What's cheaper to maintain? A Kawasaki 650R Ninja or a '98 Harley Davidson Superglide?

Harley's have always been very high maintenance and low quality compared to most other bikes.

The Kawasaki is liquid cooled so it is going to have easier maintenance if you treat it right. For similar work the harley is going to cost more for shoptime and parts. Harley likes fleecing the sheep.

Do your own maintenance, will be about the same costs. The Harley would be simpler to maintain - starting with *not* having liquid/radiator/waterpump? and fuel injection with highpressure fuel pump, computer, etc..

Basic maintenance would be roughly equal. For me, the insurance would be exactly equal.

A Harley would be more expensive to maintain because it is like getting a Cadillac compared to buying a Chevy. The high end product aways cost more for parts and service.

If you are a new rider, don't know how to ride, and/or are not capable of understanding the concept of preventative maintenance Harley is the last thing you should look at. I keep seeing answers about Harley's being expensive to maintain but I have been riding for 8 years and the only bikes I remember ever having issues with were Suzuki and Honda. Those were my first bikes so with that being said; Honda and Suzuki make fine motorcycles; If it is your first bike I would not recommend a Harley, as I said, If you don't know what your doing or don't plan to learn about your bike Harley is the wrong answer. Aside from all of that the 2 are very different bikes, if you ride both of them you will know which one you prefer.

The Kawasaki will be cheaper. Look at a basic oil change. Ninja = 4 to 5 quarts of your favorite motorcycle engine oil and a filter Superglide - 4 to 5 quarts of your favorite engine oil formulated for air cooled engines. Don't know the capacity, but the oil in the transmission needs to be replaced with a different kind of oil. Believe the primary case needs its oil changed. Don't know the specs for the oil for the primary case. Three different oil changes on the Harley-Davidson. One does not have to change all three every 3K to 4K as needed for the engine, but as some point all three need changing. BUT Believe the Harley had hydraulic lifters and the Ninja does not. The Ninja will need the valves checked and adjusted on a regular schedule. Here is one area that the Harley-Davidson is way more expensive than the Ninja. Safety Chrome. Look at all the items that are added to a Harley-Davidson all in the name of safety. Chrome levers. Chrome shifters and brake pedal. Chrome filter cover. Chrome dipstick. They even offer chromed chrome. If the Harley was driven by a chain, that too would be chromed. Plus to be a member in good standing in the Harley-Davidson Club, one must have at minimum, 20 Harley-Davidson tee-shirts. Not the case with the 650R Ninja. All that chrome and tee-shirts will set you back a year's worth of insurance. Something to consider. Good Luck

Ninja but you will look cooler on a Harley Davidson.