It may surprise you how much planning goes into buying a motorcycle if you’re new to it. In comparison to buying a car, which can be accomplished in a few hours, choosing the right motorcycle takes time and effort. Before making a purchase, it’s important to take into account the type of motorcycle, comfort, price, and safety.
Prior to making a final purchase, here are three of the most important checklist items to consider.
Choose the Right Motorcycle for Your Skill Level
When deciding which type of motorcycle to purchase, you should consider your own needs and skill level. For example, it may not be wise to buy a powerful motorcycle if you have never ridden before. Similarly, if you want to ride primarily on city streets and enjoy long rides on weekends, you shouldn’t choose something made for racing or off-roading.
It’s a good idea to practice riding a bike in places with no cars around before you buy a new one. When you understand the kinds of motorcycles that are safe for beginners and those that require more experience before attempting them on public roads without supervision, you’ll be able to make a more informed decision.
The final thing you should consider is whether the bike is comfortable to ride. Comfortable rides are not only convenient, but they are also safer. Make sure the bike’s seat, handlebars, and overall size are comfortable for you. If any of these things are off, it can lead to mistakes, which can cause serious issues.
The temptation to act like an experienced rider may be strong, especially if you are riding with experienced riders, but risking your safety can be fatal. Be sure to get a bike that will serve your needs and be safe to ride.
Consider Your Budget
Before you purchase your motorcycle, it’s important to consider how much you can afford. You should not only think about the price of the motorcycle but the cost of insurance and maintenance as well.
You may want to start by looking at how much money you can afford to spend on a new bike. If you have a savings account, this is easy enough to figure out since savings accounts earn interest. But if you don’t have any money saved up, then look at other things that could help fund your purchase.
Consider whether or not there are any local programs available through your city or state government that would be able to assist with financing for purchasing an automobile. Sometimes because of their carbon footprint, there are programs that will either help pay or give tax breaks for having a bike. Call up your local town hall office and see what kind of options they offer. Or you can talk to the dealership, as they probably also know about any programs.
Finally, consider the amount of money that will be saved on gas. Motorcycles can get upwards of 60 miles per gallon, doubling or even tripling the savings at the pump compared to a car. If the bike is driven enough, it may end up paying for itself.
Consider the Danger
The small body of a motorcycle means that any impact on another vehicle can result in serious injury to riders. Motorists are 50 times more likely to die in an accident than someone driving a car. Even if a motorist doesn’t die, there is a high likelihood of serious injury.
Because of this, it’s a good idea to have a good attorney who can represent you in the case of an accident.
Takeaway
Always do your research before purchasing a motorcycle. You should look for a bike that’s safe and comfortable, as well as one that suits your riding style and financial resources.
Finally, consider safety and whether taking a higher risk of injury is worth it. Once you’ve taken all of these points into consideration, you are ready to move forward with confidence.