Details, details
There really is no feeling quite like swinging a leg over a machine that can instantly transport you to another dimension. If you have indeed come over to or are returning to the dark side, so to speak, there are a few things that you need to know and come to terms with.
Related: Are new bikes cheaper to insure?
It doesn’t matter if you are a new rider or an old hand that is coming back after a few years away, you need to know and do these things to ensure that you have years of two-wheeled bliss ahead of you.
1. Consider yourself a newbie
Whether you are a new rider or an old hand, you should consider yourself a new rider and accept that there is always something new to learn Going out, trying to imitate your favourite Moto GP, or Dakar racer is a recipe for disaster. Statistics show that most accidents involve just one person and occur when riders push beyond their skill set and many of these, are riders who are returning to two wheels after a few years away. Be humble, Go Slow and build up your riding skill set safely.
2. Consider your chosen riding style
It goes without saying that you are naturally going to gravitate towards one of the many biking subcultures, it doesn’t help you go heavily into high-powered superbikes if your interests tend towards the outdoors and camping. This ties into our next point, if your lifestyle and interests lean one way it is going to influence your choice of motorcycle.
3. Get the right motorcycle.
Now that you’ve decided what kind of riding you are going to be doing, you can start looking at the kinds of bikes that are best suited for the occasion. This is also where the question of displacement and engine type comes up. Carefully consider the pros and cons of the bikes you’ve shortlisted before buying, Yes, the idea of a big bore 1200cc adventure bike is appealing and everyone else has one, but do you really need that for the weekend trail riding you will tackle?
4. New or Used
If you are buying at the lower end of the spectrum, buying a new bike is an easy decision as the pricing is good and you can often pay cash outright for them, once you enter the middle to high-end market considering a used model can save you thousands. If you opt for a brand new expensive 1000cc superbike, take into account that the depreciation is going to be killer when the newer model comes out in two years.
5. Don’t spend too much on your bike
How much you spend on your bike is tied to many of the above points. If you are buying the bike as a leisure item and will only do 1 adventure trip a year and plan on parking up over winter, then spending 6 figures on a shiny new ADV machine seems foolish. In this case, you could consider a used machine, and vice versa, if you are a hardcore two-wheeler and plan on riding everywhere every day, then spend as much as you need to be safe and comfortable.
6. Get Insured
If your chosen machine is financed, you will be required to insure it. However, even if you’ve purchased your two-wheeled steed outright with cash, you will still want to insure it in the case of third-party, fire, and theft. It is also important to insure yourself, keep your medical insurance card with you, and keep your life insurance up to date. Let’s face it, folks… accidents happen. Make sure you’re covered!
7. Get the best gear you can afford
There’s an old saying, you buy a R500 helmet if you have a R500 head…Now is not the time to cheap out! Get the best quality gear you can afford. If your gear can’t hang with the bike you bought, you are doing something wrong! At the bare minimum, you will want the best quality helmet you can get, an appropriate jacket and gloves, and a set of riding boots. If you can, a set of riding pants will go a long way as well, and if anyone tells you that you look ridiculous, remember that it’s better to be over than underdressed for an occasion!
8. Take as many courses as you need
It's a fact that good quality training makes you a better rider. Sign up and take as many courses as you can because there is always something new to learn from the pros. You may think you ride like Marquez and can outride that grey-haired bloke that’s doddling along in front of you but you will pick up tips and tricks with every course whether they are beginner, intermediate, or advanced riding courses.
9. Learn to do your maintenance.
Learning to do your maintenance is helpful in more than one way. Not only will you save tons of money on services but it will teach you about the mechanical ins and outs of your bike which will be beneficial if you ever break down and then there is the knowledge gained that is even more beneficial when you are sitting with a group of bikers and the technical jargon starts flying back and forth, You will know what they are talking about!
10. You will fall… deal with it
There are only two kinds of bikers, those who have come off and those who are going to. It is a simple fact, you will fall, it will hurt and you will damage your bike, deal with it now and move on. How bad the fall is depends entirely on you. Maybe it will be in the parking lot and you forgot to put down the side stand, or maybe you low side in a corner, your time will come, and if it has already happened, you will be wiser.
