Buying a motorcycle should be exciting.
But if you don’t know much about motorcycles yet, it can also feel like you’re expected to understand an entirely new language overnight.
Engine sizes, service histories, tyre dates, chain wear, insurance groups, different riding positions, modifications, ABS, service intervals — and that’s before someone asks whether you want a naked bike, sports bike, cruiser, adventure bike or tourer.
If you’re buying your first motorcycle, it’s completely reasonable not to know all of this yet.
The important thing isn’t knowing everything about motorcycles before you buy one. It’s knowing enough to make a sensible decision, recognising what you don’t know and knowing where to get reliable help.
Start With What You Want the Motorcycle For
It’s very easy to start your search by asking:
Which motorcycle should I buy?
A better starting point might be:
What do I actually want to do with it?
Think about the riding you’re realistically likely to do.
Will you commute? Ride mainly at weekends? Travel longer distances? Carry a pillion? Go touring? Use motorways regularly? Mostly ride locally?
Also think about practicalities such as where the bike will be stored and how often you’re likely to use it.
The motorcycle that looks most exciting in a showroom isn’t necessarily the one that will suit your everyday riding best.
Don’t Choose a Motorcycle on Engine Size Alone
Engine capacity — usually shown in cc — is one of the most obvious ways motorcycles are described, but it doesn’t tell you everything about how a bike will feel.
Two motorcycles with similar engine sizes can have very different power delivery, weight, dimensions and riding characteristics.
Likewise, a smaller engine doesn’t automatically mean a motorcycle will be easier for you to manage.
Look at the whole bike rather than one number.
If possible, sit on several motorcycles and notice how they feel. Can you comfortably reach the controls? Does the riding position work for you? How does the weight feel when the bike is upright? Could you realistically move it around when the engine is switched off?
A motorcycle spends plenty of time being manoeuvred at walking pace too.
You Don’t Necessarily Need to Put Both Feet Flat on the Ground
You’ll sometimes hear that you should only buy a motorcycle if you can put both feet completely flat on the floor.
It’s not a universal rule.
Many riders safely ride motorcycles they can’t flat-foot. What matters is whether you can confidently and safely support and control the motorcycle when stationary.
Seat height is only part of the equation. Seat width, motorcycle weight, your leg length, suspension and the shape of the bike can all affect how easy it is to reach the ground.
If you’re unsure, don’t let someone else’s opinion decide for you. Try the motorcycle yourself and, where possible, speak to an experienced instructor or knowledgeable professional who can help you assess whether it’s manageable for you.
Think About Weight
Motorcycle weight can be surprisingly difficult to appreciate from specifications alone.
A bike that feels perfectly manageable while sitting securely on its stand may feel very different when you’re moving it backwards out of a parking space.
Think about the situations you’ll actually encounter.
Could you move it around your garage or driveway? What happens if you need to push it backwards? How would you manage on slightly uneven ground?
You don’t need to be exceptionally strong to ride a motorcycle, and good technique makes a significant difference. But feeling comfortable managing the bike when you’re not actually riding it is worth considering before you buy.
Check the Insurance Before You Fall in Love With the Bike
This is an easy one to overlook.
Insurance costs can vary considerably depending on the motorcycle, your age and experience, where you live, where the bike is stored and many other factors.
Get insurance quotes before agreeing to buy.
A motorcycle that fits your purchase budget might become considerably less affordable once insurance is included.
It’s also worth thinking about the full cost of ownership: servicing, tyres, consumables, security, protective kit, tax where applicable and unexpected repairs all need to be factored in.
The purchase price is only the beginning.
New or Used?
There are advantages to both.
A new motorcycle may offer a manufacturer warranty, no unknown ownership history and the reassurance of starting with a bike that hasn’t been modified or neglected by a previous owner.
Buying used can make your budget go further and may make more sense when you’re still discovering what you enjoy riding.
The important thing when buying used is knowing what you’re buying.
If you don’t feel confident assessing the condition of a motorcycle yourself, don’t pretend that you do.
Take someone knowledgeable with you or consider arranging a professional inspection.
What Should You Check on a Used Motorcycle?
You don’t need to become a mechanic, but there are some basic things worth investigating.
Look at the overall condition of the motorcycle. Check for obvious signs of damage, corrosion, leaks or poorly fitted modifications. Look at the tyres, brakes and drive system and ask about servicing and maintenance.
Check the motorcycle’s paperwork and history carefully too.
In the UK, you can check a vehicle’s MOT history online using its registration number. This can show previous test results, recorded mileage and advisories, which may help you build a picture of how the motorcycle has been maintained.
Remember that an MOT is not the same as a detailed mechanical inspection and doesn’t guarantee that a motorcycle is problem-free.
If something doesn’t make sense, ask.
Service History Matters
A well-maintained motorcycle isn’t necessarily the one with the lowest mileage or the shiniest bodywork.
Ask about servicing.
Has the motorcycle been serviced according to the manufacturer’s schedule? Are there invoices or records? When were important maintenance items last attended to?
A motorcycle with a clear history of being properly looked after can sometimes be a better purchase than one with fewer miles but little evidence of maintenance.
The manufacturer’s service schedule can help you understand what work should have been carried out and what might be due soon.
Be Careful With Modifications
Many motorcycles are modified, and modifications aren’t automatically a problem.
Aftermarket exhausts, luggage, screens, heated grips, different seats and other accessories are common.
But if you’re unfamiliar with motorcycles, it’s worth understanding exactly what has been changed.
Ask whether the original parts are available, whether modifications have been installed correctly and whether they need to be declared to your insurer.
Be particularly cautious if you find wiring that looks improvised, unexplained warning lights or modifications that the seller can’t tell you much about.
Buying From a Dealer or Privately
Buying from a motorcycle dealer and buying privately aren’t the same.
In the UK, your consumer rights will generally be stronger when purchasing from a trader than when buying from a private individual.
That doesn’t mean every dealer motorcycle is automatically a good purchase or every private sale should be avoided.
It means you should understand who you’re buying from, what checks have been carried out and what protection you have if something goes wrong.
If you’re unsure about your legal rights, check current guidance from an authoritative source such as Citizens Advice before buying.
Don’t Let Someone Rush You
Motorcycles can be emotional purchases.
You find one in the right colour, hear it running and suddenly start imagining yourself riding it home.
That’s exactly when it’s worth slowing down.
Don’t allow a seller to pressure you because “someone else is coming to see it later” or because you’re worried you’ll never find another one.
There will be other motorcycles.
If something doesn’t feel right, walk away.
That’s particularly important when you don’t yet have enough experience to know whether something you’re being told is accurate.
Ask Questions — Even If They Feel Basic
You are allowed to ask what something means.
If a seller says the chain and sprockets were recently changed, you can ask why.
If someone tells you a noise is “normal for these”, you can ask for more information.
If a dealer uses terminology you don’t understand, ask them to explain it.
A good seller should be able to answer reasonable questions without making you feel uncomfortable for asking them.
Not knowing something doesn’t make you an easy customer to dismiss. You’re making a significant purchase and you’re entitled to understand what you’re buying.
Take Someone With You
If you know someone who genuinely understands motorcycles, taking them with you can be useful.
The important word there is genuinely.
Someone having ridden motorcycles for years doesn’t automatically make them a mechanic or an expert at assessing used bikes.
If you’re spending a significant amount of money and aren’t confident checking the motorcycle yourself, paying an appropriate professional to inspect it may be worthwhile.
Your First Motorcycle Doesn’t Have to Be Your Forever Motorcycle
There’s a lot of pressure to choose the “right” first bike.
But you won’t really know what kind of motorcyclist you’re going to become until you’ve spent some time riding independently.
You might discover you love long-distance touring. You might prefer short weekend rides. You may decide you want something lighter, more powerful, more comfortable or completely different.
Your first motorcycle teaches you about motorcycles, but it also teaches you about yourself.
What you buy next can be informed by everything you learn.
You Don’t Need to Know Everything Before You Buy
Buying a motorcycle when you don’t know much about motorcycles can feel intimidating because you’re making decisions about things you haven’t had time to understand yet.
That’s normal when you’re new to anything.
Take your time. Do your research. Check the practical costs. Sit on different bikes. Ask questions. Use reliable sources and get professional help when you need it.
Most importantly, don’t allow someone else’s idea of what a “proper biker” should ride to determine your choice.
You’re not buying their motorcycle.
You’re buying yours.
And choosing something that suits your experience, your circumstances and the riding you actually want to do is a very good place to start.
This article provides general information for motorcycle buyers in the UK and isn’t a substitute for professional mechanical, legal or financial advice. Vehicle requirements and consumer rules can change, so check current official guidance where appropriate.