Tips for buying your first motorcycle

Buying your first motorcycle comes with all sorts of benefits. As any experienced rider will tell you, getting out a bike is a feeling like no other and does wonders for your mental well-being.

On a practical level, they can be cheap to run (light on fuel), need very little parking space and are often the quickest way to get through a traffic snarl.

First time out, there are a few things you need to take into account, and the first is your budget. Getting a licence carries a cost and you will need some decent riding gear, including helmet, gloves, jacket, pants and boots. A little online shopping will soon help you to work out what you need to set aside.

As for the bike itself, what you aim for is something that is learner-approved, or what’s known as a LAMS (Learner Approved Motorcycle Scheme) bike. That means it can be up to 660cc engine capacity and needs to be under a set power-to-weight ratio (150kW/tonne). In the case of electric machines, they’re restricted to 25kW.

Your state road authority will have an online list of LAMS-approved models.

That leaves a wide-open field of possibilities, from scooters, through to sports bikes, naked roadsters, cruisers and adventure tourers. What suits you? Physical size may be an issue, so a trip to couple of dealerships will help you sort that out.

Is this something you plan to keep long- or short-term? If it’s the former, and you plan a few trips, spending money up front on something reasonably substantial may pay off. On the other hand, if it’s to be an urban runabout, something slim, light and easy to throw around will be ideal. Are you a dirt-bike rider? Then the choices will be very different.

For many folk, an adventure tourer is a good all-round choice that will tackle the odd long trip with ease.

bikesales has a wealth of LAMS bike road tests, and we suggest you have a look through them to get a feel for what’s out there, how they fit into the market and what they’re like to ride.

When it comes to features, ABS (anti-lock brakes) should be top of your list. It’s a great safety net and is available across a huge range of machinery, both new and used. In fact, it is now mandatory for all new road-going motorcycles to have ABS.

If you’re buying new, the cost of getting it on the road should be factored into the price.

Buying second-hand, you will need a roadworthy certificate (RWC), something you would normally expect to be provided by the seller. If one isn’t part of the deal, and you’re not an expert mechanic able to assess what’s really needed, walk away.

Annual registration and compulsory third-party insurance can be a significant cost, so be aware of how much ‘rego’ is left on any second-hand buy. Lastly, before handing over the money, do a PPSR (Personal Properties Security Register) check. That should ensure you’re not buying a stolen vehicle.

So how do you approach this buying business? First, buy the best motorcycle you can afford and by that we mean new or in the best condition. In the end, condition is more important than age, and money spent up front on something that’s a turn-key proposition will be cheaper to own.

Any seller who says “it just needs a tune-up” or some other twaddle is usually wrong. Someone who is serious and knows what they’re doing will have the bike in prime condition, with an RWC and ready to move on.

If possible, take a knowledgeable advisor with you – preferably someone with current and extensive motorcycle experience. They can be a handy sounding board, a witness to any negotiations, and may well spot things that you miss.

Above all, remember this opens the proverbial door to a whole world of fun – so get out there and enjoy it!