears in 203,000 miles. Set of brake pads for the ST was about $150 and lasted about 20,000 miles. Oil changes were a wash about $30 for each. Spark plugs went 110,000 miles on the Civic, 25,000 miles on the ST. Air cleaner about 50K on the car, 25K on the bike and an air cleaner for the Civic was $13.00 and $37 for the ST. Brake fluid on the ST needed to be replaced every 2 years/12,000 mi at $100 a shot (mostly labor). Never replaced the brake fluid on the Civic. Put 110,000 miles on the ST and was lucky to find someone to buy a motorcycle with that many miles on it for $1000, put 203,000 miles on the Civic and sold it to the first person that came to look at it for $3500.
Yes, you can buy cheap gear but I wouldn't. I don't buy the best/most expensive like Arai or Shoei or Shuberth or Klim or Aerostitch or First Gear even, but buy average/decent stuff because I wear it every day and want it to last a couple of years, HJC and Tourmaster mostly. A decent modular helmet runs about $150, jacket $250, pants $175, boots $200 and gloves $50 and a rainsuit $80..how much is that? $905 so not quite a grand. Didn't have to buy any of that stuff to drive the Civic.
and there is no denying that riding a motorcycle is far more dangerous than driving a car, especially if you count miles driven (statistics don't lie)
and driving a car you don't get wet when it rains, you can run AC in the summer to stay cool, heater in the winter to stay warm, and even turn the radio on to stay entertained. You can carry more luggage, carry more passengers (like a wife and kids) all in relative comfort.
I still say you have to WANT to ride a motorcycle to do so.
Guess we just have to agree to disagree on this one.
but lets compare apple to apples, and we're talking in developed countries not Asia or something.
My 2003 Honda ST 1300 motorcycle cost the same as my 2003 Honda Civic, both cost right at $17,000 dollars. Both were liquid cooled 4 cyl engines with shaft drive and about 125 hp. Both averaged about 40 mpg. Full coverage insurance on the Civic was much cheaper than full coverage insurance on the motorcycle. The Civic required no valve adjustments for the life of the car, the ST a costly valve inspection every 8000 miles. Tires on my Civic went 80,000 miles set. On the ST an average of 10,000 miles. Brakes on the Civic cost $99 and went 120,0000 on the front and I never did replace the rears in 203,000 miles. Set of brake pads for the ST was about $150 and lasted about 20,000 miles. Oil changes were a wash about $30 for each. Spark plugs went 110,000 miles on the Civic, 25,000 miles on the ST. Air cleaner about 50K on the car, 25K on the bike and an air cleaner for the Civic was $13.00 and $37 for the ST. Brake fluid on the ST needed to be replaced every 2 years/12,000 mi at $100 a shot (mostly labor). Never replaced the brake fluid on the Civic. Put 110,000 miles on the ST and was lucky to find someone to buy a motorcycle with that many miles on it for $1000, put 203,000 miles on the Civic and sold it to the first person that came to look at it for $3500.
Yes, you can buy cheap gear but I wouldn't. I don't buy the best/most expensive like Arai or Shoei or Shuberth or Klim or Aerostitch or First Gear even, but buy average/decent stuff because I wear it every day and want it to last a couple of years, HJC and Tourmaster mostly. A decent modular helmet runs about $150, jacket $250, pants $175, boots $200 and gloves $50 and a rainsuit $80..how much is that? $905 so not quite a grand. Didn't have to buy any of that stuff to drive the Civic.
and there is no denying that riding a motorcycle is far more dangerous than driving a car, especially if you count miles driven (statistics don't lie)
and driving a car you don't get wet when it rains, you can run AC in the summer to stay cool, heater in the winter to stay warm, and even turn the radio on to stay entertained. You can carry more luggage, carry more passengers (like a wife and kids) all in relative comfort.
I still say you have to WANT to ride a motorcycle to do so.
Guess we just have to agree to disagree on this one.