OSC MRC - Your First Bike

Buying a Bike

It would not make sense for us to recommend specific models or styles of motorcycle because people and the reasons they ride are so different. However, we can offer the following information to help you make your decision.

Considerations
Before you start looking at styles and models of motorcycle, you should look at your own interests. People ride for many different reasons and in many different ways. Ask yourself the following questions about what's important to you.

Courtesy of Ottawa Goodtime Centre

Kind of Riding. What kind of riding, and how much of it, do you expect to do? Is a bike a utility vehicle for commuting, a pleasure vehicle for weekend rides, or a collectable, to you? Different bikes are better suited to daily commutes, winding country roads, long-haul highway trips, or cruising the downtown strip on a Friday night. None of these kinds of riding is "right" but if one is more important to you, it should affect your choice of bike.

Passengers. Do you anticipate carrying passengers - ever? never? often? This will affect both the style of bike you choose and the size and engine power you require.

Physical Condition. If you are unusually small, large, light, or heavy, you will want to consider this when choosing a bike. You need a bike that allows you to reach the ground without being cramped, and that can carry your weight without overwhelming you. Likewise, if you will be frequently carrying a particular person as a passenger you should take their size and weight into account.

Luggage. Think about what you might be carrying on the bike. For daily commuting, you will need room for a briefcase or backpack. If a bike is your primary or only vehicle, do you expect to carry groceries on it? If you will be doing long-haul touring, luggage capacity is very important. On the other hand, if you want to flit around twisty roads on weekends you might prefer a more streamlined bike with little or no luggage capability.
      If you do want carrying capacity, you can get bikes with custom-designed and integrated luggage, or you can add third-party luggage to most motorcycles. Fit and finish of the luggage will be important to you, as will whether it is waterproof and how easily it can be removed from the bike.
      As a minimum, your bike should have enough storage (usually under the seat) for a small tool kit and a few papers, plus a mechanism to lock your helmet to the bike when you are leaving it unattended.

Maintenance. Like any vehicle, your bike will need maintenance. Will you be doing your own maintenance - for economy or as a hobby - or will you be having it done professionally? Availability of parts and service manuals can be a critical factor for some older or more exotic bike brands.

Customisation. Some riders turn their bike into a personal statement and work of art through extensive customisation. Some make a few minor personal improvements, while others prefer to keep their bike "stock." If you are interested in customising, check the availability of after-market accessories and parts for your potential bike.

Clubs. If you have plans to join a certain motorcycle organisation or club, some clubs imply certain style choices, or even certain brand choices. Feel free to ask advice of friends and club members, but don't expect unbiased answers.

Price. Price is obviously a factor in a major purchase such as a motorcycle. Purchase price can be affected greatly by your choice of brand and new or used machine. But you should also consider the other factors in the operating cost of a motorcycle. How fuel-efficient is it, and does it require expensive gas? How long do tires last, and are the standard tires expensive? How often is maintenance required, and is it expensive?
      Finally, don't forget to consider the price of insurance before making decisions. Price varies a great deal with model and engine size. Full insurance coverage can be quite expensive for high-risk models with high-risk riders, or comparable to car insurance for well-rated combinations. Call your insurance company for an estimate before you make any final decisions on a brand.

The Future. Do you think this will be your first and last bike, or might you upgrade in a few years? If an upgrade is a possibility, you might consider a lesser bike as a first vehicle - one that is easier to handle and that you will be less worried about scratching.

Bike Styles
Once you have an idea of what your own requirements are, you should consider what style of motorcycle interests you before you select a brand and model. Style categories include:

Standard. Standards are the "just plain motorcycle" style. They are mid-sized and mid-powered, with an upright riding position and minimal extra body work. They were the most common style a decade or more ago and are now making a comeback. Standards are good commuter bikes, and can be good touring bikes with added luggage. They are excellent starter bikes as they are easy to handle and have a neutral riding position. They are moderately comfortable for passengers.

Cruiser-style bike

Cruiser. Cruisers are the "laid back," low-slung style popular with customisers and some clubs. They tend to have a lot of chrome and a lot of attention to styling. Low, comfortable seats make them suitable for smaller riders, although large cruisers can be very heavy. Some find the leaned-back riding position uncomfortable on long rides, while others love it. There is a huge after-market parts supply for customising cruisers.

Sport-style bike

Sport. SportBikes are the Sports Cars of motorcycles. They are designed for performance, sometimes at the expense of comfort. Low handlebars and rear-set foot pegs encourage a forward crouched riding position for low wind resistance, and a short wheelbase makes for very nimble turning response. Also customisable, typically for performance rather than appearance. They range from moderate to poor for passenger capability, and can be uncomfortable on long rides. On the other hand, they can be very enjoyable on twisty back roads.

Touring-style bike

Touring. Some bikes are designed specifically for long-haul touring. Large cruisers can become touring bikes through the addition of luggage. Custom-made touring bikes have comfortable seats for rider and passenger, upright riding position, large protective windshields, and huge luggage capacity. Large tanks give them a long cruising range, but weight and lower fuel economy makes them less practical for short daily commutes.

dual-purpose style bike

Dual-Purpose. While we're not discussing dirt dikes here, Dual-Purpose bikes combine some of the attributes of Standard and Dirt bikes to create a bike that can travel on the highway and dirt or gravel secondary roads with equal ease. These bikes are well suited to recreational use where unpaved roads are part of your routine, and they also make good commuter vehicles as they are light and easy to ride. Equipped with luggage, they become good touring machines. However, they need to be tall to create ground clearance, and may be unsuitable for shorter riders.

Combinations. You will hear many other terms for styles which combine the above styles. For example, "sport-touring" bikes have some of the performance characteristics of sport bikes and some of the comfort and convenience features of touring bikes, and "adventure touring" bikes are rugged touring bikes with wheels and suspension set up like Dual-Purpose bikes.

Size and Power
The size and weight of your bike will affect its handling characteristics and its cargo- carrying capacity. Larger bikes also typically have larger engines, both to manage the weight and because the larger frame allows it. Larger engines, while less economical, provide higher power, and lower engine RPMs for highway cruising.
      Engine size is a personal preference and is also affected by regional biases. In many parts of the world, 250 cc is considered a completely adequate engine size, while the same is considered "small" in North America, with 400-600 cc being "medium" and 750+ being "large." Even a 250 cc motorcycle will develop more than enough speed for legal highway use, but larger engines will accelerate more quickly, and will do so while carrying more load. All else being equal, mid-sized bikes are probably a better choice for the beginner, as they require less gear shifting than small engines while being lighter to handle than large ones.

Accessories
Accessories can make a bike much more convenient, comfortable, and unique. However, when considering a bike, especially used, that has been modified or customised, keep these considerations in mind.
      Are any modifications and accessories legal? For example, it is possible to put an after-market exhaust pipe on a motorcycle that is not legal for street use. Extremely radical handlebar modifications may also be illegal.
      Does the bike still have its manufacturer's tool kit? These can get lost, and may not fit if the seat has been modified.
      If luggage has been added, is the mounting mechanism structurally sound? Poorly mounted luggage can work loose, or sink and contact hot exhaust pipes.

Recommendations
We will end with some general recommendations.
      If you are buying a new bike, concentrate on finding a dealer with whom you can establish a good business relationship. Any dealer will sell you a new bike in similar condition and at a similar price, but you will be going back to your dealer for service, parts, and support for years.
      When buying a used bike, look for clues that it has had a hard life. These clues may be visible on the bike or in the behaviour of its current owner. If the owner brags about wheelies, buy somewhere else. Get the opinion of a riding friend, or have a mechanic inspect your potential purchase.

Whatever you end up buying, start slowly, practice to build up your skills, and enjoy your ride.

1 accesses

changed Apr 07, 2010