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#1 |
Join Date: May 2007
Location: Altamont, Kansas
Posts: 15,103
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Good article on the cost of riding a motorcycle vs car.
http://www.whybike.com/blog/index.php?p=150
This really only works if you reasonably ride year round.
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#2 |
Join Date: Jul 2008
Location: Idaho
Posts: 25,054
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Thank you for posting the interesting link, Allen.
![]() ![]() ![]() Up to this point, the Chinese have been primarily manufacturing motorcycles for their domestic market. In China, and Southeast Asia, many people do not own motor vehicles; however, if they own any motor vehicle, it is probably a small motorcycle. If you have limited financial resources, you want to purchase a rugged, reliable, versatile vehicle that is inexpensive to purchase, and operate. The 200cc, single cylinder, air cooled, dual sport motorcycle exactly fits these criteria. ![]() For example, if you buy a Zongshen Sierra 200GY-2 for $1,000, delivered, you are off to a very good start in minimizing your operating costs! ![]() ![]() ![]() If you want to buy bigger, more powerful, water cooled engines, with more cylinders, you are going to spend a lot more money. Not only is the initial cost higher, but the bike will also be much more expensive to operate, maintain, repair, and insure. As I stated in the first paragraph, the Chinese primarily build small, single cylinder, air-cooled, dual sport motorcycles for very good reasons. ![]() ![]() Spud ![]()
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Spud "Never argue with an idiot. He will drag you down to his level, and beat you with experience." ![]() 2015 Zongshen ZS250GY-3 (RX3) 2006 Zongshen ZS200GY-2 (Sierra 200) 2005 Honda XR650L 2004 Honda CRF250X 1998 Kawasaki KDX220 Mods made to my Zongshen ZS200GY-2: http://www.chinariders.net/showthread.php?t=6894 |
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#3 |
Join Date: May 2007
Location: Altamont, Kansas
Posts: 15,103
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His bike examples are more typical American. Even 250 Japanese are very good buys. They are lower cost initially and very reliable/low maintenance machines.
The key is being able to do some of your own work and also riding in more than just fair weather.
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#4 |
Join Date: Mar 2009
Location: Southeastern Washington desert
Posts: 14,761
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A big limitation is the cost per person/mile.
For practical purposes, a 200cc CB carries only one person. A small car carries 4. So, in a carpool situation, which is not the norm, the price of the car is much less. Also, you can't fall off a car. Falling off a bike leads to great expense.
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#5 |
Join Date: May 2007
Location: Altamont, Kansas
Posts: 15,103
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That is true. It is usually just me when commuting. Not many miles with passengers.
I have cars for those times. I am heavily leaning toward a scooter for my commuting times. I can use a car for hauling people and the truck for stuff. I put about 10K miles on just going to work and back every year. All those miles are just me. I can realistically ride about 300 days a year in GA. Still using a bike as a primary vehicle is not reasonable for everyone. I do have to drop kids at daycare and school sometimes. They can't go on a bike. Realistic miles for me on a bike. 6K/yr. Of course I park for free. Tags/Insurance is cheap here for cars. So those costs are much lower. I would probably do about the same to drive an older econobox car compared to a motorcycle.
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#6 | ||
Join Date: Sep 2008
Location: Nashville, TN
Posts: 588
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Quote:
![]() I've had this discussion at work: "I wish I didn't spend so much on gas to get to work." What do you drive? "A Suburban." There's your problem, get a smaller car. "But I have to share taking all the kids to the games. I need the Suburban to hold all the stuff." Buy a small, fuel efficient car that seats 5 and 2 parents can share the ride. Probably save a ton of money. "You know, that makes sense. I'll have to think about that." Quote:
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#7 |
Join Date: Mar 2009
Location: Southeastern Washington desert
Posts: 14,761
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I've thought about the cost 'savings' issue in the past and I don't think there is a lot to save for most people under most circumstances. Its a quality of life issue. Fot me the pleasure of riding is priceless. I'd rather be on my humble Q rather than driving my convertible Corvette, if that tells you how much I like motorcycles.
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#8 |
Join Date: May 2007
Location: Altamont, Kansas
Posts: 15,103
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Most people cannot do without heat and AC and windshield wipers.
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#9 | |
Join Date: Jul 2008
Location: Idaho
Posts: 25,054
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Quote:
![]() Spud ![]()
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Spud "Never argue with an idiot. He will drag you down to his level, and beat you with experience." ![]() 2015 Zongshen ZS250GY-3 (RX3) 2006 Zongshen ZS200GY-2 (Sierra 200) 2005 Honda XR650L 2004 Honda CRF250X 1998 Kawasaki KDX220 Mods made to my Zongshen ZS200GY-2: http://www.chinariders.net/showthread.php?t=6894 |
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#10 | |
Join Date: Jul 2008
Location: Idaho
Posts: 25,054
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Quote:
![]() ![]() ![]() Indeed, medical expenses are outrageous (no offense intended). ![]() Spud ![]()
__________________
Spud "Never argue with an idiot. He will drag you down to his level, and beat you with experience." ![]() 2015 Zongshen ZS250GY-3 (RX3) 2006 Zongshen ZS200GY-2 (Sierra 200) 2005 Honda XR650L 2004 Honda CRF250X 1998 Kawasaki KDX220 Mods made to my Zongshen ZS200GY-2: http://www.chinariders.net/showthread.php?t=6894 |
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#11 |
Join Date: May 2007
Location: Altamont, Kansas
Posts: 15,103
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You get get hurt in a car too. The odds are just better.
My job hours make carpooling difficult. Not many people travelling around at 1am.
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#12 | |
Join Date: Mar 2009
Location: Southeastern Washington desert
Posts: 14,761
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Quote:
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#13 |
Join Date: May 2007
Location: Altamont, Kansas
Posts: 15,103
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And drunks. I usually have the road to myself though.
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