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5 Beginner Motorcycle Buying Tips

May. 26 2020 Rider Experience By Van Eiseman

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Before going full throttle into your first Motorcycle purchase, we recommend following these tips to make sure you get the most out of your buying and eventual riding experience.

 1. Learn Motorcycle Safety

If this is your first time hitting the road on two wheels, you need to know how to ensure your safety and the safety of others to the best degree possible. Fortunately, organizations like the Motorcycle Safety Foundation offer courses year-round for you to learn the ropes.

2. Get Motorcycle Insurance

In many states, Oregon included, riders must carry motorcycle insurance, so you should factor this process and the associated costs into your purchase.

Different plans offer varying levels of coverage, so we strongly recommend doing your research on which plan best suits your riding needs and finances.

3. Buy A Motorcycle That Fits Your Experience Level

You don’t know what you will and won’t like, so it’s essential to get a grip on the riding and ownership experience before splurging big on a high-tier model. 

For beginners, we suggest choosing a bike with less than 500cc, which should help you stay in control while conquering the quirks of riding. Furthermore, almost everyone manages to ding up their first bike, so we encourage you to explore our extensive selection of pre-owned motorcycles for sale to test the waters.

4. Do Your Research

As there are several different types of motorcycles, you should ask yourself what kind of riding you plan to do.

For highway cruising, standard and cruiser bikes typically make for good beginner motorcycles.

For trekking off the beaten path, you’ll likely want the knobby tires and high suspension of an off-road bike.

Then there’s dual-sport – a jack of all trades. Find your riding niche and work from them there!

5. Test Ride. Test Ride. Test Ride.

What might feel amazing for the 30 seconds you sit on it could be excruciating to ride for more than five minutes, which is why we implore all riders to test ride before committing to any model.

Read here for motorcycle test ride tips.

Find Your Next Ride At Our New & Used Motorcycle Dealership Serving Portland

If you have any questions about the motorcycle buying process, don’t hesitate to contact us at Beaverton Motorcycles. We’re here for you as soon as you’re ready to get started on your purchase!