Riding a motorcycle is not your typical method of transportation. Bikers are often more daring than other people and they like learning about the culture and the kinship motorcyclists have with each other. This ranges from choosing the brand you’re loyal to, like Harley-Davidson, to discussing what your favorite motorcycle accessories are.
All of this can add up to your motorcycle costing you a ton of money. Motorcycle insurance is often very expensive to make up for the large costs incurred by the companies who pay out claims. Riding a motorcycle is dangerous and can lead to more devastating accidents than car wrecks, after all.
We’ll discuss the best ways to save money on your hobby. Getting insurance discounts, buying marked-down motorcycle gear, and buying a cheaper brand of bike are all ways to enjoy riding a motorcycle without spending too much money.
#1 – Ride Safely
There are a lot of people out there who think it’s impossible to ride a motorcycle and stay safe. This simply isn’t true. If you know what you’re doing and are dedicated to staying safe while riding your bike, it doesn’t have to be any more dangerous than any other form of transportation.
Staying safe while riding also presents a lot of financial benefits to you. Motorcycle insurance is already pretty expensive. When you get pulled over or get into an accident while on your motorcycle, your rates will often skyrocket. Try to think about changing the way you ride and prioritize safe and smart decisions while on the bike.
One of the ways you can get a 10-15% discount on motorcycle insurance is by taking a defensive driving or safety course specific to riding on a motorcycle. Many new riders already take these courses, but experienced riders can also benefit from them.
Drive the speed limit while on your bike. It can be tempting to swerve through traffic and go too fast because the handling on a motorcycle is superb, but this is incredibly risky. You want to avoid getting violations, getting into accidents, or experiencing traumatic injury on your bike, as this will save you money and maybe even your life.
Consider only riding a motorcycle if you live in a nice weather area like Las Vegas. This will help you avoid riding on wet roads during the winter months, as it’s sunny in places like Nevada almost year-round.
Make sure you never ride your motorcycle while under the influence. While there are ways to prevent alcohol from undermining your driving while in a car, like with alcohol detectors, there aren’t many such things to stop you from getting on the bike while drunk.
DUIs and DWIs are devastating to your driving record whether you are in a car or on a bike. Getting one is a surefire way to make your insurance rates increase dramatically or to lose coverage altogether.
#2 – Buy a Cheaper Brand of Motorcycle
Just like car brands, some motorcycle manufacturers are much more expensive than others. Harley-Davidson is the best example of a high-end motorcycle that often costs over $10,000. If you also drive a car, it might be smart to look for cheaper brands of motorcycles than Harleys.
The CFMoto brand has models in the range of $4,000-$5,000. Suzuki has bikes coming in under $3,500. This is a great way to enjoy biking as a side hobby while not going overboard with spending on it.
If you are a motorcycle enthusiast who really enjoys the luxury, hardcore brands like Harley-Davidson, there are a few models in that brand that may be affordable. The Sportster, for example, can be bought for under $4,000 depending on the year. Buying a used motorcycle is another great way to spend money efficiently.
Fixing motorcycles can be a fun way to get a cheaper bike. If you know where to locate the parts and you can play the role of a mechanic, you will save money buying an old motorcycle and repairing it to your liking.
#3 – Don’t Make Biking Your Whole Life
Motorcycle culture is powerful. People take their interests in biking a lot more seriously than other vehicles and it often absorbs them. From mid-life crises to teens who think the bikes look awesome, there are a lot of motivations for becoming a biker, but you need to keep it in moderation.
As you become more involved in motorcycle culture, it can become even more expensive. You may decide you want to buy multiple bikes. As was previously mentioned, your decision to become an avid biker in a state that has harsh winter weather can also be financially destructive.
You have to buy a lot more safety gear, jackets, windshields, and other accessories if you are riding in the rain or the cold. Try to buy all of these extra items during sales events on Labor Day, Memorial Day, or the Fourth of July.
Motorcycle culture is strongly tied to American freedom and patriotism, so holidays that celebrate the military or the country at large often are a great time to get discounts on motorcycle stuff.
#4 – Create an Offseason
Consider only riding your motorcycle a few months out of the year, such as the summer. This will allow you to get insurance discounts for low-mileage driving, and it prevents you from buying accessories year-round.
If you still want to engage in motorcycle stuff in the offseason, watch motorcycle movies or TV shows. Sons of Anarchy is a great motorcycle crime drama that aired on FX during the early 2010s. The show really digs into what makes bikers tick and how the bonds between bikers bring them together and sometimes tear them apart.
Discovery Channel classics like American Chopper show you how motorcycles are made in an entertaining way. This will connect you to your hobby at all times of the year without having to spend any money.
Motorcycle riding is a liberating experience and one of the most exciting hobbies, but also an expensive one. Bikers who are experienced and keen to know how to ride affordably should talk to other newcomers about saving money. Since motorcycle culture is one big family, everyone should be interested in helping others.
Shawn Laib writes and researches for the insurance comparison site, Clearsurance.com. He wants to help new motorcyclists figure out how to make their hobby more affordable.