Wednesday, August 20, 2008
If you're thinking of getting yourself your dream motorcycle, you'll need to put in some thought before making your final purchase. You are going to have a more intimate relationship with your bike than you could have with your car, so be careful when picking out which bike is right for your needs. For example if you're a beginner, go for a smaller one that you can learn to ride easily and master it's maneuverings as you roll along.
Knowing what you'll be using your motorcycle for exactly solves half your troubles. If off-road or street touring is your basic aim, you'll find a number of bikes that fit your purpose. Dual sport bikes are a good choice for beginners just starting out.
They are designed to fulfill the dual functions of off-road as well as street touring and although they stand higher as compared to other bikes, they do help you see the road ahead better. Don't fall into the trap new buyers generally fall for; the moment they get a specific terrain motorcycle, they immediately want to go one up on it.
The hurdles you're likely to face while selecting a touring bike are going to be weight and price. Some of them can have a price equivalent to a new car which can pinch if you're a beginner.
And when these bikes are fully packed with travel gear, they can weigh more than 800lbs. But smaller and lower priced machines are available from some companies. You're just going to have to do some amount of research before putting your money down.
The problems of touring bikes won't plague you if you're interested in a sport bike. The main criteria you have to be aware of here is its very powerful engine. The engines on even the smallest of such bikes can generate really high speed. So be careful, and know your own levels of self control before buying one of these. Such bikes are lower on the weight scale and you should be able to get yourself a good deal if you're buying one second-hand off the Internet.
Once the decision on the type of bike is made, you have to think about the cost factors. If you're on a tight budget, determining whether you're going to go for a new one or a used one will be crucial.
The disadvantage of buying a motorcycle second-hand is that you may get one that has been abused by its previous owner. You can't be sure of its history. But it can be a good bet for beginners. Bikes are made hardy these days, and can take a lot of abuse before being regarded as junk.
On the other hand, with a brand new motorcycle, you're in safer territory as you will be the sole rider of it and will have no doubts about its past usage.
Now, the hidden costs are something important to think about especially for those on a budget. First and foremost, there's motorcycle insurance. The rates charged by most insurance companies are dependent on your engine's displacement. The cost is going to increase if you have a big bike. Your driving record and where you live will also have roles to play in determining your insurance. On an average, you might have to shell out something like 500 dollars a year just for the insurance.
The second major hidden cost is on maintenance and repairs. This will surface once your bike has been ridden for some time. The only solution to this problem is to take good care of it. It'll need fewer repairs if it's less abused. If you're the type who likes tinkering with motor parts, you can save money on oil changes and basic checks by doing them yourself; otherwise maintenance is going to cost you quite a bit as modern motorcycles are sophisticated machines possessing intricate components. It will need more looking after than a car would, so regular checkups are a must.
To conclude, you now have the necessary know-how to select the right motorcycle for your needs. So go ahead, buy your ride keeping the above factors in mind and you can be guaranteed many smiles with every mile you cover on your metallic steed! To find multiple motorcycle insurance quotes go to www.insurancemotorcyclequote.com