What is your Motorcycle Style? Articles | Motorcycles

By: Guy Starbuck

While there is plenty of information available both offline and online which offer assistance to new car buyers, there is hardly any worthy information which can help someone wanting to buy a new bike.

Choosing the right style of motorcycle, which is suitable for you, is very important before setting out to buy a bike. Though there are many sub groups and sub categories of bikes available with bike retailers, motorcycles can be divided into three definitive styles: Street, Dual-Purpose, and Off-Road.

It is not uncommon to find beginners buying their first bike at a cheap price (around $3000 for a new one). The mistake which these people make by buying these types of street bikes is that neither can these bikes offer a comfortable ride nor have they got adequate power.

It all ultimately depends on your needs. If you are looking for a bike to ride on the highways or for long trips, the touring bikes are the best bikes for you. Referred to as the Cadillac of motorcycles, these bikes are heavy yet easy to maneuver, especially at high speeds. Costing between $10000 and $20000, riders who would normally remain within city limits should avoid these bikes which are fitted with very powerful engines.

Cruiser bikes costing anywhere between $5000 and $20000 are ideal for today’s city conditions and a favorite of most bike dealers. Featuring low and comfortable seating, these types of street bikes look classic and carry a lot of style in their appearance and performance. Perhaps the main points of attraction for cruisers are its generous presence of chrome and loud exhaust emission – which most bikers adore about their bikes.

Though there is nothing much to it in terms of comfort or convenience, young riders prefer sports bikes a lot because of its looks, lightweight and fantastic aerodynamics. Not too good for long hauls, sports bikes live up to its name: it is good for sports. Due to the high perceived risks associated with sports bikes by insurance companies, these carry a high insurance premium. The price varies between $5000 and $20000. 

If you are a believer of old-time values then go for standard bikes which have immaculate balance, well powered and are comparatively lightweight, which make them easy to handle and ride. These offer reliable performances on highways as well as on city roads and good for people who are looking for steady and comfortable journey on bikes.

The bikes for off-road use are motocross bikes. They carry small engines and weigh really light (between 150 and 300 pounds). Meant for recreational riding only, they are very affordable with price ranging between $1,500 and $6,000.  

If you want a bike which works well off-road with knobby tires and high center of gravity, then go for dual purpose bikes which have headlights, turn signals and emission control gears, which make them perfectly legal on the road too.

While there is plenty of variety to choose from when it comes to bikes, you ought to choose one which suits you best in terms of:

• Your size and strength.
• Your experience and ability.
• Your budget.

Once you know what you want, visit the nearest bike showroom and watch out for your favorite road wonder on the shelf.