ALT-6 How to Choose the right Motorcycle for you
Riding motorcycles is a passion, and choosing the wrong bike could tarnish your love affair and park your dreams of freewheeling for good. It matters not what breed of rider you are, from the leather clad Harley rider to the road rash proofed, high speed crotch rocket junkie. The fact of the matter is, each rider finds him or herself in tune with a certain look, feel and performance requirement that varies widely from bike to bike.
First and foremost is the fact that each person should choose a machine within their capabilities. For a beginner, a smaller, more compact model would perhaps be a better choice than say a highway cruiser for example, which is a very large traveling bike, and can be a physically challenging to maneuver at times. Also, beginners need to fine tune their basic skills in shifting, maneuvering and navigating all the dangers of the road, big or small. Put a beginner on a large bike with a windshield, a radio, big saddlebags, crash bars, and all the bells and whistles, and they may get lost just trying to find the ignition switch.
Size does matter! When choosing the right ride, it needs to 'fit' you. For example, a big burly 325 pound guy probably won't be comfortable, nor look right on a small sporty model. He also won't have much luck taking his gal for a ride around town if there's no room on the back of a tiny machine. However, a person of diminutive size may feel right at home on that small bike, and will feel like a million bucks on their machine of choice.
Comfort is of vital importance. If you have physical issues, take them into consideration when choosing. Someone with back pain may not be so comfy on a 'crotch-rocket', seeing as how you must always be in a hunched position over the tank of the bike. However, the same guy may be perfectly happy on a large touring model that accomodates by providing a large, padded, sometimes heated, luxury saddle to settle down on and enjoy the ride. Some models even provide air-ride seats, or inflatable lumbar supports.
Most importantly, whatever your choice of pleasure, be it cruising downtown on Saturday night, or pushing the limits of your speedometer, just be true to who you are, and what your bike says about you, and don't just settle for the first two wheeled horse that you see. A bike is an expression of who you are inside and out, and makes a statement every time you settle into that seat and twist the throttle.
