Archive for the ‘Motorcycle Costs’ Category
Not what you had in mind for a high mpg motorcycle?
A frequent question every time gas prices skyrocket is, “Which motorcycle gets the best fuel mileage?”. This question is difficult to answer. The answer is usually the smallest CC motorcycle. Small efficient motors are always going to get the best fuel mileage. Add in scooters and mopeds if you really want to get a high mileage figure. Some of them get over 100mpg. What people really want to know when they ask is a custom answer to, “Which motorcycle is the most economical for me?”. That’s where the answer gets complicated.
Consider how much a motorcycle will be ridden. The more it sets in the garage, the more the motorcycle costs. In order to offset the cost of payments, insurance, and upkeep, the motorcycle needs to be ridden. Pay all of these costs, but never ride it, the motorcycle is nothing more than a liability. Also, the motorcycle cannot just be used for fun rides. It must be ridden in place of trips that would normally use a car for. If it’s ridden on freeways to do your daily tasks, it needs to be able to maintain highway speeds comfortably.
Motorcycles generally start at 250cc. An example is the Honda Rebel. There are also sport bikes like the 250 Ninja. Always consider the cruiser model’s cheaper insurance and better selection of luggage if possible for your tastes. These will get you around town, perform short stints on the freeways, and they’re good enough for some casual riding on the back roads. They’re initial costs isn’t that much less than a bigger average motorcycle. These do get outrageously high mileage. They vary depending on the rider, but over 70mpg is not uncommon.
Average sized motorcycles in the 500 – 750cc range are where the majority of riders will find a motorcycle that performs well for all situations. The Yamaha lineup seems to get the worst mileage. The Suzuki GS500 gets the best with nearly 70mpg if ridden conservatively. For the exception of the Yamaha, they all get between 45mpg and 70mpg.
Large sized motorcycles are improving with some getting over 40mpg. It’s not uncommon for them to be below 30mpg. A Gold Wing for example is below 30mpg. Unless you’re into luxury or power in all of your vehicles, these bikes will rarely save money. Harley Davidson is becoming the exception and is advertising over 40mpg in money of the models. These still stand a chance of saving money if your requirements are comfort and distance.
A large gas-gulping motorcycle could still be the best choice for you. How? As statee earlier, the more the motorcycle is ridden, the more money it saves. The rider must enjoy using the motorcycle. Choose a 250 Rebel to cover a 150 mile commute with luggage that needs to stay dry and any excuse to not ride will be taken. If a Gold Wing getting 30mpg still gets 10mpg better than the family minivan, it can still save money if ridden as often as possible. If gas goes over $4/gallon, it doesn’t take long for that 10mpg extra to add up to a significant savings.
Related articles
- How to Improve Your Motorcycle Gas Mileage (motorcycleinsurance.org)
Related Blogs
Posted in 
The GS500E is a great example of an affordable motorcycle. Image via Wikipedia
I’d be the first to admit that many motorcycles could be considered a luxury. When you do the math for payment, insurance, maintenance, and mpg versus a car, even the best motorcycle only comes ahead when you put many miles on it. If you leave it set and drive the car, it quickly becomes an expense.
You can manage what you spend on a motorcycle by buying one within your means. If you know that you will not put many miles on the motorcycle, don’t overspend on the motorcycle. First, if you’re going to own a car also, figure out what it cost per mile to drive your car. Now figure out what it costs to operate your motorcycle per mile. If you have to make payments on the motorcycle, it takes a huge number of miles to make up for that payment. The more mpg you can get out of your motorcycle, the easier it is to break even though.
Minimizing the costs can also be done by choosing a motorcycle with the best maintenance schedule. They’re not like a car when you buy them new. My Honda Shadow required a 500 mile checkup that costs over $400! If it wasn’t done, it voided the warranty. Imagine buying a car and getting hit with that cost! It was an outrage and I’ll be sure to look at the maintenance schedule before buying a new motorcycle again.
Motorcycle insurance is another area to cut costs. Shop around as there is a vast cost difference in motorcycle insurers. Again, it’s not like a car. Your agent may be with a big name company, but their motorcycle insurance may be through a rinky-dink outfit. The type of motorcycle is a big difference too. A large cruiser cost much less to insure than a small sport bike. Agents are willing to get the numbers for you, but give them some time as it’s not as quick to quote as with cars.
Another way to save money is to buy gear that allows you to ride in bad weather. Heated suits and rain gear can add many more days of riding. Again, you have to weigh the cost/benefit. You can go over $500 for a good cold weather suit quickly.
If you can buy a small cc motorcycle, it’s easier to save money with the motorcycle. 500 CC motorcycles can perform very well. The mpg difference is much better. If you plan on carrying a heavy passenger and/or travel gear, you have to go larger though. Check the weight limits before you buy. There are exceptions to the rule though. The Suzuki V-Strom 650 is rated at a larger carrying capacity than the Honda Gold Wing. The V-Strom is about $7,000, while the Gold Wing is over $25,000.
Used motorcycles are a great bargain to consider as well. Many people buy a motorcycle, rarely ride it for a few years, and then sell it. Nearly new motorcycles with all of the accessories added for a used price. Don’t overlook these bargains. Do take into consideration the high cost of accessories. It’s not uncommon for a $7,000 motorcycle to have $2000 worth of add-ons and the seller is going to want some type of return on these items.
Related articles by Zemanta
- Zero Motorcycles Awarded Grant for Advanced Electric Powertrain Development Program (prnewswire.com)
