[Big-V316]

I am curious as to how much it costs to maintain a wing throughout the year?
I know that tires are going to be an as needed expense but I would like to get an idea of how much it costs to keep the bird on the road. Also how much regular maintenance can you do yourself and how much do you have get done at a shop? The Honda dealer that I deal with charges $75.00 per hour for service that can get expensive really fast.

 

[Indianabob]

I recently calculated my approximate per mile cost of ownership for my '05w/ABS based on 12,000 miles/year for 7 years. Fixed costs = 33cents/mile. Variable (maintenance costs (my labor except for tires) & including gas) = 13cents/mile for a total of 46cents/mile, generally speaking.

This number is for my case. Your personal variables will change the cost/mile up or down, as will the cost of fuel to a smaller degree.

The bottom line is that I'm always amazed to see that driving a vehicle, all things considered, always costs more than I think.

But in the case of a motorcycle, it's a lot cheaper (and more effective) than seeing a shrink.

 

[Pigeon Roost]

Depends upon miles driven and what all you facttor in. Gasoine, insurance, depreciation of purchase pric or payments, replacement parts such as filters, bulbs, oil. Many of us do all of our own work and use the dealers only for thngs we have no access too, such as inspection stickers.

prs

 

[cruzerbotz]

:lol: On other things I think about that. With the Wing, it just doean't matter. I did buy the first three years service, unlimited mileage, when I bought the bike. I got it in Sept, 2005 and have almost 15,000 miles on it. I've had bikes I had to do the service, maintenance and was always worried about the cost. With the Wing I just want to ride!

 

[Jim Ciampi]

cost of riding Gold Wing

I guess I really don't care what it costs to keep a Wing for a year.Whatever it is I'm glad to pay it for all the enjoyment I get from it.Some things are beyond costs to maintain.Motorcycles,Dogs,and Good Wives are some,but not necessarily in that order.JMHO....Jim

 

[Arn Butt Bill]

Depends on how you ride.

For me:
3 sets of tires @ about $410 installed = $1230.
3 oil changes @ $21 (DIY) = $63.
1 washing @ $1.25.
About $1200 or $1300 in gas.
Maybe some brake pads, coolant, brake fluid, air filter, etc. for $200 or so.
Traxxion springs and farkles optional.

 

[twyn]

I'm not sure what my cost is, but I'm not spending money on therapy, mood altering medicine or 70% of the gas I used to put in my truck.

 

[DaleC]

I am curious as to how much it costs to maintain a wing throughout the year

That depends totally upon the miles you plan on riding each year, but it is certainly nothing that significant compared to most other bikes of comparable use. The nice thing is with a few tools and an a inexpensive bike life you can do most all of the work yourself, plus it isn't all that difficult to work on.

DaleC

P.S. Looking at this question again and reflecting some. The cost to maintain and operate maintance-wise is nothing, even when you ride a lot of miles. It's the cost of all the accessories that you have to be aware of and watchout for. Heck, that can easily be more than the initial cost of the 1800 itself.

 

[jasonJonas]

I am curious as to how much it costs to maintain a wing throughout the year?

minus $1200 in accessories, i've spent $1800 on gas, tires, oil and supplies over the last 18k miles.

 

[TowJam]

Depends on how you ride.

For me:
3 sets of tires @ about $410 installed = $1230.
3 oil changes @ $21 (DIY) = $63.
1 washing @ $1.25.
About $1200 or $1300 in gas.
Maybe some brake pads, coolant, brake fluid, air filter, etc. for $200 or so.

Riding a Wing for a year = priceless

 

[KYBLUE]

Does it matter????

Don't get wrong, I track my expenses, but I wouldn't get rid of my motorcycle because of the maintenance cost....

As stated above, depends on how much you use it....miles ridden etc..

It cost me more in chrome and goodies than actual maintenance cost :22yikes:

 

[pshivers]

A Harley rider I met up with asked the same question as we were talking bikes at one of the local Casinos.

I said basically oil and filter every 8,000 (Do it myself) and brake pads (15,000-25,000 Will do it myself next time) and tires (11,000-16,000 dealer does these for me) as needed was my expense.

I mentioned I was suppose to change the spark plugs at 16,000 (haven't done it, self service item) and the valves are suppose to be checked at 32,000, (I'll let the dealer do these). Air Filter, (Self service next time I have the top shelter off) still hasn't been changed with 24,000 on the bike so far.

His mouth dropped opened... I guess he had gotten use to going to his local HD dealer on a fairly regular basis and dropping $500 minumum for every "scheduled maintenance".

Not sure what they do at HD, but sounds a tad expensive... We did figure we paid pretty equal amounts in "Chrome Tax" :!: :lol:

 

[Scott_MacMartin]

edit

 

[All Boots No Saddle]

I recently calculated my approximate per mile cost of ownership for my '05w/ABS based on 12,000 miles/year for 7 years. Fixed costs = 33cents/mile. Variable (maintenance costs (my labor except for tires) & including gas) = 13cents/mile for a total of 46cents/mile, generally speaking....

That's over $5,500.00 a year! :shock: No way have I spent anywhere near that much! (Thankfully! :wink: )

EDIT:

I am curious as to how much it costs to maintain a wing throughout the year? ....

Oops! You can ignore my comment above. 'Maintaining' and 'cost of ownership' are 'apples and oranges'!

 

[chuckM]

Not sure what they do at HD, but sounds a tad expensive... We did figure we paid pretty equal amounts in "Chrome Tax" :!: :lol:

HD is a 1K, 5K, 10K, etc...check primary chain tension, final drive belt tension, check/tighten spokes, blah, blah...they did mine at 1K for warranty purposes and 5K while I had it in for a brake squeal. They actually found the primary chain tensioner was loose, got new pads, both under warranty.

I hadn't brought it back since. Pretty easy stuff that you should be checking yourself anyway. Super easy fluid changes, etc. Everything's in the open...no tupperware, that's the damn hardest part sometimes.

 

[TowJam]

HD is a 1K, 5K, 10K, etc...check primary chain tension, final drive belt tension, check/tighten spokes, blah, blah...they did mine at 1K for warranty purposes and 5K while I had it in for a brake squeal. They actually found the primary chain tensioner was loose, got new pads, both under warranty.

I hadn't brought it back since. Pretty easy stuff that you should be checking yourself anyway. Super easy fluid changes, etc. Everything's in the open...no tupperware, that's the damn hardest part sometimes.

Starting with the '06 Dynas and now with the '07 baggers and softtails, Harley's are even lower-maintenance. Automatic primary tensioner, no exposed oil lines (except in the softtails), hydraulic cam chain tensioner, upgraded final drive belt, yada yada yada.

They may not be the quickest or smoothest riding bikes but newer Harleys are far and away the lowest maintenance bikes on the market.

 

[chuckM]

Yeah I've got my 'old' 99...alot has changed with the TC 88 etc. I know that the Springers used to have the first check-up at 500 miles to check the front suspension hardware. Take it out the first day and then bring it back!

 

[TowJam]

Yeah I've got my 'old' 99...alot has changed with the TC 88 etc. I know that the Springers used to have the first check-up at 500 miles to check the front suspension hardware. Take it out the first day and then bring it back!

I guess I just don't "get it". I'll never understand the appeal of a springer front end.

 

[chuckM]

I like the look...Not sure about the ride though.

 

[doug44]

I am curious as to how much it costs to maintain a wing throughout the year?
I know that tires are going to be an as needed expense but I would like to get an idea of how much it costs to keep the bird on the road. Also how much regular maintenance can you do yourself and how much do you have get done at a shop? The Honda dealer that I deal with charges $75.00 per hour for service that can get expensive really fast.

I bought a new 06, June-2006. Present mileage 10,500 with less than $50.00 spent. I have changed the oil and filter 2x and the tires are still going strong. I did the oil & filter changes myself. No other service was needed per the owners manual. I used Honda GN4 oil and Honda filters and saved the receipts. Cheap, cheap,cheap if you ask me. I came from a 2004 BMW and the 1st service for it was @600 miles ! Spent nearly $300.00 on that service, 2nd service on the BMW was 6K and again about $300.00. Plus the BMW came with rags for tires from the factory and were gone @5K for another $400.00. So you can see it was $1000.00 for the BMW and $50.00 for the GL1800. In addition let me say I purchased the Honda Factory extended warr. for a total of 7 years (48mo added) for $395.00. All good stuff huh I am a very happy guy.