How to Choose the right Motorbike for you
A beautiful sunny day and you're out for a walk when a group of motorcyclists ride by. You've always thought about owning one and the fun it would be. Now just one question remains. What kind of bike you do want? There are so many different styles to choose from. Touring bikes, Sport bikes, Cruisers, Dual Purpose, and Standards. You should by now know what type of riding you want to do. Some like to just meander along and watch the scenery as they go by. Some like to get out and get a little adrenaline pumping by riding down twisty roads. Others like to do a little off the road riding and explore the outback, while some just want to have a cheap reliable way to get to work every day. After all, motorcycles do get better mileage than cars. If you have never ridden a bike before, make sure you get hooked up with a good riding school. This may help with your decision since most schools supply motorcycles for you to learn on.
Now, which style of biker are you? Okay, that's a good choice. Do you have a brand in mind? What's that? Not yet, you want to check out a few brands before committing. That's a good idea. Heading down to the bike shop and checking a few bikes out is a priority.
First thing, how much riding experience do you have? Not much? Go and look at the the smaller displacement bikes then. These are the ones the salesman calls entry level. You like the look of that bike over by the sales desk? Go throw a leg over it and have a seat. The first thing is comfort because, after all, if it isn't comfortable while sitting in the showroom, it definitely won't be comfortable on the road. This one feels good? Great, check the fitment. Your feet should either be able to touch the ground completely, or at the least the balls of your feet should. They do?
How's the reach to the handlebars? Also, check how the position on the foot pegs are, too. What you are looking for here is ease of use as well as comfort. You like the fact that the bars are a little forward and they make you lean forward. When you put your feet on the pegs, are your knees lower than your hips? Yes? That's good because if they were higher, the bike would actually be too small for you.
After testing, you are pretty sure that this bike is the right fit for you. Now you need to see if this really is the right bike for you. Is this the style you want? After all, bikes are an extention of your personality. Are you looking to use this bike for more than just fair weather riding? Would you want to go for weekend rides or maybe even vacation trips out of province or state depending on where you live? Can you get the right accessories for it to make it more versatile? Can you afford the insurance?
Did you answer "yes" to the questions above? Yes? Then, if the price is right and you like the color. You have found the right bike. Most of these questions apply to any style, model, or brand of bike you are looking at. Now, motorcycle owner, get out and get riding. Most importantly, have fun! Keep your feet on the pegs and your right hand cranked.
