5 Things to Consider Before Purchasing Your First Motorcycle

There is something undeniably alluring about the loud roar or vroom of a motorcycle. This is just one of the reasons you may want to get a motorcycle. When it comes to buying a motorcycle, there are a number of important considerations to make – and when you are buying your very first motorcycle, making these considerations is even more important. The last thing you want is to wind up with a motorcycle that isn’t right for a first time rider. Here are five things to consider before purchasing your first motorcycle.

  1. Should I purchase a new or used motorcycle? This is a good question, because it can be hard to know whether you should make a big investment in a starter motorcycle. The general rule of thumb is that you should never spend a lot of money on a first time vehicle. You could damage your new bike with drops, dings and crashes. So, for this reason, you may want to think about purchasing a used bike. When you are ready, you can head to a dealership, like Harley Davidson, and purchase a brand new motorcycle.
  2. What kind of motorcycle should I get? This depends – are your riding a bike for the sake of getting to work in the morning or are you going to be taking your bike off-roading? These two very disparate purposes will determine what type of motorcycle you should get. If you simply want a commuter bike, you should get something dependable and not too sporty. If you plan on going off-roading, you may want to think about getting a dirt bike.
  3. How do I know what size motorcycle I should get? Typically, you want to try out different motorcycles to find your perfect fit. Shopping for a motorcycle is – in one regard – a little bit like shopping for a pair a pants, especially when it comes to finding a motorcycle that is not only comfortable, but also that you look good riding. While you want to make sure your feet are firmly touching the ground – you also want to make sure that the steering bars aren’t too high either
  4. What if I don’t have a lot of money? Figuring out your budget is crucial, because you don’t want to skimp on your first motorcycle. If you can’t get on a payment plan, you may want to think about waiting a while until you have enough money to purchase your first motorcycle. You also have to factor in insurance and motorcycle gear, like helmets and wind resistant attire.
  5. Should I get something custom or should I leave my bike be? When purchasing your first motorcycle, you probably don’t want to get anything customized just yet. You should first purchase a bike that you are comfortable with. After you ride for a few years and become a little more accustomed to riding a motorcycle, you can then think about customizing your bike. In the end, you simply want to become a good motorcycle rider before you get a more advanced bike.