Top 8 Essential Questions to Ask When Buying A New Motorcycle in 2021.

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When it comes to buying your first new motorcycle, there are some important questions you should consider asking.

All motorcycles are certainly not created equal, and the type of motorcycle you choose can have a significant impact when it comes to you developing your riding skills.

There isn’t much information available on how to go about buying a new motorcycle, so luckily, I’ve compiled 8 of the most important questions to ask, including some tips on getting a great deal for your first purchase and what features you should look for.

So, what are the 8 important questions to ask when purchasing your first motorcycle?

  1. What is the motorcycle’s main purpose?
  2. What type of motorcycle should you purchase?
  3. What engine size should the motorcycle be?
  4. Is the motorcycle a good seller?
  5. Does the motorcycle have a good selection of aftermarket parts?
  6. How much will it cost to insure?
  7. Is the seat height of the motorcycle suitable?
  8. What extra gear should you buy?

What is the motorcycle’s main purpose?

Are you thinking of using the motorcycle on asphalt, gravel roads, or maybe both? A major role in your decision-making process is how you will be mainly using the motorcycle. Will you be using it as a commuter or as a fun bike to us on your days off?

The most common motorcycles available today are street-compatible motorcycles.

These are very popular, especially in the city where having a motorcycle is
convenient because of its size and cheap running costs. However, if you want the motorcycle to have both on and off-road capabilities, you should consider a dual-sport motorcycle.

Deciding how and where you want to be able to use the motorcycle is an extremely important thing to consider as this will point you in the direction of the type of motorcycle which will be right for you.

What type of motorcycle should you purchase?

There are many different types of motorcycles available on the market today, with each one suited to a different riding style.

So, what are the different types of motorcycles?

  1. Sports Bikes
  2. Naked Bikes
  3. Cruiser Bikes
  4. Cafe Racers
  5. Off-Road Bikes
  6. Adventure Bikes
  7. Touring Bikes

Sports Bikes: light, agile, and built to go fast. However, this style of motorcycle may not suit a beginner.

Naked Bikes: offering an upright riding posture, these motorcycles are very popular and are ideal for a beginner.

Cruiser Bikes: This motorcycle style is built for long-distance riding and tends to be a heavier bike style. If a beginner is looking to purchase this motorcycle style, then the lower engine capacity cruisers, such as a 600 or 700cc, would be more suitable. They will be lighter than the larger engine sizes and easier to handle.

Cafe Racers: This classic style of motorcycles are very popular with the younger riders, and due to the fact they are smaller and lighter than many other motorcycle types, they make a good choice for a beginner. However, they can be more expensive, and the insurance can be costly with some.

Dirt Bikes: These motorcycles are designed for a specific type of riding on gravel, mud, and dirt surfaces. They have higher suspension travel and special off-road knobbly tires. If your a beginner looking to get into the sport of dirt bike riding, then there are plenty of beginner options to choose from.

Adventure Bikes: These bikes are prevalent within the motorcycle world as they give the rider the ability to travel on the tarmac and dirt roads so the bike can be used as a commuter and tourer. Some of these motorcycles can be fairly large. A beginner should stick to the smaller, lighter adventure bikes.

Why not check out my article: Top 5 Best adventure Motorcycles For Beginners by clicking here

Touring Bikes: Usually the heaviest motorcycles on the market with the biggest engine sizes, these motorcycles would not really be ideal for the beginner.

What engine size should the motorcycle be for a beginner?

It is recommended to choose an engine size that you would be able to easily control. The size of the engine will depend on the model and style of bike you choose.

Two-cylinder motorcycles usually have about a 600-750cc engine, which is a good engine size for beginners. Engines larger than these can be too powerful for beginners and can put you, your bike, and other road users at risk.

However, the type of motorcycle you decide to look at will make a big difference to the engine size as some sports bikes with 600cc engines are very light and quick and would not make a good beginner’s bike.

Another motorcycle category that is very popular and would make an excellent choice for a beginner is the 300-500cc engine size range. This range of engines gives great miles per gallon, so they are very cheap to run. The insurance can be less expensive, and there are different styles available, such as adventure and road only motorcycles available.

Is the motorcycle a good seller?

Motorcycles that are popular and have good reviews are usually a good choice. In many cases, this means other motorcycle riders have experienced the quality of the bike and how well it rides.

When a motorcycle is popular there are usually many reviews available to read so you should be able to get a feel of the pros and cons of the motorcycle.

Another benefit popular motorcycles usually have is getting more features on the bike for the price you pay. If motorcycle manufacturers are selling a large amount of a particular motorcycle, they can add more features.

When it comes time to change the motorcycle for another, popular motorcycles are also easier to sell on the second-hand market. They will also usually fetch a greater trade-in amount at the dealers.

Does the motorcycle have a good selection of after-market parts?

If you are thinking of purchasing a motorcycle that you can customize, having a large selection of aftermarket parts is essential.

Checking to find out if you can find aftermarket parts that are compatible with the motorcycle is an important step in deciding which motorcycle you will purchase.

Some motorcycles have a wide selection of aftermarket parts and accessories while others not so much.

Having a wide range of aftermarket parts to choose from is also beneficial for your motorcycle’s long-term maintenance and styling.

How much will the motorcycle cost to insure?

Before you purchase any motorcycle, you will need to arrange insurance. Many insurance companies specialize in offering motorcycle insurance to beginners. It is always a good idea to get quotes from various insurance companies to find the best price and offers available.

As long as you get motorcycle insurance quotes before purchasing the bike, you will not be left with a large insurance bill to pay each year. If the insurance quote is too costly, move on and look at another motorcycle, which may be cheaper to insure.

Many motorcycle insurance companies offer the same cover as they do for cars, but you should also ask if there are any motorcycle-specific extra cover available. Some offer motorcycle-specific cover that may be added as an extra, such as carrying a pillion.

Is the seat height of the motorcycle suitable?

The seat height is one of the most important things to consider when buying a new motorcycle. You should be able to plant both of your feet on the ground when you’re stationary.

It is a huge confidence booster when you know you can safely put both your feet on the ground. It will help prevent dropping the motorcycle in an emergency and help you control the motorcycle when stationary or moving forwards at a slow speed, such as when in traffic.

Having a seat at the correct height will also benefit if you plan to choose a slightly heavier bike.

There are also different types of motorcycles that allow a lower or higher seat option if purchasing from new, so make sure you ask the dealer if this option is available for the motorcycle you are interested in.

Aftermarket seats can be available for many different bikes, either making the seat lower or higher. If this option is not available from the bike manufacturer, check to see if specialist companies offer the option.

What extra gear should you buy?

If you have been riding a smaller motorcycle, then you may have decided to buy a cheaper helmet, jacket, and other gear to keep the cost down whilst practicing.

It would be good to upgrade any items that need upgrading as the new bike you will be purchasing will be more powerful than you are used to.

Going to a store to try on the gear you may need to purchase is best as different manufacturers size their jackets, boots, and riding pants differently. A medium in one brand may fit, but not in another brand, for example.

Another reason to purchase any items you may need when buying your first big bike is you may be entitled to a discount if you purchase them from the same dealer you buy the motorcycle from. This could potentially save you quite a bit of money.

Always ask for a discount even if there is nothing to mention that an item may be discounted as if purchasing a new motorcycle from the same place as the extra gear, the dealer will normally be able to give you an extra good deal.

If your thinking of purchasing a new motorcycle helmet, you can check out my article on the best way to purchase one and how to make sure it fits correctly by clicking the link here.

Before Leaving The Dealership

Congratulations! You have purchased your new motorcycle.

Before leaving the dealership and taking your first ride as the new owner, you should make sure that the salesperson or person who hands over your new motorcycle to you shows you how to start up the bike correctly and runs through how to operate all the controls.

Motorcycles can start up using different control operations. For example, some motorcycles may be designed to have the clutch lever pulled in when starting the engine. There can also be some other differences depending on which bike you have purchased, so make sure you know how everything operates to ensure a safe first ride.

Another thing to check, which I always do, is to check the oil level, brake level indicators, and any other fluid levels. Better to be safe than sorry. I always check the indicators are working correctly and the brake lights before every ride I take, and there should be no exceptions to this practice even if you are picking up a brand new bike from the dealer.

If your a new rider or beginner, why not get a friend to come along, and they can follow you home, or you can follow them. Either way, you will probably feel more confident if someone you know accompanies you.

Things To Do When You Get Home

Once you have arrived safely home, it’s time to read through the motorcycle owner’s manual, which would have come with your new bike. This manual explains everything you need to know about your motorcycle.

It will cover things such as what type of engine oil should be used, how many miles should be covered before the first service is due, the locations and functions of all the controls, and explains how to correctly run in the engine so to give you the best performance and longevity of the engine.

I always take my time reading through the owner’s manual, whether I buy a new motorcycle or second hand as this usually gives me a good insight into my new purchase.

I also have a good look around the bike once I’m at home, checking to make sure all the nuts and bolts are tight and ensure all the cabling and pipes are correctly fitted and secured.

This is also a perfect way to get to know your bike’s features, and I do this if the bike is purchased new or second hand.

I really hope this article has helped you out and given you some ideas when purchasing a new motorcycle.

Enjoy the ride!

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