So You Want to Buy a Motorcycle?
Not to belabor the obvious, but if you've never owned a motorcycle, promise yourself that you'll look into one of the 1,500 rider courses offered by the Motorcycle Safely Foundation. A lot can happen when you're riding a motorcycle and some of it's not good. So take the time to learn how to ride it right. You'll find more information on safety courses at msf-usa.org.
Decide What You Want
As you probably know, there are any number of different types of motorcycles: touring, cruiser, sport, standard, dual purpose, motocross and enduro bikes.
Whichever you choose, there are a number of things to consider when shopping for a bike.
1. Does it fit? Sit on it and see if the seat height is right. Ideally, you should be able to straddle the bike with both feet flat on the floor with your knees slightly bent.
2. Is it too heavy? If you were to drop the bike, could you pick it up yourself? Can you balance it when stopped?
3. Is it reliable? Here you'll want to do some homework and do some Internet research. In addition, ask friends who own bikes about their maintenance costs, performance problems and their overall satisfaction.
4. Does it have what you need? Again, do your homework. Decide what you're going to need in terms of engine size, fuel tank capacity, accessories, etc. In short, don't overdo it. Don't get carried away with a bunch of bells and whistles and end up with a bike that costs too much and has features you'll never use.
New or Used?
Obviously, if you buy a used bike, you're going to pay less than for a new one. But just as with buying a used car, you've got to know what you're buying. Our advice is to take the motorcycle to a certified motorcycle mechanic and have him do a thorough inspection. It may cost you a few bucks, but it could also save you hundreds.
If you're buying new, then it's best to deal face-to-face with a dealer. A good motorcycle dealer will take the time to show you different bikes and make a real effort to help you choose a bike that is right for you.
A good dealer will have truly knowledgeable sales people. First, they should be riders themselves. Second, they should be able to answer any and all technical questions. You're not looking for a salesman; you're looking for an adviser.
Finally, check out the dealer's service department. Talk to people who have had their bikes serviced with the dealer. Bottom line, you want them to care as much about you and the bike after the sale as they did before you laid out a stack of cash.
Buying the Bike
Need a loan? If you're going to finance the purchase, check out your loan sources before you go to the dealership. The dealer may have a low-interest finance package to offer you. On the other hand, they may work through a bank and actually charge you a few percentage points more - their profit - than you'd get by going direct to the bank. Shop your financing.
Negotiate. Unless the bike is in high demand and the inventory is low, you should be able to buy the bike for less than the advertised price. Take a look at sites like CycleBuy.com to learn the invoice price - what the dealer pays the manufacturer. Most dealers will be happy if they can sell you a bike and make a 10% profit.
Check out the insurance costs. As with most purchases, it pays off to shop for the best rate.
Finally, as we said at the outset, if you're a new rider, take a safety course. You'll be amazed at how much you can learn. And in the end, rider safety knowledge can be your best protection.
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