Motorcycles are classified as two-wheeled motor vehicles, with a combustion engine, fueled by petroleum. The first motorcycle, meeting these criteria, was invented in Germany in 1885. Since its introduction, the motorcycle has grown in popularity across the globe. With 125-years of development and the cost of vehicles skyrocketing, recent counts show as many as 200 million motorcycles, share our roads and highways.

Affordability

Motorcycles are one of the most cost effective and affordable forms of transportation available to us today. Not only is the initial cost of purchase, significantly lower than its four-wheeled counterparts, the fuel consumption is considerably lower, and the cost of insurance can be as low as $100 per year from some providers.

Between car payments, insurance and fuel, car drivers can spend an average of $5,700 per year on transportation, not including maintenance and repairs. On the other hand, a motorcyclist can travel the same distance in miles, spending only $1,800 annually for their transportation. The savings are significant and undeniable, for those brave souls with ambition and balance, who are willing to give up the comfort of their moving shell and learn to ride.

Manufacturers

Vintage and used motorcycles, along with good mechanics, are easy to locate, offering riders with every wallet size an entry point to ride. The primary motorcycle manufacturers producing and introducing new motorcycles to the market include: Harley Davidson Motorcycles, Yamaha Motorcycles, the world’s second largest producer, Kawasaki Motorcycles, Honda Motorcycles, best known for their line of Shadow bikes, and BMW Motorrade USA.

While motorcycles already emit up to 65% less in emissions than vehicles, additional “green” initiatives for electric motors and hybrid bikes are already underway by some manufacturers, to provide bikers with additional savings and even more earth-friendly bikes in the future.

Driving Requirements

Motorcyclists are required to obtain a motorcycle driving permit, and wear a protective helmet in most states. Naturally there is a higher mortality rate with motorcycle accidents than cars. Drivers simply don’t have the same protection from the elements. However, the primary cause for motorcycle accidents can be attributed to passenger vehicles and their inability to see the motorcycle beside, behind, or in front of them.

Most of these accidents occur because motorists pull out in front of or into the motorcycle.The single most important aspect of driving a bike is being alert and defensive, anticipating that many motorists will not see or be aware of them, and keeping a distance from them when at all possible.

Self Expression

In addition to cost savings and freedom, motorcycles also offer drivers more diversity for self-expression. There are as many classifications to choose from, as there are colors in the rainbow. Drivers can saddle up on a traditional two-wheeled motorcycle, a moped, the trendy motor-scooter, dual-sport, cruisers, sport-bikes, and even off-road dirt bikes. Unlike vehicles, these two-wheeled rides are available in every color imaginable, including every shade of pink.

Exquisite custom paint jobs including colorful flames, detailed scenic pictures, American eagles and flags, and checkerboard designs, to name a few, are more common that not, on these two-wheeled vehicles.

Inspiration

The most celebrated motorcycles include the 100-year old iconic Harley Davidson, with its unmistakable pan-head, shovel-head and fat-boy, the vintage Indian Motorcycles, Harley’s biggest competitor, the unrivaled speed and elegance of the Japanese Hayabusa, the fast and furious Kawasaki crotch-rockets, the leisurely and magnificent Honda Gold Wing cruisers and the sleek and spirited BMW bikes.

While all motorcyclists are in a club of their own, there are many clicks within that club. Riders express their individual passions for old-school and tradition, speed and racing, or cruising and off-road adventures, simply by the bike they ride.