Buying the Right Bike

You’ve got your motorcycle license and you’re ready to get on the road, but you have to make the decision about what kind of bike you want to buy. There are so many brands and different models on the market that it’s hard to know which one to choose. You should base your decision on your own needs, your skill, and of course, the price. If you’re buying a new bike, depending on the model and the features it has, you could pay anywhere from $5,000 to $40,000, or more. In some ways it’s similar to buying a new car, and most motorcycle dealers will try to work out financing for you. Some people do prefer sport bike models for racing on tracks and for their superior handling characteristics at high speeds and in tight turns, while others prefer the touring style bikes for long, relaxing trips or when traveling with passengers.

The kind of riding you’re going to be doing will have an impact on the type of motorcycle you’re buying. Although you’ll want to choose a bike that performs well and is reliable, you should choose one based upon your ability and goals as a rider. The compact and small bikes will provide you with a good ride, and are very economical. You can travel a long distance before having to fill the gas tank. However, don’t plan on taking long road trips on compact and small bikes. If you aren’t going to be racing, or riding roads with lots of twists and turns, you probably want to choose a more traditional cruiser style. Some people do prefer sport bike models for racing on tracks and for their superior handling characteristics at high speeds and in tight turns, while others prefer the touring style bikes for long, relaxing trips or when traveling with passengers. You might go with a cruiser style if you’re going to be commuting on a daily basis and using your bike regularly. These bikes tend to be extremely versatile and can be used for long trips as well.

When you first start riding, you should begin by buying a smaller motorcycle that’s easy to control when you don’t have much experience. Through safety courses and practice, you need to learn to be a good rider and how to have total control over the bike rather than concerning yourself with a bigger, more expensive model. You may not realize just how much power a larger bike has until you start riding it. No matter your level of experience, take a rider course and practice with friends and alone. There are motorcycle safety training classes at every level.

You should also think about whether or not you actually need a new bike when you’re motorcycle shopping. If you’re a novice rider, or if you’ve been away from it for a long time, you may want to buy a used bike to start off with. It’s going to be a lot more affordable than a new motorcycle, and you might not have to deal with financing. A new model isn’t necessary if you’re planning to use the bike merely for commuting to save money. In fact, you’ll likely save 25 % -30 % or more buying used. Give yourself time to get accustomed to riding and if in a year or two you do decide that you want to splurge and take the plunge on a new bike, you’ll know by then if it’s the right decision.