Getting a vehicle as soon as the news broke out that there will be limited public transpo is one of the main concerns that a lot of people thought hard about. After all, traveling from point A to point B is not just a matter of leisure but that of necessity. Work, errands, and other similar things in between are not something to just set aside even if you ultimately decide to do most of your work at home.
Thus, more people became interested in getting their own vehicle to avoid the hassle of hailing a cab or hitching with some people they know (or not). In this regard, motorcycles and cars are the top choices. Read on to know more about car and motorcycle stuff in the Philippines so you’ll be guided when it’s your turn to choose one.
Overall Cost
Motorcycles are more affordable than cars, unless you’re planning to upgrade the former with no bounds. In that case, it’s really hard to tell which one will be more expensive in relation to your current spending power.
When it comes to costs needed for maintenance of both vehicles, motorcycles require less funds to do this if we’re only to consider the basics. If you’re also factoring in insurance, motorcycle insurance policies are generally more affordable than their car counterparts.
Overall, motorcycles will require you to shell out less money compared to when you have to buy and maintain a car regularly.
Parking
Looking at the space, costs, and effort it takes to park both vehicles within similar spaces, the motorcycle takes the cake on this one.
If you have a garage but only small enough (something like two square meters), keeping a car may be a difficult chore to take care of. Moreover, it’s not always practical to pay for parking fees if you intend to stay home for at least two to three days at a time. Aside from these, keeping your vehicle right outside your house or gate can pose risks and can even get you penalties.
Fuel Use
In general, motorcycles usually have a lower gas consumption rate compared to the four-wheeled vehicles. In general, one liter of gas can bring a motorcycle somewhere between 40 to 80 kilometers, depending on the make and specs of the unit. On the other hand, the same amount of gas can only bring a car somewhere between 20 to 30 kilometers, sometimes even less.
There are a lot of factors at play here, but the number of moving parts that need fuel takes the prime spot. The basic rule of thumb here is the more parts the vehicle has, the more fuel it needs to propel it forward. Thus, the great difference in fuel consumption between the two.
Road Safety
Cars can offer more safety for its passengers, compared to motorcycles. This is especially evident when you need to navigate a road during a downpour. Because a car has a wider base and four wheels to support the entire structure, it’s more stable than the motorcycles.
During the rainy season, the road also tends to be slippery, thus giving the wheels lose traction while you drive. The tendency is to slip and lose control of the brakes if you’re negotiating a surface using worn-out tires. As for regaining control, car users can do this more easily than their motorcycle-riding peers. It also helps that the stability of the car’s structure makes it less prone to stumbling because of its wide base of support–a quality that motorcycles don’t have because of their slim structures.
It’s also an added bonus that you’re generally safe from lightning strikes, as long as you’re inside a closed car. How cool is that?
Design
If you’re after comfort, you need to define what comfort means to you before we further discuss this section.
As far as ergonomics is concerned, both vehicles can cause back pain when you use them for more than an hour at a time. However, it may be easier for you to add seat cushions and other types of reinforcements for a car seat compared to a motorcycle seat. It may be more challenging to do that to a motorcycle seat because of the general configuration of the bike seat itself. While it’s possible to add more cushions, there’s no way to support your upper or lower back when you’re seated. Therefore, you can only provide reinforcements for the crotch area, in this case.
Most motorcycles don’t have an awning. Otherwise, it’s impractical to drive with it, wind resistance and all. Plus, it looks silly driving at relatively high speeds while a flimsy roof is over your head. You may even run the risk of inconveniencing someone else should this structure land on someone else’s vehicle. This is also why motorcycle users go for raincoats when they have to traverse the roads during inclement weather.
In contrast to this, you have a guaranteed solid roof over your head if you decide to use a car to travel somewhere. Therefore, you don’t need to rely heavily on additional rain gear, such as a raincoat, to protect you from the harsh elements while you’re outside.
Traveling during the summer season has similar implications for both car and motorcycle users. You can’t exactly use an umbrella while riding a motorcycle under the sweltering heat. You can’t do that as well if you’re using a car, but you don’t need an umbrella in the first place because of its roof.
As far as design for comfort is concerned, the car has plus points in this area.
Space
This is a must if you’re planning to regularly travel while bringing a lot of stuff with you. It’s even more practical to just store the things inside their respective compartments so you don’t have to constantly remind yourself what to bring. Between the two, which is more practical for you?
Another point to consider is if you’re going to use the vehicle strictly for personal use or for a business that requires transporting supplies in bulk. If it’s the former, a motorcycle’s storage space may be enough for you. If it’s the latter, you may need to invest in more room for more efficient transportation and better management of the goods. Sure, you may also transport bulk supplies using a motorcycle, but it’s generally unsafe and may lead to accidents. This especially holds true if you have to traverse slippery roads while you’re at it.
Another point to consider: Do you need to regularly transport more than one person at a time, or just yourself and another adult at most? If you’re looking to transport at least three people, a car may be the one fit for your needs. This is also true if you’re in need of transportation for yourself and a child. Otherwise, go for a motorcycle.
Is It the One or the Other?
Cars and motorcycles each have their pros and cons that you need to weigh based on your current lifestyle, circumstances, and preferences. While one isn’t exactly superior to the other, each person has unique travel-related needs that should be addressed. Just make sure that when you finally decide to choose one, the choice is made based on careful weighing of all the possible factors involved. This is effective as soon as you decide to go out and do your thing.
