I stated in another article of mine that motorcycles are often viewed as "grown up toys". This statement may not be agreed on by everyone but for the most part it is true. Motorcycles don't provide the protection of a car, the passenger allowance or luggage space of a bigger vehicle, they can be expensive for less "machine", and so on and so forth. So how could anyone, even avid riders, justify spending so much money on something that they may only ride for a few months out of the year? These points beg the question: "Is owning a motorcycle even worth it?"

I guess the answer to that question depends on how you look at it. People often need to justify why and how they spend their money. If they go out to eat the food better be delicious and satisfying if they plan on spending a little extra money and if they buy a movie ticket and the movie is amazing then the money was well spent. The opposite of this holds true as well. So is spending anywhere from $1000 to $5000 for the average motorcycle unreasonable?

If you feel that you can truly get enjoyment out of a motorcycle that will justify the purchase then I say that they are absolutely worth it. I bought my first motorcycle when I was 17 and I immediately new that the money was well worth it. Yeah I could have saved it for something else but I already had a job and my bills/priorities in line so why not? The enjoyment I got out of riding my motorcycle made the couple thousand I had spent seem reasonable.

We can go into the facts about how motorcycles save on gas and only have two tires, etc. but these should not be reasons for spending your extra money. Just like any other hobby you should be investing time and money into something because you get personal enjoyment back out of it. In fact, one of the most special aspects about owning a motorcycle is that there is a different pride/aura that comes with having one. You tend to care about your purchase as it is different than your car that is simply there to get you around (not trying to exclude those who love their cars!) and knowing that you are riding simply for the pleasure of riding makes all the difference.

Whether or not you are someone who has been riding for years or just starting out, if owning a motorcycle provides you with enjoyment and doesn't interfere with other aspects of your life then I say they are completely worth the investment and I would recommend them to anyone who is interested. As always though, be safe and smart while riding so that you can truly appreciate these awesome bikes!