ALT-1 What you need to know before you Buy a Motorcycle
If you're like me, I had no idea that I'd ever be riding a cycle as I disliked the idea because bikers presented the wrong image to me before getting the bug to own one. However, I learned that many professional folks and everyday very decent citizens were flooding the roads more and more each year.
Before going to a dealer to check them out, you have to consider whether or not you are up for the many reasons why some should not ever consider owning a cycle. I say that because unlike driving a car, a cycle requires constant attention to road conditions, other drivers, sudden weather changes, mechanical failure that could result in a serious accident and many other situations that can arise unexpectedly that could spoil an otherwise fantastic experience.
Consider the fact that the only contact with the road is the small surface of two tires and any object on the road could and most often cause a bike to go out of control, and if conditions are such as a slippery road, that alone could cause a serious consequence.
Think about a blowout and what it can mean if you're traveling at highway speeds. There is little you can do to keep control of the bike unlike that of a car with four wheels and all the protection that the car offers as you are inside of the car rather than on a vehicle with nothing but you and the hard concrete should something happen.
Drivers of automobiles are not aware in many instances of a bike in close proximity of their automobile, so it is extremely important for the biker to take every precaution and not to assume they are as visible as a full sized car. Also you should be aware that sometimes freak accidents occur between a bike and a car, but it's the biker who loses the contest.
Think of riding a bike as being out in a jungle full of danger, and if you are not in a constant state of awareness, you will suffer the consequences. This is not meant to steer you away from owning a bike, but rather help save your life should you not be aware of what you need to know before owning one.
That said you need to know what the requirements are for bikers in each state such as helmet laws, inspections, types of insurance, and also how to do your own safety check of your bike before riding just as a pilot must do before taking off. Something goes wrong with a car, its not life threatening like it would be for a plane or a bike.
So if you consider yourself a responsible person that doesn't take things for granted, then owning a bike can be an experience that cannot be imagined until you take one for a ride, and if at first it feels a little scary, it should, but you can get use to the bike with a few rides, and after a while you'll be riding like a pro.
However, you should never ever relax you're visual of what is ahead and behind you. Always look for potential hazards as they do not announce their presence, and it's up to you to make sure you do not become a victim as a result of a relaxed attitude when riding.
You can do cell phones in a car, eat hamburgers, day dream as well as many other things, but when on a bike, it is a full time job of being observant and aware. If you're ready to take on that kind of responsible attitude, then you will enjoy thousands of miles of safe riding on the bike of your choice. Good luck, and I hope you find the thrill that others have found in owning a driving a dream machine that you've dreamed of owning.
