Face Off: 2008 Smart ForTwo vs 1995 BMW R1100RS
There are multiple ways to get around a crowded city. A car is usually the worst way, as traffic jams reduce your average speed to somewhere south of an 80-year-old geezer's motorized scooter. However, here in Los Angeles, and particularly on the west side, general urban sprawl and a lack of light rail conspire to reduce your commuting choices to the old-fashioned automobile and motorcycle. We thought we'd face off this week those two choices to determine which is better for the daily slog.
In one corner, Automotive Editor James Riswick and the smallest car sold in the United States. Described as a "city car," the Smart ForTwo is designed to squeeze into small parking spaces, cut through spots in traffic others cannot and sip gas. In the other corner, Automotive Editor John DiPietro and his own 1995 BMW R1100 RS. By definition, a motorcycle can park almost anywhere and in California, legally bypass any traffic snarl by driving in between lanes.
May this cross-transport battle commence. Get it on!
Opening Arguments:
John DiPietro for his 1995 BMW R1100 RS
In such a grossly overpopulated city located where the weather is perfect most of the time, I'll take my old Beemer over the Smart all day, everyday. I live only six miles from the office and sometimes my commute home via car takes 45 minutes (whether I take the I-10 parking lot or side streets). I can run faster than that -- but that's a different Face Off.
On the bike, it's 20 minutes regardless of the horrific traffic, via lane-splitting on the 10. I don't blaze between the rows of cars -- I'm going between 20 and 30 mph most of the time, which is a helluva lot better than 0-10 mph. I split the two left-most lanes (I figure the rightmost lanes are for those jockying to get off and on the freeway). And I only split when it's full-on gridlock and the cars can't change lanes. This minimizes the risk of getting boinked as most L.A. drivers are a spastic lot that never signal their intentions, look beyond their hood emblems or check their mirrors. Once the traffic starts moving and spaces open up, I take a lane. Furthermore, on gridlocked side streets, I can again split traffic and roll right up to the stop line at the lights, rather than remain stuck while the light cycles through a half-dozen times.
Other advantages? Well, it can be parked in spots that even a Smart must pass up. As the photo shows, I quickly bagged a spot at the beach instead of having to drive around for 15 minutes hoping to find a spot ... or pay $10 at a lot. It's a blast to drive (gotta like a 0-60 in less than 4 seconds and afterburner-like passing power). And lastly, being a sport-tourer, the RS is very comfortable, cruises effortlessly at high speeds and can carry a fair amount of cargo in the side bags.
This is the way I like to get around 40 mpg. You can pick up a nice used R1100 or R1150 RS for anywhere from $4,000 to $8,000. Sadly, BMW discontinued the RS series of the boxer (flat twin) a few years ago.
James Riswick for the 2008 Smart ForTwo
Let me make this perfectly clear: I in no way advocate the purchase of the Smart ForTwo. Its transmission is terrible, its brake pedal is incorrectly positioned, its fuel economy isn't that great and it's ridiculously overpriced compared to the Honda Fit.
Good. Now having said that, I value my life. I wouldn't exactly want to go up against a Ford F-450 in the Smart, but I'd fare a lot better than I would on Johnny Turbo's Beemer upon which I'd end up as a gooey smear on the Ford's giant chrome grille. As careful as he and other motorcycle riders are, getting into an accident is not a matter of "if," but a matter of "when." Too often I'll see car drivers veer toward the center line just as a motorcycle is about to drive through -- either by accident or sadistically on purpose. Getting a mirror in the forearm at 30 mph sounds rotten to me.
The Smart on the other hand features its Tridion Safety Cell (!), which provides this rinky-dink car with surprisingly capable crash protection. It may take longer to get where I'm going, but at least my chances of getting there alive are exponentially higher. Plus, the Smart's tiny dimensions do allow me to fit into spaces in traffic much easier than even a Fit. Also, as the name suggests, it is intended for two people. Sure, the BMW bike can seat two, but I ain't perching atop a tire and hugging onto John should we decide to go for some lunch. I like the dude, but not that much.
Rebuttals
DiPietro:
No argument there - I'm well aware of the risks of motorcycling. But life is full of risks and I try to strike a balance. So I love to ride and love skiing, but hey, I don't wrestle alligators, skydive, or eat raw fish. Part of me says to play it safe and just use an airbag-and-crumple-zone-equipped, two-ton cage to transport my 150-pound frame six miles, while another part says "Dude, living in fear is no way to live." I blame that duality on my being a Gemini...
I mitigate the inherent risk as best I can by riding as if I'm invisible, by riding with the high-beam on (in the daytime), by not riding like a squid (a sportbike rider who rides like an idiot and seems hell-bent on getting into a crash) and by wearing protective gear (such as a heavy leather jacket and motorcycle gloves).
Lastly, although I'm a big-time car guy and love to drive most anything with four wheels, I just don't enjoy driving the herky-jerky Smart. It's annoying. Life is short -- I'll take the managed risk and enjoy the more time-efficient and fun ride.
Riswick:
Raw fish? So I guess we'll count you out for lunch at Sushi Roku on Wednesday.
In seriousness, though, the simple truth is a vast majority of people are going to pick the Smart. In a world where a scant few can drive a manual transmission, a scant fewer have the ability to ride (myself included). And really, you've seen the way people drive around here - do you really expect them to pilot a motorcycle for more than 10 minutes before careering wildly into the side of a Wendy's?
No, for most people, the Smart ForTwo would be a much better choice for life in the urban jungle. It has two real seats, more cargo capacity, cupholders, a stereo, air-conditioning, protection from the elements and safety from all the other yahoos on the road. Then again, it's also 9 seconds slower from zero to 60 mph, has a transmission only a chiropractor seeking new patients would love and is actually quite a pain in the butt to drive through traffic. It also looks like a reject Pokemon.
On second thought, John's right. I'd rather take the risk and get the R1100RS. Better to die a hero than live in a Smart. Now, if I could only learn how to ride.
So, who wins?
"...which is better for the daily slog"
If that's the sole criteria for judging and 'daily slog' includes stuff like running errands, I'd have to reluctantly say jriz/smart.
Right now, at this very moment, does JDP have a spare helmet at the office? If not, he's going to lunch alone. I don't know many riders who carry a spare helmet everywhere. On the other hand, any old fool can jump into the passenger seat of the smart.
And speaking of jumping in and going, when the bell rings the Smart driver can make a mad dash for the parking lot, twist the key and he's off to get a table for lunch. Mr. motorcycle rider needs to suit up first before he can even get out the door then change again once he gets there.
Plus the smart can carry more than a day's worth of groceries. Maybe even a bike (do they make roof racks for that thing?) if you decide to go on a before/after work ride.
If you can dispense with some practicalities, motorcycles are great. But a lot of people just aren't able to make the tradeoff.
I have to reluctantly agree with Smart for day-to-day driving. Can't pick up a client at the airport with the Beamer. Can't drop off the dry cleaning on the way to work on the Beamer.
Motorbikes are not for everyone. They also have distinct practical disadvantages, most of which the commentators here have talked about.
James Riswick wins! I'd pick the Smart.
I travel to Chicago daily for work and would not take a motorcycle. I own one and ride one regularly but will not take it into the city with the way people drive here, especially during rush hour. luckily, i have public transportation but if i didn't, I would get a cheap car and drive that instead. now, when i worked around my town, i would almost always ride the motorcycle to work. it was funner to ride, burned less than almost any car that i would want to drive, and i actually enjoyed the rides to and from work. sure, it was nice in a car too but not the same.
Since Riz changed his mind, the BMW won easily.
I think a better debate would have been the Smart Vs. a 150cc moped. Both have high dork factor, yet remain "cool" in certain circles.
So it would boil down to how you like your dorkdom or how crappy you like the ride- obviously the moped is smoother shifting than the Smart.
snow, rain ice...
Sure, I don't live where you guys do.
A bike would make sense, but you need another vehicle for bad days (all winter).
I'd take a used whatever over the Smart tho.
Well obviously if I could only own one vehicle, it wouldn't be a motorcycle. But in this specific case where weather is always nice and it can save me an hour a day in traffic, I absolutely would consider owning one for daily commuting. You can always use the car when it rains or you need to pick up dry cleaning or carry a passenger. And you can always let someone else drive to lunch.
I am most grateful, there are choices other than these 2.
Having had the unfortunate opportunity to have been chauffeured around in a Smart this past Saturday, I'd like to offer another viewpoint: the Smart gets you all sorts of looks.
When I wasn't fearing for my life in that rat trap of a car, I was busy either hunkering down so as not to be seen or fielding all manner of looks from other vehicles, pedestrians, vagrants and anyone within sight of the Smart. To the guy on the 10 who gave me a big smile and a thumbs up, I'm sorry.
What does California vehicle code say about wearing helmets or other protective gear while riding in an automobile? At least then you could protect your dignity.
I will say that its turning radius and overall maneuverability is quite impressive.
Motorcycle FTW. I was bike-only for about two years and it wasn't that bad. The only time it got hairball was commuting for 20 miles in central California during El Niño. But even then, I got through everything just fine.
Riding in the rain is actually pleasant, if you're properly prepared. Fog and drizzle, on the other hand, suck @ss.
Gotta go bike, but as someone who owns more motorcycles than cars (and I own four cars...) that shouldn't be surprising.
Of course my commute is mostly PCH through Malibu, so I'm in a somewhat unique situation.