For
  sassy,
  classy
  women
  motorcyclists

Buying Your First Motorcycle

It's an exciting time if you're ready to buy your first motorcycle, but it also can be confusing given that there are so many makes/models to choose from. Research, research, research! My current spreadsheet on motorcycles contains 222 line items, each representing a make/model from the major players. One really has to narrow that down a bit to get started!

This guideline is designed to help you use the tools on the VTwin Mama site to narrow the choice to a "short list" to consider ... that makes sense for you!

Step One

If you haven't taken a riding course, consider getting my Learning To Ride A Motorcycle article ($3.95) and checking out courses offered that I list on that same page. They'll start you out on a 125cc or 250cc bike or a 492cc if it's a Harley-Davidson course. That gives you some clues how much you think you can handle on your own for the 1st year.

Step Two

If you did "just ok" in the course, and feel you would benefit from more time on a similar size engine cc, then my Motorcycle Engine CC chart is a useful tool so that you can check out what's available ... print it out and highlight bikes of interest!

If you breezed through the course and felt very comfortable ... then you can use the same chart to look at bigger engine cc sized bikes.

Style: some people are absolutely certain they want a cruiser or a sport style ... if you're not sure, keep an open mind, especially for the first bike that is rarely the "dream" bike ... dream bikes are typically the second or third because it takes a lot of road miles to really understand what's going to be the absolute cats meow!

Keep in mind that all sorts of people, from instructors to family to friends may offer up their opinions ... it's really important that you listen to your "gut" and proceed with what you believe to be your best choice. Confidence lost, because you start on something too big, is more difficult to regain. Yes, it's a pain to get a smaller bike only to learn in 3-6 months that you're ready to move up, but the selling and buying is less painful than doubts about your adventure.

Step Three

Shorter riders need to consider seat height carefully because new riders benefit greatly from having their feet fully flat footed on the ground at a stop. However, some modifications can be made to a motorcycle whose seat height might be a bit of a challenge ... look at the top of my Motorcycles For Short Riders List page so that you have a knowledge base in talking with a dealer's salesperson. Sport style bikes typically have a higher seat height than a cruiser and bikes can only be lowered so much without having a major impact on handling.

An inseam measurement is a good thing to know ... consider that even on a narrow seat, legs have to push out a bit at the thigh before the leg will stretch down ... shave 2-3" off your inseam measurement for a guideline to an unmodified seat height.

Ready to use this important guideline? Then start with my Motorcycle Seat Height chart to narrow down possibilities.

Step Four

Smaller bikes weigh less and it can be a concern no matter what size you are (as they react quicker to higher wind conditions and passing semi trucks). When you narrow down your list to go shopping, sit on bikes, take them off the kickstand and lean the bike a bit from side to side to feel what your leg can hold. Tip: it's easier to take a bike of it's side stand if you first move the front wheel to the right (typically parked with the wheel cocked left). At the same time, turn that handlebar all the way to one side and check that you can still reach the hand controls without shifting your body in the seat!

Step Five

One has to consider one's budget as there are lots of bikes we would all love to have, but $$ do figure into the equation. So while you're looking at the charts you'll need to determine if a new bike is in the budget or if a certain bike you're falling in love with is available on the used market.

Step Six

Ok ... you've got your short list ... now check back at the Short Riders List for some modification clues in your height range (if needed) ... once again, we're arming you with info so you can talk the talk when shopping. At the same time, you can take a gander through the entire list for gals your height (addressing the 5'6" and under group) and freshen your view on a model not on your short list ... amend the list to your liking.

Step Seven

Then head to the Fit Charts and see if we've got pictures of riders sitting on their bikes ... it's a great visual clue, but a newer initiative, so not all models have a lot of pictures yet.

Step Eight

You'll also want to check to see if a woman's motorcycle review has come in on the models you're considering ... again, more clues!

Step Nine

Then shop, shop, shop! Take a notebook along and jot down thoughts. You're looking for leg reach to the ground and the foot controls, comfort in arm reach to hand controls and whether you can turn the handlebar all the way to one side and still sit comfortably on the bike. Consider checking to see if a motorcycle show is coming to your area, typically offered in fall/winter ... it's a great way to see all the makes/models in one setting and really get a belly full of information!