Getting back to your original question, but taking a different slant, even though my wife likes the metal car for safety I also liked the fact that it survived with a minor dent. No repairs at all, no down time. My daughter did a low speed push through a chain link fence while practicing figure eights and nearly turned her old California into dust. If you're working on a budget, think old boats Notice how they tend to get little spider web cracks and the chalky dried out brittle look? Now look at the metal. If it's rusty, you weld a patch and if it's dented you whack it with a hammer. 🙂
Seriously, I've owned both and find they both have advantages and disadvantages. but I've never noticed any difference in handling. Unless, of course, one of them is too light for the bike.
When in doubt, err on stout.
