4 Things To Consider When Buying Your First Motorcycle

Are you ready to buy your first motorcycle? Have you already completed training and obtained your license? Buying your first motorcycle can be an exciting experience. However, it's important that you get the right bike for you. Too many first-time riders buy their bike based off of appearance and fail to consider other important considerations. If you get a bike that's too big for you or too uncomfortable, you may have a hard time riding it safely. Here are four things, besides appearance, that you should consider when shopping for your first bike:

Seat height.

When you stop the bike, you'll have to get your feet on the ground. If you're riding in busy city traffic, you may have to do this quickly and frequently. You don't want this to be a struggle and you also don't want your toes to barely touch the ground. After a while, balancing your bike with just your toes will become uncomfortable and difficult to maintain.

Getting a bike with the appropriate seat height will make a big difference. If you are shorter in stature, it doesn't make sense for you to have a bike with a high seat. Try out several bikes and make sure it's comfortable when you put your feet down.

Seat-to-handle angle and weight.

The angle of your arms is important when riding the bike. If your arms are angled down, then that means your wrists and forearms will have to exert greater effort to hold the bike steady while you're riding. If the bike is heavy, that could be a big problem for you. Some sports bikes and motorcycles with downward-tilting, cafe-style handlebars are often difficult for first-timers to ride. They can also be difficult for smaller individuals who don't have a lot of arm strength. If you want one of these styles of bikes, be sure to do a thorough test ride to make sure it's comfortable for you.

Horsepower.

It may be tempting to go out an get a high-powered sports bike. However, most first-timers aren't ready for that kind of speed. Try to be as objective as possible and think about whether you're really skilled enough to handle a bike that can reach top speeds in a matter of only a few seconds. You may want to start with a less powerful bike and work your way up to a high-speed version after you get some riding experience.

Cost to repair or replace.

As a new rider, it's a very real possibility that you will drop your bike at some point. You may stop awkwardly or fail to keep your balance. You may have to navigate difficult traffic and fail to keep the bike upright. It happens. However, consider whether you want a bike that will be costly to repair if parts get damaged. During this "learning" period, you may be better off with a bike that can get dinged up a little bit without considerable expense.

Talk to your motorcycle dealer at places like Kurtz Motorsports, Inc. They can help you find the right motorcycle for your abilities and budget.