The Best Bike for You
By Luke Patrick
As starving college students, we are always looking for ways to save a few bucks. Whether that be extreme couponing at the local grocery store, or walking to school to avoid using the gas in your car. One way to save money is to ditch the old shag’n wagon and pick up a nice shiny motorcycle.
Motorcycles are popular among the college community because you can get upward of 35 miles per gallon, they are cheap to buy and maintain, they make you feel great about yourself, and depending on one’s age can be significantly cheaper than their four wheeled counterparts. Picking the right bike however might prove to be a challenge. There are many different types of motorcycles that are available, there are super sports, cruisers, sport touring, scooters, dual sports, and adventure bikes. All of these choices may seem overwhelming, however there is a light at the end of the tunnel. Each one of the above mentioned types of bikes have different purposes and can be easily matched to a rider based on their needs.
One of the most common types of motorcycle is the cruiser. This type of bike features brands such as Kawasaki, Yamaha, Suzuki, and the iconic Harley Davidson. These bikes are often lower to the ground than the other types of bikes, which would cater to the shorter riders out there. These bikes get excellent gas millage, in the 40+ rage, and are excellent for the long distance commute. The looks of these bikes are iconic and almost scream classic America. Sleek, fast, and economical, the super sport or sport touring bikes are very popular amongst the college community. These bikes most notably hail from brands such as Ducati, Kawasaki, Honda and Suzuki.
These bikes have a higher seat height than their cruiser counterparts, however they accommodate a larger range of heights than any of the other types of motorcycles. These bikes have a very high rate of speed and a very streamline design, which seem to be their selling point. On the economics side, these bikes only get about 35+ miles per gallon, but are worth every thrill you get each time you throw your leg over. College can be a very stressful time in one’s life. For the weekend warrior who likes to get outdoors and unwind on the weekends, the adventure bikes and dual sports are a great choice.
These two types of bikes are two sides of the same coin. The dual sports are more like dirt bikes and are great for hitting the deer woods or the odd trail. They are less comfortable for the long distances, but get great gas mileage. Adventure bikes are more for extreme cross-country touring. They can tackle any highway and most dirt roads with ease, and are incredibly comfortable. Both of these bikes can easily get up to 60 miles per gallon and are great choices for the adventurous student.
When it comes to fuel economy nothing beats the scooter. These little guys can get easily get 60 miles per gallon and in some cases can break 70 miles per gallon. Scooters have a very cool retro look to them that always catches the eye, and are extremely comfortable. Where these bikes excel in comfort and economy, they fall short in speed. Scooters are, for the most part, restricted to in-town riding and it is not advisable to ride them on the interstate. Some with smaller engine sizes are actually illegal to take on the interstate due to the fact that they cannot keep up with traffic.
Motorcycles are not for everybody, but the college community seems to love them. With all of the different choices available finding a bike that will cater the needs and riding style of an individual is as easy as it can be, all you have to do is drop into your local motorcycle shop. So get rid of that old jalopy, throw your leg over your nice new motorcycle, and ride into financial bliss.