So you’ve lately been considering entering the wild world of the motorcycle owner- and why not? While motorcycles once were widely considered mostly the territory of traditional ‘biker-types’ or hard-core riders, shifts in trends and accessibility have much changed this idea. If you see yourself as more of a suave man about town rather than a Hells Angels kinda guy this doesn’t mean that the motorcycle isn’t for you. There are plenty of options to suit your image, look and scene. Sure the right car becomes a real pride and joy, but when the working week is over there’s not much that beats taking a different kind of adventure on two wheels only; think the open road and new cool spots to be discovered.

There is much to be contemplated before you take to the road, let’s take a look at some of the considerations it’s worth making before you get stuck in.

Be realistic

This one isn’t about raining on your motorcycle parade, but if this is your first bike purchase or you are somewhat still a beginner, it can be very easy to fall into the trap of ending up with a bike that is unmatched to your current ability and skills. Sure you’ll likely be hyped up thinking of the speed, the look, the antics to be had, yet if you end up with a bike with a performance level that your not ready for then all this hype quickly comes to a screeching halt. If you learn the ropes on a slower bike, you’ll be able to perfect your skills initially, starting your biking escapades with sophistication rather than clumsy (or dangerous) mishaps. You can always upgrade to a faster bike once you’re closer to mastering the art of the biker.

Gear-up

A rider, whether novice or experienced, should never underestimate the importance of being well-prepped with adequate motorcycle gear. The proper equipment is essential for issues of practically and safety both. Your motorcycle gear is quite literally the only thing between your body and the road in the unfortunate case of an accident so you’ll not want to cut corners when your considering which helmet to purchase and which jacket, pants and gloves feel right to protect you from abrasion injuries and weather conditions. This is just the beginning; there are many accessories and gadgets to look into when assessing what you might require depending on your needs. Places like solomotoparts have the low down on these critical things and are worth a gander when making these important decisions. Just because the gear is primarily for safety doesn’t mean that there aren’t plenty of sleek and cool designs out there tailored to your image and adding to the thrill of your new biking ventures.

Brand new or second hand

The option of going for a brand new or a second hand bike is one that really depends on what is most important to you personally. It also depends on  how much of a budget you have (or how much you’re willing to pay). Many feel that second hand bikes can be very suitable for the novice rider because if you end up occurring some damages to your bike, while you’re learning the ropes, then it’s not going to break your heart as much as damaging a beautiful brand new bike. (You can still get some pretty beautiful second hand models too of course). If you decide to opt for a new bike then you’ll be getting reliability in terms of the warranty so this is something that is important to many people (and maybe worth paying out for). Once you’ve determined your must-haves and your compromises and compared a few options you should be steered in one direction or another.

Type of bike

There are many possibilities available when choosing the type of bike you feel might be your cool new partner in crime. A cruiser is a viable option when you’re starting out because these kinds of bikes are built for (you guessed it) cruising about town more than extreme speed shenanigans! However, there are also the power-cruisers for those who do want to crank up the speed from the get-go. There are sports bikes for those with a steadfast need for speed (but don’t skimp on the training before you hop on one of these). There are also dirt bikes, that aren’t road legal, for those who want to use their bikes to get wild in some big open spaces off-road.   It’s just all about doing your homework and gauging which is the best bike for your persona. You’ll want to find a bike to reflect your image and the lifestyle that you have (or aspire towards).  

Shop-about

The best way to know which bike is best for you is to have a play around and see which one strikes a chord. If you hop on several different bikes instead of making any quick and rash decisions, you’ll be able to gain a better idea of what works for you and what doesn’t. You can gauge your needs by asking yourself how you’ll primarily be using your bike. For instance, will you need your bike for long distances? Or will you just be a weekend rider? Do you want a bike for off-road jaunts? Is the look of the bike the most important thing to you? If so- what kind of look do you require? You can also consider a bike that suits your body to make for the most comfortable riding; bikes come in many different shapes and sizes, so it’s relevant to ensure your not mismatching yourself with a bike that doesn’t reflect and cater to your body.

Once you’ve had a good old look at what’s out there, had a play (and most importantly taken a few pictures of yourself in action to see what vibes you're giving off) you’ll be ready to make some sophisticated choices, not forgetting the practicalities of keeping suitable and keeping safe. See you on the road.