Considering a weather. which allows more or less only 6 or 7 months of rideing along with unreal high insurance cost in Ontario is it even worth to have a motorcycle hobby. Every ones opinion is welcome.
motorcycling
- Thread starter ameerj596
- Start date
Supersquid
Well-known member
Every second is worth it
You don't really expect fair and unbiased advice regarding this question on this forum, do you? I think all you're going to get is unfair and biased advice. Get a bike, don't get a bike, that's up to you. Everyone on this forum loves the sport and considers every moment we spend on the bike to be a moment well spent.
It's like being in love. If you knew the person you loved was sick and would live a short life, would you stop loving them because it's not worth investing in them? Or would you love them even more because of the short amount of time you have with them?
Riceburner
Well-known member
If I knew then what I know now, I would have hired hookers. Ummm....what was the question again? Oh yeah... Never regretted getting into bikes.
When I began street riding, it wasn't like this....and I was young, single, and 100% committed to the riding. Very little interfered with riding a Shadow500 when I was 16. By the time I was 17, I was riding an 89 CBR600 in 1991, and insurance was $480/yr, full coverage in my own name. It was easier back then....motorcycle ownership was more popular in general and a much higher percentage of people you knew had a bike.
Im new to riding but you need to define what worth means to you.
If "worth" is financial - pull out your calculator and calculate the costs (upfront cost, licensing courses, insurance, gas) versus the financial benefits of what your alternative mode of transportation would be (car? more gas, cant park for free (for now), etc...).
I did that and versus paying $350 a month for parking at work, it made sense.
But it would not "be worth it financially" if I did not have to pay for parking at work or if I was willing to take TTC.
If by "worth it" you mean do you get enough smiles from riding to justify the cost, that's something you need to ask yourself.
If "worth" is financial - pull out your calculator and calculate the costs (upfront cost, licensing courses, insurance, gas) versus the financial benefits of what your alternative mode of transportation would be (car? more gas, cant park for free (for now), etc...).
I did that and versus paying $350 a month for parking at work, it made sense.
But it would not "be worth it financially" if I did not have to pay for parking at work or if I was willing to take TTC.
If by "worth it" you mean do you get enough smiles from riding to justify the cost, that's something you need to ask yourself.
cbcanada
Banned
This is the type of guy that msges you on kijiji and asks if you would take $25 for a pair of gloves you are selling for $30
Yes.
My thoughts exactly. Really, how are we supposed to make a decision on a complete stranger, who we know nothing about.
This time of year I have some second thoughts about all the money I put towards this new hobby. Once spring gets here and that first twist of the wrist of the season all these "doubts" will be gone. All that will be left will be a smile from ear to ear. The sound and feeling of red lining a sport bike makes it all worth while.
Riceburner
Well-known member
might be a difference between paying $300/yr for ins. as a mature rider or paying $3000/yr if you are a young male.
wonderings
Well-known member
Only you can answer this question. Everyone is different and puts different values on things. Can you afford it? If so, and it is something you enjoy and are ok with spending money on it, then it is worth it, but again you need to make your own decision. Most if not all here will say its worth it. You are asking motorcyclists if they enjoy motorcycling.
The way I think is that insurance companies don't make a lot of profit from motorcycle policies, meaning what I am paying more or less is quite fair. I once heard some insurers actually lose money doing motorcycle policy as a way for them to lure in the auto policies. Coverage in ON is the best among this continent and one of the best around the world. If you compare it to other places where premiums are cheaper, they don't get the same coverage as us. I am not supporting the high premium in any way, I would like to have a cheaper (preferably 75% off current rate) premium, but life is so short, if you can afford it why not try it out.
If you put your question the way you did, I'd say no.
It's very hard to make a case for motorcycling in Ontario if you don't have the money to put into the hobby. Most people who do ride in Ontario don't ask the question they just do it, because they want to. Yes, short season, eventful commuting due to poor driving skills and you get no traffic related breaks like elsewhere (lane splitting etc.). You already named very high insurance.
Yet, there's still quite a few of us who do it every year .... because we think it's better than not doing it at all.
bboySushi
Well-known member
Of course it's worth it!!! But not to everyone!
The only way for you to know is to take a riding course, get some seat time, ride passenger, experience being on a bike. If you are not smiling and WOW'd by that, then it's probably not going to be worth it for you.
I always end my ride with a smile, regardless of how rainy it was, how hot, how sore, how cold, if I went down, how fast, how slow, going from home to work, or taking a scenic route, doesn't matter to me. Trip to the grocery store? Smile. Take it around the block to make sure the battery and gas is good after winter? smile.
The only way for you to know is to take a riding course, get some seat time, ride passenger, experience being on a bike. If you are not smiling and WOW'd by that, then it's probably not going to be worth it for you.
I always end my ride with a smile, regardless of how rainy it was, how hot, how sore, how cold, if I went down, how fast, how slow, going from home to work, or taking a scenic route, doesn't matter to me. Trip to the grocery store? Smile. Take it around the block to make sure the battery and gas is good after winter? smile.
Riceburner
Well-known member
Basically, economically it probably does not make sense. Wanting to ride is about having a passion for it. Lots of ppl quit riding, but not as many quit driving. Bike=recreation car=necessary evil(for the most part)
suzuki2000
Well-known member
The mental health benefits on their own make it worthwhile
zeniceguy
Well-known member
delete your account
