Even though motorcyclists face plenty of dangers on the road, no one can deny the fact that riding a motorcycle is a lot of fun. Motorcycles offer a great deal of joy and an amazing sense of freedom, incomparable to the feelings cars can provide. But, owning a motorcycle is much different than owning a car, as well. For starters, maintaining and keeping a motorcycle in a good shape is nothing like taking care of a car. Other ownership costs associated with motorcycles are also different, such as insurance, fuel, and even storage.
What’s more, there is specific equipment and protective gear that goes along with owning a bike, and various safety requirements that every motorcycle owner has to comply with. Having all this in mind, it’s safe to say that are a lot of questions that every motorcycle buyer needs to ask themselves, and a lot of factors to take into account. Here are the most important things to take into account before buying a new motorcycle:
Decide What Type of Bike You Need
The first step in the process of buying a bike is deciding what type of motorcycle fits your preferences and lifestyle. There are different types of bikes for different purposes, suiting different riding styles. To determine which is right for you, you need to get familiar with the basic categories, which include:
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Touring
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Standard
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Dual-sport
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Sportbikes
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Cruisers
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Scooter
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Dirt bikes
Differences between the above-mentioned motorcycle types have to do with size, weight, riding position, power, comfort, and the type of surface they are designed for. These are the factors that bike shoppers have to pay attention to when trying to decide what they want.
Compare Prices
After you have decided what kind of bike you want, you can start shopping around compare prices for the particular model you have chosen. When comparing prices, you should take into account all costs associated with owning a given model. On top of the bike’s purchase price, you should do a little research and try to find out what it would cost to insure and maintain it, as well as what the accompanying gear and equipment for that specific bike cost.
There are plenty of online resources offering reviews on all kinds of bikes, and allow you to compare prices from different dealerships.
Once you are done researching, you can go to a dealership and start negotiating, while using the information you have gathered before to try and get a good deal. One pretty important thing to remember when you get to the dealership is to take the bike for a test ride, so that you can see how it handles and whether it fits your riding style.
Protective Gear
After you have agreed on the price for your new bike, the next thing you need to do is buy the necessary gear. Every motorcycle rider needs to use gear that is approved by the Department of Transportation, which includes a protective jacket and a helmet, along with protective glasses, gloves, and boots, which are not required by law, but all bikers are recommended to wear them as a precaution.