I took part in a conversation at a local motorcycle
dealership that made me stop and think. I feel for first time motorcycle
buyers. I’m not entirely sure the human brain is capable of absorbing that much
information at one time. Remember that scene in the Matrix movie? The one where
they show Trinity and Neo downloading skills and information directly into
their brains? New riders and first time buyers need that.
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| Perfect Example of Safe Riding Habits... |
I’m helping a friend unload her bike out of my truck while a
small crowd gathers around. One of the dealership sale persons blurts out, “That
is the perfect bike for you!” The bike in question being a Kawasaki Ninja 300.
My mind starts ticking: Petite woman, interested in a low powered motorcycle,
and she wants a cool, shiny sport bike, must be a new rider. Sure enough she
tells me that she passed her motorcycle safety class last week and is looking
to buy her first motorcycle. Of course her good looks didn’t deter me from
throwing my two cents in… or more like a couple quarters worth. And you can
imagine I wasn’t the only one willing to share.
That’s the part where information overload begins. Much like
anything else in life, opinions and personal experiences are going to shared,
and probably cause more convolutions than answers. Asking the question, “What
should my first bike be?” is equivalent to getting a census on favorite pizza
toppings. There are a lot of combinations but I believe that three main
concepts can help your decision. During our impromptu motorcycle first time
buyer guide, I came up with these philosophies.
Beater Bike
Do you remember learning how to ride a bicycle? I do. I was
terrible. My dad took his hand off the back of my seat and I started pedaling
to my freedom, then into a steel pole. Pro tip – Don’t teach your child to ride
in the elementary school’s volley ball court. I had to kiss the pavement a few
times before I figured out how to stop hurting myself. Riding a 450lbs bicycle
with an engine will most likely involve a learning curve. Point of all that?
Don’t buy a new shiny motorcycle if you’re not exactly confident that you won’t
drop the motorcycle in the first 20 feet from the dealership driveway. Most
people don’t fall out of the womb onto a bike and wheelie away. The ones that
did are getting paid a lot of money. You and I most likely will never get paid
any money to ride a motorcycle. And dropping or crashing motorcycles usually
equates to a lot of money that you don’t have. Buy an inexpensive motorcycle just
to learn on. The really cheap and ugly one that the kid next door has zip tied
the body work together. Ride it until it explodes, or you throw it down the
road. Learn a whole bunch about the kind of bike you want, need, like, and then
spend the big bucks on that.
99 Problems and the Bike Ain’t One
Remember the information overload? Well while imagine adding
the headache of dealing with a motorcycle that has problems. You just learned
how to operate a motorcycle…or you’re still learning. Throw a leaking master
cylinder, a gummed up carburetor, or an electrical issue that causes the bike
to stall when the traffic light turns green. Riding starts losing its charm
fast. Buying the nicest, mechanically sound beginner bike you can afford has
some solid merit. It may cost more money along with needing full insurance if
financed. But it will work and let the new rider do the most important things;
be comfortable and learn. Also, there is a nice feeling to opening the garage
and wanting to hop on that cool ride. Instead of parking in the back of the
Starbucks trying to hide the salvage yard special.
Live the Dream, Today!
The previous explanations have the biased approach that this
first time buyer is looking at appropriate beginner motorcycles. While highly
debatable that is a different topic for different day. This idea blows apart
any beginner oriented parameters. At that same dealership this gentleman told
me a story that transformed my theory about getting a dream machine as your
first bike. He explained to me that he always wanted to ride a motorcycle. His
mother would never let him be exposed to anything with two wheels and a motor. Too
dangerous, you’ll cut your life short. He told me this, “I’m almost 40 years
old. I’ve always wanted to ride and I want to really live the dream I missed
out on over the years.” He pointed to his bike, a 2012 Kawasaki ZX-10r. “This
is my first motorcycle.” I patted on the shoulder and said, “That’s a cool
bike. I can completely respect your decision.” Last week if someone told me
their first motorcycle was a ZX-10r I would think in the back of my head, “Hmm,
I’m pretty sure that bike can bring you from 0 to into a tree in a matter of
seconds. Not the best bike to learn on.” But, that conversation I just had with
that guy… How can you deny him of that? Motorcycling is a passionate hobby.
There is something to be said about sitting on your bike, firing up the motor,
and making that desktop picture of your dream become a reality. If you have the
cash, if that bike stirs your soul, who am I to tell you to be sensible?
Motorcycling isn’t exactly sensible. Go big or go home as they say, right? Why
not ignite your soul?
The most important guide to use when stabbing in the dark is
your gut. Only you can prevent forest fires and bad bike buying decisions. Deep
down you know the “right” decision. No one else can truly decide that for you.
-Cycle Cam
What’s your first time buyer advice? Leave a comment below.
