Alright, buckle up folks, because I’m gonna tell you about how I picked my first motorcycle. It wasn’t pretty, and I made a few mistakes, but hey, that’s how you learn, right?
The Dream Begins: I always wanted a bike. The freedom, the wind in your face… you know the drill. So, I started doing what any sane person would do: endlessly scrolling through motorcycle listings online. I was all over the place! Sportbikes, cruisers, adventure bikes… I didn’t have a clue what I actually wanted.
Research, Kinda: I watched a ton of YouTube videos. Guys ripping around corners, doing wheelies (don’t do that when you’re learning!), and generally looking cool. This “research” mostly consisted of me drooling over bikes I couldn’t afford and probably couldn’t handle.
Facing Reality (Sort Of): Eventually, I realized I needed to be realistic. I’m a beginner! A Hayabusa was probably a bad idea. I started focusing on smaller displacement bikes, stuff around 300-500cc. Seemed like a good starting point.
The List: I made a list of bikes that seemed interesting: Kawasaki Ninja 300, Yamaha R3, Honda Rebel 500, Suzuki SV650. I tried to keep an open mind, but let’s be honest, some of those bikes just looked cooler than others.
The Hunt: This is where it got real. I started visiting dealerships. Man, that’s intimidating! Sales guys breathing down your neck, trying to upsell you on everything. I tried to be polite but firm: “Just looking, thanks.”
The Sit Test: I sat on EVERYTHING. Seriously. I hopped on sportbikes, cruisers, even a couple of dual-sports. Turns out, some bikes just felt… wrong. Ergonomics are a big deal! Some were too cramped, some too stretched out. The Rebel 500 felt pretty good, surprisingly.
Used Market Dive: New bikes are expensive! So I started scouring the used market. Craigslist, Facebook Marketplace, the whole nine yards. This is where you can find some deals, but also a lot of headaches.
The Sketchy Bike: I almost bought a Ninja 300 from a guy who seemed… questionable. The bike was cheap, but it was covered in grime, had mismatched tires, and the guy couldn’t answer basic questions about its maintenance. I walked away. Trust your gut!
The Diamond in the Rough: Finally, I found it. A used Suzuki SV650. Older model, but well-maintained, low miles, and the price was right. The owner was a mature rider who clearly cared about the bike. He even let me take it for a spin in the parking lot (with his permission, of course!).
The Purchase: I did a little haggling, we agreed on a price, and I bought it! I was so stoked! But also terrified.
Riding It Home (Carefully): My first ride home was nerve-wracking. I took it slow, stayed in low gears, and tried to remember everything I’d learned in my MSF course (which I HIGHLY recommend taking, by the way).
The Aftermath: I rode that SV650 for a couple of years. It was a great bike to learn on. Forgiving engine, decent handling, and it looked pretty good too. I eventually upgraded to something bigger, but I’ll always have a soft spot for that first bike.
Lessons Learned:
- Do your research (but don’t get paralyzed by it).
- Sit on a bunch of bikes to see what feels right.
- Don’t be afraid to walk away from a sketchy deal.
- Take a riding course.
- Start small and work your way up.
So there you have it. My slightly embarrassing, but ultimately successful, journey to finding my first motorcycle. Hope it helps someone out there!
