So, which should I buy – a bicycle or a motorcycle? It is up to you and what purposes you the vehicle to accomplish. A motorcycle is suitable for people who desire to go anywhere possible without putting a lot of effort, and that includes traveling from outside the city on long-distance riding. At the same time, a bicycle will fit more for those who want to stay safer when riding for fun to near and not far places.

There are so many differences between motorcycles and bicycles, and it is surprising to know that motorcycles started as bicycles. When an engine was added to a bicycle, it was called a motorcycle. Since then, the differences have only increased between these two vehicles.

If you are undecided and do not know whether or not to get a motorcycle or bicycle, then continue reading because, in this guide, I will show you all the features and differences you need to know between these two vehicles.

So, let’s get started.

What is a motorcycle & for who is it suitable?

Motorcycles are a very popular type of vehicle, of course, powered by crazy engines that can reach crazy speeds. Motorcycles are much more impressive than a bicycle, which is quite clear, and here are a few highlights that you should know about motorcycles versus bicycles.

• First, motorcycles are much more dangerous than bicycles. So, it is important to take it into account. And if you want to survive falls and avoid serious injuries, you have to buy safety equipment, which leads us to the next thing.
• Motorcycles are much more expensive than bicycles, and it is quite clear that a motorcycle requires maintenance, safety equipment, and the purchase of the motorcycle itself. All this will cost you at least over $7000. And even if you buy a used motorcycle, the price is still very high.
• A very big advantage of motorcycles versus bicycles is that you can ride anywhere you want and travel long distances without much effort, which means that a motorcycle will allow you to ride off the city – what you can’t do with bicycles and not even electric bikes in an effective way.
• On top of all that, riding a motorcycle is a lot more fun than riding a bicycle. You spend a lot more adrenaline, and it’s just fun, and the effortless speed and comfort you have when riding makes without a doubt the difference in the fun when riding.
• A disadvantage to motorcycles is that it takes a lot of time to learn how to ride them. I also know bicycle requires quite some time to learn but let’s face it, there is no problem teaching someone how to ride a bicycle. However, teaching someone to ride a motorcycle is completely different and requires a lot more alertness and learning and it can take a few months before you can be a good rider who is in control of the motorcycle.

So, what do I think about motorcycles & who are they suitable for? In my opinion, motorcycles are a lot more fun than bicycles. Still, they will not suit everyone; they require lots of money, time, and investment, and are also much riskier. Because of that, I would recommend motorcycles more for those who are willing to invest the money and risk and especially want long-distance rides off the city.

Pros of a motorcycle

• fast
• fun
• Less effort when riding
• Allow you to ride long distances
• More impressive

Cons of a motorcycle

• Very expensive
• Require maintenance
• More dangerous
• It takes more time to learn

What is a bicycle & for who is it suitable?

Bicycles are quite different from motorcycles, they are driven by body and leg exertion, and they have many advantages and disadvantages.

• First, bicycles don’t pollute the environment, which is already a great advantage. It is quite amazing that even electric bikes are not polluting, unlike motorcycles. So, it is always good to know.
• Also, bicycles are far less dangerous than motorcycles. Although there is a certain risk of injury and fall when cycling, the level of injury and risk involved in bicycle riding is less compared to motorcycles; even electric bicycles do not approach the level of risk there is in a motorcycle. Because of that, you have to take this into account, especially if your safety is important to you.
• The biggest advantage in my opinion that both electric and regular bicycles have is that they cost very low prices compared to motorcycles and start at prices of between $200 to $1000. So, you do not need all the safety equipment except a helmet, and you do not have to worry about a lot of maintenance. So, choosing a bike rather than a motorcycle can save you a few thousand dollars.
• A disadvantage of having a bike is that you cannot effectively ride for long distances, especially outside the city. It also includes electric bikes that, although you don’t have to struggle when riding, are still ineffective when riding for too long. For this reason, bicycles are only suitable for people looking for long-distance rides but for short-distance rides within the city.
• Another disadvantage of bicycles is that they require more effort when riding, unlike motorcycles. Yes, motorcycles also require a certain amount of effort when riding but not like bicycles where you have to worry about pedaling all the time, which can be very annoying and especially challenging in the summer, which is very hot. However, the advantage is that you will get more in shape.
• Also, bicycles are less fun than motorcycles, so it’s important to know that you can’t reach very high speeds like a motorcycle and even electric bikes that are considered more fun than regular bikes, it still won’t come close to the level of adrenaline and fun you had when riding a motorcycle.

So, what do I think about bicycles & who are they suitable for? In my opinion, bicycles will be best suited for those who want to get relatively short distance transport vehicles like riding to work or school without paying thousands of dollars and taking a lot of risks.

Pros of a bicycle

• Cheap
• Non-polluting and environmentally friendly
• Less dangerous
• Healthier and good for fitness

Cons of bicycles  

• Requires more effort
• Ineffective when riding long distances
• Not impressive
• Less fun

Differences between bicycle and motorcycle

A motorcycle is more dangerous than a bicycle

I don’t understand why but a lot of people think bicycles are just as dangerous as motorcycles. The truth is that it’s not quite right.

Motorcycles are much more dangerous than bicycles and the gap is very wide. This is because motorcycle accidents are much more life-threatening due to the fast speeds and also the heavier weight, unlike bicycles where an accident is less severe.

Here is a short fact. In 2013 in Virginia, there were 800 bicycle accidents, of which 739 were serious injuries, compared to motorcycle accidents which recorded 2000 accidents of which 1800 were serious injuries and 60 deaths.

As you have seen, there are more motorcycle crashes, and they are more common and deadly. So, you must take this into account.

A motorcycle is more expensive than a bicycle

It is quite clear that a motorcycle is much more expensive than a bicycle, and it starts with the expensive safety equipment you will need to get, the motorcycle itself, which costs thousands of dollars, fuel, repairs, and maintenance.

Here is an explanation of the five factors that make a motorcycle more expensive than a bicycle

• The Price – First of all, a good motorcycle on average will cost you more than $5,000, unlike the average bicycle that will cost between $200 to $1,000.
• Maintenance – Also, the cost of maintenance for a motorcycle is very high and needs to be more consistent, unlike a bicycle. And even though bicycles require maintenance, it is not the same as the level of maintenance a motorcycle will require.
• Repairs – Motorcycle repairs will, of course, cost you a lot more money than bicycle repairs. Let’s start with the fact that motorcycles are less resistant to accidents unlike bicycles because they have much more components inside them and are heavier which means that motorcycle crashes will do more harm than bicycles. Therefore, motorcycle repair will cost you very high prices of even thousands of dollars, unlike bicycles which will cost less for repairs, costing several tens of dollars up to hundreds of dollars.
• Safety Equipment – Motorcycle safety equipment cost can start from $500 up to over $1000 because you need to understand that motorcycles require safety equipment such as a helmet, boots, duct, gloves, and more. On the other hand, bicycles require only a helmet.
• Fuel – Motorcycles require a lot of money on fuel per year, and it can start from a few hundred dollars to thousands of dollars, and of course, it depends on your riding frequency and type of motorcycle. On the other hand, bicycles require no fuel to power it but your energy for pedaling.

If you want to read more about the cost of motorcycles, I highly recommend you click here to view the full guide I wrote.

Motorcycles are more fun than bicycles

It’s pretty clear that motorcycle riding is much more fun than bicycling.

You need to understand that bicycle requires a lot of effort when pedaling, resulting in less fun especially on hot days, unlike motorcycles which enable you to ride at crazy speeds, spend less effort, and of course, more fun.

Motorcycles can ride longer distances than bicycles

With motorcycles, you can ride to more long distant places outside your city, and this is compared to bicycles that allow for short-distance rides.

So, I’ll make it clear if the distance is a top priority to you

• In short, if you often want to ride your motorcycle for long distances to work or study outside of your city, a motorcycle is definitely the best choice for you.
• On the other hand, if you need transport tools to travel relatively short distances within your city, a bicycle will be a lot better for you.

Bicycles are more environmentally friendly than motorcycles

Bicycles do not pollute the environment, unlike motorcycles that are too polluting. So, if environmental protection is important to you, take this into account.

Bicycle is better for your fitness then motorcycle

Yes, it is true that motorcycles burn calories and can help you get in shape, but it does not approach the level at which you can do with a bicycle.

Here is a short fact. An average motorcycle rider will be able to burn 150 to 300 calories an hour, unlike riding a bicycle that allows you to burn an average of 600 calories an hour. Also, bicycle strengthens your muscles; therefore, in terms of fitness, bicycle wins without a doubt.

Motorcycles are more impressive than bicycles

Let’s face it, motorcycles are much more impressive than bicycles, and it starts from their design to the protective gear that looks much more impressive and cool too.

Keeping your bike safe from theft is a very important thing that every rider, in my opinion, must do correctly.

In fact, nowadays it is very easy to steal bicycles, especially because riders no longer protect their bicycles from theft very well.

Statistics show that between 2 and 3 million bicycles are stolen every year all over the world and it is usually very difficult to catch the thief after they steal them.

And that’s why I wrote you this guide to show you all the tips and things you need to know to keep your bike as safe as possible.

Here they are:

• Always make sure your bike is locked
• Install a chain and lock system
• Get a dog
• Install a GPS system
• Station your bike in the right place
• Register your bike
• Lock your bike anywhere you go
• Make your bike look unattractive
• Keep your bike with you at all times during competitions
• Buy insurance for your bike
• Don’t station at the same place every day
• Protect your bike at home
• Don’t let anyone ride your bike

Always make sure your bike is locked

When I say keeping it locked, I mean that you need to make sure it is secured even in your garage or home.

Also, it is very important not to leave your bike alone in public places even for a few minutes. Leaving your bike alone will ensure its theft.

Install a chain and lock system

The most important thing you will need to do to ensure your bike is safe is to install a lock and chain whenever you leave it alone.

You need to always lock the bike with a lock or chain to ensure it will take time to steal.

You need to understand a lock and a chain will not stop the thief from stealing your bike but it will definitely deter them because it takes a long time to break them, plus it all depends on the quality of the chain you buy.

I personally use this lock that protects my bike amazingly and I was shocked to see the low price it sells for on Amazon. Click here to view.

And I use this chain from Amazon that does a great job – click here to view.

Also, you must to always remember the lock is much more important than the chain so if you have a limited budget, you’re better spending more money on the lock.

Get a dog

Dogs are very daunting and scary to thieves, especially big dogs with strong teeth. Usually, the best dogs to have are Pitbulls or German Shepherds which are very powerful and very scary to thieves.

In addition, dogs, in general, will keep your entire home safe from thieves but you have to take into account that raising a dog is not a simple thing – you will need to feed it, take it out and look after it.

Due to this, I would not recommend to anyone who does not have a dog and does not want to have a dog to buy one, but if you already planning to have a dog it would be very helpful for you to have a big dog and not a small dog.

Install a GPS system

A GPS system might not stop the thief from stealing your bike, but a GPS system will help you track the thief’s location.

In addition, it is very important that if you find the thief’s location that you do not go there yourself. Call the police instead because they will do it for you because it can be very dangerous.

Installing a GPS system may sound expensive and complicated but it is not as difficult and expensive as it sounds because there are a lot of very cheap GPS systems that you can buy on Amazon.

I personally use this GPS system on my bike. It is on offer on Amazon so it is worth checking it out. Click here to view.

Station your bike in the right place

You must know which parking space is dangerous for your bike or not because there are several types of parking that I personally can assure you that a thief will steal your bike.

The worst places you can park your bike and leave it is an isolated park or a crowded bike parking area. In isolated or deserted places there are usually no security cameras and there are no people who can be see if someone is stealing the bicycle.

Crowded places may be even worse because in places where there are loads of bikes it’s very hard to see people stealing your bike.

Instead, it is best to leave your bike in an exposed parking lot that is not too crowded and has some people about who can help you catch the thief if they take your bike.

Also, make sure there are security cameras in the parking lot. I know that a secluded place may seem like a safer place for your bike but it’s really not because as I said, there are no cameras or people who can see if a thief is stealing your bike.

Register your bike

If you have a car, I’m sure you know this tip.

When I say to register your bike I mean you let your municipality or your city know that you have a bicycle so that they can help you if your bike is stolen.

The purpose of registering your bike is simply to help protect your bike and help you recover it if it’s stolen. Once you register your bike you will get a code that identifies your bike so that it is easier to get it back if stolen.

To register your bike is very easy. Just Google the authority that cares about your bike listing issue and give them the name of the bike model and also the frame number. It only takes a couple of minutes and is a very simple process.

Also, it’s very cheap to register your bike and only costs only a few dollars, unlike insurance which can cost between a few dollars and even a few thousand dollars.

But keep in mind that registering your bike will not refund you if your bike is stolen, it just helps you find it and get it back.

Lock your bike anywhere you go

You will have to lock your bike wherever you go, whether this is in a secure garage or even in a locked basement. Wherever possible, you should lock the bike in front of people, even if it’s just for a few minutes.

I would even advise you to cover your bike so that thieves don’t see them.

And I know it’s annoying to keep locking up your bike but you must understand that this is the only way you can ensure that your bike is protected.

In addition, to ease the process of locking your bike I highly recommend that you have a comfortable lock that is locked and opened as easily as the one I recommended.

If you ask me, the safest place you can put your bike is inside your home because thieves don’t often take the risk of getting into a home to steal bikes.

Make your bike look unattractive

This tip is for those who really care about their bicycle’s safety and is not suitable for everyone.

I personally would only recommend making your bike look less appealing to those who don’t care about bike locking or for those who have old bikes.

If you really want to make your bike less beautiful but you don’t want to ruin its look forever, you can rub some dirt or sand on your bike to make it a little dirty and you can always pour water on it to remove it.

I personally would recommend that you make your bike less attractive if you are going to ride long distances or if you know you are going to park your bike alone for a long time.

Also, I strongly encourage you to watch this video that explains how to make your bike unattractive.

Keep your bike with you at all times during competitions

If you are a rider who competes in competitions or bike races you will have to keep your bike with you at any given time because there are loads of thieves in all competitions, and I tell you this from experience because it also happened to me that thieves tried to steal my bike in the race I participated in.

And because of that you always have to keep them safe and also, locking your bikes during competitions will not protect them from being stolen, especially if you leave them alone for a long time.

If you know that you don’t have time to keep an eye on your bike, I would highly recommend you come with a friend you trust and let them look after it.

Buy insurance for your bike

Buying insurance for your bike is the only thing you can do to get back the money if your bike is stolen.

Bicycle insurance can be very expensive or cheap, it varies and depends on the type of insurance you buy.

If you have a cheap bike the insurance will usually be very cheap whereas if you have an expensive bike the insurance will cost a lot more money.

In addition, insuring your bike is a simple process and it only requires a few steps:

• First, search the Internet for insurance companies that are close to your city
• You will need to choose a good company that doesn’t cost too much and after you have chosen the insurance company you want to go with, just tell them you and your bike’s details and that’s it.

I personally think insurance is a great thing to have if you can afford it or if your bike is expensive and it’s very important that you get a refund if it’s stolen.

It is also very important to know that insurance companies do not return all the money to you if your bicycle is stolen, they will usually refund you half of the money. This is different from company to company so it is important to know all of your insurance company’s refund rules.

Don’t station at the same place every day

Parking your bike in the same place over a period of time is a very dangerous thing that can put your bike at risk of being stolen.

And you might ask, how exactly is it dangerous to park your bike in the same place every day because no one has stolen it and apparently the parking lot is very safe? So I’ll let you know a little secret about the thieves…

The thieves are working in groups of usually between 3 and 4 people.

The first thief looks at all the bikes and chooses which bike to steal.

The role of the second thief is to release and break out everything that holds the bike like locks and chains.

And the third thief simply takes the bike without anyone seeing.

Most thieves usually work in the same places and it can be very dangerous for your bike because they may see your bike time and time again and increase the chances of them stealing it.

Instead, if you ride your bike to work every morning for example, just put it in the office and don’t leave it in the parking lot like you usually do, or just park at another nearby parking spot to where you work.

Protect your bike at home

You might think that once you’ve put your bike at home or on the balcony, it is protected from thieves.

However, half of all bike thefts around the world happen at home, which means you will also have to take precautions when your bike is at home.

To protect them at home there are a number of things you need to know:

• Put your bike in a safe place (at home)- The best place to put your bike is in a garage or cellar because most thieves prefer to enter the home rather than areas which may have alarms or security cameras. The worst place you can put your bike is on a balcony that is very easy to get to.
• Hide your bike – Another thing you can do is to hide your bike and make sure they are as invisible as possible. You can hide them in black cloth or just put them in a dark place.
• Install an alarm – The best thing you can do is simply install an alarm in your garage or even in your entire home. It is very important that you install a high quality alarm system that is loud enough so that you can hear it.
• Lock the bike at home too – As I said before, it’s very important for you to keep your bike safe and the best thing you can do is lock it at home with a lock and chain. I can assure that as soon as the thief sees that the bike is locked they won’t even try to steal it because it takes a lot of time and makes a lot of noise.

Don’t let anyone ride your bike

The worst thing that you can do is give to strangers you do not know a ride on your bike. Trust me, I say this from experience.

The only people you can let ride your bike are your good friends or people you generally know well and trust.

In addition, if you meet a new friend and they ask to ride your bike I wouldn’t recommend giving it to them because a lot of people make friends with you just so they can steal your bike afterwards.
 
I really don’t recommend giving your bike to anyone but it’s your choice.