Tips on How to Save Money for a Bike

Buying a bike is often a matter of necessity as much as it is the dream of many. Two-wheelers are a convenient mode of transportation, especially in congested streets of India. Moreover, bikes are an affordable mode of commute as they’re less expensive and easier to park; they are fuel-efficient and fast. While some people buy two-wheelers for a convenient and affordable commute, others invest in the vehicle for its speed and thrill. Whatever the reason, buying a bike requires a considerable amount of money. 

While a bike loan is available to fund your dream bike, you still need to make a down payment for that. So, it is better to save beforehand when buying a bike so that your finances stay on track. If you are wondering how to save money for a bike, below are some effective tips to help you buy your dream bike faster and more efficiently.

How to Save Money for a Bike

Here are some ways in which you can save money for buying a bike:

1. Start with choosing the vehicle

First, choose the type of bike that you want. Motorbikes, scooters, e-bikes, and other options are available in the market. The choice of bike would help you zero in on the cost. When you know the price, you will be able to figure out how much you need to save. Even if you are thinking of getting a vehicle loan, you can estimate the down payment required and then save accordingly.

2. New bike or a pre-owned one?

Next, you must select whether you want a new or a pre-owned bike. A used bike is cheaper than a new one, and you can afford a premium model at a reduced cost. So, depending on your affordability and requirements, choose between a new bike and a used one.

3. Set a budget

It is recommended that you buy a bike within your budget. Affordability is the key, even when availing a two-wheeler loan. Your finances will not be jeopardised if the bike is within your budget. So, set a budget when you go out to buy a bike. Assess the maximum cost that you are willing to pay without hurting your pockets.

4. Improve your credit score

You need a good credit score if you are looking for a two-wheeler loan to finance the bike. The score judges your creditworthiness and helps lenders estimate your repayment capability. A high score, i.e., above 700, can help you get a quick loan, and that too, at preferential interest rates. So, improve your credit score before applying for a loan.

To improve, here are a few tips:

• Pay your loans and credit card bills on time
• Pay your utility bills on time
• Do not apply for too many loans at the same time
• Limit your credit use
• Have a healthy mix of credit in your portfolio

Choose an investment instrument

Setting aside money is not enough to save for a bike. You need to invest that money in an investment avenue which can earn returns on your savings. These returns help grow your savings to create an optimal corpus to buy the bike. So, to save effectively, put your savings in an investment instrument so that they can grow till you need them to buy the bike.

Taking a Loan vs. Saving Money

To fund your bike, there are two options: you can take a loan or you can save money for a lump sum payment. So, which is the better alternative? Let’s assess:

So, if you want to buy your bike immediately and you don’t have sufficient savings, you can opt for a loan. On the other hand, if you have time on your hands, save for the bike to avoid interest expenses.

Factors that Determine Savings Required for a Bike

Different factors will affect your decision if you are wondering how much you should save to buy a bike. These factors are as follows:

Price of the vehicle

The main factor that determines your savings is the cost of the bike. The higher the cost, the more you will have to save.

For instance, buying a basic bike and buying a Royal Enfield involve different costs. While a basic bike might come within Rs. 1 lakh, a Royal Enfield won’t. So, when you know the cost of the vehicle, you can estimate the amount of savings that would help you save up for the estimated cost.

Time till purchase

The next factor is the time that you have till you buy the bike. The longer the time till purchase, the lower the savings required. For instance, if you are thinking of buying a bike in the near future, you will have to step up your savings and save more every month.

On the other hand, if you want to buy a bike in the next couple of years, you have time on your hands. In this case, you can save lower amounts to create the corpus that you need.

For instance, suppose Mr A and Mrs B want to buy a bike. Both want to buy the same model that costs Rs.1 lakh and are willing to save for the bike rather than taking a loan. However, Mr A wants to buy the bike after a year, while Mrs B wants to buy the bike after two years.

If both of them saved and invested in an avenue giving 8% annualised returns, Mr A would have to save approximately Rs. 8333 every month to create a corpus of Rs. 1 lakh within 12 months. On the other hand, Mrs B would have to save only Rs. 4166 every month to create the same corpus.

So, as the time till purchase increases, the required savings go down.

Returns on investment

The returns you earn on your investments are also important determiners of the amount of savings you should make. If the returns were higher, the required savings would be lower and vice-versa.

Take the aforementioned example of Mr A and Mrs B. In this example, changing the return would change the savings required if it is assumed that both want to buy the bike after one year.

How to Save Money on Bike Insurance?

While you know how to save money to buy a bike, you cannot forget the mandatory bike insurance coverage required on the same. The Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority (IRDA), mandates every bike in India to have a valid insurance coverage before you drive it on the road. So, you should also add the cost of the insurance coverage to the cost of the bike and then save for both.

That being said, bike insurance plans are affordable. Moreover, there are different ways in which you can save money on the premium of a bike insurance policy. Here are some ways how:

Have a clean driving record

A clean driving record means that you have no accidents or damage for which you have raised a claim on your bike insurance policy. As the incidence of claims reduces, the insurance company offers preferential premium rates. Insurance companies offer ‘No claim’ bonus for each claim-free year so that the insurance rates get reduced and help you save on the premium outgo.

Your driving record has another bearing on the premium: if your driving history is bad and you have made multiple claims on your bike insurance policy, the insurance company might inflate the renewal premium to compensate for the frequent claim payments that it has made.

An inflated renewal premium means a higher bike insurance cost. So, your driving record directly affects the bike insurance premium and should be maintained well.

Reconsider add-on cover options

Add-ons are additional coverage features that help you enhance the scope of the policy. However, each add-on comes at an additional cost that increases the premium.

While add-ons are good for all-around protection, you should reconsider your choices. Choose add-ons that are suitable and relevant to your coverage needs. Remove those that are unnecessary so that you save on the added expense.

For instance, if you live in an area that is prone to flooding, the engine protection add-on makes sense. However, if your area does not flood, the add-on would be irrelevant and can be avoided.

Enquire about discounts

Bike insurance companies offer attractive discounts that help lower your premium outgo. Common discounts include the following:

• Discount for installing safety devices on your bike
• Discount for choosing a voluntary deductible
• Discount for buying a long-term policy
• Online discount
• Discount for being a member of a recognised automobile association, etc.

Enquire about these discounts. Claim them to reduce the premium and save on the bike insurance costs.

Clean Driving Records

On your bike insurance policy, you earn a no-claim bonus if you do not make a claim every year. This bonus is cumulative in nature and its rate increases after each successful claim-free year for upto 6 consecutive claim-free years. The bonus allows you to claim a discount on the renewal premium. However, if you make a claim, you lose the bonus.

So, if you suffer a small claim on your bike insurance policy, do not raise it. Raising it would eliminate the no-claim bonus and the renewal discount. Instead, pay for the claim and protect your bonus by earning attractive discounts on renewals.

Closing Thoughts

Plan your purchase in advance so that you can arrange your finances to buy the bike. You should know how much to save and invest your savings in lucrative avenues so that you can earn returns and create the desired corpus. You can also get a loan, but understand and evaluate its pros and cons and then make an informed choice.

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