Just My Take
Buying your first bike, ever, or your first bike in a long time can be an interesting journey. It depends on a range of factors, and none of them should be overlooked. Some, depending on your age or physical health, are obvious, while others are more dependent upon one’s mental state. I don’t mean that in a negative sense, like you are either suicidal or simple minded, although with my history, people have intimated as much.
What I’m talking about is that often we create an emotional connection without actually having experienced the ‘thing’ we are connected to. This usually entails a ‘come to Hesus’ meeting that either involves embarassment, pain, or both. As the master of both, I would suggest that the following information be taken not as a warning, but as advice from your favorite senile uncle.
So here goes. First, if this is your initial foray into the motorized two-wheel world, don’t be spontaneous. Do your homework. Determine what type of motorcycling appeals to you, and do be realistic. A 65 year old man may want a litre superbike with 200 horsepower, but it’s likely that the outcome will involve some sort of intervention.
First, do you even know what you want? In my experience, the ‘doing of’ is important. But do one thing as a precursor. Enrol in a motorcycle ‘learning’ or training course. This will provide you with the basics of low speed maneuvers, turning, emergency stops, experiencing obstacles, small jumps, etc, that you’ll need when you actually test drive your chosen steed.
Consider the climate where you ride. If, like me, your season can be quite short, ensure that you’re prepared for the expense, frustration and the dissatisfaction that may well come from looking out the window at six or seven months of snow, rain or fog. In my neck of the prairies, wind can also be a serious issue for riders, as high winds are simply part of the reality of riding.
Second, start small. Don’t take a Ducati Panigale for a test ride. Test a bike that is your ‘type’ of bike for the intended activity you want to take part in. An adventure bike for offroad riding is great. Just remember that offroad riding will put some additional stress on your body and that the height of the machine is important, especially when terrain is inclined, hilly or bumpy.
Third, depending on the style of riding you want to do, buying the equivalent of a ‘cross-over’ machine may be your best choice. I’m an urban dwellar, and although I like offroad adventure motorcycling in the mountains of western Canada and the US, I have to travel about a thousand miles to get there. Doing that on a dedicated adventure bike doesn’t work for me, so be realistic. Experience the conditions that you will have to deal with before making that initial purchase.
A friend of mine recently purchased what I would consider a dedicated offroad motorcycle and rode a thousand miles to get to his preferred riding site. His bike, overloaded, top-heavy, and prone to problems associated with high winds and highway speeds, left him so jaded by the experience, that upon his return two weeks ago, he sold the bike and gave up the hobby.
Fourth, if this is to be your first bike, I would recommend a sub-500cc bike. You’ll still have all the fun, without too much weight or power. The first year for riders is the most challenging, and the most dangerous. Not only are our skills the most rudimentary, but situational awareness is likely at out lowest point and the reasons are simple. We are immersed in the tasks associated with the motorcycle, which needs to become a natural extension of us. This usually isn’t the case for most people, and the risks are highest for riders during this transitional learning period.
Once you have a year under your belt riding, you will have a much better idea of what you want from a motorcycle. There are terrific motorcycles available today for beginners. In fact, I believe we have probably never had a better crop of motorcycles available in terms of safety, reliability, longevity and ease of use. If you buy a good second-hand motorcycle or cheaper new motorcycle, you won’t have spent a fortune and you won’t suffer much loss when you upgrade to whatever machine it is that you find ultimately suits your riding style.
For many, especially young riders, the social scene involved with riding seems to be important. As an elder statesman of the sport, I enjoy the experience of riding, the feel of the wind, the rain, the nuances of the terrain, the landscape and the places I visit. As much as I will ride with friends on occasion, the joy of riding is, for me, a personal and intimate experience between nature, machinery and me. Every ride is a new opportunity to experience something I may have not experienced before and I am totally relaxed in the moment. It’s what keeps me enthralled with riding, especially to new destinations farther afield.
Whatever you decide to buy, take your time and find happiness in the sheer doing of riding. It can be a time for great introspection and experiencing your inner voice as you ride. Be in the moment, and let the experience of riding show you what is important in your life. Without waxing poetic, riding can be truly an existential experience. It can provide a freedom that enables and brings great joy. I hope that is your experience, as it has been for me.
You are entering a culture that can be very different than anything else you might have experienced, soak in the ambiance and enjoy.
Be well, ride safe.
Ciao…
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