10 Tips for Buying Your First Motorcycle

 

Buying your first motorcycle can be an exhilarating experience, one that’s bound to completely change your life. Regardless of age, lifestyle, or how often they get to ride, few people regret deciding to purchase a motorcycle. That being said, many regret their choice of bike and certain other decisions, especially when it comes to first-time buyers.

 

What You Should Know Before Buying a Bike

 

To get the most out of your riding experience, you need to find the right bike right off the bat. With so many models on the market, choosing one isn’t easy. Hopefully, the following 10 tips will make the selection process a bit simpler and leave you better equipped to buy a motorcycle that will truly live up to your expectations.

 

• Consider Your Riding Style

 

One of the first and most important measures to take when purchasing your first motorcycle is determining which type you want. Do you plan to use your bike for daily commuting or casual weekend rides? Maybe you’re hoping for long road trips and visits to breathtaking sites across the country. Perhaps speed and agility are your main focus. Different bikes are designed for different purposes.

 

• Sport Bikes - Sport bikes are built for speed and performance. They’re not the most comfortable models available, but they can easily be maneuvered through dense traffic and hairpin turns. Popular sport bikes include the Honda CBR600 RR and the Harley-Davidson Sportster S.

 

• Touring Bikes - For long road trips, cruisers are often the best choice. They’re more comfortable than some other types of motorcycles, and they generally have more built-in storage for all your essentials. Honda Gold Wings, Indian Roadmasters, and Harley-Davidson’s Road Glide and Street Glide are highly sought-after touring models.

 

• Cruisers - If you plan to use your motorcycle as your primary vehicle, a cruiser is recommended. They’re great all-purpose bikes, and they offer both comfort and power. Though they can be ridden on extended trips, they’re best for fairly short rides. Yamaha V-Stars, Harley-Davidson’s Heritage Classics, and Kawasaki Vulcan 900s are a few of the popular cruisers.

 

• Adventure Bikes - For people who want the freedom to be able to ride the roads and take on rough trails on the same motorcycle, an adventure bike is a good choice. These motorcycles aren’t as comfortable as touring bikes, but they’re certainly versatile. Harley-Davidson’s Pan America 1250 and the Triumph Tiger 900 GT are a couple of examples of adventure bikes.

 

• Standard Motorcycles - Standard motorcycles aren’t quite as beefed up as their counterparts. They have a stripped-down appearance and offer moderate comfort. They don’t necessarily lack power, but there are definitely more aggressive options on the market. The Suzuki SV650 and Harley-Davidson Iron 883 are among the naked bikes available to potential buyers.

 

Those are some of the most common types of bikes. Each one has its place, but not all of them are right for everyone. Some bikes could even be considered crossover models because they offer the features of different categories of motorcycles. Think about your riding style and how you want to use your motorcycle to decide which type of bike would be most suitable.

 

• Size and Weight

 

Other important factors to consider when buying your first bike are size and weight. That applies to your own as well as those of different motorcycles. If you’re a shorter, more petite person, it’s best to choose a lightweight motorcycle with a low seat height. In the case of taller, heftier riders, heavier bikes with more power would be ideal. Again, there are numerous models in both categories and in between.

 

Reading about bikes’ dimensions and weights and actually experiencing them in person are completely different situations. You’ll need to visit a dealership in person to get a real feel for just how big and heavy a bike is. That’s the only way to determine if the bikes you’re considering are truly a good fit.

 

Seat Height

 

One of the most crucial measures here is ensuring your feet touch the ground when you’re on a bike. Sit on different bikes, and make sure you can plant both feet firmly on the ground. If not, you won’t be able to keep the motorcycle steady and stable when you’re stopped in traffic or trying to walk it into position. Of course, if sitting on a certain motorcycle makes you feel like you’re trying to ride a child’s bicycle, a larger one would be in order.

 

Weight

 

While you’re on the bike, rock it from one side to the other a few times. That’ll give you a good idea of how it might feel to manipulate it while riding. If your arms and legs quickly wear out, the bike is too heavy for you. On the other hand, if the bike wobbles around a little too easily, moving up to a larger, heavier model could work out in your favor. Roll the bike back and forth as well to give you an even better feel for its weight and how difficult it might be to control.

 

From another perspective, think about how much the bike squats when you sit on it. If it seems to strain a great deal under your weight, it’s probably not the right motorcycle for you. Even for new riders and first-time buyers, larger bikes are sometimes the better option.

 

Harley-Davidson’s Softail Deluxe and Yamaha’s YZF-R3 are a couple of bikes for smaller people whereas Harley’s Road King and Kawasaki’s Ninja ZX-6R are geared more toward larger riders. Dozens of models in all categories of motorcycles fall somewhere in the middle of the spectrum.

 

• Do You Want a New or Used Motorcycle?

 

Next, it’s time to decide whether you want to buy a new or used motorcycle. Obviously, new bikes will require more of an investment in terms of upfront costs and monthly payments. If you finance a new bike for a longer term, you’ll pay more in interest over time as well.

 

Used Harleys and other pre-owned bikes will typically cost less upfront. If you buy one from a dealership, you may be able to finance it for a shorter term. In turn, you’ll pay less interest in the long run. In the event you buy a used bike from an individual and financing isn’t an option, it’ll still be a bit easier on the wallet.

 

• Maintenance and Repairs

 

Aside from upfront costs, new motorcycles may require less maintenance and fewer repairs. At least, that’s the case until you put a number of miles on them. Used motorcycles may come with more maintenance and repair costs. If you find one in great condition that has been well maintained, though, you can still keep the cost of ownership at a minimum.

 

On the other hand, since new motorcycles tend to be equipped with more advanced technology, maintenance and repairs for them may require specialized knowledge and equipment. That means you may need professional intervention for upkeep and repairs. With an older bike, you may be able to handle routine maintenance and minor repairs on your own.

 

• Condition of the Bike

 

If you decide to purchase a used motorcycle, the condition of the bike should be considered. You may be able to find a bike that’s seen better days for less, but the cost of repairs to get it back to optimal condition will drive up the overall price. While you’ll likely pay more for a bike that has been taken care of, it won’t need as many expensive repairs.

 

When looking at used motorcycles, keep a few important points in mind. Look for cracks or dents in the bikes’ frames. Those are serious issues that could cost a lot to resolve. That’s also the case for rust. If a bike’s frame or body parts are eaten up with rust, it’s likely to need extensive and costly repairs.

 

Check for significant damage to the body parts, like the gas tank and fairings. Although cosmetic problems, like minor scratches and small dings, can be fixed fairly easily, major damage will cost more to repair. Also remember that serious dents and road rash could be signs that a bike has been in an accident, so it may need more in-depth attention than what you see on the surface.

 

Damage and wear aren’t necessarily reasons to decide against buying a motorcycle. They should be factored into the equation, though. Since they’ll bring about more out-of-pocket expenses for you to deal with, weigh the damage against the seller’s asking price. Consider negotiating the price or asking the seller to take care of the damage before you buy.

 

• Maintenance Records

 

When it comes to buying a used motorcycle from an individual, ask for service records. If the current owner has paperwork to prove the bike has been properly maintained, that can give you peace of mind that it’s worth the asking price. Not everyone keeps maintenance records, but it’s not really a good idea to simply take the seller on his or her word. When you buy a used motorcycle from a dealership, you’ll have added reassurance that it has passed their multi-point inspection and is truly roadworthy in their eyes as well as those of the bike’s manufacturer.

 

• Additional Ongoing Expenses

 

Don’t overlook other ongoing expenses, either. New motorcycles generally cost more to insure than older ones. In some instances, the model of the bike can influence your monthly premiums as well. Since you’re a first-time motorcycle owner, that could impact how much you’ll pay for insurance, too. Several factors enter the mix here. 

 

Additionally, taxes and registration often cost more for new motorcycles. Though the amount you’ll pay may decrease over time, those initial costs could really affect your budget for the first few years after you buy a motorcycle. There may not be much of a difference here overall, but finding out how much those aspects will cost before buying a motorcycle is advised. Comparing those expenses among different motorcycles could help you decide which one best meets your needs in terms of ongoing expenses.

 

• Documentation

 

Yet another aspect to keep in mind is proper documentation. If you’re buying a used bike from an individual, be sure to ask to see the motorcycle’s title. That serves as proof that the seller owns the bike and is legally allowed to sell it. It also tells you whether there’s an existing lien on the bike. If there’s no title, you could end up in a great deal of legal and financial trouble down the road.

 

At the very least, you’ll need to request a replacement title from the DMV. To get one, you’ll need your identification, the bike’s VIN, a bill of sale, and possibly additional documentation depending on where you live and other circumstances. You’ll have to pay the DMV’s duplicate title fee as well. Other expenses could also come into play just to get a title to be able to insure the bike, register it in your name, get a license plate, and operate it legally.

 

This isn’t usually a problem when you buy a motorcycle from a dealership. Still, a handful of people have faced title issues even when going through a dealer. As such, be sure the dealership you’re buying your bike from is a reputable one. Read online reviews, and check with the Better Business Bureau and other consumer advocates just to be on the safe side.

 

• Check the VIN

 

Even if a seller has a title, it’s a good idea to check the motorcycle’s VIN on your own. You can find numerous VIN checkers online, but some of them are more thorough than others. They can tell you if the bike has been in an accident, reported stolen, or involved in a major recall among other potential problems.

 

• Motorcycle Endorsement on Your Driver’s License

 

Finally, don’t forget that you need a Class M license to legally operate a motorcycle. Standard driver’s licenses don’t cover bikes. Though the steps for obtaining a Class M endorsement vary a bit from one state to the next, the basic process is universal. You’ll need to take a knowledge test and obtain your motorcycle learner’s permit. From there, you’ll have to pass the road test to get your Class M license.

 

Quite a few people have gotten into trouble because they didn’t realize their basic driver’s license didn’t qualify them to operate a bike. Consequences getting caught riding without a Class M license can include significant fines and even jail time. In some states, you could lose your bike as well. Before buying your first bike, be sure to go that extra mile and get a motorcycle endorsement on your driver’s license.

 

Making the Most of Your First Motorcycle

 

Buying your first motorcycle will transform your life. It’ll give you the freedom to enjoy the open road and eventually make you part of an elite brotherhood of fellow riders. Before making a purchase, though, you’ll need to keep these 10 tips in mind.

 

In general, find the right bike to fit you and your expectations. Be sure it’s in good condition and has the proper documentation. Consider both the cost of the bike itself and any long-term expenses that come along with it. Be sure to obtain your Class M endorsement, too. All these measures will allow you to make the most of the entire experience.