Ok, I haven‘t looked into it that much so far, so please bear with me and provide as much useful information as you can.My car was recently totaled while sitting in our parking lot by a hit and run driver. I have about $2500 to spend on a point A to point B vehicle. I work at home so it will not be a daily driver, but will be used about 3 days a week. My girlfriend would be riding with me some of the time. I live in the desert so it almost never rains, but does get very hot (100+) in the summer. So, if I wanted cheap, reliable transportation, would a motorcycle be more of less cost effective than a car? I know motorcycles don‘t have the longevity of a car, but cars in that price range would already have over 100,000 miles. I know motorcycle insurance is more, but I don‘t know if that cost would be alleviated by spending less on fuel and general maintenance. I would be looking at cruiser type bikes, something like a Harley Sportster, but probably a Honda or something.
Depends on your situation. Worst thing about a motorcycle is you can't haul stuff, even groceries kind of suck to try to get very many home if you don't have a bike with lots of luggage. I had probably 3 or 4 adult years when I only had a bike, worked then and I probably saved a little money on gas, imposable now. But it was cool to be the type of guy who only owned a bike. You could get a low mile Japanese in-line 4 that is upwards of 20 years old and it would still be a great bike and would cost you like $1500, and it would outperform most cruisers.
Don't get a m/c because you want to save money. On just gas mileage a 1984-ish Honda CRX HF kicks all full-size bikes' butt on gas mileage. Most full-size bikes only get 30-40 MPG. If you are street-only commuting a 400 cc scooter could save money but they're more dangerous (smaller wheels, less control with chair seating, less power). Motorcycle tires do not last as long as car tires and other maintenance costs come up sooner (e.g. valve adjust, oil change). Some bikes are expensive to insure (just about anything sporty). You need good protective clothing on a bike and that's not cheap either, given your rock-bottom budget. Not only that but riding in 100+ degree weather is extra-hot (right about where the breeze heats you up instead of cools you).
