How to roughly work out a yearly motorcycle budget?

[Newo]

Forgive my ignorance if this has already been discussed elsewhere, I did search.

I'm trying to draw up some sort of a yearly budget for all compulsory costs that are associated with riding a motorcycle as everyday transportation, as well as all other recommended costs that if/when money is available I should put towards.

I realise all bikes won't necessarily have the same costs but a general guideline is what I'm after here. I'm asking because I'm planning on upgrading soon and I'd like to make sure that my next bike is properly looked after and to do that will require me putting money aside each week otherwise it will likely be spent and not there when it's needed. I realise not everything can be planned for as parts can fail unexpectedly and require immediate attention.

I'm just going to make a list here and sorta add to it as things are brought up and discussed because this could be useful for everybody who isn't fully aware of the costs involved to keep a healthy, legal, roadworthy motorcycle.

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Compulsory Costs:

Petrol - obviously depends on how often you ride and price at the pump.
Registration - can be found on the land transport website here: Currently 477.32 and 591.42
WoF - Average of $30 for inspection every 6 months. (I've never owned a vehicle that could have a longer duration WoF so fill me in on how it works)

Tires - Every 6-10k depending on riding style. (What's the average cost of motorcycle tires? I've yet to pay for any so wouldn't know)
Oil + Filter - Every ?k's or every ? months, which ever comes first.


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It's late and i'm tired so I'll add to this later, I'd like to get into as much detail as possible while still being quite general. if that's not too contradictory. Let me know what other costs are involved, especially to do with general maintanence such as services at the appropriate intervals, typical wear such as tires, how long generally before new tires are required and the average cost of tires. etc.

[superman]

Tyres. Depending on how many km you ride per year.
Servicing (oil changes etc). Depending on how many km you ride per year.
WoF is yearly for vehicles less than 6 years old.

[ducatilover]

If you love your CBR:
Carb clean and balance at 20,000km intervals (you'll notice when it's done...)
Valve clearances at teh Honda recommended intervals, probably 25,000km?
Being an MC19, you may need a few fuel pumps
Chains.
Chain lube, do it often, don't be tight.
Brake pads.
Fork seals, rear shock seals/service (it is probably due for these being an '88 model)
Tyres, don't be a cheap prick with them.
Oil changes every 5000km, filters are dirt cheap for a CBR (same as a TRX400/500 etc etc and the VT250/VT250)
Air filter.

Bikes are not cheap to properly maintain, but they're worth it!

[Gremlin]

Bigger bikes will also cost more than smaller bikes to run, using more expensive tyres that generally don't last as long. Chain and sprockets (if it has them) are replaced more frequently as well.

I tracked the expenditure of my last bike quite accurately, so from October 2008 to January 2011 I spent about $15,500 on tyres and servicing (no accessories). The gas bill was $7,100 and I covered 63,000km.

I believe this would be at the higher end of maintenance

[LBD]

Work out how much you can afford and ....double it.

[slofox]

I put aside $25.00 per week just for tyres.

It isn't enough...

[hellokitty]

I have a basic a/p set up into another account of $30 a week for tyres, rego and basic service. I don't know how long tyres will last me, but I just spent $522 on tyres, and as these are my first new tyres on a bike I plan to keep for a long time, it will be interesting to see.

[NinjaNanna]

Per km charges

• fuel (17km/l @$2.40) = 14c
• servicing ($200/5000km) = 4c
• tyres ($600/8000km) = 7.5c
• TOTAL RUNNING COST /KM = 25.5c

Yearly costs

• wof = $70
• rego = $600
• insurance = $???

The rest you need to work out for yourself

[cheshirecat]

Got a 94 VFR and cost minimal, ie no cam chain and valves have only needed doing once 80,000 k ago, original fork seals, discs, bearings and bulbs; so just tyres, oil, filters and plugs er 40,000 ago but it doesn't seem to mind.

[SMOKEU]

Being an MC19, you may need a few fuel pumps

I had an MC19 and the fuel pump died. The factory fuel pump has the inlet and outlet on the same side of the pump and finding an aftermarket pump like that was very difficult. Honda wanted around $350 for a fuel pump which had to be imported from Japan.

I ended up going to a place that specializes in parts for the 1st generation Minis as those fuel pumps have the inlet and outlet on the same side and the size of the pump is similar. Never had any problems with the bike after that.

[Fast Eddie]

Live now pay later..

[Katman]

How long is a piece of string?

[slofox]

In my case:

Fuel (15km/l @$2.25) = 15.0c
Servicing ($250/6000km) = 4.2c
Tyres ($600/9000km) = 6.7c
TOTAL RUNNING COST /KM = 25.9c

x 18000km/year = $4662.00

PLUS

Yearly costs
wof = $70
rego = $600
insurance = $600

Total per year = $5932.00.


Call it $6000 per year

Or $500 per month

Or $115.38 per week.

Fuck. No wonder I'm poor!

[FJRider]

Bigger bikes will also cost more than smaller bikes to run, using more expensive tyres that generally don't last as long. Chain and sprockets (if it has them) are replaced more frequently as well.

I tracked the expenditure of my last bike quite accurately, so from October 2008 to January 2011 I spent about $15,500 on tyres and servicing (no accessories). The gas bill was $7,100 and I covered 63,000km.

I believe this would be at the higher end of maintenance

Big or small bike ... if you do the distances ... they DONT last long ...
HOW you ride makes a difference, as does the type of riding (commute/tour/race) even with identical bikes ... Ride like Rossi, and they WONT last long.

I never bother to "track" my bike expenses ... I'm too scared to ... I'd rather not know.

I think anybody onsite, could give you an indication of the amount of money you will need to spend. Just not an EXACT one ...

[baffa]

Something noone else has mentioned; protective gear.

I have a feeling I'm going to need to replace my boots on a yearly basis, gloves dont last forever, and jackets and pants cost more than I care to think about.