Choosing your first motorcycle can be a difficult task. There are so many styles and brands to choose from that you really need to narrow your choices in order to make the decision that's right for you. To do this, we've put this helpful guide together to get you on your way.
Before you start hitting the shops and choosing your first motorcycle, let me remind you first to get the two most essential things - a motorcycle license and insurance.
Once you've made sure that you've availed yourself of these essentials, you can start picking out your motorcycle soul mate that you've been searching for a long time. Yes, it is true that with the wide range of motorcycle designs, specs, and features there is really one that is just right for you. It is just a matter of knowing what you want and making sure it fits your requirements.
Of course, it is no question that the first thing one would look in a motorcycle is its price. The price will depend mostly on the engine size that you want. There are engine sizes as small as 50cc and as large as 1800cc. Obviously, the bigger it is, the more power it has, and the higher the price tag it will most likely have.
What is important though, again, is that you know what you need. You need not purchase a motorcycle that's 1800cc or close to 1800cc when you know for a fact that you are not a heavy rider.
Below is a simple reference that will help you decide on what engine size to choose for a motorcycle:
1. For a 250cc and below engine size, these are considered small and light motorcycles.
2. For above 250cc but not more than 650cc, these are considered mid-ranges, or something between light to heavy riding like the big boys.
3. For 650cc up to 11000cc, these are already considered for the big boys.
4. For 1200cc and above, these are for the highly experienced bike riders.
Learning to ride on a scooter helps a beginner learn how to ride motorcycles. Balance, confidence and experience are the key to learning the basics. Once these have been established, knowing the technical side of motorcycles would be the next stop.
Another thing to consider when choosing your motorcycle is your seating comfort. The height of the motorcycle's seat should be just right for you so that you're still able to touch the ground with both feet. Basically what's important is that you get the "feel" of the motorcycle and make sure that you're comfortable when you ride it.
Below is a useful checklist that you can refer to when picking out your motorcycle:
1. Check that the levers and pedals are in good condition. They should be crack-free and with bends that are firmly attached.
2. Make sure that the handle bars are solid, straight, and evenly spaced.
3. Check the suspension. You can test this by pulling on the front brake then pushing down on the handle bars. The fork's suspension should smoothly glide up and down.
4. Make sure that all switches and lights function correctly.
Above all, make sure you like the bike you're buying! At the end of the day, it's really about you and what you're happy with.
Kevin is a long-time bike lover and knows not only the importance of buying the right bike, but is also an expert on the technical aspects of motorcycle maintenance. He's written extensively on topics like spark plug cross reference charts and has a good understanding of individual brands like NGK spark plugs. Follow Kevin for more high-octane articles.
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