Is a motorcylce worth it?

[BlackBearHockey]

I did my best to search, but didn't find anything geared towards the questions I had.

The bottom line: I'm thinking of getting a motorcycle, but am not 100% sure that it's a good time/fit/etc, and don't want to rush into a decision that others (namely parents) would construe as a stupid kid decision.

I'm entering my 3/C year and it would be my first bike. I was hoping to get a cheap new/used cruiser, not crotch rocket, but something classy, doesn't have to be powerful, I was looking at the 250cc range, probably a low end new or used Harley or Honda. I'm taking the PennDot safety course, the 15 hour one that gives you a license and is free (thanks, PA!). I would primarily use it to get to/from class, I'm about 6 miles off campus, and daily errands and what not. At 22, I'm pretty confident I would be smart enough to not use it to get to/from bars.

However, being a college student, I'm not a financial powerhouse, but I did take a small student loan out to pay for rent and other college expenditures, and a some extra for whatever.

My main concerns are:
1. Is it practical? Maine's snow motto is "early and often", will I get the full use of the bike that would warrant it's purchase?
2. Is the 3/C stipend (300/mo) enough to finance a bike, insurance/registration, wear and tear?
3. Would you suggest waiting till commissioning to purchase one in case of injury?

 

[MasterBates]

I'll give a cost breakdown of my 2003 Triumph Bonneville vice my pickup

Paid $9000ish OTD with some extras.

$175/mo payment
$25/mo for insurance, full coverage $250 deductible (I was 25 when I bought it)

I can count on 40mpg in town (min) and 45 min on the highway. Since 89 and Diesel are the same price, I can go about twice as far for the same money.

When I was commuting 200 miles a week on it (50 round trip, took truck 1 day a week on average) it saved me about $28 a week in fuel over my pickup. That's about $120 a month in gas saved.

Where it also saved me $$ was I was able to roll the annual mileage way back on my pickup, which dropped it's insurance about $30 a month.

All told, the bike saved me $150 a month.

When I first bought it, my pickup got 10mpg, so it saved about $45 a week.

If you factor in maintenance, if you do your own work, the bike is cheaper per mile than the truck.

 

[helo_wifey]

^^ Has a nice bike. Really, I'm very jealous and have convinced the husband I need one...now it's all about how to get one over here.

 

[Raptor2216]

Motorcycles are awesome...enough said! I bought my first bike in college....it was a 1982 Honda CB1100 and I for a damn good deal on it. I purchased it in running condition for $750 and sold it for $1200. If you are looking for something cheap, check craigslist.com or ebay. You might even find something on cycletrader.com

Just make sure that you buy something that is in half decent shape. All things mechanical make very good money pitts.

 

[Hozer]

I concur with the above and will add that parking rocks, especially at the squadron. The only thing that made me wonder about your query is the weather factor. Florida is year-round riding, so the benefits are always there. Not sure if it'd be worth it if you had to store it somehow for a decent part of the year.
Btw, the base XO here is seriously contemplating a way to outlaw/restrict motorcycles, especially junior enlisted types. So, be prepared to get some PC police dirty looks b/c I don't think this is something he just thought of himself.
The CNO recently put out an alnav about the Memorial Day accidents...and clearly not happy with the motorcycle fatalities. I'm optomistic though, but anticipate some more hoops to jump through besides quarterly GMT and the MSF course.
Good luck, riding is great.

 

[insanebikerboy]

When it's all said and done, I save anywhere from $100 and $160 a month driving my motorcycle (2000 Victory V92SC versus a 1980 Jeep).

Two things to think about, you've already highlighted one. Riding in weather, and carrying crap. Weather - for me, I'll ride in anything except ice, so if you do get a bike, think about that to really get usefulness out of it. If you're worried about snow, buy an enduro style bike with the knobbier tires and you should be fine. I suppose you could also put knobbies on a cruiser if you went that route. Invest in a good set of gore-tex and that's all you'll need for all-weather riding.

As for carrying stuff, just realize you'll only be able to take a little bit, basically what you could put into a backpack.

Motorcycles are definite money-saver and worth every penny. Just ride safe and have fun!

 

[BurghGuy]

I'd second the notion that motorcycles are alot cheaper than cars/trucks. I have a Yamaha Virago 250, it was very cheap, typically easy to find and sell quickly because they make a great "beginner bike" (truth be told it's actually my third). I get about 90 mpg and it holds its own for a 250 (tops out at around 75 mph without a simple sprocket change, 85-90 after.)

Another good budget choice is the Honda Rebel. Or, if you can find them, anything Honda, Yamaha, Suzuki, or Kawasaki in the 250-600cc range, used. Harley's, even used, tend to be rather steep in price. Also, motorcycles tend to depriciate alot slower than cars.

 

[xmid]

Also, motorcycles tend to depriciate alot slower than cars.

True except for crotch rockets... Because of the nature of the market and its direct link to their racing efforts they have to come out with a new freakin' bike every two years... So that two year old bike that you put 6000 miles on is now worth half what you payed for it.

I like the idea that you are looking in to the smaller displacement bikes. I think that for a beginner they are actually more fun to ride than something bigger, because you aren't scared of it (well not as much). Smaller bikes just feel more fun in the twisties to me, and they barely sip gas...

I know you're looking at cruiser types, but don't even look at anything with "R" in the title. Insurance goes up exponentially if it has that "R" in the title, and with the short riding season up there it just wouldn't be worth it.

 

[WheelsUpHeelsUp]

Having owned more than my share of bikes, Norton, Hardly Dangerous and Kawasaki to name a few, I loved em and used them as primary transportation. Maine isn't bike country IMO, better look more into a Jeep! Just isn't practicle I wouldn't think. Besides, having strong affection of my arms and legs boats are just as fun and no road burn.
Oh yeah, my avatar is my "daily driver", turns lots of heads!

 

[BurghGuy]

boats are just as fun and no road burn.

Yeah, boats are awesome, but not every town has a place to use a boat. Plus, for how much my bike cost, I'd be lucky to afford a canoe.

 

[FormerRecruitingGuru]

From what I heard about Maine, its usually what, 4-5 months warm/relatively warm and the rest freggin cold? You probably have to factor that in when it comes to purchasing and riding a bike.

 

[BurghGuy]

From what I heard about Maine, its usually what, 4-5 months warm/relatively warm and the rest freggin cold? You probably have to factor that in when it comes to purchasing and riding a bike.

Agreed. Meaning it probably wouldn't/shouldn't be used so much as a daily driver, but more as a learning tool for if/when he graduates and moves somewhere warmer.

Also, make sure you have a place to keep the bike. Because letting it sit outside through a harsh Maine winter will surely cause problems. Not only that, but college is an easy place to have a bike stolen.

 

[BlackBearHockey]

Thanks, everyone, for the advice. I may go ahead and purchase a used one, as I think it will be a good bang for its buck.

 

[xj220]

Hey, I'm kind of stuck on something right now. My neighborhood doesn't allow motorcycles so I can't store it at my place at all. Have you guys ever dealt with this or know what to do?

 

[KBayDog]

Hey, I'm kind of stuck on something right now. My neighborhood doesn't allow motorcycles so I can't store it at my place at all. Have you guys ever dealt with this or know what to do?

Yeah...move.