Save Money Commuting by Motorcycle? Not So Fast!

[Mr Lefty]

Originally Posted by Homeslice

Not going to bother reading what I already know is true.....I've been saying it for years.

If you own a car as well, it's depreciating every day, not to mention the insurance you're paying on it. So the only way a bike can be cheaper is if it's your only vehicle.

depends on the vehicle...

you get yourself a beater insurance isn't much and if it's not gonna get much on gas you'd still save on the bike.

and your vehicle depreciates less for less mileage...

[Homeslice]

Originally Posted by eBBs15

depends on the vehicle...

you get yourself a beater insurance isn't much and if it's not gonna get much on gas you'd still save on the bike.

and your vehicle depreciates less for less mileage...

Yeah, but how many of you guys only own a cheap beater for a car?

Tyical sportbike rider after 50,000 miles:

2 chains ($200-250)
2 sprocket sets ($150)
6-7 sets of tires ($1,200-2,000)
Installation cost of the above, unless you do it yourself ($400-500)
Replacement bulbs ($50)
Rearstand ($100)
Chain lube ($20-50)
2 sparkplug changes ($100-150)
1-2 valve adjustments ($150-300 unless you do yourself)
1-2 air filters ($40-100)
2-3 helmets ($300-1,200)
2-3 jackets ($300-1,000)
2-3 gloves ($100-300)
2-3 boots ($200-1,000)
The obligatory exhaust ($400-2,000)
Other aftermarket shit people feel obligated to buy ($1,000 minimum)


Typical car owner over 50,000 miles (assuming new car):
One or two tire changes at the most ($400-1,200)
Most of today's new cars don't need new plugs for 100K miles
Not gonna need a valve adjustment either
I'm leaving out oil changes because it's not much different from a bike

[Mr Lefty]

they said motorcycle not sport bike... so if I was setting up for a commuter to save gas... I'd be looking at a cheaper motorcycle... longer lasting tires... ect


but yeah... using a sport bike as a commuter to save money is not a great idea... (I'm saving money but fuck it's still killing me)

[Phenix_Rider]

I'm definitely saving money taking the bike instead of the truck. Compare 50mpg to 12mpg and you see what I mean. Of course, the extra trips cost money, but that's not looking at pure commuting.

[101lifts2]

You can get commuter tires for cheap. Even new OEM ones for my commuter EX500 are 140 bucks total.