Spring is begrudgingly waking up and rubbing the sleep from its eyes, bringing with it a fast approaching riding. Many motorcyclists are just now starting to dust off their rides and get things ready for warmer weather and higher gas prices that are on their way.
However, there are many motorcyclists out there that are currently bikeless. Whether it is because they had to sell their bike in order to upgrade, or they have never owned a bike before, now is the time to shop. The nicer the weather gets, the higher the prices are going to go.
The first thing that you need to look at is your experience level. If you have never even thrown a leg over a bike, then your first one probably shouldn’t be a 600cc repli-racer. There is a really good chance that you will kill yourself. Also, buying a brand new bike isn’t a great idea. If you drop a bike that already has a few “beauty marks” then you are less likely to be as upset.
Next, you should consider what type of riding you are going to be doing. Are you interested in exploring backwoods? Are you ready to take off across the country, or are you more interested in just cruising around town?
If you are looking for a bike that will get you around town, down the highway and around the backwoods, then a dual sport is what you are looking for. One of the most famous examples of this is the Kawasaki KLR 650. This bike isn’t the greatest at tight trails, but it will explore fire roads in comfort and keep up with freeway traffic while still getting over 40 miles per gallon.
If your goal is to pack up and take off for a cross country tour tomorrow, then a full dress touring bike like a Honda Goldwing should be on your shopping list. With such amenities as a radio, cruise control and adjustable air shocks, you can ride in comfort while the spacious hard luggage compartment holds your clothes and supplies in waterproof protection.
For most however, commuting is going to be the name of the game for their bikes. The cruiser or standard style is great for this. These bikes can run in displacement from 250cc all the way over 2000cc. They have a foot forward seating position and can be fitted with all manner of accessories, such as bags and windshields, to help make your commute easier on you.
The most important thing is to not rush out and buy a bike just because you think it looks cool. Take your time and shop around a little bit. Throw your leg over a couple of bikes before choosing one. The more comfortable you are, the safer your ride is going to be, and the more likely you are to ride your new gas saver.
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