Pedrostt500
26th October 2008, 11:05
Ok I intend this to be a guide only to those who are suffering the, what bike I should buy for my first bike.
I'm not going to get into wich make is best, that can be your choice.
There are alot of different types of bikes on the market, for alot of different purpoeses, from the humble Scooter and Comuter bikes to large Sports and Cruiser bikes, and alot of other types in between.
so the first question.
1 what type of riding do you want to do?.
1a Commute only from home to work / school with no highway riding.
1b Commute only from home to work / school with some highway riding.
1c Commute and some leisure riding.
1d I want to tour the country by motorcycle.
1e I want to check out the little back roads and get off the beaten track.
1f I want to break the sound barrier on land.
1g I want to be Cool and pick up chicks / boys.
2 What type of riding Exsperience do you have?.
2a None what so ever, ( what are handel bars ?.).
2b Once rode on the back of a friends bike.
2c Once rode a 50cc trail bike around a paddock when I was 5yrs old.
2d Learnt to ride a farm bike ( not a quad.)
2e I have owned a trail / MX bike and rode it every week end.
2f I have owned and ridden road bikes and am now returning to riding bikes after many years of not riding.
2g I know every thing there is to know you can't tell me nothing.
3 What is my budget?. It is wise to consider riding gear in your budget, at best all top quality new gear, at least a new helmet and good second hand jacket, gloves pants and boots, that havent seen to much if any road rash & abuse. There is quiet a range of riding gear available these days to suit most budgets, it mostly comes down to how much you value your skin and the contents of your head.
Also note that your bike will need periodic maintenance and servicing, the proper tyres for some of the bigger bikes can be quiet exspensive, if you are HP ing a bike you may need to consider this in your budget.
3a I can afford to buy a small country.
3b I can afford to put a deposit down on the bike of my choice, and easily pay it off.
3c I can afford to set aside a set amount, Ie $4k to 8k.
3d My budget is less than $2k all up.
3e I cant afford much but I'm good with tools.
3f I cant afford much and what is a spanner.
I dont belive that you can get to much advise once you have answered the questions above for your self, ask people that you know that ride bikes, ask questions of the members of KB most will be helpfull, go to your local bike shop and ask questions.
once you have decided what type of bike you wish to own and ride then go around as many bike shops as you can and sit on as many as you can to get a feel of the bike, can you sit on the bike with your feet flat on the floor?, does the bike feel to small?, does the bike feel to bulky and heavey?.
Check out what riding courses are available to you in your area, even if you are returning to riding bikes after many years of absence, this is money well spent, and will set you up for many years of safe riding. also make use of the KB mentor programme, you can hook up with a few different ones to get different perspectives on riding and bike issues.
I know that many of the KB comunity may wish to add to this thread, both postive and negative comments, if you feel that I have missed some thing out, let me know and ill add it in, if it is relivant.
please also note that these are just my views and advice, and you dont need to adhere to them, the choice is yours.
I wish you the best with your future motorcycling, and may you get many years of enjoyable riding.
I'm not going to get into wich make is best, that can be your choice.
There are alot of different types of bikes on the market, for alot of different purpoeses, from the humble Scooter and Comuter bikes to large Sports and Cruiser bikes, and alot of other types in between.
so the first question.
1 what type of riding do you want to do?.
1a Commute only from home to work / school with no highway riding.
1b Commute only from home to work / school with some highway riding.
1c Commute and some leisure riding.
1d I want to tour the country by motorcycle.
1e I want to check out the little back roads and get off the beaten track.
1f I want to break the sound barrier on land.
1g I want to be Cool and pick up chicks / boys.
2 What type of riding Exsperience do you have?.
2a None what so ever, ( what are handel bars ?.).
2b Once rode on the back of a friends bike.
2c Once rode a 50cc trail bike around a paddock when I was 5yrs old.
2d Learnt to ride a farm bike ( not a quad.)
2e I have owned a trail / MX bike and rode it every week end.
2f I have owned and ridden road bikes and am now returning to riding bikes after many years of not riding.
2g I know every thing there is to know you can't tell me nothing.
3 What is my budget?. It is wise to consider riding gear in your budget, at best all top quality new gear, at least a new helmet and good second hand jacket, gloves pants and boots, that havent seen to much if any road rash & abuse. There is quiet a range of riding gear available these days to suit most budgets, it mostly comes down to how much you value your skin and the contents of your head.
Also note that your bike will need periodic maintenance and servicing, the proper tyres for some of the bigger bikes can be quiet exspensive, if you are HP ing a bike you may need to consider this in your budget.
3a I can afford to buy a small country.
3b I can afford to put a deposit down on the bike of my choice, and easily pay it off.
3c I can afford to set aside a set amount, Ie $4k to 8k.
3d My budget is less than $2k all up.
3e I cant afford much but I'm good with tools.
3f I cant afford much and what is a spanner.
I dont belive that you can get to much advise once you have answered the questions above for your self, ask people that you know that ride bikes, ask questions of the members of KB most will be helpfull, go to your local bike shop and ask questions.
once you have decided what type of bike you wish to own and ride then go around as many bike shops as you can and sit on as many as you can to get a feel of the bike, can you sit on the bike with your feet flat on the floor?, does the bike feel to small?, does the bike feel to bulky and heavey?.
Check out what riding courses are available to you in your area, even if you are returning to riding bikes after many years of absence, this is money well spent, and will set you up for many years of safe riding. also make use of the KB mentor programme, you can hook up with a few different ones to get different perspectives on riding and bike issues.
I know that many of the KB comunity may wish to add to this thread, both postive and negative comments, if you feel that I have missed some thing out, let me know and ill add it in, if it is relivant.
please also note that these are just my views and advice, and you dont need to adhere to them, the choice is yours.
I wish you the best with your future motorcycling, and may you get many years of enjoyable riding.