Why Motorcycles Still Matter — And How to Choose the Right Ride

Motorcycle Stuff

A motorcycle is a different kind of vehicle from a car. It is open to the air, it asks for your full attention, and it rewards skill. This post looks at why motorcycles still matter, then at how to choose a bike that suits you. It uses named sources for its facts, and says clearly where something is my own suggestion.

A rider in a white helmet and gray-and-black riding gear sits on a motorcycle with luggage boxes at a coastal overlook, with the ocean and a long beach behind

Image: A rider with a loaded adventure motorcycle on the Pacific Coast Highway, California by Paulpelland, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons.

Why motorcycles still matter

For many people, the reason is the experience. The Utah Motorcycle Handbook, which reproduces the Motorcycle Safety Foundation’s rider manual, says that, whether you ride to work or on weekends, motorcycling “engages all your senses and creates an exhilarating sense of freedom,” and that “compared to a car, you don’t sit in a motorcycle; you become its upper half.” That is the handbook’s description, and every rider will put it a bit differently.

They also matter as transport. Wikipedia’s motorcycle article says that globally, motorcycles are comparable in number to cars: in 2021, about 58.6 million new motorcycles were sold around the world, against 66.7 million cars. It also says that motorcycles offer good fuel economy because of their low engine sizes and high power-to-weight ratios, and that under conditions of fuel scarcity, such as in modern developing nations, they claim a large share of the vehicle market. In many countries they work as taxis as well, according to Wikipedia’s article on motorcycle taxis, which says that Nigeria has about three million.

The freedom comes with responsibility

The same handbook line goes on: “Along with that freedom comes responsibility.” The U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s 2024 data says 6,228 motorcyclists were killed that year, 16 percent of all traffic deaths, and that per 100 million vehicle miles traveled the motorcyclist fatality rate was almost 27 times the rate for passenger car occupants. That is an average across all riders, including those who were unlicensed, impaired or speeding, but it is a reason to treat the choice seriously.

The main styles

Wikipedia’s article on types of motorcycles says there is no universal classification system for all types of motorcycles. It describes these common styles:

  • Standard (naked) bikes: an exposed engine, no fairing, and an upright rider posture that the article describes as comfortable and natural.
  • Cruisers: styled after American motorcycles of the 1930s to early 1960s, with a semi-recumbent riding posture and engines tuned for low-end torque, so you do not need to shift as often.
  • Sport bikes: built for speed, braking and handling, “typically at the expense of comfort and fuel economy.”
  • Touring bikes: designed for long distances, with large-displacement engines, fairings and screens for weather protection, large fuel tanks and a relaxed, upright seating position.
  • Dual-sport and adventure bikes: multi-purpose bikes made for road riding and recreational off-road riding, usually with road-legal equipment such as indicators and mirrors.
  • Scooters: distinguished by an automatic continuously variable transmission, an open frame and a flat foot platform.

Other posts on this site go deeper into each type. The sources do not say which is best, because the answer depends on what you will use it for.

How to choose one that fits

The Utah handbook gives this advice: “your motorcycle should ‘fit’ you.” Your feet should reach the ground while you are seated, and the controls should be easy to operate. It says that smaller motorcycles are usually easier for beginners. It also says that more than half of all crashes involve riders with less than five months of experience on their motorcycles.

Here are some questions to ask, which are my own suggestions and not findings from the sources:

  1. Can I hold it up? At a stop, can you plant your feet and manage the weight?
  2. How will I use it? A short commute, weekend backroads and long trips are different jobs, and different styles do them better.
  3. What does it cost to keep? Insurance, tires, servicing and gear all add up, so look at the running costs as well as the purchase.
  4. Is it in good condition? If you buy used, an inspection by someone who knows bikes can help. The handbook describes a quick T-CLOCS pre-ride check to run before every ride.

Get licensed and trained first

According to the handbook, all states require some form of license or endorsement, and it suggests taking a formal hands-on course even if yours does not require it. The Basic RiderCourse that it describes is a 15-hour course, 10 hours of it riding, and requires no previous experience. In Utah, many insurers reduce premiums for graduates. Check what your own state offers.

Gear and habits

NHTSA’s reminders include a helmet with a valid U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) label that fits well, a sturdy jacket, pants, boots and gloves, and high-visibility colors and retro-reflective materials so you are easier to see. NHTSA’s data also shows that of the 5,950 motorcycle riders killed in 2024, 26 percent were alcohol-impaired. A “Gear Up Right” series on this site will cover gear in more detail.

A simple way to start

  1. Take a rider course before you buy.
  2. Wear proper gear from your first ride.
  3. Choose a bike you can manage, not one that impresses.
  4. Practice in an empty lot until the basics feel automatic.
  5. Build up miles gradually, starting with short daytime rides.

That order is my own suggestion, based on the advice in the sources above.

Sources