I‘m looking into buying my first vehicle and wanted to know some of the facts on owning and maintaining a motorcycle because it seems like one good option for me.First what should I look for in a bike to start? I‘m really looking towards a cruiser rather than a sports bike as they seem more comfortable to ride but I‘ve heard that they can be a problem for beginners due to their weight.Next is maintenance. Are they pretty much like cars with needing oil changes at 3,000 miles, tires inflated, etc.? And what else is needed to keep them from breaking down?Lastly for training and insurance. I‘m in Southern California, are there places to learn how to ride and care for a motorcycle for free or cheap? And how is the insurance rates compared to driving a car, is it more expensive or less and would taking the classes help lower it?Thanks for all the help in advance.
The weights are simila but sports are designed for weight. Cruisers are more rider and insurance friendly, especially for beginners. I've never heard of cheap or free riding classes, but Motorcycle Safety Foundation (MSF) is well known and gives an insurance discount paper, They also provide the bikes you learn on and in some states even give the test FOR the state Now the bad news, Bikes are great toys but lousy only transport, Summer is closing, what is your upcoming weather? It takes 4 trips to the grocery store for $20 worth of canned goods. If you're going to school all your carries will get wet.
You should get something at least 600cc. Any smaller you will find yourself wishing for a bigger bike once you get comfortable riding. A smaller bike would not do well on any kind of lengthy ride. A motorcycle safety riders course is of great help and worth the investment, especially one that provides the bikes for you to ride. Always take care of your tires, a bike is not like a car when losing a tire. It can hurt quite a bit when you hit the ground Cruisers can be easier to ride because of the ride height and sometimes the weight. A sport bike is usually lighter and can get you into trouble sometimes easier than a cruiser.
If you're under the age of 21 in California you have to take the CHP motorcycle safety class. I started with a Honda CB250 - bought it new which was a mistake in my opinion. By a used honda Rebel 250 or a Nighthawk 250- learn on that and then move up to something bigger. Don't buy it new like I did - lost like half the value in the couple years I owned it. Maintenance is a snap. Just check the air pressure in the tires, lube the chain (can be a little messy when cleaning it and the oil/lube that WILL fly off), changing the oil is a snap. Just use quality oil that has the right specifications for use in motorcycles. Motorcycle insurance tends to be cheaper than car insurance.
