Factors to consider before purchasing a bike

We all have different views about riding a bike. For some of us, this is just one of the vehicles for walking home to office or home to market. While for others, this is the degree of freedom with which they can go on vacation with friends. For some, it’s a way of being a status symbol that distinguishes them from others. In short, there are a lot of options that can spoil you if you are going to buy your own set of wheels and choosing one of them is not an easy task.

Since the offer from each manufacturer has its own meaning and qualities that distinguish or improve oneself from other brands. It’s just a matter of necessity and interest that helps you to make the right decision. But making that one right decision can be confusing, as the fact that India is the world’s largest growth market for two-wheelers is itself proof of how difficult it is to choose one over another. So, here are some important key factors that can determine your needs, make you think about the bike you want to buy, and finally allow you to pick up your favourite bike from its esteemed showroom.

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  The level of experience to ride a bike

One of the most important factors to purchase a bike is how long you have driven a bike. If you plan to purchase a bike for the first time, do not purchase heavy and high pickup bikes. There are many segments of the bikes in the market. You should start from a 100cc to 125cc bike at the beginning and then you can upgrade to the highest version. The lightweight commuter bike can be the best start for riding because of its low maintenance and easy handling. Once your hands fit to the  handlebar and your legs automatically learn the gear shifting, you can upgrade to 350cc and above models. There are a number of manufacturers in the market for all the segments. If you already have experience of riding and own a motorcycle, you should upgrade to the upper level. For example, if you have a ktm duke 125, you can upgrade to KTM Duke 200 or 250.   

• Where to ride 

As a rule, sometimes the area where you live can make you understand what trip you prefer. For example, you can’t take a roadster or a streetfighter bike on desert trails because of their build and specifications. Most of the motorcycles, designed primarily for paved roads. However, certain bikes, designed for heavy riding on dirt roads and rugged paths. And it makes us think of Royal Enfields & Hero Impulse because they are built for hilly terrains.  

 What is the purpose of your bike

• Cruisers  

While riding a cruiser, your legs are extended forward and your arms are at chest level or higher, which gives the rider an upright or slightly reclined seated position. In short, this is a sofa embodied in the form of a motorcycle, designed for very long road trips. For example – Bajaj Avenger DTS-I, Royal Enfield Thunderbird. 

• Sports bikes 

In these bikes, the seating position is aggressive, leaning forward with the handlebars below the rider’s chest, elbows straight, and feet tucked under or behind the body, forming an acute angle with your hips. They designed for the ultimate track ride to get the most out of your ability in tight corners and fast lanes. For example – Yamaha YZF-R15, Kawasaki Ninja 300.

• Tourer

In these, the seating position is a mixture of a cruiser and a sport bike, with a slightly more upright stance and legs not as far back. They are designed specifically for those who are looking for comfortable trips over long distances. For example – Yamaha Fazer, Hero Karizma R. 

• Street bikes

In these  bikes, the seating position is a mixture of a sport bike and a touring bike, with a slightly more upright seating position that can be more comfortable for short, slippery rides. They belong to the most extensive category, ranging from ordinary passengers to super-powered beasts. For example – Bajaj Discover 100T, Honda CB 1000R, KTM Duke 125.

• Dual purpose bikes/dirt bikes

These bikes have a similar fit to standard naked street fighters, but with a slightly raised seat height to accommodate the extra suspension travel. For example, Hero Impulse, Ducati Hypermotard. 

• How frequently you use your bike

Every bike has different specifications. We have some examples, where bikes have commendable mileage such as the duke 250 mileage. And in other cases, few bikes have very low mileage. If you have a high frequency of usage, you should select the mileage bike and one with the low maintenance. On the other hand, if you have low usage of your bike, and you are looking for a performance bike, you can skip this factor. 

• Engine displacement of your bike

In the layman term, the higher the volume of the engine, the more power it will deliver. Displacement of a bike is measured in cc which means centimetre cube. Cc is unit of volume, and hence it’s a responsible factor for power generation and producing torque. Every rider has a different demand and because of this demand, we have bikes carrying 100cc, 125cc, 200cc, 250cc, 300cc, 350cc, 500cc and 650cc. Now, with the help of technology, even the smaller engines are able to produce more torque and generate high power in comparison with high volume bikes. Choose the volume of the engine as per your need.   

• What size of the bike suits you

There is a significant visual difference when you see a fat guy riding a frail 100cc motorcycle and a skinny guy riding a muscular cruiser. Others may be too small to ride comfortably for long periods of time. Physical size plays an important role in finding a bike that is right for the rider’s height. So, if you want to match the macho bike you ride, it’s best to buy a bike that matches your personality and the ergonomics of the bike, which includes your height and bulk. For example, KTM Duke 200 will suit any rider who has a height of 5 ft 5 inch. 

• What bike you want depending upon your economic condition: New of used 

Sometimes, economic conditions and needs have a tussle in our life. Our economic condition doesn’t allow us to spend more but on the other hand, our need pushes our desires. In such cases, you can not afford a new bike, but you have to look for an old bike or used bike. In such cases, consider the condition of the used bike, how much kms, it has run, body parts and mileage. Before purchasing an old bike, you need to calculate the extra perks that the bike will demand later. The market has both types of sellers, one may be genuine and the other might fool you, so be cautious.

• Ride quality and comfort of your bike

Usually these are real criteria that define the line between a motorcycle and a scooter. Two wheelers are limited to these two body styles at the root level. Speaking of motorcycles, they are much better handled than scooters and offer you better power and torque figures while maintaining the same engine configurations thanks to better gearing in motorcycles. On the other hand, scooters seem to be a practical purchase that offers you the best ride quality and practical use thanks to their footrests, which, when carrying extra luggage, can protect you from splashing mud during the monsoons, and a roomy under-seat compartment to carry this extra stuff, in addition to being that they are easy to ride with their usually gearless transmissions. So, if you’re a shopaholic who needs to shop for groceries on the way back from your office or beauty salon, scooters are the preferred choice. And if you want to explore the engine, your bike really comes out as the best option.

• Consider the mode of payment: Finance and EMI

When we are about to buy a bike for ourselves, we are really concerned about the payment of our bike. For those with wealthier bank accounts, they can pay the entire amount in cash, or a middle class person has the option to choose from a variety of financing options offered through registered banks and financial institutions. Further, in some of the cases the manufacturer gives you a loan. However, paying the entire MRP of your bike all at once is more beneficial considering the extra amount of money you have spent as interest. But for some, it’s just a matter of the financial limits with which they find profit.

• Parts and Accessories

We all love going to beauty salons or adorn ourselves with glittery tattoos and piercings as these are our ways to enhance our charisma. Similarly, one of the greatest things about owning a motorcycle is being able to customise it to suit your riding needs and personality. Just visit the bike accessories market near your home and you’ll find endless possibilities to customise your new bike with accessories that are only limited by your imagination. Common accessories worth spending extra cash from your pocket are a windshield, backrest, custom exhaust, panniers, and upgraded lighting fixtures. Often these accessories can be funded and installed at the same time as purchase, but they can always be added later. But the quality of such parts must be kept under control, otherwise, one part is enough to ruin the capabilities of your bike forever.