What exactly makes motorcycles so inexpensive?

I know the technical design and style of motorcycles are much less advanced, time consuming, and thorough as a car, but theres still a decent amount of labor that goes into it, is largely composed of metals and other materials. Their engines may have 2-4 cylindars instead of 6-8, but i can think of some bicycles that cost more than a top-of-the-line kawasaki. Is there anything about a motorcycle that makes it very inexpensive?|||Motorcycles are a lot cheaper to design and 'tool up' for, so if they have a model that doesn't sell they can discontinue it right away. In the auto industry a company can be killed by one really disappointing model (the Edsel nearly killed Ford!)





The Japanese manufacturers, I get the idea they sell millions of small, cheap, simple bikes in Asia and Africa, in 3rd world countries where people use small bikes (150cc and less) for basic transportation. I read somewhere the number of 50cc bikes Honda has made since the 1950s, I don't remember the actual number but it was tens of millions. With all this 'safe' business, they can afford to 'take chances' with big touring bikes, sport bikes, etc., which are not their big product.





There isn't that much metal in a motorcycle--or even a car for that matter. An average American car has like $400 worth of steel in it and $800 worth of computers! Motorcycles just have fewer parts, less labor, simpler tooling, etc.|||Its just that it is about 1/4 the size of a car. Less materials = smaller check to write. I ride motorcycles because you can get a really nice bike for much cheaper than you can get a really nice car.|||actually, you're wrong in assuming that the technology and design in bikes is "much less advanced, time consuming, and thorough as a car," especially on high-end sportsbikes. They, unlike many new cars, come with traction control, gps tracking, heated seats, the works. The main thing that makes bikes less expensive is the sheer difference in the amount of material used to make each. Motorcycles range from around 300 lbs (for a small streetbike) to 800-ish for a fully-loaded Harley or Goldwing. By contrast, most modern standard sedans weigh 3500+ lbs.





Also, it kind of depends what your definition of inexpensive is. Yes, you can get a good bike for under $10K off the showroom floor, but MANY BMWs, Ducatis, Harleys, and other brands cost over $20K, and all the way up to $70K|||Mass-production will bring the cost down on almost any product.|||Inexpensive as I-N-Expensive?





You have not been to the Harley Davidson dealer yet, Have you?|||If you are referring to Asian-made models, think labor costs. Most Euro or US- made models are more expensive.


One factor is space, a new Escalade is $84K w/ AC, on a MC the AC is a given and requires no space.


Another factor is re-design setup costs, most of the auto/trucks are changed every year, MC manufactures produce (or should I say reproduce) off a proven style for years with only cosmetic differences.|||I think most of the answers here are spot on, but have overlooked a couple crucial points.





1.) Most motorcycle companies are diversified. Take Honda for example. Not only do they make bikes- they also make cars, vans, trucks, generators, lawnmowers, snowblowers, robotics, marine motors, personal watercraft, etc etc.





2.) I don't know of many union-based motorcycle plants. As such, without the union prices to contend with, they can produce a product with much lower overhead.





3.) Nearly all components on motorcycles (not all makes, but most) are made in-house. This means they typically do not out-source for brakes, rotors, motors, frames, bodywork, etc. Many of the Japanese, Korean, etc makes are nearly 100% in house builds. This keeps prices down.





Again- some great points here, just keep in mind the whole picture!





Keep it rubber side down %26amp; ride safe, everyone!|||Their are some bikes out their well over $20,000 stock! But I am guessing your talking about like a GSX 600 or a 800cc Cruiser style Japanese bike.





The market is very competitive for small engined cruisers/standards/sporty bikes. Their are far fewer people buying bikes then cars, so the prices have to remain competitive between one another which drives down cost.





Less materials like you said, a small cruiser weighs in around 500lbs or less, a small car weighs in around 2,500 pounds.





The engineering in the bikes are not as crude as you might think. Most run Fuel Injection with proper computers running the electronics. The manufactures are always trying to 1 up the competition, so them spend a lot of time tweaking and designing new frames, suspension, ect.





So it's a small market keeping prices down, with fewer materials helping in that respect. Now go buy a Boss Hog or something! $$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$