Total Motorcycle Community Forums

Would you guys recommend a motorcycle as the only means of transport when you go to college? I was thinking, and I figured why not sell the car, and have a motorcycle that gets much better MPG to putt around college with. Its more efficient, I can park it up by the front of classes, and what not. Is it feasible to nto have a car, only a bike in college? I mean, lots of people get away with no cars, or only riding a bicycle, so would it work?

I'm jsut curious to see if anyones got any experience with that.

I think as an inexperienced rider... I would still have another choice in transportation. But, if that were not the case... then yea... why not! No reason to even shy away from a 100 mile commute.

I have some experience with commuting to school and work... I have a car, but never used it except one time after I bought the bike. And that one time, there was a tornado warning in my schools area. So... yea. After riding through a few Dirt Devils... the thought of riding through a tornado wasn't to appealing.

With the proper gear and technique... riding in nearly any weather condition is very plausable.

I've only ever owned a motorcycle... and a bus pass.

I think a lot depends on where you live. I started out with only a motorcycle for transport when I lived in Southern NM (just up the road from Koss). I rode it to college, and also commuted 60 miles a day for work. In the winter, I had a snowmobile suit that helped a lot when temps dipped into the teens and 20s. Life got much easier when I moved to central AZ, where winters are even milder. I rode for over 4 years before buying a car.

Now if you happen to live in Buffalo, NY, things will be a lot different. Frankly, anyplace that gets a lot of snow and ice in the winter will severly reduce the utility (and comfort) of being a motocycle-only guy.

and if Iremember my college days right, lot permits where cheaper for motorcycles than car too.

I think it depends what brand of motorcycle you get, did you ever think about what ur going to do when ur bike breaks down and won't start? It will work just so you buy a reliable bike.

i would say if it doesn't have too much icy/snowy days then your set.

If you can get both a car and a bike, just get both, its nice to have a car for long trips/night trips/t-storm and such.

but if you cant, you can just be hardcore like that gummientag guy and bike all year long in snow/rain/shine

MotoF150 wrote:I think it depends what brand of motorcycle you get, did you ever think about what ur going to do when ur bike breaks down and won't start? It will work just so you buy a reliable bike.

... ok so don't buy a BSA?

You could always get a ural. Those things seem to go in any weather. Or a Vstrom with a custom sidecar... the dream man.

When i was in college I could move all my stuff in my car. It eventually got crammed but i could move in to dorms and move out. I could also take dates out on cold nights and have a convenient place to keep them warm.

I'm not knocking the idea, but I was able to walk around my university's grounds and rarely need my own transportation. When I did, a car made more sense. Everyone I knew with a bike also had a car.

So possible, with warm weather or a ural sure. Practical? Eh...

If the weather in your area is nice all year round and you don't mind bus/taxi; then cool. I'd never do it, though. I hate public transit.