| Peter Fonda, Steve McQueen and James Dean all | | | | test group also reported feeling generally happier and |
| became the pinnacle of cool on this iconic mode of | | | | making fewer mistakes at work. Researchers |
| transportation - the motorcycle. While increasing your | | | | attribute these results to the fact that riding a |
| cool factor may not be the main objective of buying | | | | motorcycle requires a high level of awareness, and |
| a motorcycle, you can still receive a wealth of | | | | therefore stimulates the brain to remain alert. |
| benefits by owning one. In addition to the financial | | | | 4. Leisure travel - The purpose of a vacation is to |
| benefits motorcycling offers, you can also enjoy an | | | | escape, and what better way to do so than through |
| exciting new way to travel and more. If you are | | | | the freedom that motorcycling offers? You can |
| thinking about making the switch to motorcycling, | | | | experience amazing scenery, such as the Rocky |
| consider the following benefits. | | | | Mountains or the California coast, without the |
| The Top Six Reasons You Should Buy a Motorcycle | | | | confines of a car. Even better, you can easily cruise |
| 1. Higher fuel efficiency - With summertime gas prices | | | | back roads and fill up the gas tank without breaking |
| often topping $3 per gallon, switching to a more | | | | the bank. When you travel by motorcycle, the only |
| fuel-efficient mode of transportation is a compelling | | | | schedule you have to follow is your own. |
| reason for many. Midsize motorcycles average 35 to | | | | 5. Environmental friendliness - Help save the |
| 50 miles per gallon for city driving, and many reach | | | | environment and reduce your carbon footprint by |
| over 60 mpg on the highway. | | | | riding on two wheels. Motorcycles produce less |
| 2. Lower purchase price - According to the National | | | | carbon gas emissions than cars or SUVs and use |
| Automobile Dealers Association, the average | | | | fewer natural resources, such as oil, too. |
| purchase price of a new car in 2008 was $28,400. | | | | 6. Parking ease - Motorcycles can be easier to |
| Compare that with the cost of a new motorcycle, | | | | maneuver than you might think, especially in tight |
| which The New York Times reports is just over | | | | spaces. If you're motorcycling, you can zip in, zip out |
| $12,300, and you have a considerable amount of | | | | and reduce your parking frustrations considerably. |
| savings from the initial purchase price of your new | | | | Now you have all the reasons you need to justify |
| ride. | | | | buying a new motorcycle, the only thing you may be |
| 3. Increased mental awareness - A study published | | | | missing is the money to pay for it. Apply for a |
| by Tohoku University in Japan shows that cognitive | | | | motorcycle loan from a company like Nationwide |
| functioning improved for men between the ages of | | | | Bank for affordable and easy-to-mange payments. |
| 40 to 50 after riding a motorcycle on a daily basis for | | | | Also, be sure to protect your new investment with a |
| two months. The study compared results with a | | | | comprehensive motorcycle insurance policy that |
| control group consisting of men in the same age | | | | keeps you and your new ride covered. |
| range who did not ride motorcycles. Riders in the | | | | |