How to Buy Your First Motorcycle:
A Beginner’s Guide
Buying your first motorcycle can be an exciting and rewarding experience, but it also can be daunting and overwhelming. Considering all the factors, such as your budget, your riding style, your skill level, your safety, and your comfort, how do you know which bike is right for you? How do you prepare for your adventures and avoid making costly mistakes? Below is some advice from experts and experienced riders on how to buy your first motorcycle can help.
- Do Your Research
Before you even set foot in a showroom or browse online listings, you need to do some homework— try to have a clear idea of what kind of motorcycle you want, what kind of riding you plan to do, and what kind of features and specifications you need.
You also need to know what kind of motorcycles are available on the market, how much they cost, and their pros and cons.
One way to do your research is to use online resources, such as websites, blogs, forums, reviews, videos, and podcasts that focus on motorcycles. There is lots to learn from the opinions and experiences of other riders who have been in your shoes before. You also can compare different models and brands, and see what they look like and how they perform.
Another way to do your research is to talk to experienced riders who know motorcycles, such as friends, family members, co-workers, or instructors. Experience can give valuable insights and tips on what to look for and what to avoid when buying your first motorcycle. Other riders also can recommend some good dealerships or sellers that they trust or have dealt with before.
You also need to know what kind of motorcycles are available on the market, how much they cost, and their pros and cons.
One way to do your research is to use online resources, such as websites, blogs, forums, reviews, videos, and podcasts that focus on motorcycles. There is lots to learn from the opinions and experiences of other riders who have been in your shoes before. You also can compare different models and brands, and see what they look like and how they perform.
Another way to do your research is to talk to experienced riders who know motorcycles, such as friends, family members, co-workers, or instructors. Experience can give valuable insights and tips on what to look for and what to avoid when buying your first motorcycle. Other riders also can recommend some good dealerships or sellers that they trust or have dealt with before.
- Take a Safety Course
Before you buy your first motorcycle, you should take a safety course that teaches you the basics of riding a motorcycle, such as how to operate the controls, how to balance, how to steer, how to brake, how to shift gears, how to turn, how to park, and how to deal with traffic and road hazards. A safety course will not only help you learn how to ride a motorcycle safely and confidently, but it will also help you decide what kind of motorcycle suits you best.
There are many organizations that offer safety courses for beginners, such as the Motorcycle Safety Foundation (MSF) in the United States, the Canada Safety Council (CSC) in Canada, or the Motorcycle Industry Association (MCIA) in the United Kingdom. These courses usually last for a few hours or days, and they provide both classroom instruction and practical training on a closed course with certified instructors. Some courses even provide motorcycles for you to use during the training.
Taking a safety course will not only make you a better rider, but it will also make you eligible for some benefits, such as discounts on insurance premiums, waivers on licensing tests, or credits on motorcycle purchases.
- Choose the Right Bike for You
One of the most important decisions you will make when buying your first motorcycle is choosing the right bike for you. There is no one answer to this question, as different bikes have different characteristics, advantages, and disadvantages. However, there are some general guidelines that can help you narrow down your options.
First, you need to consider your riding purpose. What kind of riding do you plan to do? Do you want to commute in the city? Do you want to cruise on the highway? Do you want to explore off-road trails? Do you want to race on the track? Depending on your answer, you may want to look for different types of motorcycles, such as standard bikes, cruiser bikes, sport bikes, touring bikes, dual-sport bikes, or dirt bikes.
Second, you need to consider your riding ability. How experienced are you with riding a motorcycle? How confident are you with handling a bike? How comfortable are you with speed and power? You may want to look for different levels of performance and difficulty in motorcycles. Generally speaking, beginners should look for bikes that are easy to control, maneuverable, forgiving, and not too powerful or heavy.
Third, you need to consider your physical fit. How tall are you? How much do you weigh? How long are your arms and legs? Depending on your answer, you may want to look for different sizes and shapes of motorcycles. Look for bikes that fit your body well, allowing you to reach the ground with both feet, reach the handlebars comfortably, and position yourself properly on the seat.
Finally, you need to consider your personal preference. What kind of style do you like? What kind of features do you want? What kind of color do you prefer? Different bikes have different aesthetics and accessories. You should look for bikes that appeal to your taste and personality, making you feel happy and proud to ride them.
- Choose Used or New
Another important decision you will make when buying your first motorcycle is whether to buy a used or a new bike. There are pros and cons to both options, and you need to weigh them carefully before making your choice.
Buying a used bike can save you money, as used bikes are usually cheaper than new bikes. There are good deals to be found on used bikes that are in good condition, have low mileage, or have some upgrades or extras. However, buying a used bike also involves some risks, such as hidden damages, mechanical problems, legal issues, or scams. Be careful and diligent when inspecting and testing a used bike, checking its history and documents, and negotiating with the seller.
Buying a new bike can give you peace of mind, as new bikes are usually in perfect condition, have warranty coverage, and have no previous owners or history. You also can customize a new bike to your liking, choosing the model, color, features, and accessories that you want. However, buying a new bike also involves some costs, such as higher price, depreciation, taxes, fees, and insurance. Be prepared and realistic when budgeting and financing a new bike, considering your income and expenses.
- Shop Around
Once you have decided what kind of motorcycle you want and whether you want to buy a used or a new one, shop around for the best deal by comparing different sources, prices, and offers from different dealerships or sellers, then negotiating for the best terms and conditions.
One way to shop around is to use online platforms, such as websites, apps, or social media that list motorcycles for sale. You can easily browse through hundreds or thousands of listings from different sellers, filter them by various criteria, such as location, price, mileage, year, make, model, etc., and contact the sellers directly. There are also online tools available, such as calculators, guides, or reviews that help you estimate the value of a motorcycle, evaluate its condition, or compare its features.
Another way to shop around is to visit physical locations, such as showrooms, garages, or private homes that display motorcycles for sale. Visiting makes it possible to see and touch the bikes in person, ask questions to the sellers face-to-face, and test ride the bikes on the road. You also can use physical tools, such as inspection checklists, test ride tips, or negotiation strategies that help you examine the quality of a motorcycle, assess its performance, or bargain for the best price.
Buying your first motorcycle can be a fun and fulfilling process. By doing your research, taking a safety course, choosing the right bike for you, buying used or new, and shopping around, you can find the perfect motorcycle for your needs, preferences, and budget. Being prepared also helps avoid some common mistakes and pitfalls that could ruin your experience or cost you money.
Remember, your first motorcycle is not your last motorcycle— this is just the beginning of your journey as a rider. You will learn a lot from it, grow with it, and eventually move on to another one. So don’t worry too much about making the perfect choice, and just enjoy the ride.
We at the Herd Law Firm, PLLC, are drivers and motorcycle riders, too! We support drivers, bikers and motorcyclists injured on the road, and have successfully represented such victims seeking the assistance and compensation they so need and deserve.
7/18/2023
