There are about 600 million motorcycles driving around the world. If you have been thinking about buying a motorcycle, there are a few things you should know before you buy one and hit the road with the motorcycle crew. From motorcycle safety to tips for buying a motorcycle such as the styles and kinds that are out there, as well as what you want to keep in mind throughout the whole process, this guide has it all.
Ready to learn everything you need to know before you take that next step? Keep reading to learn more!
Think About Motorcycle Safety
Before you make your first motorcycle purchase, you need to be aware of motorcycle safety, as it is very different than the safety you know in terms of other vehicles such as cars.
To make sure that you are aware of all of the right safety tips when it comes to owning and driving a motorcycle, you should be sure to complete a Motorcycle Safety Foundation (MSF) course before you purchase the bike.
But why is this so important?
When you are on a motorcycle, you are extremely exposed. There are no doors, roof, or floor to protect you. Even if you are experienced with motorcycles, this doesn’t mean that fluke accidents can’t happen.
Not to mention, driving a motorcycle is a bit different than driving a normal car so it can take some getting used to.
It is best to be prepared and aware of everything before you buy the bike.
Consider the Type of Insurance You Want
Before you purchase the motorcycle, make sure that you have your insurance all squared away. When you drive off the lot with your new bike, you want to make sure that you are protected in case something happens.
Not only do you want to be protected with insurance on your motorcycle, but you also want to make sure that you understand the costs associated with insurance. You should factor this into the overall cost of the motorcycle as well so that you stay within your budget.
Additionally, not only is this something that you are going to want to have but you are also required to have motorcycle insurance in many states. This is because insurance helps to protect you from costs associated with injuries or property damage if it is your fault.
On your insurance policy, be sure that you have coverage for bodily injury liability and property damage liability.
Before you choose which insurance to use, make sure you shop around. You should get various quotes as well as read online reviews to make sure you pick the best option for yourself.
However, if you do find yourself in a motorcycle accident, you will want to contact an attorney. You should do this for a no contact motorcycle accident as well.
Find a Motorcycle That Fits
It’s convenient when cars come with adjustable seats, wheels, and mirrors. However, motorcycle bikes don’t come with that.
That is why it is important to make sure that you are getting a bike that fits you from the start.
To do so, you simply need to sit on a bunch of different motorcycles to determine which one feels right. Obviously, there are no measurements to go off. It’s all about feel.
There are also many different kinds of motorcycles that you can choose from. For instance, sports bikes and standard naked motorcycles are the most popular types of motorcycles out on the market.
But what are these?
Sports bikes are great if you want to ride at higher speeds. You lean forward because the handlebars are longer to reach. However, if you plan to be driving longer distances, this can irritate your back so keep this in mind.
Standard motorcycles are great for beginners. If you have never had a motorcycle before, this may be what you want to go with. You sit in a comfortable upright position without leaning too far forward.
Make sure to try a bunch of different bikes out to get the right feel. Part of this is also making sure that you do enough research beforehand as well.
You should be looking up various types of bikes, their prices, all about their history and any recalls, where and how to service them, and anything else that you want to know.
Learn More About the Bike
Once you choose a bike that you like, you have to consider a few different things before you bite the bullet and purchase it.
You need to think about the seat height and the bike weight.
If you are new to this side of the motor vehicle world, then you will most likely want to be able to plant both feet flat on the pavement. This can give you more confidence, especially if you are at a light. This makes it safer as well.
When you are testing bikes, be sure to test out if the seat height allows you to plant your feet fully on the ground.
Additionally, you will want to think about the bike weight. This is what will allow you to control it, so make sure that you feel comfortable and confident with the weight of the bike before you make the purchase.
Consider New vs. Used Motorcycles
When you buy a motorcycle, you will want to consider the differences between a new vs. a used motorcycle.
There is no right answer, however, buying used if this is your first time may be the way to go.
You may be wondering why.
For starters, if you are not quite sold on getting a motorcycle but want to try it out, buying used will be easier for you financially. If you decide a couple months down the line that you no longer want to own the motorcycle, you can sell it (and most likely sell it more easily than you would a new bike).
This way, you also won’t have a bunch of cash or loans tied up with a new bike.
In addition to the financial aspects of it, you don’t want to be constantly fearful of dropping your bike and damaging it. And you will drop it eventually if you are learning to ride, so starting used is the much better option for you.
Don’t Let the Power Get the Best of You
When you are looking for a motorcycle, you may get overly excited about the power that the vehicle offers. This can be an exciting thing, however, it is not the end-all-be-all of the motorcycle world.
In fact, the average bike actually has a lot of power, especially if you are using the bike as a beginner. You don’t want to have too much power and get carried away with it! You want to get familiar and comfortable with an average bike first.
This means that you should try a 500 cc-and-under bike. This comprises the small and medium displacement bikes.
The good news is that if you choose to gain more power, you can always trade your bike in and get a more powerful one.
Consider the Fuel Efficiency
Just as when you look to purchase a car, you are going to want to look at the fuel efficiency of the bike. You don’t want to buy a bike that has low fuel efficiency. This means that you will spend a lot of time at the gas stations and not on the road.
This is especially true with motorcycles because they have smaller tanks – so this is something to keep in mind.
Things to Remember When You Are Making the Purchase
When you buy a bike, there are a few things to remember during the purchasing phase. From the inspection to the write-up, keep all of these in mind.
Don’t Go Alone to Make the Purchase
For instance, you should never go to purchase a bike alone. For instance, if you see an ad in a local paper, you don’t know who you are meeting.
On the other hand, having someone else with you at a dealership or a smaller shop can help you to work through negotiations better than if you were alone.
Either way, there is always power in numbers.
Always Inspect the Bike Before You Purchase
When you go to grab the bike that you are going to purchase, you want to take your time looking at it first.
The last thing you want is to walk away with a bike that doesn’t work properly or has a lot of issues. This is why it’s important to inspect the bike right away.
Even before that, you should do the research on the exact bike itself so that you know what to expect from it. You can also make a list of questions and things to look at on the bike when you get there as well.
Additionally, you may also want to even consider bringing someone with you that knows about bikes so that they can take a look at it for you. This way, you can be sure that you are buying a bike that is safe and secure for you to drive!
Check the VIN
It’s important that you also check the Vehicle Identification Number before making the actual purchase.
You want to make sure it matches the bike that you were told it is, so that you can look up more about that specific bike. For instance, you’ll know who has owned it, any accidents it’s been in, and more.
Check to Be Sure It’s Not Stolen
You also want to make sure that the bike isn’t stolen. There are scams these days where someone steals a bike and then resells it. You don’t want to be a part of that transaction history or have to deal with that down the road!
You can check with the local police or the DMV to verify the bike and its identity.
Check for Liens
Make sure that you when you are about to purchase the bike that there are no liens.
If you notice any “released” signatures on the title, this is the sign that there are liens on the bike. You don’t want to get involved with that.
It is best to walk away (as sad as that is after all the time and research you put into finding it) and start over to find another bike!
Get a Bill of Sale
When you make the purchase, you will need to get a bill of sale. This has the seller and buyer information on it as well as the bike information. This includes the VIN, price, model, and miles of the bike from the date of purchase.
You also need to get the title turned over to you. Have the seller sign the back of the title before handing it over to you.
You can do this easily with a Bill of Sale that is digitally prepared.
Everything You Need to Know About Buying a Motorcycle
If you are getting ready to buy a motorcycle, this guide has everything you need to know about buying a motorcycle.
From what to do before the purchase, what to ask for during, and how to prepare yourself for the kind of bike that you want, this guide is your one-stop shop.
Also Read: Safe Cycles: Motorcycle Riding for Beginners
