So, you’ve realized that you love motorcycles and that you want to start riding. You’ve gotten your driver’s license and passed all of the necessary tests. You start looking at bikes to buy and you realize that the choice is simply overwhelming. Where do you begin?
We completely understand you. This is a gross overgeneralization, but there are two types of riders out there – those who know their bikes well and those who have no idea what they’re doing. Assuming that you are in the second group, we’re writing a guide to show you where to begin and how to choose the right motorcycle for you.
Why Do You Need a Bike?
This is the first question that you should ask yourself when you decide to get a bike. You need to know the exact purpose and what the bike will be used for. There are many different types of bikes out there, so getting a wrong one would make for a really unpleasant experience down the road.
It’s definitely a bad idea to get a 2000cc monster when a tiny 50cc scooter is better suited for your city-dwelling needs. Moreover, if you’re planning to ride across the country or enter Paris-Dakar rally, that little 50cc scooter will not do the deed.
Learn About Different Types of Bikes
If you are still unsure of what you will use your bike for, a good place to start is to learn all you can about different types of bikes. This will give you a good idea of what is possible to do on a motorcycle and maybe give you some ideas about how you would like to spend your biking time.
The most popular types of bikes are small scooters, cruisers, touring bikes, ADVs, sports bikes, naked bikes, off-road bikes, and so on.
Take Small Steps and Know Your Limits
It is probably not a very good idea for your first bike to be a large and powerful sports bike. First of all, you need experience and the confidence to ride it safely and avoid being hurt. Secondly, these bikes are very expensive to maintain and the insurance premiums are usually much higher for these types of bikes.
Moreover, many insurance companies completely refuse to provide insurance to novice riders who bought a sports bike as their first bike. You need to have track records on smaller bikes first.
Set a Budget
Another good course of action to choose the best bike for yourself is to set a budget and buy something within that budget . Motorcycles can cost several hundred dollars or they can cost tens of thousands of dollars. It’s up to you how much you want to spend.
However, if you are buying your first bike, it is best to remain frugal and buy a cheaper bike first. Many experienced riders advise on buying a used bike first, which we agree is a good idea.