ALT-3 How to Choose the Motorcycle that’s right for you
Choosing a Motorcycle can be a difficult decision to make. Especially if it is going to be your first. Ahead I will give you some factors that should help you make your decision.
Young men and women of today seem to enjoy the speed factor of motorcycles. The younger demographic(age 25 and under) usually leans towards the purchase of a Sport Motorcycle, sometimes referred to as "crotch rockets".
The speed of these bikes appeal to them. If you want to get attention at a bar full of the younger crowd, look no further than a Suzuki Hayabusa or a member of the Suzuki GSXR family. Suzuki has made it's reputation on producing high quality and very fast Sport Motorcycles.Kawasaki Ninjas are also among the top purchased bikes in the country. There is nothing quite like a Ninja's famed lime green paint scheme to get people to look in your direction. Honda also produces their high end CBR family of bikes. Red is the color of choice for this family. All of the mentioned bikes will get you the attention you crave going down the road.
There is however a downside to the attention and speed that you get on a Sport Bike. The comfort level is just not there. Your pegs that your feet will be on while you ride are normally behind you with the handle bars being quite low putting you in a constant "crouching" position. This position is just fine for short distances, but many owners do not enjoy a lengthy ride down the highway.
The other downside would be insurance costs. Insurance rates for Sport Bikes have gone through the roof as of late. If you are under the age of 25 and single, look to pay a hefty amount to insure your bike. Insurance companies look at the amount of riders that drive recklessly on these cycles and in turn it affects everyones insurance rates. It is a fact that most collisions and fines are taken up by the Sport Bike crowd. There are many responsible riders out there, however there are too many people that get caught up in the speed and style factor of their bikes. Riding above your ability on a bike can have tremendous consequences and Insurance companies know this.
On the other side of the Motorcycle spectrum, we have the Cruiser. These bikes are built for comfort. A cruiser is made for you to go cross state or cross country, not just from bar to bar at night on a college campus.
When most people hear the word Cruiser, 2 words come to mind, Harley Davidson. They are by far the most widely known brand of Motorcycles on the road today. Owning a Harley Davidson can sometimes earn you as much attention as that Sport Bike your buddy has. Harley makes their bikes for cruising down the highway and traveling cross country. They have a variety of bikes to choose from. You can start on a smaller Sportster 883 or 1200 to cruise around town on. The Harley Dyna models will get you lots of chrome and attention as well as a comfortable ride. a VRSC V-Rod Motorcycle will get you the radical styling of a Sport Cruiser. The perfect mix of Sport Bike and Cruiser. If it is cross country that you envision yourself riding, look no further than a Harley Davidson Road King or Electra Glide. These bikes are built to take you any distance you can dream up. The have terrific seats that will keep you and a guest comfortable from California to Maine. The have Cargo areas to keep all your gear in for the ride as well. Harley Davidsons are well known all over the world, and for good reason. They can take you anywhere that you want to go in comfort you have only dreamed of.
Honda also makes some of the best Cruisers on the market today. The Honda Goldwing is the staple of the Honda cruising brand. A Goldwing is almost as comfortable as riding in your family Sedan. Some call it a "Convertible with 2 wheels". The Goldwing, much like a Harley Davidson Electra Glide, is built to take you coast to coast in comfort. Whether you want to listen to tunes on a CD player or MP3 player or locate a new route on a GPS unit, the Goldwing can be outfitted for the task. Honda also features its Shadow family of bikes to compete with Harley's Sportser as an entry Level Class. The Shadow is a very reliable bike for anyone looking to get into riding. If it is power you are looking for, consider the Honda VTX1800. This bike seats you atop a powerhouse 1795cc Liquid cooled engine that puts out enough torque to make your car frown next to it. Honda Bikes are some of the most popular, reliable, and comfortable bikes on the market today.
Suzuki, although they lean heavily on their Sport Bike class, produces it's Boulevard line of Motorcycles. The motorcycles can ride just as far as a Honda or Harley Davidson would take you, just in their own style. The Boulevard family combines a good mix of power, style, and price all into one package, perfect for a consumer new to the market. Suzuki Cruisers maintain the same reliability of their Sport Bike partners and will guarantee you many happy years of riding ahead.
In the end you have to ask yourself, Do I want Style or Comfort? This is the main question that will help you choose between a Sport Bike Class and a Cruiser class. If you just want to ride around your hometown and it is attention you crave, pick yourself up a Suzuki GSXR, Honda CBR, or Kawasaki Ninja to fulfill your needs. If you can envision yourself wanting to take many trips down the highway or carrying a passenger with you on many rides, a Cruiser would be more suited for you. A good way to help you choose is to shop around at various Dealers in your area and sit on a few bikes that interest you. This should help you get a feel for the riding position and comfort that you will receive. Everyone has a different need for their motorcycle. You just need to find out what your need is. Once you decide this and purchase your Motorcycle, You will have many great years of riding ahead of you!
