Evelin Turlich: In Atlanta, it's a wash (I lived and worked in Atlanta from 2000~2004). In Washington DC, motorcycles had a Slight advantage when going downtown and in NYC I don't know how anyone gets anywhere in a car. I've never had a motorcycle that was Cheaper, in a cost per mile basis, to operate than a car. It's the consumables that kill the average. Toss in the newer economy cars that easily get into the 35mpg range and most of the fuel benefit is wiped out. Heck, my car has Averaged 49mpg over the last 120,000 miles. Motorcycles can be cheaper to BUY than a car, but they are much more maintenance intensive.Winters in Atlanta can be bad on a motorcycle... freezing rain, ice on the roads, the occasional snow... even just the cold rains are Very miserable with the best in waterproof gear. I went for 8 years as a motorcycle-only guy, 4 in Washington DC, 1 in Phoenix, AZ, and 3 in Atlanta.... before breaking down and buying a car. I should say that I never ha! d a girlfriend in that whole time either (girls don't Really like bikes, and Certainly don't want to go on the back of one for more than 1 or 2 times out... they also don't like meeting you everywhere or driving You everywhere). Motorcycles make great SECOND vehicle options.... when the weather's nice, or you just don't want to deal with the car. But the car needs to come first. And for someone just getting into motorcycles, you really Need a car when the bike's down for maintenance. If, after a few years, you get the experience and think you can go without a car, then try it, but car first....Show more
Renay Billiar: Brian M rides different motorcycles than I ride. My opinion is different. I ride in Los Angeles, close enough, http://www.city-data.com/city/Hawthorne-California... Hawthorne, home of the Beach Boys. Los Angeles is good city to ride all year, better than Atlanta: http://www.city-data.com/city/Atlanta-Georgia.htmlMy average temperatures are 56-71 ! degrees, all year. Atlanta is colder and hotter, averages run! from 42 to 79 degrees -- but still you can still ride all year.Rain is a problem, for Los Angeles at least. Our three months of Winter is 2-3 inches of rain, 7 months have close to rain. Atlanta has 5 inches of rain in the winter, 4 inches the other 9 months. You will need rain gear. But the weather is acceptable all year, it is not too hard.Riding a motorcycle is FAR easier to ride than drive. I have had a couple of bumps in cars/vans -- I have never had a motorcycle collision. Motorcycles are smaller, quicker, have no blind spots -- you can avoid the hazards that will catch a car/van.A motorcycle *IS* cheaper. BUT.....I do not wear special "gear" -- I just wear the same cowboys I always wear, I wear the black denim trousers ("jeans") that I only own (other one suit I wear about twice a year, average), I have a black leather 'motorcycle' jacket, but only when it is cool or less . . . below 70 degrees. I wear a helmet only because the law requires it. In 47 years! I have never hit or needed a helmet.My 'cycle is a 2000 Savage I bought in '04, for $2325. Still running it. Insurance is minimum legal, about $70 a year. It is simple, one cylinder, 1986 technology when Suzuki brought it out and still built the same. Do my own maintenance, even to mounting my own tires. My costs are under $0.20 a mile, measured. Cheap cars are at least double.-------Bottom line: You.When I was four years old I would hang my out the car window like a dog. I drive with the windows open, even if raining. I do NOT like being in a car or van. Riding a motorcycle in rain is better than driving a car in a sunny day. On tour on US60 I got caught in a storm -- rain, hail, and nothing for me to hide under. Wet thru the skin. Laughing, grinning. Most people think cars are comfortable. I am comfortable on a bike, the weather does not bother me. Until this last year -- I have heart disease and I cannot stand the cold any longer, my hands get numb, fing! ers white, bloodless. Enjoy while you can.If you prefer comfort in a c! ar -- get the car. Comfort trumps costs....Show more
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