Billy the Kid's Motorcycle Tips

How To Buy A Motorcycle

Part II

Go to the library or online and check out books such as "Proficient Motorcycling" by David Hough." Speak to motorcyclists and ask them to share their experiences, both positive as well as negative. Watch documentaries about motorcycling such as "On Any Sunday." Discuss this new interest with your family and loved ones to get their input. Your decision will affect them too. IF after following these steps, you are convinced that motorcycling is right for you, the next step is to see what you can afford. Now you have to review your cash assets. If you need finance, figure 60 months or more with payments being roughly $20.00 per each thousand borrowed. EXAMPLE: $10,000.00 motorcycle purchase with ten percent down payment payments should be $180.00 PER MONTH or less depending on term. Now there is always exceptions to the rules. Like what you ask......................IF YOUR CREDIT is super challenged, a cap may be placed on what you can borrow. Hence assess your financial status. It's important to include a safety margin in your calculations. That way your purchase will not cause you a hardship. Also it will increase your chance of being approved for financing. Your safety margin should include additional expenses such as yearly registration, maintenance, and fuel.

When shopping for a used motorcycle, you should examine parts on the bike such as your final drive sprocket or chain, wheels, exhaust system, foot pegs, handlebars, grips, levers, and bodywork as well as derby covers. You want to look for equal wear on various components, damage, new or mismatched paint, scratches or signs of recently replaced parts. These all COULD (not always) indicate an accident or possibly higher than indicated mileage. Look carefully for signs of corrosion. Check for leaks, and listen to the motorcycle after it is running and has warmed up. Make sure the brakes, clutch, and throttle as well as electrical system are all up to speed.

Road tests of new bikes online and in print are useful, BUT ONLY to a point; just as with actual human beings, NOT ALL motor-journalists are alike. Tastes and opinions often times differ. Also, only a few publications on either side of the digital divide do long-term tests of new bikes, making online forums the best place to see how well a given model held up over time.

I think everyone should start with a used motorcycle for their first bike. First, IF IT TURNS OUT you don't like motorcycling and want to cash out, you don't have a lot of money tied up, and a cheap used bike will ALWAYS be far easier to sell than a fairly new one. A lot of dealers have inspections of used bikes because they are concerned with future business and want to earn your parts & service business as well. The store I currently represent, has a great multi-point inspection that surpasses all the previous dealers I was employed with (7 others). WE ARE MOTIVATED TO PLEASE EVERYONE! Buying from a private party is a one time transaction which can turn sour upon a professional review. I can't count how many times I have seen a customer buy from a private party and after he legally owns it, bring it to a bike shop for inspection and only to discover the two thousand dollars they thought they would save was in fact lost due to a 3 thousand dollar service bill which may have explained why the private party wanted to sell his or her bike in the first place. It is easy to hide things from an unsuspecting new motorcyclist. Also, unlike cars with their adjustable seats and steering wheels, bikes don't come with much if any adjustability for either the rider or passenger. For the most part you sit in the position dictated by the bike. Often times this could prove to be a grave ergo issue. So PLEASE proceed with caution. Motorcycles are designed for various purposes & a buyer should study and understand the particulars prior to shopping. There are off road bikes, on road bikes, cruisers, sport, sport touring, touring & super motard to mention the greater portion of categories. Your job is to try and determine which category suits your needs best. Often times a good seasoned rider/salesman can assist you with a good portion of this stage of study. However you want to be sure your source of information is credible. A lot of misinformation flies around regarding any number of recreational hobbies or lifestyles. Hence the all time famous saying "BUYER BEWARE."