The Green Ninja

So with gas prices this high I decided to buy a motorcycle (one that works I mean). Hit Craig's List (which I think has alone boosted GDP by .5% a year with all the free advertising they allow) and found an old green Kawasaki Ninja.


I'm very happy with it because it gets 67 miles to the gallon, however my friend had to point out,

"Hey, the "Green Ninja." It's like a lame comic book hero like Captain Planet who fights global warming by increasing your gas mileage. You're probably more green than most of your liberal colleagues."

Now utterly ashamed I drive the Green Ninja thinking people believe I have gone soft and gone green, when in reality I'm just trying to save a couple bucks.

Regardless, this did get me thinking about the psychological apprehension people have to making large or larger ticket item purchases like motorcycles so allow me to impart some economic wisdom.

First, if you blow your money on something like booze, cigarettes, video games, marriage or children (har har har) you are in that sense wasting your money. But if you buy a motorcycle or a moped, you are investing your money. And you will not only reclaim the money you spent on the motorcycle (and jacket and helmet and accessories, etc.) you will be earning back more. Therefore it's not whether you can afford a motorcycle, it's whether you can't afford a motorcycle. Get one, you'll be better off (I've already earned back in gas savings what I spent on a jacket, helmet and gloves).

Second, you don't need to blow a ton of money on a motorcycle (I got mine for all of $2,000). Matter of fact they're pretty cheap used as demographics play a role in this. Namely men of Gen X are getting married and having children. And then the wife puts el-kabosh on the motorcycle riding forcing him to give it up. Ergo if you are single guy (or a single gal) you can find a crotch rocket for pretty cheap.

Third, you can go green with a smart car, a Prius or a hybrid.

Or you can get a motorcycle.

Which one do you think the girls dig more?