Nobody really has to buy a motorcycle. But these days plenty of people
want to. And you may be one of them. Before you throw down your money,
swing your leg over the seat, feel that warm breeze of freedom, you
need to address a few critical issues.
Am I an experienced rider?
Riding a motorcycle is undeniably fun. But it is dangerous. Therefore, before you even consider buying any kind of
motorcycle, assess your skills and abilities. If you're a rank novice,
you need to learn how to ride. If you've been away from motorcycling for
a while, you should take a refresher course. And if you don't already
have a motorcycle license, you're going to need one to ride legally. The
best course of action is to go to a riding school. Look one up on the internet that is near you. There are plenty to choose from.
How do I intend to ride?
The kind of riding you're interested in should dictate the type of
bike to shop for. The type of bike you ride largely
defines your motorcycling world and lifestyle. So, besides selecting
the motorcycle based on its mechanical and performance attributes,
consider what circles you'll likely be riding in—so to speak. If you
don't think of yourself as a racer or a biker in the Wild One vein, and
you would be comfortable at, say, an Eagles reunion concert, consider a
traditional bike. People attracted to sportbikes, on the other hand,
tend to indulge in extreme activities—think The Fast and the Furious,
only on two wheels. If you want to hang with the hip-hop crowd, maybe
you're a sportbike candidate. Folks who enjoy the touring lifestyle tend
to be older—often they're retirees—and are in no kind of hurry when
they watch the scenery go by on all sides. If an RV lifestyle or dinner
theater appeals to you, so might a touring bike. But if you want to put
some adventure into a long daily commute, you may be cruiser-bike
material.
How much should I spend?
It's a discretionary purchase. Depending
on the type of motorcycle you choose, you can expect to pay anywhere
from under $5000 to $25,000 for a new bike. Also look into insurance costs as well as maintenance costs.
Do I really need a new bike?
For many riders, a used motorcycle is a better option. Besides being
more affordable than a new bike, a used one is a sensible transitional
machine. You may find that the bike you bought to get you back in the
game is somehow lacking after you've spent some serious time on it. And
the reality is, sooner or later your first motorcycle is going to hit
the pavement. There's no reason that the bike you ding up needs to be an
expensive one right out of the crate. Give yourself a few months to get
comfortable—then you'll be more than ready for a new set of wheels.
Is this the bike for me?
As you shop, consider your body type: If you cannot put both feet flat
on the ground when the bike is upright, it's too tall for you. IF your not comfortable sitting on the bike at the dealership, do you think your going to be anymore comfortable riding it?
Also, if this is your first bike don't bother even looking at a high-performance bike.
That said, if you see yourself using the bike primarily as daily
transportation, consider a standard, or traditional, bike. If you used
to ride years ago, these will look familiar, but feel better thanks to
electric starters, fuel injection and disc brakes. If your commute is a
long one, you typically do it with a passenger and you want a bit more
style, the next logical choice is a cruiser. If you intend to spend many
hours and miles in the saddle with a passenger sitting behind you, you
need a touring bike. For a little more performance in a touring bike,
there's a subset called sport/touring. If you primarily want to
straighten curvy roads, your needs will be best met with a sportbike. If
you want a basic commuter that can keep going when the pavement
doesn't, look at a dual-purpose bike: a standard bike with extra ground
clearance and knobby tires.
What else do I need?
Before you start riding, you'll require a helmet, jacket, gloves, boots,
rain suit and, possibly, dedicated eyewear—especially if you wear
glasses. Don't skimp when you buy your riding outfit: Should you ever
need it, it's all there is between you and the hard, coarse pavement. Dress for the crash not the ride.
Buy a helmet that meets both DOT (Department of Transportation) and
Snell Memorial Foundation's current safety standards, nothing less.
Then, after you're fully trained and equipped, prepare for adversity.
Expose yourself to what you're bound to face eventually when riding in a
safe and controlled environment. While you may never intend to ride in
the rain, sooner or later you're going to get caught in a shower. Go to
an empty parking lot or deserted stretch of road on a rainy morning to
get yourself used to the feel of wet pavement and how the bike reacts to
braking, accelerating and swerving in the wet. These are skills you
don't want to have to learn on the job.
BUYING USED: -
Whether you buy a used motorcycle from a dealer or an individual,
compare the odometer reading with the condition of the bike. Does it
look right? Ask to see the maintenance and service records and receipts.
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Look for rust and scratches on the bodywork, tank and fenders. Inspect
the footpegs for wear: Worn on top means lots of miles. Worn on the
bottom means a rider leaning over too far in corners.
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A cracked or weather-beaten seat and faded, oxidized paint means the bike has seen a hard life.
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Check for new or aftermarket parts that have obviously replaced broken
ones. Specifically, check the footpegs, mirrors, handlebar grips, and
brake and clutch levers.
- Inspect the engine and transmission cases for oil seepage, weeping and leaks.
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The chain should be clean and tight, with about an inch of slack
measured halfway between the sprockets on the bottom run. A rusty or
grime-caked chain indicates lack of maintenance.
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Brake discs should be smooth, clean and not blue—a sign of dragging/overheating brakes. Examine the tires for signs of abuse.
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The bike should start easily and may initially emit a little smoke on a
cold startup. If it's hard to start or billows clouds of
smoke—especially blue smoke—beware.