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Are bikes actually cheaper to run than a car?

Discussion in 'Main Forum' started by MaDProFF, Mar 6, 2013.

  1. MaDProFF

    MaDProFF World Superbike +

    Messages:
    2,475
    I was just adding it all up in my head, bikes are actually quite expensive to run as an only form of transport. Wondered if anyone had done an actually decent break down to the real running costs over like 12k miles a year compared to a car.

    Certainly the servicing, Tyres etc. seem expensive compared to cars. Fuel, well even my S3 does over 30 mpg if driven half sensible, and other reasonable performance cars do a lot more now days. I get around 50 to a gallon out of my STR, and some bigger bikes a lot less, although granted use a commuter like 400, you get same as a decent diesel car.

    Add all your riding gear summer and winter, compared to just jumping in your car in just under pants :)

    I suppose it all depends in adding depreciation factors in. but I am just more interested in everyday running costs.

    Thoughts?
     
  2. _Yappa_

    _Yappa_ Official SECB representative down under. +

    Messages:
    946
    Sometimes it's not always about cost. It can be about the 'feel' and also getting there quicker...



    That being said, I found the use of my bike in the UK as our only vehicle a LOT cheaper. The costs of riding gear is a once of thing - like sunnies for a car. So I only take into account fuel, tyres, wear & tear etc... You could choose to wear the same things on the bike as you would a car - just might be rather cold :brr::brr::brr:
     
  3. paganuspaul

    paganuspaul Off Roader +

    Messages:
    213
    I've started keeping track of what I spend running the bike over the last couple of years and it really adds up - that's just maintenance! I've not kept track of petrol but generally bikes seem to be less economic than cars nowadays.
     
  4. BlackHornet

    BlackHornet Look before you turn Staff Member Moderator +

    Messages:
    7,985
    it's cheaper than running a car by a long way if you take everything into account

    New boring ford £24,000 driven for 3 years value £7,000
    New CBR1000 £12,000 riden for 3 years value £7,000

    Your already £12 grand up and have been smiling every day
    Ok mpg is nearly the same for a car or bike these days
    tyres seam alot at £250.00 every 5000 miles v's a cars every 15,000 miles
    servicing £200.00 every 5000 v's car at £200.00 every 15,000

    time spent not being stuck in traffic PRICELESS :D
     
  5. Russell

    Russell Race Rep +

    Messages:
    851
    Do you still smile every day during the winter when its freezing out or chucking it down with rain?
     
  6. Les

    Les British Superbike +

    Messages:
    2,559
    I agree it adds up but its not the point of running a bike IMO & couldn't be arsed to make the comparison in case it spoilt my ignorance. Even when commuting daily on a bike I'd just arrive happy.
     
    mousematt and kitten_art like this.
  7. MaDProFF

    MaDProFF World Superbike +

    Messages:
    2,475
    Tom, how many bikes though you got to buy against one car???? :) would one bike last as long as a car?
    I do agree on the fact the happiness is priceless, but still Bikes in my view seem to be extremely over priced in the day to day running :(
     
    paganuspaul likes this.
  8. BlackHornet

    BlackHornet Look before you turn Staff Member Moderator +

    Messages:
    7,985
    well so far i've had the hornet 5 or 6 years in which time i've killed 3 cars i think and replaced another 2 :rolleyes:
    buy the right bike and 50,000 miles or more is easy.

    The performance of a bike v's a car is what you pay for.
    430 v's 1198 anyone? both do near 200 mph and crack 60 in a blink, one returns around 36mpg doing this the other around 14mpgyet the car is 10 times the price of the car.

    If you want a cheap run around bike then the honda D700 or what ever it's called, that returns 76mpg but is boring like a vauxhall vectra just quicker.

    yes i do :D
     
  9. viking killer

    viking killer Street Fighter +

    Messages:
    513
    thats a very good question, i have a car and bike at the moment (the car might be for sale soon though) my car does 45-50 mpg average as its a diesel, my big v twin bike does about the same, my car will be getting a couple of tyres soon (£115 each) my bike was again about the same but will do a lot less miles before i need to get more, road tax for the car £125 a year, £70 i think for the bike, insurance car £280, bike £80 both fully comp, so with service and mot's thrown in the bike is a little bit less but not a massive amount, but i know what i have most fun using :MC:
     
  10. MaDProFF

    MaDProFF World Superbike +

    Messages:
    2,475
    Hmm maybe Tom you are a bad example, ok I bought a new Nissan once GTI e 2 litres 0-60 in 6.8 secs, avaged just over 30 to a gallon, think it cost in its day 12k did 220k miles in it, sold it for 2.5k after like 5 to 6 years so how many bikes would that be?????:MC:
     
  11. Finchy

    Finchy Guest

    I've never made a comparison between the car and the bike. To be honest, I don't need to as I know that I running the bike costs waaaaaaaaaaay more than running the car. They're about the same in terms of fuel economy, although the bike is cheaper to insure & tax. That's where the savings end as I spend stupid amounts of money every month on various bits & pieces (clothing & accessories mainly, although over the past month I've blown budget a little, but shhhhhh ;) ).

    Fekkit though - I love biking and have never (and will never) spare any expense to enjoy it. A car's just a form of transport and should be grateful that I wash it every few months if it's lucky.
     
  12. JimG

    JimG British Superbike +

    Messages:
    1,064
    For me it depends what you use the bike for. I only got a bike in the first place to avoid paying to park at the station. That has saved £1,100 a year which goes some way to evening out the numbers, but the cost of tyres is still the killer.

    I now ride into London 2-3 days a week. No congestion charge, can ride in the bus lanes saving 30-60 minutes compared with a car, and every time I arrive home still alive it's a great sense of achievement :giggle:

    Bike and train is 1 hour 20 minutes door to door at best, bike into London is 60 minutes. I just need to forget about the 15minutes at each end it takes to get all the gear on!
     
    _Yappa_ and Finchy like this.
  13. _Yappa_

    _Yappa_ Official SECB representative down under. +

    Messages:
    946
    Do you count the cost of your labour in cleaning the bike???? :rolleyes: :rolleyes: :rolleyes: :rolleyes:
     
    Stars and Stripes likes this.
  14. Finchy

    Finchy Guest

    Well I did say that running the bike was more expensive than running the car ;).
     
    _Yappa_ likes this.
  15. RetryRider

    RetryRider Commuter 500 +

    Messages:
    234
    Big Bikes really are a luxury aren't they? I'd say far more expensive that an average car by miles, insurance and servicing are both more expensive.

    If it was about cost we'd all be riding around on 125's. I remember the days when at college and my friends with cars were bitching about running costs. I was quite happy with my £10.00 for a week of petrol. The tyre costs on the little SR weren't that bad either and I also got to the pub quicker. Unfortunately they had the one-up with the ladies but you can't have everything.

    That said can you really compare an everyday car with average sports bike? It's like comparing a Fiesta to a Ferrari. The bike is faster and made of better quality bits (generally) but there's no way you could do the weekly shop with it just like the Ferrari. The benefit a bike has is that at least you can add luggage capacity with panniers and still carry two people, you can't with the Ferrari.

    Surely it would be fairer to compare something like a ZX6R to a Lotus Elise, a Fazer 1000 to an Ford Focus RS (stretching I know) and a CB125 to a Toyota Aygo. Looking at it that way I'm sure the servicing/insurance of the cars would be more than the bike.
     

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