RossKean
Well-known member
A while ago, there was someone on the forum who ended out not buying an FJR from a person who was local (to them) because the owner wouldn't drop the price by a couple of hundred dollars. I started thinking about the costs of bike ownership (DANGEROUS) and came up with some interesting stuff. While the purchase price isn't trivial, it pales in comparison to the accumulated cost of ownership over the life of the bike. These costs are WAG (wild-assed guess) estimates and will vary by owner, driving habits and location but you will get the idea.
First of all, I'm going to list the things that I have NOT included in this analysis. Some of these are quite significant but can't be quantified in general terms:
Speeding tickets
License, inspections
Accident repairs, towing, accident medical etc.
Major (unusual) mechanical problems
Farkles (seats, aux. lights, aftermarket suspension, aftermarket exhaust, Power Commander, windshields, communications, frame sliders, GPS…)
Clothing (helmets, gloves, boots, riding gear)
Food, drinks (during trips)
Accommodations (during trips)
Financing costs for the original purchase
OK. You just spent $12,000 for your shiny new FJR. You are going to ride it 20,000 miles per year and we are forecasting a 120,000 mile lifetime (6 years). We will assume it will have little residual value at the end of that time.
Purchase: $12,000. $0.10/mile or $2000/year. Total $12,000
Gas @$4.00/gal, 40 MPG: $0.10/mile or $2000/year. Total $12,000
Oil: ($40.00/change, 5000 mi. interval) $0.008/mile or $160/year. Total $960
Insurance: Highly variable but let's say $500/year, $0.025/mile. Total $3,000
Tires: $800/year, $0.04/mile, Total $4800
Maintenance (mostly self, multiply x5 for dealer): $500/year, $0.025/mile. Total $3,000
Total Cost/mile = $0.298
Total Cost/year = $5,960
Total Cost/life of bike = $35,760
Value to personal well-being and mental health = PRICELESS!
Ross
First of all, I'm going to list the things that I have NOT included in this analysis. Some of these are quite significant but can't be quantified in general terms:
Speeding tickets
License, inspections
Accident repairs, towing, accident medical etc.
Major (unusual) mechanical problems
Farkles (seats, aux. lights, aftermarket suspension, aftermarket exhaust, Power Commander, windshields, communications, frame sliders, GPS…)
Clothing (helmets, gloves, boots, riding gear)
Food, drinks (during trips)
Accommodations (during trips)
Financing costs for the original purchase
OK. You just spent $12,000 for your shiny new FJR. You are going to ride it 20,000 miles per year and we are forecasting a 120,000 mile lifetime (6 years). We will assume it will have little residual value at the end of that time.
Purchase: $12,000. $0.10/mile or $2000/year. Total $12,000
Gas @$4.00/gal, 40 MPG: $0.10/mile or $2000/year. Total $12,000
Oil: ($40.00/change, 5000 mi. interval) $0.008/mile or $160/year. Total $960
Insurance: Highly variable but let's say $500/year, $0.025/mile. Total $3,000
Tires: $800/year, $0.04/mile, Total $4800
Maintenance (mostly self, multiply x5 for dealer): $500/year, $0.025/mile. Total $3,000
Total Cost/mile = $0.298
Total Cost/year = $5,960
Total Cost/life of bike = $35,760
Value to personal well-being and mental health = PRICELESS!
Ross
