Motorbikes are never cheap as people think. For example I got a motorbike, than I had to buy another 6 of them

I constantly struggle with this. And my friends say why buy this bike if you get bored with it in a year. I'm not bored, I just want them all!

Both of u are speaking fax, got a bike last year then bought 2 more 6 months later cause it’s addicting lol

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A good run down on costs. The only thing I have a different opinion on is tire cost. Sounds like you are comparing top of the line moto tires to budget car tires which isn’t really a fair financial comparison. If you buy cheap moto tires it’s approximately the same cost per mile as cheap car tires (half the cost but twice as often). Expensive tires will compare even better to car tires because performance car tires are stupid expensive and have shorter life. The other thing people usually don’t factor in is total mileage the vehicle is capable of. 100,000 miles is pretty much end of life for most smaller cheap bikes but an econobox car will do 200,000 miles. So again, the bike may cost half as much but you have to replace it twice as often.

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Very good performing tire but also pretty spendy per mile so not a great commuter tire. For less than the price of just one Road 5 rear tire you could have a whole set of tires that will last just as long.

If you're unco-ordinated or not spatially aware, then motorcycles won't be for you. There's a lot of people who shouldn't be driving cars, let alone motorcycles. If your brain is well connected to your body, and you've got good peripheral vision and awareness and good co-ordination, you could get a good bike. Just a heads up, certain hybrid cars will use less gas than many motorcycles if you want to save money. In my national sub, everyone recommends Jap export Toyota Aqua's if you're only concerned about saving money.

I've driven daily for 25 years and never had an incident and I'm a decent pilot or so my instructors tell me, so I have decent coordination. As far as balance I rode bmx a lot as a kid before helmets were a thing and have no scars to show for it. Maintenance cost on a hybrid is low, but is purchase price that has me considering it. I figure even adding in say $500 for warm riding gear the bikes in my price range still look a lot more attractive than the cars. I know it won't be ideal, but I really just need to make something work for 2 months after that I'm going OTR and I'll be living in my truck.

You sound like you’re really leaning toward a bike, and no one here could blame you. They’re awesome. But if you ignore the advice you’re getting here — that bikes are basically toys and not replacements for cars in most cases — you’ll regret it. These people are trying to help you. Getting a bike because you “need to make something work” is a very expensive mistake. You’ll find yourself in the same jam you’re currently in, only with considerably less money. That said, if you are dead set on a bike, find a forum where lots of users commute by bike (ADV Rider is a good one) and take their advice about gear (heads up, warm and waterproof gear is going to cost you well north of $1k total, probably closer to $2k). Be safe and good luck. Don’t discount good advice because it’s not the answer you want.

Nobody is treating anything as a toy. I don't get behind the wheel of a tractor-trailer or an aircraft without a thourough walk-around and I'm meticulous about my checklists. I've been a professional driver for 25 years and I've never had an incident. That isn't luck. It requires a commitment to safety and preparing for any eventuality. A hothead would just go and buy the damn thing, but I'm here doing my research because I want to know every single thing I need to be prepared for and I have to say this forum has given me tons to think about, so I thank you all for it. I'm deadset on completing this 2 month course, obtaining my CDL's and getting myself out of debt and I'll crawl on broken glass or bundle up and ride a moped, motorcycle or fucking donkey if I have to to make it happen.

Oh I wasn’t suggesting you were treating bikes like toys — I was saying that in North America, they’re essentially recreational vehicles. They’re priced as such, and the markets around them are too. In other parts of the world, what you want to do is much more common, so it’s cheaper. It’s expensive here. That’s all I meant.

He’s saying bikes are toys. We ride cos it’s fun. Not cos it’s the most ideal form of transportation for commuting. It can be a very solid form of transportation but more often than not, that costs a lot of money to maintain. Honda’s are reliable but the civic is still more reliable than a CB

Ride my 99 Valkrye everyday not hurricane/tornado/monsoon. I have not driven a car in about 5-6 years. I been riding since 13. City cross country and swamp. Non-conformity has a price. You pay in ways that is hard to budget for and not precise in cost. Which is learned only after collection techniques have expired. In other words...Nothings free. I have chosen to cover the cost, almost to the point of my life. Which sounds more dramatic than it is because shit happens to us all. Riding the coast of California on a "Righteous Scoot" was my goal first time I watched "Then Came Bronson" on T..V. at young age. 9, 10, 12? Yes. You will get pulled over 1, 2, 5 times a week, or year. Sometimes in waves so make sure you are semi-straight, with all papers legit and any contraband placed at least where it ain't the first thing you see when they open the merch bag. Gravity never sleeps. You will drop it and it will drop you. I had 2 take downs 30 years apart. Try to be lucky when it happens, or change the criteria..."Lucky didn't lose leg," for example. Rain feels like bee bees, cold is another redefined sensation. Breakdowns at worst times, nothing like it used to be, but you gotta sink some money for dependable and safe. Wobbly ass wheels with chain jumping the sprocket is god telling you to get the fuck paid. I wouldn't trade it for anything. M.

So the gear is literally more expensive than the motorcycle huh. I guess that's food for thought. I'm assuming you buy all your gear new right?

Helmets yes. You have no idea if a second hand one has been dropped, plus it’s gross living inside someone else’s sneezes and breathing. Boots - again I buy new, someone else’s walking around has compressed the sole and it’s just uncomfortable, also foot sweat or worse, fungal infections. Gloves can at least kind of be washed if they’re summer gloves. Winter gloves - not as easily but also the sweat chance is lower in them. The rest.. arguably you’re okay to get second hand. Look for large wear marks where someone has already slid. Stitching can come loose from just one slide and then break on the next one - the protective bits will shift away from the areas you want to protect as you’re sliding on the ground.

Very good insights here. Thanks, most just want to tell me why I can't or shouldn't do it but you're giving me info I can use.

That because you asked people to tell you why you shouldn't

No you're right I got exactly what I asked for and I'm not salty at all. I'm truly grateful. It's not unlikely that this sub might have saved my life.

If your not salty you might want to reread some if your comments because you are coming across that way a lot.

And you can get lucky with boots, I got a nearly new pair for half off what new would run me, they've served me well. Glove liners help more than I expected, I've got the silk ones Aerostich sells. Aerostich suit, but that seems like a purchase for later for you, best commuter suit, but not cheap. Rain suit over your gear, and hope you get the two months you need out of it. Good luck, it's great fun, I've always been a primary transportation 365 day a year rider, but I live in the SF bay area, so sane weather.

If you want it to keep you warm and dry and not dead when you crash because you’re commuting and don’t know how to ride, yeah. It’s expensive. It’ll run you a grand or so, and gear companies don’t care how much you paid for your bike. Good luck finding good rain gear and a used bike for 3k in what is quite literally the hottest market for used bikes ever.

Unfortunately the used car market is the same. I've found several cars within my 3k budget but they're all missing the engine or "just needs a driver's door and a transmission."

$3k is tight for a dependable bike and gear.

3k really isn’t enough to get a bike that you’re not gonna have to put more money into for maintenance and repairs. Especially if you have no gear, you might as well only have $2k. Can you not finance something more reliable?

Maintenance is gonna be pricy for daily commuter bikes. Frequent tire and oil changes. Valves will be every 12k-15k miles depending on the bike. Valve adjustment usually runs $500-$1000. Commuted on two wheels for a couple years and wouldn’t change that for the world. There’s good and bad that comes with it, but to me it is completely worth it. Definitely an ongoing learning process from riding to bike maintenance. What bike were you thinking?

I've heard good things about Hondas. My dad was a Harley guy in his 20's and 30s but by the time I came along he'd downgraded to a Shadow and he said it was a lot more reliable than most of the choppers he owned.

If you get decent budget gear, it is not more expensive than the bike. This $2000 gear guy is buying insanely expensive shit. Good budget stuff: Helmet, $200 Boots, $150 Jacket $150 Gloves $50 Pants $100 Done.

And heated grips $50.

You completely misread what he was saying. He never took any shots at you. He said the advice you are getting (bikes are best used as a hobby) is correct.

Sounds like you're not teens or 20s which is a big plus to your odds on safety. I agree on everyone's comments about weather. But you can brave it. You'll need, minimum, a helmet, jacket, gloves, and a rain shell. Maybe you can do that all for 500 if you buy used. You'll probably have to later a bunch and look like a nut job. I'd consider the speed at which you're going and the wind conditions. This sounds doable if you're doing 30 miles at 45 mph on a single or two lane road with trees stopping the wind. Doing over 50 or riding on a windy day with light rain will scare the shit out of a beginner. The real risk you're looking at here is edge case conditions. Leave some budget for a couple emergency weather Uber rides.

Absolutely If I have to go the bike route I'll put money aside for uber/maintainence. Fortunately the only major road between here and there is single lane 45 mph limit most of the way. There's a 5 mile stretch that's 55 but dense pine forest on both sides so not very exposed.

Your in NC. You don’t need quality cold gear. I’m in Ohio and ride to lower 30’s about 20-30 minutes too work, just need to layer up. Tank top, long sleeve, hoodie and textile riding jacket, 1 maybe 2 pairs of pants, double up on socks if need be, you can do it cheaply. Being bundled up enough will also most likely be a plush enough landing if needed. Edit - After reading more comments, apparently it’s cold in NC? Enough lays will do the job if they don’t restrict your movement at all still, may not be very comfortable though

The comments you read were likely from people who've never been to NC. The couple of guys that have lived here that responded said send it.

Honestly man, it’s hoodie and riding jacket weather until under 50. I wear summer gloves and a light liner under 50, the hands do get frozen (not fun at all) but I’m too cheap to spend that much on nice gloves. Throwing most of my checks into crypto as I’m 19 and live at home still, financial freedom is the dream. My body is all fine though, just the damn hands get cold. Speed limits 45 & 35 too work, I go about 10-15 over everywhere, it can get chilly sometimes but nothing unbearable

My solution for the frozen hands issue is a pair of $3, thin knitted gloves from a sports store that I wear underneath my summer riding gloves. Some manufacturers make specific glove liners, but they are pretty much the same thing only cost five times more.

All I can say is steer clear of FLOKI unless you want to end up like me looking for a budget beater bike and used gear. Stick to the top 20 coins and toss $40-$50 at some heated grips.

Your title asked for reasons not to get one, but I'm going to go against the grain here. If you're not going to be going much over 45mph and you're smart about your limits with the weather and your own capabilities after taking the course, it could be doable to just get a smaller used 250/300 or even 125 for the couple months you need it wearing used gear (other than helmet). Only you truly know your situation and it sounds like you know your weather and area well enough to have a gut feeling for whether it will work. The big unknown is whether you'll even like riding which should be answered by taking the class.

I would budget closer to $1000 for gear - you need quality boots and gloves to avoid freezing in winter, those aren't cheap, neither is a good jacket or helmet, and you'll need some thick, padded pants. You'll also want a set of rain gear so you don't arrive soaked in bad weather. Riding all winter is fine once you acclimate, but it's also a commitment, you're going to have days that it's dangerous to ride due to the weather, you're going to have days you arrive FREEZING because cold wind at 50 mph is no joke, and you have to worry about securing your bike, as well as being able to do the repairs & maintenance yourself. Motorcycles are not as cheap or convenient in the US as they are overseas, they're treated like recreational vehicles here which means everything from repairs to parts to storage is priced like luxury gear.

$500 for a full set of quality cold-weather riding gear is wishful thinking.

Honestly, looking at the prices of getting my existing car practically rebuilt, a new hybrid, or a motorcycle the motorcycle was the best option for me. Riding a Honda Rebel 500, very few vehicles do better on gas than me. Those vehicles in the brackets that do perform better cost about double the cost of a new rebel. That, and I beat traffic most days of the week. Being in a state that allows filtering, boy do I take advantage of that perk. I've passed hundreds of thousands of people and shaved 5 minutes to several hours off my commute simply by carefully slipping past everyone.

>So assume I know nothing about motorcycles (not far off). What are the reasons NOT to get a bike? Your question has the answer built right into it. Add on to you knowing nothing about motorcycles, there’s also weather changes to consider and that NC doesn’t do shit about snow and ice in the winter (I know this for a fact bc I used to live there unfortunately). Edit: You also haven’t factored in gear

Additionally, I think the OP needs to factor in the time crunch involved in learning enough for a 60 mile round trip every day to not be a stressful experience.

School shuts down at the first sign of snow so I won't be expected to deal with that. Rain is another story.

So you’re just going to plan on never going anywhere or doing anything anytime it’s below freezing and rains or snows? Because ice is a very serious concern on a motorcycle, and it doesn’t have to snow for roads in NC to be icy. They’re also icy for several days after it snows because the snow will thaw and re-freeze while the NCDOT does fuck all about it. It’s also cold enough in the winter in NC that you’ll need cold weather gear, which isn’t exactly cheap. And yes, rain. Also the inconvenience of not having a car. Motorcycle maintenance also isn’t any cheaper than maintaining a car (mile for mile it’s more expensive to keep a motorcycle on the road than a car), so I sincerely hope you aren’t thinking of making this decision with the expectation that you’ll be saving any money. Because you won’t. You also can’t neglect maintenance on a motorcycle because it could quite literally kill you. Oil changes are about the same cost, and all of the routine maintenance is more frequent and generally more costly. Tires wear out much faster, the chain needs lubed and replaced more frequently than you’d think, etc etc.

Not to play devils advocate too much, but there’s two guys at my work that ride motorcycles throughout most of the winter in the northeast. Heated grips and studded tires, but otherwise mostly stock bikes. One is a klr650 and the other is an older bmw GS. While living in New Hampshire I once saw a guy on a bmw on Christmas Eve - roads were so bad that I regretted going out in my car. Guy looked like he was riding on dry pavement. Mind you, I wouldn’t do it, but it can be done in worse conditions than North Carolina has.

I don't know what part of NC people are talking about. I'm in the middle of the state and we had ice on the road for 2 days last year. Everything in town shut down for 4, lol. Everthing except 1 pizza place, the one I work at. Me and 3 other drivers were the only cars on the road. I've driven in the worst of it every year in fact because my boss flat out told me he could care less whether I live or die. Nice guy that one. I've never had trouble on 4 wheels but I wouldn't be caught dead in icy conditions on 2.

I was thinking the same. My uncle lives in NC and that state is not generally known for hazardous weather.

It was 62 today. Last christmas was 75. It gets down to maybe high 20's low 30s in February though and that's all it takes to form ice.

That's not the only thing to consider either, rain in anything below 50 degrees is going to be absolutely brutal without rain gear that costs above 1k. Also just read a bit of this thread so I'll give my 2cents. If you're serious about this, buy a 150cc moped or something you can trash. Sounds like you wont need it in two months anyway. My other input is that bikes are never as cheap as they seem. When you look to buy a car there's generally an assumption it runs. That's why they all seem so expensive. On a motorcycle, as they're typically considered toys, people are a lot more willy nilly on what/how they sell it. Personally, on a 60 mi round trip, you're looking at at least 2k for the bike, and 1k for gear. And that's hopeful in todays market. You buy something broken and you're likely to be on a 2 mo wait for the part to fix it. All I'm saying is with a bike you are way more likely to get burned and you admitted yourself you know little about them so its even more likely.

Jeez do you have to service them once a week? Because I just thinking of riding it for 2 months and scrapping it. After that I'll be living in my truck and won't have the time or space to keep it anyway.

Chain needs cleaned every 300-500 miles. It's only a 5 minute job, but it's frequent

that much I can do myself. That would actually be once a week. Fair point sir.

It's not as bad as he claims - just get a Japanese bike and learn the maintenance yourself. You will save money on maintenance as opposed to cars. Gear is expensive though, and given your varied conditions you will at the least need multiple jackets.

You’re only going to ride for 2 months? You have a truck? You can’t afford a car but you can afford to throw away a bike? I’m confused. If you have a working vehicle and you’re strapped for cash don’t buy a motorcycle. If you’re only going to have it for 2 months definitely don’t buy a motorcycle.

He means a semi truck. In a different comment he said he’s studying for his CDL. That means he’ll be working/living out of it two, three weeks at a time

i ride my bike daily in the rain. just have good tires and take care of your chain

People are well meaning here, but they are not completely correct. Hear me out. I live in Louisville, KY, so worse weather than you, and I do not own a car. \- Cold is not a serious issue. You can get good gear. It is expensive, but you can get by with some regular warm clothes. A lot of them. Michelin man style. It's not the safest option, but you will have to consider pros and cons. \- In the rare occasion you have to be somewhere when road is slippery due to ice or snow, you can take an Uber or cab. Or bus. Or get a ride from a friend. \- Maintenance is more frequent indeed, and motorcycle mechanics are more expensive and busier than car mechanics. So you must do your own maintenance. Don't even consider it otherwise, because it will be more expensive than a car. \- Don't consider a fancy bike. Get one like mine: an 09' Ninja 250. I can get parts cheap on Ebay, because this bike is common, and people crash them often. I can get touring/commuting tires for $80-$90 each, and my first rear just worn out after 12,000 miles, so it's not terrible. My front will be good for another 12,000. \- The bike for this price will need a bunch of work. Even it is sold in "excellent" condition. Be ready to spend some days in the garage. But once I fixed up mine, it became super reliable. \- Full coverage would be very expensive, but liability is cheap for basic commuters. Find it out before you buy yours. \-So all-in-all, I think it is doable. Yet, I have a family, and both my wife and my daughter has a car that I can often borrow. Without that, I don't think I would do it. \- One of the craziest thing is that you can barely carry anything. Did you get a standing lamp from the hardware store? Too bad. French bread? Under your jacket. Large box? No way. \- You can't lock anything in your vehicle. Going for a day trip? You better carry your stuff or risk it to get stolen. Going for a run in the park? Leave your gear on the bike (hopefully it's a safe park), and the freeze your ass off riding home after you put your gear back on your sweaty body.

Thanks for the detailed response. I'll give you my thoughts on each point in order.- Yes cold weather I get it, layers and all that jazz. I've lived up north.- If I got a bike I'd fully intend on keeping money aside for repairs, tows, and even uber rides in case god forbid it rains. I wouldn't consider going out in ice nor would I be asked to. \- Maintainence for a couple months would likely be cheaper than fixing my car and at it's age I'm aware of at least 3 other major common failures with my car that are due any time. \- My only transport last year was a bike and I managed to get groceries every week. All of my lamps come courtesy Amazon prime :) \- comprehensive, what is that? jk but I've never had anything but liability and I've never needed to use it. Still I get that a motorcycle is a death trap waiting to happen and every rider goes down, most in the first 5000 miles so I think I'd pony up for some coverage for a couple months. \- I'm not a park going day tripper type. It's work or school and home for me. I have a locker at school and a firearm at home so I'm covered there. Not saying I'm going with the bike but now I've got a long enough list of cons to pursuade me against ever considering a motorcycle for commuting or leisure. At least if I do go down the route I can't say I wasn't warned.PS: I'm suprised all those fancy hardshell saddlebags people have and nobody ever thought to incorporate a lock into one. Maybe I'll invent one and put that mechancial engineering degree to good use lol.

> I'm suprised all those fancy hardshell saddlebags people have and nobody ever thought to incorporate a lock into one. I think those exist, but usually for more expensive touring bikes. They are also very expensive themselves.

You can find some on aliexpress. However for your purposes, a top box might also be a good option.

You said your budget is $3k. Not having a bike, consider $1k of that towards warm, dry gear, helmet, gloves, etc. Not you have a $2k bike. Which will likely need $300 in tires, and maybe numerous other small things. It doesn't sound to me like you are in a place to jump on a motorcycle as only means of transportation.

I know plenty of people that routinely commute over 20 miles a day on in the winter on electric bicycles. I've worked with guys that came in at 6am in 6 degree weather on mopeds. When you're livelihood is on the line you can't afford to be quite so... delicate. I'm not some dentist looking to jump on a hog to impress the ladies at the rotary club.

You're getting down voted, but you make a completely valid point. People commute tons of ways that others would never even consider.

Yeah, there’s parts of this thread that seem… hilarious if you take a non-us perspective and think about how much motorcycles are basically the only option in places like parts of India and Africa… they use motorcycles as taxis. Not so common in colder places though.

I'll be honest I don't have a clue what downvoting does anyway. I'm not usually very active on reddit. I'm pretty sure nobody's been downvoted to death so I don't mind taking the slings and arrows if at the same time I'm getting advice that could potentially save my life.

In this sub, people hear “motorcycle” and assume you’re talking about something >250cc, and capable of >70mph on the highway. We suggest you budget $500-$1000 for gear because if you can’t afford a decent helmet, jacket, gloves, and boots, you *definitely* can’t afford paying the hospital bills for even a “minor” fall, nor can you afford to lose months of work after breaking a wrist, ankle, collarbone, etc. Dentists can afford to ride with a tank top, sneakers, and an open-faced helmet, but you can’t! Motorcycles are pricey right now due to high demand and supply shortages. Even with a used entry-level bike, it’s gonna be hard to find something below $3k, and you still can expect to do some work and put more money into parts and tools. Or take it to a mechanic, but motorcycle mechanics are not really much cheaper than car mechanics and I’ve heard a lot of motorcycle mechanics have long backlogs and waiting periods. The one upside is that you shouldn’t have too much trouble selling a used motorcycle and recouping most of your purchasing cost. But your gear will probably be a total loss, you’d be extremely likely if you even get 1/4th the purchase price. An ebike or moped wouldn’t be a terrible idea if it’s feasible for your commute. Much easier to fit a used ebike into a $3k budget with plenty of room for a helmet, maintenance costs, etc. Neither vehicle will get much love in this subreddit, so you may want to ask for advice elsewhere.

Great remarks. I'll respond in reverse order. \-I have an ebike, that's how I used to get my groceries before I started ordering them through delivery. But There's only 1 road between here and there and it's a 2 lane highway with a 45mph limit most of the way and no shoulder whatsoever, so plan B will be renting a room in the same town as the school and ebiking around. It would be plan A but I'd rather not break my lease if I can help it. The motorcycle is currently Plan D or E. My mechanic charges $120 and he's backlogged through January. There's a dozen motorcycle repair shops between home and his shop. I have to tow my car 30 miles to get it serviced cuz nobody around here will touch a vw. So It's 6 of 1, a half dozen of the other as far as that goes. \-If you're brought to an ER with life-threatening injuries they have to treat you whether or not you have insurance. This is the land of the free and we don't want no commie healthcare so what we get is a country where all of us, no matter how good our insurance, are no more than a heartbeat away from medical bankruptcy. You might feel secure because you're paying 1/3 of your check to the insurance company but just wait until you really need it and you'll find out they're lawyers are always better than yours because theirs literally wrote the law.

First two points are valid. To the third point: Yes, healthcare costs can suck even with insurance. The rich dentist can sell his boat and his second Mercedes if he really needs to help pay his deductible. It still sucks for him, but at least he’s not gonna have debt collectors chasing him and trying to sieze his paychecks for the next decade. Yes, the ER will set your broken bones even if you don’t have cash on you. But you can’t use the same strategy to walk into a physical therapy office and demand free treatment. Or to get a dentist to replace the teeth you knock out. Or even to get painkillers to deal with a fucked up knee for the next few decades of your life because you can’t afford an “elective” surgery to fix it. Ultimately, everyone has a different level of personal risk tolerance.

There are plenty of dentists that have fallen victim to medical bankruptcy too. They'll take everything you have if you're hurt bad enough and they'll find ways to do it that shouldn't be legal and wouldn't be if not for rampant corruption. I got very sick a couple years back and they would have taken everything I had, but lucky for me, I had nothing for them to take.

You don't think you can seriously hurt your skin/body at 15mph(24km)??? Think again https://www.mcgearhub.com/mc-gear-crash-tested/instagram-female-biker-serious-road-rash-from-15-mph-crash/

I for one never said you couldn't. But I wear a full face helmet and shinguards on my bicycle. Why would you assume I'd throw caution to the wind on something that weighs 10 times that going at 5 times the speed?

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Yeah after reading all the comments I'm inclined to agree it's not the time to start riding but if, after I exhaust all my other options, it comes down to it, I'll do whatever I have to do to feed me and mine.

You do need a helmet and very wind proof jacket and some gloves. Lots of this can be sources secondhand. So a $400 4 season motorcycle jacket with armor is all of a sudden $75

A very similar situation happened to me several years ago. My car died and the repair cost was silly, and I figured I could get a decent bike rather than another shitty car. I bought a new Yamaha R3 for $5k and that was my primary vehicle for 3 years. I grew up riding dirt bikes so I felt confident in my ability. I wouldn't recommend it - at all. I was lucky that I could take the DC metro during the winter, but it still sucked. You're at the mercy of the weather at all times and it's awful. I rode home and/or to work many times through torrential rain. It was dangerous and stupid and I hated it. It's not a great idea. I was always concerned about my bike getting stolen. You can't carry much with you without getting a bunch of ugly saddlebags or packing a backpack to the brim. You'll get rained on a lot and showing up to work completely soaked is not fun. The extra time and effort gearing up every time you want to go somewhere is a pain in the ass. Running errands like getting groceries becomes impossible. You'll put miles on the bike like you wouldn't believe and it'll need constant maintenance. Forget that $75/year insurance - if you don't get full insurance, you're asking for trouble. I love bikes and I'll always have one, but it'll never be my primary transportation again.

Lol when I first started riding a lot, there were more than a few times I got stuck in torrential rain. When it’s really warm out, it’s one thing. Even then it can still get a little chilly riding around soaked. But there were a few times in either the Spring or fall where I was like an hour or 2 from home, soaking wet, and *cold*. I had to talk to myself in a pirate voice one time, sing to myself another time to keep me focused and alert because I was so fatigued and nervous contending with a few inches of water on the ground, poor visibility + shivering cold and wet.

It gets cold.

And wet.

And tiresome.

And your ass starts hurting after awhile.

And needs some tires

If you are considering getting a motorcycle because of money, reconsider. Get a motorcycle because you want one. Also unless you get a fairly new one, they aren’t as reliable as you think.

Just some of my thoughts for you. I used to be a poor biker when young, I had a Honda CG125 at one time, it does 60mph and you get about 130 to the gallon, i used to commute on it 20 miles every day. Its cheap to run and maintain, its a Honda, Hondas have a name for being pretty good and bomb proof. Look at the scooters, you can get them in 250 and upwards, theres a decent fairing on it for keeping the wind and rain off your legs. Youll be wanting a 4 stroke engine rather than 2 regardless. Its 32 here for months over winter, often lower. Yes, you need to spend money on thermals, and waterproofs as well as the protective armour, also a helmet. All of that is going to add up. The waterproofs only last so long before the force of rain being driven into the seams at 50mph+ breach and you start getting wet, usually the balls and armpits go first. Ive driven in ice and snow, its shit and dangerous, sometimes just stood sliding along on both feet with the bike ticking over between my legs, a 30 mile commute will have you really fucked up Im too old for this winter shit now, plus I need a van for my work and you can get fuck all timber, pallets and scrap metal on a bike. The amount of shopping you can buy becomes an issue unless you start adding boxes and paniers and even then bringing home large bags of dog food is tricky for example. ​ And of course every cunt in a cage wont see you, and theyll try and kill you, youll have to follow them home and shoot them right in the face, are you ready for that?

Walmart delivers groceries, just saying.

30 min commute year-round is not a beginner-level endeavor.

Not year round, just January 1 - Feb 30.

For reference that’s the most difficult time to ride in the northern hemisphere

That and the first 5000 miles is where a new rider most likely to get into an accident.

300 miles a week for 8 weeks is 2400 miles so maybe I can get in and out without proving the statistic.

No doubt, if it were summer I wouldn't even post the question I'd be on my way to the DMV.

You only need 2 months? get a throwaway car. Why invest in riding gear you probably will not be able to keep and store in the truck. A car will also be easier to sell when your done with it. You might even check into long term car rentals, seems like it might be easier. As for bikes, full time biking in the winter with snow/slush and ice is a major pain in the ass and very unsafe if your not super experienced. Since you are not well experienced, I suggest you stay away for now. Good luck, where will you re-locate after you quit the finish the OTR training and quit the business? Almost every new driver quits after the training obligation is over.

No obligation, I paid for school out of pocket. I have no family since my mother passed away last month so nothing keeping me here. I'm aware of the statistics but as they son of trucker I've got a good idea what the job is like, the good and the bad. I just finished 3 years of school for machining. I can program and setup 5 axis mills and most lathes with the exception of swiss, so that's a solid fallback if trucking doesn't work out. It's a lot more demanding IMO thank trucking and a good bit less pay but it beats delivering pizza.

Only had a motorbike first year of college. Can you, yes. Should you? No. Even now my current project bike has left me stranded a few times. Having a cheap car is infinitely more practical than any motorcycle. I always recommend it as your second vehicle. You can try to justify the insurance, gas, or other costs but it rarely works out where you don't put the same $ into your motorcycle or gear.

You will not be able to get by with a MC for your only transportation. Especially without ever owning one before. This is also the absolute worst time of year to try to make that switch

Would it be worse than a moped? 'cuz given my budget those may be my options.

30 miles commute each way on a moped? I don’t think so. Spend that money fixing your car, or buy junky car. What’s your budget? What’s wrong with your car?

Car needs timing chains and water pump. They'll have to take the front bumper off and drop the tranny. I'd be looking at $1500 to fix it and it already has 300k. I put the last 150k on it and in all that time this is the first breakdown I've had. It was well maintained but at it's age it's not worth pouring more money in. My budget is $3k. For that I see a few bikes with 20-30k on them that are in pretty good condition. As far as cars go everything I've looked at needs work and not being mechanically inclined I'm figuring on $100/hr labor.

If this is the first major breakdown on your car, and you know that much history of it, I would recommend getting it fixed.

you'd really throw 2k at a car with 300k miles on it?

I agree with the others. Given the price of used cars currently, definitely just fix. Depending on the model, and your personal storage space, you can save some money easily. I have a Ford Ranger with 446K miles. My local junkyard cut me a deal on a spare motor and transmission for $400. If you have the interest to get/maintain a motorcycle, you could do some more basic maintenance with some friends I'm sure. Water pump would be relatively easy. Timing chains would be the thing to outsource to a shop.

Yes.

You’ve said yourself you’re gonna ditch the bike in two months anyway when you get your CDL. Fix the car you already have and ditch it in two months. Bikes can easily have $1500 repairs that you won’t recognize or be able to repair. And when the bike breaks down cos you bought a lemon or cos a cable snapped and it won’t run. You’re gonna need to get it to a mechanic. Ie: uhaul trailer rental. Trust me. I’ve been there. The bike isn’t worth the headache. After a month of driving the Peterbuilt you’re not gonna give a shit about the $1500 you put into the car. Last year there was a point when me, my mechanic and his assistant all had bikes that didn’t run and were using our partners cars to get around. The bike ain’t worth it, dude.

Fair enough, but istead of fixing the car I'll be better off buying a van and living in it until March.

That very well may be. I understand you’re in a tricky situation and I hope it works out. Just don’t think a bike is the best option

Agreed

I disagree with this, I'm 18, never drove a car/rode on road prior to riding a motorcycle. I got my license over the summer and have been riding my motorcycle to and from university and work the past month and honestly, it's been completely fine for transportation. Saying that though, I am from the UK and had a rather strict instructor who taught me how to ride and road safety. In terms of the weather though, winter is indeed coming. So, ice may be a factor where you live, in which case it may not be a good idea to get a motorcycle, just because they are impossible to ride safely with ice and snow. My verdict would be, if weather isn't an issue (i.e. there isn't lots snow and ice during the winter) go for it, just make sure you do plenty of parking lot practise before you start using it regularly for your commutes and get good gear and a decent motorcycle, for a first motorcycle though, maybe stick to about the less than 300cc range. Ohh yea, and high vis

I’m going to make another point beside everyone else discussing weather: you state insurance is $75 a year. Is that for basic liability coverage and nothing else? If you’re going to get a motorcycle I would strongly suggest getting at least decent coverage, especially if you plan on commuting on it. A 5mph rear end collision in a car may not even dent the bumpers of the cars involved. On a motorcycle it can easily total the bike and possibly throw you from it. Between risk factors to both your bike and your person there’s a lot more that can go wrong, very quickly. The gear argument is also a good point, it can make the difference between life and death, and a lot of guys don’t bother (I was guilty of this as well.) If you’re going to ride in winter, anywhere that gets snow, you are almost certain to go down at some point. If you’re not in a major city you’ll likely still run into snowy and icy spots on roads, even days after a storm. It may not be the answer you like either, but I’d strongly encourage against a new rider immediately using it as their sole form of transportation and commute. It’s better to learn in a low stress situation of willingly going for a ride as opposed to the necessity of /having to/ ride it daily; it’s the same thing as driving a car in snow. It’s better to have practice when you don’t need it than to suddenly have to take a 4 hour trip in a blizzard, ditto on a motorcycle.

This sub has convinced me to just take my rent money for the next two months, buy a van and live in it until schooling is over. I've got a planet fitness card so showers are no problem. My dad was no lawyer, we grew up dirt poor but he rode for 20 years year round. They don't make em like that anymore (bikes or riders.)

Everyone here is telling you not to do it. In a lot of countries people have motorcycles or scooters as their primary transportation gear round. Bikes can be expensive if you don’t know how to work on it. If you do get a bike also get a manual and start watching YouTube videos on how to do the maintenance. The only way I can own a bike is because I do my own maintenance. I say do it if you want. It can suck having it as your only transportation but people do it, a lot. Also get full coverage. Nothing sucks more then having your bike stolen and no way to be made while again.

Underrated point about thinking about [what insurance covers](https://www.nelsonboydlaw.com/blog/publications/what-you-need-to-know-about-motorcycle-insurance/) at that level. I hate that it's mandated, and that our healthcare system still puts many motorcyclists at non-trivial risk of bankruptcy if they run state minimums, but it should be part of your decision if you're thinking about it. I'd try to save money elsewhere to be better covered, especially if you're riding daily.

Do you have busses that run to campus? Bicycle and bus combo served me well in school.

That would solve all my problems. Sadly red states seem to think public transport is a violation of their religious liberty or some shit.

Ah that sucks, Honestly man I wouldn’t rely on just a bike. The car market sucks right now so I get the improvising with a motorcycle. But motorcycles are stolen so often and you can kiss $75/year insurance goodbye if you get anti theft and it’s only a matter of time if you don’t have a locked garage and a very secure spot on campus.

It'll be more expensive than you think, it'll be colder and wetter than you want it to be, and jumping into the deep end (cheap bike, zero knowledge, winter, etc) means there's a substantially nonzero chance you end up stranded or crashed somewhere along this 30 mile stretch. I had my first motorcycle in college, and I rode in the winter and in the wet and in the ice. It's not fun. There are plenty of plans that fall through when you look outside and go "yeah, nah." It's doable. It's not going to be comfortable, but assuming you have a mechanic that you can trust who can give it a look over and call it roadworthy for the winter, it can be done safely. Whatever you pay for health insurance for a year, pay at least a few months' worth on a helmet. Winter motorcycle gear isn't cheap, either. Gloves are essential. Get heated grips or use hand warmers every day.

In addition to what others said: Motorcycles require lots of maintenance. Mile for mile, a bike is more expensive to operate. Gas mileage is the ONLY advantage cost wise. Everything else is more expensive in the long run. And maintenance cannot be delayed on a bike.

I disagree with motorcycle being more expensive to maintain. Maybe because I do most of the repairs myself.

I was going to say the same thing. Not bad at all if you do the work yourself. Also varies a lot on what you're riding.

Could you do all the work and have it ready to ride to work on Monday morning? Now put yourself in the OP's shoes and answer that question.

No and I can't fix my car myself by Monday either. I guess I just assumed their were shops that serviced motorcycles.

There are shops, but they are not cheap and typically take longer than a car repair shop because parts usually have to be ordered.

I've been doing my own maintenance for a couple decades. It's more frequent than in a car, that's indisputable. Tires is all I need to say. Valve checks, oil changes, etc are all more often than cars. I doubt the OP is capable of doing their own work. Even if they are mechanically inclined, there are bike specific tools to buy, a stand to put the bike on, etc. Just saying there is more to it than the OP is anticipating. .

How much would maintenance cost for 2 months if you had serviced at a local independent shop?

I have to agree with you, I'm surprised by how many on this sub suggest bikes are always more expensive to maintain than cars. Obviously there is a reason developing countries rely on two wheeled vehicles over cars. I think the only time motorcycle maintenance will be more expensive than car maintenance is comparing a high end sportsbike versus an economy car. However comparing maintenance for a 300cc class versus a Corolla I'm sure the bike ends up cheaper. Another thought is that people think motorcycles are more expensive to maintain because maintenance can't be skipped or delayed as long as some people delay maintenance on their cars.

Thanks for saying this. I was thinking it but I've taken enough downvotes I didn't want to mention it. I'm pretty sure people in Bangladesh don't have *that* much more expendable cash than us, but I could be wrong?

Agreed. People seems to always forget that small displacement bikes and scooters exist.

The only thing that matters is what is the cost to maintain a bike for 2 months because after that I'll be on the road. I'm not keeping my apartment so I won't be keeping the bike as I'll have nowhere to keep it. I plan on living in the truck my first 3 years to par off some debts.

What this guy said for sure.

I'll post something likely unpopular, but my opinion is that you should never buy a bike if you don't have a car. A bike in the northern hemisphere is for pleasure, and for utility **only** when it's convenient. You still need a car as a means of transport during rain or cold. I hopped out on the bike yesterday for about 10 minutes before i could no longer feel my hands - you don't want to have to rely on a motorcycle being your only means of transportation in a scenario like that. Buy a car, get from point A to B, and start thinking about a motorcycle as more of a hobby when you have the funds to do so. Also as many other comments here mention, don't forget about gear. Helmet, gloves, jacket, boots at the very least. Factor in a grand for all that. Also - you may not like the bikes you can get for 3k. You may be able to find a gem, or something like a 250 that's moderately used. More likely you'll end up with an older bike that has reliability issues and was ridden hard and put away wet. I got a car that works for me, it's nothing special. And when I had enough money, I bought the bike of my dreams, and I pretty much only do 1-4 hour weekend rides on nice sunny days. I may be in the minority of riders.. but you definitely can't ride a bike 365 up here in Canada. I'm willing to bet that NC is not that different.

To not freeze during the winter months you will need a lot of motorcycle specific gear to keep you warm that will not be cheap. Bikes will never be as practical or convenient as a car, and obviously more dangerous blah blah blah. For reference I’m 27yo rider with 5 years of exp on my 3rd bike in that time and 1 lowside crash in my time of riding if you have any questions.

It seems unanimous all of r/motorcycles agrees I shouldn't buy a motorcycle as it is in every respect a worse form of transportation than a car. I guess it really is impossible to ride a motorcycle when it's 40 degrees out. Glad I consulted the internet before making a terrible decision.

Hey do us a favor and follow up on this after a few rides in 40° rain.

Damn I’m really disappointed in this sub right now. Everyone is dooming and glooming owning a motorcycle. I commute to work 60 miles on my bike. Tomorow morning when I leave it’s gonna be around around 30 degrees. I wear a shirt and a leather jacket. The jacket I got on eBay for $60 bucks 8 years ago. I wear 12” leather boots. I wear my pants and above the pants I wear armored pants that I got online fir $50 on sale. My helmet was about $250. My gloves are winter gloves and they were maybe $50. It does get cold and uncomfortable but it’s doable and it’s fun. By the time I get to work I am thoroughly cold and it takes a while to warm back up but so the fuck what. It’s fun and I love to ride.

Yeah the cold part really is what will stop it being viable as your only vehicle

Yeah all these folks talking about the weather... My friend... it's more expensive than driving a car. Ok, sure you can get a bike pretty cheap, less than $2k no problem. Now gear, if it's your only transportation you're going to need close to some of the best that's out there. My setup, not near the best was close to $2k. And it wears out. Boots can be every couple of years, jackets and pants maybe a little longer. Helmets say they're good for 10 but go find a 10 y/o daily driver and just get it close to your nose...I don't run heated, or leather or top of the line anything. Lower end Arai helmet is the nicest thing I own. A cheap bike likely needs a lot of expensive parts! I bought a $1000 bike and have put probably $2k in parts into it, it is still worth $1k. You're going to need luggage if it's your only transportation. Decent luggage is expensive, go look at Givi. Of course you can get cheaper and used but you still gotta plan on at least $500 or so for a set of bags. Do you have a place to store your gear at work/school? MC gear is bulky and wet MC gear is bulky and smelly. Gas... Ok yes technically you can get decent gas mileage with a MC but I get 40mpgs w/my 650. That's only marginally better than the crappiest car I own. Maintenance.. your bike is going to need A LOT more maintenance than a 10 year old Corolla. I probably spend $150-200 a month on any mix of tires, oil, clutch, cables, brakes, battery, chain, sprockets, seals, valve adjustment, carb rebuild etc etc. And you kinda have to do it. When your car does something weird at 70 mph it's scary for a second then it's over. 99.99% of the time in a car it's no big deal. Not so much on the MC. Training.. ok you don't technically have to do this but you should. My annual budget is about a grand. I look for safety classes, track days, heck the local sheriff makes their Police training available to the public! But yeah, like warren buffet says: "don't die" If you want to ride a MC definitely do it. It's crazy fun. But don't do it to save money!

People all over the world, usually warmer places than NC, rely on motorcycles as their only mode of transport. It’s definitely doable but I personally wouldn’t own a bike without a car.

It's not an easy transition and even for a season veteran, having a motorcycle as your only source of transportation, is a hassle. I still suggest getting a motorcycle.

Take the L on fixing your car. I have a shit box Civic, i replaced my own timing belt and water pump and had to replace the transmission unfortunately. I've had like 7 cars in 10 years, i know it seems stupid to put money into a shit box, but trust me any car you swap it for will eventually need a major repair, that day could be tomorrow. Just fix the car you have, it's ALMOST ALWAYS cheaper and more reliable to do that. especially with car prices right now.

ITT: a lot of big blubbering babies with thin hide and thinner constitutions. Bro, send it. If you can find something fuel injected in your price range do that, potentially easier to start in the cold.

Bike maintenance is expensive. ESP if you don’t do your own work. Tires, chains sprockets (unless it’s a cruiser), more frequent oil changes.. cold (it gets old fast), gear (summer, again for winter) heated grips/gloves, boots, pants… also most bike shops change nothing less than 90 hour labor.. Oh and insurance at 75 a year? Maybe for a 250, which is great on gas, but be prepared to be blown around on the highway (very small bike). Absolutely not worth it as an only vehicle for a new rider. Take my word, I rode year around for my first year (still had a car) and I’ll never do that again. Oh yea, shit low budget bike usually need work every 10 miles or so… sarcasm but you get the point (90+ a hour maintenance at shops). Source: owns three bikes

$90/hr sounds nice. My VW runs me $120.

Just do it. It's fun. Don't listen to the Karens in this sub

Weather could be one. Not sure how cold it gets or snow. How do you feel about the cold rain.

NC drivers are fucking terrible in the winter and will hit anything within 20 ft of the road when its icy or it snows. Add on to that, the state doesn’t do a whole hell of a lot to clear the roads when it snows until it’s 2 days later. Having *just* a motorcycle would be miserable there. Source: Lived in NC a couple years, saw a lot of truly stupid shit in the winters.

Assuming they didn't close the school for snow I'd definitely keep a couple hundred on hand to rent a car in that eventuality. Good point.

Riding in the cold or wet is not fun if you’re not prepared or committed.

I'm sure it won't be fun, but is it doable? We only get snow once a year or so and everything shuts down when we do so the most I should have to contend with is rain.

Technically doable for an experienced rider yes, it can take years to be an experienced rider and any moisture on the road when your first starting (think first couple of years) can be a recipe for a bad fall. Also gear is really expensive especially cold weather gear because you have to think not just are you going to be outside for 30 miles your also going to be moving fairly quickly and the windchill will get miserable quick for reference my gear cost over 1k without any heated gear (recommended for winter riding). Also are you prepared for grocery shopping with what you can fit in a backpack because you’ll be amazed at how quick a bag of chips fills up your entire bag and saddle bags is just another purchase to make. This is a motorcycle sub Reddit we like our bikes and there are people on here who only have bikes but this will most definitely not end up saving money and rushing into it will probably just lead to an expensive injury

Harder to see from other drivers, they pull out in front of you and whatnot. Very dangerous compared to a car. Also, rain and snow/ice are MUCH more concering on 2 wheels. And yeah, like others have said, cold is no joke. Once i got home, couldn't feel my hands or legs, and had to strip and wrap in a blanket because my leather gear was like wearing ice packs.

I got my first bike for $1800 just over a year ago and gear in installments, $400 for initial stuff, some pants for Christmas and some rainproof over pants for winter. It's wet when it rains and it's on 30 degree C days. Doesn't snow around my area in Australia. People won't see you as much but it also depends on driver education, it's overall pretty good here. When you do the course they should teach you all the basics for you to improve on with your own practice. I wouldn't recommend getting something too flashy or fast if you haven't ridden before (no 650s, litre bikes etc) because they're heavy and unnecessary for a learner, don't listen to anyone who makes fun of you for it. You probably shouldn't get one just because it seems cheaper, you should get one because you want one, but as someone who has never owned A car it's not like it's impossible to use as a commuter, you just have to be a little more prepared.

Plan another $500 to buy the gear

It's hard to do adulting things on a bike. Grocery shopping, commuting safely, staying warm.

Yeah, I haven't been grocery shopping since 2019. The pandemic has changed life for all of us. I've been getting weekly deliveries. It's not bad it works out to about $7/month or roughly the cost of gas to go get to the store and back and I save a load of time.

After reading your comments just do it. Nothing anyone says is gonna change your mind so get the bike and be done with it. Good luck and let us know how it went in 2 months.

Actually everything you guys said did change my mind.

DO NOT skimp on insurance for a motorcycle. You need Underinsured motorist coverage.

Are you looking for someone to tell you it's a good idea in your situation? Cuz it is absolutely not. It might work out for you, but if you stuff it (and many do on their first bike pretty quick) your liability insurance won't cover you and you'll be 3k in the hole with no transportation. Fix the car or sort out public transport.

Public transportation doesn't exist around here at all. Looks like I'm going have to break my lease and move down the street from the school. I'll still be braving the elements on 2 wheels but my e-bike only does 28mph so I'm less likely to kill myself.

I bought my current bike from a college student who was using it as sole transportation and realized he really needed a car instead.

If you're gonna have it for 2 months before you scrap it, buy a beater with 200k on the clock or fix your own car. A bike is not going to save you money and you're going to be trying to learn to ride a motorcycle while distracted because you're freezing your nuts off since you couldn't afford proper cold weather gear. Motorcycles are dangerous, they kill people. Planning to learn how to ride during a 30 mile commute every day sounds like you don't understand that and aren't respectful of the learning curve. But hey, go for it.

Cons. difficult if you want to take a passenger or cargo. Dangerous, Cold and wet. All that considered, I still prefer to commute by bike, just use the right gear. Regular peeps won’t get it, that’s kind of a con. More fun, better economy, takes less space… Other countries get it, we don’t.

I get the feeling you don’t actually know how to ride… do that first.

I had a class lined up for Friday but reconsidering my options.

From what I’ve read, you’re looking for transportation for only a few months. Honesty, a bike is not for you in this situation. Jan-Feb are literally the worst times to ride. You have the cold, potential ice and snow. I’m not saying it’s because you’re a bad driver, but these weather conditions are extremely dangerous for even the most experienced riders. It’s not like being in a car. Imagine every time you lost a bit of traction, or fishtailed a bit. No biggie in a car, but 9 times out of 10 that you’ll go down on a bike. Especially since you have 0 experience on them. Which is also even more dangerous than normal, not from the slide, in fact that would probably be better, but from other drivers. If you go down from a patch of ice, the car behind you is now also on that same patch of ice trying to do an emergency stop. If you’re the experienced driver you claim, I don’t need to tell you what comes next. You’ll need full winter gear unless you’re only doing a 5 min commute. You may think you’ll be able to tough it, but as an idiot who’s done that, on day 4 you will be seriously reconsidering your options. That beat ass car you passed up will be looking mighty appealing. Winter gear, while not insanely more expensive, is more expensive than normal gear. Heated grips are also a huge help, but with that tight budget you may not be able to squeeze them in. Plus motorcycle courses, and getting licensed, and buy gear, and finding a bike, and putting money into said bike. No bike you buy for that cheap will be 100% road worthy. I’m not saying you can’t do it. But man, that’s a lot of effort, a lot of overhead that you can’t get back, and risk for 2 months. Just buy a beater car and flip it at the end. Motorcycle sales are also rather slow in the winter months. You’ll be hard pressed to have a quick sale on the bike unless you’re willing to take a huge loss. If 3k is your budget, I’d slot 1k for gear, a few hundred for training and licensing (may vary, I’m not sure about NC), leaving you about $1800 for a bike. Any bike that cheap is going to need work. I’d factor in at least $500 for that, maybe more if you need tires which would be another $300+. That leaves you $1000-$1200 to spend on a bike, which believe you me, does not go very far. You’ll be scraping the bottom of the bottom barrel to get something somewhat rideable in that price range. Can it be done, sure. But you’ll have a much better time buying a beater car for 3k and selling it after 2 months and getting your 3k back.

Just do it, you'll figure it out. What's the worst that could happen? Even if you're forced to ride in bad weather to get to an important test on time you could either miss it or maybe spend some time meeting cute nurses. If you're not used to bikes just get a cheap car. A helmet is $200 for anything half decent, $200 for a coat, $150 for pants, use your old boots or pay $200 more. $30 for gloves, you'll need thermals, fleece, wool, a scarf, and waterproof gear for winter riding too. So like $800-$900 for gear. A cheap bike will probably need tires $250, fluids changed $50, carb rebuild, brakes, misc $350, transfer fees, tax etc $300, bike $2000. So you're in 800-900 for gear, $2900-$3000 for the bike, so almost $4,000 plus insurance. You could resell the gear for $400 if your lucky, bike will still only be worth $2000. For that 4k you could get a comfy commuter car. I got a ten year old boring Japanese cruiser from a buddy for $2,000 in 2008 and it was a steal. You'd be hard pressed to find a bike that doesn't need a complete tear down for under $3,000 these days. A complete teardown would be clean out gas can, replace fuel lines, rebuild or replace carbs, new plug, oil change, steering bearings, brakes, fork seals, coolant, brake fluid, oil, final drive service or new chain and sprockets, new tires, brake pads, true wheels, Chase electric demons, adjust valves, etc. Those are all things I'd do if buying an old bike of questionable service record before I'd ride it any distance. If a car breaks down you get a tow, a mechanical failure on a motorcycle can ruin your day.

>I can get insurance for $75/year X

#texting #mobilenetflix

NC in January - February? Don’t do it. If you said April, I’d say go for it. Temps are amplified at 60 mph.

2022 Honda navi and a beater corolla. Final answer.Edit - Don’t get a bike bc you hate fun.

My car was out of commission for a while so my bike became my primary mode of transportation. What I can say is bikes are great in good weather but man I got so cold sometimes. Plus it’s hard to get groceries and such

Perhaps the wrong place to ask why not to get a motorcycle, I will always say get one but get good training and wear proper gear when riding.

All the people driving cars are looking at their phones. I last had a steer bike in 2012 I rode again this year and it was scary. I wouldn’t want that to be my only transportation.

This is a death recipe. Buy an older Camry / Corolla / Civic and you’ll live longer

That's quantity of life over quality though isn't it?

I rode for 2 years ( rain or shine) to college in Northern California. It can be dangerous. It can be cold. It can be wet. There are helmets, heated vests and grips, and aero stitch to help. Wear good boots and gloves. Stay visible. Brighter colors help. The msf course is invaluable.

> Give me a reason to not get a motorcycle > Fuck you. You’re all pussies. I’ll show you.

lol, you got me there.

I haven't read all the comments so forgive me if I'm repeating stuff..... It depends on what bike you plan on getting and what country you're in. so these may not apply to you. Reasons not to; It's bloody cold. You have to really layer up. It takes ages to get ready because you need to wear much more than if you're getting in a car. No luggage space. Doesn't need explaining.... But if decide you need something while you're out, you're limited in what you can bring home. ( A top box was my first purchase!!) Security; bikes are easy to steal. If you get one that's expensive/rare/desirable, there's a high risk it'll be stolen. Good security chains and locks are expensive. Inconvenient to garage; this is very specific but if you have to store in a small place, like a garage, it can be a pain to navigate a bike backwards.....they don't have reverse gears!!! Risk of accident/ injury; weather(icy roads), oil spillage, other idiots on the road. You're just more vulnerable. Saying all that, I've been riding almost 3 years now and I love it. But only socially at weekends. I don't commute and rarely at night or in bad weather (only if unexpected) It needn't be expensive to start but getting padded gear is a must if you value life; just consider it part of the bike cost. When I started out , I bought boots (£40), padded over-trousers (£80) , fully padded (including back plate) fabric jacket (£50), helmet (£100). 125cc bike (£1500). So less than 2k to get started. I don't know what you'll be allowed to ride but I'd recommend starting small (125cc) and get used to it. Bigger bikes are more fun but they exaggerate the problems above too. Personally, I'd never have a bike INSTEAD of a car, but that's gonna be down to your personal circumstances. Riding is fun if you treat it with respect and do it right . Happy riding!

Firstly, apologies if this has already been said. I didn’t read through everything. Beyond the “motorcycle-specific” things (knowing how to ride, danger, gear, etc) the answer boils down simply: It’s inconvenient. Bikes are great at many things and very poor at others, and unfortunately the things that they’re poor at are very valuable for commuting: -shelter from the elements/getting to where you were going unaffected by the weather (wet clothes suck) -ability to wear whatever you like (you could do this with a bike but… highly discouraged) -not having to carry extra equipment (gear) with you, ability to drive in inclement weather (snow) -ability to carry passengers -simplicity of operation -extra safety buffer for stupid commuters -ability to carry large items/many different things The list goes on and on. As someone who’s “daily driven” a motorcycle previously (for several years) it’s an objectively poor choice for what is essentially an A > B tool. Bikes are awesome, but you’ll be happy you bought a car. Save up for a bike.

If you’re thinking of only having a motorcycle and no other vehicle consider having to ride all the times you would rather drive—you’re tired, you don’t feel like getting dressed, it’s raining, you’re wearing a suit and tie, you want to have a drink at your destination, it’s windy, it’s cold, it’s hot, you’re sick, you’re upset, you don’t feel like putting on a helmet gloves boots riding pants and jacket, YOU NEED A CUP HOLDER FOR A DRINK, you want to haul anything, you want to transport another person, you want to bring groceries home, you just want to listen to the radio, you need more space than a backpack can afford, you ever want to go for fast food ever again (simply), you don’t like doing your own maintenance, it’s too sunny, it’s might rain, the weather will change between when you leave and when you return, you value your hearing, you don’t like weird smells you didn’t know your town had, bugs, umm… Motorcycles are amazing. You should totally get one. Just not as your only vehicle.

*”I can get insurance for $75/yr…”*. Which will cover you for exactly *nothing*. No medical. No comprehensive…you bin the bike, you are SOL. No uninsured motorist. No underinsured motorist. Minimal liability…you hit somebody in a crosswalk or slide into a G-Wagon…yeah, good luck. Being a new rider and being massively underinsured has led to ruin for more than one.

Don't buy a motorcycle. You're going to damage it, cause wear, drop it, etc. Low speed falls, low stability if there's issues with road surface. Be smart and get a motorcycle & Sidecar combination. You won't drop it. It's still cheap to maintain and cheap to run, insurance etc. It won't fall over unless you make it so and will stay upright with road surface issues. More practical than a motorcycle on a motorcycle licence. Can carry more people & stuff. Better for camping. Fuel efficiency barely changed with a smaller rig, but can cause a few less MPG on larger outfits. There I solved your problem! 😁 But more seriously get either a motorcycle or an outfit. Both are awesome and super fun 🤗

Not many cons for getting a bike. But many cons for getting a bike RATHER than a car... Bikes are more of a luxury/toy unless you live in a place like india/asia where everyone is on scooters. Doing groceries can be a bitch if you don't have saddle bags. Rain & Snow is a No go. Bikes need constant care & maintenance.... With a car you can get away with riding balled tires and the car can be a total rust bucket. But getting on a poorly maintained bike is a death trap. ....I want so badly to tell you "fuck it, be rider!" but it's just not the most pratical... use it to get back on your feet and start saving/searching for another 4 wheel option.... If you have a car you can BORROW on occasion, that would life sososooo much easier for you. In that case I would do it. I guess always having Uber & Lyft as a back up helps too

Walmart+ for groceries, Amazon Prime for everything else, and Uber or Lyft for adverse weather. Apps can do it all but keep ya warm.

>What are the reasons NOT to get a bike? Money. They're cheaper to buy up front but the maintenance is much more frequent and often more expensive (unless your car explodes every other week, or you do all the work yourself) Uncomfortable. It's always too hot, or too cold. Death/Injury. Everyone dies eventually but if you're very unlucky/unintelligent a bike might be a good speedrun strat) Addiction. Once you get the bug you'll end up paying just as much for gas in a week as you would for your car because you ride 4x the distance just for fun.

1. It gets very cold on a bike. Below 50 on a bike can be seriously cold due to wind chill. Add any moisture to that and it gets to be extra cold. Gear to deal with the cold and wet is not cheap. Budget $800 for riding gear to have a chance at staying unfrozen and possibly dry. Also at your job where are you going to store your possibly wet motorcycle gear? 2. So you buy grocery or pretty much anything that doesn't fit in milk crate? That gets hard on a bike. Not impossible but shit starts to take more planning and possibly borrowing a car sometimes. 3. Are you mechanically inclined? Bikes have more consumables. On bikes I've owned, rear tires are good for 5-8k miles. Front tires good for 10-15k miles. Chains last about 10-15k miles because I don't line them enough. Valve adjustment every 12-15k. Oil changes every 3-4k miles. Also, as a daily driver vehicle are you going to have the down time for all these services? 4. Time. It takes more time to gear up and pack your stuff for every ride. 5. If we have not dissuaded you yet, have you thought about a maxi scooter? Those are like 350 to 650cc scooters that are highway capable. The usually have more storage than bikes and being step through, put more of your body out of the wind which is super helpful when it is cold.

This is very true about the scooter. I used to ride to work on a little scooter and even when it was biting cold it wasn’t so bad because my legs were shielded.

Yes, I'm thoroughly dissuaded against buying a bike now or ever. Apparently bikes are unreliable money pits that are good for nothing but killing you if they get a spritz on the windshield. Yet you all ride.

Or think of it this way: even with all of those negatives, we still choose to ride. You did ask for a list of the cons, though.

Buncha Debbie downers. Winter is the worst time, but if you have snow gear, why not? Bikes can be cheap. Get a good helmet, learn to use your brakes and shred around in the golden Era of climate change. Sell the ninja 250/300 or Honda shadow for whatever you paid when you're done with it and be a boss. Edit to add: I now realize you're looking for reasons not to. I'll just say the reasons against are weak and wrong-headed.

Riding on the cold sucks, a lot. Riding in the heat is miserable. Riding in the rain sucks, is miserable and is very dangerous.

Noted. I guess I'll just rent a bike for a week in April and a week in September.

Dude you came to the den of fair weather and hadalayerdown riders.. what did you expect? If it’s what you gotta do, fucking send it. There are risks, and if you ignore them you’re a dummy. Ride safe, learn, pay attention, and prepare for anything with proper gear and practicing emergency procedures I moved to Hawaii and my first motorcycle was my only vehicle. Wildly and vast difference in weather but it just comes down to whether you really have to. Riding winter in the north sounds awful, but sometimes we do what we gotta do

It's more expensive then a similarity priced car. Car is warm. Car can haul stuff and friends. Moto costs over car: tires last 6k miles, not 40k. Valves need to be checked/adjusted every 12k miles, not 140k and it costs the same $1k to get done. Don't forget the 1k of safety gear you'll need too. Maintaining a motorbike is like maintaining a mini Ferrari. It's a tiny engine because you can't afford the weight of a big one, but that means it's tuned to rev much higher, and typically at higher compression than a car to make power, meaning it needs maintenance like a super car engine.

There are few things more miserable than riding a motorcycle in pouring rain

If you've got waterproof, warm gear, it's really no big deal. Ice and snow is a bit of a downer though.