[zorbathegreek7]

hey guys im new to the forum.. i havn't got a bike yet but planning to get a bike licence and eventually buy a ninja 250r... just wondering what the costs are for running and maintaining the 2008-09 ninja 250r? I'm planning to sell my car and just rely on the bike as primary transport and i've been told it's much cheaper than having a car?

1) Petrol how many k's a tank of petrol takes you?
2) Servicing cost and how often do they need servicing?
3) Tyre cost and how often to they need replacing (i read they wear out faster than car tyres and are more expensive.)?
4) Rego
5) Insurance (3rd party or comprehensive.. i don't think it's worth full cover if its gonna cost couple grand)?
6) Anything else that needs replacing/changing regularly?

By the way I'm 20y/o.. in melbourne and have never ridden a bike before but im planning on doing some course and stuff before i get a bike

Thanks guys!

 

[Delta107]

Welcome to the forums!!!!

 

[Felix]

Nice to see another Aussie

1) Petrol how many k's a tank of petrol takes you?

300+

2) Servicing cost and how often do they need servicing?

150-350, 7500km

3) Tyre cost and how often to they need replacing (i read they wear out faster than car tyres and are more expensive.)?

Yeah they do wear out quicker and you cant just put it off like you can in a car. Rubber aint cheap but least there is only two.

4) Rego

Rego is 1/4 what I was paying for my turbo 6cyl

5) Insurance (3rd party or comprehensive.. i don't think it's worth full cover if its gonna cost couple grand)?

I have fully comp, have on all my vehicles, and would suggest it for you. 700bucks but i'm 27. Think headhunta who lives on the gold coast pays 1200 he's 21.

6) Anything else that needs replacing/changing regularly?

By the way I'm 20y/o.. in melbourne and have never ridden a bike before but im planning on doing some course and stuff before i get a bike

Do as many courses as you can, even thought I have my unrestriced open licence I'm still doing more roadcraft courses, also see if you can find a mentoring ride group to go with, its fun and people can give you tips.

No.1 thing though, you need to be passionate about bikes, not just the money savings. If thats the only reason you are getting one, I would suggest not.

Felix

 

[Guest]

welcome

 

[virtualmatrix258]

Jesus felix, friggin aussie wikipedia!!!!

 

[Delta107]

hahah aussie wikipedia.

 

[zorbathegreek7]

thanks for the info felix

naa the money thing isn't the main reason why i want a bike lol.. i've always wanted to ride a bike just never really considered it properly because i knew my parents wouldn't let me (they think it's dangerous... which is fair enough i understand) and i feel more ready to ride a bike now than when i was 18yo.

Plus i preferred to have driven a car first before a bike... i havn't had any tickets or accidents yet so hopefully my parents can see im responsible and sensible enough to ride a bike now (and i know it's not always the rider's fault it's the cars around that don't see the bike which make it dangerous..).

I did however need to replace stuff on the car recently which cost me a bit and that's when i figured that if i had a bike the money that i'd save on petrol alone each year would have paid off for anything like that that needed replacing... i think it's more fun and more convenient as well..

 

[nrhampton]

Welcome!
Well, I'm 18 and have been riding for only a few months, but I can tell you that I've spent way more on my bike/gear/course/maintenance than I had expected. Fortunately, I've found a total passion for riding now, so I honestly couldn't care less about the money. Even though I spend a lot less on gas (or petrol ) it's going to take quite a while to make up for the money I've spent. Do it for the looooovee not the convenience!

 

[spooph]

It mostly depends on how hard you ride it.... You can milk every part on the bike. Being that Felix is in your country I imagine that's a pretty good frame of referrence. I have to tell you in the states I expect to pay $15/oil change every 1,500miles, $250/tires every 10,000miles, insurance is $900/year, and $12/tank of gas (220miles). So let's work off of 12,000 miles/year.

12,000 / 220 x 12 = $654 in gas
12,000 /1,500 x 15 = $120 in oil + chain lube, etc $200 in maintenance a year.
12,000 = $250 in tires/one change a year.
12,000 = $900 insurance/year.

Total = $2004/year to keep my bike purring.

I don't know how that translates to Australia

 

[Jester]

hey thanks that was helpful to me lol

 

[08ninja250]

Do you really think its necessary to change your oil every 1500 mile?

If you followed the Kawasaki specs, you would spend half as much on oil changes.

 

[spooph]

sure. I don't think it's that necessary, but I change my oil when my transmission doesn't shift as smoothly as it does right after an oil change... I also thoroughly enjoy throttling it where ever I go and I think I should adapt my maintenance based on how I ride the bike... Kawasaki probably never intended this bike to be ridden the way I ride it.. Yes, I abuse it, but I also maintain it very well..

 

[eric]

Ala Felix
Yeah they do wear out quicker and you cant just put it off like you can in a car. Rubber aint cheap but least there is only two.

You don't need to change the front tire each time.The rear tires wear out much quicker

than the front.So change front tire after 2-3 sets of rear.

 

[StockWall]

Welcome!
Well, I'm 18 and have been riding for only a few months, but I can tell you that I've spent way more on my bike/gear/course/maintenance than I had expected. Fortunately, I've found a total passion for riding now, so I honestly couldn't care less about the money. Even though I spend a lot less on gas (or petrol ) it's going to take quite a while to make up for the money I've spent. Do it for the looooovee not the convenience!

I agree. Ride for the love not the convenience. Some times it can feel like a chore riding day in and day out. (not for everybody, but for some) But nothing beats a long day ride with your buddies cruising and really learning the bike. Its awsome.

I know that the weeks I was riding alot, I was saving $180+ in gas a week. I drive a truck with a trailer. So I saved for sure, but during the winter I move from job to job more so I am thinking gas wise I am gonna come out even. As far as maint. I know it is cheaper than my truck. For sure. I wont know untill Jan. how much the bike actually cost to keep. Ill let you know. haha.

 

[spooph]

Ala Felix
Yeah they do wear out quicker and you cant just put it off like you can in a car. Rubber aint cheap but least there is only two.

You don't need to change the front tire each time.The rear tires wear out much quicker

than the front.So change front tire after 2-3 sets of rear.

That's heavily dependent on how you use your brakes.... I usually only use my front break while engine braking with the tear tire, which means they're pretty close, the front being a little more worn than the rear. I say replace the tires as they need to, just like brake pads, chain, sprocket, oil......

 

[Jester]

I agree replace them as needed, not per any amount of miles or per a certain number of sets of rear. Just check the tread every week or so when you check psi.