Note : This may be a "seating on the fence" posting. Do bare with a young lady's musing.
Of late, I have been considering a motorcycle licence a.k.a class 2B licence. Though in SG, it is considerably more "practical" to get a class 3/ 3A license a.k.a car license, I personally feel that given the present day's traffic condition n elevated COE prices, perhaps, a class 2B license will be in the league.
Here's K's thoughts of Pros of a Class 2B license
1) Being a driver on the road, learning to ride a motorcycle will allow me to understand the "body language" of motorcyclists(its very different from handling a car) and perhaps after learning defensive riding, one day, I could save my life n someone else's life on the road (be it driving or riding).
2) K has always wanted to ride on a motorcycle during vacation in less traffic populated countries (like in Tai nan). Although a motorcycle license is rarely needed in such places, motorcycle handling skills will be very beneficial.
3) Economic cost : The COE of a motorcycle, road tax, the vehicle n the cost of fuel and maintenance is much lower than say a van or a car. Let K give a rough break down
K's Estimated Cost of Motorcycle Expenses as at 2012/2013
Cost of Class 2B License $1000
Motorcycle(2nd hand Vespa) $ 1500 - $4500
COE $ 1200 - $1500
Insurance $ 200 p.a
Road Tax $100 p.a
Fuel $300 to $500 p.a
Parking Charges $150 p.a
Add : Tyres/ repair/ maintenance $ 100 to $2000
Total Cost of Motorcycle Ownership : $ 4550 to $9750
Of cos, this is a higher estimated gross total estimated amount. Most likely during the first year of K's riding, she will get a much lower maintenance cost Honda Phantom/wave or a ready to be scrape motorcycle to gain the experience of riding
4 ) The taste of ever warm summer tan ~
And here are the Cons ;
The Danger
1) Its unfortunate that in SG, motorcycles are often treated as a lesser vehicle by car drivers n are often forced out of the lane.
2) Motorcycles are "light" in comparison to much larger vehicles and they may "drift" off course (K has seen many cases in the expressways) and it is very dangerous.
3) Motorcycles are more prone to skid in wet conditions (rainy weather) and tyre blowouts can cause much danger to motorcyclist.
4) No matter what, a motorcyclist is often in a much higher risk of an injury rate in accidents. A saying by older drivers in SG : " You dont buang people, people buang you ;
Although you ride safely, there always a risk of getting hit by other vehicles."
K's Conclusion : Although riding is dangerous, K sees no harm in learning to ride defensively and the lessons could be an eye opener.
( Due to budget constraint, K may not get a little vespa after all)
