There is nothing quite like hitting the open road on a motorcycle, but that doesn’t mean it’s right for everyone.
Make sure you slow down and take the time to think about these five things before you take the plunge and buy your first bike.
Is it Worth The Cost?
When most people start the process of looking into buying a motorcycle, they consider the cost of the motorcycle itself. It’s true that a bike will eat up the biggest portion of your budget, but you need to think about the other costs associated with owning a motorcycle as well.
Gear like a helmet, jacket, pants, and gloves can cost hundreds, if not over $1,000. Insurance is an important cost to consider too. For example, Nevada law states that motorcyclists must be covered for bodily injury or death of one or more riders, as well as damage to property that can eat into your monthly budget.
Make sure you add up all of the costs associated with owning a motorcycle in order to determine whether or not you can actually afford to own one.
How Often Do You Really Expect to Ride?
It’s easy to lose yourself in the dream of riding a motorcycle, but it’s important to bring yourself back down to earth. How often do you actually expect to ride your motorcycle?
Some people really do ride all the time, and if you think that will be you, then the costs associated with owning a motorcycle might be worth it. But if you only plan to ride on the weekends, or if you live in a cold-weather climate that will only allow you to ride a few months out of the year, you may want to rethink whether it’s really a good idea to spend your money on a motorcycle.
Consider Taking a Motorcycle Safety Course
Riding a motorcycle is a lot different than driving a car. It can be more dangerous too. If you get into an accident, you’re much more likely to experience a serious injury than other motorists on the road.
That’s why it’s a good idea to consider taking a motorcycle safety course. You can choose from different kinds of courses that include:
- Beginner courses that can help you obtain your motorcycle license
- Intermediate courses that can help you sharpen your riding skills
- Practice courses that enable you to practice advanced maneuvers in a safe environment
- Specialty courses for specific bikes, like 3-wheelers and adventure motorcycles
Don’t Start With Your Dream Bike
If you have dreams of hitting the road on a motorcycle, chances are your dreams feature a specific bike. Even if you have the money to purchase an expensive motorcycle, it’s a good idea to spend your money on a more affordable bike at first.
You’re not likely to care for your bike quite the way you should as a new rider. As you learn to navigate the road, you’re more likely to get scuffs and scratches. You may even find yourself in an accident.
Repairs on an expensive bike can be costly. It’s even more devastating if you total your expensive bike because you get into an accident that was preventable.
Do yourself a favor and purchase a more affordable, used bike while you’re still learning the ropes. You can save up your money for your dream bike as you gain more confidence on the road.
Be Ready For Opinions From Friends and Family
You can bet that your friends and family will have things to say about your dream of riding a motorcycle. Some of those opinions are going to be negative.
Their opinions may persist too. Not only might a family member tell you owning a bike isn’t a good idea, they may complain about you riding the bike every single time you hit the road.
That doesn’t mean you shouldn’t own a motorcycle, but it does mean that you should prepare yourself to handle negative comments. Having a few responses ready can help. You might tell the other person that you’ll think about what they said, or you might simply thank them for their advice but tell them that you plan to continue riding anyway.
Owning and riding a motorcycle can be a lot of fun. It’s also possible that it isn’t. By thinking through the items on this list, you can make sure that you dive into motorcycle ownership knowing that it’s the right choice for you.