How To Get My Motorcycle License

The Ins and Outs of Motorcycles

CC0/ MaxxGirr/Pixabay

Harley Davidson remains the most popular motorcycle brand in America. The Wisconsin-based firm regularly own 50 percent of the marketplace leaving the likes of BMW and Ducati in their dust but the market seems to be subtly changing as Indian Motorcycles are chasing Harley's sales with a range of bikes that hark back to their glorious past. This signals the first big change in the market for a long time. The arrival of a true competitor should help push Harley Davidson too because only true competition improves a product. At this time the US motorcycle market is in decline but sales are rising for Indian while Harley is facing a fall in their numbers.

Get Your Motor Running

Before you worry about which bike to buy, you need to learn how to ride it so which is the best bike to learn on? A small capacity bike like a 250cc from Yamaha or Suzuki will offer you the right amount of power. The Yamaha V-Star 250 is a bike that's great for newcomers. Its seat is just 27 inches from the pavement below so unconfident new riders will be able to firmly plant their foot on the ground when they stop at traffic lights and they should be able to achieve a good balance while riding. This bike is lightweight which helps it achieve 78 miles per gallon.

Motorcycle Insurance

A recent study carried out by Value Pigeon, shows that the average cost of motorcycle insurance across all 50 states is $519. The average price is higher in California, where most motorcycles are sold, as riders in the Golden State pay an average of $665 per year to insure their bikes. Motorcycle insurance can cover things like bodily damage and property destruction, as well as theft and emergency expenses. You might want to insure your protective gear or get cover for emergency roadside expenses so get some advice from an insurance broker before taking out insurance.

Honda Motorcycles

Honda is a major player in the marketplace. In 2018, they sold 19.5 million bikes across the globe, many of which were manufactured in the US. Their range of street bikes offers anything from the Goldwing Tourer to the RC213V-S, which will cost you close to two hundred thousand dollars. If you're heading off-road, they have just as much choice with trail, competition and adventure bikes that will tackle the roughest terrain and the steepest inclines. If you're looking for something to get you around town, a scooter like the Metropolitan or the Forza will do the job.

Indian Motorcycles

When Polaris Industries took over the Indian brand in 2011 and announced that they would produce three all-new Indian-branded motorcycles, they kick-started a brand that had been struggling to find its place since the firm's bankruptcy in 1953. The three models released in 2013 were all based on the traditional styling of the Indian marque which has proved popular with Americans as sales have increased year-on-year. At this time, the range includes midsized, cruiser, bagger and touring bikes which share the classic look of an Indian but are up to date thanks to technology including a 7-inch touchscreen with GPS and customizable information displays.

Harley Davidson

Harley Davidson has a range of new bikes for 2018 that help keep its lineup current. You'll pay a premium for the brand but it's worth it. Street bikes, sportsters, softail, trikes and tourers compliment the traditional chopper motorcycle style everyone pictures when they think of the Harley Davidson name. Harley remains one of the world's largest motorcycle manufacturers because it makes great bikes like the Fat Boy but its leading the way in America because of a history and heritage no other brand can match.

Buy New or Not?

Buying a used motorcycle is cheaper but you should be careful what you buy. When buying a used bike, check the VIN to make sure you're not looking at a stolen bike. Have the numbers been re-stamped? If not, check the bike for wear and tear. You should check the bike when it's cold because it's easier for unscrupulous owners to hide start up or running issues with a bike that's just been run. You'll already know to look for rust on the bike but you should also look for signs of damage such as levers that have curled after hitting the pavement and pegs that are scratched. Do a short pre-ride check that everything's in order and then take the bike for a ride. Only by sitting on it will you work out if you want to own it.