How to buy a bike - VOOM's guide for 2022

So, you want to buy a motorcycle! Did you know that the winter months are the best time to buy a bike? There are a lot of great deals and rebates available as dealers are moving inventory to make room for next year's models. But before you start shopping for your dream ride, here are 6 things to consider.

Do your homework

Before you choose a bike, you want to know everything about the brand, model, reviews, safety features, parts, and service availability. You can find out a lot about a bike by googling reviews for a specific model, joining online forums, and checking for issues such as reliability, maintenance, and overall performance.
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Decide what type of bike you want

Are you looking for a cruising bike or a sporty off-road bike? Do you like the classic look of a Harley Heritage Soft tail, or the sleek design of a Ducati Racing bike? Or are you picturing yourself on a Fat boy? Make sure the bike you choose matches your riding style; a Kawasaki is a fun zippy racing bike, but you wouldn’t want to take it on a road trip.‍

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Stick with the name brands

If this is your first bike you will want to stick with name brands such as Honda, Yamaha, Suzuki, and Kawasaki. These are great choices for beginners and any motorcycle dealer will be able to make sure the bike fits you. Sometimes it’s necessary to adjust handlebars, seats, and footpegs.‍‍

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Complete a Motorcycle Safety Foundation course

Whether you are a novice or an experienced biker, these courses can help you sharpen your skills by teaching you proper motorcycle techniques and safety. You will also need to pass a motorcycle driving test to receive your motorcycle license.

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Look at the used bike catalog

There are lots of excellent used bikes on the market as well. Brand new isn’t always the best option, especially if this is your first motorcycle. First, you may not enjoy riding as much as you thought you would! Hard to believe but that does happen. Dropping a used bike isn’t as painful as dropping a brand-new bike and trust me, you will drop it, we all do. Lastly, a used bike is a better investment for not only beginners but for most bikers. They are easier to sell when you are ready for an upgrade and there are always used bikes for sale. (Expert tip, make sure you bring an experienced biker or mechanic to give the bike a look over before you purchase it)

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Get motorcycle insurance‍

Once you know how and where to buy a bike, it's also a good to note how and where to get motorcycle insurance. It's the law to ride with insurance. Typical coverage options are