Planning to ride? The real cost of owning a motorcycle

Jason Dickman | For The New Mexican

6/25/2008 - 6/26/08

Rising gas prices and the return of the Santa Fe summer have gotten people thinking about motorcycles. To the uninitiated, it's easy to think buying a motorcycle that gets twice the mileage of your car will automatically cut your fuel costs in half. This is a true statement; however, there are some major differences between owning a car and motorcycle that are good to know.

First, to point out the obvious: A motorcycle is not a car, meaning that motorcycles don't have many of the built-in features you expect in a car.

A car has doors, seatbelts, a trunk and a windshield. With a motorcycle, there are generally a number of hidden costs you might not think of until you are out the door and down the road.



Safety costs

Since motorcycles, especially in the city, are more dangerous to drive than cars, it is important to pay attention to safety, mainly education, maintenance and personal.

For education, take a class and get comfortable riding a motorcycle in a controlled area. The class will also cover some of the dangers that exist when riding and how to handle them.

Classes cost about $150 and are worth it — especially since you don't abuse your bike while learning and, by passing, you get a certificate that MVD accepts with no further testing needed. Find a Motorcycle Safety Foundation class at www.msf-usa.org or 877-667-8880.

Another area of safety is basic motorcycle maintenance. A properly maintained motorcycle will perform as it should and help in avoiding accidents. Things like tires, functioning lights and brakes are a key to safe riding. Since a motorcycle depends so much on two small patches of tire adhesion (combined, about the size of your hand), you want the bike in good working order.

The last area of safety is how well you prepare yourself for the ride. In cars, you have doors, seatbelts, crumple zones and airbags to help provide passive safety in case of an accident. On a motorcycle, your protection is the gear you wear, things like helmets, leather gloves, padded/armored jackets and pants and sturdy shoes.

Looking around Santa Fe, I see a mix of about 50/50 for those who ride with protection compared with those who don't. I am under the impression people tend to adopt their friends' beliefs when it comes to safety gear. I would urge anyone who is starting to ride to really consider the cost of personal safety and what protection makes sense.

Helmets and jackets range from $100 to more than $600. Expect to pay at least $30 to well over $100 for gloves. A good pair of riding pants is about $150.



Customizing costs

I'm don't mean tassels on the handlebars, chrome tailpipe tips or the custom paintjob. Instead, you make a motorcycle functional for your needs with things like storage bags, a windshield, heated grips, a backrest. The details can make longer rides a real pleasure.

Some of the other costs not typically associated with a motorcycle are a cover and a battery charger for when the bike is in storage.



Legal costs

Registration and insurance of a motorcycle are minimal when compared with a car. You might want to choose full coverage since most motorcycles are totaled in an accident.



Mental costs

The first weeks of riding a motorcycle are a little terrifying. Simple things like coordinating the clutch, gear selections, turn signals and evaluating the road condition are hard enough. Then you actually pull off the side streets and enter heavy traffic.

Luckily, riding gets easier with time. The feel of the bike gets familiar and predictable, you are able to easily spot the roadside dangers, and you can pass through bumpy intersections without incident. Then it rains, the wind blows, or snow adds a new twist — this is what keeps riding interesting and engaging.



Buying a motorcycle is expensive, and riding well takes dedication and courage. The initial cost of the bike is one part of the equation. The investment of time in safety and maintenance is ongoing. Do I save money on gas? Yes. Does it cost less than a car? Sure. Is it cheaper to own both a car and a motorcycle but only drive a motorcycle during the warmer months? Not really.

Having more vehicles means having more liability. Maintenance, insurance and depreciation can add up to level out any financial gains from reduced fuel consumption. Is it worth it? I think so.