How much to buy and run a bike?

[FunkyNige]

I'm considering to buy a motorbike so I can have some fun on the, uhh private test tracks, near me and it hit me that I have no idea how much it would cost to buy and run a bike!
So what would I end up paying for:
lessons
test
bike (probably a 125 or 250)
leathers
helmet
insurance (I'm 21)
tax
anything else?

[rsvnigel]

FunkyNige said:

So what would I end up paying for: lessons test

About £500 for your DAS, i.e. license to ride as big a bike you can get insurance on.

FunkyNige said:

bike (probably a 125 or 250)

Don't bother with anything that small, look at a 400 as a minimum.

FunkyNige said:

leathers helmet

About another £500 for lid, gloves, boots and leathers, though you can fork out way more than that for good kit.

FunkyNige said:

insurance (I'm 21)

Really depends on the bike, and whether it'll be garaged. The insurers will be concerned about theft as much as anything.

FunkyNige said:

tax, anything else?

About £80 IIRC but that's for a 1000cc, < 600cc is a bit cheaper.

[s2ooz]

depending on the bike you go for, usually mpg is very good, and tyres, the sportier, the less they last.

2000 miles from high spec sport tyre is average. especially if your thinking of track days.

tax is £45 for a 600cc

[toad_oftoadhall]

lessons
450 quid.

bike (probably a 125 or 250)
Yam Diversion 600 - £1000

leathers
At a discount shop:
70 quid jeans.
120 quid jacket
40 quid boots
20 quid gloves

helmet
You can get a ACU/EU approved lid for 45 quid upwards.

insurance (I'm 21)
Dunno.

tax
45 Quid

[Tim2100]

Insurance.

Your insurance should be cheaper than a similar insurance group car. I'm paying 400 for a Bandit at 24.
A friend of mine is paying £900 TPFT on a GSXR750. He's 21 also just passed his test so no experience etc.

Bike. Don't spend to much on your first bike, you Will drop it on the floor at some point!! - normally while moving the bike round on drive/in garage.


Tim.

[bikerkeith]

Don't forget running costs. Bikes need more frequent services than cars, typically every 4,000 miles or so. 4 litres of semi-synthetic, oil filter, air filter and a set of plugs will set you back about £80 - £90 if you DIY, add on another £100-£200 or more to get it done at a dealer.
Tyre wear depends on how soft they are and how you use them. Rears for a superbike cost about £130 and last anything from 1,000 to 3,000 miles, fronts cost a bit less and last a bit longer. For less sporting machinery, expect more wear (anything up to 10,000 miles) from slightly less expensive rubber.

[toad_oftoadhall]

bikerkeith said:

Don't forget running costs. Bikes need more frequent services than cars, typically every 4,000 miles or so. 4 litres of semi-synthetic, oil filter, air filter and a set of plugs will set you back about £80 - £90 if you DIY, add on another £100-£200 or more to get it done at a dealer. Tyre wear depends on how soft they are and how you use them. Rears for a superbike cost about £130 and last anything from 1,000 to 3,000 miles, fronts cost a bit less and last a bit longer. For less sporting machinery, expect more wear (anything up to 10,000 miles) from slightly less expensive rubber.

Buy a Divvy! 60 quid for a rear. Long service intervals and you can get away with mineral. (Although Semi Synth is so cheap these days it's hardly worth it.)

[neilsie]

Whatever you do , dont skimp on the cost of yer lid, and the rest of the protective gear. I can speak from experience that good armour and leather really do save you and your skin.

[toad_oftoadhall]

neilsie said:

Whatever you do , dont skimp on the cost of yer lid, and the rest of the protective gear. I can speak from experience that good armour and leather really do save you and your skin.

Ok but lets not forget there are objective ways of measuring leather and lid quality that have nothig to do with cash!

Helmet:
Must fit perfectly!
Must be AC & EU approval.
Must be full face.
Mustn't have bits jutting out. (Wing nut effect)

If you can do the above for 40 quid. Great. If you spend a grand on something that doesn't match the above. Not great.

Leather:
As little stitching as poss (big panels.)
Some say it should be triple stitched. (I'm not sure about this!)
SPace for CE armour.
If two peice it must have a zip to stop it riding up.
It must offer your neck some wind protection. (Many don't!)
Again none of these factors are cost related!