Mathematically they're equivalent, but the feelings could not be further apart.
Motorcycle emissions standards are incredibly lax by today's standards when compared to cars. That Prius just might be releasing less toxic substances than your motorcycle - while being able to cart around more people and stuff.
This is very true, even newer bikes that have more modern emissions are still generally exempt from the same standards as any car.
That being said if you have a high traffic commute it would still be faster for you to use a bike as well as better for everyone else in traffic so pros and cons.
Fortnine has a video that touches on the emissions/trying to be green and riding a motorcycle. The fact is most bikes not made within the last 10 years (and some that are) are carbureted and have little if any emissions control. Sure that Yamaha vstar250 might get 80mpg but that has more to do with having a smaller engine than a lawnmower than it does any modern engineering.
E-motorcycles really are best of both worlds. Small, mobile, and more energy efficient. Plus high torque means it feels powerful. They were available on market several years ago - I remember seeing a Wired piece on one.
They're very cool but the problem is aero. To build an ev-bike that's fast enough to be a motorcycle you run into a lot of drag. Ebikes that still go pretty fast but still technically are a bicycle fit this gap nicely.
Another issue is price though. To do my current commute via electric motorcycle id probably need to buy the HD Live Wire Del Mar, which if I remember correctly is about 17k. Do you know what else was 17k? My electric Fiat 500e which is what I generally use to do my commute. On the other end of the scale is pricing for ebikes which isn't that bad and does start around the 500-800 but can easily get into the tens of thousands of dollars for some very high end options.
While I see there's a lot of people here that disagree with me on motorcycles being just fine for commuting, it's important to recognize that not every task needs a car. Motorcycles are not the cleanest way to get around but they do overall have less impact. Sure you can off-road in a Cadillac Escalade, but how much will that tear the trail up compared to my 450lb klr650? You might be able to fit 6 months groceries in the back but you also need to park in the back to find a spot. Sure you can haul 8 people but how often is it just 1?
Finally, they're fun AF.
living to the fullest
Until, abruptly, you aren't.
Probably because of a shitty driver or tesla autopilot: https://youtu.be/yRdzIs4FJJg?si=0Px9muIop5hXKBcC
Speaking from experience, the former is extremely likely. Given the increase in sociopathic driving, I'll not be riding on slabs again anytime soon. I really don't want to get hit by another truck.
Sad, but true
Just assume you are invisible and that all the other vehicles will do the worst likely thing, and you might be alright.
When I rode I went beyond being invisible to just imagining they are all actively targeting me, and making sure I didn't give them a chance.
You targeted them first?
Motorcycle licences should come with an organ donor registration card
Good, there is a serious shortage of donor organs.
Plus think of all the groceries you'll haul on that motorcycle. The savings are endless!
I do often carry all my groceries and still have room for a full size first aid kit on my bike. Panniers are a game changer and I dont even need a backpack 90% of the time
I can haul about the same amount of groceries on my bike/partner's scoot as our car...which tbf is a fiat 500 but nonetheless I can easily get a weeks groceries on a bike.
Love the down votes lol, you may disagree with me but facts are facts.
That doesn't incorporate the hassle factor. Even if you can, it's a lot more hassle
It just isn't, I can quickly and easily park my bike in basically any spot. If I know I'm not buying a lot I'll just bring a backpack and put my groceries in there as I checkout and if not I probably brought the scooter which has the same trunk as a small car.
I don't have to fuss about in traffic, look for a spot, or try to turn my car around in my tiny neighborhood. (Not the fiat...I do own one of those oversized American cars that's literally 18.5 ft long because it was cheap)
But hey maybe I'm just dead wrong, give a bicycle a try. (If possible I recognize not many north American places are bicycle friendly) try getting some groceries on a bicycle. You might actually enjoy the benefits, yes it'll be tough the first time and likely even the fifth...but you might come to enjoy it.
It is not. I have a sport touring bike with large panniers. They carry enough where I rarely use a backpack for my shopping trips they also detach with a simple key turn and have handles so they act like luggage which means i can carry all the groceries in in one simple trip without doing the stacking thing.
I go on grocery trips on my cheap Escooter 🤷 it works, just get a good backpack
I ride the subway. Checkmate
How do you commute on a sandwhich?
Decadently
Jesus lotta "motorcycles are a deathtrap" in here.
Hi, I've been riding for 10 years on all different kinds of machines through many lengths of commute/fun. allow me to be abrupt motorcycles cost more than a Prius to own. The tires don't last as long, the maintenance is more frequent, obviously the gear you absolutely should be wearing is expensive but hey if none of that bothers you please continue to enjoy riding.
It's not very active but there's a motorcycle community here on lemmy, please join us ;)
Something about the phrase "living to the fullest" doesn't allude to sensible motorcycle safety precautions.
There is an entire sub culture of motorcyclists that agree, I do not however condone riding without appropriate gear.
I agree with that as well. I ride a cruiser and I wear a full face helmet, jacket, boots or shoes covering the ankles, and at least thick denim pants. Sometimes I think about getting a 3/4 helmet but I don't think I could bring myself to do it.
When I was real hardcore riding everyday I wore waterproof jacket, pants, and boots. Now I just don't ride in the rain at all if I can help it.
As one on an extended hiatus due to getting hit by an SUV and high-siding, I recommend only using a full face or highly rated modular with a good lock. I have a face because of my HJC modular and am not confident in anything without a chinbar.
I've often wondered why people gravitate so much to quarter and even half helmets for this reason. They do protect your head better than nothing but also expose your face (in the case of a quarter helmet) to the ground.
I suspect that, for some, it is the misconcption that the visor limits field of view in a meaningful way. Might have been the case 40-50 years ago but seems a rarity with modern helmets.
It is really strange seeing that rhetoric here too especially with the “fuck cars” group. A lot of countries other than the US have way more riders and less of the squid culture going on because its more of just the norm over there. Also to compliment your picture heres one of me camping with the bike:
Can you link the community?
https://lemmy.world/c/motorcycles
One Of Us :)
Hi there! Looks like you linked to a Lemmy community using a URL instead of its name, which doesn't work well for people on different instances. Try fixing it like this: !motorcycles@lemmy.world
Yeah, priuses are really low maintenance for the most part, it's nice. And motorcycles aren't necessarily the death traps people are making out here, higher risk yes but if you're a defensive, aware driver and not a squid it's really not bad. Motorcycles don't tend to attract defensive drivers though.
The defensive drivers are here, they just aren't yelling at everyone about how their gixxer 600 does 180mph
Cringe AF.
Well with a motorcycle you'll have a much better chance of never having to spend money on gas for the rest of your life
Depends on the motorcycle. Anything loosely above 500cc and the fuel efficiency gets worse than a Prius.
Especially if your having “fun” with it.
One full tank of gas on your motorcycle could be enough for a lifetime...
I live life to the fullest by driving my family around in the backseat of my Prius, and not being skinned alive by road rash. You live life to the fullest by praying there isn't sand on the next exit ramp.
We are not the same.
What about the rain? Ha! Got’im
Rain gear + many bikes have fairings that especially when traveling at speed cause the rain to mostly travel around you.
Worst case is oh no you get a little wet. We all know people cant get wet or something catastrophic will happen