Want to save money? Don't buy a motorcycle

Forget motorcycles. I want to know more about the 6000 lb. tiger.
But seriously, what is the comparable cost for an automobile like the Prius when you factor in the same costs of maintenance?
Interesting article.

I'm not disputing the authors points, but there are other motorcycles besides a sport bike. Standard or cruiser motorcycles are still fast enough to thrill and/or kill, but are are not nearly as hard on equipment and get much better MPG as well. They also tend to make better commuter bikes as well. If you live in an area with a long riding season, getting 50 MPG on a 5~6k motorcycle beats driving a hybrid in my book any day.

I've owned sport-tourers and cruisers over the 18 years I've been riding. In the last 8, I've kept spreadsheets on both my bikes and my cars. Over the 8 years of data (including gas, oil, tires, maintenance, option add-ons, insurance, etc) my bikes have averaged 6.4 cents per mile. The most economical car I've ever owned, a Toyota Camry with a 4-cylinder engine, averaged 13.3 cents per mile.

Sport bikes are expensive; yet so are sports cars, and not everyone has one of those. If I targeted only Corvettes and Ferraris, you can bet my per-mile cost would be out of sight, particularly for the Ferrari which are notorious maintainence queens.

Yes, the gear costs money, and $600 is about right. It's the price of being more protected, which to me is far more important than mere economic considerations.

Cost per mile varies with the bike, and also with the cost of gas. The more miles you ride, the lower your average cost. But in putting down some 258,000 miles of motorcycle riding in nearly two decades, I know for a fact what's cheaper to run.

20 years riding, no accidents. Bikes are more dangerous, but no different than a large Hummer or truck riding over your Prius. Economically a bike makes sense in the right environment. Its all up to you. All joking aside a co-worker of mine was killed by a truck two years ago at a stoplight in a Honda insight, Truck drove right over him. Rest in peace Dave!

If you ride a bike, you probably like the feel of it and the freedom - something that wasn't mentioned in the article but has made dedicated riders out of millions. There are also those who ride bikes, and then there are bikers. Its a lifestyle, not just an economic choice.

I ride to work every day unless there is snow; and I own a car. For me its a choice and its cheaper to ride the bike than the car if that's your concern. Just make sure yo buy the right bike.

To SOME extent this article is true. However, this article is highly biased to the stereotypical ideas of motorcycle ownership. True, if one buys gear from a dealer they WILL spend more. However, when I became a motorcyclist a year ago, I purchased my boots, protective jacket, and full faced modular helmet for under $200.00 at leatherup.com. If you find gloves that are 100% genuine leather, and are comfortable, they'll work (you don't have to buy motorcycle gloves). As far as motorcycles go in general, this article is HIGHLY biased towards the stereotypical "people-who-have-never-ridden" or those who deem motorcycle riding too dangerous to be worth it. Obviously it is crucial for someone to do their homework and select the bike that fits their style and budget and ability the best. I would not suggest a novice rider to buy a 1200cc sports bike but I would suggest someone to buy a bike that is safe for their ability. Changing oil is not expensive. Motorcycle oil can be purchased at Advanced Auto at around $10.99 (Mobil oil btw) and changing it yourself is easier than in a car. As far as chain driven bikes go, if you check your bike daily (which all should) you'll see if the chain is dry or wet. If it's dry, DON'T RIDE! Lubing your chain isn't difficult and can be done at home with a manual. I understand there ARE idiots out there who will either: A) believe the nonsense in the above article or B) Be one of those people who give riding a bad name by purchasing a bike too big for their ability, not wearing the right gear, not taking care of their bike, and consequently get hurt or die. All in all, the above article does have some truths but I would NOT advise someone to take its advice completely. Do your homework, network with other bikers and find what suits you best.

You're right, of course, but I wonder: why do motorcycle engines need so much maintenance? The valves in my car don't need to be readjusted that often. Is there a reason motorcycle engines are so picky?

Motorcycle types are different from each other just as car types are. A Corvette Z06 is going to cost more to operate than a Dodge Neon. I've kept spreadsheets on my cars and my bikes for the last 20 years. Even adding in all the maintenance and repairs, the bikes still managed costs of between six cents and 11 cents per mile, depending on the price of gas over the years. My cars range from thirteen cents per mile for a 4-cylinder Camry (during a time when gas was a killer $1.34 per gallon) to my wife's current 4-banger Sonata, which averages between fifteen and seventeen cents per mile.

Not all bikes require valve adjustments. Some come equipped with hydraulic valves. Not all bikes use drive chains. Mine have all been drive-shafted, which requires the final drive fluid to be changed out every 20k miles. The one exception is my current ride, a 2006 Vulcan 900, which still carries the original drive belt (and still has never needed an adjustment).

The bikes I've owned were powered by engines ranging from 750 to 1100 cc's and I always achieved mid-40 to mid-50 mpg, depending on things like speed, aggressiveness, and not having to ride directly into a 50-knot wind. Sport bikes get low mileage because they're generally driven fast. Baggers (full-size touring bikes) get low mileage because they have large motors and they're between 800 and 950 pounds. Those bikes in the middle, whether cruisers, sport-tourers or dual-sports, will, if driven responsibly, do much better with the gas.

Sport bikes require tires with soft compound rubber. Consequently, they'll burn through sets pretty rapidly. But by using your comsumer savvy, you can find tires made out of harder compounds that will last longer. I have used Metzelers for most of the 20 years I've ridden and I get consistently 15k out of front tires and 10k out of the rears. A friend of mine who uses Dunlop 205's on his Ducati, is lucky to get 2,000 miles out of his.

The point about gear is well-taken. However, most folks only replace or upgrade their gear, especially brain buckets, every 5 years or so. My last set of chaps lasted me almost 8 years.

You have to make the decision as to why you want to ride. If you're looking to reduce the cost of commuting and running errands, you will choose something in the mid-size (600 - 1000 cc) either a cruiser, naked standard, or sport-tourer. If you won't be happy unless you've crossed three midwestern states on a given day, you'll get a full-bagger, pay 25 to 30 large, and burn premium gas.

If, on the other had, your only desire is to induce eye-ball squishing g-forces and to race around like a mad squid, ignoring traffic, bad asphalt, and deer, then of course you'll get a sport bike and get about 30 mpg. And replace the chain. And the sprockets. And get the valve adjustments. And a couple of years, when you've ridden the thing into the ground, donate it to the scrap yard because nobody -- and I mean nobody with a brain ever buys a used sport bike from a young buck.

Like Indiana Jones, you must..."choose wisely."

This accurate is fairly accurate except for oil changes. You do NOT need to change your oil every 2K for a bike.....unless you feel to waste time/money and have OCD. Every 3K is more than enough. I change mine every 5K miles with synthetic on my CBR.....been riding it 5 years and still runs like new.
Most manuals recommend 5K mile intervals as well. So, I don't know where the oil change info is coming from.

But yeah if you're looking to save money, you're better off with a cheap import car then a bike IMO.

I agree it depends on what kind of motorcycle or scooter your getting. In examples a scooter such as a 150cc honda pcx would only cost 8 dollars australian per tank and the tank size is 5.9 litres and it has saved my wife 1500,00-1000,00 dollars worth of travel costs on transport per year, on a pcx which includes insurance, rego, maintenance, parts etc per year costs between 750,00-1000,00 inc of petrol also with a travel distance of 12,000 km per year in total. Per week on petrol as mentioned above is 8 dollars on avg per week, that is with a travel distance of 200km per week. So basically each individual has there own choices when it comes to buying, my choices cheaper then catching public transport and spending upto 2500,00 a year in transport fees when I can spend up to 1000,00 dollars per year on everything listed above.

Other than people who physically can not Ride, cars were invented for stupid people who lack manual dexterity and are not capable of the complex brain-motor skills necessary to pilot a MOTORCYCLE. Until you have ridden through The Catskills in the Fall, or done a Summer Ride along PCH-1 on a motorcycle you will never understand why Smart people sell their cars and buy MOTORCYCLES ---> especially all-electric ones !

Since nobody has discussed the biggest cost hitter (depreciation), I guess everyone has won their motorcycles at a raffle or inherited them. Depreciation costs are easily around $0.50 a mile for newer bikes that are traded often. That's the same depreciation of my SUV.

I bought my SYM fireneze 250cc 2008 mod in 2012 with 15000kms on it for 1900.00 dollars and it still runs well after I've put in 12000kms since I've owned the bike and values on the market at 2999.00 dollars which I could sell for 2500.00 with 27000kms on the clock. Now if you think of it the bike retails for 5999 (this is Australian dollars mind you) new and that bikes do depreciate. However it depends how you use the bike and if you buy a car at 15000 bucks for a new car (based on a small hatch in Australia including ride away price) you would basically loss more money then a scooter or a motorcycle.

However you need to factor in repairs, rego, CTP (compolsury third party another Australian fee that we have too pay to the government), servicing. Would you rather loss loss 1500-3000 dollars (based on the SYM 250cc) or 5000-10000 bucks (based on a small hatch) over time, but please add too this comment if I've missed something.

Majority of bikers/scooterists that I've known spend all year round with there machines and clock up between 7500-12000kms per year due too there own needs like work too home transport daily and vice versa. Though you get people who only do 2500kms a year for rec purposes only. I clock around 5000kms per year and my partner clocks in around 7000kms a year on her PCX, where both in our mid thirtys and we both drive around 7500kms a year on avg so it's easy on our insurance with one car. Our monthly insurance payments are nearly Nearly 90 per month all togheter for three vehicles so we can afford it.

Here in Australia our land consists of 95% rain/dry all year round and 5% snow only in winter. Unlike in the U.S (forgive me If I'm being rude here lol) 75% rain/dry and 25% snow during winter. So basically we don't suffer extreme cold weathers here in oz and we are able to ride in the rain etc.

Remember people have different needs and budgets that can still beat any car on the road in terms of value, you just need to be smart about it and this is why I use my maxi as occasional transport to and from work and a little bit of country travel. As I only live 5kms from work and free parking in the City of Sydney lol

One major killer for cars per month is insurance I pay 55 dollars per month for my car compared too 17.50 dollars per month for one bike(remember I'm in my thirties and it is cheaper for me).

Well that's all the info that I can think of at the moment. Feel free too ask me any questions that I've missed or any other questions you guys would love too ask

Of course if you drive your bike like a maniac and don't maintain it And buy the most expensive parts and oil, you will have a hell of a time paying for it. Drive it like a normal person though and half of these problems go away. Tires? You can make them last 15k fairly easily. Don't burn out and don't hit tight curves at 60+. Also, if you are using race tires, that makes a big difference as they are a lot stickier meaning less miles before you replace them. Last is the protective gear. You don't have to go out and buy full leathers to ride. Just where jeans, a helmet, a shirt, and maybe some elbow pads. Mainly, just watch for other idiots that aren't watching for you and you'll be fine.

This is bullshit... A 650cc Sport Bike can easily get 50mpg... I have had the bike for over ten thousand miles and its tires are still road worthy. It uses the same amount of oil as my truck (ya, I change it more often.. but the bike only needs like a quart per change... I have not replaced a single item on my bike and the engine purrs like a cat with only minimal maintenance - far easier to maintain than any car I have ever owned! This article is completely bullshit.

Yea I agree, John it is more easy to maintain a bike then a car no matter what the car size is. For cars you still need to purchase higher rego costs, four tyres etc and all these costs add up more then a car. Who ever wrote this does not understand the total cost for each individual rider and how they use there bike ie you might have 125cc just for the city and that's all a rider will use the bike for. As I said on my previous comment my wife has a Honda PCX 150 and it costs her only 5 bucks a week (Australian dollars) at 50kms both ways. So for this writer to qoute "don't get a bike" needs to get his facts right

Bad Stats on much of your junk.
Is someone unhappy with motorcycles????
My Yamaha FZ1 was new in 2001.
I'm on 26,600 miles, that's 9000 miles per replacement at $450 - 500 for two tires.
My original chain is fine because I take care of it and oil.
My 2007 Yaris is one of the least cost of ownership of ANY car, Insurance is $600 per year, My FZ1 is $213 per year.
If you don't want a motorcycle, great, but forget the rest of the crap.
Note: I have owned 16 motorcycles, starting in 1975. I have had 6 cars so far.
The bikes have always been more fun.
G. McD.

Buddy, motorcycles get in the mpgs of "high 30s"? More like up to 70s, if you are willing to forego the biggest types of engines. Many reasonably fast bikes have MPGs in the 50s and even 60s. Fast enough to hop on the highway and also have cheaper initial investment costs.

So if I choose a 300-400cc Bike getting 60mpg I save about $600-800 on gas each year over a 30mpg car depending on fuel price, driving 12,000 miles per year. That amount is enough to cover the maintenance costs mentioned when we add the savings from insurance we go well above those mentioned costs. Average car insurance for a Toyota Camry is
$1,252 while my current motorcycle insurance is $190. That is about $1050 savings per year on insurance, and $1650-$1850 savings on gas and insurance.

Subtracting the above mentioned maintenance costs that leaves almost $1000 savings per year. I'll take that money. I'm also saving money on interest, since I'm paying no interest on the bike that I bought it outright. Not going to calculate that but its there.

This is ridiculous. I've actually made a spreadsheet with my cost per mile. it is 8 to 8.4 cents per mile including gas, oil, tires, AND all maintenance included PLUS the price of a good, used bike itself! ($3000).

Nobody changes their oil every 2k when manuals specify 5 to 12k. Nobody pays $250 for sprockets every 15k. 30's mpg is ridiculous too. You can easily get upper 30s to 40 on a big twin Harley-Davidson. My Japanese 1000cc class full sized cruiser with aftermarket pipes gets 50-60, better with a tailwind and drafting, oil changes are $20 every 10k, tires last 20k with a Commander II, etc.

I got sick of paying $100 for an oil change on my sportster so I did it myself yesterday. $35 for oil, filter and a filter wrench. Oh and 20 minutes of my time.