Well, the title is a little misleading but I have your attention. In February I turned 62 and I decided I needed a new challenge, both mental and physical so I chose to buy and learn to ride a motorcycle. Intelligence and good judgement is a leaf that sprouts only now and then on my family tree so those that know me were not surprised. They just pat me gently on the head (helmet?) and tell me to be careful as I play in the traffic.

Anyway, it has been six months now since I bought the bike and I thought it would be intersting to add up everything I have spent so far to see what it really takes to get started. Several folks have told me I got a great deal on the bike but the math shows that was only half the expense. The list below does not include fuel so I have more than doubled the price I paid for the bike in only six months.

If I had kept the $3,000 I have spent so far, I could borrow a line from Major Kong, the B-52 pilot played by Slim Pickens in Dr. Strangelove, "Shoot, a fella' could have a pretty good weekend in Vegas with all that stuff."

I have no doubt that there are some out there that, due to major mechanical failure or planned major upgrades and modifications have exceeded the cost of the bike by three, four, or maybe five times in the first six months of ownership. This was an an attempt just to see what I spent to get started but let's hear all the details of your "investment".

Yeah gramps (I'm 57, I can say that), you could have saved that $3000 and done what?  Give it to the grand kids?  
How much are the smiles and chewing wind worth?
Yep, it's an expensive hobby.  

People always telling me how much money I am saving on gas by riding a motorcycle.
OK, I ride to work each day.. and that is 50 miles a week.  Then I hop on the motorcycle and go joy riding all day saturday and sunday, which usually comes to around 400 miles or more.
Oh yea.. save money on that gas!!  

It's a hobby and joy.  Ain't suppose to be free.
Need a bigger shock, buy a boat.

Granted, you've spent $3,000+.  Now then, if you sold the bike and all the related equipment and subtracted that from the $3,000, what would be the net expenditure?  Further, your getting 50+ MPG per your fuely indicator, what would you have spend, covering the same number of miles, driving your regular car/truck?  I think you will find, your net out of pocket expense really isn't all that high, particularly if you factor in the pure enjoyment factor of riding your Suzuki vs. your car/truck or public transportation.

It is part of the "Cost of Living".........This is how I want to live, and this is what it costs!

Seriously.....the only way to "save" money by owning a motorcycle is to sell the car first.  The motorcycle will always be an additional expense when you factor in the real cost of ownership.  Sure it will save some wear and tear on your car, make the car last a little longer, perhaps reduce the maintenance costs of the car - but the bike brings additional expense for maintenance, taxes, tires, insurance, and the purchase price.  If you buy used at a good price, avoid the temptation to customize and bling your bike, and shop around to get good prices on the maintenance items......you can keep the cost down to a minimum.

For me.....the bike is one of the things that keeps me happy and makes it worth going to work everyday.  Sometimes I even ride the bike!

I'm not looking at my numbers because I love my bike.

A boat is described as hole in the water, surrounded by wood (or now, fiberglass) into which you throw money.

Sure beats 2 grand on a TV...then cable bills, video games...yuck!

it's cheaper than "Dressage".. ...