High Maintenance Costs

[Zed]

For the first time ever this year, I decided to track the expenditure on my bike in a spreadsheet. It's amazing to realise just how expensive a motorcycle can be to maintain, in my case $2735 over the last 10 months and 17,000 kms, and I'm not talking about increasing performance or enhancing cosmetic looks either, this is only the necessary running/maintenance costs, excluding petrol.

Following is the list direct from my records:
Note: Apart from the CCT & Reg/Rec, I paid a good mechanic to do the other fitting & service of the bike.

14 April 2005 - Fitted new rear Pirelli Diablo 180/55/17 tyre at 36,000 kms - $300
15 April 2005 - Fitted new front brake pads - $140
15 July 2005 - Fitted new front Pirelli Strata 120/55/17 tyre at 42,000 kms - $230
22 July 2005 - Fitted new battery - $90
25 July 2005 - Fitted new rear Pirelli Strata 180/55/17 tyre at 43,500 kms - $315
4 August 2005 - Fitted new rear brake pads - $50
14 August 2005 - Fitted new aftermarket Cam Chain Tensioner at 44,000 kms - $100
9 September 2005 - Fitted new OEM Regulator Rectifier at 46,000 kms - $370
16 September 2005 - Fitted new chain & sprocket set, oil & filter, brake fluid, etc - $450
13 October 2005 - Fitted new rear Pirelli Diablo Strada 180/55/17 tyre at 47,883 kms - $245
11 November 2005 - Fitted new front Pirelli Strata 120/55/17 tyre at 51,000 kms - $200
25 November 2005 - New steering head bearings, forks oiled & serviced at 51,700 kms - $245

All of the above costs are relative to a 1997,1137cc sportsbike, ridden every day at a medium to fast pace at times. If you are a geek like me and have a record of your maintenance costs then please share!

[Ixion]

Blurdy hell , how many tyres is that ?

[Zed]

Blurdy hell , how many tyres is that ?

I know, i know...the price you pay for power my dear Ixion.

[Hitcher]

Zed, you silly, silly man! This is masochism of the worst order.

Just face it. Motorcycling is an addiction. I didn't have to tot up my (significant) motorcycle related expenditure to figure that out. If I did, I would probably at the very least have a nose bleed.

[Gremlin]

I track all my expenditure, including bike, and then thats also on another sheet separately... will update and post later. Luckily I don't go through tyres like you seem to

Crashing is also expensive... don't do that

[justsomeguy]

Mate - it's like buying fast food - you just eat the bloody thing and remind yourself how tasty it is. You don't think about the filthy kitchens and the dirty teenagers cooking it and the cockroaches in the cupboards.

Same with bikes. I've spent pretty much the same as you have over my 10.5 month biking life on regular maintenance (and some irregular maintenance)......

[motobob]

So Matt does this mean your going to keep the front wheel on the ground now. No I didn't think so. Then theres Insurance rego and depreciation. I trust the missus doesn't see the spreadsheet.

[cowpoos]

I know, i know...the price you pay for power my dear Ixion.

ermmm.....power.....err....you mean your heavy handed use of the twisty thing on the hadle bar on the right???

[Zed]

So Matt does this mean your going to keep the front wheel on the ground now. No I didn't think so.

Hey, you can't answer my question!! But you were right, no! I was pleasantly surprised to hear my forks were in good order after I had them re-oiled today, no need to replace the seals!!

I trust the missus doesn't see the spreadsheet.

She's seen it, that's how she justifies her clothes shopping!! True story.

[John]

I have only managed 4000km, in over 8 months. I wont even go into price.

You live for something, And I make sure its my bike.

[Zed]

ermmm.....power.....err....you mean your heavy handed use of the twisty thing on the hadle bar on the right???

No, I mean Blackbird power, when you don't ride them like a Nana that is. I mentioned that the costs were relative to med-fast riding, not hiding anything here.

[justsomeguy]

I have only managed 4000km, in over 8 months. I wont even go into price.

You live for something, And I make sure its my bike.

I think some bike and some bike rider both need to go on a diet. I met this guy in a bar the other day who said he may get an R1 someday. You should go talk to him.

[motobob]

She's seen it, that's how she justifies her clothes shopping!! True story.

Awh You havn't been married long enough, soon she won't need to justify HER spending but you will.

[The_Dover]

That's nothing, you should see my spreadsheet!!

$22,995 GSXR1000
$22,995 GSXR1000
First Service
Pirelli Diablos F+R
Diablo R
Errr, $XX XXX, hmm GSXR1000?

[Goblin]

I dare not keep track of what I spend on maintainance. However Im not into shoes and handbags and all that crap so for me, my retail therapy lies in the bikeshop.