saving me money in more ways than one

[Fat Kid]

Originally Posted by KelKel

I feel that guys tend to put a LOT more emphasis on how their ride looks than girls do. I know this is not ALWAYS the case but as a general rule it appears to be true.

Not really

The whole difference lay in other specter. As a person who have been on both sides i could see that difference between sides

Most of the riders, ride once a week or so - and for them it's a show off and pleasure to clean, polish, wax bikes. I was doing it the same when my motorcycle wasn't my main mean of transportation.

Now, my philosophy is completely changed, bike gets polishing, waxing, washing once in a while, cuz two days after polishing and washing it looks exactly the same as never cleaned one

As result I have no time to constantly clean bike, and using method: It will dry and fall off

[SirMoby]

My best friend and I have saved a bunch money since we purchased motorcycles in June (he rode for many year, it was my first bike). Instead of spending evenings at happy hours, we ride.

[CrazyDave]

Originally Posted by KelKel

See, I think there is a fundamental difference in thinking here. To me, the bike is a means to save money. I seriously couldn't care less if it is pretty or chromed or fancy. It has a job to do. Get me to work and back and allow me to have fun along the way. I know I may catch hell over the over-generalization of this statement but I feel that guys tend to put a LOT more emphasis on how their ride looks than girls do. I know this is not ALWAYS the case but as a general rule it appears to be true. And this applies across the spectrum of vehicles, whether it be cars, bikes, trucks etc. Look at any given overly customized vehicle and the odds are it is a guy behind the wheel. I am not talking about taking pride in what you own by keeping it presentable, but rather in the super modification arena.

Depends.. My Sabre has been with me for a tad eight years now.. most of the bling is in the form of skulls, simply because I like skulls.. otherwise all the money went for..

Good sized long lasting saddle bags ( less then 140 bucks including the DIY mods to hard mount them ( been on the bike since 2004

Highway bars ( MC Enterprise..good price.. again since 2004 )

Mustang tour seat.. a God send.. 2006

Two years ago came the mini floor boards for the wife and the tour pack..

I used to spend a lot more time polishing, but now 3-5 times a year is enough.

[CrazyDave]

Ok, I did like polishing this one a lot

[93gc40]

Originally Posted by KelKel

I know I may catch hell over the over-generalization of this statement but I feel that guys tend to put a LOT more emphasis on how their ride looks than girls do. I know this is not ALWAYS the case but as a general rule it appears to be true.

Yeah, unfortunately MOST of us suffer from the "mines bigger than yours" syndrome.... I for one haven't even washed my bike in about 2 oil changes. I couldn't care less what the bike looks like, BUT I do care how it runs. My bikes bling is on the INSIDE.

Proof is the ladies riding the blinged bikes.... After cooking, cleaning, working and chasing children, you think they really spent the time polishing that chrome. No Way, that is a guy thing. For the lady rider the bike was perfect the day she got it, or had it lowered to fit..

[ZackDaniels]

Originally Posted by KelKel

See, I think there is a fundamental difference in thinking here. To me, the bike is a means to save money. I seriously couldn't care less if it is pretty or chromed or fancy. It has a job to do. Get me to work and back and allow me to have fun along the way. I know I may catch hell over the over-generalization of this statement but I feel that guys tend to put a LOT more emphasis on how their ride looks than girls do. I know this is not ALWAYS the case but as a general rule it appears to be true. And this applies across the spectrum of vehicles, whether it be cars, bikes, trucks etc. Look at any given overly customized vehicle and the odds are it is a guy behind the wheel. I am not talking about taking pride in what you own by keeping it presentable, but rather in the super modification arena.

There's no doubt it can be done, but it's not as obvious as it seems on its face is all. I remember when I first bought the bike I did a spreadsheet of insurance, mpgs, etc. Determined it'd take 6 months of active riding before I'd get the investment on the bike back and then it was all savings.

Then I decided to change the clutch/brake levers and something shifted in my head. Before long this happened:


Now I tell people it's possible, but don't get the bike for that reason alone. It's not as easy as it seems to treat it as an investment or cost saver. Passion for riding and the machines can take over easier than you think.

At the moment my household now has 3 bikes and 2 cars for 2 people. We would probably have more but we only have a one car garage! Cost savings has gone completely out the window, but our lives are quite a bit richer. I stopped doing my total cost of ownership spreadsheets in 2007 because it was getting depressing

[CrazyDave]

Originally Posted by 93gc40

Yeah, unfortunately MOST of us suffer from the "mines bigger than yours" syndrome.... .

Nah I don't suffer from it.. I am rather happy with it

[gypsy]

i have seen many a biker chick with lots of bling... on the bike and gear also. its a fun thing. i was a chrome ***** at first, but now i have the bike like i like it. as another has said, it really about how it runs. i wipe it down with a spray bottle and soft rag, but i hate going after the road grime every week. that being said, i'll flip flop... if i'm going on a road where there are lots of bikes i tend to "clean up" and wear my cool stuff for sure. i love the mileage and economy but like the rest of you i burn it up having fun on "unnecessary" miles and trips. in the end its really is a win-win situation... i just love it all

[John Hopkins]

Gas here costs $8.90 per imperial gallon and it goes up almost daily..that bike looks worth more than $300 so you are doing well all round..

I have been looking at some of the financial problems some people are having in the USA..and although there are rich people there seem to be a lot of people who are very very poor..I find it difficult to understand how countries that have so many people struggling to survive on a daily basis can use so many Tax dollars to help foreign governments stay in power..

I know it sounds strange to you people who live in the richest country in the world but our poorest people are better off than your poorest people..

John.

[750shadowC2]

With the ridiculous cost of insurance on motorcycle here in BC, saving money by riding one is impossible. Toss in $600 for insurance, a couple oil changes and gas for the bike, I need to save a LOT of gas to make that up. Plus, the fact that the bike can't stay the same for long and I need to buy paint every winter, plus parts, plus beer to drink in the garage while contemplating mods..... I'd hate to know what the damn thing costs me each year... LOL

But, a bottle of Tequila in Mexico is only $7 and is almost $30 here, that is putting $23 bucks in my pocket with every bottle I drink (or so I read here). If I drink enough bottles bought in Mexico, I can pay off my mods. I need to present that to the wife unit, and get back to Mexico.