Motorcycle Running Costs

I know that the Inland Revenue let you claim 25p / mile for business use and
one would assume that this should be representative of the cost of running a
motorcycle.

However, I found this little gem on the RAC website which concurs with my
experience of actual runing costs.

http://www.rac.co.uk/carcare/advice/motorcyclist/Motorcyclerunningcosts.pdf

So according to the above report you couldn't even run a 125cc bike for 25p
/ mile.

Isn't it about time the Inland Revenue reviewed their rates?

 

That's assuming you run a bike like a company car, buying new every three
years, only do 6000 miles a year, join the RAC, don't shop around for
insurance, and have only one bike. Hmm.

I guess that's why the RAC has done these figures.

 

Yeah, perish the thought that people might actually keep their bikes
after they've finished paying for them. Or indeed might do their own
spannering.

Tiff

 

I suppose everyone (including me) could come up with chapter and verse on
how in their particular case the assumptions didn't apply and their cost is
higher or lower than the stated figures. For everyone who keeps their bikes
for ages and does their own servicing, there will be people who change their
bike once a year or more often and cover relatively few miles.

It just struck me that the figures were more representative of the average
rider - if such a beast exists.

 

Big Tony wrote

Bang on the target old bean.

Younger, less experienced and with underdeveloped fashion senses by the
looks of the fuel economy, insurance and protective clothing figures.

 

If anything I'd have said they're still too low - particularly on insurance
and cost of kit.

At least the fuel consumption figures are a lot more realistic.

 

I'd own a bike anyway, so depreciation isn't an issue as far as
business mileage is concerned. Tyres need replacing when they're
squared off, whether they've done 500 miles or 8000 miles. Chains
need replacing when they're knackered, whether I've fitted a scotoiler
or never even waved a can of chain wax at it.

A trip from my office to docklands costs me about 8 quid (direct) or
15 quid (motorway) in fuel. I get 23 or 40 quid (ish) in expenses
which, on a regular basis, makes a nice contribution towards running
costs for my toy.

If it's not enough, they can fucking well get me a hire car (as they
do, most of the time)

Where's the problem?