Buying a Motorcycle

To buy or not to buy a Motorcycle/Scooter

The image above is a Honda Wave 100R Motorcycle. This is the motorcycle that I am planning to buy for me and for my wife to use, but I am still confused whether to get one or not. I am thinking about the benefits of owning a motorcycle but also the risk that can happen if I have one.



So far, I have been talking to my wife about it and she said that I do not like motorcycle and I am into cars which I think is true. Although I have been looking at motorcycles and I like the looks of SOME of them most especially the big bikes.  Is this enough to consider myself a fan of motorcycles? I don't know.

To be really honest, I do not know how to drive a motorcycle but I know I can easily learn since we will be getting a semi-automatic motor which is easier to drive based on research and I have been driving a car for almost 15 years so its going to be easy for me to adjust to a motorcycle, plus my wife know knows how to drive a motorcycle so I can ask her to teach me the basics haha!

I am only planning to use it inside our subdivision (House to subdivision gate which is 600 meters away) and nearby areas that are 2 to 5 km away from our house. These areas are drug stores and the grocery stores. If I do not have a Motorcycle I will need to ride a jeep and ride a tricycle back which would most probably cost 100 to 150 pesos. also another advantage is at least my wife can use it since she knows how. I am not planning to use it for work since my work is in Makati which is 20 to 25 kms away from our house and I only need to ride a bus going to my work which would cost 50 to 60 pesos so its cheaper.

The other reason that I wanted to get one is that we do not have a car but also planning to get one in the next few months (or most probably next year 2013)  which will do the same thing except that it is more costly for short trips. (Fuel Consumption Wear and Tear of Parts, etc).

I am sure that I will be hearing a lot of negative comments from my friends and relatives but when I think of it, everywhere you go there are always risk for you to be in an accident if you do not focus on what you are doing. For instance crossing the street and not looking left or right for upcoming vehicles, same goes with cars and motorcycles. I know myself that I am a defensive driver and I was even telling my wife that if ever we will get a motorcycle I will be driving it like a car. (No using of side streets. etc HAHA! ill stay in the back of a car if its traffic HAHA!) Also, Motorcycles are safe if ridden correctly like no over speeding, no lane splitting etc.




So here's a list that I could think of that will benefit us

Positive / Benefits
1. Cheaper to maintain (Change Oil, Tune up, I can even just by the parts and I can change the oil by myself)
2. Less fuel consumption (Can go up to 45 km/L unlike a car 8 to 10km/L)
3. Full tank of fuel is cheaper (I heard it only needs 3 to 5 Liters to get a full tank which would cost 150 - 250 pesos)
3. Faster travel time (When I need to buy something while my wife is cooking and needs something fast etc)
4. My wife can use it

Negative / Risks
1. Less P1,500 - P2,000 from our monthly income since we will be getting in financing)
2. Can't use it while raining (Do not want to use it, personal preference hehe!)
3 .Negative comments from people around us.
4. Longer time to prepare to ride (Wearing of Protective gears Helmet, Jacket,etc. I do actually know if this is negative since this is very important)

So far this is benefits and the risks of owning a motorcycle. Any thoughts? I have also been reading topics in Motorcycle Club Philippines and it surely has a lot of information about riding a motorcycle safely.

What are your thoughts? Should I get one or not?