How to Choose the Motorcycle That’s Right for You: Advice from the Pros

You should choose a motorcycle with your heart, not through cold calculation. If you think about it logically, a motorcycle is a toy. And if it doesn’t excite you, what’s the point? A car is definitely more practical in every respect.

Gather as much information as you can before buying, but make the decision yourself.

We’ve seen it happen more than once: a guy is already at the dealership, at the very last moment before making his decision, when his friends start talking him out of buying a motorcycle that he clearly likes and looks damn good on. Yes, there are those kinds of friends who simply can’t stand the idea of someone owning a motorcycle that’s better than theirs in some way.

If you have a strong idea of what your motorcycle should be like, that’s exactly the kind you should look for. For example, maybe you like choppers because they feature prominently in the American movies you love so much. Or perhaps you’re drawn to enduro bikes because you dream of adventures in hard-to-reach places. In that case, that’s the type of motorcycle you should be looking for!

There’s no point wasting time on motorcycles you don’t like. A road bike that’s supposedly “perfect for beginners” won’t give you the experience you’re looking for if it doesn’t appeal to you. And what will really help you learn to ride well isn’t a “beginner motorcycle,” but a good riding school and a sensible approach to motorcycling.

Of course, there are exceptions. Think carefully before starting your motorcycling journey on an extremely powerful or extremely heavy bike. We are talking about 100-200 hp sportbikes and 400-kilogram cruisers. These machines demand a great deal of riding skill. The pleasure of riding can quickly turn into a challenge, and a dangerous one at that. Any two-wheeled vehicle comes with increased risk, but there’s no reason to deliberately increase the likelihood of something going wrong.

Where’s the Best Place to Buy Your First Motorcycle?

Your first motorcycle, just like any other, is best purchased from an authorized dealer. This applies to both new and used bikes. Buying this way protects you from a whole host of unnecessary headaches, such as searching for spare parts, dealing with sudden breakdowns without knowing what to do, and similar problems.

Of course, some people can take a motorcycle apart in a garage, with all its components scattered around, and rebuild it into a working machine with their own hands. But this article probably isn’t aimed at them.

Even a motorcycle purchased from a dealer can develop problems, but in that case, all you need to do is contact the dealer’s service center, and they’ll promptly sort things out. And if the motorcycle is new, the repairs will also be covered by the warranty.

But if you buy a used motorcycle, especially from a private seller rather than a dealer, any breakdown can send you on a long, unfamiliar journey in search of the right solution. The necessary spare parts may be unavailable, and you might have no idea where to find them. You may not know who will agree to repair the bike or who can actually fix it properly. And what if the gearbox or engine fails? The repair could cost more than the motorcycle itself!

Think ten times before putting yourself in these unpleasant situations just because you listened to “friends” who advised you to save money by buying a used motorcycle with an unknown history. Maybe your “friend” got lucky and his bike is running perfectly fine. But he’s unlikely to help you pay for a new engine if yours suddenly gives out.

We certainly don’t mean to downplay the value of advice from more experienced riders. Quite the opposite: motorcycling friends can quickly explain and demonstrate all sorts of useful things. They can offer advice and show you how things work by example. Just remember to approach everything with a critical eye. You’re the one who’ll be riding the motorcycle, not your friend, so you’re the one who needs to be absolutely confident that you’ve made the right choice.

We’d like to remind you that a motorcycle is supposed to be enjoyable when you’re riding it, not when you’re repairing it. Motorcycles are vehicles that carry an elevated level of risk, so their mechanical condition must be taken extremely seriously.

Of course, not all dealers are perfect, and every one of them makes mistakes. But the risk of getting seriously burned is still incomparably lower when you buy from an authorized dealer.

Our firm advice is this: there are plenty of things you shouldn’t try to save money on. If you can’t afford an expensive new motorcycle, it’s better to consider simpler models that are still new, or look into financing options. Fortunately, dealers now offer plans to suit just about every taste and budget.

Speaking of money, it’s important to understand that motorcycling isn’t the cheapest hobby, and the expenses don’t end with the purchase price.

Good riding gear and regular, high-quality maintenance can greatly improve your riding experience and have a major impact on your safety. Both gear and maintenance cost a fair amount of money, so be sure to factor them into the budget you’re prepared to spend on your iron horse.

Real Emotions

Walk into a dealership, especially one where they have that one motorcycle on display, and you’ll notice it right away. Sit on the bike, get into an enthusiastic conversation with the sales manager, and start the engine.

Do your hands start trembling? Do you feel an inexplicable, almost childlike excitement about the motorcycle? Something unusual, yet somehow strangely familiar.

Yes, yes, that’s it. Those are real emotions.

We all experience them in abundance as children, but as we grow older, we find ourselves genuinely excited less and less often. It’s that inexplicable feeling of happiness when all you want to do is smile.

Do you feel it? Then that’s the one. That’s your motorcycle.