Car ownership has long been integral to the American dream. But as automakers slash the production of inexpensive models to cater to customers who can afford oversized pickups and sport utility vehicles, buyers find themselves facing sticker shock at the same time they are already frustrated by the lingering effects of high inflation.
Consumer prices rose 3.3% in March, the biggest yearly increase since May 2024, while new car prices were up 12.6% from a year ago, the Labor Department reported Friday.
New vehicles now sell for an average of nearly $50,000, up 30% in six years, and average monthly payments — based on 10% down and a 6-year note — recently hit $775. Looking for something on the cheap end? The share of vehicles listing for less than $30,000 is about 13% — down from 40% five years ago, per the car review site CarGurus.
A brand new motorcycle is only a few thousand. They basically pay for themselves in fuel costs after a year or two.
New? Maybe a Chinese scooter around here. Cheapest motorcycle i can think of is 5k not to mention all the bs dealer fees the bike shops charge. Then there’s the fact that auto drivers care less and pay less attention to motorcycles than ever before. They seem to have the mentality of “it their fault for riding a motorcycle”. Meanwhile you’re splattered across the road. I miss my bike but no way i’d ride around here.
Chinese? A Kawasaki Ninja 500 is beginner friendly and has an MSRP of $5,4000. Add another $1k to get kitted out with a decent helmet and gear. So maybe $6,500 overall to get you started with a bike that does 50mpg.
You’re gonna get dealer fees with a car or a bike so the difference is negligible, same goes for taxes or anything else on top of the MSRP. Either way that’s over $40k saved going off the $50k car pricemark. Add another $40k or $80k to the car’s price depending on how poorly you financed it.
Those car prices go nuts once you add in the financing.
I don’t believe others being unsafe is a valid reason not to consider motorcycles as the same can be said for bicycles or any other mode of personal transportation that’s not a car.
Your post said a few thousand. My point was there is no bike for a few thousand anymore. Even the Honda Rebel is insane. Dealer fees on a bike are crazy. Assembly, inspection, pleasure of us fucking you over fee. It’s ridiculous. As to others being unsafe. That’s a personal decision. The area i was in at the time i quit riding is pretty much heavens waiting room and those fuckers would intentionally pull out in front of you.
Also funeral bills are cheaper than hospital bills.
Plus there’s a perpetual shortage of organ donors
Carbrained bikehate. Normalizing motorcycle use and road safety reduces squid-like behavior.
Lol squid-like? What’s that mean? I haven’t heard that one before.
Squids are the people you see on a motorcycle wearing a hoodie and tennis shoes.
Treating all motorcycle riders as “organ donors” ignores the millions who ride safely wearing all the gear all the time. You wouldn’t refer to all car drivers the same way you would an army recruit fresh out of boot camp with a new mustang, so why would you do so with motorcycle riders?
Motorcycles are a legitimate form of transportation.
Yeah yikes, squids are scary to see. Thanks for taking the time to educate. :)
I really wish roads were safer for motorbikes. I was definitely jealous of my brother in law getting like 70 mpg on his Kawasaki lol.
Having to armor up for every ride quickly feels impractical here in the southwest U.S though, yeesh it gets HOT. Still no excuse to be a squid though.
Yep. There’s always a new crop of motorcycle riders who think they’re the greatest thing.
Ever been to a country where motorbikes are just a normal form of transport, for both 16 year old race boy and 75 year old great grandma?