From biker movies like ‘Easy Rider’ to popular biker anthems like ‘Born to be Wild’, motorcycles have always been romanticized in American pop culture. Whether you’re a newbie wondering how to choose a motorcycle or a person with a dream just wanting to know a few things before buying a motorcycle, we’ve got you covered.
Buying a motorcycle can be one of the best and most exciting decisions you’ll ever make, and this article will take you through everything you need to know before buying your first bike.
Welcome to the biking brotherhood. Your life is about to change, and you’re about to rev it up. As Twisted Sister so eloquently put it, “you’ve got to ride to live, live to ride!”Many factors come into play when you want to choose a motorcycle suitable for your needs. We’ve compiled a short list of must-knows in various categories to help you decide
Making the investment in such an expensive machine, one that involves such physical and mental integration with our minds and bodies, somewhat begs for a test ride. Many dealerships don't offer test drives on dirt bikes though. Some manufacturers host demo-days which are great to take advantage of, or hopefully you have the option of either borrowing one or renting a bike you’re interested in.
However possible, the overwhelming majority of your doubts and questions can be removed with just a little time riding any given machine. (Of course this would be done after you’ve gained your motorcycle endorsement, and therefore have experience on at least one motorcycle.)
Buying a motorcycle suited for road driving or commuting can be a tough buy to make as well, partially because there are so many models and options out there. We break this category - cruising the streets - up into three subcategories to make the decision making process easier for you. Again, the most important question you need to ask is: What do I want to do with this bike?
There’s any range of power and features to be found in simple, standard bikes, so you can go from the most fuel efficient options that will still move you around plenty quickly, on up to adrenaline-pumping machines that are perhaps more appropriate once you’ve been riding a few years. The more simple a bike is, the fewer parts it will probably have on it to be damaged, if the bike is occasionally dropped or falls over from time to time (it will happen, don’t be embarrassed.)
If your wishes are more for casual slow cruising Sunday rides, not focused on commuting, parking, traffic, etc. then perhaps to look in the “Cruiser” category. Long, low-slung motorbikes, often chromed-up and intended for relaxed rides, these often torque-rich engines can put huge smiles on faces, and the comfortable seat (usually quite low) makes them comfortable for most riders to enjoy.
If going fast is your goal, and you see “cruising the streets” as lingo for “let’s get an adrenaline high while we dance with the gods of speed,” you’re probably looking for a sportbike. (Editor’s note: Of course we never condone riding in excess of posted speed limits, or faster than any situation calls for.)
When deciding how to choose a motorcycle remember, virtually every motorcycle built has the ability to get a rider up to speed and into situations where adrenaline and the dynamics of riding can make for dangerous situations, so take a step back, perhaps start on the most modest end of the spectrum, and keep in mind: There will always be other bikes out there for you to upgrade to. Twisting the throttle on a 1000cc, 190 horsepower bike that weighs only 400lbs sure can be fun … but the funny thing with adrenaline is, it can sometimes get the best of us and force bad decisions.
If the thought of a dual sport motorcycle gets your heart beating, it’s probably for good reason. Bikes built for both pavement and dirt riding, the option to no longer wonder “where does that road go?” on your way home from work can lead us to so many great experiences. As such, the dual sport category has seen tremendous growth in recent years. This flexibility, this opportunity for total freedom has been the primary focus of RIDE Adventures over almost 10 years now, as can be witnessed across our website. Dual sport bikes are often called “Adventure Bikes,” in that they can lead us to exactly that. The Swiss Army Knife of the motorcycle world, the one that opens the most possibilities.
Retro bikes have become very popular lately, and many manufacturers have a retro offering in their line-up. Buying an actual classic rather than a modern bike with a retro feel can often save you plenty of money though, and still feel very similar to new versions of old bikes.
Why are these even on our list? I thought this was all about how to choose a MOTORCYCLE not a scooter. Hey, scooters (mopeds, to some) have been around forever and there has been somewhat of a revival lately. Scooters come in various packages, with most engines being between 125 and 200 cc’s. If you’re going to be riding in the city and follow a modern lifestyle and minimalist approach, a scooter may be an ideal bike for you, as their small size and lightweight nature make them very easy to find parking for (often along-side actual bicycles near a rack.)
While there are exceptions for motorcycles with smaller engines in some states and countries, everyone needs an official motorcycle license obtainable from your local DMV in order for you to safely and legally drive a motorcycle. Licensing isn’t only important for legal reasons though. Most municipalities will only provide a license after thorough rider testing, both by written test, and actual riding skills, which all combine for a greater likelihood of safe travel in the future.
Be sure to check the specific requirements applicable in your state/country before purchasing a new motorcycle, as the waiting time to even get testing done can sometimes be multiple months. If you already have a regular passenger vehicle driver’s license, the motorcycle endorsement is typically just added to it.
In the U.S. for example, the Motorcycle Safety Foundation’s (MSF) Basic Rider’s Course is often the starting place. The cost and length of this course differ from state to state - but, upon completion, riders are provided with completion documents to take to the DMV, and often with further testing, exchange it for a motorcycle license.
Just like with regular cars and trucks, most countries around the world require a vehicle to be insured for 3rd party liability in order to be legally registered for use on public roads.
First, let’s explain that “cc’s” stand for “cubic centimeters, which represent the displacement inside an internal combustion engine. (“What?”) In the fewest words possible: the greater the displacement, the greater the opportunity to generate heat and therefore power within the engine, making it possible to accelerate more rapidly, or achieve greater top speeds.
This does not mean, however, that the larger the engine is in cc’s, the more powerful it is. Compression ratios found within the engine’s displacement, valve trains, and a long list of other factors all help explain why some 600cc engines may produce more power than a 1000cc version. Add to this notion the importance of power-to-weight ratios, and it can be explained why some 600cc sport bikes that weigh 400lbs are so much faster than 1600cc cruisers that weigh 800+ lbs.
As is true with so many purchases we make, buying a used machine can make for quite an initial cost reduction. Furthermore, buying one that may already have imperfections or damage to it can take some of the pressure off a new rider who is otherwise trying to keep their bike in ‘mint’ condition.
While we’re always cheering for riders to stay safe and avoid injury, it’s been said many times that “the first scratch is the best,” in that once a bike has a little damage, it’s time to relax, have more fun with it, and stop worrying about aesthetics.
Whereas it’s often a “buyer beware” situation in the private market, a licensed motorcycle dealer will often be required, both legally and ethically, to fix any known problems on a bike before reselling it. Yes this often comes with a higher price, but such can be worth it in terms of peace of mind.
A very important piece of info that is usually left out of other "What to know before buying a motorcycle" articles is being mindful of all the maintenance costs. Both standard, scheduled maintenance and those unforeseen costs can be quite significant the further you get into riding. As mentioned earlier, not going “all in” with the initial purchase price is a good idea, as tires, maintenance, the occasional tip over or crash, etc. can be quite handy the more you end up riding.
Before buying a motorcycle, some folks may have sleepless nights weighing the pros and cons of each motorcycle, doing hours and hours of pensive thinking and comparisons, and weeks of test drives without making a conclusive decision. Yes, do your research, but don’t get hung up on making the perfect decision because of one simple fact: There is no such thing as the perfect bike.
As can be found in the Free Motorcycle Travel Info section of our website, we are huge proponents of the “ATGATT” philosophy: “All The Gear, All The Time.”
HELMETS
Check for a firm, snug, full-contact-with-your-skull-fit and make sure the safety ratings are in accordance with local requirements. You’ll “get what you paid for” often in terms of quality, features, comfort, quietness, etc. although the difference in protection against impact often varies little, once a certain standard like DOT rating has been met.
Our RIDERS preferred helmets:
CHECK PRICE:
Klim Krios Pro - REVZILLA
Shoei X2 Hornet - AMAZON | REVZILLA
MOTORCYCLE GLOVES
Your hands are often the first thing to hit the ground in a crash or fall, and they’re probably a pretty major part of your life, so why not protect them?
Our RIDERS preferred gloves:
CHECK PRICE:
Klim Badlands GTX (cold weather) - REVZILLA
Alpinestars Celer v2 (warm weather) - AMAZON | REVZILLA
JACKET & PANTS
Either with protective padding built-in, or as purchased via a separate body armor system. It’s expensive? Yep, it can be. But so are hospital bills, knees, elbows, etc.
Our RIDERS preferred Jacket & Pants:
CHECK PRICE:
Klim Badlands Pro Jacket - AMAZON | REVZILLA
Klim Badlands Pro Pant - AMAZON | REVZILLA
MOTORCYCLE BOOTS
Sure, the smaller and lighter they are, the more comfortable they’ll probably be, perhaps providing a greater feel of your brake and shift lever. However, even the biggest of boots break-in after a while, and a small sacrifice in comfort can lead to tremendous gains in terms of protection
Our RIDERS preferred boots:
CHECK PRICE:
Eric's choice - AMAZON | REVZILLA
Garrett's choice - AMAZON | REVZILLA
Christine's choice - AMAZON | REVZILLA
Tyler's choice - AMAZON | REVZILLA
NECK BRACE
Gaining popularity the past 15 years, and often used in other areas of motorsports, hopefully we never have to find out if they actually work or not … but given logic, it’s hard to imagine why they wouldn’t.
Our RIDERS preferred Anti-neck breakers:
CHECK PRICE:
Alpinestars BNS
Avoid the most common mistake that comes with buying a motorcycle, that excitement of ‘riding the biggest horse’ possible. As a beginner, choose a motorcycle that you can stand over securely, keeping in mind that uneven road surfaces below might even require a smidge more reach. A bigger bike or engine doesn’t necessarily mean a bigger smile, as a properly-fitted bike for each rider will undoubtedly lead to the best and safest miles and smiles. Truly a case where “size does matter,” choosing the right size for you will … dare we say … lead to the greatest satisfaction.
Remember the aforementioned notion that, the first expense is buying the motorcycle. Keeping it insured, registered, fueled, with fresh tires, replacement or add-on parts, and with camping, hotels, or meals on the road … all adds up. The headache of debt riding with you on that bike is just not worth it, and so leaving some budget open for the inevitables will make perfect sense.
Salesmen might have a reason to urge you into a certain bike, your friends might all be into a certain category like cruisers, sport bikes, or dirt bikes, but ultimately, isn’t the bike supposed to be what suits you best?
Consider the aforementioned categories of bikes, spend time on YouTube or reading about these various options, and make sure your money is being spent on the category of bike that you will get the most use out of. Once you have your motorcycle endorsement and perhaps some time on a few bikes owned by friends, or from demos, renting a motorcycle from a reputable rental provider can be a great way to reduce your risk of a purchasing error.
Keep in mind your possible liability for damage to a bike when renting, which still can be an overall cost savings over possibly damaging your own bike, or buying the wrong one for your average use.
More of a visual Learner? Check out our YouTube on the subject 👇