When you are looking into purchasing a bike, there are so many factors to consider that sometimes the first reaction is to just jump in head first and buy the first motorcycle you come across that is within your price range. However, this can have horrible consequences, both for your future as a motorcycle enthusiast and for your pocketbook. There are a number of factors that you need to make sure that you take into consideration before you go out and get that motorcycle, the least of which is the initial start up price.
You may be wondering why you shouldn't just go out and buy that bike. After all, you have the money in hand. But have you checked the price of your insurance? Do you know if it costs more for one specific type of bike versus another? These are important questions that you need to answer before you hand over the money.
Other considerations depend on the specific bike itself. If you are purchasing an older motorcycle, then you will most likely want to look into what the typical cost of maintenance is on that type of used bike. You might find that the upkeep on some older bikes is more than you thought. The question then becomes that if you are going to need to spend a certain amount every few months on routine maintenance and engine problems, it might be cheaper to buy a newer bike.
You may have a general idea of your future motorcycle, but it would be counterproductive to buy a bike you were not able to ride because it was constantly breaking down or because you could not afford insurance.
