Motorcycles: Buy Wisely and Ride Safely
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When you're getting ready to buy a new bike you have to think about what kind of riding you want to do, how
much money you're willing to spend, and how dependable the motorcycle is that you're thinking of
purchasing. It's also a good idea to take some special courses about riding a motor bike, if you've never done
so before, and to get a special endorsement on your license saying that you have that training.
It doesn't matter if you're a novice or an experienced rider, you still probably have a lot to learn and going to a
course can do you a lot of good. Another advantage is that you might get a reduced rate on insurance if you’ve
been to one of these courses. In Ohio, the classes are required and it is not legal to operate a motorcycle
without the special classification on your license. Check the list of organizations at the end of this article for
information about where to take classes.
If you haven't had that much experience, according to one large dealer, it is a good idea to get a smaller bike.
They are easier to maintain, and less likely to be seriously damaged in the event of a fall or a minor collision.
Large, faster bikes have larger displacement engines and design that emphasize speed over durability in the
case of a small collision, so they are not advisable for new riders. For example if you drop a small bike it
might cost fifty bucks to fix, but one of the bigger bikes would run you several hundred dollars to fix if the same
thing happens.
For those of you with a few years experience under your belt who want to step up to the next level of
motorcycling, buy a motorcycle that suits your needs. Do you want to ride on a track, on dirt, or on the open
road? How much are you looking to spend? What kind of payments are you able to afford after paying
maintenance, gas and insurance? There's most likely going to be a loan agent right there at the dealership
that can set you up with a loan. Get approved for a loan and you'll be able to figure out what kind of motorcycle
you can afford.
Check in the Internet, magazines, and the dealership and ask your friends what they can tell you about prices
and quality of motorcycles within your range. Find out what kind of report the bikes you like are getting from
people who ride them every day. Ask around and make sure to get several opinions. It never hurts to hear
what other people think.
Compare the benefits of buying new compared to buying a used cycle. New bikes come with a warranty, and
old ones may have hidden problems that you can't see before you have ridden them for a while. The
advantage, of course, is price.
Is it better to buy a motorcycle from a dealer or from an individual? You can get a good one at a good price
from an individual if you're lucky. The advantage of buying from a dealer is that the dealer has a reputation at
stake and would not want to sell you a dud. There's a lot to think about. If you're a good mechanic you would
be less scared of finding a few problems in the engine, and you might be willing to take a chance. If you don't
know much about fixing bikes you might want to play it safe.
In the end it's up to you. Just think it out and be careful to make the right decision.
When you're buying a motorcycle you need to know about bikes, but you also need to know about how to buy
a bike, and that has nothing to do with engines and manufacturing. One important detail where a lot of people
that purchase motorcycles go wrong is getting the right loan.
How much the loan agent is willing to loan you is a good way to figure out what kind of bike you can afford to
buy. Prices vary a lot between different models, and at the beginning of the year when new models come out
they are generally more expensive than at the end of the year when dealers are trying to get rid of old inventory
to make space for the next year's models. But through all this one thing remains constant, and that is the fact
that if you don't have the cash, you're going to need a loan. Don't fall for the tricks. Remember that you have
alternatives to purchasing a loan from the dealer. Don't get caught up in the pressure to buy a bike and forget
that this deal is really all about money. You can go to the bank, the Internet, or to a credit union and apply for a
loan, so don't let anyone push you around.
The best thing you can do is shop around before you even go into the bike shop, so that you go in there
knowing what you're working with. You are now in a position to fight for the best price, but if you don't know
what your options are then you have to take the word of the person who is trying to sell you a loan. That is
never a good idea.
There are many mistakes that people commonly make, and the person who gives you the loan is apt to make
a lot of money off people who don't do their homework before signing on that dotted line. Here are some
things to think about:
Be careful about reading the fine print. If there is a special low interest rate for a short period of time, but then
the rate increases to a much higher rate (as with many credit cards) it is not advisable to take that deal
unless you are surely able to pay off the loan before the high rate kicks in.
If you can't, it is probably a better idea to opt for a different kind of loan, even if you end up paying a higher
interest rate. You don't want to get caught with that inflated interest rate at the end of the promotional period.
Another thing is to remember your budget. Don't borrow more than you can afford to borrow just so that you
can have a shiny bike. Remember you’re going to have to buy gas, insurance and pay for maintenance, and
you have a life to live than involves other expenses as well.
Make sure you know what you're signing. There are a lot of loopholes that a layman misses the first time he
reads a technical legal document, and lenders use these loopholes to get you to pay more than what you
planned for. What is the time period of the term? Is the interest rate fixed, and if so is it permanently fixed? If
not, when can it change and for what reasons? Does it have to be full coverage? What are the registration
fees, and what other fees are there? Is there a late payment penalty? Does late payment affect the interest
rate? Does the program use simple interest or the rule of 78?
Remember, what you don't know can really hurt your pocket and affect your way of life. It is worth the effort to
do the extra research before going out there and buying a bike.
