General Cycling Discussion - motorcycle vs. bicycle

what makes you use a bicycle instead of a motorcycle? it would seem you would get more mobility using a motorcycle instead of a bicycle as you could ride in the car lanes at the speed you would be going (the same rate of speed as the cars).

what makes you use a bicycle instead of a motorcycle? it would seem you would get more mobility using a motorcycle instead of a bicycle as you could ride in the car lanes at the speed you would be going (the same rate of speed as the cars).

On those cold winter commutes, I'd get to my destination pretty much stiff from the cold, plus bicycling is a great exercise for stress relief after work.
Reaction time is another factor for me, having the same time as driving a motor vehicle, but being vulnerable as a bicycle.

I also ride a motorcycle, but bicycles are better because:
1. Go more places on a bicycle
2. Better for exercise
3. Quieter
4. Cheaper
5. Less pollution
6. Better for bragging
7. If it breaks down, you can carry it home or thumb a ride from a pickup

Cycling is part of my exercise regime, otherwise I would use a motorbike.

8. In the city a bicycle is often faster in traffic than a motorcycle
9. No licensing or insurance required
10. More parking options including bringing it indoors
11. Crashing at 20MPH hurts less than at 60MPH
12. The bicycle is easier to repair/maintain at home with simple tools
13. The satisfaction of transporting yourself under your own power
14. A slower pace allows one to see much more scenery...and to smell the flowers

A motorcycle is too heavy to pedal. I'll wait until they make carbon fiber motorcycles.

what makes you use a bicycle instead of a motorcycle? it would seem you would get more mobility using a motorcycle instead of a bicycle as you could ride in the car lanes at the speed you would be going (the same rate of speed as the cars).

Motorcycle:
- gas
- insurance
- traffic laws
- parking problems
- expensive repair and maintenance
- very heavy weight
- oil change
- tires
- brake service
- average 60km/h (unless you want to get a ticket for speeding)
... need i say more?

Bike:
- tires
- add lube oil
- brake pads
- park it anywhere
- low maintenance
- no gas
- no laws ... sort of :p
- light weight
- no need for insurance
- average 30Km/h, say even you do mange to get to 100Km/h you wouldn't get a speed ticket ;)
:thumb:

I use a bike for exercise, use a car to go long distances fast in AC.

If I used a motorcycle, I probably would have killed other people by now.

Using a bicycle, I only risk killing myself. I am comfortable with that. :o

I think the question is a bit off. Motorcycles are powered. Cycling appeals to a whole different niche and has its own group. Not many people would consider them as alternatives to each other even though there is a superficial similarity.

It is a bit like comparing a small speed boat to a canoe or kayak. A speed boat is all about noise, power and speed. A kayak is quiet, unobtrusive, powered by muscle and more in turn to the environment. The esthetic is entirely different.

I have three motorcycles in the garage and three bicycles in the living room. (Okay, and a few more bicycles in the garage.)
Sometimes I wish I were two people, so I don't have to choose one or the other.
My '84 Masi Gran Crit is just as beautiful to me as my '00 W650.
http://www.calamarichris.com/images/1999-w650.jpg

There are some roads more fun for bicycling and some for motorcycling. I've motorcycled up to Sequoia National Forest several times and in two weeks, I'll finally be taking my bicycle up there.

http://www.calamarichris.com/images/08sequoia/080525-chrseq1.jpg

Crashing at 60 while wearing full gear is only slightly worse than crashing at 20 wearing lycra.
And while many motorcyclists are in it for the power, noise, speed, etc. All my bikes are quiet, smooth & efficient. I'd have to ride the pee out of my crotch-rocket to get worse than 40mpg.

Cost? That's the only reason for me. Though, I'd love to have both.

I like a big metal box around me when I go that fast, thank you very much. Besides, my convertible Miata is as airy and refreshing as I need any motor vehicle to be.

My favorite two things about bicycles are
A) the exercise
B) the versatility. I can do things that I won't mention here because the safety nannies will start bawling and yelling at me. (But really, if you can't jaywalk while on a bike, you might as well be on a moped, IMO.)

Motorcycles are pricey, too. Insurance, registration, licensing. Not to mention traffic laws.
I know for a fact that I will never be pulled over or given a ticket on my bicycle. Not around here, anyway.

Cost? That's the only reason for me. Though, I'd love to have both.


I had a moped 30 years ago, but gave it up as a bad compromise between the two.

If I had an unlimited budget, I'd have a whole Batcave full of vehicles, with bikes both motor- and human-powered among them. The way things are nowadays, if I can feed myself, I can ride. I'd be likelier to get a beater car before I got a used motorcycle, and I'm not mechanical enough to keep either of those on the road. A new motor vehicle, whether with 2 or 4 wheels, is a pipe dream.

I got back into riding a bicycle for practical reasons, but I've somehow regained the sense of fun it gave me when I was a kid. Perhaps if I keep it up, I'll regain some of my youthful fitness.

I could certainly look like your newbie hog-rider. I've got the gut and am losing the hair. :roflmao2:

Kevin

For me, bicycle gets me an advantage over motorcycles. No worries about having to have a drivers license and insurance. But I still have to follow the laws applicable to motorists in the roads or to pedestrians if I were to ride a bicycle in the sidewalk about half the speed I were to ride in the road.

Visual impairment is why I can't drive a motorcycle. B'sides, driving a motorcycle is like driving a car. Actually, I'd rather ride a tricycle instead of a bicycle. :)

One more thing: According to Florida Bicycle and Law Enforcement Guide (http://www.floridabicycle.org/resources/pdfs/PEGLEG2008_7-31-08web.pdf), you'll need a drivers license if you want to drive a moped.

Bicycle
Pro:
Lower cost of operation
Ease of parking
more exercise
sometimes I just feel like riding my bicycle

Motorcycle
Pro:
Faster for trips of more than one mile (it takes time to put on the safety gear that I would not use on a bicycle)
less likely to get a traffic ticket (bicycles are watched very closely where I am)
travel on my schedule rather than the transit services
more comfortable in cold weather gear
sometimes I just feel like riding my motorcycle

I ride a bicycle for exercise. That and I don't know how to ride a motorcycle. At the very least I'd crap my pants on one and most likely lay it over and injure, maim or kill myself.

I have a motor scooter, motorcycle, and several bicycles.

Inner city traffic and all-weather use, the bicycle is hands down the winner.

I like a big metal box around me when I go that fast, thank you very much...

...because the safety nannies will start bawling and yelling at me.

http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_zpDRJLKr4R0/SGAFf7r1VhI/AAAAAAAAE8g/tJoQrBdkYeQ/s400/irony.jpg

I gave up driving a car some years ago and cycle everywhere... if I go and see my mom it's an 80 km ride, my brother lives 160 km away, and I have some friends in the country that are good for a 100km round trip.

I have been pondering getting another motorcycle for longer trips where time is more important... I used to have several and can fix a motorcycle just about as easily as I can fix a bike.

I'd like something smaller and of course, vintage as I don't need to be racing at 200 kmh and was thinking a bike like a Honda Silverwing would fit the bill.

Cost? That's the only reason for me. Though, I'd love to have both.

Somewhere I read an article that compared the cost of crossing the country on a bicycle and a small motorcycle. The motorcycle was cheaper.

In general, a small motorcycle can be pretty cheap to operate. Where most people drive up the cost is that they ride large bikes. Today you see people talking about 600cc bikes as beginner bikes. Most of those, so called, beginner bikes are highly tuned race bikes from a generation (which, in motorcycles, is about 5-10 years) ago. If a person sticks with common bikes of about 250cc or less, and avoids riding at freeway speeds, a motorcycle can be quite economical to operate.

I am certainly not trying to convert anyone form bicycling. But, both have a place and I enjoy both.

[img]irony pic[img]

-"55mph" on a motorcycle
-Riding a bike at 5mph through a crosswalk at a red light with no cars coming.

Which would you say is more dangerous?

Irony is a stretch.

-"55mph" on a motorcycle
-Riding a bike at 5mph through a crosswalk at a red light with no cars coming.

Which would you say is more dangerous?

Irony is a stretch.
After motorcycling more than 300,000 miles without major incident (many of them much faster than 55mph), I feel compelled to point out that you are prejudging without any knowledge on the subject. That you accuse others of being safety nannies... hopefully I'm not the only one seeing the irony.

I like the quiet aspect of bicycling. I do LOVE to get out and twist the throttle at least a couple times a year, but ride bicycles all the time.

I guess that's why I prefer getting out on a sailboat to motorboating, as well. Same didn't hold true for gliders, however, those things are LOUD as HELL! Still an awesome ride.

I've got a bicycle and a scooter (currently looking to add a motorcycle into the mix). What one falls short in doing, the other compensates. Yea the scooter costs more money to maintain than a bicycle but it's a heck of a lot cheaper than a car!

My daughter made a sign for my desk that has a drawing of my bicycle and written underneath it is, "Motors are for wimps."

LOL

After motorcycling more than 300,000 miles without major incident (many of them much faster than 55mph), I feel compelled to point out that you are prejudging without any knowledge on the subject. That you accuse others of being safety nannies... hopefully I'm not the only one seeing the irony.

Oh relax :rolleyes:

What am I prejudging? It's a fact that accidents happen at highway speeds. In those situations, I'd prefer a "big metal box" over a motorcycle.

Safety nannies bicker and badger over how to ride a bike to the letter of the law. I'm not criticizing motorcycles, motorcyclists, or the shenanigans they engage in. Rock on, bro...keep on riding "much faster than 55mph." I don't care. I just have a different preference.

So you see, there is no irony in what I said.
You say I mock the safety nannies while being one myself.
In fact, I mock the safety nannies while not giving two ****s about you or what you do.

:)

I have both, and they each have their own special feeling when out on them, much like my mtn bike and my dirtbike they are all fun but have different feelings when I am out on them.

I would love to have a battery-powered oversized moped that could do a 60 mile round trip at up to 45 MPH. If I was to get a motorcycle I'd want something that could off-road to get me into the remote wilderness. Otherwise I'll stick to a car.

I was thinking about buying a motorcycle last summer but stopped. It's just too dangerous and someone pointed out a search feature in Google that shows all the motorcycle accidents around the country by the hour! Incredible.

There's even a website that shows pictures of people after a motorcycle accident and that stopped me cold! You have to ride in full leather even in 90 degree weather which means wearing a wet long sleave shirt in the summer. You can wear just a helmet and short with shorts and sneakers but you'll face the consequences later.

1. Cost; bicycle is way cheaper.
2. Health; my goal is to pedal 90 min. on my 90th birthday.
3. Special license needed here for motorcycle.
4. Even with a street-ready "dirtbike", let's see you put it on your shoulder and walk away!
5. I like motorcycles...I LOVE bicycles!
6. Like I tell the occasional motorcycle rider: "Yours may be faster, but mine gets better mileage!" (One told me, "Yeah, but mine sounds better...." Matter of opinion.)

Oh relax :rolleyes:

...I'm not criticizing motorcycles, motorcyclists, or the shenanigans they engage in. Rock on, bro...keep on riding "much faster than 55mph."

Would you mind illuminating me as to just what "shenanigans" I engage in?

Oh, and the speed limit is 70; so, yes, I sometimes ride, "much faster than 55mph," too.

Would you mind illuminating me as to just what "shenanigans" I engage in?

Oh, and the speed limit is 70; so, yes, I sometimes ride, "much faster than 55mph," too.

I didn't mean "shenanigans" as a negative. I meant it as having fun.
And I wasn't talking about you, so don't make it sound like I was. I wasn't accusing anyone of anything.
I expressly said that I'm NOT criticizing motorcycles, motorclists, or anything motorcyclists may be doing with said motorcycles.

Wow, everyone is so god damn defensive here.

Pat is right: the resemblance between the two is rather superficial. Some people may be interested in both bicycles and motorcycle (I personally like everything that goes: bikes, planes, boats...) But being attracted to one does not at all mean that you'll have any interest in the other.


what makes you use a bicycle instead of a motorcycle? it would seem you would get more mobility using a motorcycle instead of a bicycle as you could ride in the car lanes at the speed you would be going (the same rate of speed as the cars). I already ride in car lanes. Often much faster than cars (stuck in traffic). ;)

Advantages of bicycle:

- Exercise.

- Faster for short trips and for trips on congested streets. Really slices through long lines of stopped traffic. Also, you don't ever have to wait in a left-turn lane that's 20 cars long and gets no advanced green: get off your bike, cross on foot, and continue on your merry way. :)

- Less hassle (no need to cover yourself in safety gear from head to toe, wear hearing protection and all that jazz).

- Cheaper to buy, cheaper to keep. No fees, no parking tickets, no gas, no insurance.

- Can ride all sorts of places other than public roads (can take various shortcuts, can take rides in parks to enjoy the scenery etc.)

- Easier to park (including inside).

- Easier to transport (in particular, in case of a breakdown). Can wheel it, take it on the bus etc.

- Most mechanical problems are much easier to fix on road.

- Safer (both statistically and for me personally, given my skills, experiences and habits), in particular in questionable weather conditions (rain, ice, snow, fog).

- Does not make awful loud noise.

- No stinky fumes.

- Drinking and riding mix! :)

- Great social activity (my SO and friends ride too, and we go riding together... they will not ride a motorcycle, that's for sure, and even if they did, one can't chat with them rolling along). Also good if you have kids and/or dogs.

- Much more open to the world: you'll see a lot on a bicycle and have lots more interactions with humanity. Sometimes it's a negative thing, but usually positive.

- No dependence on leather (I'm trying to cut down on my use of animal products)

- Better for bragging. :-)

- Its own special brand of fun.

Advantages of motorcycle:

- Faster for longer trips on uncongested roads.

- Can legally go on freeways and comfortably go on very narrow fast roads that are not pleasant on a pedal bike.

- Its own special brand of fun.

15:3. Bicycle wins. :)

Another thing I like about bicycling versus motorcycle is that I can go all out on the bicycle, and rarely break the speed limit on most of the streets that I ride. Motorcycles on the other hand, a twist of the right wrist, a few flicks with the left hand/foot, and one can get into some serious trouble with John Law.

i just think motorcycles are not cool. in any way.

what makes you use a bicycle instead of a motorcycle? it would seem you would get more mobility using a motorcycle instead of a bicycle as you could ride in the car lanes at the speed you would be going (the same rate of speed as the cars).


You make some incorrect assumptions about my commute. My bike is faster to work than a motorcycle. A lot faster due to heavy motor vehicle traffic.

But in the past when I commuted further I did have motorcycles and enjoyed them. When my commute was 35 miles round trip, plus during the day trips for meetings, my motos got the job done.

But now my volunteer job is close, and difficult to access by motor vehicle, and the towns I live in are very bike friendly, i.e. low speed limits, agressive enforcement,narrow lanes, lots of stop signs, very little car parking.

so the bike is it

Motorpsycho - too many moneys, too much noise.

1. Repeating stuff that's already been said

Motorcycles are totally cool, and groovy too. There are 10 times more TEN TIMES MORE auto accidents than motorcycle accidents. 10 times more people die in cars than in motorcycles, and people say "motorcycles are too dangerous." Cars have 2x as many accidents per mile as do motorcycles. And do any of these people in cars slow down, no, they only go faster and faster and want more power and horsepower with every car they get.
Bicycles are groovy, and fun, and cool, and best for the environment and good exercise.
Humans are the thing that is dangerous, particularly when they drive a car or a truck.
dc

This is a really silly question. What I like about bikes is that I provide the motive power. This is the same think I like about canoes, kayaks, and walking. There is something very enjoyable about human-powered transportation.

There's nothing the *matter* with motorcycles, or cars, or mopeds, or motorized boats, or segways. But they are not human powered vehicles, and so (except for the segway) are much more similar to each other than they are to their otherwise similar-seeming nonpowered counterparts.

I have three motorcycles in the garage and three bicycles in the living room. (Okay, and a few more bicycles in the garage.)
Sometimes I wish I were two people, so I don't have to choose one or the other.
My '84 Masi Gran Crit is just as beautiful to me as my '00 W650.
http://www.calamarichris.com/images/1999-w650.jpg

There are some roads more fun for bicycling and some for motorcycling. I've motorcycled up to Sequoia National Forest several times and in two weeks, I'll finally be taking my bicycle up there.

http://www.calamarichris.com/images/08sequoia/080525-chrseq1.jpg

Crashing at 60 while wearing full gear is only slightly worse than crashing at 20 wearing lycra.
And while many motorcyclists are in it for the power, noise, speed, etc. All my bikes are quiet, smooth & efficient. I'd have to ride the pee out of my crotch-rocket to get worse than 40mpg.

Nice! Nothing like a well worn one piece hiviz stitch to give you stret cred, is there?

what makes you use a bicycle AS WELL AS of a motorcycle?There, fixed it!
I've been in 30 states on the motorcycle with my wife. That alone makes it worth it since I can't get her riding the bicycle. I love them both and both have inherent dangers. Both are nearly as safe as the person using them. MOST motorcycle accidents involve a car AND a motorcycle and most are caused by the car AND the motorcycle. I say that because after 200,000 miles on motorcycles, I know that most motorcycle accidents, even those where the car driver is at fault, are avoidable by the cyclist.

After 18 years of riding both, I finally sold my Honda Hawk GT last spring. I can't say I've really missed it. The motorcycle didn't cost much to buy, but was expensive to keep. Especially here in Manhattan, where I didn't want to keep in on the street. So in addition to insurance, fuel, and routine service, I had monthly garage fees. And then, each winter, I had to pay several hundred dollars for long-term storage. And then, every spring, I had to hope my last parking garage still had a space available—or else I'd have to hunt for a new one.

I loved riding the Hawk. The big problem for me was all the time and money spent not riding it. It's funny… we think of motorcycles as the epitome of freedom and spontaneity. But if I wanted to ride my Hawk, I first had to dress for riding: motorcycle boots, Kevlar jeans, a leather motorcycle jacket (or Aerostitch suit), gloves, helmet. Then I had to pack my tank bag. Then I had to walk several blocks to the parking garage in my hot, heavy motorcycle gear, carrying my tank bag. Usually it was warm out and I would sweat. Finally arriving at my garage, I had to remove the bike cover, unlock the bike, check tire pressures and start her up. All in a hot, noisy garage wearing heavy gear. After warming the bike up for a few minutes, I could finally ride away. And since I always wore proper motorcycle gear, I always arrived wherever I was going looking like a biker. Which is usually cool, but not always.

My Trek, on the other hand, is kept in the bedroom, for free. When I want to ride, the bike is on the street, ready to roll, in minutes. And while I usually wear cycling gear (which is not heavy and ponderous), I can hop on my bike in ordinary shorts, sneakers and t-shirt.

And yes, as many have mentioned, cycling helps keep you in shape. Eating while cycling gives you energy and replaces spent calories, so you can—and should—eat a lot. Which is fun. Eat a lot on a motorcycle and you'll look like, well… a biker. Try finding bike jeans with a 30" waist some time. :)

well, i have a bicycle motorized bikes, and mopeds and soon to be motorcycle (once i sell all my bikes lol) for short distance trips i take the bicycle. moderate, motorized bike. then for the long trips or busy streets i take the scooter/moped it really depends on you, and how you feel about riding. i would say if you are considering a motorcycle, get a $120 kit for your bike so you can at least get the feel for a clutch... the clutch on an mb really will answer your question. cause with an mb you can coast through small areas with the clutch out. with a motorcycle, every 3 seconds you pull the clutch...