There aren’t many ways to get around that are as exciting or thrilling as a motorcycle. Almost as thrilling for beginners is making the decision to buy a motorcycle and starting the hunt for your first machine. It’s the beginning of a life full of exhilarating experiences, freedom, and lasting memories.
Whether you’re buying a motorcycle for commuting, adventure, or leisure rides on weekends, there are a whole host of beginner-friendly motorcycles in various styles to suit your needs as a new rider and also suit your style. When you’re just getting started, it’s easy to feel a little overwhelmed. There is so much information out there about brands, models, gear, displacement, options, and on, and on. Friends and strangers alike will have advice to offer. All of it well-intentioned but not necessarily helpful.
We have some motorcycle buying tips that will give you a starting point and make the process easier to navigate.
Should you buy a new or used motorcycle?
Buying a new bike may give you some piece of mind but purchasing a used motorcycle will be more cost effective. A new bike’s service history will begin with you, and you will know that it has never been dropped or crashed. There’s also a sense of pride and gratification that comes from buying the latest and greatest models if you can afford them!
Buying a used motorcycle can be a great way to get into riding without spending huge money. If you’re buying private, make sure you do the research on service and accident history. Buying used from a dealership can be a good way to go as they often certify the mechanicals and provide additional guarantees. Whether you buy privately or from a dealership, it’s a good idea to know what you’re looking for before bringing a bike home and if there are any mechanical or safety-related red flags.
What size motorcycle should you buy?
Size does matter! As a new rider, it is incredibly important to make sure you don’t buy more bike than you can handle. There are a wide variety of motorcycle options out there and you should look at engine size as well as the physical size.
Engine size can vary from 250cc all the way up to 2500cc. Take into account motorcycles you’ve ridden before and your experience level before you decide on an engine size. Hitting 1000cc is plenty powerful enough for most riders, and we suggest finding the smallest engine size that still fits your riding needs. If you buy a machine that is beyond your experience, you won’t grow into riding the way you dreamt about and will instead have to put all of your energy into controlling a too-powerful piece of machinery.
You should also consider the physical size of your bike and how your strength and stature compare. Your feet should reach the ground when straddling the motorcycle and you should be able to handle the weight of it as well. You should be able to push it around and keep it balanced, while the bike is in neutral.
What type of motorcycle should you buy?
Everyone has a type! There are many different makes, models, types, and styles of motorcycles and figuring out what’s best for you will vary depending on what your main type of riding is. Cruisers, sport bikes, and touring bikes are some of the most popular and common types of motorcycle.
Cruisers are one of the most common types of motorcycles. Built for solo riding or seating for two, cruisers have a more traditional look with a relaxed and upright riding position. When thinking about cruisers, bikes like the Honda Rebel or Harley-Davidson Sportster come to mind. Ranging from small displacement, single cylinder layouts to large displacement, multi-cylinder designs, these bikes are generally a little easier to handle than the sport bikes or touring bikes mentioned below. Cruisers are the perfect match for any rider looking to commute, cruise through town, or take short road trips.
Sport bikes take their inspiration from racing models and often have a sleeker look than the aforementioned cruisers. These have a lot of power and, therefore, require a lot of skill to handle safely. The Suzuki GSX-R, Kawasaki Ninja, and the Ducati Streetfighter are some widely-known sport bikes. These types of motorcycles are great for riders who want to accelerate quickly, have great maneuverability as they ride, and have shorter rides in mind!
Like grand touring cars, touring bikes are designed and built to comfortably cover longer distances. With larger displacements, these bikes are big, heavy, and more powerful than other styles - they may not be the best option for riders with limited experience. The Honda Gold Wing is probably the most well-known example of a touring bike. While any bike can come equipped with gadgets ( or have them added ) like navigation systems, stereos, and bluetooth-equipped interfaces, these are almost standard for luxury touring bikes. Touring bikes are a fantastic option for any rider looking to hit the road and stay cruising for extended periods of time.
There are many motorcycle types that we haven’ listed but we encourage you to research everything to find exactly what you want!
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Whether you are on a budget or money is no object; are a brand new rider or have years of experience; want the biggest you can find or something more manageable - buying a motorcycle should be a fun experience! In addition to the bike get yourself geared up with the other necessities as well like a helmet and the often-forgotten emergency kit .
