Call it a youthful indiscretion. Call it a midlife crisis. Call it a chance to escape. Call it asphalt therapy. But whatever you call it, riding a motorcycle is fun. Though getting your first bike can kick-start your heart, the purchasing process has its potholes.
Buying a new motorcycle is a lot like buying a new car, just completely different. If you are not careful, you may buy the wrong bike. Not only can this spoil your motorcycling experience, it also can be dangerous.
Except for certain nuances, all cars behave pretty much the same and one size fits virtually all. Not all people fit all motorcycles.
Short people should look for a bike that is low enough for them to get both feet on the ground–flat on the ground. Most biking accidents occur at slow speeds or when stopping. If the rider cannot keep the machine vertical, the bike will lie down.
Conversely, tall people may get cramped and fatigued riding with their knees in their armpits. Without proper ergonomics, riding becomes uncomfortable and, you lose focus when you are in pain. Riding a motorcycle demands use of all your senses, and maybe then some.
You also must decide what kind of riding you like. Do you want to explore dirt trails in a tour of America’s national forests yet be able to ride legally on paved roads? You may need a dual sport bike, such as Honda XR650L or BMW R1100GS. Don’t know for sure? Small-displacement (around 500-cc) bikes can be a good place to start.
Prefer to cruise through the local drive-in and look cool yet enjoy a comfortable Sunday afternoon trip to Wisconsin Dells? Choose a cruiser. The Harley-Davidson Wide Glides are the “poster boys” of this genre that includes the Honda Valkyrie and Yamaha Royal Star.
Want to sell everything and see the U.S.A. on two wheels? Get a tourer, such as a Honda Gold Wing or Harley Electra Glide, that will carry you, a bunch of your stuff and a companion.
Makes, models and sizes abound. Don’t buy a first bike that does not fit your body and personality. Since few dealers will allow a non-rider to test a motorcycle, rent a few to get the feel. Here are some other tips:
Buying
Where do you find the stores to check out a variety of bikes for size? Usually at the edge of town. Motorcycle dealers do not make huge profits so you usually won’t find them near the malls or automobile dealers. Go through the Yellow Pages with a map and highlighting pen handy.
Once you have chosen a bike that fits, head for the library. Haggling is easier if you know what you are talking about. Many motorcycle enthusiast magazines–such as American Motorcyclist, Dirt Rider and Dual Sporter–publish retail prices in winter issues. Copy these pages and have them ready when you begin calling dealers for prices.
Not all dealers sell for the same price. Like car dealers, they are independent franchises, and the factory cannot tell them what to do. But unlike cars, most motorcycles, which are in greater demand than supply, are sold for more than the manufacturer’s suggested price. Judge how much you want to pay for your bike and how flexible the salesperson is. You probably have a figure in mind that you will spend. The salesperson has a figure in mind below which he will not budge.
Here is where your research into dealer locations will pay off. Call the stores and ask for their “out the door” price for the machine you want. This includes taxes, dealer prep, title and so forth. If the salesperson says you will have to come to the store, be wary because he is trying to keep you from looking further.
Most salespeople will quickly shoot you a price, but keep in mind that this is only the initial asking price–and often on the high side.
You may get the best price from a dealer 50 miles away, but you will have to go there for service, especially warranty work. Of course, getting there can be part of the fun for maintenance but a hassle if your bike breaks down.
Visit the dealership at least once before you are ready to buy. You can tell them you are “just browsing” while you’re really spying. What are you looking for?
Besides the physical location and appearance, consider the staff. They should be knowledgeable, friendly and trustworthy. This includes the service department. Don’t buy that bike until you are satisfied that the folks in the back know how to fix it.
Ask people hanging around the dealership waiting for the bikes to be serviced about their experiences. If there is a restaurant nearby, the owners may be waiting there. Get acquainted with a couple over a cup of coffee. Bikers love to talk about motorcycles and motorcycling with almost anyone.
Financing
Unless you have unlimited cash, you will want to finance your purchase, which can cost about $3,500 to around $20,000. There are several ways to go.
Virtually all motorcycle dealers offer financing through their parent company or an independent financial institution.
But you may want to shop around for your loan. Rates and terms vary widely.
For instance, Harley-Davidson credit provides rates to its dealers who may mark it up a maximum of 4 percent. At one dealership we contacted, the rates ranged from 13 percent up for the typical buyer to 21 percent for certain high-risk loans.
Down payments can be as little as 10 percent and at least one manufacturer offers loans up to 84 months (yes, seven years!) on balances of $15,000 or more.
Banks are another source. If you want a loan for a motorcycle, however, it is usually not considered a vehicle loan in the sense of an auto loan. Generally, the bank will offer only an unsecured, personal loan, which generally runs around 14.5 percent. Discuss the options with your loan officer. (We secured a loan for a new motorcycle against our savings account at just 2 points above the homsubnd rate. By the time the loan is paid off in four years, we will have earned more than we paid in interest.)
By the way, to crack down on money laundering, the government for several years has required merchants receiving more than $10,000 in cash for purchases to report the transaction to the Internal Revenue Service. Motorcycle dealers will send Form 8300 (“Report of Cash Payments in excess of $10,000”) to the IRS if you plunk down that many greenbacks to buy that bike.
Though it is accelerating in the auto business, leasing has been slow to come to the motorcycle industry–perhaps because of the liability risks to the lenders due to cycles’ potential lower residual value. However, Harley-Davidson will lease virtually any bike, except Sportsters, for two or three years with the first 7,500 miles each year free and excess miles costing 15-cents each. They will even let you customize the bike–with Harley parts. Lessees must carry casualty insurance.
Insuring
Virtually all the major companies that write automobile insurance also insure motorcycles. But many companies specialize in motorcycle insurance and understand the nuances better. For instance, you may be able to find a company that will charge for 10 months of coverage yet cover you should you have a claim because you couldn’t resist riding on that warm January weekend.
In most states, you must carry at least liability insurance and be able to prove it. Collision insurance is something you may want to investigate in more detail.
One way to get better insurance rates is to belong to a motorcycle club. American Motorcyclist Association members can get preferred rates. There are other organizations, including the Christian Motorcyclists Association (CMA), local clubs, clubs based on age, gender and profession, and clubs associated with specific brands or models of bikes such as Gold Wings. The biggest, however, is the Harley Owners Group (HOG) with more than 1 million members and 300 affiliates worldwide.
Through HOG, members receive a discount on insurance. There is an additional discount to multiple bike owners, and another for riders who successfully complete a safety course offered by the Motorcycle Safety Foundation.
MOTORCYCLE STYLES
When choosing the appropriate type of motorcycle, a rider should consider where and how it is to be ridden. There are eight basic styles of motorcycles:
CRUISER: A factory-made descendant of the customized chopper, this type of motorcycle is popular for longer road trips as well as trendy urban “strutting.” It usually offers swept-back and/or high handlebars; a low seat, laid-back riding position with forward-set footpegs; V-twin engines with vibration-free shaft drives; mellow power with a satisfying throaty exhaust note; stepped seat for two, often with a passenger support bar; and chrome and a stylish paint job.
SPORT: The combination of race-bike looks and unforgettable performance delivers excellent power and handling, yet offers plenty of comfort for an all-day tide. Models often incorporate leading edge engine design; racing technology and aerodynamic styling; low handlebars with a “sport” riding position; high-performance tires and big racing disc brakes; and great suspension.
TOURING: These comfortable motorcycles, designed for long-distance travel, often include large fairings that provide superior protection from the elements; AM/FM cassette/stereo, CB systems and optional rider-passenger intercoms; smooth adjustable suspension for rider comfort and load capacity; cruise control; large luggage compartments that hold just about everything riders need for the longest jaunts; and plush seats.
SPORT TOURING: Nimble, lighter and packing more performance than touring bikes. Combine rider comforts with back-road competence. They usually feature comfortable seating for rider/passenger; strong performance; large displacement engines; aerodynamic fairings; and adjustable suspension. Saddlebags are standard or easily mounted.
STANDARD: A pleasing combination of simplicity and versatility with price and practicality. These all-purpose bikes usually feature clean, uncluttered design; good performance and gas mileage; relaxed upright seating and “user-friendly” ergonomics; great versatility and enough optional accessories to approach some of the specialized functions of touring or sport-touring categories.
DUAL-PURPOSE: These motorcycles combine street legal and off-highway capabilities to let a rider travel almost anywhere. Universal tires work on dirt and highways; long travel suspension for improved handling and ground clearance; lights, turn signals, brake lights, rearview mirrors and speedometer-odometers; and big gas tanks provide a range of up to 200 miles.
OFF-ROAD: These light, powerful and rugged motorcycles can handle some of the roughest terrain on earth. While they pass government standards for noise restriction on public lands, they are not street legal and require special off-highway licenses in most states. They usually feature advanced, long-travel front and rear suspension; powerful air- or water-cooled engines; very knobby tires; strong muffler/spark arrester combinations; and a choice of light, high-rewing and powerful two-stroke engines or heavier, four-stroke engines, called “thumpers.”
MOTOCROSS: Designed to be raced in closed-course motocross competition. The bikes meet racing noise standards but are not legal for street or general off-highway riding. The tough, highly responsive dirt bikes usually have the same features as off-highway motorcycles but with the most advanced suspension systems; high-revving engines with plenty of punch–usually two-stroke engines, which are lighter and fire at every stroke of the piston; and sophisticated wheel and brake systems.
Source: Motorcycle Industry Council
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Bob Weber writes the weekly Motormouth column in the Transportation and Cars sections and is a long-time biker.
