For the above criteria, a majority rated their motorcycle or scooter "excellent" to "very good," and a full 88 percent of respondents said they were "highly satisfied" with their bikes.

Of course, most respondents in the study said that they used their bikes mostly for recreational riding (hence adding fewer miles) -- only 38 percent said they used their bikes for commuting. This, I would think, could have a major psychological effect on how you view a motorcycle or scooter versus a car. I mean, think about it: What are you more likely to view in a favorable light: the vehicle in which you're stuck in traffic, filled with old take-out containers, or the bike that represents freedom from work and responsibility?