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Difference between revisions of "Used Motorcycle Evaluation"
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*The bottom line is, their idea of a good bike for you is probably based on a different set of priorities than yours. Don't let them dictate your choice or talk you into something you don't want. Do your own research and make your own informed decision. As far as new vs used goes, it's probably wise for first-time riders to start with a used bike anyway, so when -- er, I mean if -- your bike tips over, there's less heartbreak. | *The bottom line is, their idea of a good bike for you is probably based on a different set of priorities than yours. Don't let them dictate your choice or talk you into something you don't want. Do your own research and make your own informed decision. As far as new vs used goes, it's probably wise for first-time riders to start with a used bike anyway, so when -- er, I mean if -- your bike tips over, there's less heartbreak. | ||
* The counterpoint to this is the following: they're not all like this. find a good dealership and form a relationship with them. Talk to other bikers or folks on the 'net and get recommendations. Unless you've been doing this this for a long time and have a lot of money to spend on very specialized tools, you will almost certainly want to have a local shop that you can turn to when the bike isn't running right. It's true that you will pay a little more for stuff at a dealership, but in return, you're sure to get the right stuff, you don't pay "shipping & handling", and you foster good relations with the shop -- you'll have somewhere to go when you need help. Bike shops are run by people and generally act like people -- the nicer you are to them, the nicer they'll be to you. Just find one that you like, one that's honest and fair, and treat them the same in return. Don't support dealerships that are dishonest, take advantage of inexperienced riders, etc. Vote with your wallet. Let the scumbags go out of business. | * The counterpoint to this is the following: they're not all like this. find a good dealership and form a relationship with them. Talk to other bikers or folks on the 'net and get recommendations. Unless you've been doing this this for a long time and have a lot of money to spend on very specialized tools, you will almost certainly want to have a local shop that you can turn to when the bike isn't running right. It's true that you will pay a little more for stuff at a dealership, but in return, you're sure to get the right stuff, you don't pay "shipping & handling", and you foster good relations with the shop -- you'll have somewhere to go when you need help. Bike shops are run by people and generally act like people -- the nicer you are to them, the nicer they'll be to you. Just find one that you like, one that's honest and fair, and treat them the same in return. Don't support dealerships that are dishonest, take advantage of inexperienced riders, etc. Vote with your wallet. Let the scumbags go out of business. | ||
* Get (and wear) good gear! Statistically speaking, you're most likely to crash in your first five months of riding. That's the time when you need the best safety gear!! Don't blow all your cash on a bike and only have enough money left to buy the minimum safety gear required by law. Wear pants, jacket, helmet, and gloves that were designed for motorcycling. Plenty of gear looks the part but doesn't act the part -- avoid "fashion weight" leather. Windbreakers offer zero protection in a crash. And don't think that just because you're taking a short trip to the store, that you don't need your safety gear. Most motorcycle accidents happen during short trips! Don't let your guard down just because the gear seems inconvenient. | * Get (and wear) good gear! Statistically speaking, you're most likely to crash in your first five months of riding. That's the time when you need the best safety gear!! Don't blow all your cash on a bike and only have enough money left to buy the minimum safety gear required by law. Wear pants, jacket, helmet, and [[gloves]] that were designed for motorcycling. Plenty of gear looks the part but doesn't act the part -- avoid "fashion weight" leather. Windbreakers offer zero protection in a crash. And don't think that just because you're taking a short trip to the store, that you don't need your safety gear. Most motorcycle accidents happen during short trips! Don't let your guard down just because the gear seems inconvenient. | ||
* Take safety seriously. An oft-repeated motorcycle-industry aphorism is: | * Take safety seriously. An oft-repeated motorcycle-industry aphorism is: | ||
** "There are two kinds of riders in the world ... those who have gone down, and those who are going to go down." | ** "There are two kinds of riders in the world ... those who have gone down, and those who are going to go down." | ||