You went through all the necessary motorcycle training, and now you're ready to buy a motorcycle of your own. Here are some tips and guidelines to help you choose a motorcycle that's right for you. Buying a motorcycle usually takes a bit of looking around and searching before you settle on a model that is perfect for you. Needless to say, there are so many brands and model types these days that it can be bewildering for first-time purchasers.
Of course, first you want to determine what kind of riding you want to do, and consider your experience level when deciding on what type of motorcycle to buy. There are basic motorcycle designations depending on the design and purpose of a specific motorcycle. If you want to go fast, of course you want to consider a sport bike. If you want to take long leisurely trips on your motorcycle, you want to get a touring motorcycle or a cruiser. Then there are those motorcycles that were built to be ridden off the road, dirt bikes, and then there are race replicas, motorcycles that were designed mainly for competition racing on the track.
If you are a beginner motorcycle rider, it's highly advisable that you start out with a lower powered motorcycle that is preferably used. This is because most beginning motorcycle riders drop their motorcycle within the first few weeks of riding, and it's heartbreaking if you do that with a brand new motorcycle. Even if you are experienced and have quite a bit of riding under your belt, it may still be advisable that you get a used motorcycle, because the cost savings are enormous.
Now, you do want to make sure the motorcycle fits your height and frame properly. It may be difficult for younger and smaller riders, such as women, to feel comfortable on taller motorcycles such as sport bikes, which have a higher center of gravity. Alternatively, cruisers are often lower in the seat and have a lower center of gravity, so they are easier to balance. The ideal way to find out if a motorcycle fits your body well is to actually go and sit on one at the showroom floor. You don't have to be able to place both feet completely flat on the ground while you're sitting on the motorcycle--this is called flat footing--but it will give you greater peace of mind if you're just starting out in motorcycling.
Of course, first you want to determine what kind of riding you want to do, and consider your experience level when deciding on what type of motorcycle to buy. There are basic motorcycle designations depending on the design and purpose of a specific motorcycle. If you want to go fast, of course you want to consider a sport bike. If you want to take long leisurely trips on your motorcycle, you want to get a touring motorcycle or a cruiser. Then there are those motorcycles that were built to be ridden off the road, dirt bikes, and then there are race replicas, motorcycles that were designed mainly for competition racing on the track.
If you are a beginner motorcycle rider, it's highly advisable that you start out with a lower powered motorcycle that is preferably used. This is because most beginning motorcycle riders drop their motorcycle within the first few weeks of riding, and it's heartbreaking if you do that with a brand new motorcycle. Even if you are experienced and have quite a bit of riding under your belt, it may still be advisable that you get a used motorcycle, because the cost savings are enormous.
Now, you do want to make sure the motorcycle fits your height and frame properly. It may be difficult for younger and smaller riders, such as women, to feel comfortable on taller motorcycles such as sport bikes, which have a higher center of gravity. Alternatively, cruisers are often lower in the seat and have a lower center of gravity, so they are easier to balance. The ideal way to find out if a motorcycle fits your body well is to actually go and sit on one at the showroom floor. You don't have to be able to place both feet completely flat on the ground while you're sitting on the motorcycle--this is called flat footing--but it will give you greater peace of mind if you're just starting out in motorcycling.