Gas Prices Increasing Motorcycle Sales in SoCal
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Re: Gas prices increasing motorcycle sales in SoCal
high gas prices are a good excuse to get a motorcycle but not a good reason
when you factor in all of the high costs of motorcycle ownership (insurance, maintenance, tires and depreciation) the fuel savings quickly disappear
high gas prices are a good excuse to get a motorcycle but not a good reason
when you factor in all of the high costs of motorcycle ownership (insurance, maintenance, tires and depreciation) the fuel savings quickly disappear
Re: Gas prices increasing motorcycle sales in SoCal
sheesh - I don't exactly know how I feel about this. I'm torn... On the one hand more bikes out on the road is a very good thing. Hopefully, being less of a "novelty" will help those in cars be more aware of us, etc. On the other hand, just watch all the fatality stats shoot up now, leading to the government just HAVING to do something...
sheesh - I don't exactly know how I feel about this. I'm torn... On the one hand more bikes out on the road is a very good thing. Hopefully, being less of a "novelty" will help those in cars be more aware of us, etc. On the other hand, just watch all the fatality stats shoot up now, leading to the government just HAVING to do something...
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10,901 Posts
Re: Why?
Well there is a good article on Speed covering traction control and Ducati's proposed 1200cc change for WSBK.
Of course that would get about three posts and then everyone would run back to the Bush, biodiesel, helmet, wife banging dirty mattress rant.
Well there is a good article on Speed covering traction control and Ducati's proposed 1200cc change for WSBK.
Of course that would get about three posts and then everyone would run back to the Bush, biodiesel, helmet, wife banging dirty mattress rant.
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17,451 Posts
Re: Gas prices increasing motorcycle sales in SoCal
For many of us bike insurance is far cheaper than auto... $120 vs $700 in my case. We buy used bikes which avoids the severe depreciation and using high mileage tyres reduces the differential of the cost of car tyres. I also do most of my own maintenance.
I coud run all the figures, but at current gas prices I save at least a grand a year by riding my bike rather than driving my truck. And that's figuring a 7 month riding season in northern Utah. I have actual need for a 4x4 so switching from my truck to a VW TDI Diesel is not an option.
A friend of mine has a Golf TDI diesel and gets over 50mpg regularly. That's the way to go over those hybrids IMHO.
For many of us bike insurance is far cheaper than auto... $120 vs $700 in my case. We buy used bikes which avoids the severe depreciation and using high mileage tyres reduces the differential of the cost of car tyres. I also do most of my own maintenance.
I coud run all the figures, but at current gas prices I save at least a grand a year by riding my bike rather than driving my truck. And that's figuring a 7 month riding season in northern Utah. I have actual need for a 4x4 so switching from my truck to a VW TDI Diesel is not an option.
A friend of mine has a Golf TDI diesel and gets over 50mpg regularly. That's the way to go over those hybrids IMHO.
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17,451 Posts
Re: Gas prices increasing motorcycle sales in SoCal
I wanted to put those purple neon lights on it but I found out that you bought all the left coast stock for your Geezerglide.
At least, that's what your girlfriend told me while I was banging her on a dirty mattress under a bridge.
I wanted to put those purple neon lights on it but I found out that you bought all the left coast stock for your Geezerglide.
At least, that's what your girlfriend told me while I was banging her on a dirty mattress under a bridge.
Re: Gas prices increasing motorcycle sales in SoCal
Agreed, but also for other reasons. I don't think motorcycling should be taken lightly. As someone with both dealership and teaching experience (MSF), there are already far too many people getting into the sport who treat riding without much respect to the potential dangers. I'm not sure that Joe Cheapo actually adds to the fray, except for just increasing the physical numbers. And while I can appreciate the implications on the business end and the swelling of our ranks, on a personal level I don't agree. Maybe if we had the stricter licensing requirements of some of our European counterparts I would think differently.
Agreed, but also for other reasons. I don't think motorcycling should be taken lightly. As someone with both dealership and teaching experience (MSF), there are already far too many people getting into the sport who treat riding without much respect to the potential dangers. I'm not sure that Joe Cheapo actually adds to the fray, except for just increasing the physical numbers. And while I can appreciate the implications on the business end and the swelling of our ranks, on a personal level I don't agree. Maybe if we had the stricter licensing requirements of some of our European counterparts I would think differently.
Re: Gas prices increasing motorcycle sales in SoCal
Ah, one could easily need to spend $250 on tires every 6,000 - 8,000 miles (yes, maybe more infrequently/less money for touring types but perhaps more frequently/more money for sporty types) compared to automotive tire changes every 35,000 miles and easily more money on more frequent and expensive oil changes (yes, I'm assuming bike specific oil and factory filters). I would personaly add other things including riding gear and lots of it if you are serious and ride throughout the year. Spark plugs every 7,500, chain and sprockets every 14,000, air filters, etc, etc. Get the idea? The first service (5,000 miles) on my new Scion cost us $16 which included oil and filter, tire rotation and 29 point check and fluid fill. OK, the first 3 oil changes are free, but the maintence intervals are every 5,000 miles and involve mostly what I just said for a very, very long time. Also, most of us spend a lot for "things" for our bike. I guess you could assume Joe Milk Crate, NIghthawk rider for example purposes here, but much of what I said still holds true. In sum, I personaly think that short term, week to week expenses will seem better but that much of it is negated over the course of time.
Ah, one could easily need to spend $250 on tires every 6,000 - 8,000 miles (yes, maybe more infrequently/less money for touring types but perhaps more frequently/more money for sporty types) compared to automotive tire changes every 35,000 miles and easily more money on more frequent and expensive oil changes (yes, I'm assuming bike specific oil and factory filters). I would personaly add other things including riding gear and lots of it if you are serious and ride throughout the year. Spark plugs every 7,500, chain and sprockets every 14,000, air filters, etc, etc. Get the idea? The first service (5,000 miles) on my new Scion cost us $16 which included oil and filter, tire rotation and 29 point check and fluid fill. OK, the first 3 oil changes are free, but the maintence intervals are every 5,000 miles and involve mostly what I just said for a very, very long time. Also, most of us spend a lot for "things" for our bike. I guess you could assume Joe Milk Crate, NIghthawk rider for example purposes here, but much of what I said still holds true. In sum, I personaly think that short term, week to week expenses will seem better but that much of it is negated over the course of time.
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