If you’re thinking about buying a motorbike, good on you. You’ll be helping the environment, saving money, and having fun. However there are a few things you need to know before you go ahead and make your big purchase and jump on your bike.
Firstly, the type of bike you buy matters. Especially if you’re new to riding or you haven’t ridden for some time. The majority of accidents happen to people who are riding bikes that are far too powerful for them, so your best bet is to buy a “practice bike” that you can use for commuting, driving around on the weekends, and practicing your skills. For this reason, it doesn’t really make sense to buy your dream motorcycle at first, and you should instead consider just getting a used bike so you can be sure that you definitely want to be riding a motorcycle every day.
Another thing to consider is the fact that the motorcycle isn’t likely to be your only expense, and anyone who thinks that they only need a helmet is kidding themselves. At the very least, you’ll need a really good helmet, as it’ll be the only thing between your head and the pavement if you come off, so consider the Arai Open Face helmets. Next, you definitely need some motorcycle jackets, and some good shoes (motorcycle boots are better). While you may think that you can get away with jeans, these will definitely get shredded and will expose the tender skin underneath if you happen to have an accident (it’s good to consider the worst case scenario), and the same goes for your hands- gloves are super important since you would be using your hands to break your fall.
One good thing about owning a motorbike, is you’ll find that maintenance costs are usually much better compared with car ownership. For instance you can often buy many parts online, including Kawasaki aftermarket parts, and you’ll find that after awhile you’ll probably be relatively experienced with doing many of your own repairs.
If you’re new to motorcycle riding or you haven’t ridden for a while, there’s a strong chance you’re going to need lessons (and of course, a license). Lessons are a must, so don’t assume you’re going to be able to simply jump on your new motorcycle and ride off into the sunset- you’ll learn crucial tips that will keep you, and the people around you safe.
Finally, there are a few things you should consider when you’re actually taking your motorcycle out for a spin. Firstly, you should always give your motorcycle a pre-check to see if you can see any fluid, and make sure that everything looks ok. Give it a brush down if it’s been parked outside to make sure there aren’t any bugs planning to come out and surprise you as well, as you’ll be sure to hear some horror stories about giant spiders and the highway.