Comments on: Save Money Commuting by Motorcycle? Not So Fast!

By: David

David — Fri, 01 Apr 2011 12:01:37 +0000

Good article. I ride a 1900cc yamaha and do it for the passion of 2 wheels. Stuff the accounting. If you’re commuting on a motorcycle for the money alone, just stay in your cage along with the other geeks in their practical cost-effective kmart underwear and payless shoes. If you want to embrace your passion for the road, you have to pony up.

By: Rob

Rob — Mon, 28 Feb 2011 06:01:25 +0000

There is one cost which hasn’t been factored in …. Parking!

I pay $13 per day in parking which I won’t have to pay for a bike.

Can the calculator be updated to include this?

By: Carinsurance

Carinsurance — Fri, 13 Aug 2010 07:09:52 +0000

Most motorcycle commuters are unable to rid themselves entirely of their cars. Which means that you’ll need to pay for motorcycle insurance on top of your car insurance.

By: Jay

Jay — Tue, 06 Apr 2010 17:24:57 +0000

Most of these nay-sayer articles assume the individual will go out and purchase a motorcycle or scooter in addition to the car they already own, in anticipation of huge savings. Based on that logic, it makes no sense to purchase a small, fuel efficient car. You won’t save money on that either IF you’re going to keep the original gas guzzler too. My wife and I went to one car, one bike several years ago and have saved quite a bit. Based on keeping the bike for 5 years (I plan to keep it longer), my costs are: bike: $6,000
full coverage MC insurance: $875 for 5 years
safety gear: $600,
cost of self maintainence and repairs (including oil, tune up, and tires): $2000,
cost of gas at 50mpg: $2750 for 5 years(based on 10,000 miles per year at 2.75/gal – yes, I know gas will go up)
License and inspection:$325 for 5 years
Total 5 year cost: $12,550
Contrast that to the cost of owning and maintaining a car, and the savings are self eveident.

By: Jonathons Daddy

Jonathons Daddy — Thu, 25 Feb 2010 18:25:18 +0000

This article forgot to factor in the time you save on a bike when you commute in a high traffic area. I save 2 hours each day when I ride to work. When you earn 25 dollars per hour that equals $ 50 dollars saved each day. I can ride in the carpool lane or split traffic if the vehicles are stopped. My stress level is lower when I arrive at work, because I did not just drive 1 hour to go 20 miles … My perspective is better after I ride. Happy … Happy … Happy …. How much is that Worth !

By: highlander

highlander — Wed, 30 Dec 2009 01:01:17 +0000

I have simple approach,compare new bikes only to new cars.Nice(in my opinion) car-$20,000.00 Nice new bike-$6,000.-$8,000. out the door.Even with frequent purchase of new tires,dealer service bike,you just ride it and riding gear cost you will save $10,000 to $8,000. over 100,000 mile,YES NEW BIKES CHEAPER THAN NEW CARS

By: Rick

Rick — Tue, 15 Dec 2009 09:19:50 +0000

Thanks for putting together that calculator. It accurately shows that I do save money going by scooter. But there are many other factors other than what you listed. I save 30% in time on my commute. I no longer pay any parking fees. Cost of gas here is off your scale (which ends at $4?! haha..) And unlike car commuting stuck in bumper to bumper traffic or jammed in a stuffy train, my ride to and from work is really enjoyable. In my opinion, commuting by car, I feel that my work day essentially starts when you start the engine, and ends when you finally get home. Commuting by bike, that is not so. Since I discovered two wheel commuting, I would continue it, even if it cost more.

By: R Jones

R Jones — Wed, 28 Oct 2009 17:40:03 +0000

I’ve been bike commuting for 6 years and the operating expense is not cheaper than a car. Easily 98% of *all* the miles I drive are on my bike. Even with double the gas mileage, the bottom-line deal-killer is the frequent replacement of tires. My mechanic is extremely impressed that I average 15k on a set of tires; but replacing them so frequently and at about double a set of average auto tires offsets any and all other operating expenses.

In fact, I commuted for two years on a scooter getting 75mpg and dirt cheap insurance – it was not cheaper than a car. Again, primarily tires.

And, duh, helmets, jackets, shoes, etc. I’m easily 2 grand+ into equipment over the years. Why? “Neither rain, cold, nor gloom of night…”

By: northern visitor

northern visitor — Mon, 14 Sep 2009 13:37:05 +0000

Interesting, but you have a number of faulty assumptions, the most prominent one being the cost of parking. In my city, the minimum cost to park a car on a daily basis is $10/day, but scooters get to park for *free*.
This would save me $200/month, now that wouldn’t take long to pay back the cost of buying all the new euipment. And insurance is about $10/month.

By: Sas

Sas — Fri, 11 Sep 2009 23:51:32 +0000

Hmmm.
I bought a bike and rode it for 3 years. What is the cost per mile

Initial bike purchase, 2000 Bandit 600 with 6000 miles $2000
Gear $1400 (jacket, pants, helmet, gloves, boots)
Total $3400
Yearly Stuff
4 tires (2F/2R Z6′s) $600
2 oil changes (do my own maint) $80
500 gallons of gas (42mpg @ 42 miles 1 way * 50 weeks per year) $1500
Insurance $120 (Liability and Uninsured only)
Misc Maint (brakes, chain, sprokets, etc.) $400
Total $2700 per year

3 years of ownership
Total Cost
$3400 + (3 * $2700) = $11500

Sold Motorcycle for $1000

Net Cost $10,500

Miles traveled ~60,000.

Cost per mile = $0.175

Cost of GAS only for truck
60,000 miles / 18mpg = 3333 gal * $3.00 gal = $10,000, $0.167 per mile for GAS only.