Sharing my high-level break-down of the true cost of getting into Motorcycle hobby.:moneyeyes:
Yes, I know: some of the items listed below (except repairs, maintenance, and some protection gear) are optional. Yet, these upgrades make motorcycle riding so much more enjoyable, as well as a lot safer.
Bike:
I bought my first motorcycle in September 2018. It was a 2008 Suzuki Boulevard C50 Special Edition (different paint and decals, cast wheels instead of spokes, otherwise identical to other '08 C50) with 2,900 Miles. Bike spent a lot of times seating in somebody's garage, and I believe no regular maintenance was done to it for a very long time. Bike came with Vance & Hines exhaust (I still don't know if I like it or it is more of an annoyance), handlebar raisers and a rusted Lowjack.
Repairs:
I fixed some of the critical components at the shop (wheels, breaks, gas tank) and the rest of the maintenance and upgrades were done by me. In the process, I've bought some gear, extra lights, upgraded to LED for most lights (except the headlight - this got an upgraded halogen bulb), did a few popular mods, and bought some accessories to improve comfort.
Future buys:
I still need to buy a bike jack to ease periodic maintenance and storage.
Come sprint I might invest in a different jacket (mesh, higher quality) and again next winter (heated gloves, proper winter riding pants).
From this point on, I don't really need/want any additional modification made to the bike, unless I find Smalley's HB adapter somewhere.
A few summaries on the below numbers:
High-Level List - $
High-Level List - %
Detailed List
Accessories $212.20
Conclusion:
If you are buying your first bike, a used Boulevard C50 is great option. It is not too powerful to kill you on the first ride, but it has enough power to take you on a highway and have some fun around the town. It has decent comfort (seats could be better) and fairly simple maintenance (if the electrical system is in decent shape). There is a lot of aftermarket accessories that are easy to install.
It is fuel injected - no carburetor related challenges. Most of the parts are available on the web, and some of them are even reasonably priced used (exception include OEM fuel cap for $130 boozin. Volusia Riders Forum is a goldmine when it comes to troubleshooting and helping new riders with their Suzuki cruisers.
P.S.
I originally planned to spend as much $ on repairs and protection gear as I've spent on the motorcycle itself. That came to be very true. If you are satisfied with a stock bike, and can do some basic maintenance yourself, look to spend anywhere from 30-50% of the purchase price of the used bike on repairs. That ratio is approximate, and varies based on a brand, age, labor rates, etc.
P.P.S.
Skimping on protection gear is not a good idea. Your skin, bones and scull are much softer than anything that you might impact even at 10 MPH.
Yes, I know: some of the items listed below (except repairs, maintenance, and some protection gear) are optional. Yet, these upgrades make motorcycle riding so much more enjoyable, as well as a lot safer.
Bike:
I bought my first motorcycle in September 2018. It was a 2008 Suzuki Boulevard C50 Special Edition (different paint and decals, cast wheels instead of spokes, otherwise identical to other '08 C50) with 2,900 Miles. Bike spent a lot of times seating in somebody's garage, and I believe no regular maintenance was done to it for a very long time. Bike came with Vance & Hines exhaust (I still don't know if I like it or it is more of an annoyance), handlebar raisers and a rusted Lowjack.
Repairs:
I fixed some of the critical components at the shop (wheels, breaks, gas tank) and the rest of the maintenance and upgrades were done by me. In the process, I've bought some gear, extra lights, upgraded to LED for most lights (except the headlight - this got an upgraded halogen bulb), did a few popular mods, and bought some accessories to improve comfort.
Future buys:
I still need to buy a bike jack to ease periodic maintenance and storage.
Come sprint I might invest in a different jacket (mesh, higher quality) and again next winter (heated gloves, proper winter riding pants).
From this point on, I don't really need/want any additional modification made to the bike, unless I find Smalley's HB adapter somewhere.
A few summaries on the below numbers:
- Cost of buying a used bike, that includes Motorcycle, Registration & Tax, Necessary Maintenance and Repairs comes out to $4,312.70
- Protection gear is the next big spend, with close to $1,600.
- Optional motorcycle equipment and mods, tools, and various chachkas come out to approximately $1,350 .
High-Level List - $
- Accessories $212.20
- Equipment $864.64
- Maintenance $94.34
- Motorcyle $2,806.00
- Protection Gear $1,578.44
- Registration $239.13
- Repair $1,173.23
- Tools $256.65
High-Level List - %
- Accessories 2.94%
- Equipment 11.97%
- Maintenance 1.31%
- Motorcyle 38.84%
- Protection Gear 21.85%
- Registration 3.31%
- Repair 16.24%
- Tools 3.55%
Detailed List
Accessories $212.20
Bluetooth $95.85
Cover $85.00
Key $6.52
Lock $24.83
Equipment $864.64 Cover $85.00
Key $6.52
Lock $24.83
Crash Bars $173.88
Electrical $119.91
Key $10.89
Lights $286.58
Reflectors $5.99
Seat $52.00
Windshield $215.39
Maintenance $94.34 Electrical $119.91
Key $10.89
Lights $286.58
Reflectors $5.99
Seat $52.00
Windshield $215.39
Electrical $5.42
Engine Coolant $22.89
Oil $66.03
Motorcyle $2,806.00 Engine Coolant $22.89
Oil $66.03
Inspection $6.00
Motorcycle $2,800.00
Protection Gear $1,578.44 Motorcycle $2,800.00
Boots $184.95
Ear plugs $32.61
Gloves $165.60
Helmet $230.30
Jacket $212.39
Pants $143.99
Airbag Vest $608.60
Registration $239.13 Ear plugs $32.61
Gloves $165.60
Helmet $230.30
Jacket $212.39
Pants $143.99
Airbag Vest $608.60
Registration and Tax $239.13
Repair $1,173.23 Labor $621.66
Parts $525.83
Saddle Bags $10.99
Seat $14.75
Tools $256.65 Parts $525.83
Saddle Bags $10.99
Seat $14.75
Electrical $42.15
Mechanical $44.98
Miscellaneous $23.66
Oil $2.44
Storage $143.42
Grand Total $7,224.63 Mechanical $44.98
Miscellaneous $23.66
Oil $2.44
Storage $143.42
Conclusion:
If you are buying your first bike, a used Boulevard C50 is great option. It is not too powerful to kill you on the first ride, but it has enough power to take you on a highway and have some fun around the town. It has decent comfort (seats could be better) and fairly simple maintenance (if the electrical system is in decent shape). There is a lot of aftermarket accessories that are easy to install.
It is fuel injected - no carburetor related challenges. Most of the parts are available on the web, and some of them are even reasonably priced used (exception include OEM fuel cap for $130 boozin. Volusia Riders Forum is a goldmine when it comes to troubleshooting and helping new riders with their Suzuki cruisers.
P.S.
I originally planned to spend as much $ on repairs and protection gear as I've spent on the motorcycle itself. That came to be very true. If you are satisfied with a stock bike, and can do some basic maintenance yourself, look to spend anywhere from 30-50% of the purchase price of the used bike on repairs. That ratio is approximate, and varies based on a brand, age, labor rates, etc.
P.P.S.
Skimping on protection gear is not a good idea. Your skin, bones and scull are much softer than anything that you might impact even at 10 MPH.