What motorbike should I buy and how to choose the right motorcycle for me

What motorbike should I buy? There are so many choices, so many styles, so many colors, it could make a prospective buyer’s head spin.

Fortunately, there are ways in which to cut down on the choices and make an educated and thoughtful purchase for what you need out of a new motorcycle. We’ll take a look at questions you should pose to yourself before you buy, such as what type of bike will fit you the best and what you’ll need after the purchase.

Questions to Ask Yourself Before A Purchase

• Do I know how to ride a motorcycle?

• How much am I looking to spend?

• Do I really need a new bike?

• What type of bike am I looking for, i.e.: a traditional bike, a sportbike, touring bike, etc.

• What will my state require in the way of licensing? Am I old enough?

• Have you gotten a DUI in the past?

• Do you have insurance? Can you afford to actually insure the bike you’d like to purchase?

There are important first questions to answer before you look any further into a motorcycle purchase, like do you know how to ride a bike? With that being said, the Motorcycle Safety Foundation is a good first step toward learning how to ride. They offer courses for beginners and experienced riders alike.

What’s great about this learning process is you’ll be able to learn on their motorcycles and with their helmets as well. While completing the course — and in most states — you’ll also be gaining your motorcycle license to boot. You won’t need to set foot in the overcrowded DMV with a line that moves slower than molasses. It’s a win-win.

What Type of Motorcycle Should I Purchase?

This, my friend, is the eternal question. There are so many choices, not the least of which starts with monetary concerns. What can I actually afford? Do I really need a new bike or will a used one work just as well for me? Do I know how to work on a bike? What type of body type looks good to me and where do I start? Here are some ideas for prospective buyers:

• A standard bike can give you a vehicle that will be there for daily use and will hold up; this can be your main vehicle for work, school, etc.

• A cruiser offers the rider a little bit more style as it evokes a feel of motorcycles from the 1930s to the 1960s

• A touring bike will be for those looking to spend long hours on it, with a passenger there behind them to enjoy the scenery and freedom of long rides

• A sportbike will be for those who’ve seen too many Fast and Furious movies and want to reenact scenes from the movies (We kid, but it is for those riders who have experience enough to understand the speed of the vehicles and the handling.)

And these are just a few of the choices, with other hybrid motorcycles out there as well. When perusing the shop, try and sit on the motorcycle. If you can’t put your feet on the ground with the vehicle upright, it’s too tall for you as a rider. Move on.

Where Do I Start Looking for the Vehicle and What Will I Need?

Like most things, the Internet can be a great place to start in order to research, begin to understand different makes and models, as well as find low prices, what colors you like the best, and general reviews of specific models that interest you.

In addition to the motorcycle, you’ll need a helmet, rain suit, gloves, jacket, and even some eye wear. Don’t go cheap on these things as they are and will be your protection in case something ever happens when out for a ride. When asking yourself what motorbike should I buy, don’t be afraid to look into used models.

For more information on buying used, head over to Sound Rider and Popular Mechanics.

Resources:

Motorcycle.com: Buying a Motorcycle for the Compulsive or Impulsive – Part 1

Popular Mechanics: How To Buy A Motorcycle.

Above photo attributed to Brady O’Brien