Let's do some math...

[salsashark]

Car payment > gas savings

+1

I don't care how much gas savings I would get if I traded in my Ram. It still wouldn't equal a car payment!

[JonnyD]

I ended up with the Superhawk for this reason, $400/mo gas when it was $4/gal. Over the 3 years (I bought the hawk new) I calculated that having the bike cost me $100/mo. This was counting EVERYTHING. $100/mo to ride a motorcycle = WELL worth it!

I'm currently looking at the new Brammo and will make the final decision when it finally comes out. But ~$.01/mi is really looking attractive, and with government incentives I think the bike will be about $5k.

[Kim-n-Dean]

I think you need a new insurance dude. I'm paying $25/month for full coverage on the R1.

No doubt!! We pay $12 & $15/mo. for full coverage, but like Nate said, we're ooooold!!

[bulldog]

True.... now where did I put that Bengay?

I keep mine right next to my heating pad and Aspirin

[vort3xr6]

Whats funny is that the gas savings would ALMOST equal the monthly payment on the loan. In essence, there would be a 20 dollar difference.

[Mother Goose]

Whats funny is that the gas savings would ALMOST equal the monthly payment on the loan. In essence, there would be a 20 dollar difference.

That's 2 lunches a week at Smash Burger!

[Zach929rr]

Paging Patrick with another DRZ SM for sale.

[rybo]

Brad,

Last summer I found a Geo Metro for $1000. The car gets 53 MPG. In your current scenario it would take 10 months to pay for the metro.

I drive a lot more than you, I budgeted $1500 total for car / improvements / first year insurance. I came in under budget and the car paid for itself in under 3 months.

I can't say it's the most fun to drive, but I do giggle a little every time I fill the thing up for $25 and then drive for what seems like foreeeeeever before I have to fill it up again. It's noisy inside, but does well in the snow and will manage 80MPH on the higway pretty easily. Big hills slow it down a bit as do strong winds.

3 cylinders / carb / 12" tires - maintenance on the thing is stupid cheap. I'm coming up on having to do a timing belt, but the engine compartment is wide open and the timing belt cover is a cinch to get to, so that should only take a few hours and the price of the parts.

Overall I've been very happy with the decision and would repeat it in a heartbeat.

s

[MetaLord 9]

Just get a Ninja 250 or 500 for half the perceived price on a DRZ. If it's just a commuter, then you don't need to go stupid fast. 250's & 500's run $1500-$2500.

Ride in the winter. There have been less than three work weeks total that I have been been unable to ride a bike to work.

[vort3xr6]

Paging Patrick with another DRZ SM for sale.

I need to consult a certain person who lives with me first. I have a feeling she won't see the logic the same as me.

[vort3xr6]

Brad,

Last summer I found a Geo Metro for $1000. The car gets 53 MPG. In your current scenario it would take 10 months to pay for the metro.

I drive a lot more than you, I budgeted $1500 total for car / improvements / first year insurance. I came in under budget and the car paid for itself in under 3 months.

I can't say it's the most fun to drive, but I do giggle a little every time I fill the thing up for $25 and then drive for what seems like foreeeeeever before I have to fill it up again. It's noisy inside, but does well in the snow and will manage 80MPH on the higway pretty easily. Big hills slow it down a bit as do strong winds.

3 cylinders / carb / 12" tires - maintenance on the thing is stupid cheap. I'm coming up on having to do a timing belt, but the engine compartment is wide open and the timing belt cover is a cinch to get to, so that should only take a few hours and the price of the parts.

Overall I've been very happy with the decision and would repeat it in a heartbeat.

s

Just get a Ninja 250 or 500 for half the perceived price on a DRZ. If it's just a commuter, then you don't need to go stupid fast. 250's & 500's run $1500-$2500.

Ride in the winter. There have been less than three work weeks total that I have been been unable to ride a bike to work.

I am reviewing both these options as well. A car will most likely be more insurance and registration than the bike, but it depends on the car. Then again, I would have problems with parking the car. My HOA doesn't allow me to take up too many spaces.

[rybo]

Also,

I'm pretty sure that my Geo is worth the same amount today (or more) than the day I bought it. I know you know this business better than I do, but the market for inexpensive reliable cars is MUCH larger that that for cheap old motorcycles.

[Snowman]

two words... Mass Transit

[TinkerinWstuff]

two words... Mass Transit

I guess I wasn't ignored then

[TinkerinWstuff]

My commute from home to work then back home is exactly 27 miles.

THE OPTIONS:

Option 1: the bus

Option 2: A bicycle - a couple hundred bucks and I get in shape

[vort3xr6]

it would take me 4 hours to commute to work on that thing lol.

The bus is an idea, but I need a vehicle during work occasionally. There are times when I need to go to one of the Dealerships.

[sprtbkbabe]

Yep, I'm bicycling to/from work 12 miles each way 3 days a week, taking only a little over an hour. Otherwise, the RSVR, which only get 32mpg, gets ridden in.

When the Suburban Assault Vehicle only gets 18mpg, I would rather get in shape

[TinkerinWstuff]

it would take me 4 hours to commute to work on that thing lol.

Probably high on torque and low on HP like every other cruiser out there.

[Snowman]

My Blackbird gets 35 mpg in the city when I ride it like an over confidant 20 year old with adrenalin issues.

[bulldog]

Someone may have already mentioned, but have you tried carpooling? Websites out there so you can meet up with others near your work.

I think the real purpose of this thread is to give vort3xr6 some good excuses to give to his wife on why he NEEDS a new motorcycle

[salsashark]

two words... Mass Transit

not always a viable option...

http://www.rtd-denver.com/BusFares.shtml
$79/month for local pass
$140/month for express pass
$176/month for regional pass

For me, it would be 80/month.

Doing some quick querilla excel tricks, it comes out to cost me in gas/insurance/registration less to ride my bike 85% of the year and truck it the remaining 15%.

What this doesn't take into account is the time it takes to take mass transit.

My average commute is around 10-15 minutes. So in order to get to work by 6:30, I normally leave the house around 6:10-6:15.

To take the bus increases my commute time by 10X. According to RTD's site, it would take over an hour to cover 7 miles. No thanks!

[Devaclis]

I think you need to stop being a little bitch and ride the DRZ year round. 8-9 months my ass.

You are 100% correct Wickmeister.

PLUS, I get nowhere NEAR 50 MPG on the DRZ. I average about 35 MPG. That is based on over 20k miles of riding it with different tires, sprockets, cargo, and road conditions. It is jetted for 6k-9k feet with a JD jet kit.

[OUTLAWD]

I think the real purpose of this thread is to give vort3xr6 some good excuses to give to his wife on why he NEEDS a new motorcycle

nothing wrong with that

[McVaaahhh]

Why the DRZ? If you're only looking to save money than there are many more viable options.

I bought my KLR for $1100 and got 50mpg out of it. Not a DRZ, but still fun as all hell.