What is the best first motorcycle for new riders? This question comes up a lot and the answer depends on a few things. The best first motorcycle for someone else may not be the same for you. You will need to do some research to determine what that perfect first bike for you will be. Let’s get started...
Should new riders buy a new bike or a used one when first starting out? This is a great question and I’m happy to share my thoughts on the subject. Most of us when we think about motorcycle riders envision guys and girls on shiny new bikes, looking the part, and thoroughly enjoying themselves. The media and motorcycle industry definitely perpetuate this thought so it ends up being natural for new riders to consider buying brand new bike as their first...
I had spent 18 years being told by my parents that I was sure to hurt myself if I got a motorcycle. When the time came to buy a motorcycle I was particularly cautious. My lack of experience on motorcycles was not going to be a deterrent for me, I was determined to find an affordable and perfect motorcycle for myself.
As one of the first generations to grow up with the internet, I relied on it heavily to find information and determine if motorcycling was something I wanted to get into. Since I didn’t have a mentor that rode motorcycles nor did I know anyone mechanically inclined who could help answer any of my new rider questions, I turned to the world wide web. Perusing the Total Motorcycle Beginning Rider Forum was one of the most valuable resources I had starting out... When I educate potential new riders that are considering getting into motorcycling I like to outline how professional riders get started in their respective disciplines. Although very few of you will probably ever consider racing, the principles from this story are sure to help you. Age is irrelevant here, and whether you are 16 or 65 you can learn a lot from the choices and progression the professionals make.
Racers competing in any discipline of motorcycling typically start out at a young age. They begin on bikes that are forgiving and match their ability level. These beginning bikes are where basic skills are learned. As they grow up they progress to more powerful bikes that allow them to grow their skill set. For an aspiring dirt racer starting at the age of six they may go from a 50cc, to a 65cc, to an 85cc, to a 100cc, to a 125cc, to a 250cc, and finally to a 450cc bike. The same applies to road racers who commonly start out on a 125cc, progress to a 250cc, to a 600cc, and finally to a 1000cc race bike. The progression is gradual and allows the rider to develop their skills fully before transitioning up to the next level... As a new rider, buying your first motorcycle is a huge deal. There are a number of global factors causing the popularity of motorcycles to rise, from great gas mileage to overall affordability. I love seeing more and more people getting into this awesome two-wheeled sport. Whether you are thinking about buying a motorcycle to save fuel, commute on, ride for pleasure, race on a track, or even pick up a significant other - finding the perfect first bike for you is extremely important. Your first bike has the power to determine if you are going to love the sport and stick around forever, or make a quick departure with deflated optimism. I want to share my early motorcycling experiences with you and what I have learned as I have worked in the industry so that you make the best choices possible when starting out as a new rider.
A long time ago I had my heart set on getting into motorcycling and nothing was going to stop me. I was 18 years old at the time and was about to graduate from high school. Graduation also meant that the ban my parents had imposed on powersport vehicles as I was growing up was about to expire. I could not wait to indulge in all things two-wheeled. For as long as I could remember I had wanted anything from a motorcycle, to a dirt bike, to a scooter. Where to start? With so many options out there and an accumulation of money saved, what kind of bike was right for me? What factors are the most important when choosing a first bike? Is it an economical decision? I’m going to answer all these new rider question for you in this blog series so that you can make the best possible decision as you get into the awesome sport of motorcycling and dirt biking. |
Archives |