Are you looking for a road trip with a greater sense of adventure? Why not try taking a cross-country motorcycle trip? This is a way to really become one with the open road and experience a heightened sense of freedom. Yet in addition to opening yourself up to new experiences, exploring the motorway via motorcycle is a way to potentially save some cash. Motorcycles are both lower in cost and more fuel-efficient than cars or SUVs, which might just leave you with more money in your pocket to splurge on souvenirs or a fancy hotel room along the way! The following are a few reasons to consider living the "Easy Rider" lifestyle.
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Motorcycles have lower sticker prices.
This doesn't really apply to you if you plan to rent a car for your road trip, but if you're looking to buy something you can enjoy significant savings by choosing a motorcycle. You can find new motorcycles for as little as $5,000; or you could choose a higher-end model in this price range by going for a used one. Naturally, price will vary depending on the make and model but overall motorcycles tend to be far cheaper than cars.
Motorcycles can be more fuel efficient.
Some motorcycle models go into the triple digits of mileage, but the average touring vehicle will give you approximately 50 miles to the gallon, which is none too shabby. You don't have to spend too much more to enjoy 70 mpg or higher, which is miles ahead of many cars. This all translates to less money spent on the road. If you want to maximize your savings, look for lightweight or hybrid models.
Insurance and maintenance costs may be lower.
You'll need to factor in the cost of insurance and road repairs, particularly if you're buying a bike to use in your regular life as well as on a road trip. Like cars, luxury models will be more costly to insure or repair. If you choose brands which are particularly known for their reliability, you will find that insurance and maintenance costs are often lower than the equivalent cars. For the lowest rates use bikesales.com.au to look at Japanese brands like Suzuki, Kawasaki or Yamaha, which have a good reputation among insurers and mechanics alike. It's always worth splashing out on a check-up at the mechanic's before you hit the road to minimize your chances of a breakdown.
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You'll enjoy a minimalist experience.
Even the largest touring Harley-Davidson won't have as much storage space as a typical car, but is that a bad thing? Driving a motorcycle on the open road is all about freedom, and it forces you to streamline your travels. You won't have the space to get bogged down in extra pairs of clothing or books that you're unlikely to read. It provides a cleaner, sparer, and more minimalist travel experience which can be quite refreshing for seasoned travellers.
The Bottom Line
Although they're not great for family vacations when you need to pack the whole brood into a minivan, motorcycles can be ideal for more spontaneous types of road trips or solo journeys. Finally, as with any road trip, a bit of planning and careful thought before you depart can go a long way into helping you stick to your budget.
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