Motorcycle TCO - Revision history

Bokonon at 05:30, 24 October 2009

2009-10-24T05:30:34Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 01:30, 24 October 2009
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	[[Category:New_Riders]]		[[Category:New_Riders]]
	==How much does it <i>really</i> cost to own a motorcycle?==		__TOC__

			How much does it <i>really</i> cost to own a motorcycle?

	Getting into motorcycling is not cheap. If you're doing it because you think you're going to save money, please read this article carefully. For everyone else, this is simply a forewarning of what's coming.		Getting into motorcycling is not cheap. If you're doing it because you think you're going to save money, please read this article carefully. For everyone else, this is simply a forewarning of what's coming.

	===Riding Gear===		==Riding Gear==

	Simply stated, motorcycling is a dangerous activity. It is wise and prudent to protect yourself as best you can. This will prevent much higher costs incurred through hospital fees if anything should go wrong. There are [[Protective Gear\|other articles which cover this topic]] in more depth, so this will be a quick once-over to review costs.		Simply stated, motorcycling is a dangerous activity. It is wise and prudent to protect yourself as best you can. This will prevent much higher costs incurred through hospital fees if anything should go wrong. There are [[Protective Gear\|other articles which cover this topic]] in more depth, so this will be a quick once-over to review costs.
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	For more information on riding gear selection, please see [[If you only read one article about gear\|this article]]		For more information on riding gear selection, please see [[If you only read one article about gear\|this article]]

	===Accessories===		==Accessories==

	You don't want to leave your bike unsecured, out in the cold and rain, do you? Here's a list of accessories that people commonly buy, although this is not a recommendation for or against any of these products.		You don't want to leave your bike unsecured, out in the cold and rain, do you? Here's a list of accessories that people commonly buy, although this is not a recommendation for or against any of these products.
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	<b>Running total: $685</b>		<b>Running total: $685</b>

	===Parts===		==Parts==

	There are some parts which are worth having on hand, although this is getting into questionable territory. Many people only buy parts when they're necessary, which spreads out the cost. However, all of these parts will eventually be necessary. Also listed are the approximate mileages at which that part might need replacement. The abbreviation "k" (for "kilo") is used to indicate thousands (6k = 6,000).		There are some parts which are worth having on hand, although this is getting into questionable territory. Many people only buy parts when they're necessary, which spreads out the cost. However, all of these parts will eventually be necessary. Also listed are the approximate mileages at which that part might need replacement. The abbreviation "k" (for "kilo") is used to indicate thousands (6k = 6,000).
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	<b>Running total: $1115.50</b>		<b>Running total: $1115.50</b>

	===Tools===		==Tools==

	Because this is an article on the cost of ownership, it follows the "cheap as possible" credo. Labor rates appear in the next section, but if you're a willing learner, [[What should a good set of tools include?\|tools]] are far cheaper than paying for someone else's time over the long run.		Because this is an article on the cost of ownership, it follows the "cheap as possible" credo. Labor rates appear in the next section, but if you're a willing learner, [[What should a good set of tools include?\|tools]] are far cheaper than paying for someone else's time over the long run.
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	Note that it's possible to find tools cheaper than the prices listed. Used tools are available at used tool shops, and if you really want to learn how to curse well, you can buy inexpensive new tools. Buying [[Ratings Of Tools By Brand\|quality tools]], whether new or used, is highly recommended.		Note that it's possible to find tools cheaper than the prices listed. Used tools are available at used tool shops, and if you really want to learn how to curse well, you can buy inexpensive new tools. Buying [[Ratings Of Tools By Brand\|quality tools]], whether new or used, is highly recommended.

	===Labor===		==Labor==

	If you don't expect you'll do your own work on the bike, you'll need to count on some amount of service being done by a mechanic. Rates are quite variable, but for the purposes of this article, we'll use $70 per hour for calculating prices. Hours are also listed, so you should be able to figure your local prices based on your shop's hourly rate.		If you don't expect you'll do your own work on the bike, you'll need to count on some amount of service being done by a mechanic. Rates are quite variable, but for the purposes of this article, we'll use $70 per hour for calculating prices. Hours are also listed, so you should be able to figure your local prices based on your shop's hourly rate.
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	The running total is not applicable to this section, since labor is so variable.		The running total is not applicable to this section, since labor is so variable.

	===Accident Damage===		==Accident Damage==

	No one counts on getting into an accident. However, they happen; when they happen, the costs can add up quickly.		No one counts on getting into an accident. However, they happen; when they happen, the costs can add up quickly.

Bokonon: /* Parts */

2009-08-18T06:34:48Z

Parts

← Older revision		Revision as of 02:34, 18 August 2009
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	* [[How do I install a fuel filter?\|Fuel filter]] (every 20k miles): $3		* [[How do I install a fuel filter?\|Fuel filter]] (every 20k miles): $3
	* [[How do I replace the chain?\|Drive chain]] (every 15k miles): $80-200		* [[How do I replace the chain?\|Drive chain]] (every 15k miles): $80-200
	* H4 headlight bulb (varies; around 10k miles): $10		* [[What about the new extra-bright headlights?\|H4 headlight bulb]] (varies; around 10k miles): $10
	* Turn signal and brake bulbs (varies; around 8-10k miles): $3/pair		* Turn signal and brake bulbs (varies; around 8-10k miles): $3/pair
	* [[How do I replace the brake pads?\|Brake]] [[What replacement pads should I consider?\|pads]] (every 10k miles): $30-50 per set (ie, $60-100 total for front and rear)		* [[How do I replace the brake pads?\|Brake]] [[What replacement pads should I consider?\|pads]] (every 10k miles): $30-50 per set (ie, $60-100 total for front and rear)

Bokonon: /* Riding Gear */

2009-08-18T06:31:26Z

Riding Gear

← Older revision		Revision as of 02:31, 18 August 2009
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	So, that's $550 (plus local taxes) to get yourself decently geared up for riding. Not terrible so far, but that makes the cost of a Ninja 250 a bit more than you might have been planning on. Note that some dealerships will throw in a gear discount when you buy your bike; this is an excellent time to buy gear if you can afford it. Note that prices listed tend to be bare minimum; high-quality (or high-feature or high-comfort) gear can cost considerably more.		So, that's $550 (plus local taxes) to get yourself decently geared up for riding. Not terrible so far, but that makes the cost of a Ninja 250 a bit more than you might have been planning on. Note that some dealerships will throw in a gear discount when you buy your bike; this is an excellent time to buy gear if you can afford it. Note that prices listed tend to be bare minimum; high-quality (or high-feature or high-comfort) gear can cost considerably more.

	For more information on riding gear selection, please see [~~http://www.obairlann.net/~reaper/motorcycle/beginner/sander-test.html~~ this article]		For more information on riding gear selection, please see [[If you only read one article about gear\|this article]]

	===Accessories===		===Accessories===

Jim Race: /* Labor */

2008-12-17T03:34:08Z

Labor

← Older revision		Revision as of 23:34, 16 December 2008
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	* [[How do I adjust the valves?\|Valve adjustment]]: 3 hours/$210		* [[How do I adjust the valves?\|Valve adjustment]]: 3 hours/$210
	* [[500 mile inspection/maintenance]]: 3 hours/$210		* [[500 mile inspection/maintenance]]: 3 hours/$210
	* [[Mounting & balancing tires yourself\|Tire installation]]: 1.5 hours/$105		* [[Mounting & balancing tires yourself\|Tire installation]]: 1.5 hours/$105 (ride in)

	This is only a sampling of the maintenance required, there may be more or less depending on your bike. Any maintenance you can do yourself is money in your pocket, plus you learn more about your bike and de-mystify how it works. This is incredibly handy when you're in a situation where you are the only resource available (ie, when the bike breaks down 50 miles from nowhere).		This is only a sampling of the maintenance required, there may be more or less depending on your bike. Any maintenance you can do yourself is money in your pocket, plus you learn more about your bike and de-mystify how it works. This is incredibly handy when you're in a situation where you are the only resource available (ie, when the bike breaks down 50 miles from nowhere).

Bokonon at 19:11, 10 October 2007

2007-10-10T19:11:23Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 15:11, 10 October 2007
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	* [[How do I adjust the valves?\|Valve adjustment]]: 3 hours/$210		* [[How do I adjust the valves?\|Valve adjustment]]: 3 hours/$210
	* [[500 mile inspection/maintenance]]: 3 hours/$210		* [[500 mile inspection/maintenance]]: 3 hours/$210
	* [[~~How can I change the~~ tires ~~by myself?~~\|Tire installation]]: 1.5 hours/$105		* [[Mounting & balancing tires yourself\|Tire installation]]: 1.5 hours/$105

	This is only a sampling of the maintenance required, there may be more or less depending on your bike. Any maintenance you can do yourself is money in your pocket, plus you learn more about your bike and de-mystify how it works. This is incredibly handy when you're in a situation where you are the only resource available (ie, when the bike breaks down 50 miles from nowhere).		This is only a sampling of the maintenance required, there may be more or less depending on your bike. Any maintenance you can do yourself is money in your pocket, plus you learn more about your bike and de-mystify how it works. This is incredibly handy when you're in a situation where you are the only resource available (ie, when the bike breaks down 50 miles from nowhere).

Bokonon at 10:50, 15 July 2007

2007-07-15T10:50:18Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 06:50, 15 July 2007
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	* [[How do I replace the brake pads?\|Brake]] [[What replacement pads should I consider?\|pads]] (every 10k miles): $30-50 per set (ie, $60-100 total for front and rear)		* [[How do I replace the brake pads?\|Brake]] [[What replacement pads should I consider?\|pads]] (every 10k miles): $30-50 per set (ie, $60-100 total for front and rear)
	* [[Preferred Brands\|Oil]] ([[Oil Change Frequency\|every 3k miles]] per the owner's manual): $2-10 per quart, 2 quarts necessary per change		* [[Preferred Brands\|Oil]] ([[Oil Change Frequency\|every 3k miles]] per the owner's manual): $2-10 per quart, 2 quarts necessary per change
	* [[How do I ~~adjust~~ chain ~~tension~~?\|Cotter pins]] (every 500 miles): 5-20 cents each (Note that you can get an R-clip for a little bit more, and it's reuseable hundreds of times, while cotter pins should be discarded each time)		* [[How do I measure chain slack?\|Cotter pins]] (every 500 miles): 5-20 cents each (Note that you can get an R-clip for a little bit more, and it's reuseable hundreds of times, while cotter pins should be discarded each time)
	* [[Tires]] (every 5k-8k miles): $120-300 per pair		* [[Tires]] (every 5k-8k miles): $120-300 per pair

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	The most common accident on the Ninja 250 seems to be a no-speed or low-speed fall, such as might happen while maneuvering the bike for parking or while moving slowly. These types of accidents typically damage fairings, turn signals, handlebar controls, and foot controls. Other than broken controls, it's uncommon for such an accident to disable the bike. Here are some of the costs which might be associated with such an accident:		The most common accident on the Ninja 250 seems to be a no-speed or low-speed fall, such as might happen while maneuvering the bike for parking or while moving slowly. These types of accidents typically damage fairings, turn signals, handlebar controls, and foot controls. Other than broken controls, it's uncommon for such an accident to disable the bike. Here are some of the costs which might be associated with such an accident:

	* [[~~I need to~~ repair ~~a cracked fairing.~~\|Fairing repair]]: $10-100 (if you do it yourself)		* [[Body plastics repair guide\|Fairing repair]]: $10-100 (if you do it yourself)
	* Replacement fairing: $500-1500		* Replacement fairing: $500-1500
	* Replacement turn signal: $40		* Replacement turn signal: $40

IanJ: /* How much does it really cost to own a motorcycle? */

2006-10-17T18:54:12Z

How much does it <i>really</i> cost to own a motorcycle?

← Older revision		Revision as of 14:54, 17 October 2006
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	The running total is not applicable to this section, since labor is so variable.		The running total is not applicable to this section, since labor is so variable.

			===Accident Damage===

			No one counts on getting into an accident. However, they happen; when they happen, the costs can add up quickly.

			The most common accident on the Ninja 250 seems to be a no-speed or low-speed fall, such as might happen while maneuvering the bike for parking or while moving slowly. These types of accidents typically damage fairings, turn signals, handlebar controls, and foot controls. Other than broken controls, it's uncommon for such an accident to disable the bike. Here are some of the costs which might be associated with such an accident:

			* [[I need to repair a cracked fairing.\|Fairing repair]]: $10-100 (if you do it yourself)
			* Replacement fairing: $500-1500
			* Replacement turn signal: $40
			* Replacement clutch or brake hand lever: $15
			* Replacement foot brake lever: $70
			* Replacement shifter lever: $35
			* Replacement muffler: $250 each side

			Note that bent levers can be bent back into position if care is exercised. Only broken levers absolutely need to be replaced. Prices were pulled from the [http://www.ronayers.com/ Ron Ayers website] for a 2004 Ninja 250, and minimal shipping cost added. Dealer prices will be higher in most cases. Used parts are available.

			Again, these amounts don't necessarily go into the running total, since accident damage doesn't necessarily happen, and when it does, it can range from no visible damage to exceeding the cost of the bike.

	==Conclusion==		==Conclusion==

IanJ: /* Conclusion */

2006-10-17T18:37:36Z

Conclusion

← Older revision		Revision as of 14:37, 17 October 2006
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	==Conclusion==		==Conclusion==

	In total, we came up with $1375.50 of "extra" expenses you may not have been counting on. That was doing things cheaply, but not as absolutely cheap as possible. (The expensive track would have ended up at many thousands of dollars.) The ~~numbers~~ are ~~also hard to sum in that~~ some of ~~the parts are~~ necessary ~~after 20k miles~~, while ~~some are necessary every few thousand~~. ~~Expenses were counted only once to come to the total amount~~.		In total, we came up with $1375.50 of "extra" expenses you may not have been counting on. That was doing things cheaply, but not as absolutely cheap as possible. (The expensive track would have ended up at many thousands of dollars.) The prices for parts are a bit squirrely, since some of them won't be necessary, while others may show up for your bike based on usage or accidental damage. We used an average, assuming everything goes right.

	Many of the expenses listed can be delayed, or accomplished some other way. A prime example: tool storage for $20 -- well, you could also use a cardboard box, which is free for all practical purposes. You don't have to buy sets of tools, you could buy just the one wrench/screwdriver/socket you need, but this is inconvenient and more expensive in the long run. If you ride your bike every day, you don't need a battery charger. If you've got a garage, then a cover and lock don't need to be on your list.		Many of the expenses listed can be delayed, or accomplished some other way. A prime example: tool storage for $20 -- well, you could also use a cardboard box, which is free for all practical purposes. You don't have to buy sets of tools, you could buy just the one wrench/screwdriver/socket you need, but this is inconvenient and more expensive in the long run. If you ride your bike every day, you don't need a battery charger. If you've got a garage, then a cover and lock don't need to be on your list.

IanJ: /* Tools */

2006-10-17T18:36:15Z

Tools

← Older revision		Revision as of 14:36, 17 October 2006
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	* Multimeter: $20-200		* Multimeter: $20-200

	Running total: $1375.50		<b>Running total: $1375.50</b>

	Note that it's possible to find tools cheaper than the prices listed. Used tools are available at used tool shops, and if you really want to learn how to curse well, you can buy inexpensive new tools. Buying [[Ratings Of Tools By Brand\|quality tools]], whether new or used, is highly recommended.		Note that it's possible to find tools cheaper than the prices listed. Used tools are available at used tool shops, and if you really want to learn how to curse well, you can buy inexpensive new tools. Buying [[Ratings Of Tools By Brand\|quality tools]], whether new or used, is highly recommended.

IanJ: /* Parts */

2006-10-17T18:35:59Z

Parts

← Older revision		Revision as of 14:35, 17 October 2006
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	Because all of these parts are wear items, they are replaced several times during a bike's lifetime. For the purposes of this article, let's assume you're going to keep the bike for <b>15k miles</b>, and base the costs on that (ie, that's 2 oil filters, one chain, one headlight, 5 changes of oil, 30 cotter pins, 2 sets of tires, one set of brake pads, one complete set of turn signal lights ($6)).		Because all of these parts are wear items, they are replaced several times during a bike's lifetime. For the purposes of this article, let's assume you're going to keep the bike for <b>15k miles</b>, and base the costs on that (ie, that's 2 oil filters, one chain, one headlight, 5 changes of oil, 30 cotter pins, 2 sets of tires, one set of brake pads, one complete set of turn signal lights ($6)).

	Running total: $1115.50		<b>Running total: $1115.50</b>

	===Tools===		===Tools===