Hybrids and electric vehicles (EVs) provide a clean, progressive alternative to traditional gas-powered cars. However, what if you don’t want a Toyota Prius Prime or a Ford Escape Hybrid? What if you want fuel economy, affordability, and fun but don’t care about airbags or stereos? Well then, you might want to consider these reasons for buying a motorcycle over a hybrid. 

What is good fuel economy for a motorcycle?

Depending on how you ride and the bike itself, motorcycles are capable of well over 50 mpg. For example, Harley-Davidson’s wildly popular Iron 883 Sportster will manage 51 mpg. However, if you want something even more economical, many manufacturers produce smaller displacement bikes with impressive fuel economy numbers. For instance, you might get silly looks on a Honda Grom, but buying the tiny motorcycle gets you a manufacturer’s estimated 166 mpg.

Is it easier to park a motorcycle than a hybrid?

It is much easier to park a motorcycle than a hybrid, EV, or gas-powered vehicle. Motorcycles are smaller, lighter, and have access to special parking spaces depending on where you live. Also, riders can park multiple motorcycles in one spot, saving space for four-wheeled vehicles.

However, owners should keep in mind that bikes have special parking considerations. First, riders should generally park their motorcycles in gear to avoid unintentional rolling. Furthermore, riders must pay close attention to hill orientation, as parking front-end-first into a downhill space could make for a tricky exit. 

Are motorcycles more expensive to buy than hybrids?

Most new motorcycles are affordable vehicles, both in terms of initial purchase and insurance (unless you’re young and vying for a sports bike). According to Edmunds, the cheapest hybrids start at around $20,000 and can cost as much as $100,000 for luxury models. Conversely, the market is lousy with new motorcycles for around or below $10,000. 

Can you buy an electric motorcycle?

If your considerations for a hybrid or EV are related to emissions, several companies produce fully-electric motorcycles. For Harley-Davidson fans, Livewire takes the marque’s electric bike and makes it cheaper (dropping the starting price by about $10,000). Still, if you’d rather have something else, California-based Zero motorcycles also produce fully-electric motorcycles. A Zero SR-F is also an excellent option for urban commuters since Revzilla asserts that its equivalent range is approximately 215 mpg. 

Is riding a motorcycle fun?

While motorcycles carry inherent riskiness compared to the safety of modern automobiles, they pay dividends in other ways. One such way is the fun factor. Any type of motorcycle, whether a saddlebag-toting cruiser or sharpened sports bike, is fun to ride. Starting, stopping, and especially cornering are much more involved processes than commuting in an automatic-equipped car. 

Furthermore, buying a motorcycle opens up the possibilities of social riding. Riding with an organization with 50 riders in your party or riding the canyons with your buddy on the weekend provides a social catharsis that very few hybrids could match.  

Scroll down to the following article to learn more about fun vehicles!