| Have you been smitten by the motorcycling bug? | | | | After you've decided on your price range and |
| Have you seen that shiny new GSXRNINJACBRR1 | | | | style of bike, its time to go shopping. If you're not |
| going by in a blur and wished that was you? | | | | knowledgeable about mechanical things in general, |
| Thinking about buying your first motorcycle? | | | | and motorcycles in particular, try to find an |
| There are lots of considerations to take into | | | | experienced motorcycle guy or gal to help you |
| account. | | | | out. I strongly encourage you to consider a used |
| A very important aspect of buying your first bike | | | | bike. Japanese bikes from the past 10 years are |
| is the price. Many new motorcycles cost well over | | | | usually bulletproof. You can find clean, low mileage |
| $10,000.00. Some premium models such as | | | | examples very easily, with price tags that are half |
| Ducati's and Harley-Davidsons can fetch over | | | | of what a new bike will cost you. |
| $20,000.00. Even if money is not a problem for | | | | The first thing to do is sit on the bike with the |
| you, it's probably not such a good idea to | | | | kickstand down. Can you touch both feet to the |
| purchase a very expensive bike as your first ride. | | | | ground? If not, you should probably consider a |
| New riders almost always drop their bikes, which | | | | motorcycle with a lower seat height. Check out |
| can result in very expensive repairs. If you want | | | | the reach to the bars. Do the controls fall readily |
| to learn how to properly ride a motorcycle, I | | | | to hand? Where is the horn? Turn signals? Do the |
| encourage you to start with something a bit | | | | mirrors provide a good view of what's behind |
| more modest. | | | | you? Does the bike feel comfortable? Using your |
| Used bikes can be wonderful starter bikes. While a | | | | legs, lift the bike off its side stand. How does it |
| 3 year old Suzuki SV650 may not have quite as | | | | feel beneath you? Can you easily rock it back and |
| much power as a new Honda 600RR, rest | | | | forth in between your legs? |
| assured that a good rider on a used SV can run | | | | It is crucial that the bike feel comfortable, and |
| circles around a new rider on just about anything. | | | | that all the controls are easy for you to use. |
| For experienced riders, it is not difficult to | | | | When gaining experience riding motorcycles, it's |
| humiliate new riders on fancy expensive | | | | hard enough to keep focused on the road, |
| motorcycles. It's far cooler to go fast on a slow | | | | shifting, your speed, and that crazy lady on a car |
| bike, than to go slow on a fast bike. | | | | phone next to you. Don't make your life even |
| Sport bikes in particular can kill new riders quickly. | | | | more complicated by purchasing a motorcycle |
| Sport bikes tend to be lightweight and have high | | | | with controls that are hard to find without looking. |
| horsepower, resulting in extremely quick | | | | You should be able to operate any of the controls |
| acceleration and high top speeds. While there may | | | | on your bike without taking your eyes off the |
| be a great temptation, especially among young | | | | road. |
| guys, to buy a 1000 cc super bike, this is | | | | Congratulations on your first bike. If you've |
| definitely not the best choice for someone | | | | followed my advice, you've just bought a slightly |
| starting out. Hospitals and cemeteries have | | | | used but still very exciting motorcycle that has |
| received far too many inexperienced riders who | | | | the style you're lusting after, a price that fits your |
| just HAD to have the latest 160 horsepower liter | | | | budget, and fits you correctly. You've got a new |
| bike. | | | | helmet, boots, and heavy duty riding jacket and |
| It should go without saying that every rider just | | | | gloves. You've taken the MSF class and you're |
| starting out should take a motorcycle training | | | | ready to go out there and mix it up with the |
| class. Classes offered by the Motorcycle Safety | | | | cages (cars). Just remember to take it easy for |
| Foundation are an excellent choice. Not only do | | | | the first few months, until operating a motorcycle |
| they provide great training, but they also let you | | | | becomes second nature to you. |
| use their small motorcycles in the class. | | | | When you're very comfortable riding your first |
| Proper riding gear is also mandatory. Don't dress | | | | bike, you may start thinking about a higher |
| for the ride...dress for the crash. For discount | | | | performance model. That's OK, but I urge you to |
| motorcycle apparel and accessories, check out | | | | consider another option. How about a high |
| the fine products offered by The Cycle Guys at | | | | performance riding school? You will be amazed at |
| You've probably got your heart set on a particular | | | | how fast you can go on that 3 year old SV650. |
| style of bike. No matter if it's a cruiser, a sport | | | | Until you take a high performance riding school, |
| bike, a standard style bike, a touring bike, or a dirt | | | | you won't really have a good clue as to what you |
| bike, its important that you get a bike that fits | | | | and your bike can do. |
| you. | | | | |