Best Motorcycles for City Driving
With their high mileage and small size, motorcycles are ideal city vehicles. Many of these bikes put even the most efficient hybrid automobiles to shame; some bikes can drive for more than 80 miles on a single gallon of gasoline. Additionally, motorcyclists have an easier time finding parking on crowded downtown streets. However, all motorbikes are not created equal when it comes to city driving; some bikes are clearly superior at navigating the city streets than others.
Scooters
Although many motorcyclists turn their noses up at scooters, these vehicles are excellent for city driving. Scooters are small, cheap, agile and fuel efficient. If you don't expect to take your bike on the freeway, you can save a lot of money by purchasing a small gas-powered scooter, such as a classic Vespa LX 50. These smaller scooters can't reach highway speeds, but they do get 85 miles per gallon and feature an automatic transmission for easy city driving. If you need a little bit more power, you can pick up a larger scooter, such the Honda PCX150; this nimble scooter still gets excellent mileage, but it has enough power to get on the freeway for occasional longer trips.
Electric Motorbikes
Electric bikes have many advantages when it comes to city driving. They don't waste gas while dealing with stop-and-go city conditions. Their electric batteries allow riders to ignore gas stations, and they don't choke up polluted urban atmospheres with exhaust fumes. The disadvantages of electric bikes, such as short travel range and lower power, are lessened by the realities of city driving. You won't usually need to drive for more than 15 miles without charging your bike, and traffic moves much slower in clogged city streets. If you can install a charging station in your home, electric bikes can be ideal city vehicles.
Standard Motorcycles
If you can't install a charging station in your home, and you don't care for the ride experience of a scooter, a standard motorcycle can also make an excellent in-city vehicle. Avoid sports bikes or heavy touring bikes when selecting a bike for city use; sports bikes are far too powerful for regular city driving, and the size of touring bikes makes them awkward to maneuver in cramped city conditions. In addition, these more powerful bikes will cut into your fuel efficiency. Instead, select a lighter bike that handles well at low speeds. You may also wish to select a bike with an upright riding posture; sitting upright will help keep you comfortable when you're sitting in clogged city streets.
