Eventually the time comes in one's life when you say to yourself, "you know, I think it's time to get a new motorcycle." Whether it's because a shiny new model just passed you on the highway or because that old, beat up junker you call a motorcycle finally gave up, congrats on deciding to make that all-important first step to call a new bike your own. The obvious first question now becomes, "which bike do I get?" Unfortunately, this is the only thing many new (and sometimes seasoned) buyers concern themselves with when shopping around; often forgetting (or neglecting) to take into consideration the complete gamut of motorcycle ownership.
In this guide we'll try and bring to light five different things to consider when making a new-bike purchase: Choosing a bike, possible demo or test rides, shopping around at dealerships and what to look for at each, understanding the financing game and lastly, making sense of what insurance coverage you need.
Choosing Your Steed
Obviously if you already know what you want then this step won't be of much use to you. But to the rest of us who have no idea what comes next other than "something new" here are some points to consider when narrowing down your choices. First, figure out the type of riding you do most. Be honest with yourself when deciding because purchasing a ZX-10R when you really should have sprung for the Concours 14 (or vice versa) will hurt more than just your back and your wrists, but also your bank account. Also, if you're going to plop down a large chunk of your money then you better love what you ride. Most, if not all, riders will say that they chose their particular machine because they felt a connection with that bike-a case of form taking precedence over function. Not to say that performance isn't important, but in this age of two-wheeled techno-wizardry, nearly every motorcycle out there will be able to get your heart racing the moment you twist the throttle.
Getting On The Horse
Once you've figured out what type of riding you do and what models look appealing, there's still more filtering to be done. Do your homework on each specific model to see if there are any documented problems or recalls. The internet will obviously be your biggest resource when it comes to digging up information. Check message boards-especially model-specific ones-to see what owners are reporting regarding reliability, maintenance, or other idiosyncrasies specific to that model.
Next, see if a bike "fits." Looking at pictures and memorizing spec sheets doesn't mean a thing if it's uncomfortable when you're in the saddle. Go to a local dealer and sit on as many models as you can. Do this for a good length of time. You're trying to see if any aspect of the bike's ergonomics isn't to your liking. If there's an area that makes you uncomfortable, don't rule that model out just yet-remember that the aftermarket may have a solution to your woes.
Above all, try getting seat time and a test ride if possible. Very rarely do dealerships allow test rides (especially with sportbikes) and if they do it's under strict conditions. Your best bet is to look for demonstration rides being offered in your area. Sometimes manufacturers will bring a fleet of motorcycles to try during a race weekend. The Daytona AMA round and AHRMA's Vintage Motorcycle Days at Mid-Ohio are just two examples of such occurrences. Additionally, the women-only Femmoto event (www.femmoto.com), held annually at the Las Vegas Motor Speedway classic track, is a perfect opportunity for you ladies to get a feel for a plethora of different motorcycles both on the street and on the racetrack. By this time you should have a good idea which bike will have a permanent spot in your garage. To be on the safe side, check websites like Cycle Trader (www.cycletrader.com), the Recycler (www.recycler.com) and the NADA Guides (www.nadaguides.com) to see if your budget will allow you to make this purchase. Don't forget to leave room for your insurance payments, which we'll cover later.