Are Motorcycles Good Daily Drivers? – (Pros and Cons)

I’ve been riding motorcycles for the last 13 years, and it’s my primary commute vehicle. As an experienced rider, I know the pros and cons of the motorcycle as a daily driver. You should assess some important aspects if you opt for motorcycles as daily drivers.

So, are motorcycles good daily drivers? A motorcycle is a good daily driver that reduces your daily commute time. Motorcycles are cheaper to run, easy to maintain, and act as stress busters. Finding a parking space for motorcycles is easy, and you can ride it off-road. However, a motorcycle ride is always associated with risk if you don’t ride responsibly and safely.

Can Motorcycles Be Used As A Daily Driver?

A motorcycle could be the best mode of transport for daily commutes if you ride it responsibly. I know your spouse will not agree with your decision because a motorcycle is not the safest mode of transport. Moreover, riding a motorcycle has lots of advantages over cars.

Choosing a motorcycle for daily commuting will save a lot of money on gas. The average fuel consumption for motorcycles is 50 to 80 MPG, while cars get approximately 25 to 30 MPG. So, the cost of fuel on a motorcycle is almost half that car. Also, the maintenance of motorcycles is cheaper than cars.

Above money, riding a motorcycle is fun, and it improves mental health. You don’t have to worry about traffic jams and parking.

Why Should One Choose Motorcycle Over Cars?

If you cannot decide whether to buy a motorcycle or car for daily commutes, I list some advantages of motorcycles over cars. If you read them carefully, it will be easier to decide.

Here are some advantages of choosing a motorcycle for daily commutes:

1. Motorcycles Are Cheaper To Run

A motorcycle gets 50 to 80 MPG, while a car gets 25 to 30 MPG. It means you’ll save more than 50% on fuel expenditure. If you choose a small engine size motorcycle ( 100cc to 125cc), you can expect 90 to 120 MPG.

A motorcycle can save $1200 to $1500 yearly on gasoline expenses. So, running cost is cheaper and saves more than 50% of what you spend on cars. However, you can go for electric vehicles if money is your priority.

2. Faster Commute Time

The biggest advantage of owning a motorcycle is the faster commute time. A motorcycle requires much less space than a car needs. Hence, motorcycles can save time by passing through traffic jams.

The commute times will decrease further if you live somewhere that allows lane split. If you’re living in a crowded city, your motorcycle will save you a lot of time.

3. Motorcycles Are Cheaper To Maintain

If we talk about the maintenance cost of motorcycles, then it’s way cheaper than cars. If you love DIY, then the maintenance cost could be further reduced.

A motorcycle has few parts compared to cars, making it easy and cheaper to maintain. I love DIY and save a lot on annual labor costs and dealership charges.

I’m regularly publishing motorcycle repair and maintenance guides on this blog. So, please bookmark it on your browser and keep visiting for repair tips.

4. Motorcycles Are Easy To Park

Another thing I love about motorcycles is that they are easy to park. You don’t need to hassle too much to find a parking space. It occupies very little space and can move and turn easily.

If you’re living in a rented house, finding an open parking space for a car is the biggest challenge. But, finding a parking space for a motorcycle is much easier because it only requires a few square feet.

5. Motorcycles Are Good For Off-Road

If you love traveling and exploring the beauty of nature, a motorcycle is an excellent choice. You can’t drive your car in the forest or off-roads, but a motorcycle can. A motorcycle is a great mode of transport for off-roads and hilly areas.

6. Motorcycle Ride Improves Mental Health

If you ever feel anxious or stressed, go on quick 30-minute rides, and your head will feel lighter. I have personally experienced this, and many other motorcyclists feel the same.

A motorcycle ride is good for mental health. This is because, when riding a motorcycle, your body releases dopamine and endorphins. These are happy hormones that fight against depression and mental stress.

7. Motorcycle Ride Burns Calories

Riding a motorcycle needs physical effort, and your muscles go into tension and compression. It’s just like lifting weights in a gym. According to a report, motorcycling can burn 170 to 600 calories per hour.

So, if you opt for a motorcycle as a daily driver, you’ll burn more than 300 calories and lose weight.

What Are The Disadvantages Of Having A Motorcycle?

So, you know the advantage of opting for motorcycles as a daily driver. But, there are some disadvantages too.

Safety is a major concern for motorcycle riding. The motorcycles don’t have any safety features like seat belts and airbags.

So, you should always ride your motorcycle carefully and responsibly. Weather conditions like rain, heavy cold, extremely hot weather, snowfall, etc., affect your daily rides on motorcycles.

Pros And Cons Of Motorcycles

Pros	Cons
The running cost of motorcycles is cheaper than cars.	Motorcycles are more prone to road accidents.
Riding a motorcycle is fun, and it improves mental health.	Longer rides and uncomfortable riding positions can cause lower back pain.
Motorcycles are faster and easy to ride in traffic jams.	Weather conditions affect motorcycle rides.
Motorcycles are easy and cheaper to maintain.	It would not be easy to ride a motorcycle in the rain.
Parking a motorcycle is easy, and it takes less space.	There is no protection against cold and snowfall.
Riding a motorcycle burns calories and keeps you healthy.	Motorcycles are faster and easier to ride in traffic jams.

How Far Can You Comfortably Ride A Motorcycle In A Day?

Driving a motorcycle requires more effort (that’s why you burn calories) than cars. The distance you can comfortably ride on a motorcycle daily depends on several factors, including your experience level, motorcycle type, terrain and road conditions, and physical fitness and stamina.

I ride 100 to 120 miles daily on the motorcycle without feeling uncomfortable. However, you can ride 200 to 300 miles if the road and weather conditions favor you. Enthusiast motorcyclists reach 800 to 1000 miles in 24 hours.

Can You Ride A Motorcycle In Bad Weather Conditions?

Riding a motorcycle would be tough and dangerous if it’s raining or snowfall outside. You’ll lose visibility and control due to bad weather conditions, increasing the risk of accidents. So, I would not advise a beginner motorcyclist to ride in bad weather conditions.

Also, if you go to the office on a motorcycle and it starts raining outside, all your cloth will be wet. In these cases, avoiding riding your motorcycle and opting for a car may be more practical.

However, experienced riders enjoy the rain and perform various stunts. But it’s dangerous and life-threatening. Therefore, if you’re a beginner, it’s generally best to avoid riding in bad weather conditions and take extra precautions when you venture out in wet or slippery conditions.

How To Prevent The Cloth From Getting Wet In Rain?

If you’re riding a motorcycle in the rain, it can be challenging to keep your clothes dry. So, in that case, you can wear waterproof protective gear that keeps your clothes from getting wet.

Additionally, you can pack your clothes and change them in a private space like your office bathroom. Luckily, I have a car, and I generally prefer to use it whenever I have to attend important meetings. So, you can also avoid motorcycles when it’s raining outside.

Click here to check the price of waterproof motorcycle rain suits on Amazon.

How To Carry Groceries On A Motorcycle?

Carrying groceries is the biggest concern if you opt for a motorcycle as your daily commute vehicle. However, you can install saddlebags, panniers, or top boxes to carry groceries.

These motorcycle accessories have enough space to carry groceries and other shopping items for daily needs.

I installed a leather saddlebag on my cruiser motorcycle, which can hold too many important things for daily needs. Moreover, whenever I go weekend shopping, I prefer my car to carry groceries and other stuff.

Is Getting A Motorcycle Worth The Risk?

Getting a motorcycle ultimately depends on personal preferences, priorities, and risk tolerance. While riding a motorcycle can be an enjoyable and exciting experience, it does come with certain risks that are not present when driving a car.

Riding any motor vehicle on the road is associated with risk. However, motorcycles increase the risk of significant injuries compared to cars because they don’t have safety features like seat belts and airbags.

But, the risk of significant injury can be minimized if you wear all protective gear like a helmet, riding boots, knee guards, gloves, etc.

I have listed a few of the best protective gear for motorcycles:-

Protective Gear	Product Link
Best Motorcycle Helmet	View On Amazon
Armour Protective Jacket	View On Amazon
Protective Riding Boot	View On Amazon
Protective Knee Pads	View On Amazon
Motorcycle Gloves	View On Amazon

What Percent Of Americans Ride A Motorcycle?

According to a survey conducted in 2018, approximately 8 percent of Americans (14.7 million people) ride motorcycles. This represents a slight increase from previous years, suggesting that the popularity of motorcycles may be growing in the US.

What Age Group Rides a Motorcycle The Most?

If you’re older than 18 and love motorcycles, age doesn’t stop you from enjoying your dream. According to a survey conducted by the Motorcycle Industry Council, the average age of motorcyclists is between 35 and 45 years. However, the participation of women has grown in the past few years.

I have published an article on the best motorcycle for women that you must read.

Who Shouldn’t Ride A Motorcycle?

Riding a motorcycle is fun, but it’s not for everyone. Certain medical conditions, such as poor vision, balance problems, and seizures, can make motorcycle riding unsafe. Also, if you don’t have control over your mind, it’s dangerous to ride a motorcycle, in fact, any motor vehicle.

Read Next: Best Motorcycles For Beginners Under $5000

Conclusion

I have mentioned various reasons why motorcycles are good daily drivers. I hope you found this article helpful. Now, you can make your decision. If you’ve any suggestions for this article, please write them in the comment box.