Long term running costs

**cheshirecat** · 28th September 2009, 14:40

Just completed 90,000k on my 94 VFR. Bought it 15 months ago with 64,000k on it.
It came with a complete service record.

Aside from standard new bike service the valves have only been done twice, 15000 and 34,000. They haven't needed adjusting since.
Two new chains – x ring 40,000 and 86,000
One set of sprockets 40,000k
One set of brake pads 40,000k
One regulator 42,000k
Three sets of spark plugs, most recent 76,000
Two batteries 42,000 and 88,000
fork oil(10W) 90,000k - it needed it!
Up grade of main lights at 74,000k to plus 90% Hellas otherwise all seem original.
It came with new rear Pirelli and 70%new on the front
Since then I've used one front Shinko and the rear Shinko is coming up 80% worn. I'll replace the rear with another Shinko. There is a new Conti Road Attack with 2000k on it. I'm running the front Conti between 38 and 42 – it's 42 on the Conti website.
Lots of oil changes. Longest between changes has been 6500k
The only failures to date have been the two batteries and the regulator

The bike is standard, with original exhaust but I have Oxford heated grips, pack rack and Hella plus 90's
I use various forms of luggage according to needs, an Orse tank bag, Ventura soft paniers and topbox - oh and the dog abode.
There's been a mint spent on cleaning stuff.

**Kinje** · 28th September 2009, 15:59

New Zealands coast is only 15,134 km and it's been around since long before 1994! Not sure of its maintenance record though

**Headbanger** · 28th September 2009, 16:06

I figured this was going to be about running around both islands.....

**Devil** · 28th September 2009, 16:24

Originally Posted by cheshirecat

There is a new Conti Road Attack with 2000k on it. I'm running the front Conti between 38 and 42 – it's 42 on the Conti website.

FYI, it's the rear that should be 42, the front recommended pressure is 36...

**Squiggles** · 28th September 2009, 16:41

its only on its second set of pads?

**slofox** · 28th September 2009, 16:42

Originally Posted by Headbanger

I figured this was going to be about running around both islands.....

Yeah. I thought that as well...I hate running the coasts - the fuckin tide comes in and ya get wet...

**Insanity_rules** · 28th September 2009, 20:24

I would hate to think what the Ducati costs me but frankly I don't care. Its worth it.

**cheshirecat** · 29th September 2009, 09:47

Originally Posted by Devil

FYI, it's the rear that should be 42, the front recommended pressure is 36...

Yes that's what I started out with but it's got 42 on the front and the Conti web site recccommends 2.9 bar which equates to 42. It certainly handles better at 42,( even the pillion notices the diffence) 36 always seemed a bit odd at low speed, especially when wet and a gribley surface, so I ended up at 37/38 which seemed fine wet and dry until reading the web site info. I keep the rear at 42.

**Devil** · 29th September 2009, 13:54

Originally Posted by cheshirecat

Yes that's what I started out with but it's got 42 on the front and the Conti web site recccommends 2.9 bar which equates to 42. It certainly handles better at 42,( even the pillion notices the diffence) 36 always seemed a bit odd at low speed, especially when wet and a gribley surface, so I ended up at 37/38 which seemed fine wet and dry until reading the web site info. I keep the rear at 42.

The conti website says 2.5 bar..., 2.9 for the rear...
Is the tyre even warming up?

**cheshirecat** · 29th September 2009, 14:50

Originally Posted by Devil

The conti website says 2.5 bar..., 2.9 for the rear...
Is the tyre even warming up?

Yes you're right. Must have left my monacle by the zimmer frame.

I was told this by someone at a certain American m/c dealers in Welly a couple of weeks ago so I'll pop back and correct them. I started at 42 but dropped to 37/38. Most of the journeys are shortish with no motorway, so they are only getting luke warm. Eitherway I really like them in the wet and will be looking for some wet cobblestones.

**vifferman** · 29th September 2009, 15:04

Hmmmmm.... Running costs, eh?

I dare not add up all the costs in my slightly less than 5 years of current bike ownership and 20,000 miles.

OH what the hell - let's give it crack.
Lessee.....
Nine oil changes @ ~$50 each
Five filters @ $20 (actually less, but rounded)
One battery $80
One set of rear brake pads, two front, @ $??? ($300??)
One chain and two sprockets ~$350
Three sets of tyres @ ~$520 each
A set of instrument bulbs @ $20
Headlight bulb @ $20
Taillight bulb @$10
Spark plugs - 2 sets @$80ish and $132
Evo Star shifter kit $350
Footpeg brackets from Canadia @free! (but $30 postage)
Sundry fasteners, cush rubbers, etc. $150
Steering head bearings ?? ($150?)
PCII $200
Replacement heated grips $100
Chain lube etc. $50
Gargre door opener button $20 (was less, but had to replace it)
Front confirminators $20
Bulbs $10
CF confirminator plates $20
Hugger $157
Spare restrictor for the Satantune $40
New rear shock $1000
New fork springs $200
Fork oil $40
Fork seals and bushes $141
Fork Overhaul $785
More new fork springs and more fork work and more fork oil $130
JB Weld for cracked crankcase $14
Coolant $25
Speedo corrector $50
Fuel $12 meeelleeons
Depreciation $6000
Insurance ~$3000
Bike gear replaced in last five years: $3100

That's um ...er ... ah... $18,854, not counting petrol, so it's around $1 per mile (speedo's in mph).

Petrol.... hmmmm..... around 2120 litees (guesstimate) at ~$1.60ish, so that's another $3384.

What a lovely cheap hobby....

**cheshirecat** · 29th September 2009, 15:38

Originally Posted by vifferman

Hmmmmm.... Running costs, eh?

That's um ...er ... ah... $18,854, not counting petrol, so it's around $1 per mile (speedo's in mph).

Petrol.... hmmmm..... around 2120 litees (guesstimate) at ~$1.60ish, so that's another $3384.

What a lovely cheap hobby....

That's getting close to owning a yacht

**nico** · 29th September 2009, 16:22

Originally Posted by Insanity_rules

I would hate to think what the Ducati costs me but frankly I don't care. Its worth it.

dribble mark lol

**nico** · 29th September 2009, 16:31

Originally Posted by cheshirecat

Just completed 90,000k on my 94 VFR. Bought it 15 months ago with 64,000k on it.
It came with a complete service record.

Aside from standard new bike service the valves have only been done twice, 15000 and 34,000. They haven't needed adjusting since.
Two new chains – x ring 40,000 and 86,000
One set of sprockets 40,000k
One set of brake pads 40,000k
One regulator 42,000k
Three sets of spark plugs, most recent 76,000
Two batteries 42,000 and 88,000
fork oil(10W) 90,000k - it needed it!
Up grade of main lights at 74,000k to plus 90% Hellas otherwise all seem original.
It came with new rear Pirelli and 70%new on the front
Since then I've used one front Shinko and the rear Shinko is coming up 80% worn. I'll replace the rear with another Shinko. There is a new Conti Road Attack with 2000k on it. I'm running the front Conti between 38 and 42 – it's 42 on the Conti website.
Lots of oil changes. Longest between changes has been 6500k
The only failures to date have been the two batteries and the regulator

The bike is standard, with original exhaust but I have Oxford heated grips, pack rack and Hella plus 90's
I use various forms of luggage according to needs, an Orse tank bag, Ventura soft paniers and topbox - oh and the dog abode.
There's been a mint spent on cleaning stuff.

ive the same model in welly too just gone over 140thou got the bike at 90thou we must have difrent stiles of riding my maientanc cost's seems rather difrent lol,
just about to put my 2nd stearing head bearing did last one at 100km did pads also ,due to do again soon, oil every 5thou inc forks a few set of shinkos (great tyre btw) haters

dash shit it's self at around 135km new digital dash instaled, has 2brothers exhaust k&n filter others than that standard