Seven reasons why you should buy a motorcycle

Motorcycling is often used as a punching bag in modern society. According to the haters, motorcycling is too dangerous, too expensive, too obnoxious, too noisy and bad for the environment.

The reality is, motorcycling is greatly misunderstood. Bikes can open up a world of practical and emotional possibilities. And stop watching Sons of Anarchy – we’re not all outlaws and criminals. Now is the perfect time to buy a motorcycle. Here are seven reasons why you should get into motorcycling.

1. It’s cheaper than driving a car

One of the best-selling motorcycles in 2020 was the Yamaha Tenere 700. It carries a price tag of $17,149 ride away and has an average fuel efficiency of around 5.2l/100km. Australia’s best-selling car, the Toyota HiLux SR5, will set you back around $52,850 driveaway and has a claimed fuel economy of 8.4l/100km in automatic trim. See where I’m going with this?

Motorcycles are cheaper to service (partly because you can do it yourself), parts are easier to obtain and bikes will generally last longer than cars. If you need a car, then fine – buy a cheap daily driver and spend the rest of your moolah on a motorcycle. Feel free to quote this article in the next argument with your significant other.

2. Motorcycles take up less space

Growing up in a family of six, we always had two cars. But once my three siblings and I started driving, our fleet suddenly grew to six. It’s fair to say our neighbours weren’t stoked. But what if we sold our cars and rode bikes instead? Imagine the space on the street and in the driveway?

That's an extreme example, but for many, especially inner-city dwellers, space is a valuable commodity – even one car can be a squeeze. Stop playing automobile Tetris and buy a motorcycle. It will fit just about anywhere – even your bedroom if you so desire. Bikes can be legally parked on the sidewalk too, so you’ll never struggle to find a carpark.

3. You’ll get places quicker

Here is a scenario – you're in your car and stuck in bumper-to-bumper traffic. You're already late for work, and no amount of Google Maps wizardry will get you there quicker. The car next to you is trying to push in, and then Nickleback comes on the radio.

As you slowly build up into a volcanic rage, a motorcyclist zips up the middle of the two lanes, all the way to the front of the line. If you don’t know what this feels like, go find a wall and bang your head against it. Although, by the time you find a wall, that motorcyclist will be already at his desk and onto his second coffee.

4. It is the ultimate form of social distancing

In the post-COVID world, social distancing will become a competitive sport. But motorcyclists have been social distancing since motorcycling began. One of the great joys of riding a motorcycle is getting away from the Rat-Race and getting lost in your own company.

With a helmet, gloves, jacket, pants and boots, you are well protected from any germs or viruses, and the 1.5m rule is a given – if anyone gets any closer, COVID is the least of their worries.

5. It will make you cooler (and more attractive)

At the risk of sounding superficial, motorcycling does make you cooler. Okay, so cool-factor is subjective, and I have no data to prove it. But why do you think they call Steve McQueen the ‘King of Cool’? What about James Dean? Model and TV presenter Kate Peck rides motorcycles – she’s cool too, right? Yeah, motorcycling makes you cool.

And attractiveness? Well, believe it or not, someone has actually done a study on this. Carole Nash Insurance once asked 1000 adults to rate the looks of the opposite sex when dressed in motorcycle clothing. The study found that, five out of six times, motorcyclists were more attractive than drivers.

Motorcyclists were also found to be ‘adventurous’, ‘daring’ and ‘fun’. So motorcyclists are cool, attractive and adventurous – pretty decent incentive, right? I think chess players are cool though, so maybe don’t take my word for it.

6. Riding is good for the body and soul

Riding a motorcycle is much better for your health than driving a car. When riding, your body is naturally more active than it is in a car. Riding is also good for mental health – there is nothing like two-wheels and an open road to soothe the soul. And science has proved it. In 2019, Harley-Davidson funded a study by UCLA that yielded the following results:

If you still think motorcycling can’t give you a good workout, go ride 30 minutes on a motocross track and get back to me. I’ll get the ice bath ready.

7. It’s safer than you think

Some people love to hate motorcycling, and one of the biggest reasons is safety. How many times have you been told by your parents, friends, partner or Barbara from across the road, that motorcycling is dangerous?

The truth is, motorcycling is dangerous. But it’s safer than many might think – assuming you do the right things. Safety technology on motorcycles has progressed at light speed in recent years. Things like ABS, traction control and stability control are now commonplace and are designed especially for motorcycling.

Protective clothing has also come a long way, and a good set of safety gear cannot be underestimated. The biggest danger on the road is other motorists. But with a good dose of common sense, and situational awareness, you can reduce the risks.

Never jump on a motorcycle without the proper training, education and qualifications, and always ride within the rules and your own limits.