Scooter vs Car for Daily Commuting

With the cost of gas and the increase in traffic, many people are choosing to ride a street scooter or a motorcycle for their daily commute. Riding a scooter is an exciting feeling, but if you have never ridden before, it can also be a bit scary.

One of the most common fears of those who have never ridden before is accidents. If you keep safety in mind before you get on a bike, in most situations, riding a Scooter can be just as safe as driving a car. 

The Weather

Depending on what the weather is like, riding can either be an advantage or a disadvantage. There is nothing more exciting than riding a motorcycle or street scooter to work on a warm, spring day.

Obviously getting caught in the rain is not as fun as riding on a bright, sunny day. Not only do you get soaked, but it is often harder to ride a scooter in the rain, and if you aren’t careful, it can cause problems. That being said, rain gear is available from motorcycle apparel retailers that makes riding in light to medium rain doable, though likely not enjoyable.

It is almost impossible to ride when there is snow and ice on the roadways.  You also need to consider how cold it is outside. Many street bike tire manufacturers have stated that their tires only function as advertised at 40 degrees and above. So even if there is no snow or ice, riding at 30 degrees on pavement elevates your risk.

But let’s face it, all of these situations are more than made up for when you get to ride in great weather and a nice, warm breeze is extremely more pleasant than air conditioning inside your car.

Parking

There is nothing more frustrating than going to the mall, a restaurant or a special event and having to park one county over because there aren’t any parking spots open near the entrance. Riding a scooter definitely makes parking easier. Motorcycles only require about a third of the space a car requires and you can park a Scooter at an angle. A scooter can usually be parked on the sidewalk in front of a restaurant or store usually.

Cost Effective

Filling up the gas tank on your motorcycle is going to cost you a lot less than filling the tank on your car. Motorcycles are known for getting anywhere from 35 to 70 miles per gallon, and that’s even higher for street scooters.

The routine maintenance on a bike is usually a quicker and less expensive process than it is for a car. Not only will you save money on gas and maintenance, but you will be doing your part for the environment. Riding significantly reduces carbon emission compared to driving a car.

Some Drawbacks

Nothing comes without a few drawbacks, and that include motorcycles and street scooters. We’ve looked at all the ways they make commuting easy and fun, but there are some things you need to consider before you make the investment.

If you like to carpool, that’s pretty much out with a motorcycle as you can only fit two people on a bike, and that’s even uncomfortable sometimes. Not to mention you can’t bring a whole lot of stuff with you. You will likely only have room for a backpack and a small bag on the side of the bike.

There are also a lot of comforts you get with a car that you just don’t have on two wheels, like climate control and a stereo. (Extreme Motor Sales does install scooters and LED safety lights. Please see our videos of our installs.) Notably absent are safety features such as seatbelts and airbags, which can be a serious concern for some.

And if you’re worried about what you’re wearing or what you look like when you show up to work, motorcycles could put a dent in that. The recommended safety gear of boots, long pants and a jacket can get quite hot during the summer, which might leave you feeling a little sweaty when you arrive at the office. Plus, helmet hair is a very real problem.

Get on the Road

There are a lot of nice looking cars on the road, but most people will agree that motorcycles just look cool. Motorcycles from Extreme Motor Sales can be customized to suit any style. Regardless of what size the street scooter or motorcycle is, others will notice your bike and those in a car will envy you for the freedom you are experiencing.

We encourage anyone looking into buying a motorcycle or street scooter to enroll in a motorcycle safety course. For starters, it’s just a good idea to help you get the hang of things, but it can also lower the cost of motorcycle insurance.