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Motorcycles have both advantages and disadvantages when you stack them up against the automobile. Whether you live in the part of our country where you can ride year round or maybe for just 6-8 months, riding is heaven… hog heaven that is!

Motorcycling is more than just transportation from point A to point B for most enthusiasts. There are many reasons people choose a bike over a car. Some for recreation, some for commuting, some for touring or sport riding, and some for the image it portrays. There are as many reasons to ride a motorcycle as there are styles of them. There are cruisers, sport bikes, touring, dual purpose, and standard bikes. In other words, motorized bikes to meet everyone's needs.

There is one thing, however, that I feel all those that ride motorcycles have in common. Riding requires a certain amount of physical risk and the attraction is often due to the unique mental and physical skills it takes to ride this machine. I'm sure it is rewarding once you've mastered those riding techniques. Statistics do show you are 20 times more likely to be injured riding a motorcycle over driving a car, but this is a risk all riders are willing to take. Sure, cars are bigger, heavier and made with a lot more metal but that doesn't mean that with some common sense and the right mental attitude you can't be safe on your machine.

Let’s get back to some of the advantages and disadvantages of riding a motorcycle.

I will mention some of the advantages right away.

• Lower purchase price
• Great fuel economy (can you say 48 miles to the gallon)
• Easier to repair (the engine being so much more accessible)
• Easier to park (all those small spaces people leave to avoid door dings)
• Easier to tow (if you have any mechanical difficulties)
• Great maneuverability (but this decreases as you ride faster)
• It’s just more fun

The disadvantages must also be considered.

• You don’t get the same protection you get in a car
• It’s hard to see a person riding a motorcycle
• You’re limited to the number of passengers you can have
• If you can’t ride year round you may need another form of transportation
• You don’t have as much protection from the rain, sleet, etc.
• It’s more susceptible to road conditions like potholes, gravel and slippery surfaces
• You can’t carry as much as you do in your car

Love them or hate them, motorcycles are definitely a permanent fixture of our society. If we are all aware of the pitfalls to riding a hog, we can help improve their safety stats over the next several years.

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