Downsizing to two wheels - Motorcycle interest revs up

Readers have been very vocal this spring and summer about their growing interest in motor scooters and motorcycles as a means to reduce their fuel consumption. The rapid rise in fuel prices is taking an unexpected toll on the average household, and these two-wheeled machines promise an entertaining alternative to commuting by car.

As we have conveyed in the forum and through blogs, the Cars team is looking very seriously at motorcycles and scooters. We've been visiting dealers, talking to manufacturers, and studying market research as we get our collective hands around these products and related issues.

Survey says….
One tool we have used is our latest Auto Pulse survey conducted by the Consumer Reports National Research Center. The focus for this random, nationwide telephone survey was gas prices, and the results are presented in "Gas prices survey shows pain at the pump hurts at home." In constructing the interview-based survey, we did slip in a question asking the adult car drivers if they have considered the ultimate vehicle downsize--giving up two wheels.

What we found is that 26 percent have considered this significant change, with 18 percent looking at a motorcycle and 14 percent drawn to a scooter.

As we wrote in "Motorists move to scooters and motorcycles to save," sales of scooters are up 24 percent for the first few months of 2008. With gas prices continuing to rise, sales could increase during the summer months.

These numbers are quite dramatic given the inherent compromises with two-wheel transit, such as seasonal, fair weather use; limited speed; limited passenger and cargo capacity; and of course, safety. But clearly, there is an accelerating trend that we will continue to monitor.

Are you using a motorcycle or motor scooter to reduce your fuel costs? Considering purchasing one?

Join in the discussion in our forum. We’re interested in hearing how often you drive one; what you’re riding or considering; and what kind of fuel economy you are observing.

As always, be safe.

Read our full report and tests of scooters and motorcycles. 

—Jeff Bartlett

Join the discussion in the Cars forums to share how gas prices have impacted your lifestyle and what adjustments you are making to compensate. If you’d rather talk motorcycles and scooters, visit this forum.

Comments

[dave]

Pretty much everything in the post of "Stephen Hendricks" is incorrect.

There are far too many liquid-cooled fuel-injected motorcycles to list and virtually all meet/exceed Euro III pollution or comparable, or even more strict standards.

Where did you get the idea that only a couple of models by BMW and Honda do? Nearly all do nowadays but for a few exotic and rare racetrack-only models. What a strange and ignorant post...

There is a good chance a lot of the odd responses on this page by supposed "motorcycle owners" are by non-motorcycle owners, and probably those car drivers who swerve at you in jealousy because they're too out of shape to ride a bike.

Peter's price and maintenance list was also about 30 years outdated. Unless the two of you are pushing 80 years old and riding a bike you purchased when you were 20, I don't know where on Earth your information comes from.

[dave]

Here is a safety tip that will also give you a new hobby and be the most fun you've ever had: look up some local racetrack riding lessons or trackdays.

So many organizations nowadays are offering trackdays for everyone from people with their first bike just learning how to clutch and counter-steer, all the way to expert racers, on world class race tracks. Its a great way to push your skills to the limit so that you really know what you're capable of and have more control on the road. Walking seems easy once you've gotten used to running and jumping, same goes for getting used to pushing a bike on a track.

[bobby]

Out of curiousity, how many of you who are pointlessly anti-motorcycle such as Mcd, are grossly overweight and unable to do anything athletic such as ride a motorcycle?

[Robert Land]

With rising gas prices motorcycles sales have increased significantly. Buyers beware, if ordering accessories for your new toy motorcycle expect long delays on receiving.

I purchased a Suzuki Boulevard C50 from Cycle World in Virginia Beach Virginia. At the time of purchase I ordered a windshield, back rest, saddle bags and passenger floor boards. I was told that the order will take 3 to 4 days. For the windshield this was delivered close to promised time. After 6 weeks of waiting for the remainder of the accessories I still have not received the parts. Both Cycle World and Suzuki gave me the impression that it is the customers issue and that the customer should cheerfully give them your money and the will get you the product when it is convenient for them. You will quickly become a difficult customer if you insist on receive your purchased items in a timely manor.

Do not let them bully you. Contact your local Consumer Protect agency, your state Consumer Protection Agency and the Federal Consumer Agency. There are laws to protect you.

[Byron]

I'm going on 50 yrs. old and this is the first year I've owned a motorcycle. My first bike was a 500cc Buell Blast and gets 58 mpg when the wind is blowing hard in my face. I've decided to ship that to my daughter in California for her off highway commuting and have bought a 1200cc Buell Ulysses XB12XT. Why I haven't done this before is something I agonize over now.

So far this summer I've saved over 4000 miles on my CRV, the vast majority of it commuting to work and getting 13 - 17 mpg better fuel economy on a daily basis. The routine maintenance I'm able to do puts me back in touch with my vehicle and ensures that I'm riding a dependable piece of equipment everyday. I can't remember the last time I've checked the oil in my CRV, but I do one every second or third fillup on the Uly. I do a walkaround before every ride.

Lots of people have pointed out good safety equipment - ditto. I ride armored and full faced at all times. I've had good luck so far with folks not pulling out in front of me, but that day will come. I took the MSF's Basic Rider Course (highly recommended) and noted that I was the only participant wearing textile clothing in bright visible colors. I sit up on my bike and can see over the tops of other cars, so they'll have to be blind or totally disregarding every function of driving to miss the huge bumble bee buzzing toward them. I ride to live.

I can't think of any other time in my driving history that I've had better peripheral and rear view than I do on my bike. If an airplane or meteor was hurtling towards Earth in my path, I could see it to avoid it. My greatest challenge will be deer this fall. They will tell me if it's too late to ride, hopefully before I meet one up close and personal.

If you've been on the edge of getting or not getting a motorcycle or scooter, ask yourself how much risk you're willing to accept. Then ask yourself how much risk you're already accepting by driving in the first place. Can you afford the investment? Take a safety course, don't overdo it, ride within your capability and always be safe while you're out there having fun in the twisties!

[Ray]

I am conidering buying a crusing bike, simply for pleasure. I have not owned a motorcycle in over 30 years. Back then safety was a large concern. Just like today, you seemed to be invisable. My plan is to start out as far away from traffic as possible.(back roads). I don't need it for commuting as I am in construction and my job requires a truck that is furnished by my employer along with a credit card to keep it filled and running. I am tossing up Harley vs. Honda at the present time and leaning toward the Honda. I am not looking for the Badboy image. I have taken the safety coarse and found that all my skills from yesteryear have not forsaken me. I am looking forward to a nice Sunday afternoon ride with the wind in my face. I know that once I take that first ride I will be hooked. Thanks for all your posts. They were very helpful. By the way, any advice as to Harley or Honda?

[Chadd]

I've been a motorcycle commuter for about 7 years now and have had my license since 1991. I am married with two small children and commute 22 miles a day/5 days a week which puts me roughly at 5500 commuting miles a year, plus I take one or two long(1000 mile roundtrip) rides to my hometown every year. So about 8k miles a year.

It can definitely be argued that, in the end, the cost of upkeep and consumables for a motorcycle make it no more economical than driving a small sedan. I guess it depends on whether or not you do your own maintenance and how savvy a shopper you are. I have broken even on my initial gear and initial bike costs, mainly by being cheap and looking for deals.

I don't buy new bikes and I suggest than anyone considering commuting should search your local craigslists for great deals on used bikes...tons of them out there. Realize this: most people don't ride their motorcycles as much as they think they will. For less than $5000 you can have a good reliable commuter bike with under 10k miles. My current rider is a '97 yamaha 600 that I purchased for $2700 with less than 4k miles. My insurance on this bike is $112 a year!

As for gear: sure you can spend obscene amounts of cash on riding gear so that you look like the clowns riding around on the weekends, but in reality(where I live) an initial investment of under $500 is doable.
Thrift stores, craigslist and eBay are great places to find leather jackets and boots. Decent rainproof pants without any frills or kewl logos can be found for ~$100. Another $50 for (a couple sets) of leather gloves for summer and winter riding. A good DOT helmet can be had for less than $100. Don't be fooled that the more expensive, the safer they are...it's not necessarily true. Perhaps *more* comfortable and stylish, but many branded helmets are made in the same factories in China. Remember, you're not competing in a beauty pageant, yer riding a motorcycle.

As for consumables and maintenance: Change your own oil and filter. It's easy with a few tools and you'll save a lot of money. If you don't know how, ask a friend of a friend to show you. Automotive motor oil and filters for most motorcycles can be found cheaper at places like Pep-boys and AutoZone. Follow a 4000 mile interval for changes.

Now for tires. This is real unavoidable expense of riding a lot. Most can last you ~10k(I have squeaked 12k out of a set once...once). Most will cost well over $100. Also, if you should get a nail or screw puncture in your pricey MC tire, you will have to buy a new one. This gets expensive if you live in areas where there’s a lot of construction. I’ve picked up screws twice in the 7 years I’ve been riding  I buy my tires from Cycle Gear and have an independent MC repair shop mount them, which last time came out to about $360 for both tires.

After 7 years old solid commuting(and with the recent spike in fuel), it's been economical for me to ride than drive our family sedan mainly because my overhead is now just tires and oil.

I'll avoid boring your with the safety side. It's dangerous and it can kill you. Like most other dangerous things, IT’S FUN.

Ride smart.

[Larry]

Safety stats (approximate) - 2,000,000 miles ridden per motorcycle death (cars- add a zero to end)
not drinking and riding- 4,000,000 per death
ride day time, full gear, safety course, experienced, read David Hough books, (all of which can really decrease single vehicle deaths- IE operator error- accounting for more then 1/2 of deaths) maybe 1/2 of this risk- so 1 death per 6-8,000,000 miles.
Still about 4 times more chance of dying- but a reasonable risk if you love to ride to work (instead of hating it), save some costs, time and enjoy dodging the daily air heads

[gerry taft]

I have owned motorcycles for 30 years. This year I bought a 2009 Italika FT 150. It is a Chinese bike based on an old Honda design from about 20 years ago. I bought from a department store in Mexico for $1000 new including 18 months insurance, a helmet, and 2 free service check ups. It gets 30km per litre, about 80 mpg. So far 2000 miles no problems. I see lots of these bikes around here with 20 - 30,000 miles on them.

Too bad they don't sell these bikes in the States of Canada

[Don]

The cost effectiveness of using a motorcycle rather than a car may make sense if you drive the motorcycle a lot every year. You will wear out tires at a faster rate and you must understand that you are vulnerable to greater injuries/death in the event of an accident. Comments from others in regards to being diligent while riding cannot be taken lightly as you must not only look out for yourself but be aware that other drivers will not see you easily. Treating the road like a race track will definitely shorten your projected life span irregardless if you believe in pre-destiny or not.

[Donald Glaser]

I would like to know what the best dual purpose motorcycle tire is for a 2008 Honda XR 650L motorcycle? Can you help me out? I ride aprox 45% on asphalt and 55% off road mainly gravel roads. Thank You, Don Glaser.