Talkin’ About MPG
by Dave Preston
If you work almost anywhere except where I do (many Cycle Barn
staff ride motorcycles), the conversation at work turns increasingly
to the soaring price of fuel and the cost of commuting. The cost of
fuel is not likely to decrease by much anytime soon, no matter what
your analysis of the corporate decisions and geo-political events
that are the cause. Since you’re probably well known at your place
of business as "the motorcycle gal" or "the motorcycle guy," here
are some answers to provide for curious colleagues, arranged in a
strategic manner.
Phase #1 – The idle curious. These people will simply ask what
mpg you get on your bike, with no real interest in pursuing the
topic. In this case, merely provide the simplest answer for you – in
my case – "about 40 mpg on mid-grade fuel." Your answers may differ.
For most people, that will be all the further they want to go.
Phase #2 - Piqued curiosity. If the questioner responds to #1
with "Really? I’ve always wanted a bike," you have the opportunity
to expand, and what a grand opportunity it is. In so many ways, and
I would state this even if I did not work for a dealer, there’s
never been a better time to buy a motorcycle. Consider:
A plethora of fantastic machines from all over the world exist, in all
displacement sizes, and all styles and designs. It’s really
difficult to find a poorly designed or shoddily manufactured
motorcycle, especially in the street legal categories we are dealing
with here.
Our Puget Sound area offers dealerships carrying every major
brand and most of the "minor" brands.
A recent influx of larger scooters offer tremendous fuel economy
and ease of operation.
Web sites, magazines and the used bikes section of this magazine
allow easy shopping and comparisons from the comfort of your own
home. Of course, you would not do such a thing at work.
Modern gear comes in all shapes and styles, and, at last,
(Huzzah!) there are even designs created for real women – and about
time it is, too. It is now possible to be warm, dry and comfy
pretty much twelve months a year.
Believe it or not, motorcycles are more noticed on the roads now
than they were long ago. If you have been riding for less than five
years, this may appall you, but there you have it. The end result –
I feel safer riding on the streets than I ever have.
There is almost no negative stigma left to being a motorcyclist -
which is sad in some ways!
Phase #3 - What to do. Assuming your colleague is a person that
you think would be OK on a motorcycle and a scooter (and there are
people, alas, that you may not be comfortable recommending
participation in this activity) you’re going to need some time. This
is a good first test. If the person is eager to invest in learning,
away you go. If not, that should set off alarm bells. People should
not go scuba diving or mountain climbing without some knowledge and
training, and if they don’t care enough to seek some info – they
should save time, trouble, and injury and take up something that has
lower requirements – walking, perhaps!
This will take more time than a coffee break at work. Is lunch
possible? Meet for coffee before work? If all else fails, direct
them to this magazine, or just print this column and say "Here –
read this and get back to me."
Topics:
The bike. This is huge! There are so many choices, and as the
person has not ridden before, they may not have enough information
to know what they really want. You can help here with some probing
questions. Is fuel mileage and overall economy the only trait
desired? Are we talking about a cruiser, a sport bike, a tourer or
a scooter? Perhaps you can bring in some old magazines for them to
look through. If you’re willing to invest the time, take them to a
huge dealership and just walk around and look at all of the models.
That should at least narrow the field to a couple of dozen samples
of new and used bikes for further investigation. No need to worry
about money yet.
Other costs. Neophytes need to be made aware that the motorcycle
is far from the only cost they will incur. A car comes with fenders,
a top, windshield wipers, bumpers… err, actually not true of some of
the rambling automobile wrecks I bought in my youth, but I’m sure
you get the idea. With a motorcycle, you’ll need a helmet (or two),
a pair of gloves (or two), boots, jacket, rain gear, and on and on.
It’s not necessary to go off the wall here, but there will be costs
involved.
Insurance – varies depending on the person, the bike and other
factors, but it is a cost.
Maintenance and tires – most car drivers are spoiled by their
lengthy maintenance interval, and tires often last 40,000 miles or
more. Your "student" needs to be aware that both the engine of a
motorcycle and the tires have to work harder for a living, and will
need more frequent care. There are only two tires, of course, but
they’ll need to be replaced more than twice as often, and are often
more expensive to boot.
Once all of these factors have been accepted, the person can
begin to figure out what the cost of this adventure will be. The only
silver lining I can think of pertaining to the incredible cost of
fuel is that it is now possible to buy a new bike and all new gear,
and have the monthly payment be a significant percentage of what the
person is currently spending on fuel to commute to work. In the case
of one of my own bikes, the fuel savings for the new owner with a 75
mile daily commute exceeded the monthly payment!
Phase #4 – positive life change. Your colleague is used to
driving to work. You have seen how people behave while commuting –
listening to a cell phone, applying make-up, reading the newspaper –
occasionally all at once. There are thousands of people who commute
to work each day who have virtually no memory of the experience, as
it is so mind-numbingly routine, and they are called on to do so
little, that they do not begin to wake up until sometime after they
arrive at work.
Good news! You can tell your neophyte that all of that is about
to change. Riding a motorcycle takes 100% commitment and focus, as
you need to take care of your own machine – and those of everyone
around you. They have no idea what their vehicle is doing, so you
must. This has the positive end result that your new rider will be
coming to work focused, refreshed, and "up" for the day. Many people
remark that starting to ride a motorcycle is not only the
realization of a life-long dream but a truly significant life-style
altering experience.
Lots of people use the entry into motorcycles as the spur to work
out more, eat less, and generally lead a much more healthy
lifestyle. You also want to make it clear that this activity can be
"addictive," in that the rider will begin to take the long way home,
ride on weekends, spend hours poring over magazines, hanging around
dealerships and become a moto-information "junkie."
Phase #5 – education. As a responsible motorcyclist, you must
INSIST that your colleague take a riding course, either an MSF class
or a Rider’s Edge class. The State of Washington web site, on the
DOT page, can lead you to local MSF providers, and some
Harley dealers offer the Rider’s Edge class. Rider’s Edge is a
virtual clone of the MSF program, but because it is not subsidized,
it is more expensive.
Phase #6 – purchase. Be a real friend. Once you and your
colleague have decided on a new or used model or two, offer to go
along as they shop. If buying used, a test ride by you will probably
be more telling than if done by someone who has never ridden before.
If buying from a dealer, even under the best of circumstances, there
is an avalanche of information that must be digested very quickly –
price, pre-paid maintenance programs, financing options, gear
purchases, and on and on – having an experienced colleague along can
actually make it much easier for the buyer and the dealer. Remember
you are going along to help. Trying to be a big shot and offending
everyone within earshot with your hard-core bargaining skills will
probably not make anyone’s day easier, and I sincerely believe it
does not save any money either. Having said that, as a friend you
need to remind your buyer that their feet are the best negotiating
tool – if the deal does not sound right – take a hike. There are
lots of other bikes out there.
Phase #7 – after purchase. Your friendship continues as you
invite the new rider to go on a weekend ride, and then help them
find a group to ride with.
Another one joins the group!
OK, so high fuel costs are a real pain. On the other hand, our
costs have been the lowest in the world for decades, so we are only
now getting to experience the level of cost Europeans have dealt
with for years. Look on the bright side – if one third of the people
at your office begin to ride bikes and this takes place all over the
region, there will be no traffic jams, fewer used bikes sitting
dormant in garages and world peace will be just around the
corner.
I threw in the last part for spice.
Dave Preston
is the author of Motorcycle 101, a sensible book for the new and returning
rider. Pick up a copy today in the
Sound
RIDER! store. |
