The Real Costs of Motorcycle Ownership

1 / 1

So, you’ve scratched together the down payment for that glorious new machine that caught your eye. You’ve done your research and this is the bike for you! But hold on, the cost of owning and operating a motorcycle may be a bit more than you’re expecting—and certainly more than just making the monthly payments.

If you’re just getting into riding for the first time, know that the costs extend far beyond just purchase price, which can seem deceptively affordable especially compared to buying a car or truck.

Compare listings online for new and used standard motorcycles for sale.

Get Training

We believe all new riders should sign up for an accredited rider training course, not only for the obvious benefit of learning the best and safest practices, but also for the potential savings when buying motorcycle insurance. In some states, the most elementary training courses start at less than a hundred bucks, but in most places, a combined basic- and advanced rider training program will run anywhere from $200 to more than $500 depending on whether or not the training facility provides a motorcycle and helmet for the course. Don’t forget, the DMV will charge you a nominal fee for that license, too.

Gotta Have Gear

Before swinging a leg over a bike, we need to dress the part and that means spending some money on the right riding gear. Like a training course, the benefits of proper riding gear extend beyond just their obvious protective nature, but are also shaped and fitted for comfort in a riding position. They can also provide better ventilation and weather protection when out in the elements.

Fundamentally, a rider should have a helmet certified for highway use (with a DOT, SNELL, or ECE rating), plus some sturdy boots with good, grippy soles and decent ankle support. Several reputable companies offer riding gear at high-value pricing, but for a decent set of boots, helmet, jacket, and gloves, $600-$700 is reasonable. Of course, a high-end jacket, pair of boots or helmet alone can cost $700-$1,000 or more, so it’s not hard to spend a few grand on gear alone!

Beyond the essentials, riding jeans or riding pants offer better, more durable protection and can cost a few hundred bucks. But then there are also accessories like communication units, or handlebar phone mounts that add up, too.   

Purchase Cost, Plus…

While the cost of a motorcycle can range wildly from a beat-up, pocket-change minibike to a one-of-a-kind, bespoke custom with an eye-watering six-figure price tag, for around $5,000-$7,000 a new rider can get a really decent new, or nearly new bike that they shouldn’t “grow out of” within months. 

Unless you’re in one of the lucky states that doesn’t charge a sales tax on vehicle purchases, chances are you’re going to need to bet on an extra 4%–7%, plus sometimes an additional municipal sales tax on a vehicle purchase, and depending the state, that applies to both new and used vehicle purchases. Some states, like California, will also have additional fees to register the bike, license the bike, plus mandatory fees to help support the Highway Patrol, transportation improvement, and county or district. On a $5,000 motorcycle, the taxes, registration, and fees could amount to upwards of $500 – $700 (or more) extra. 

If buying from a dealership, there may be additional dealer administrative fees applied that could tally a few hundred dollars, and if buyers who choose to finance their new ride will pay the interest on their loan, whether through the dealership’s financing or their own bank. On that same $5,000 motorcycle, a modest 6% interest rate will add more than $600 to the total cost over just four years. Do your homework and understand motorcycle financing before you buy.

Insurance

There are a lot of variables that affect a motorcyclist’s insurance cost. Nearly every state legally requires riders to carry liability insurance coverage at a bare minimum, but riders should seriously consider carrying collision, uninsured motorist coverage, and personal injury projection, too. 

According to Business Insider, the average cost in 2024 for liability-only was $816 per year, but the average motorcycle insurance bill with some additional coverage tallied $1,296 per year. Full coverage typically costs $2,000 annually.

Those are average costs for a typical standard style motorcycle, but new riders generally face much higher rates due to their inexperience. A new rider on a large-displacement sport bike could face an insurance bill that’s as much or more than the purchase price of the bike. Getting a definitive insurance quote before purchasing a bike is always a smart move. 

Maintenance

While purchasing a new motorcycle may cost a bit more, it also means that many of the consumable parts are fresh and new, too. A used bike may be cheaper to buy, but if it needs tires, brakes, a battery, or other common, consumable parts, a buyer should be prepared to negotiate the costs of those items off the selling price, or plan for those additional costs down the road. And as a rule of thumb, the more expensive the bike when new, the more likely it’s going to take bigger brakes or tires that’ll cost more to replace. 

All bikes, even new ones, need some maintenance including regular oil changes and chain servicing (unless your bike has a shaft or belt drive). While not expensive to do, a buyer who can do this basic maintenance him or herself stands to save some bucks. 

Some sources suggest planning on $1,000 per year for motorcycle service costs, however from our own experiences with many used bikes over the years, this has never come close to that, instead averaging between $150 to maybe $600–$700 a year depending on whether tires were needed or not. That cost will vary depending on how far a rider travels per year, too. 

Shop for new and pre-owned dual sport motorcycles for sale online.

Fuel, Coffee, and Ice Cream

The other cost variable that depends on how much a rider rides is the amount of fuel consumed. While motorcycles generally consume less fuel than the average four-wheeled machine, note that mid-size and larger displacement bikes will drink more fuel than a frugal subcompact car. A rider who travels 7,500 miles on a bike that can achieve 40 mpg is going to spend roughly $650 in gas for the year. 

But, riding is fun and chances are you’re going to ride more, and stop for coffees to warm up, or ice cream to cool down, and all that adds up too, so don’t forget to budget for that.

Jeff Wilson

Having turned a lifelong passion for cars and motorcycles into a career, Jeff has spent more than a dozen years sharing that passion with others through hundreds of reviews, photos, and videos. He also believes there’s nothing better than a great road trip adventure and is happiest when en route to new destinations.

See author's work