How much does it cost to own a motorcycle?

[jtballer]

I am 23 years old and have always wanted a motorcycle.

I've been close a few times to buying one, but never pulled the trigger.

I know it varies for every person if they can afford something they want because each person has different bills and all that.

But from those that do own a motorcycle, how much do you think I would pay monthly for insurance?

I figure with a loan I can probably get something around 100 bucks a month or so, or at least something that can fit into my monthly budget, but the kicker is insurance, I'm not really sure how much that would be?

Thanks for any help. Oh, and I tried to go to geico.com and went through their questions to see a quote but they ended up just making me have to get something to through the mail, so I cancelled it.

Any ideas?

 

[1sexynucca]

are you from the states? I am from NJ and I dont have the perfect driving record but my Insurance for my XB12R is only a little over $600 for the year and NJ has some of the highest insurnace rates in the country.

 

[Stevenc150]

I'd try getting a quote online. When I was checking, I just posted bad mail info and gave them a temporary email. Here's a thread with lots of insurance costs: Bike Insurance

 

[aaronbuell]

anything that is classified as a sportbike can be high if you have a bad driving record. I lucked out my 98 s3 was listed as a touringbike I pay around 100 bucks a year here in upstate NY (not NYC)

 

[flaya564]

I have a 03 XB9S, full coverage in Maryland is $175. Good driving record and safe course discount.

 

[samiam901]

i also have a 03 XB9s full coverage in Ohio by SF for alittle under 400yr

 

[xtremelow]

It always costs More than you plan. If insurance and tabs don't hit you, a screw in the road or some dumb ass thing like that will.

I always set aside (for my bike) $200-$300 just incase of emergecy.

 

[wfochris]

Think of what it costs not to own one

My recommendation is to save that $100 a month you can afford, plus another $300-$400 a month you get from killing your cable/internet/cell phone along with other cuts, and wait 9 months and pay cash.

You'll enjoy the bike more if it's not dragging a payment behind it.

Try Progressive/Geico/State Farm/etc for insurance quotes.

It's usually cheaper if you insure your car+bike+home w/ the same folks. My XB costs about $22 a month for full coverage.

 

[typeone]

keep in mind, insurance is only one minor cost of owning a bike.

you will need gear first (yes, wear it, all of it, every ride), then a safety course, then oil + filters, then tires, then more oil + filter, more tires and on and on. even though the XB is crazy simple and fairly cheap to maintain, bikes need CONSTANT attention. you don't just ride and put away like a cage. it's gotta be inspected or fixed to stay safe and at the very least, oil, filters and tires seem to always need replacement. tires alone get expensive!

i hear a lot of new riders say, 'but i cant afford X piece of gear because i spent so much on the bike'... don't leave good gear out of your budget. if you go down, it will be cheaper than medical bills for road rash... or worse.

welcome to the addiction! [up]

 

[TechMagic]

bad record, xb12s, New York State, $500-$600 a year for me

 

[Stevenc150]

i hear a lot of new riders say, 'but i cant afford X piece of gear because i spent so much on the bike'... don't leave good gear out of your budget. if you go down, it will be cheaper than medical bills for road rash... or worse.

Great Point. [up]

 

[Trill]

im 24 years old and pay 200$ a month for the bike and 50$ month insurance. Be smart and spend a good amount on gear! $1,000 added to the loan for gear would be a good choice.

 

[marko138]

FYI...Rider insurance Co does not list Buell as a sportbike...so insurance is cheaper than alot of companies.

 

[LeFox]

it's all worth it even when it costs 1000/year, especially on a buell

 

[teh Nub]

You can get a quote online from progressive for insurance. (I pay $420/year full coverage 100/300/50, $500 deductible, under/un-insured motorist, etc..) That will give you a better idea, because there's a lot you can do to swing the price of insurance.

Figure $50-$60 oil change engine & tranny every 3k to 5k miles depending on oil you use and how long you want to stretch it.
$300 to $400 for tires every 5k miles (you'll most likely spend a little over half that every other 5k miles and just need a rear tire.)
Most importantly gear when you start riding, helmet, jacket, gloves, and over the ankle boots if you don't have them already. (you could find a good deal and get stuff cheap or spend a lot figure $250 to $1500+ for those 3/4 items. www.newenough.com has good deals on closeouts...

So figure about $1200 a year to ride the motorcycle (Insurance, general maintenance, etc), give or take depending on how much you ride. + the cost of the bike + your initial cost of gear + fuel if your not riding in place of the car you'd be driving. Some years will cost more than others due to 5k, 10k, 20k etc service, or broken parts.

Then you get into the budget of modding the bike which will make you want to spend about double everything...

 

[fahren]

great advice by above posters. Try also with Dairyland Insurance. They also do not list Buells as sportbikes. Comparison shopping can really pay off. I tried thru my home/auto company, and it was outrageous.

 

[drunk_uncle]

I ride in about 1500 dollars worth of gear. Two piece leather suit with 360 degree zipper, Sidi race boots, Ruesch kevlar lined gloves, Nolan helmet and kidney belt. Getting a back protector before next season. Never leave the city limits without all above. Have a Tourmaster Flex jacket for around town errands and such with Icon boots and gloves. Riding is not about the cost, but the passion.

 

[CANADAXB]

You're 23...by the time your 33, you'll have a wife, three kids and a mortgage...
Take the plunge. You'll love the Buell! (But buy safety gear as part of the package)...