Street Bike Buying Tips
New Bike Buying Tips
Purchasing a new street bike can be very satisfying but, often times you may be asking yourself; Am I making the right decision? Can I really afford this? Is this the bike for me?
Many articles focus on the actual purchase of the bike, we want to touch on the things people may not think about until the purchase is made and it’s too late!
1. Price range - What can you comfortably afford? It probably isn’t a good idea to figure your monthly bills, then purchase a bike with the monthly payment equaling what’s left of your monthly income. The reason I said “comfortably afford” is because there will be a lot of other expense that comes with owning a motorcycle, which we will mention below. Once you have a price range you should consider your riding ability.
(Keep in mind that just because a bike costs more, does not mean it will be better for you than a less expensive model.)
2. Engine displacement (size) - Have you been riding for years, is this your first bike or do you fall somewhere in the middle? What is your riding ability? Only you can answer that. It is hard not to want the biggest, fastest bike out there. Don’t buy a motorcycle that is too big for your riding ability. Once you determine what size motorcycle is right for you then consider the type of riding you will be doing.
3. Style of motorcycle - What type of riding do you plan to do? Are you going to be riding to work, running errands, short rides, day long rides, weekend trips or even week long vacations. There are many options available, take your time and do some research. There are five styles to consider: cruiser, standard, sport bike, sport touring and touring.
Cruiser - Primarily a leaned back seating position, with the feet forward and the handlebars coming back toward you. They are generally v-twins or v-fours with a more relaxed riding style. Primarily for local to day rides but, can be used for longer rides. They are usually not bikes that you can get on and ride hard all day. This style has moderate comfort.
Standard - A more traditional seating position, sitting straight up or with a very slight lean forward. They are a good all purpose bike, usually decent on gas and they have moderate comfort.
Sport Bike - A forward seating position. The rider is usually reaching forward for the grips while the feet are back and higher than other styles. Sport bikes can be used for several different types of riding. They are very high performance motors and the fuel mileage usually isn’t the best, but they are very fast. This style bike is designed for speed and great handling. They aren’t very comfortable for long rides.
Sport Touring - A slightly forward seating position. They usually come with hard saddlebags. These bikes are designed for long distance riding. That’s not to say you can’ take short rides with them. The fuel mileage isn’t great but, most sport-tourers are fairly quick bikes. They have moderate comfort.
Touring - A straight up seating position. This style is definitely designed for long-distance riding, in comfort and style. They are usually very heavy but, the comfort level is great.
4. Great looking bike - Don’t buy a motorcycle for its looks only. There are many things to consider when looking for a bike. One important thing is the seat height. Buying a bike that is to tall can lead to anxiety when stopping or in parking lot maneuvers. Be sure the reach to the handlebar isn’t to far and the leg room doesn’t feel cramped. Yes, you can make minor changes to these things mentioned but, if you can purchase a bike that suits your needs without having to make any functional changes, why not? Something else to consider is the load capacity (how much weight the bike can safely carry). If you are primarily the only one on the bike, it probably won’t matter. If you plan to ride with a passenger, check the bikes capacity.
5. Insurance - Once you determine the bike you will be getting, check the price of insurance. That can add a lot to your monthly cost.
6. Plates (Tags) - There will also be the cost of renewing your registration. It’s not a lot but, it is an added expense.
7. Hidden Costs - If this is your first motorcycle or you haven’t rode for a few years then these things will pertain to you. There are several costs which can be overlooked. Some of the items mentioned might be looked at as unnecessary. Let’s face it motorcycling isn’t the safest sport in the world, maybe that is why people are so attracted to it. The fact is there’s always the chance of going down, so why not protect yourself the best you can. The first thing to think about is a helmet. A full face helmet is the safest way to go. The half helmets or open face helmets do not protect you enough. I recently seen two full face helmets where the side of head and chin areas were deeply gouged. The one man told me he was unconscious, skidding across the pavement. He was very thankful for his full face helmet. If you will be riding any distances consider buying a good quality helmet. I can say from experience, spending a little more can make for a comfortable trip. If possible, try the helmet on to get the best fit. The second thing is a good pair of gloves. Many times if there is a crash you will put your hands down first to soak up some of the impact. A good pair of motorcycle gloves will be comfortable, have extra protection on the palms and over the knuckles. I see many people ride without boots. Look for a pair of boots with good ankle protection and slip resistant soles. If you will be riding in cooler weather you will need the appropriate clothing. Many people try to get buy with clothing they already have. I recently purchased a motorcycle jacket. This one jacket replaced two or three shirts and a heavy leather coat (worth every penny of the $219). By purchasing apparel specifically designed for riding motorcycles you get a great deal of added comfort.
There are many accessories available for street bikes. If you will be riding with a passenger you may consider getting a backrest. It much more comfortable if they can have something to lean against on a long ride. You may also need some type of luggage if for nothing else to carry things such as different gloves, extra clothes, maps, a few necessary tools, flashlight, etc. You may also want a fairing or windshield for added comfort.
Used Bike Buying Tips
Many of the things mentioned above can be use here also but, there are a few things that will be different.
1. Condition - Consider the condition the bike is in. Will you need to replace the tires (which aren’t cheap)? If the tires need to be replaced, you may ask if they will come down on the price. Is the seat in good condition? Look at the grips, are they worn out. If there are a lot of miles on the bike the shocks might need to be replaced. Look at the condition of the forks and fork seals. If the bike has a chain, it might need replaced. The battery can be another expense.