Good article on the cost of riding a motorcycle vs car.

katoranger · 03-02-2010, 09:36 AM

http://www.whybike.com/blog/index.php?p=150

This really only works if you reasonably ride year round.

SpudRider · 03-02-2010, 12:35 PM

Thank you for posting the interesting link, Allen.

I think the best way to minimize motorcycle ownership costs is to get a small, reliable chinabike.

Many Americans complain the Chinese won't build motorcycles with larger engines; the Chinese build small motorcycles for very good reasons.

Up to this point, the Chinese have been primarily manufacturing motorcycles for their domestic market. In China, and Southeast Asia, many people do not own motor vehicles; however, if they own any motor vehicle, it is probably a small motorcycle. If you have limited financial resources, you want to purchase a rugged, reliable, versatile vehicle that is inexpensive to purchase, and operate. The 200cc, single cylinder, air cooled, dual sport motorcycle exactly fits these criteria.

For example, if you buy a Zongshen Sierra 200GY-2 for $1,000, delivered, you are off to a very good start in minimizing your operating costs!

My Zong gets 75 mpg, so fuel costs are low. You can easily perform your own maintenance on these simple, single cylinder, air cooled engines; even the occasional valve adjustments only require 30 minutes of your time. These motorcycles only require 1 quart of engine oil. These small bikes also punish their tires less; I spend only 1.5 cents per mile on rubber!

Finally, insurance costs are also very low for these small, single cylinder motorcycles.

If you want to buy bigger, more powerful, water cooled engines, with more cylinders, you are going to spend a lot more money. Not only is the initial cost higher, but the bike will also be much more expensive to operate, maintain, repair, and insure. As I stated in the first paragraph, the Chinese primarily build small, single cylinder, air-cooled, dual sport motorcycles for very good reasons.

If someone wants to save money, and have a lot of fun, he should purchase a good, reliable chinabike!

Spud

katoranger · 03-02-2010, 12:58 PM

His bike examples are more typical American. Even 250 Japanese are very good buys. They are lower cost initially and very reliable/low maintenance machines.

The key is being able to do some of your own work and also riding in more than just fair weather.

FastDoc · 03-02-2010, 01:05 PM

A big limitation is the cost per person/mile.

For practical purposes, a 200cc CB carries only one person. A small car carries 4. So, in a carpool situation, which is not the norm, the price of the car is much less.

Also, you can't fall off a car. Falling off a bike leads to great expense.

katoranger · 03-02-2010, 01:18 PM

That is true. It is usually just me when commuting. Not many miles with passengers.

I have cars for those times. I am heavily leaning toward a scooter for my commuting times. I can use a car for hauling people and the truck for stuff.

I put about 10K miles on just going to work and back every year. All those miles are just me. I can realistically ride about 300 days a year in GA.

Still using a bike as a primary vehicle is not reasonable for everyone. I do have to drop kids at daycare and school sometimes. They can't go on a bike.

Realistic miles for me on a bike. 6K/yr.

Of course I park for free. Tags/Insurance is cheap here for cars. So those costs are much lower.

I would probably do about the same to drive an older econobox car compared to a motorcycle.

BillR · 03-02-2010, 01:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FastDoc

A big limitation is the cost per person/mile.
For practical purposes, a 200cc CB carries only one person. A small car carries 4. So, in a carpool situation, which is not the norm, the price of the car is much less..

The hardest thing to do is to get someone's mind wrapped around the idea that they don't really "need" an 8 passenger SUV other than on soccer days.

I've had this discussion at work:
"I wish I didn't spend so much on gas to get to work."
What do you drive?
"A Suburban."
There's your problem, get a smaller car.
"But I have to share taking all the kids to the games. I need the Suburban to hold all the stuff."
Buy a small, fuel efficient car that seats 5 and 2 parents can share the ride. Probably save a ton of money.
"You know, that makes sense. I'll have to think about that."

Quote:

Originally Posted by FastDoc

Also, you can't fall off a car. Falling off a bike leads to great expense.

Depends on how you fall......

FastDoc · 03-02-2010, 01:40 PM

I've thought about the cost 'savings' issue in the past and I don't think there is a lot to save for most people under most circumstances. Its a quality of life issue. Fot me the pleasure of riding is priceless. I'd rather be on my humble Q rather than driving my convertible Corvette, if that tells you how much I like motorcycles.

katoranger · 03-02-2010, 01:42 PM

Most people cannot do without heat and AC and windshield wipers.

SpudRider · 03-02-2010, 02:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by katoranger

...The key is being able to do some of your own work and also riding in more than just fair weather.

Indeed, those are the two key elements.

Spud

SpudRider · 03-02-2010, 02:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FastDoc

A big limitation is the cost per person/mile.

For practical purposes, a 200cc CB carries only one person. A small car carries 4. So, in a carpool situation, which is not the norm, the price of the car is much less.

Also, you can't fall off a car. Falling off a bike leads to great expense.

You make two excellent points, Doc.

If people would carpool, they would certainly save more money than they would buying a motorcycle.

However, people don't want to carpool! Therefore, if they are going to ride alone, they might as well ride a motorcycle.

Indeed, medical expenses are outrageous (no offense intended).

If you get hurt riding a motorcycle, it will definitely cost you more money than driving a car! :(

Spud

katoranger · 03-02-2010, 03:05 PM

You get get hurt in a car too. The odds are just better.

My job hours make carpooling difficult. Not many people travelling around at 1am.

FastDoc · 03-02-2010, 03:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by katoranger

You get get hurt in a car too. The odds are just better.

My job hours make carpooling difficult. Not many people travelling around at 1am.

Gangstas 8O

katoranger · 03-02-2010, 03:52 PM

And drunks. I usually have the road to myself though.

03-02-2010, 09:36 AM	#1
katoranger Join Date: May 2007 Location: Altamont, Kansas Posts: 15,103	Good article on the cost of riding a motorcycle vs car. http://www.whybike.com/blog/index.php?p=150 This really only works if you reasonably ride year round. __________________ You meet the nicest people on a Honda Clone.
	0

03-02-2010, 12:35 PM	#2
SpudRider Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Idaho Posts: 25,054	Thank you for posting the interesting link, Allen. I think the best way to minimize motorcycle ownership costs is to get a small, reliable chinabike. Many Americans complain the Chinese won't build motorcycles with larger engines; the Chinese build small motorcycles for very good reasons. Up to this point, the Chinese have been primarily manufacturing motorcycles for their domestic market. In China, and Southeast Asia, many people do not own motor vehicles; however, if they own any motor vehicle, it is probably a small motorcycle. If you have limited financial resources, you want to purchase a rugged, reliable, versatile vehicle that is inexpensive to purchase, and operate. The 200cc, single cylinder, air cooled, dual sport motorcycle exactly fits these criteria. For example, if you buy a Zongshen Sierra 200GY-2 for $1,000, delivered, you are off to a very good start in minimizing your operating costs! My Zong gets 75 mpg, so fuel costs are low. You can easily perform your own maintenance on these simple, single cylinder, air cooled engines; even the occasional valve adjustments only require 30 minutes of your time. These motorcycles only require 1 quart of engine oil. These small bikes also punish their tires less; I spend only 1.5 cents per mile on rubber! Finally, insurance costs are also very low for these small, single cylinder motorcycles. If you want to buy bigger, more powerful, water cooled engines, with more cylinders, you are going to spend a lot more money. Not only is the initial cost higher, but the bike will also be much more expensive to operate, maintain, repair, and insure. As I stated in the first paragraph, the Chinese primarily build small, single cylinder, air-cooled, dual sport motorcycles for very good reasons. If someone wants to save money, and have a lot of fun, he should purchase a good, reliable chinabike! Spud __________________ Spud "Never argue with an idiot. He will drag you down to his level, and beat you with experience." Mark Twain 2015 Zongshen ZS250GY-3 (RX3) 2006 Zongshen ZS200GY-2 (Sierra 200) 2005 Honda XR650L 2004 Honda CRF250X 1998 Kawasaki KDX220 Mods made to my Zongshen ZS200GY-2: http://www.chinariders.net/showthread.php?t=6894
	0

03-02-2010, 12:58 PM	#3
katoranger Join Date: May 2007 Location: Altamont, Kansas Posts: 15,103	His bike examples are more typical American. Even 250 Japanese are very good buys. They are lower cost initially and very reliable/low maintenance machines. The key is being able to do some of your own work and also riding in more than just fair weather. __________________ You meet the nicest people on a Honda Clone.
	0

03-02-2010, 01:05 PM	#4
FastDoc Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Southeastern Washington desert Posts: 14,761	A big limitation is the cost per person/mile. For practical purposes, a 200cc CB carries only one person. A small car carries 4. So, in a carpool situation, which is not the norm, the price of the car is much less. Also, you can't fall off a car. Falling off a bike leads to great expense. __________________ Happy to serve.
	0

03-02-2010, 01:18 PM	#5
katoranger Join Date: May 2007 Location: Altamont, Kansas Posts: 15,103	That is true. It is usually just me when commuting. Not many miles with passengers. I have cars for those times. I am heavily leaning toward a scooter for my commuting times. I can use a car for hauling people and the truck for stuff. I put about 10K miles on just going to work and back every year. All those miles are just me. I can realistically ride about 300 days a year in GA. Still using a bike as a primary vehicle is not reasonable for everyone. I do have to drop kids at daycare and school sometimes. They can't go on a bike. Realistic miles for me on a bike. 6K/yr. Of course I park for free. Tags/Insurance is cheap here for cars. So those costs are much lower. I would probably do about the same to drive an older econobox car compared to a motorcycle. __________________ You meet the nicest people on a Honda Clone.
	0

03-02-2010, 01:40 PM	#7
FastDoc Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Southeastern Washington desert Posts: 14,761	I've thought about the cost 'savings' issue in the past and I don't think there is a lot to save for most people under most circumstances. Its a quality of life issue. Fot me the pleasure of riding is priceless. I'd rather be on my humble Q rather than driving my convertible Corvette, if that tells you how much I like motorcycles. __________________ Happy to serve.
	0

03-02-2010, 01:42 PM	#8
katoranger Join Date: May 2007 Location: Altamont, Kansas Posts: 15,103	Most people cannot do without heat and AC and windshield wipers. __________________ You meet the nicest people on a Honda Clone.
	0

03-02-2010, 03:05 PM	#11
katoranger Join Date: May 2007 Location: Altamont, Kansas Posts: 15,103	You get get hurt in a car too. The odds are just better. My job hours make carpooling difficult. Not many people travelling around at 1am. __________________ You meet the nicest people on a Honda Clone.
	0

03-02-2010, 03:52 PM	#13
katoranger Join Date: May 2007 Location: Altamont, Kansas Posts: 15,103	And drunks. I usually have the road to myself though. __________________ You meet the nicest people on a Honda Clone.
	0