07-07-2019, 04:41 AM
(07-07-2019, 03:59 AM)LongRanger_imp Wrote: In my experience the cost of motorcycle ownership per mile is considerably higher than an automobile, and like Stichill, if forced to have one or the other, I'd ditch the bike. The cost of tires alone -- $300 to enjoy 6000-8000 miles of riding, vs. $500 for 60,000 miles of utility in a car.
This is what i meant by people grossly over estimating the cost of ownership on motorcycles. i typically buy tires that run for 15,000 miles plus easily (my current set, for example, was worth around 18k), and have never paid more than $250 for a set of tires. I think there's a lack of perspective on the **actual** cost of these things going around.
furthermore, I don't think i've ever seen a set of tires on a car last 60k miles. maybe (big maybe) 40k. so, by the time i've spent the same $500 that you have spent on your tires, i'e been riding for over 30k. it's really not as big of a difference as you're making it out to be.
secondly, you have to consider the amount of time we're talking about here. . The average person puts approx. 35 miles per day on their vehicle. many people put quite a lot less. that means it takes 3 or 4 years before you're seeing a cost benefit between car tires and motorcycle tires. after 8 years the gap widens, but it's been EIGHT YEARS!!! how much money have you saved on insurance by that time? THOUSANDS. car ownership is definitely more expensive. if insurance wasn't mandatory, i'd agree with you, but in todays society, insurance costs being what they are, you just can't say a comparable bike is more expensive to own than a car. there's no getting around that huge chunk of cash.