Should new riders buy a new bike or a used one when first starting out? This is a great question and I’m happy to share my thoughts on the subject. Most of us when we think about motorcycle riders envision guys and girls on shiny new bikes, looking the part, and thoroughly enjoying themselves. The media and motorcycle industry definitely perpetuate this thought so it ends up being natural for new riders to consider buying brand new bike as their first...
Consider spending five to ten thousand dollars on a brand new motorcycle, unloading it from your truck or trailer, then immediately dropping it in your driveway. You scratch, scuff, and damage the tank, fairings, and countless other shiny new parts and end up with that horrible sinking feeling in your stomach. If you’re smart, you will have insured the bike before taking it home, so perhaps you’ll only be out your deductible. If you make the claim though, will the insurance company raise your premium? Variations of this scenario can and do happen. When it comes to starting any new activity, the likelihood that mistakes will be made by new entrants is much higher than seasoned vets.
When it comes to being a new rider, buying a brand new motorcycle isn’t necessary. It can be a foolish way to spend hard earned money and can lead to some serious mistakes as I outlined earlier. While it feels cool to own a brand new bike and your friends may envy you for awhile, it truly doesn’t bring a great deal of additional value to the experience nor does it make it any easier to learn how to ride. Your first bike should be one you’re comfortable learning on. This comfort level directly allows you to make mistakes without severe consequences, whether it be accidentally dropping it in your garage or taking a minor spill. Bottom line, your first bike should not be one where you care deeply about the its aesthetics.
My suggestion is to pick up a used bike, learn on it until you’ve got the hang of things, and then return it to the used bike market. You will spend a fraction of the money on a used bike compared to that of a new one, won’t have any remorse should something happen to the bike while you’re learning on it, and you will be in a better spot financially to pick up your next bike.
When it comes to being a new rider, buying a brand new motorcycle isn’t necessary. It can be a foolish way to spend hard earned money and can lead to some serious mistakes as I outlined earlier. While it feels cool to own a brand new bike and your friends may envy you for awhile, it truly doesn’t bring a great deal of additional value to the experience nor does it make it any easier to learn how to ride. Your first bike should be one you’re comfortable learning on. This comfort level directly allows you to make mistakes without severe consequences, whether it be accidentally dropping it in your garage or taking a minor spill. Bottom line, your first bike should not be one where you care deeply about the its aesthetics.
My suggestion is to pick up a used bike, learn on it until you’ve got the hang of things, and then return it to the used bike market. You will spend a fraction of the money on a used bike compared to that of a new one, won’t have any remorse should something happen to the bike while you’re learning on it, and you will be in a better spot financially to pick up your next bike.
One common reason to buy new is so that the consumer doesn’t have to worry about the past history of the bike. While this is a valid point the fear of picking up a problematic used bike can be mitigated with a thorough understanding of the used motorcycle buying process. An education on what to look for when shopping for a used bike and how to correctly test ride the bike are two areas I’ve focused a lot of time on to help new riders ease into the motorcycling world. I created a downloadable used motorcycle buyer’s guide specifically for new riders.
This guide is completely free and has a heap of used bike buying knowledge that myself and other mechanics have accumulated over the years. Click the link below to download the free guide and start learning!
LEARN MORE ABOUT THE FREE BUYERS GUIDE
This guide is completely free and has a heap of used bike buying knowledge that myself and other mechanics have accumulated over the years. Click the link below to download the free guide and start learning!
LEARN MORE ABOUT THE FREE BUYERS GUIDE
What are your thoughts on buying a new or used bike as a first bike? Are you a new rider that is on the fence about picking up a new or used bike? Do you have specific questions you need help answering? Drop us a comment and I’ll help you out!
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