MiniHub - Motorbikes vs Cars

The world, as we know, is in a economic melt-down. Petrol prices are rising by the day and soon people will find it more difficult to run their cars. Now, more than ever, is the best time to take to the roads on a Motorcycle.

You might not be inclined at first for many reasons. Perhaps you've got a large family and need a car. Perhaps you do a lot of shopping? Maybe it's comfort you seek, and you're too tempted by heated seats and a roof.

Let's be honest, Motorbikes aren't exactly comfortable when compared to cars. And they don't have much space. Sure, you can't take any more than 1 person for a ride too...But if you need a cheap transport to work and back, why not?

One of the biggest reasons for people taking cars to work is this: Safety. You can't help but prefer a cars many crumple zones, and ability to deflect the forces away from you in a crash. On a bike, the crumple zone is your face.
But that's not actually entirely true. In a crash, sure a modern car absorbs the impact of a crash and deflects it around the shell, but the fact is, you're in a car still. You're not going to move. You're in one set place, and if you're hit by a truck, all the safety features in the world can't stop 10 tonnes of metal crushing you.

On a bike, if you get knocked off, you carry on moving. The force is spread out over a longer distance, thanks to inertia. Now, what's better, stopping instantly in a small, metal frame? Or spreading the force over a distance? Sure, the outcome isn't always pretty, but for small knocks, etc bikes are perfectly safe. In fact figures even show this!

Now, cost.
Assuming you like in the UK, a 125cc bike itself costs approximately £2,000 to buy new, on average. A CBT (needed if you're to hit the road) costs around £100. Then insurance will be about £200 per year! Tax is £15 too. So to hit the road, equipment included, an initial cost of about £2000 is needed. Fuel is about £520 per year (1 tank a week).
Therefore every subsequent year (maintenance not included) it will cost you approximately £735 a year to run a Motorbike.

Ok, so what about a car? Let's say you spent £2,000 on one. You need a licence, but let's say you have one. Insurance varies, but on average is £600-£2000 per year. Let's meet in the middle and say £1300. Road tax for an average family car is about £200 for a year. Then fuel (1 tank per week) can be about £60 which is £3120 a year. So the initial years cost is £6620.
Then every subsequent year would be £4620 a year. (This cost can vary vastly)

No doubt then the Motorbike is cheaper to run.