What would be a dependable, fuel efficient motorcycle for me?

Hi Imogen – here are a couple of awesome websites for you to check out:
http://www.totalmotorcycle.com/compendium/A.htm
http://www.totalmotorcycle.com/school.htm
http://www.vtwinmama.com/

These sites will give you lots of information on types of cycles, cost, height requirements….good luck, and always ride safe.

I don’t think fuel savings alone is enough to merit buying a motorcycle instead of a car. Motorcycles are something you need to have a passion about. It’s fun to ride, but also dangerous and there are limitations. You can’t carry a lot of groceries on a motorcycle. Riding in the rain can be annoying and in snow very dangerous. You can never carry more than one passenger…etc. If you’re going to make a motorcycle your only method of transportation – you need to be hardcore about them and I don’t get the feeling you are.

Also, you will need to learn how to maintain the bike. They take a little more work than the average car but you need to keep up with it because if something fails while your riding it is more dangerous than if something goes wrong in a car.

If you still want a bike – you need to decide what style you want – sport bike, cruiser, touring, etc.
You should also look into some good riding gear.
You can get some basic info about motorcycles, gear, insurance etc at http://www.motorcyclegiftshop.com

I would also suggest taking the MSF basic rider course to learn. http://www.msf-usa.org

I would take a motorcycle rider safety class to start with. Go to http://www.msf-usa.org/ and find a class near you. These classes are extremely helpful, plus they can save you money on insurance. You learn a lot, and if you have a good instructor, it is a lot of fun (well the riding part!)

I think many of the smaller bikes, like the Honda Rebel or Shadow get very good fuel economy. You can purchase these bikes new, and from what i can tell, they do come with a warrenty. One caution about smaller bikes is they are more for cruising the streets, not for zipping up and down the highway.

Another option is a scooter/moped. They get excellent gas mileage, and come in different sizes. The smaller ones don’t require a motorcycle license, where the larger do.

The best bike for you depends on what style (cruiser, sport, dual purpose) you like and what sort of riding you are doing (highway, city, rural).

Do your research. Sit on the different bikes, see which one fits you the best. Most motorcycles get good fuel economy compared to a car! Invest in a nice DOT approved helmet and always wear proper gear!

Good luck! Motorcycles are a lot of fun. I am a new rider and I am loving it!

I would give the advise that you should keep saving your money until you can afford a fuel efficient car. Reason # 1 what are you going to do when it rains, when it is very cold, or even when it is hot no matter how fast you ride 100 degree air blasting you is still 100 degree air( feels like standing in front of a blow dryer.) Also go get your shopping done on your bike. Take a couple of friends to the movies. Motorcycles can be and are a lot of fun but as a only vehicle i feel it would be a bad choice. Also you need to think of the increased danger involved in a motorcycle. It is not hard to understand that when a car and a motorcycle are involved in a wreck the rider has a significantly higher chance of being killed or injured. Having said all that i should tell you that i have owned several motorcycles and currently do and i love riding them. If you do buy a bike find a experienced rider a older guy who has rode for at least 5yr not some young guy with 14months under his belt you will learn a lot and will live longer.

Suzuki has a 500cc motorcycle that is great on gas and is also a great starter bike. It is also comfortable and easy to drive on the streets. The 2007 GS500F gets between 50-60 mpg and is legal to use on both street on highway. It is also priced very ecomnomically at $5,199. Suzuki and Hondas are both very reliable motorcycle brands. It has a six speed transmission and it comes in both blue/white and black/silver.

Buy ojne of each. Buy a small, economical car to fdrive in the rain and when you need to haul cargo, and buy a standard bike or a small cruiser for daily driving. For dependability, get a Honda, Yamaha, or Harley.

being there and made the wrong decision
The best thing is to buy a car and a motorcycle
get the new Kia Rio for 7000 dollars with a 6 year warranty and get a new Honda 250 for 3000 with one year warranty
if you do that, you will be very happy and satisfied
the Rio gets 40 MPG and the honda 250 gets 60-70 MPG
ride safe

The best beginner bike bar none is the Kawasaki Ninja 250. They cost $3,000 new so expect to walk out with one for about $3,500 after TT&L. Now to insure it. Motorcycles are stolen much more easily than cars so you are going to need comprehensive insurance. For me, another new and young cyclist, the estimate was around $250 for liability and another $800 a year for comprehensive. That brings us to $4,550. Now you need safety gear. Between a helmet, jacket, boots and gloves expect to pay a minimum of $5-600 for decent safety gear. If we split the difference we get $550. That brings us to $5,100

So basically a $3,000 bike cost over $5,000 before you get to ride it. Keep in mind that motorcycle upkeep is much more costly and is required more often than on a car. A set of motorcycle tires might wear out enough to warrant replacement in only 6,000 miles. For my bike the tire change cost $450. Thats $300 for the tires and $150 for two hours labor that I was billed at. This is not uncommon. Most dealerships and shops charge $50-75 an hour for labor.

Motorcycles are not much cheaper than a car. Keep in mind that $3,500 is about as cheap as a road worthy bike is going to cost new. The Ninja 250 is unique in this. $6,000 out the door is what you are going to pay for a decent small new bike designed for beginners like a Honda VLX or Ninja 500. This would bring your initial cost to $8,100. A carryover 2006 model Kia is going to cost less than that.

Bottom line: Motorcycles are about passion. They are not cheaper replacements to cars. If you are set on a motorcycle take the MSF course in your area first. The course should cost about $150-250 and it should teach you enough to get you started riding. You will spend several hours on an actual motorcycle and if you decide afterwards that motorcycling is not for you then you are only out a small amount of money. If you decide that it is for you, the Ninja 250 is just about the best cycle for the money out there.

I agree with TH to buy a Kia Rio for a car but for a motorcycle I would take the Suzuki GZ250 (approx. $3200 new) over the Honda Rebel because the Suzuki has a better gas mileage, up to 90 GPM I read.