Why Motorcycles Are Better Than Cars and How to Choose the Safest One
If you’re a car fan, this article is not for you. You can go back to your comfort zone and dream about a sports car while you’re closely approaching your midlife crisis. If you’re already into motorcycles and don’t know much about other types of vehicles, this article isn’t for you either. You have already made your choice and I salute you for it.
However, if you’re close to getting your driver’s license and still ponder between a car and a motorcycle, here are some reasons why you should go for the second option.
They’re cooler
Coolness seems to be a high-importance factor for men who are looking for a new pair of wheels. Forget power, tank capacity or the leather interiors as those aren’t mandatory. If a set of wheels looks cool enough to impress your family, friends, and, most importantly, your neighbors, it’s good enough to put a second mortgage on your house.
But how cool would it be to come back home one day riding one of those mad choppers or Harleys you grew up dreaming of? In the end, you have to admit. No matter how new or shiny a car might look, you’ll never be as cool driving it as you would be on the saddle of a powerful motorcycle. Leather jacket and beard mandatory.
They provide the perfect opportunity for a wardrobe change
If you’re tired of your old shirts and office pants you have to take with you to work daily, owning a motorcycle will give you the perfect excuse to empty your credit card. Jokes aside, investing in protective gear is mandatory even if you take your motorbike for a ride around the neighborhood, so make sure you pick the right pieces for you.
From the iconic black leather jacket to vests, padded jeans, helmets, and gloves, everything must be brand new and of superior quality to last you for a long time. Don’t forget about adding some motorcycle boots as well and, if you can’t seem to pick the perfect pair, here is way more sexy to ride a motorcycle than a regular car like everyone else.
Insurance premiums cost less
Why spend dozens of thousands of dollars for your insurance premiums when you can pay less and have the same benefits for your motorbike?
According to specialists in the field, motorcycle owners pay up to 68% less on motorbike premiums by comparison to car premiums. And, even though premiums vary depending on the type of bike you are riding, you’ll still pay less for a two-wheeler.
They can help you make new friends
Everyone owns a car nowadays but motorcycles are still considered rare, which means each owner will feel like being part of a special, exclusive family. And this is not far from the truth, as most bikers are always eager to find other people to share the same enthusiasm and passion for these vehicles.
Not to mention the famous Motor Clubs. Do you imagine how Hells Angels members would have looked if they were driving regular pick-up trucks or cars? Not too cool, I reckon. Although I’m not saying you should join a shady motor club just for the sake of it, you can’t deny the fact that owning a motorcycle gives you the feeling of belonging to a strong and united community that will look after you.
You’ll be a part of the scenery
Riding a bike gives you a sense of liberty that you don’t normally get with cars. Instead of being surrounded by a metal case that seals you from the outside world, you can be a part of the scenery by riding a motorcycle.
You’ll feel the wind blowing and the warmth of the sun on your skin, while the fresh air will keep you alert on the highway.
They are easier to clean
Last but not least, looking after a bike will take you less time than cleaning and looking after a regular car. Cleaning substances and agents cost less and, with the surface being significantly smaller, you’ll spend half an hour, on average, for properly cleaning your bike from dust, dirt, and debris.
How to find the perfect bike?
If you already convinced yourself that a bike is what you need in your life right now, it’s high time you picked the perfect model and brand for you.
A word of advice? Stay away from choppers or low riders if you’re a newbie. Although they are amongst the coolest and most popular types of motorcycles, they are also more powerful and require a lot of strength to control them properly.
If you’re new in the field, pick an item that meets your budget expectations and is lightweight. They are easier to handle and won’t cost as much as high-end vehicles in terms of maintenance and insurance.
Before deciding on a model, take your bike for a quick drive test to see how it feels.
Keep in mind that your bike must fit you perfectly and be easy to ride to actually prove itself useful and safe in the long term.
The power of a bike is also important but don’t go chasing after the ones that sound “furious” when you turn on the engine unless you know how to ride them. If we’re talking about your first bike, it would be best to stick to city bikes with limited speeds that are safer and easier to ride.
Buying a Used Quad Bike: What to Know Before Purchase
With no or low experience in driving an ATV, it is reasonable not to spend a fortune on a new vehicle. Considering a used one, it is important to start checking a quad’s state with an ATV VIN lookup using the services which possess a database containing all the relevant information on a vehicle.
How to Find a VIN Number?
To get a VIN report, one will need to have this number. It can be simply asked from a previous owner or found on the frame of a quad. Its location depends on the manufacturer and model of your dream vehicle. One more tip: check on the Internet where a VIN number should be indicated on a particular model of a quad. After, check if it is present at the proper places of a quad model you are considering. If not, beware of this vehicle.
How to Choose a Quad Bike?
Before choosing a manufacturer and model, it is important to understand why you need a quad. They can be classified as follows: for sports, for tourism, and utility use. The first group of quad bikes should be fast, suitable for all the terrains, and it is designed for one rider, as a rule. Special protection against injuries can be also foreseen.
Touristic four-wheelers are intended for long distances, they will be ok with slopes and descends. Besides, a rider, as well as a passenger, will have enough space on such quad. The last group of utility-use vehicles is widely used by farmers. The peculiar feature is a trunk designed for 100 kilos of load, as well as the possibility to attach a trailer to it.
It is essential to make sure that a quad you are considering for purchase has been used according to its initial and original functionality. In such a way, it will not be too worn or damaged. Undoubtedly, a vehicle history report will be handy. To get it, carry out a VIN check and make sure to choose a quad meeting all your demands.
Complementary Accessories to Be Considered
Despite an intended use, a quad is intended for all the types of terrain, that is why the following items should be bought with a quad or separately:
- Winch;
- Trunk, if not originally present;
- Additional protection for extreme driving;
- Set of tires according to the terrain type.
A properly chosen quad, if in a good state, will bring a lot of joy to you, your friends, and family. Spending more time while choosing it will reduce to the minimum the possible troubles for repairing it instead of spending adventurous time. Be a responsible purchaser and enjoy the ride!
5 Ways a Motorcycle Can Enhance Your Life
Have you ever considered hopping on a motorcycle and cruising with the wind against your face? Have you thought of what it would be like to experience nature from the seat of a motorcycle, winding down roads surrounded by stunning views? Maybe you’ve thought about it before but have been hesitant to take the leap. There’s no better time than right now! The cool, brisk air of autumn creates the perfect atmosphere for a motorcycle ride. It’s a great time to take a deep breath and consider all of the amazing benefits that come with riding a motorcycle. Check out these 5 ways that riding a motorcycle can actually enhance your life!
1.Meet People & Ride Together
Whether you enjoy social activity or you generally consider yourself a bit of a lone wolf, it’s proven that social togetherness and group activity can benefit your wellbeing. Motorcycle riding is a fantastic hobby to have, because you do have the option of meeting other like-minded individuals and going out on rides together.
Having a social support network of friends or family is so crucial for your mental wellbeing. It’s actually been shown that social isolation or lack of social support can be associated with mental illness and mortality. Not only do low levels of social support show an increase in mental illness, but higher levels can also demonstrate buffering against these issues altogether. Overall, it’s shown that level of social support can actually curb vulnerabilities to illness.
Perhaps some days you do decide to ride on your own, but in motorcycle riding, there are so many opportunities to join forces with others and explore. Also consider that your fellow riders might know some really incredible roads to ride that you weren’t aware of already. In addition to fostering great relationships, get ready to be introduced to new spots to check out.
2. Get Involved in a New Culture
Many different images can be portrayed when thinking of motorcycle culture. At times, people might automatically associate motorcyclists with biker gangs and violence. In many cases though, this couldn’t be further from the truth. While, yes, outlaw bikers were somewhat prevalent in the 1970s, the violence brought about by these gangs has greatly ebbed.
Today, it’s not uncommon to see motorcycle clubs supporting various causes. Some, for instance, might be made up of recovering alcoholics or drug addicts like The Street Survivors. Not only do the members of this club help one another stay sober, but they also make an effort to help out within their community.
Of course not all motorcycle clubs are made up of recovering addicts, but many do lend a helping hand within their community when they can. Food or clothing donations to shelters throughout their area are commonly seen good deeds. You can support your community while also getting to know other motorcycle enthusiasts around you.
3. Relax & Enjoy the Sights
No matter who you are or what your day typically looks like, it’s so important for people to have time to truly relax. For some, this might mean sitting on the porch with a cold beer in hand, for others it could be going for an evening walk after work, or maybe it’s even going to the gym or for a run. Spending time to yourself and really unwinding is very different for many people.
For motorcycle enthusiasts, there are few things better than hopping on your motorcycle and letting your thoughts fade away. When you’re on your motorcycle, you get to experience the natural world for what it truly is. The wind is pressing against your face as you ride, assuring you that you really are in the midst of nature. You have more freedom to roam on your motorcycle that you might with a car or truck, which presents more opportunities for exploring uncharted territory.
4. Improve Your Physical Condition
Balance and coordination are crucial when it comes to riding a motorcycle. Behind the wheel of a car, there is not much physical effort that’s needed. When you’re riding a motorcycle, you do have to put in some work to keep the vehicle upright. Different muscles and joints are worked when riding a motorcycle than you might use elsewhere – when you’re first starting out it’s likely you’ll be a little sore after a long ride.
Your arms, thighs and core are utilized not only to keep the vehicle upright, but also to steer the vehicle along curving roads – particularly when you’re riding at a slower pace. Riding a motorcycle is a great way not only to strengthen and tone your muscles, but also to burn calories. When riding against the wind, or slowly walking your bike forward as you come to a stop, you’re engaging in calorie burning activities.
5. Improve Your Cognitive Function
Have you ever been driving a car and suddenly realized that you can’t remember the last 30 minutes of the drive? You might wonder how you even arrived at a particular location. It’s not uncommon for people to zone out as they drive a vehicle. With a motorcycle, though, that’s not often seen.
When riding a motorcycle, it’s necessary to stay mentally focused and completely alert and aware of your surroundings. Because you’re engaging in a physical activity – using your arms, legs and core to steer, it’s almost impossible to lose sight of what you’re doing. Increasing your hand-eye coordination is a great way to improve cognitive function.
Is it safe?
There are many different contributing factors to motorcycle accidents. While driving under the influence is one of the leading causes, speed is also a huge factor. When embarking on an adventure along winding roads, it can be easy to be distracted by breathtaking scenery and incredible views.
Keep in mind your speed though as you ride. Also remember that there are cars and trucks on the roads as well – not just you and your motorcycle crew. Be conscientious of other drivers and remember that you’re much more exposed on your motorcycle than many others are behind the wheels of their vehicles.
