Ways to save money in Moto

mxb2
Posts
22437
Joined
6/15/2010
Location
Bowie, MD, USA
5/24/2023 8:17pm
Brad460 wrote:
Be like a friend I ride with- Requests I pick him and his trailer up in the morning, drive 125 miles one way to go riding...

Be like a friend I ride with- Requests I pick him and his trailer up in the morning, drive 125 miles one way to go riding and then back home. Never offer to put any gas in my truck, never offer to pay for lunch or pick up my riding fees…Laughing

You mean ex friend

5
1
5/24/2023 8:25pm
bvm111 wrote:
been pretty easy with my two closest tracks being closed every time I want to go riding for the past 6-8 weeks 😒 I get it...

been pretty easy with my two closest tracks being closed every time I want to go riding for the past 6-8 weeks 😒

I get it, it was mother’s day and this weekend is memorial day… why not be open on Saturday and closed Sunday for the holiday… come on LACR!!! I have a shit ton invested in my chosen hobby and staring at it in the garage is more annoying than the price of wear and tear items going up since the last election. 

mattyhamz2 wrote:

Glen Helen is open this weekend. I’ll be there Saturday for my first ride in over a year. 

I wish I didn’t work, I’ve been itching to hit Glen Helen. Any interest in doing the SRA next month?

Same dude. Haven’t ridden there since 2 stroke nats in 2020 which is also the last time I raced there so I’ve had that itch to ride there as well. 
 

No interest in racing one right now since it’s been so long off the bike and the only shape I’m in right now is a bit of a rounder one. I’d like to do one when I get more consistent seat time and comfortable on a bike again. Are you racing one next month?

Joko
Posts
1545
Joined
1/2/2011
Location
Haddam, CT, USA
Fantasy
5/24/2023 8:34pm

Avoid medical bills!

A major injury (ACL, broken bone, etc.) will cost as much as a new bike or more once all the bills from ER, surgery, hospital stay, ortho follow ups, PT) roll in, not to mention missed work/income.

Wear a good helmet, boots, full chest protection, etc.; stay in good physical shape, eat good; know when to stop turning laps if you’re tired and could crash due to fatigue; use good riding techniques, minimize risks, keep the bike in good shape to avoid crash related failures (worn tires, suspension, tires chain,  etc). 

5/24/2023 8:37pm

Ride local, bring food/water from home, and don’t eat out during the work week. It really adds up when scraping through a season. 

3

The Shop

5/24/2023 10:20pm
mattyhamz2 wrote:

Glen Helen is open this weekend. I’ll be there Saturday for my first ride in over a year. 

I wish I didn’t work, I’ve been itching to hit Glen Helen. Any interest in doing the SRA next month?

mattyhamz2 wrote:
Same dude. Haven’t ridden there since 2 stroke nats in 2020 which is also the last time I raced there so I’ve had that itch to...

Same dude. Haven’t ridden there since 2 stroke nats in 2020 which is also the last time I raced there so I’ve had that itch to ride there as well. 
 

No interest in racing one right now since it’s been so long off the bike and the only shape I’m in right now is a bit of a rounder one. I’d like to do one when I get more consistent seat time and comfortable on a bike again. Are you racing one next month?

I feel you on that. If I feel ready I’m doing the SRA, then hopefully more rounds in the NGPC. We always have plenty of room in the toy hauler if you’d like to tag along 

1
Brosho
Posts
481
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1/31/2011
Location
Los Angeles, CA, USA
5/24/2023 11:46pm
Since gas up here in Washington is still 4.25 gallon, and everything from beer to food to the roll of electrical tape I had to finally...

Since gas up here in Washington is still 4.25 gallon, and everything from beer to food to the roll of electrical tape I had to finally buy yesterday seems to be a slap in the face economically...

Any good tricks on saving money and still getting out to the races ?

So far this year Ive done well buying fluids in bulk.  

What do you got ...?

 

Stop selling your old bike to buy a new bike. Try to keep both to keep the hours and maintenance low on both bikes by riding them equally.   
 

I bought a new bike $8,000 OTD. And before Covid if I had sold it, I’d be lucky to get 3-4,000 for it. It had low hours on it. To me that would have been like throwing away $3 to 4 thousand dollars. I’m better off keeping the bike and continue riding it with my newer bikes. I have not had to do a top end or low end on any of my bikes because I ride them equally therefore keeping the hours low on each.  

2
3
Larry450
Posts
190
Joined
12/29/2016
Location
ZW
5/25/2023 1:18am

Not true at all. A competitive DH bike is well over 10k and racing mountain bikes isn’t cheap. 

What series are you racing? The world cup?

 

To me racing local dh races is the cheapest racing there is

2
chlodog
Posts
98
Joined
4/15/2019
Location
Nags Head, NC, USA
5/25/2023 3:31am

Unsubscribe from motosport, rmatv, bto sports, etc. emails. By all means support these outstanding companies, just buy what you need when you need it. Layoff the butt patches, personalized tool boxes, personalized sweatshirts, electric bike stands,seat covers. Custom graphic kits, FMF canopies, KTM leisure wear, Snap On screwdrivers, silicone moto hoses, Colored chain wheels, and the little dice that screw on your air valves. If you drink, lock up your credit card whilst drinking. I've bought way too much of the above crap while imbibing. Like others have said, wrench your own bikes if you don't already. 

But if you want to save big money, quit racing. You'll have more money and you'll get way more seat time. While you can eat trophies, they have very little nutritional value. I know for most, quitting racing is not gonna happen but you asked how to save money.  If you can't stop racing, just hit a few events., no need to be district champ. Your gonna have to spend more money to go the banquet to pick up your trophy you've already spent thousands on. Once again I'm by no means bashing AMA or any of the mentioned companies. Your gonna get old one day and all the money you save now will make it much easier to buy dentures, viagara, hair dye, and one of those trucks with the built in step and handle to get in the bed. 

5/25/2023 6:29am Edited Date/Time 5/25/2023 6:30am
Larry450 wrote:

What series are you racing? The world cup?

 

To me racing local dh races is the cheapest racing there is

I raced ProGRT’s and NW cups a long with sea otter, crankworx, and all the southridge races here in SoCal. Even the local series costs just as much as a moto race entry. And that was all in 2010-2014

cbarber
Posts
239
Joined
6/6/2014
Location
Atwater, MN, USA
5/25/2023 6:49am Edited Date/Time 5/25/2023 6:49am
Since gas up here in Washington is still 4.25 gallon, and everything from beer to food to the roll of electrical tape I had to finally...

Since gas up here in Washington is still 4.25 gallon, and everything from beer to food to the roll of electrical tape I had to finally buy yesterday seems to be a slap in the face economically...

Any good tricks on saving money and still getting out to the races ?

So far this year Ive done well buying fluids in bulk.  

What do you got ...?

 

Brosho wrote:
Stop selling your old bike to buy a new bike. Try to keep both to keep the hours and maintenance low on both bikes by riding...

Stop selling your old bike to buy a new bike. Try to keep both to keep the hours and maintenance low on both bikes by riding them equally.   
 

I bought a new bike $8,000 OTD. And before Covid if I had sold it, I’d be lucky to get 3-4,000 for it. It had low hours on it. To me that would have been like throwing away $3 to 4 thousand dollars. I’m better off keeping the bike and continue riding it with my newer bikes. I have not had to do a top end or low end on any of my bikes because I ride them equally therefore keeping the hours low on each.  

i can not understand your logic. all you are doing is prolonging maintenance on both bikes. you are not gaining anything.

3
Flesh206
Posts
302
Joined
4/30/2010
Location
Perrys, OH, USA
5/25/2023 7:27am

I save money by driving a shitbox.  Trusty Rusty has 268k on it.

7
5/25/2023 8:11am
Since gas up here in Washington is still 4.25 gallon, and everything from beer to food to the roll of electrical tape I had to finally...

Since gas up here in Washington is still 4.25 gallon, and everything from beer to food to the roll of electrical tape I had to finally buy yesterday seems to be a slap in the face economically...

Any good tricks on saving money and still getting out to the races ?

So far this year Ive done well buying fluids in bulk.  

What do you got ...?

 

Brosho wrote:
Stop selling your old bike to buy a new bike. Try to keep both to keep the hours and maintenance low on both bikes by riding...

Stop selling your old bike to buy a new bike. Try to keep both to keep the hours and maintenance low on both bikes by riding them equally.   
 

I bought a new bike $8,000 OTD. And before Covid if I had sold it, I’d be lucky to get 3-4,000 for it. It had low hours on it. To me that would have been like throwing away $3 to 4 thousand dollars. I’m better off keeping the bike and continue riding it with my newer bikes. I have not had to do a top end or low end on any of my bikes because I ride them equally therefore keeping the hours low on each.  

cbarber wrote:

i can not understand your logic. all you are doing is prolonging maintenance on both bikes. you are not gaining anything.

I agree, two bikes cost more to own,

2
5/25/2023 8:21am
xmlativ69 wrote:

Ill let you in on a little secret, the 5k or 6k bikes are very capable of everything a 10k to 15k bike will do.

To an extent. Trust me I got by on 3k-4K bikes for years before finally being able to race the 10k stuff. They’re capable for sure I’d say all the way to cat 1. When you jump to the pro level and are trying to make it the expensive parts come in to play and actually make those small differences you need. Wheels, suspension, chains, and tires aren’t cheap and wear quickly. Mountain bikes are a lot of money to race. 

2
5/25/2023 9:24am

You have to decide if your money is more valuable or your time. If you care to pay in time, because you will pay, it's just a matter of how. Nothing is free.

1st: ride a 10 year old yz125. You 'll find a google (yes that's a real number) of posts bragging that's the most fun bike ever. And probably the cheapest to maintain. If you buy it right, the value will never go down if you maintain it. Now you basically have a free bike except your savings acct is in the bike and not the bank. Keep it fresh to keep the value. 

2nd: Set it up for pump gas and NOT race gas.

3rd: Offer to flag for 2-3 hours to ride the rest of the day to offset the track fee.

4th: Bring your own food and drink

2
5/25/2023 12:13pm
Brosho wrote:
Stop selling your old bike to buy a new bike. Try to keep both to keep the hours and maintenance low on both bikes by riding...

Stop selling your old bike to buy a new bike. Try to keep both to keep the hours and maintenance low on both bikes by riding them equally.   
 

I bought a new bike $8,000 OTD. And before Covid if I had sold it, I’d be lucky to get 3-4,000 for it. It had low hours on it. To me that would have been like throwing away $3 to 4 thousand dollars. I’m better off keeping the bike and continue riding it with my newer bikes. I have not had to do a top end or low end on any of my bikes because I ride them equally therefore keeping the hours low on each.  

cbarber wrote:

i can not understand your logic. all you are doing is prolonging maintenance on both bikes. you are not gaining anything.

I agree, two bikes cost more to own,

x3 on this one.

It's the same logic as when people buy an "economical car" to drive back and forth to work to save gas from driving their truck. If you drive 50-100 miles a day you are saving, at most, a couple gallons of gas ($6 a day). This does not cover the inital cost of the vehicle plus maintenance, insurance, registration, etc. for a second vehicle. Makes absolutely no fiscal sense. 

3
SWMX
Posts
103
Joined
4/28/2018
Location
Murrieta, CA, USA
5/25/2023 12:28pm

ride bicycles instead

endurox
Posts
2099
Joined
3/22/2014
Location
Garden City, ID, USA
5/25/2023 1:15pm

brown bag lunch and bring coffee from home. Get a flip up phone and car pull to the track.

philG
Posts
11081
Joined
5/12/2012
Location
GB
5/25/2023 1:21pm
luke11 wrote:
Doing your own air filters and reusing them. Selling stuff you’ve not used in ages hanging around your garage, I’d like to save I’m good at...

Doing your own air filters and reusing them. Selling stuff you’ve not used in ages hanging around your garage, I’d like to save I’m good at this but I end up giving everything away to riders in need lol

Who can afford to toss 3 filters a week ? 

Buy good quality gear in shit colourways. And always last years stuff.  If you are smart, buy two. 

Dont buy graphics, when they are dearer than a the plastics they were invented to protect. 

Buy a spare rear wheel and keep a hardpack tyre on it. 

Learn how to set up and ride the bike you have, before you spend a single $$  on anything aftermarket. 

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1
5/25/2023 4:36pm

Stay home when it’s muddy, go home if it rains lol 

2
5/26/2023 9:35pm

I haven't payed for garbage service since I bought my house.   I put it in plastic shopping bags and throw it away when I get gas .

I guess that's like 50 a month times 120 months .   

6000 bucks . Few more years and I could buy a new bike !

2
5/26/2023 9:56pm
cbarber wrote:

i can not understand your logic. all you are doing is prolonging maintenance on both bikes. you are not gaining anything.

I agree, two bikes cost more to own,

x3 on this one. It's the same logic as when people buy an "economical car" to drive back and forth to work to save gas from...

x3 on this one.

It's the same logic as when people buy an "economical car" to drive back and forth to work to save gas from driving their truck. If you drive 50-100 miles a day you are saving, at most, a couple gallons of gas ($6 a day). This does not cover the inital cost of the vehicle plus maintenance, insurance, registration, etc. for a second vehicle. Makes absolutely no fiscal sense. 

Don't know where you live but if I drove my truck 100 miles per day at 14mpg that's about 7gal per day $35 here. Economy car at 35mpg roughly 3 gal $15 per day. That's $100 per week, $400 per month. I could literally lease a car for that, not do any maintenance and turn it in without having worn out my truck. Or, just buy a used beater, and after the first 1-2 years it's all savings.

TM

1
5/27/2023 1:33am

Note: We have a post here on Vital where Matt Burkeen says he has "no choice" but to race all 11 rounds against factory 450s on his YZ250 and his Dodge Dakota. 

If you need better hardware just to race at Chicken Licks than the Matt feels straight up obligated to take advantage of against Star, Redbull, and HRC, maybe your expectations are a bit off.

1
1
5/27/2023 1:46am

The best "hack" I had was parting out bikes. From 2008 to 2015 I was buying used Honda's for around $1000. If they looked okay, were complete and $1000 I bought them (nearly) no questions asked. And parting out bikes you can easily double or triple your money. You can also source some bling parts that way.

Another hack (in Australia, not sure if you have this elsewhere) is I spoof my location on my phone to get the cheapest fuel price in Australia. Then go to my local 7/11. Easily save $25 on a tank of fuel, plus a 20L fuel can.

Best camp food is burgers... bread buns, lettuce, tomato, sauces, and patties. Cooked and prepped in less than 5 min.

Otherwise all the things SeaClassExpert said. The only costs I have when I go riding is fuel (usually the biggest fee, at least a 1.5 - 2 hour drive), track fees, MX consumables (mostly oils), and food.

1
1
Motofinne
Posts
11530
Joined
1/4/2014
Location
FI
5/27/2023 2:14am
xmlativ69 wrote:

Ill let you in on a little secret, the 5k or 6k bikes are very capable of everything a 10k to 15k bike will do.

To an extent. Trust me I got by on 3k-4K bikes for years before finally being able to race the 10k stuff. They’re capable for sure...

To an extent. Trust me I got by on 3k-4K bikes for years before finally being able to race the 10k stuff. They’re capable for sure I’d say all the way to cat 1. When you jump to the pro level and are trying to make it the expensive parts come in to play and actually make those small differences you need. Wheels, suspension, chains, and tires aren’t cheap and wear quickly. Mountain bikes are a lot of money to race. 

The top of the line Canyon Sender CFR is 6500 or 6700€ depending on which spec you get (Fox Factory or Rockshox Ultimate).

You can get a brand new World Cup worthy bike for under 7k. But sure, the maintainance and wear costs will be there.

Richy
Posts
3093
Joined
7/18/2020
Location
UK, GB
5/27/2023 3:52am

Being super slow, and on a four stroke, can help.

The bike doesn't work hard and I don't use a lot of fuel.

Not an approach I'd wish on anyone else, and unfortunately it isn't a budget-driven decision, but it does work...

A (US) Gallon of diesel for the van or premium unleaded for the bike costs about $7.50 over here I think.

Larry450
Posts
190
Joined
12/29/2016
Location
ZW
5/27/2023 4:57am
Motofinne wrote:
The top of the line Canyon Sender CFR is 6500 or 6700€ depending on which spec you get (Fox Factory or Rockshox Ultimate). You can get...

The top of the line Canyon Sender CFR is 6500 or 6700€ depending on which spec you get (Fox Factory or Rockshox Ultimate).

You can get a brand new World Cup worthy bike for under 7k. But sure, the maintainance and wear costs will be there.

For 7400€ you can get the same bike that Amaury Pierron won on last year.

 

1
jonesaustin
Posts
2653
Joined
7/6/2009
Location
Austin, TX, USA
5/27/2023 5:19am

Don't ride. stay safe, stay home and post on Vital about the Nationals before the races begin.

1
Electro21
Posts
2142
Joined
6/11/2008
Location
Dumfries, VA, USA
Fantasy
5/30/2023 6:32pm

Don't buy a project bike.  One leads to two and ends up costing more than new bikes.  Woohoo

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