These Motorcycles Will Make Your Wallet Sweat
There are so many perks to owning a motorcycle. But we're not going to lie — certain models can be an absolute nightmare for your finances. Pricey replacement parts? Costly maintenance? High running costs? Yikes. So which bikes are the worst offenders in that respect? Well, let's find out! From Ducatis to Suzukis, you might want to swerve these machines going forward.
Honda CX500 Turbo
To call the Honda CX500 Turbo high maintenance feels like an understatement. This bike is very expensive to repair nowadays, with replacement parts in short supply. You'll have a heck of a time finding a mechanic who wants to get their hands on it! Many enthusiasts have come to regret owning the CX500 Turbo as time's gone on. And the same can be said of our next entry, too.
Yamaha Nouvo
We'll be blunt here — the Yamaha Nouvo is a really nice bike model. It ticks a bunch of boxes! But good luck maintaining it. Older Nouvos cost an absolute fortune to fix, as Yamaha doesn't produce new parts for them anymore. Looking for replacement components is tough going, and it can hit your wallet hard over time. What a bummer.
Suzuki GN
The Suzuki GN series of motorcycles are excellent machines. But should you invest in one today? Well, it's a little risky. If you buy a GN that requires extensive work, then you're facing a very high bill. Replacement parts are pretty rare now, commanding massive sums. Would you be willing to put yourself through that? Don't be afraid to say no!
Suzuki Hayate
Interested in buying a Suzuki Hayate? Well, this might put you off! The bike is known to have issues with its carburetor. And fixing it can cost a pretty penny. But that isn't the worst part. More often than not, the problem can be recurring, meaning you'll have to splash additional cash to keep it running. Oh man. Sounds like a nightmare, right?
Harley-Davidson Ultra Classic Electra Glide
The Harley-Davidson Ultra Classic Electra Glide is a very easy bike to fall in love with. Who wouldn't want to own one! Keep this in mind, though — it's super expensive to maintain. The routine checks don't come cheap, while certain parts can also be extremely costly. Yep, if something goes wrong with the suspension, clutch, or regulator, your wallet will be sweating bullets...
Suzuki Boulevard M109R
It can't be denied that the Suzuki Boulevard M109R is an incredibly impressive motorcycle. A liquid-cooled V-twin engine that can produce over 120 horsepower on the road? Yes please! There's just one problem, though — folks often describe it as a "budget trap." And it's easy to see why. The tires are expensive to replace and the maintenance costs aren't friendly.
Harley-Davidson Road King
Is the Harley-Davidson Road King an eye-catching bike? Absolutely. Is it cheap to maintain, though? No way! You need very deep pockets here. The annual costs do vary, but they can climb to a whopping $16,000 if you're using the motorcycle on a regular basis. That's not a typo, folks. Can you afford such high expenses across the year? Meanwhile, our next entry is pretty pricey, too.
Triumph Rocket 3
The Triumph Rocket 3 is an absolute monster of a bike. Equipped with a huge inline-three engine, it can hit 165 horsepower in full-flight. Nice! But make no mistake — this motorcycle has very high running costs. Take a valve clearance check as an example. That can set you back by over $2,000. Sheesh. The tires don't come cheap, either.
Ducati Panigale V4
Struggling to tear your eyes away from the Ducati Panigale V4? We don't blame you. It's gorgeous! The bike has quite a kick, too — it can produce over 200 horsepower on the road. But your wallet will weep if you buy one, guys. Replacement parts are very expensive, while the labor costs for annual servicing are also extremely high.
Aprilia RSV4
Superbikes don't come much better than the Aprilia RSV4. It's an incredible machine. Owning one will cost you, though. Replacement Aprilia parts aren't known for being cheap, so if something goes wrong you could be in a spot of bother. The valve service is another pricey thing to add to the list as well, on top of the labor costs.
KTM 390 Series
The KTM 390 series of motorcycles are ideal for riders who are just starting out. But be warned — they're pretty expensive to maintain. The engines feel like time bombs, as a number are known to fail within the first 12 months. That's a pricey fix. And don't get us started on the general service costs. They can sting!
Ural Gear Up
Hands up if you think the Ural Gear Up is a cool bike. Don't be shy! You'll be in good company. Yep, this motorcycle has been turning heads since its release back in 2005. But it's got a couple of black marks against it. Firstly, its reliability is quite questionable. And secondly, replacement parts seem to be getting more expensive over time. Oof.
Kawasaki H2
The Kawasaki H2 is no joke, guys. It looks fantastic, offers thrilling performances, and is extremely reliable. There are drawbacks to owning one, though. For instance, the fuel costs can be brutal thanks to the supercharged engine. It burns through gas in the blink of an eye! And fixing damaged parts? Oh boy. That's expensive as well.
Arch KRGT-1
If you're on the lookout for a bespoke bike, then the Arch KRGT-1 may well catch your eye. It's a jaw-dropping machine, rocking a fabulous S&S V-twin engine. But keep this in mind — it costs an absolute fortune to buy and maintain. Replacing or fixing the bespoke parts is super expensive. It could quickly suck the fun out of owning one!
MTT Y2K Turbine Motorcycle
The MTT Y2K turbine motorcycle is absolutely crazy, folks. It's equipped with a Rolls-Royce Allison Model 250 turboshaft engine, which was originally designed for helicopters. We're serious! This thing can produce 320 horsepower on the road. But good luck with the running costs. The bike's fuel economy is ridiculous. Five mpg? You'll never leave the gas station.
BMW S 1000 RR
Unreliable? Check. High-maintenance? Check. Costly to fix? Sadly! Yes, the BMW S 1000 RR is a real headache. It doesn't take much for something to go wrong here. The gearbox, ABS, connecting rods, and electronics are all known to be troublesome for exasperated owners. On top of that, replacement parts can get pricey, too.
BMW R 1250 R
The BMW R 1250 R is frequently described as a money pit. And we can see why! It's in constant need of maintenance to continue running, but even that isn't enough for some. The bike will just stop working. Paired with pricey spare parts and high service costs, it's a recipe for financial agony.
Kawasaki H2R
Much like the H2 model from earlier, the Kawasaki H2R is another bike that'll cost you an arm and a leg to maintain. In addition to being a gas guzzler, its supercharged engine isn't cheap to fix, either. Talk about a double whammy. Is our final entry a better bet, though? Let's find out...
Any Desmo Ducati
Are you interested in buying a Ducati motorcycle with a desmodromic valve? Yes? Well, this might change your mind! Servicing a Desmo is serious business, folks. The valve has double the number of shims usually found in a bike engine. So yep, it costs more to maintain. We're talking up to $3,000 per service here. Ouch.
