If you’re thinking about buying a motorcycle and you’ve never owned one before, it can feel a bit overwhelming. Long gone are the days when bikes were all pretty much the same and you just picked one for the engine size. Modern bikes are very specialized and the way they’re designed can drastically impact performance.
The main types to consider are:
- Cruisers
- Standard bikes
- Sports bikes
- Dirt bikes
- Dual-sport bikes
- Touring bikes
- Electric bikes
The main type of use determines what you want. Thinking you’ll take long road trips on the interstate? You probably want a comfortable cruiser or a touring bike that rides smoothly and has a lot of power to stay at high speeds. Looking to race at the local track? If it’s paved, you want a sports bike; if it’s not, you want a dirt bike. Just looking for something to get around town and keep from putting miles on your car? A standard bike or an electric bike may be the best option.
In terms of the risks you face, the type of bike also plays a role. Your greatest risks are on city streets. They may not have the top speed of an interstate, but you do have drivers turning and cutting across your lane. Many accidents happen when they simply don’t see you.
No matter what type of bike you get, it’s important to get acquainted with the design and the way that it handles before taking it on the road. And, if another driver does cause a crash that injures you, you need to know what legal options you have.
