The time has come to ditch four wheels for two. It’s a decision you’ve been pondering for a long time, but you’re finally going through with it.
You might still keep your car and use a motorcycle on weekends, or when you feel like enjoying a more thrilling journey. Alternatively, you’re properly ditching your current vehicle and living life as a motorcycle dude.
In either case, you need to know a few crucial things before buying your first motorcycle. It’s a decision that’s not too dissimilar from buying a car, though there are some major differences. Without wanting to beat around the bush too much, let’s see what you need to know before buying a motorbike.
You need a license
It’s illegal to ride a motorcycle if you only have a regular driver’s license. This is necessary as more training is required to operate a fast and powerful vehicle on two wheels. The annoying news is that there are a few hoops to jump through to obtain this license:
- Step 1: Get a motorcycle permit from your local DMV – you’ll need your identity and proof of residency, and you’ll also have to take an eye test. After this, there’s a written safety test that you must pass before you’re given the permit.
- Step 2: Practice riding your motorcycle – a motorcycle permit will let you ride around on the road. However, this isn’t the same as a license as there will be restrictions in place. Effectively, the permit exists to legally let you on the roads for some real-life practice.
- Step 3: Take a riding test – When you’re confident in your riding abilities, you can head back to the DMV for a motorcycle riding test with a qualified instructor. This will be similar to your driving test, only on two wheels! Pass the test to get your license and you can legally operate a motorcycle.
You’ll need a lot of extra protective gear
A big advantage of driving a car is that you buy the car and are ready to drive right away. You don’t need to purchase any extra gear – just hop in and put your foot down.
With motorcycles, things are drastically different. You need to get your hands on lots of additional stuff to protect you while riding. Riding gear is designed to keep you safe in the event of an accident, while also protecting you from the weather.
So, what will you need to buy – and why?
- Helmet – Unbelievably, it’s legal in most states to ride a motorcycle without a helmet if you’re over the age of 21. I don’t know about you, but this feels like a huge problem. Every motorcyclist should own and wear a helmet whenever they’re riding. You absolutely need one as it can save your life. Even if you go down at a relatively slow speed, hitting your head can cause lifelong severe injuries. A helmet protects your body’s most valuable asset – your brain!
- Gloves – You need a pair of motorcycle gloves for a couple of reasons. Firstly, gripping your motorbike for a long time can cause chafing and blisters. Secondly, the weather can also make your hands hurt. Oh, and there’s a third reason too; your hands are the first things to hit the floor in a crash. You put them out for support, meaning they can be seriously damaged without proper protection. High-quality gloves keep your hands safe in all conditions and make your riding experience more comfortable.
- Jacket & Pants – Technically, you could ride a motorcycle in whatever clothing you like. Again, there are no laws in place here that force you to wear specific things. The problem with normal clothes is that they do not offer any protection at all. A proper motorcycle jacket and pants will give you the protection you need from the elements, and in the event of accidents.
- Boots – Finally, you have to get your hands on some proper motorcycle boots. This is primarily for comfort purposes as boots give you more support through your feet while you ride. Regular shoes don’t grip the bike properly or give you enough purchase to feel truly comfortable while riding at high speeds.
As you can see, there are many things to buy when you get your first motorcycle. Yes, you could skip all of these purchases, but then you’d compromise your safety and comfort. All in all the true cost of motorcycle gear can be over $1,000 depending on where you buy everything from.
Don’t worry, the cost of maintaining and owning a motorcycle tends to be less than that of a car. So, while the initial purchase and investment may be slightly higher, your two-wheeled vehicle does become cheaper to run.
You should buy used
Just like buying a car, buying a used motorcycle is the smarter idea. Brand new ones can be pretty expensive, and there are so many amazing used options on the market. Seriously, you can get your hands on some iconic brands like Harley Davidson or Ducatti for pretty decent prices.
You have a couple of things to worry about when buying from a used motorcycle dealer. Firstly, ensure you buy from an approved used dealer to be sure of the authenticity. This will also help you purchase a motorcycle that’s in pretty good condition, rather than one that’s a rust bucket.
Secondly, and perhaps most importantly, always be sure there is a repair manual available for the motorcycle. This is particularly critical for motorbikes that are no longer being produced, or for motorcycles from specific brands. It can be difficult to find Harley-Davidson repair manuals for some used models, so double-check that one is available before you go ahead and buy it – the same applies to any brand or any other model.
Why is this important? A repair manual helps you fix the motorcycle if there are issues down the line, while also allowing you to maintain it better so it lasts for longer.
You shouldn’t bite off more than you can chew
As this is your first motorcycle, you should be cautious when picking the model. We’ve mentioned things like Harley Davidsons and Ducattis, but are they right for you? Be aware that riding some motorcycles is vastly different from riding others.
When you drive a car, you have more control over everything. Even in faster and more powerful cars. This isn’t the same when riding a motorbike! Powerful ones are much harder to control, which can make life challenging if you’re not used to riding. The lure of a big meaty motorbike with a huge growling engine can be too much to resist at times. However, think about your safety.
Remember, this is your first motorcycle. You’re not used to riding them, so opt for something that’s easier to control. Get used to two wheels and gain more confidence before trading in your first motorbike for a bigger and better one.
These are the main things to know before buying a motorcycle for the first time. Why do you need to know them? To ensure you have the best possible experience! You’ll know how to buy a motorbike, along with what’s needed to legally ride one, and how to stay safe at all times. Other than that, buying a motorcycle is fairly similar to buying a car when you actually start shopping for one. You’ll visit different used dealerships and spend a lot of time testing motorcycles and seeing if they’re up to scratch. Don’t forget to haggle too; you never know what kind of bargain you could get if you play your cards right.
Thanks for reading and y’all stay dandy.
-Diego
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