Gas mileage helping buy motorcycle

All things considered, many riders who only compare gas mileage may find motorbikes are a false economy.
No matter.
Except for the cost of therapy, I don't ride to save money.
But I do save a lot of time, by not having to spend my afternoons sitting in an office with some shrink.
I'm told you never see motorbikes in a psychiatrist's parking lot.
I wouldn't know, because I've never looked for such a parking spot.
 
I doubt you will save much if any at all. Between shorter maintenance intervals and replacing rubber more often you may actually spend more. But a great way to justify riding a bike for the ignorant naysayers.
 
Back of the napkin math; Bike,
$0.10 per mile for petrol avg 12k yearly $1200.00 fuel
3 tires... (?) $300.00 ea. $900.00 in tires
Brake fluid, oil change. $200.00 yearly
Misc. $200.00 yearly

My last commuting truck
$0.40 per mile fuel $4,800 fuel
1 tire $500.00
Brake pads, oil $700.00
Misc $200.00

Assumption is $4.00 per gallon, no labor cost on maint.

Bike $2500.00
Truck $6200.00

Clear winner
 
Al st1100 said:
bike vs truck you probably save money. Truck get about 15-20 mpg , truck tires and maintenance get expensive....should have bought a car.
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I find it extremely inconvenient to transport lumber in a car. Works poorly for cleaning up fallen trees around my property as well. In fact, nearly everything I use my truck for works poorly in a car.
Hey, maybe that's why they make trucks AND cars.
 
Sadlsor said:
All things considered, many riders who only compare gas mileage may find motorbikes are a false economy.
No matter.
Except for the cost of therapy, I don't ride to save money.
But I do save a lot of time, by not having to spend my afternoons sitting in an office with some shrink.
I'm told you never see motorbikes in a psychiatrist's parking lot.
I wouldn't know, because I've never looked for such a parking spot.
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Yep
After just a few miles on the roads, all my concerns and anxieties magically fade away.
 
Belisaerio said:
I find it extremely inconvenient to transport lumber in a car. Works poorly for cleaning up fallen trees around my property as well. In fact, nearly everything I use my truck for works poorly in a car.
Hey, maybe that's why they make trucks AND cars.
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How many trees fall on your property ?
 
Al st1100 said:
How many trees fall on your property ?
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This last winter it was 5. I'm sorry I haven't kept a complete accounting of how I've used my truck over the last thirteen years. I didn't realize I would have to justify it's purpose to comment on how much better a motorcycle's mileage is on a freaking motorcycle forum. I just foolishly assumed I was better positioned to know my needs than a forum full of people who know nothing about me and even more foolishly thought I was talking about my motorcycle.
 
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Belisaerio said:
With no comment on the cause and please no one do:

I commute on my motorcycle anyway, but damn is it nice with gas prices going crazy to realize the money saved on gas over my truck is paying two thirds of my motorcycle payment.
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And you will go through 7 or 8 rear tires on the bike versus one on your truck. Be sure and add that extra $3000 to the mix.
 
Bike gets about Three times the gas mileage to my 40 year old Van , but the Van can haul about ten times the Stuff, including the bike when needed, which thankfully hasn't been needed. Have I saved any money riding bike, no, I ride because I love riding more than moving Stuff. Ride on , G
 
So — choice is good. You can ride when you want (local weather seasons permitting) or haul what you need when you need. Fortunately everyone is free to make choices that suit them and not give a fig about what anyone else thinks for them.

Mophead said:
And you will go through 7 or 8 rear tires on the bike versus one on your truck.
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Maybe. Or maybe the commute is shorter than we know. Regardless — changing only one tire on a truck? Or is that 7-8 tires per rear tire on a truck? On my cars the rear drive wheel didn't wear all that much faster than the other rear wheel so I changed them both at the same time.

ST1100Y said:
So why not using a trailer... would also bring that loading height down quite a bit... compared to those trucks...
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Hm. So a bike a car and a trailer. Depending on the individual a trailer might sit a lot and take up usable space. The loading height of the truck would mean less bending which would mean less stress on the lower back. Like a car a truck could be used for shopping or other routine utilitarian functions including getting that new big screen TV or lumber or other functions a bike and a car aren't suited for.

Or hitch up the trailer and drag it to wherever. I'm not sure that's a general way for everybody to roll. Unless maybe you want to haul a bike. But then is that trailer suitable for hauling lumber? Two trailers. A bike and a hauling trailer.

Or a truck – if you rarely haul a bike. Anyway I think there's a lot of overthinking the OP's situation. Personally I enjoy not enduring gas pump sticker shock when filling the ST compare to my car.

I fill my car's 18gal tank at 1/2 tank and occasionally top off at 1/4 because at my age I don't want to risk an infarction. I do not anticipate prices dropping anytime soon. Maybe I should carry a defibber and body bag along with the jump starter.

Anyway... Back to much ado.
 
Belisaerio said:
With no comment on the cause and please no one do:

I commute on my motorcycle anyway, but damn is it nice with gas prices going crazy to realize the money saved on gas over my truck is paying two thirds of my motorcycle payment.
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That is why I have 4 motorcycles, I save 4 times the gas!!

Trust the science!!
 
Belisaerio said:
This last winter it was 5. I'm sorry I haven't kept a complete accounting of how I've used my truck over the last thirteen years. I didn't realize I would have to justify it's purpose to comment on how much better a motorcycle's mileage is on a freaking motorcycle forum. I just foolishly assumed I was better positioned to know my needs than a forum full of people who know nothing about me and even more foolishly thought I was talking about my motorcycle.
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Chill, just asking.
 
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