FAQ: What is a good first motorcycle?

Whether you’re a learner rider or a returning one, when it comes to choosing an entry-level motorcycle, would-be buyers have never had it so good. It’s a lucrative market for manufacturers and so a lot of energy goes into the development of entry-level machinery, and the result for consumers is plenty of choice across a wide range of genres.

And because it’s a relatively crowded sector of the market, the many options are often offered at largely competitive prices. It’s all great news if you know exactly what you’re looking at and for, but it can be a pretty bamboozling prospect if you’re not sure if, how or why a certain bike may suit you and your circumstances better than another. Here’s a handful of options to consider that will help you make an educated decision around your first bike.

Your first choice needs to be whether you want to buy a new or used bike, and it’s not necessarily a financial choice – that comes later. Believe it or not, but you can buy a brand-new learner-approved motorcycle for far less than a decent second-hand one, such is the large spectrum of machinery available in the LAMS (Learner Approved Motorcycle Scheme) sector.

Related: LAMS reviews

There are benefits to buying both; purchasing a brand-new motorcycle means you’ll be paying more than you would for the same make and model used bike, but the trade-off is you know its history and you have the peace of mind of being backed by a full factory warranty should anything go wrong.

Buying a second-hand bike could be a less-costly option, but there are inherent risks involved, though if you do your research and know what to look for yourself a heap of cash. It could also mean less concerns around accidental dings or, since you’re still in the learning phase, could mean you can move it on in a year or two’s time without losing too much to the resale value. Which brings us to your next choice…

Related: Advice: how to buy second-hand

The learner-approved motorcycle scheme means that today’s entry-level motorcycle can range from anywhere between a 110cc scooter or a lightweight 125cc roadbike, right through to a 450cc off-road weapon or a torquey 650cc cruiser. Some riders might opt to learn their motorcycle craft on a small, light-weight machine before trading up to something larger either midway through their restricted-licence period or when their unrestricted licence is gained.

FAQ: Which learner bike is best?

Other riders, however, might make their choice around purchasing a bike that they can both learn their craft on and also remain content with well into their life as a full-licence holder – and there’s plenty of bikes on the entry-level market that can tick that box.

If you’re looking to hang on to it through to your full licence, then it’s probably worth considering buying new. If you’re first bike is a stepping stone to learn on before trading up to something larger later on, then it might be a better idea to opt for a used item.

Once you’ve worked out whether buying new or second-hand is best suited to your current circumstances, it’s time to work out exactly how much money you can afford to spend on a bike. You’ll need to take into account registration and insurance costs and be sure to put aside slightly more money than you want to for protective riding gear.

If you’re buying from a dealership, be sure to take note of whether the advertised price is a ‘Rideaway’ price or a ‘Plus on-road costs’ price. As the terms suggest, the rideaway price includes all the costs associated with getting a bike ready for the road; things like dealer delivery charges, registration, third-party insurance, etc. If a bike is advertised as plus on-road costs (sometimes written as +ORC), then adding between $1500 and $2000 is a safe bet.

If you’re searching online for a used bike, either through a dealer or through privately advertised classifieds, it’s a good idea to set your search parameters a little bit higher than your budgeted limit, because you’ll generally be able to negotiate slightly on price. And don’t assume because it’s used that it’s already registered, the plus on-road costs might still apply.

Related: Bike Facts history reports

So now you know whether you want a new or used bike, whether you’re going to have it for the short- or long-term and how much money you’ve got to spend on it, it’s time to work out which bike is going to be best suited to you. This can be worked out with two relatively basic, but well-considered questions: what you mean to it and what it means to you.

Let me explain. It’s important to take into consideration what you will mean to the bike, how tall you are will impact on how tall a bike you opt for. You might love the look of Yamaha’s LAMS-approved WR450F, but if you’re 160cm tall and have never ridden a bike before, then its 980mm seat height is going to be very daunting.

Your weight comes into play, too. If you’re a particularly heavy rider, then you’d be looking for a bike with the engine and suspension capabilities to be predictable, safe and, most importantly, enjoyable while you’re riding it.

Related: Advice: Motorcycle ergonomics made easy

Experience needs to be considered, too. For a new road rider who grew up riding dirtbikes as a kid, a large, heavy bike with a relatively high torque output might be suitable – especially if he or she wants to hang onto it for a while.

Though for a rider who is completely new to riding, a low-capacity machine might be less intimidating. Working out how well you’re suited to a machine means you’re going to get the best result in terms of enjoyment and engagement.

Just as we need to look at what you mean to the bike, it’s important you know what the bike will mean to you. If it’s a way for you to commute to work and home through the heavily populated rat race, then you’re going to choose a different bike than the person who’s looking for something exciting to do with their mates on the weekend.

How far you’ll be riding, or if you’ll be using the bike in winter means you might want to consider a bike with a windscreen or handguards. While things like screens and guards can generally be added as aftermarket items, purchasing a bike with things fitted as standard means they’re generally going to be better integrated into the styling of the bike and they won’t upset the bike’s handling.

Will you be riding at night? Will you be doing any touring? Will you need to lane filter through congested traffic? Once you know what the bike needs to offer you, then deciding on what bike is best gets a little easier.

Being confused about what motorcycle you want to buy is an excellent predicament to be in. It means that the market is full of good-value, high quality, capable machinery. The reality might be that there’s a handful of bikes that are perfectly suited to your current circumstances.

But if you work through the above checklist and come up with an honest appraisal of exactly what you want from your motorcycle with a clear picture of how you’re going to achieve it and why, then buying your first bike all of sudden when from an intimidating task to a fun and fulfilling one.

A lot to take in? Just remember these key points:

• Weigh up the pros and cons of buying new or used;
• Work out a budget, not forgetting insurance and registration costs, as well as money you may have to spend on protective clothing;
• Make sure your skill, size and aspirations are a fit for the bike. Also consider intended use; and
• Work through that checklist again to make sure you’ve covered all bases!

This article was originally published on May 10, 2019.