The ABCs Of Buying Your Very First Motorcycle
Leaning into the curves with the wind cutting through your hair, taking in the sights of the open road, and feeling the adrenaline rush that comes along with racing past every other vehicle on the highway--all of these are examples of why it is the dream of many to own their own motorcycle. If you spend a fair amount of time browsing motorcycle shops, dreaming of finding the one bike that will be your perfect ride, you already know that narrowing down the choices can be a major undertaking. While you are shopping for that first motorcycle you desperately want to take home as your own, there is a simple ABC rule set to keep in mind to help you make the best decision.
Always go with a lighter motorcycle for your first ride.
A lot of inexperienced bikers assume that a heavier motorcycle would be more stable on the highway, leaving less room for losing control due to drifting or sliding. However, the opposite is actually true if you don't have a lot of driving experience. A lighter weight motorcycle is much easier to control, whether it is one you are leaning to adhere to the curves of the road or trying to hold the bike balanced when you come to a stop. Make sure that you don't mistake a small bike for one that is lightweight, because the size of the bike itself has little to do with weight in a lot of cases. Take the time to look at actual specs that give you an exact weight of any bike you are considering.
Be sure you don't buy a bike based on cosmetic appearance.
You may really love the chopper style motorcycle, with its front wheel base stretched out before you just like the open road. However, just because you like the appearance of a bike, it is never a good reason to lay your money down and buy it. Choppers are the perfect example because these bikes are often a lot harder to navigate, they don't turn as easily, and do have a major adjustment period if you have never driven one. Before you buy any bike, keep your initial attraction to its appearance in check and make sure what you like visually is actually a bike you can ride safely.
Consider how you will use the motorcycle.
Will you be taking the motorcycle on short trips? How often will you be navigating your new bike through city traffic? Do you expect to drive the motorcycle daily? All of these questions are things you should be asking yourself as you shop for your first motorcycle. Some bikes are better equipped for long road trips, with wide seats and extra storage. There are some bikes that are for short pleasure drives, with more focus on appearance than comfort. Make sure you keep all of this in mind while you shop, perhaps at Canyon Honda, so you end up with a bike that caters to what you will need.