| Buying a motorcycle? Find out what are the essential | | | | dealer, most of the time you should be able to buy |
| seven things you need to know about before you | | | | your cycle for less than the advertised price. Take a |
| rush into purchasing that bike. | | | | look at sites like to learn the invoice price - what the |
| SELECT BEST MOTORCYCLE FOR YOU | | | | dealer pays the manufacturer. Most dealers will be |
| The most common question I hear is "What's the | | | | happy if they can sell you a bike and make a 10% |
| best bike?" | | | | profit. |
| It's easy when you only have one choice, like Ural in | | | | MOTORCYCLE INSPECTION |
| the former Soviet Union. But here, in the land of | | | | When I hear that one of my friends is ready to buy |
| opportunities and freedom, you've definitely got | | | | a motorbike, I always offer to go with him. And you |
| much more to choose from. There are over 300 | | | | should too, bring a friend who can inspect the |
| motorcycle models you can consider! | | | | motorcycle you're about to buy. Of course, it would |
| Whether you're new to motorcycles or you've been | | | | even be better if you bring a mechanic with you, |
| a rider for a long time, you have to do your research | | | | that way you can concentrate on the price |
| first. Look online, in the magazines, read reviews, look | | | | negotiations while your friend mechanic is making sure |
| at the visual appeal, specifications. If you're a new | | | | the motorbike is in a good condition. If you don't |
| rider, don't pick an expensive motorbike or a big | | | | know any mechanic (hard to believe, I know), you |
| motorcycle. If it's too big, it might be too hard for | | | | can probably find one that will come with you for a |
| you to handle. | | | | service fee. Or maybe you can take the bike to a |
| If you are a beginner rider, don't fall for the | | | | certified motorcycle mechanic and have him do a |
| expensive and loud Harley-Davidson motorcycle. While | | | | thorough inspection. It will cost you a few bucks, but |
| these cruisers are extremely popular, this is definitely | | | | it could also save you hundreds of dollars. |
| not the bike you want to start with. I wouldn't | | | | When you inspect the motorcycle, take your time. |
| recommend you starting with a sport bike either, | | | | You don't want to miss that scratch on the gas tank |
| unless you are mature enough to handle the power | | | | which you will find later just to get yourself upset |
| of the sport bike. Consider starting with a used | | | | that you rushed through the inspection. Ask to go |
| standard motorcycle or even a scooter. | | | | for a test ride for a 20 to 30 minute, don't just go |
| Go to your local motorcycle dealer and work with | | | | up and down the road and think the motorcycle is in |
| him to help you in selecting that best bike for you. Sit | | | | good condition. Make sure you ride different speeds |
| down on the model you picked, and make sure | | | | for at least 2-3 minutes each. |
| you're legs are not dragging on the ground. A good | | | | FINANCING YOUR MOTORCYCLE PURCHASE (CASH |
| dealer will have truly knowledgeable sales people. | | | | VS LOAN) |
| First, they should be riders themselves. Second, they | | | | I always try to pay cash for my cars and bikes. I'm |
| should be able to answer any and all technical | | | | sure lots of people would argue with me on this, but |
| questions. You're not looking for a salesman; you're | | | | many people would agree with me. Why would you |
| looking for an adviser. | | | | want to pay $1000 in interest for over 3 years to |
| Now you know what kind of bike you want, think | | | | the motorcycle loan company if you don't have to? |
| about the price and whether you can spend the | | | | Of course, if you don't have enough cash but still |
| money for a new motorbike or you'll be happy with a | | | | want to ride a motorcycle, consider a cheaper |
| used one. | | | | motorcycle or even a scooter to start with. Or, don't |
| NEW OR USED MOTORBIKE | | | | buy a new motorcycle, buy used and save yourself |
| Many people do not realize what a huge mistake it is | | | | thousands. |
| to buy a brand new motorcycle. Sure, everyone | | | | If you're going to finance the purchase, check out |
| wants a nice, sparkly, clean, shiny brand new | | | | your loan sources before you go to the dealership. |
| motorcycle, but as soon as you drive it off the | | | | The dealer may have a low-interest finance package |
| showroom floor, you have lost a LOT of money. | | | | to offer you. On the other hand, they may work |
| This is a mistake many people make when making | | | | through a bank and actually charge you a few |
| the decision to purchase a new motorcycle. Buyers | | | | percentage points more - their profit - than you'd get |
| feel they are choosing something that is safe from | | | | by going direct to the bank.. |
| breaking down, they feel they are getting a better | | | | MOTORBIKE GEAR |
| deal that way. In reality, if you choose to buy a | | | | You've bought your cycle and are raring to go. All |
| slightly used motorcycle, you are getting a much | | | | set? Not quite. |
| better deal. | | | | A motorcycle purchase isn't complete without a |
| Think about it this way, the original owner, paid full | | | | Department of Transportation (DOT)-approved |
| price, may have used the motorcycle very few | | | | helmet. Most states require that motorcyclists wear |
| times, but he/she (the original owner), took all the | | | | them. Study after study shows that helmets are the |
| depreciation on it. You are now able to buy it for a | | | | most effective piece of safety gear available to a |
| LOT less than the original owner, yet it still has a | | | | rider. After all, it's protecting your head! |
| warranty, looks new, and IS new to you! You get | | | | When choosing a helmet, consider these attributes: |
| the best of both worlds that way. | | | | helmet type (full face, open face, hybrid, etc), |
| BEST MOTORCYCLE PRICE | | | | safety, comfort, helmet shell material, helmet weight, |
| The best price for a used motorcycle is $0. Yea, it's | | | | size, ventilation, helmet safety liner, visor. |
| when you get it for free. You'll be surprised, but I | | | | Make sure your motorcycle gear is comfortable. |
| know this guy who's got a talent in getting used | | | | Comfort and safety are always my priority. |
| motorcycles for free. Well, yea, he's talking about | | | | MOTORCYCLE INSURANCE |
| motorbikes all the time, whoever he's with at the | | | | Rates for motorcycle insurance can vary a lot. |
| time, and where ever he is at. He got 1976 Honda | | | | Motorcycle insurance depends on your age, the |
| CB750 from a friend of his good friend which only | | | | motorcycle model, your driving record, your home |
| needed a minor fix (not the friend, of course). | | | | location and other factors. If you're 19 years old and |
| Another bike he got from his aunt's third husband or | | | | you bought a brand new Harley, your motorcycle |
| something, I think it was 1973 or 1975 CT 70. Smoke | | | | insurance will be much higher than if you're bought a |
| is coming out of it when you start, but my friend still | | | | used 3 - 4 year old one or if you've been riding a |
| rides it sometimes (the smoke goes away after a | | | | bike for a couple of years or more (other things |
| minute or two). Recently he told me he pulled next | | | | being equal). |
| to a guy pulling an old motorbike behind him and | | | | Motorbike insurance payments can differ a lot |
| started talking. He ended up with the bike, for free. I | | | | between different motorcycle models. From one bike |
| don't know how he does it or what he says. | | | | to another, they can be five to ten times different. |
| Seriously, you need to take your time and | | | | For example, $200 for insuring a small commuter-type |
| investigate the current prices for the brand, year and | | | | motorcycle can easily inflate to more than $1,000 for |
| model of the motorcycle you're about to buy. You | | | | a high-horsepower, canyon-racer sport bike. |
| can check the blue book value of the motorcycle at | | | | Think about what coverage you need. Maybe you |
| many web sites such as Kelly Blue Book or Nada. I | | | | can save on collision and comprehensive if your bike |
| personally like to use eBay to research the prices for | | | | is old. Also, check with your regular medical insurance |
| the used motorbikes. You have to register with eBay | | | | at your workplace, it may already cover your major |
| (doesn't cost anything), then you'll be able to view | | | | medical expenses. Compare costs between different |
| completed sales for all motorcycles and other things. | | | | insurance companies and on different motorcycle |
| eBay often has good deals, but you have to look for | | | | models. Most insurance companies will give you a free |
| them. | | | | quote online, for some you'd have to call. |
| If you ended up buying a new motorcycle from a | | | | |