Buying a motorcycle is as easy as walking into the dealership and paying. But before you go that far, there are a lot of things that you need to consider.
What is your experience level? What kind of riding do you want it for? What’s your price range?
Continue into an in-depth look into the most important things to consider before buying a new motorcycle.
Get A Good Idea Of Your Capabilities And Needs
There are so many different varieties of motorbikes; you need to make sure you get the right one that supports your hobbies, capabilities, and needs. The first thing to consider is the capability.
Motorcycles are wonderful vehicles that promise hours of enjoyment, but they can be dangerous too. Never as much as when you get on a model that isn’t suited for your capability. There are a few things to make sure of before diving in.
Heavy bikes are harder to control; they are hard to keep upright when you stop if you aren’t used to riding, and they can be impossible to pick up if you lay it over. You don’t want to be caught at a stoplight in full gear, straining to stand your bike up and failing miserably. That’s probably not the image you’re going for.
New riders should also be sure not to get a bike with more power than they can handle. The potential for accidents goes up the faster you accelerate, and the more power you have at the tire. Just make sure your purchase lines up well with your experience.
The next thing to should consider is the way you intend to use it. Bikes come in many varieties, but they can be categorized into three groups: road bike, sportbike, or off-road bike. Of course, you can categorize them in many different ways, like touring bike, 2/4 stroke, liquid-cooled, etc.…
Road bikes are good for cruising around town and touring; they are usually the most comfortable of the three. Sportbikes are the fastest(and most dangerous), and this is what you want if you want to zip around town. Off-road bikes are for trails, motocross, and even cross-country touring. Make sure you have a good idea of what you’re going to ask your bike to do.
You might also want to consider your tech needs. If you want to record your exploits, check out the different kinds of motorcycle helmet cameras. And there is a host of gear and safety equipment that will augment your riding experience.
Check Out Some Of The Models That Match Up
Now that you’ve got your abilities, wants, and needs to be figured out, check out some of the more popular models in your class of bike. There are countless brands to choose from. This is where you really need to consider your budget. Fortunately, if you’ve decided on a smaller, beginner model, it will be cheaper regardless of brand.
Each class of bike has its own industry leader.
KTM is the top of the line adventure touring bike, but they are unheard of as a street bike. All the other major manufacturers also produce at least one line of off-road bikes.
Meanwhile, if you’re into sportbikes, Ducati is the most well-known and respected manufacturer. Honda, Kawasaki, and Yamaha are also famous for their high-quality sportbikes. And they are a lot more affordable than a Ducati.
Of course, the most famous of road bikes is Harley-Davidson. While this bike has the most well-known name, it doesn’t mean the other competitors aren’t worth looking into. For example, Triumph, Royal Enfield, and Honda are all respected manufacturers of classic motorcycles.
In each category, you’ll find a full range of price and quality. The market leader in each group is always the most expensive. This means you can find a real bargain by choosing the # 2 or #3 manufacturer in each class. No brand is as good a performer in all three styles of bikes as Honda.
Don’t Forget About The Trimmings.
Now you should have a good idea of exactly what kind of bike you’re looking for. But don’t forget the extras. There are all kinds of new technologies to choose from. So make sure to review some of the big ones before you finalize that loan amount.
Some key extras to consider:
- GPS radar
- LED displays
- Smart helmets
- Intelligent suspension
- ABS braking systems
- Air-bag technology clothing
- On-screen tire pressure sensors
Conclusion
Before you walk into the dealership, you should have a good idea of several things. What size bike meets your needs and your skill level? Do you want to cruise the city, tour the countryside, race your friends, or hit the dirt track? How much money do you have to spend? What extras do you need to ensure your safety and riding pleasure?
After you’ve answered all of these things and done some model research, you’re finally ready to walk in and buy that bike you’ve always dreamed of. Happy trails!
