15 Advantages of Motorcycles Over Cars in Singapore
It’s usually quite straightforward — you either have always dreamed of owning a car, or a motorcycle. And when you hit 18 and pass your riding or driving test, it’s “all systems go!” and you purchase the bike or car of your (budgeted) dreams. Car owners will always say cars are better, and motorcycle owners will always insist that motorbikes are the better option in Singapore.
Today we look at the potential advantages of motorcycles over cars in Singapore, and are they convincing enough to sell you on motorcycles for good?
1. Cheaper to Purchase
On average, motorcycles are just easier on the pocket. The OMV (Open Market Value) of a motorcycle is much lower compared to that of a car. Since many of the other costs involved in purchasing a vehicle in Singapore, including ARF (Additional Registration Fee), Excise Duty, and GST, are all calculated based on a vehicle’s OMV, having a lower OMV reduces the overall purchase price, making motorcycles the more economical option in Singapore’s expensive vehicle market.
The other big price quotient to consider is the mandatory COE (Certificate of Entitlement) in Singapore for every vehicle. Although COE premiums seem to be climbing for all vehicles, it’s still safe to say that COE for motorcycles is far more affordable than that for a car.
In fact, at current time of writing (September 2024), the most recent COE premium for Category D (motorcycles) was $9,801, almost 10 times lesser than that of Category A (small cars), which came in at $96,490 – the highest this year.
And word on the street is that the COE prices of Category A cars, which includes not only less powerful cars, but also most EVs (electric vehicles), might still have some soaring to do when EV adoption picks up in future.
2. Affordable Maintenance
Motorcycles have less complex mechanical systems than cars, so maintaining a motorcycle is usually more affordable thanks to lower servicing costs and cheaper replacement parts.
Regular maintenance for motorcycles such as oil changes, tyre replacements, and brake servicing all cost significantly less. Motorcycles also generally experience less wear and tear compared to cars, resulting in fewer major repairs over the years.
3. Lower Running Costs
Shoving aside that initial hole-in-pocket feeling of the purchase price, vehicle ownership is also about the running costs adding to your monthly expenditure. In this area, motorcycles come up tops because everything needed to keep riding your motorcycle costs significantly less – from petrol, to road tax, to parking, to ERP charges, and also motor insurance.
4. Pay Less for Petrol
Motorcycles offer better fuel economy. Why? Because of their smaller engine size and lighter weight, which require less energy to run. (Note, we’re talking about average commuter motorcycles, not heavy fuel guzzlers.)
Most motorcycles also consume significantly less fuel per kilometre than cars. What this means is, for the same distance say from your home to work, you’d be using more fuel in litres driving your car vs riding your motorcycle to work.
When you consider other factors such as daily commuting, especially in city traffic, the lower fuel consumption of motorcycles is particularly advantageous, as it allows motorcycle riders to cover more distance with less petrol than a car would. And in Singapore, where fuel prices are almost always high, this can translate to substantial savings.
5. Park Everywhere
Let’s face it, parking is one of the headaches of driving a car in Singapore. Sure, it’s no issue getting to your destination, but you could easily spend just as long looking for an available spot.
Finding an available slot allocated just for motorcycles isn’t as difficult, and you also don’t have to worry too much about trying to parallel park, or having to make “impossible-point turns” to get out of a lot.
Parking fees are generally a lot cheaper for motorcycles too. In HDB car parks, for example, sheltered season parking rates for cars are at $110 per month, whereas it only costs $17 per month for motorcycles.
On top of this, motorcyclists also have the option of applying for Concessionary Season Parking for Motorcycles (CSP) on top of their own residential season parking. This allows motorcyclists who are HDB residents to also park at the white lots in other HDB car parks.
6. ERP 2.0 For Motorcycles
As the entire country gears up for what’s going to be the biggest change to our homegrown ERP system in 26 years — since its inception in 1998 — how are motorcycles affected by this?
Well, the good news for motorcycles is they will have to transition to only a one-piece OBU (On-Board Unit), unlike the 3-piece OBU that is required for cars. Apparently, cars require more instruments due to the increased temperatures inside the vehicle, whereas the OBU on motorcycles is exposed.
ERP rates are not being touched despite the nationwide transition to ERP 2.0, so motorcycles will still enjoy lower ERP rates. Just as an example, during the peak period of 7:30am-9:30am on the CTE (Southbound), cars are required to pay $2.00 to $3.00, whereas motorcycles only have to pay $0.50 to $1.00.
7. Comprehensive Insurance
Unlike cars, motorcycles are a lot less likely to cause costly damages in accidents, and the repair and replacement costs for motorcycle parts are also generally less expensive. That’s why motorcycle owners in Singapore enjoy significantly lower motor insurance premiums compared to car owners.
It’s also a lot more affordable for motorcycle owners to be able to sign up for comprehensive motorcycle insurance than it is for car owners to afford comprehensive car insurance.
For example, did you know that “damage to your motorcycle caused by an accident” is only covered under a full comprehensive motorcycle insurance? Being able to afford better coverage will give motorcycle riders more peace of mind while on the roads.
8. Value Over Time
Motorcycles often make more financial sense due to their slower depreciation compared to cars. While cars typically lose a significant portion of their value in the first few years, motorcycles generally retain more value over time. This is because of their lower initial cost, reduced wear and tear, and smaller market fluctuations. With fewer complex systems and lower repair costs, motorcycles tend to require less investment to maintain their condition, which also helps preserve their resale value, making them a more cost-effective long-term option.
Specifically in Singapore, extending the COE on your ageing motorcycle will also cost a lot less than trying to renew the COE on a car, especially with the rising COE premiums these days.
9. Versatile Navigation
What’s busy city traffic for a motorcycle rider? Unlike countries like Australia, Britain and the United States, lane splitting is legal and allowed in Singapore. The Straits Times defines lane splitting as “the practice of riding between lanes, often weaving through the gap between two vehicles.”
As long as motorcyclists do this carefully and not put themselves in the blind spot of cars while doing so, lane splitting is a means of “escape” for motorcyclists from traffic jams, allowing them to get to their destination faster than the cars packed tightly bumper to bumper.
Important!
Remember, with great power comes great responsibility. Just because you’re allowed to lane split doesn’t mean you do so recklessly and dangerously. Never nip between close, high-speed cars, and try to avoid lane splitting on narrow roads that are teeming with traffic. Safety always comes first!
10. Faster Reactions in Traffic
Thanks to the agility and manoeuvrability of motorcycles, motorcyclists are sometimes able to react faster in road emergencies. It’s easier for motorcycle riders to avoid obstacles or take swift evasive action than it is for car drivers. This quick response time is particularly advantageous in high-traffic cities like Singapore.
11. Unparalleled Performance
Now, let’s talk performance. If you like the feeling of fast acceleration and kicking your heels off with a bang, then motorcycles are definitely the thing for you. With their superior power-to-weight ratio, motorcycles can simply accelerate much faster than cars.
With their smaller and lighter frames, and powerful engines, motorcycles deliver more horsepower per kilogram compared to most cars. This allows them to achieve rapid acceleration, often outperforming cars in short bursts of speed. Just check out this exciting video of a MotoGP bike just crushing the competition in this Red Bull drag race.
The minimal weight of a motorcycle also reduces inertia, making motorcycles more responsive to throttle inputs and enabling quicker performance off the line, which is especially noticeable at stoplights — not that you should be goading your next lane neighbour into illegal drag races in Singapore!
12. Convenient Commutes
Pride over performance aside, motorcycles are perfect for quick A to B commutes around Singapore. Motorcycles can go down certain roads that may not be open to cars, and they require less time to find parking. If you need to get something quickly from the supermarket, it’s so much easier to zip to the store and back on a motorbike rather than bust out the car for a quick run.
13. Quick to Clean
One of the most convenient things about owning a motorbike is how fast it is to clean. Dirt and grime tend to accumulate on all vehicles over time, and left unchecked, can cause corrosion. Washing your vehicle is important to maintain its performance and protect it from long-term damage.
Just based on size alone, it’s a lot easier to clean a motorcycle than a car. But if you don’t have the time to get the job done yourself, motorcycle washes are also easier on the pocket than car washes in the long run.
14. Strong Community
Although motorcycles make up less than 15% of Singapore’s total vehicle population, the sense of community amongst motorcyclists is strong. Motorcycle clubs tend to host meet-ups, events and group rides, fostering great camaraderie amongst bikers. When talking about bike shows or modification workshops, motorcycle enthusiasts almost speak another language — the language of bikes!
Be it the brand of motorcycle you ride, such as Harley Owners Group Singapore Chapter (HOG SG), or the alma mater you belong to, like NUS Motorcycle Club, owning a motorcycle in Singapore opens doors to lasting friendships and shared passions.
15. The Cool Factor
Well, when it comes down to it, motorcycles are just a lot cooler than cars. The fact is that when you see Arnold Schwarzenegger’s Terminator rolling down the street on a Harley Davidson Fatboy, or Tom Cruise on a Kawasaki in Top Gun, it’s a whole other experience.
And it’s not just the iconic pop culture moments that give motorcycles their rebellious charm. Motorcycles exude individuality, adventure, agility, and a sense of freedom, with the wind rushing past and an intimate feeling of the road beneath you.
Whether it’s the roar of the throttle or the way it manoeuvres to your every move, owning a motorcycle makes a bold statement that’s hard to replicate with cars.
