Motorcycle Vs. Car: Your Primary Transportation

Pros and Cons

Many people prefer their motorcycle as their primary vehicle as opposed to their car or truck for the sense of freedom, the nostalgia, or simply to represent their rebel way of life. In this article we review the pros and cons of riding on two wheels rather than four.

Gas Mileage
For about $4,000 you can get a motorcycle that gets 61 miles per gallon as opposed to $22,000 for a Toyota Prius that gets 61 miles to the gallon. The price and mileage is an advantage for the motorcycle. In the favor of the car, you can transport four passengers with no reduction in mileage. Adding one passenger to your motorcycle significantly reduces your mileage per gallon.

Environmental
It's assumed a motorcycle leaves a much smaller carbon footprint than a car. well, yes and no. The motorcycle emits less carbon dioxide than a car but more carbon monoxide. So while the motorcycle technically is better on emission by definition, it still produces more pollution than a car. Newer models of motorcycles have greatly reduced emissions compared to older models but the standard still applies. Environmentally, a newer model economy car stands a better chance at being more environmentally friendly. Rain is always a factor that makes the car more beneficial here as well.

Safety
As presumed, you are far better protected within the confines of the cab of a car, truck or SUV having modern safety features than on a motorcycle. Motorcyclists are 35 times more likely to experience a deadly motor vehicle accident than those in passenger cars. Having said this, experienced motorcyclists will argue that you become more aware of your surrounds on a motorcycle and will be less likely to fall into a false sense of security than you would driving a passenger car. Note, the reduced likelihood of you texting on your cell phone while driving your motorcycle.

Passengers
As expected, your capacity to carry passengers is greatly reduced on a motorcycle as opposed to a passenger vehicle that can carry more passengers but secure them more safely than on a motorcycle. You cannot secure a child seat safely onto a motorcycle either.

Driving Experience
Hands down the motorcycle beats the passenger vehicle in this department. On the level of sky diving, surfing huge waves and bungee jumping, motorcycling is the most fun you will legally have on the road.
Source
Carbon Footprint of Motorcycles vs. Cars
Motorcycle Accident Statistics And Possible Causes

Previously Posted on FullofKnowlege.com

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Finding a Good Mechanic

The Advantages of a Shade Tree Mechanic

Almost as important as your personal physician, your attorney and your accountant, your mechanic must be someone you can trust. A personal mechanic is often referred to by the slightly derogatory description as a shade tree mechanic. This mechanic often works for himself in his own back yard rather than a car dealership or typical auto shop. He may also set up a work space in your driveway and work on your vehicle depending upon your relationship with him.

Although a bit tongue in cheek, we will address the very real advantages to finding a good shade tree you can trust. It's difficult to establish a trusting relationship with an auto shop that works with perhaps ten to thirty cars daily. These bigger shops tend to do a lot of business and they also can be very expensive even for simple auto repair or maintenance. Car dealerships are even less personal. They operate on the corporate level and often will be the most expensive choice for auto service.

Let's first disperse with the myth that the guy at the auto shop was trained in the ancient art of automotive repair, maintenance and service by monks. It's not rocket science and the expensive shops and dealerships do not hold the patent on the trade. It's another myth that simply because a mechanic does not work in a big shop or dealership that his skills are somehow less exemplary. In fact, the contrary is more often the standard. The trick is in finding him.

Same as you would properly vet your physician, attorney or accountant you would also want to make sure your shade tree is knowledgeable and competent in his trade. Word of mouth from your family or friends is often how they get their clients. They perform good work at a reasonable cost and their customers pass the word around. They have developed a relationship of trust and reliability that their customers appreciate.

Supply and demand become a factor in the cost and quality of automotive service. Sometimes a shop or dealership can become so overwhelmed that overall service and quality suffers. Rather than a one on one diagnosis of the issue, customers are hurrying down the counter to the cash register and out the door with no real understanding of what they actually paid for. Your trustworthy shade tree will ensure you understand exactly what is wrong with your vehicle and what he will do to correct it while also informing you what you can do yourself to extend the life of your vehicle.

It's common for people to become secretive of their shade tree and will not typically divulge the identity of their shade tree to just anyone. As mentioned, supply and demand can also be a factor with a good shade tree. As his reputation for quality and reliability grows, he becomes busier and you may be put on a waiting list for his services as his work load stacks up. If you've never given it much thought try it for yourself. Ask around for a good shade tree and see how people react to the question. You would assume you were asking them for insider stock information rather than a mechanic.

References/Sources:

Previously Posted on FullofKnowlege.com

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