Diving into the Cost of Motorcycle Ownership

What are the real costs of ownership

It’s a common misconception that motorcycle riding will save you money. Most believe this to be true mainly due to fuel cost to fill up a bike completely since it’s cheaper and will “save you money in the long run.” For some this may actually stand true but for other it just will not be the case.

Insurance

Insurance can be one of the most expensive costs for new riders. Especially young new riders. dealers and loan offices required any bike that is financed to have full coverage. This can be costly, especially for younger riders. Full coverage depending on the bike and person applying can range from 150-200 per month!

Gear

We covered gear in the gear section of this site however we did not cover price but best practices when looking for gear. We will provide a range as far as what to expect when budgeting for gear.

Helmet: $250-$500

Jacket: $80-$500 (depending on material and brand)

Gloves: $50-$190 (depending on styling brand and material)

Pants: $130-$200 (depending on material brand and armor)

Footwear: 130-250 (depending on style brand and level of protection)

Maintenance

tires

Bike tires are often believed to be cheaper than vehicle tires. This is simply not the case. Most average tires will generally cost between 150-200 for high quality tires that keep you planted on the ground.

routine maintenance

oil changes every 3-4k miles $70-$120
Air filters (check each season or if problems arise) heavily dependent on brand
Brakes (discs and rotors) schedule of replacement depend heavily on riding style and frequency of riding (cost depends heavily on brand of motorcycle)
valve adjustment/ check every 15k miles (cost dependent on shop or dealership costs 120$ an hour usually)

While these are just general items they do cost and are something riders should be aware of.

DIY MECHANICS

For many DIYers they will save a lot of money on labor but there are some upfront costs

Tools
Stands
Materials

Tools

for those who are just starting and want to do their own maintenance a set of tools is important. Tool costs can range drastically for sets. We recommend having at least a basic set of Wrenches, Allen keys, Screwdrivers, etc. Most basic kits cost around $150-$200

Stands

Motorcycle stands are incredibly important if you plan on doing your own maintenance. The best are pit-bull stands with most stands starting around $200 each.

Materials

Something to think about generally is material cost. This will depend on the bike you have. expect oils to cost around $80 per change. other items such as air filters and oil filters are generally in the $20-$30 range.