Preparing for Your New Motorcycle

Many, many men, at some point in their lives, have dreamed of owning a motorcycle. While some fulfill this fantasy, others often change their minds, either from a feeling of outgrowing the desire, not being able to afford the luxury, or their wife simply won't allow it! (More and more women today, however, are themselves indulging in two-wheeler fun.) Many people feel it's an expensive "toy" that can only be used occasionally – especially if they live in seasonally-cold or otherwise weather-challenged areas.

But, if you're one of the lucky ones who're fulfilling that lifelong dream of motorcycle ownership, you need to put in some serious thought before you actually make the purchase. For instance, if you're a beginner, you don't want to rush out and buy the biggest bike you can get your hands on because you'll have a hard time handling it, which could cause a serious accident. On the other hand, if you're a large person, you probably don't want to get the smallest bike on the lot, even if you're a beginner. A good dealership will employ helpful salespeople that will be more than happy to steer you in the right direction and show you what will best suit your experience level, size and budget.

If you live in an area that offers motorcycle courses, it would be a good idea to enroll. You can learn valuable information and skills in these classes, specifically the best way to handle and ride your bike safely.

You may also want to do some research on the different types of motorcycles that you're considering buying. See how other users rate different makes and models for reliability, safety and design. This will give you a good idea of what bike will suit your needs. Then, when you get to the showroom, don't let a pushy salesperson talk you into buying hundreds of dollars worth of equipment that you don't need or want. When you're sitting on your bike, you'll feel like a million dollars and you'll want to look the part of a real biker – but keep your wits about you and don't get carried away.

Before you make the final purchase, be sure to check insurance rates in your area. Motorcycles are infamous for being dangerous, and premiums can reflect that. But if you know that you won't be riding your bike for a time, you may be able to save money be dropping the coverage. Insurance companies often don't like insuring motorcycles in states where they're only being driven for a couple of months during the summer. They may try to tell you that it's to your advantage to keep the insurance year round, or that they can't drop it after a few months. But that's your decision, not theirs. Their job is to insure what you want when you want it insured. It simply may not be necessary to be pay for insurance on something that's being stored, unless you feel the need to keep comprehensive insurance on a large and expensive bike.

Because motorcycles are often considered more prone to accidents than cars are, don't be surprised if your bike costs a mini-bundle to insure. Your age and driving record will play a part in the premium rate, as well. But because their value is (generally) not as high as cars, you'll likely save there. Whatever you do, plan wisely, buy wisely, and above all, ride wisely!