So... What Bike To Buy?
So, you are ready to purchase your first bike.
If you ask ten different people as to what you should buy for your first bike, you will probably get 10 different answers. While many of the answers will slant toward favourite motorcycle manufacturers based on one’s own personal preference (or effects of mass advertising), you can almost bet that the majority will also suggest to you to "go big or stay home". This seems to be a North America phenomenon. In my opinion, as a motorcycle trainer, nothing could be further from the truth. If big bore bikes were for everyone, why wouldn't manufacturers just produce these bikes, and not bother with "the small stuff"?
Let's take a look at some thoughts to think about.
1. You Don't Have A License -Don't have your license but want to buy a bike before hand to be ready when you do? Too often I see new would be riders come into our courses having already purchased a new or used bike with the expectation they will get their license and enjoy the experience. However, a number of these potential riders fail to successfully complete the course or find out the hard way that motorcycles are not for them. As we tell all our students, "Motorcycling is not for everyone". Now, you have a machine that you cannot ride because you do not have a license, or do not wish to ride because motorcycling is not for you. That translates into a lot of money tied up in a lawn ornament (although you could sell the bike but more than likely will take a loss on it from what you paid)
2. You just got your license and are raring to go. You learned on a small, light-weight and maneuverable training bike (or a borrowed bike) and now want to feel the open road and wind-in-your-face sort of experience. But wait, the bike you are being told is right for you (usually by other riders who have experience and may have forgot what it is like to be a "newbie") weighs a great deal more, the engine is far more powerful, and it doesn't handle at all to what you are used to. As a matter of fact, you are uncomfortable and almost afraid to ride. This does nothing for your confidence or for improving your skills, or making you a more competent rider. Instead of being pressured into buying a bike that is too large for you, do your research and take your time at looking, and sitting on, bikes that are of a smaller cc size and lighter and easy to handle. A bike that makes you feel comfortable and wanting to ride.
3. Remember, the bike has to fit you, not the other way around. You think you have found the bike of your dreams (or wallet !). When you sit on it, you find that it is the right size but you do not feel totally comfortable on it. That will not change! If it doesn't feel right, chances are it will not later on either. if your legs are cramped, it feels that you are stretching too far (a great way to get a stiff neck, shoulder blade pull, or headache), legs are too far forward (putting additional pressure on the spine making you susceptible to lower back pain), handle bars too low (hard on wrists and shoulders), handle bars very narrow (makes slow speed control harder), or bars too wide (causes you to stretch to make most turns or offers no bending of the elbows while you sit in the saddle), just to name a few items, walk away from the purchase. if you are purchasing from a dealer, the sales staff should let you sit on the bike, with your gear on, and measure you to see if the bike fits you. If the sales staff does not know how to do this, say "see ya"!
4. Options- what do you really want to do with this bike? Do you hope to travel long distances in a day or several days? Do you want saddlebags or panniers on your bike to carry cargo? Passengers - yes or no (suggest you get comfortable with riding before putting someone else in your hands). These all have to be taken into consideration
5. Beginner Bikes - Having looked at the before mentioned suggestions, you should be prepared to make a purchase that is of a short term "beginner", (and hopefully not expensive one) and not make a "one size fits all" purchase. Start with a smaller cc size that allows you to become a more competent and confident rider. a bike that allows you to improve your skill set and the "feel good" aspect of riding. Then, when you are ready, move up ( or move over) to the bike that meets your needs. Bigger is not always better, and the bikes looks are "not all that" either. You want a bike that meets your needs and wishes, and your budget's (not of those around you), regardless of style or size, is where you should go.
After all, it is your money, and your riding pleasure at stake. Think long and hard with your head, not your heart (or someone else's). Do your research. Ask others but also research the prospective bike you are looking at for overall costs, maintenance, reliability, and resale value down the road. There are many good sites out there that will help. You want your beginning riding experiences to be good ones, so take the time to make the best decision for you.
If you ask ten different people as to what you should buy for your first bike, you will probably get 10 different answers. While many of the answers will slant toward favourite motorcycle manufacturers based on one’s own personal preference (or effects of mass advertising), you can almost bet that the majority will also suggest to you to "go big or stay home". This seems to be a North America phenomenon. In my opinion, as a motorcycle trainer, nothing could be further from the truth. If big bore bikes were for everyone, why wouldn't manufacturers just produce these bikes, and not bother with "the small stuff"?
Let's take a look at some thoughts to think about.
1. You Don't Have A License -Don't have your license but want to buy a bike before hand to be ready when you do? Too often I see new would be riders come into our courses having already purchased a new or used bike with the expectation they will get their license and enjoy the experience. However, a number of these potential riders fail to successfully complete the course or find out the hard way that motorcycles are not for them. As we tell all our students, "Motorcycling is not for everyone". Now, you have a machine that you cannot ride because you do not have a license, or do not wish to ride because motorcycling is not for you. That translates into a lot of money tied up in a lawn ornament (although you could sell the bike but more than likely will take a loss on it from what you paid)
2. You just got your license and are raring to go. You learned on a small, light-weight and maneuverable training bike (or a borrowed bike) and now want to feel the open road and wind-in-your-face sort of experience. But wait, the bike you are being told is right for you (usually by other riders who have experience and may have forgot what it is like to be a "newbie") weighs a great deal more, the engine is far more powerful, and it doesn't handle at all to what you are used to. As a matter of fact, you are uncomfortable and almost afraid to ride. This does nothing for your confidence or for improving your skills, or making you a more competent rider. Instead of being pressured into buying a bike that is too large for you, do your research and take your time at looking, and sitting on, bikes that are of a smaller cc size and lighter and easy to handle. A bike that makes you feel comfortable and wanting to ride.
3. Remember, the bike has to fit you, not the other way around. You think you have found the bike of your dreams (or wallet !). When you sit on it, you find that it is the right size but you do not feel totally comfortable on it. That will not change! If it doesn't feel right, chances are it will not later on either. if your legs are cramped, it feels that you are stretching too far (a great way to get a stiff neck, shoulder blade pull, or headache), legs are too far forward (putting additional pressure on the spine making you susceptible to lower back pain), handle bars too low (hard on wrists and shoulders), handle bars very narrow (makes slow speed control harder), or bars too wide (causes you to stretch to make most turns or offers no bending of the elbows while you sit in the saddle), just to name a few items, walk away from the purchase. if you are purchasing from a dealer, the sales staff should let you sit on the bike, with your gear on, and measure you to see if the bike fits you. If the sales staff does not know how to do this, say "see ya"!
4. Options- what do you really want to do with this bike? Do you hope to travel long distances in a day or several days? Do you want saddlebags or panniers on your bike to carry cargo? Passengers - yes or no (suggest you get comfortable with riding before putting someone else in your hands). These all have to be taken into consideration
5. Beginner Bikes - Having looked at the before mentioned suggestions, you should be prepared to make a purchase that is of a short term "beginner", (and hopefully not expensive one) and not make a "one size fits all" purchase. Start with a smaller cc size that allows you to become a more competent and confident rider. a bike that allows you to improve your skill set and the "feel good" aspect of riding. Then, when you are ready, move up ( or move over) to the bike that meets your needs. Bigger is not always better, and the bikes looks are "not all that" either. You want a bike that meets your needs and wishes, and your budget's (not of those around you), regardless of style or size, is where you should go.
After all, it is your money, and your riding pleasure at stake. Think long and hard with your head, not your heart (or someone else's). Do your research. Ask others but also research the prospective bike you are looking at for overall costs, maintenance, reliability, and resale value down the road. There are many good sites out there that will help. You want your beginning riding experiences to be good ones, so take the time to make the best decision for you.