Purchasing a motorcycle generally involves a great deal of research before you decide on the one that is right for you. There are so many makes and models to choose from that it can also be confusing. You will want to think about your motorcycle riding experience when you are looking at the type of bike to purchase. You will also want to consider what you will be doing with your motorcycle.

There are many different types of motorcycle to consider based on your interests. Do you want a motorcycle that is known for speed? If you will be taking long road trips on your motorcycle then you definitely want one built for travel and comfort. You may also want one that offers compartments to hold your necessities while you travel. Other motorcycles are designed for riding on dirt or for competition. There are also scooters that are fun for in town.

If you are new to the feat of motorcycle riding, it is recommended that you start with a moderately priced motorcycle or even with a used one. This is because a new motorcycle can cost you $20,000. Do you want to risk scratching it up or having costly repairs from dropping the bike over? Trust me, if you are new to riding that is going to be a part of the experience! You can always purchase a newer motorcycle once you have become a seasoned rider. Read the rest of this entry »

There are few things more pleasurable to the motorcycle enthusiast than riding their bike down an open road. But care should be taken to engage in this favorite pastime safely. No amount of momentary fun is worth months in the hospital, after all.

Safe driving can be attained through following a few simple, common sense techniques. Things that most everyone is aware of, but many fail to practice from time to time. Motorcyclists should be especially aware of all of these things, as they are vulnerable to injury, more so than anyone in a car or certainly a truck.

It should be drilled into all of our heads by now that a main cause of accidents is inebriated drivers who believe that they can still manage to drive but are really incapable. Instances of the effects of drinking can be seen at pretty much any gathering or party when out of nowhere, someone forgets how much they’ve had and makes a stumbling spectacle of them.

For safety reasons, you shouldn’t ever drive after drinking or even allow your friends or family members to do so. This applies even more so to operating a motorcycle. Drinking can effect the vision of the biker. It can slow reaction time, and cause reckless driving. None of which are good ideas when hurtling down the road on an open piece of metal. Read the rest of this entry »

“You have to be completely crazy to ride a motorcycle. Those things are dangerous!”

How often have we heard that? Zealous four-wheelers are bent on saving us from our own stupidity. Of course our bulbs are dim. Anyone bright wouldn’t go near one of those two-wheeled death machines. “It’s too risky,” they intone piously.

In a small part, they are right. There is risk involved in operating a motorcycle. There’s also risk involved in driving on a freeway, even in a tank. And it’s purely insane to sleep on a waterbed if we have cats. The trick is to manage the risks and to not take dumb risks.

One of the main keys to managing risks is to take a motorcycle rider course, and to keep the mental and physical skills we learn sharp. Many skills are lost in six months if they aren’t practiced. Knowing good cornering and curve-riding techniques doesn’t do us any good if we don’t practice them. Read the rest of this entry »

It easy to rush into things once you’ve decided to buy a new motorbike, but have a little patience and save yourself a little grief and a lot of money.

DECIDE WHICH BIKE IS BEST FOR YOU

Notice here, I avoided the word ‘want’, because what you want, and what suits you best are totally different animals. It’s all very well finally aspiring to the bike of your dreams only to find that you fall off at every junction because your legs are too short, or it’s so fast that it scares you to death, so retain a modicum of common sense when making your purchase. There’s also the question of what you can afford. You may scrape together the money to buy the bike in the first place, but can you really afford to run it. Don’t forget; fast bikes are costly to insure, especially if you are young or have no ‘no claims’ bonus.

DO YOUR HOMEWORK

Right, you’ve decided which bike to buy and you’re off to get your eager hands upon the beauty, but wait, hold on a minute. Before you jump in, ought you not to test the water? It’s time to survey the market. This is an important point, because it could save you a lot of money. You’re going to have to decide whether you’re going to buy privately or from a dealer. Of course, buying privately is cheaper, but if you go down this route, make sure you know what you’re doing. Buying from a dealer will offer more protection should there be a problem with the machine after you’ve owned it for a week or two. Shop around and see who’s offering the best deal. If necessary, hold back and wait until the bike you want is available. Read the rest of this entry »

It’s always a problem knowing what to pack for a motorcycle tour. Fortunately, that feeling of utter freedom we get when we are riding our bikes far outweighs the problem of limited luggage space. Having said that, the problem doesn’t go away, but by applying a little thought, it can be overcome. Here are some tips to make life easier on the road.

TRAVEL LIGHLTY

It’s tempting to throw as much as possible into your panniers, but remember, every ounce you pack onto your bike reduces handling qualities. Add to this a pillion and the needle on the pleasure-ometer begins to swing to the low side. Of course, there are some things that you can’t do without, but the keyword here is need. Take what you need and nothing more. If you are going on an organized guided tour, the company should (if it’s worth its salt) have a back-up vehicle that will carry your luggage.

PACK SENSIBLY

To optimize the handling of your bike, place heavy items at the bottom of your panniers.

BEFORE YOU GO

In the weeks leading up to your planned tour, begin making a list of what you might need to take with you. At this stage, it doesn’t matter if the list is too long; you can always cross things off as the time draws nearer. By using this method, you will ensure that the things you take with you are what you really need. You will also reduce the risk of leaving behind an essential item. Read the rest of this entry »