How to choose your next motorcycle

Buying your second motorcycle can sometimes be harder than buying your first. The first purchase is usually shaped by licence restrictions, budget or finding something approachable enough to begin the journey. But once your experience builds and your confidence grows, the choices become far wider. Suddenly, almost every style of motorcycle is within reach, and with hundreds of models on the market, deciding what comes next can feel really overwhelming.

It’s tempting to assume the answer is simply more engine capacity or more performance, and while sometimes that’s true, often it isn’t. Riders change motorcycles for all sorts of reasons. A daily commute might now involve long stretches of motorway. Weekend rides may have grown from a quick coffee run into full-day adventures. Maybe a pillion has become part of the equation, or perhaps a group of mates has introduced you to dirt roads you’d never previously considered.

One of the easiest traps to fall into is shopping by engine size. Capacity is an easy number to compare, and manufacturers often position larger motorcycles as the natural progression from smaller ones. But while more power can certainly broaden a motorcycle’s capabilities, it doesn’t automatically make it a better fit.

A rider stepping from an entry-level naked bike into a premium middleweight may gain better suspension, stronger brakes, higher-quality components, more sophisticated electronics and a noticeably more refined riding experience, even if the increase in outright performance is relatively modest. So rather than asking how much bigger your next motorcycle should be, start by asking how you want it to be better.

Before looking at motorcycles, spend some time thinking about the one already sitting in your garage. Every rider eventually discovers what their current bike does well and where it falls short, and those shortcomings are the clearest indication of what should come next.

Perhaps the riding position is becoming cramped now you’re more relaxed on the bike, maybe strong winds on the freeway leave you wishing for more protection, or you might want luggage capability, better suspension or enough performance to overtake without planning a kilometre ahead. Then, once you’ve worked out what your current bike isn’t doing, decide what category or genre is most likely to solve it and start there.

Focusing on what you want your next motorcycle to do better narrows the field. Instead of trying to compare every motorcycle whose styling you like, for example, you’re looking for one that solves a particular problem.

Modern motorcycles are better than they’ve ever been. That’s good news for riders, but it also makes choosing between them more difficult. The reality is there are very few genuinely bad motorcycles on sale today.

Once you’ve narrowed your search, resist the temptation to keep adding more possibilities. Endless research often creates more confusion rather than more clarity.

A shortlist of three or four realistic contenders is usually enough. At that point, you’ll know each motorcycle well enough to understand its strengths, weaknesses and intended purpose. Once your (short) shortlist is finalised, the process then turns to deciding which one best suits you.

Before you start organising test rides, invest some time in learning about your shortlist. Read road tests from multiple publications, compare specifications, browse owner forums and look through both new and used listings. Pay attention to recurring themes rather than individual opinions. If several reviewers praise a motorcycle’s comfort but mention abrupt throttle response, you’ll know exactly what to look for when you ride it yourself.

It’s also worth considering the aftermarket. If you’re planning longer trips, are there luggage systems available? If you’re shorter in stature, are lower seats offered? Small details like these can make a significant difference to ownership. Research alone won’t tell you which motorcycle to buy, but it will help you ask better questions when the time comes.

The cost of owning a motorcycle varies considerably, even between models that appear similar on paper. Insurance premiums can rise sharply as performance increases. Tyres, servicing, accessories and fuel consumption all influence long-term ownership costs, while some models retain their value far better than others.

This is also where the new-versus-used decision comes into play. Buying new brings the reassurance of a factory warranty, the latest technology and the confidence of knowing the motorcycle’s complete history. Finance options are often more straightforward, too.

Buying used, however, can stretch your budget considerably further. The same money may buy a motorcycle with higher-quality suspension, more advanced electronics or factory accessories already fitted. If you take this route, pay close attention to service history, overall condition and evidence of crash damage. Whichever direction you choose, remember that the cheapest motorcycle to buy isn’t always the cheapest motorcycle to own.

By the time you’ve narrowed your shortlist, done your research and worked out your budget, it’s only the most important step left: ride them.

Reviews, specs or how it holds its value can’t tell you how a certain motorcycle will make you feel. Pay attention to the basics first. Do you feel comfortable in the riding position? Can one or both feet reach the ground confidently? Does the throttle feel predictable? Does the engine deliver its performance where you naturally use it?

Then pay attention to the less tangible qualities. Some motorcycles immediately feel familiar, as though you’ve been riding them for years, while others can feel awkward, like they’ll never quite fit. Where possible, ride all of your shortlisted motorcycles within a relatively short period of time so your impressions remain fresh. And while it’s tempting to follow what your heart and eyes say, try to listen to your head too, because there’s every chance your second motorcycle will be with you longer than your first.

Buying a motorcycle is rarely a purely logical exercise. If it were, we’d all ride exactly the same machine. Motorcycles are deeply personal. They reflect where we ride, how we ride and, to some extent, who we are. Sometimes two motorcycles satisfy every practical requirement, yet one simply makes you grin every time you open the garage door. That’s perfectly reasonable. As long as your choice fits your riding, your budget and your long-term plans, there’s nothing wrong with listening to your instincts.