Whether you have been learning to ride for a long time or it has always been a long-held ambition of yours, choosing your first motorcycle is an important decision, and you certainly want to do everything that you can to get it right. The following blog post is all about the ways in which you can do this successfully. There are a number of different considerations that you need to make, including the engine size, whether you want to ride a manual or an automatic bike, a new or used one, and so on. Let’s take each one of these points in turn.
Engine Size
The size of the engine is the first important consideration that you need to make. Of course, this may be limited depending on what type of license you have passed. The choice for beginners tends to be between the 50cc engines that are common in mopeds to 125cc motorcycle engines. Once you become more experienced, you can then start to consider the bigger engine sizes.
There are obvious pros and cons involved in each engine size. Smaller engines give a higher level of fuel efficiency, which means that you are able to keep on going for a longer period of time. Smaller engines also mean a lower price in terms of your insurance premiums, and your upfront costs are going to be lower. On the negative side of things, smaller engines mean less power, which is a problem if you are planning on heading out on some longer adventures.
Manual or Automatic
Your next main consideration is whether you are going to be investing in a manual or an automatic bike. Ultimately, if you have any experience of riding either, this could well make an impact. If you have learned to ride a geared bike, it is not such a problem to make the transition. If you are mainly riding around areas that are busy and congested, it is more likely that an automatic bike is going to be the sensible option.
New or Used
Again, there are advantages and disadvantages involved in both options. As a new rider, you are more likely to become involved in an accident, which may be shifting your decision towards getting a used bike. If you research the bike well and ensure that you buy from an accredited seller, you can find some real bargains that are not going to perform any worse. You may even want to look into motorcycle shipping – you can learn more about it here. On the other hand, it is certainly worth considering the benefits that a new bike brings you. First of all, this means a manufacturer’s warranty in case anything goes wrong with your bike along the way. Also, there is the sheer visual appeal of a brand-new motorbike. No matter which one you go for, you should size up the different manufacturers well.
Size of the Bike
The size of the bike is going to have an impact as you want it to fit your body type as well as possible. For example, if you are especially tall in height, it makes sense that you go for a bike with a higher saddle height than normal. After all, your comfort is also important for your overall safety when you are out on the open road. It is also worth checking out bike lengths and weights. If you can get out into a bike showroom, this is certainly going to help out a lot. While you can do all the reading in the world online, you cannot get a true sense of what a bike actually feels like underneath you.
Your Normal Routes
As well as matching the bike to your own body type, you should also think about the routes that you normally take on a regular basis. For example, if you are regularly going to be stuck in traffic, a bigger engine may not do you much good at all. However, if you are often out on the rural roads, it may simply make more sense for you to have that extra horsepower. A smaller and nippier bike may also be a better choice for those city riders. Where you can obtain local servicing may also have an impact on your overall decision-making process.
Personal Preferences
Finally, beyond all of the practical considerations that we have already discussed, you also need to think of your personal preferences too. Some bikes just strike you better – whether this is due to the color scheme, manufacturer, or simply the overall style. Ultimately, the more bikes you look at, the more likely it is that you are going to be able to make an informed choice.
Hopefully, this guide has given you a helping hand in choosing your first bike.
