When you’re new to motorcycling, the choices of bike seem bewildering. There are limits on what you can buy as a learner, but even then you could have a sportsbike, a trail bike, a motard, a cruiser...
The choice of gear can seem equally baffling. But that’s easily solved. Check out some sound advice on choosing the right gear.
When it comes to choosing your bike, what you need is good, grounded advice to get you safely on your way.
It can seem like choosing a motorcycle is the most important decision in the universe. What if your mates laugh? What if that girl you want to impress joins in?
Actually, choosing a bike should never be about impressing anyone, unless it’s an expert rider who has taken you under their wing. When you’re learning, the best choice is one that lets you manoeuvre easily and with confidence.
And remember: you’re allowed to make mistakes. If you get the bike of your dreams and hate it, trade it in. It might cost you a few hundred dollars, but you’ll be wiser for the experience.
Low, clip-on style handlebars, perhaps a racy fairing and seat unit: sportsbikes look sharp and it may be a good choice if you know it’s the ultimate path for you. You’ll be used to the riding position and steering. For a learner, though, there are a lot of negatives. Balance and low speed control are harder; you don’t get such a good view ahead; steering requires a firm hand and confidence.
A dual-purpose trail bike can be a good choice, particularly if you ride gravel roads or off-road. You sit fairly high for a good view but not so high you can’t easily get your feet down. Wide bars make manoeuvring easier, and bikes are usually light. Ultimate road grip and handling isn’t so high, but a ‘trailie’ is not a bad learner machine.
These machines are all about the style and character, but they can make perfectly good learner options. Just avoid very high bars or very long forks on a custom, or ‘café racer' style classics with drop bars and high pegs - they make manoeuvring difficult.
The term ‘naked’ is a new one, but the motorcycles it applies to take a traditional approach to layout and riding position. Designed with all-round suitability for road-riding in mind, it’s hard to beat a naked bike as a first machine.
