Best Ride For You

Posts Tagged ‘motorcycle’

The GS500E is a great example of an affordable motorcycle. Image via Wikipedia

I’d be the first to admit that many motorcycles could be considered a luxury. When you do the math for payment, insurance, maintenance, and mpg versus a car, even the best motorcycle only comes ahead when you put many miles on it. If you leave it set and drive the car, it quickly becomes an expense.

You can manage what you spend on a motorcycle by buying one within your means. If you know that you will not put many miles on the motorcycle, don’t overspend on the motorcycle. First, if you’re going to own a car also, figure out what it cost per mile to drive your car. Now figure out what it costs to operate your motorcycle per mile. If you have to make payments on the motorcycle, it takes a huge number of miles to make up for that payment. The more mpg you can get out of your motorcycle, the easier it is to break even though.

Minimizing the costs can also be done by choosing a motorcycle with the best maintenance schedule. They’re not like a car when you buy them new. My Honda Shadow required a 500 mile checkup that costs over $400! If it wasn’t done, it voided the warranty. Imagine buying a car and getting hit with that cost! It was an outrage and I’ll be sure to look at the maintenance schedule before buying a new motorcycle again.

Motorcycle insurance is another area to cut costs. Shop around as there is a vast cost difference in motorcycle insurers. Again, it’s not like a car. Your agent may be with a big name company, but their motorcycle insurance may be through a rinky-dink outfit. The type of motorcycle is a big difference too. A large cruiser cost much less to insure than a small sport bike. Agents are willing to get the numbers for you, but give them some time as it’s not as quick to quote as with cars.

Another way to save money is to buy gear that allows you to ride in bad weather. Heated suits and rain gear can add many more days of riding. Again, you have to weigh the cost/benefit. You can go over $500 for a good cold weather suit quickly.

If you can buy a small cc motorcycle, it’s easier to save money with the motorcycle. 500 CC motorcycles can perform very well. The mpg difference is much better. If you plan on carrying a heavy passenger and/or travel gear, you have to go larger though. Check the weight limits before you buy. There are exceptions to the rule though. The Suzuki V-Strom 650 is rated at a larger carrying capacity than the Honda Gold Wing. The V-Strom is about $7,000, while the Gold Wing is over $25,000.

Used motorcycles are a great bargain to consider as well. Many people buy a motorcycle, rarely ride it for a few years, and then sell it. Nearly new motorcycles with all of the accessories added for a used price. Don’t overlook these bargains. Do take into consideration the high cost of accessories. It’s not uncommon for a $7,000 motorcycle to have $2000 worth of add-ons and the seller is going to want some type of return on these items.

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Harley Davidson Cruiser. Image via Wikipedia

Cruiser motorcycles come in a large variety of sizes and models. On top of the large variety, there is a huge market for aftermarket upgrades and customization. If you want a one-of-a-kind motorcycle, the cruiser is the only way to go. If you want comfort and style he cruiser is great, if you’re only considering shorter rides. The cruiser is capable of long rides, but they lack the ability of the touring motorcycle.

I don’t suggest cruisers for starter motorcycles because the lack the stability of a standard motorcycle. However, they do hold an advantage for short riders because of the low seating position. If being able to touch the ground with your flat foot is important to you, a small cruiser may be your best option for learning to ride.

The make of cruiser you buy should depends on what you’re looking for. Do you want -

• Price
• Quality
• Comfort
• Looks
• Technology
• Old-School Technology
• New Technology that looks like old school.
• High Performance
• Lifestyle
• High Weight Capacity
• the list of choices could go on and on

Here’s the thing about your cruiser choice. You can have a combination of qualities, but it’s rare to find a combination of all choices in one bike. There is a give and take that happens when producing a motorcycles. This balance is weighted towards one type of rider or another and the companies put their investment in bikes that will appeal to the largest groups. Let’s take a brief look at some of the groups.

Harley-Davidson Cruisers

For some people, Harley-Davidson embodies all that they dream about. They buy “the lifestyle”. If that’s you’re thing and you have money for it, go ahead, but don’t forget to load up your checking account before buying. These people could care less about specs. It’s about the looks. Harley specs pretty much stay the same and if you don’t like them, you can pay a fortune to change the bikes performance and capabilities. There are some tech advances used by Harley, but they’re rarely a draw towards the motorcycle. Often, in the case of the watercooled V-Rod, the Harley-Davidson crowd will discount these advances as junk because they deviate from the basic Harley design. If Harley covers all of your wants in a motorcycle, no other brand will give you what you need.

Close Harley-Davidson Knock-Offs

Harley-Davidson alternative bikes are plentiful. Victory Motorcycles are much more technologically advanced and they are made in America. They’re expensive too, but you get the advantage of a motorcycle that outperforms Harley on nearly every level, except “lifestyle”. Large CC Honda, Kawasaki, Suzuki, and Yamaha V-Twins are cheaper Harley knock-offs that perform well, but lack in looks and overall quality. The drive trains exceed Harley, but the ornamental pieces are commonly plastic and cheap.

Cruisers That Only Borrow The Harley Seating Position.

There are many cruisers that resemble the Harley setting position, but that’s where it ends. Triumph’s triples, Honda’s V-4′s, and other configurations are great performers. Generally speaking, the less the motor looks and sounds like a Harley-Davidson V-Twin, the more value you get for the money. V-Twin’s are antique and the Harley sound is created when the antique technology is used. Motorcycles that do not require this retro look and sound can excel at smooth operation, power, and increased engine life. They are even less expensive to manufacture, so the price is more reasonable.

In Conclusion

Consider these options when buying a cruiser. There is one out there that is the perfect bike for you if you consider what qualities you most need in a motorcycle. I would say that you are crazy if you forego motorcycling altogether just because you cannot afford a Harley-Davidson. Don’t let anyone tell you different. Ride within your means and you’ll enjoy it more than a monthly payment bike.

Motorcycle license requirements are more difficult to obtain than automobile license because so much more is required to keep you safe. In my opinion, it’s to easy to get a motorcycle license in the United States. Skills required to ride motorcycles are much less inherent to many riders. There are learned responses needed to maintain control of your motorcycle. For example, at speed you push the handlebars in the direction that you want to go. Many new motorcyclists fail to understand this and in a panic situation, they steer right into the hazard they were trying to avoid.

Leave your pride on the couch when you learn to ride. I’ve driven 18-wheelers, military vehicles, off-road vehicles, and cars for many years and I can tell you that a motorcycle requires specialized training. Fooling yourself into thinking you’re a better motorcyclist than you are will only get you hurt.

Get Your Motorcycle Learners Permit

Before you even buy a motorcycle, you should obtain the basic permit. This usually only requires a written test that isn’t much different from a car’s licensing test. Basic road knowledge and a few basic motorcycle specific questions are asked. All that this permit does is prepare you to learn. If you’ve never ridden before, you are qualified to put in first gear to an area large enough to learn some basics with little or no traffic.

Get Your Safety Gear

There are two types of riders, those who have went down, and those who are going to go down. No need to fear this if you’re wearing armored safety gear. While learning, this will save you from harm at low speeds. It will also get you accustomed to wearing the gear. Many bad accidents have happened to riders with gear that they walked away from. Don’t believe, watch the wrecks in any motorcycle race.

Get Motorcycle Insurance

Find an insurance agent and make sure you are covered to ride. If you undervalue insurance, consider that the law can and will impound your motorcycle and take your automobile drivers license if they catch you riding without insurance for your motorcycle! Look for insurance that has an added benefit of roadside assistance for breakdowns.

Motorcycle Riding School Is Essential

Get enrolled in a motorcycle riding school. You can learn more from an experienced instructor than any other method. You’ll get advice while you actually ride the motorcycle. Learning how to do slow maneuvers, ride over hazards, proper braking, and basic maintenance is NOT an inherent skill. You need to learn these at a proper motorcycle riding school.

Take The Motorcycle License Test

Often a motorcycle riding school will also administer the riding test. If not, head to your local BMV and get scheduled. This is not an easy test. It is a slow maneuver test that requires great control over the motorcycle at slow speeds. Many fail the first time. If this happens to you, don’t be discouraged, just keep practicing and take the test again.

Follow these steps to get your motorcycle license and you’re on your way to safe riding. Licensed, insured, and geared-up riders suffer much lower rates of death and injury. I don’t know how many times people have told me that motorcycles are bad because they knew someone that died. I ask the following questions -

• Were they licensed?
• Did they wear safety gear?
• Were the riding at night? Deer hits at night are a huge fatality factor.
• Were they drinking?
• Did they take a motorcycle safety course?

I am almost always right that they were violating at least one or many of these common high risk motorcycle factors. Start motorcycling the right way and get your motorcycle license.