Buying a Motorcycle
Wow! I remember how daunting buying a motorcycle was! Not only because it was one of the
biggest purchases I’d ever made, but also because there is just too much information and way too many options
out there! I also remember how thrilling it all was... Buying a motorcycle was the start of one of the biggest
adventures in my life!
I am going to help you rev up the excitement on this one by outlining the process for you in a simple and user-friendly way, while still making sure that you have all the information you need to make an informed choice to buying a motorcycle.
The Basic Steps to Buying a Motorcycle
- Firstly – if you don’t know what types of bikes are out there, go and familiarize yourself with the market. Read Types of Bikes in the Motorcycle Buying Guide
- You can also search the Internet for reviews. Try The Auto Channel
- Be realistic about what you can buy. If you are new to this game, I would seriously urge you NOT to buy a new motorcycle. Aside from the fact that your bike will depreciate massively in the first year, you are guaranteed to take a few tumbles while you are learning to ride, and if you have to fork our a couple thousand pounds to pay for damages when you have just started this journey – it’s going to hurt your inspiration and your bank balance!
- If you are serious about riding, get your license if you don’t already have it. (Go to Motorcycle Licensing for more info on this)
- Get realistic about your budget, and don’t forget to take the cost of insurance and your gear into account. No matter who you buy your bike from, you will have to pay a registration fee, a license plate fee, a title fee and you will have to have insurance on the bike from the time of purchase. (Although do always check if you can get all of these extras apart from the insurance as part of the deal)
- Decide how you are going to finance buying a motorcycle. You can get a loan from a bank, pay cash, or find financing through a dealership
- Get realistic about the power of your motorcycle – it has to be in your skill set. You really don't want to go over 650ccs or two cylinders for your first bike
- Do consider your body type. If you cannot put both feet flat on the ground when the bike is upright, it's too tall for you
- Decide whether you are going to buy a used or new bike
- If this is your first bike, you don’t need a high performance bike
- Decide how you are going to find your ultimate bike. You can explore three main sources:
- Motorcycle Auctions
- Motorcycle Classifieds
- Dealerships - Do your research. There are so many deals out there that include more than just the actual motorcycle. Find the ones that suit you best
- Once you’ve found your dream bike, be patient and play hardball. Negotiate and when it comes to buying a motorcycle, you are in a good place to do this - not only because it is such a competitive market but also because you still need to give someone more business for all the extra’s like gear, repairs and accessories. All you need to do is to remind your dealer about this little fact and you’ll be surprised at how easy the negotiating will be
- Make a checklist of all the things you’ll need to check on the motorcycle. You will find a comprehensive list in the Motorcycle Buying Guide
- Take the bike for a spin if you can
- Read all the documents carefully. See the signatures, registration date and authentication
- There is a great web site called Parkers - buying a motorcycle where you can find out the original dealer price of the motorcycle and suggested user prices. You can also print a valuation certificate for your quote to take with you as extra bargaining material, for FREE!
- If you would like to check out prices of used motorcycles, go to The Used Bike Guide
Before, you head off - the following pages in this section have it all - read them well and enjoy riding your dream bike!
- Motorcycle Buying Guide Walk into the dealer or get online and look like a pro - this guide has it all! Learn about the different types of bikes and engines, read top buying guide tips, learn how to examine your new motorcycle to ensure that you don't get ripped off and find out how to handle the paperwork!
- Motorcycle Auctions Find your dream bike at a bargain price on my e-bay shop - and of course read the e-bay buying tips that go with it! I have also included a section on police motorcycle auctions - a great way to find top bikes at unbeatable prices -really!
- Motorcycle Classifieds start searching for your bike right now by using my links to motorcycle classifieds online and in your local papers.
- Buy Used Motorcycles If you're hunting for a bargain then go no further than my tips on buying a second hand bike! The Auctions and classifieds sections compliment this well too.