Two-wheeled thoughts...

[cancerat]

I'm considering getting a motorcycle in the next few months to save gas while commuting and when driving down for a weekend to visit friends. Rarely do I transport anything besides myself and a backpack's worth of stuff, so this seems like a logical choice. Other than the obvious safety issues, that is. Anybody have any suggestions or advice?

Comments

[marcheurreveur]

love the thought of a motercycle(hello...named my horse Harley Davidson)....hate the thought of any of my friends being smeared across the highway (while i don't know if its any more likely to wreak then a car, i'm pretty sure, if a collision happened, the motercycle always loses) not to mentioned that the protective gear you'd have to wear could possibly really suck here in Texas, specially during any season 'cept maybe winter.
'course i'd imagine you'd prolly make up for the price of the motercycle in no time at all, in what you could save in gas(i think, anyway, not sure about that)
just my thoughts, i'll leave it alone now.:)

[cancerat]

Hell yes, 75 miles per gallon. The protective gear is designed to ventilate, so it's not that bad, from what I've gathered from my friends that ride. As far as wrecking, I'm a darn careful driver. I like my personal space, and I like the improved visibility. I'm not that worried about wrecking or getting plastered.

bad idea

[mommydaze]

It is a bad idea. Everyone wrecks eventually and it is rarely the drivers fault. Motorcycles fit perfectly in a car's blindspot. The results of the accidents of the people I know have ranged from some stitches to massive brain damage with complete loss of the ability to live an independent life, even with a helmet. They are also very tricky to drive safely and not much fun when the weather is less than perfect. The lower cost is not worth the risks. At least in a car you have a steel cage between you and the pavement and other vehicles.

definatly something to think about.

[lightsthesky]

I have been wanting a motorcycle for quite some time myself but I am usually trekking more than myself unless its to work and back which something would be nice even if its just for that.

Now you do know that drowsy driving is dangerous but even more dangerous when there is not a huge metal frame between you and the trees.

Oh and, don't get Stephanie started cause she will starting going into gorry detail about motorcycle wrecks that she has seen, read or heard about.

Re: definatly something to think about.

[cancerat]

Oh yes, my parents are EMTs...I've got the stories. I have too much to do to risk getting turned into chunky salsa, so I'm pretty sure that I can avoid getting in any accidents. I'm not going to push my luck past its breaking point.

Re: definatly something to think about.

[lightsthesky]

I am interested in getting a little scooter for commuting to and from work. I see that some of those are only like $2,000 and not that much a month. I would feel kinda like a dork but they got some cool looking scooters out there. Hell I would love a Harley but they are as much as regular cars.

Re: definatly something to think about.

[lightsthesky]

if you have never ridden before, it is quite nice. while in college I went for a ride with a friend on his bike and it was so awesome, you could smell everything. It was a drive at dusk so there was not much traffic and the air was wonderfully cool. Also you could tell when you passed a restaurant or hay field or water. it was such a great experience.

[rettiger]

I'd recommend a motorcycle defensive driving class.

I read somewhere that most fatal motorcycle accidents aren't caused my motorcyclists, they're caused by the people around them. A defensive driving class tailored toward bikes will help reduce that risk.

As for actual bikes, just pick up a good 250cc beginner bike, do a bit of research on how beginner friendly it is before you buy it.

[sscaminky]

Every rider I know has dropped his or her bike at some point, but none of them have sustained serious injuries from it. Of course, most of them joyride, and don't ride on the highway very often. Both of my parents had motorcycles, as did my sister and my best friend for comparitively short periods of time. I intend to get one some day, and like you, I'm extremely careful...paranoid, even. You WILL drop it some day...it's practically inevitable (and motorcycle classes will confirm this.) Wear full protective gear and don't do anything stupid, and enjoy the hell out of it while you can. Although I'm wary of you riding it for long stretches down the interstate, I say go for it.