Here, we will discuss everything you need to know about owning a motorcycle. Learn everything about the buying process, how to ride your motorcycle, what gear to wear, and how to maintain it. We will even discuss how best to sell your motorcycle when it comes time to trade it for something bigger and better. Read on to learn everything you need to know about motorcycles.

How to Buy a Motorcycle

Now that you have decided to purchase your first motorcycle, you may be wondering where to start. Rather than jumping in and buying the first bike you see, there are several steps you should consider to ensure you get the right motorcycle for your needs:

1. Create a Budget
First, consider creating a budget for both your motorcycle and any expenses and fees that you will need to pay. Don't forget to budget for gear!

2. Work Out Expenses
As a motorcycle owner, there are several important ongoing expenses you will need to keep in mind. Budget for ongoing expenses such as safety gear purchases, maintenance and repairs, insurance, fuel, licensing and training.

3. Calculate Fees
Whether you are buying your motorcycle from a dealer or a private owner, several fees will make up the overall cost. Make sure to budget for your motorcycle registration, as well as any associated dealership or private purchase fees.

4. Determine a Payment Plan
Determine a payment plan for your motorcycle. You can either choose to pay for your motorcycle upfront, look for financing options, or pay off the total in monthly increments. Plan out all expenses and fees to work out how much you will need to budget for each month.

5. Research Sellers
Start searching for reputable sellers. Check online reviews to verify their reliability, as well as their social media accounts and websites. Ask questions about the motorcycles they sell to ensure that your purchase lives up to your expectations.

6. Narrow Your Search
Firstly, narrow your search to ten motorcycles that appeal to you in terms of make, features and overall cost. Then, reduce your list to the three that most appeal to you, and go with the one you feel most meets your expectations.

7. Go For a Test Ride
If possible, ask to test ride the motorcycle before you make your purchase. Inspect the motorcycle thoroughly and ask any questions about its condition, service records and features. You may need to have cash in hand if you want to test ride a bike from a private seller.

8. Negotiate a Deal
Negotiate a good price. The seller may be flexible with the total cost of the motorcycle, and you may be able to agree on a good deal. Make sure to research the value of the motorcycle beforehand so as not to get ripped off. Factor in things such as mileage, model year, condition, etc.

9. Enjoy Your New Ride
Once the purchase is complete and the motorcycle is registered in your name, now is the time to begin enjoying your 'brand-new' motorcycle on the open road.

How to Ride a Motorcycle

Now that you have your first motorcycle, it is time to learn how to ride it. To ensure you have a safe and issue-free journey, follow these steps:

1. Inspect Your Motorcycle
Do an inspection of your motorcycle. Remember the Motorcycle Safety Foundation's acronym: T-CLOCS. Check the following: Tyres, Controls, Lights, Oil, Chassis and Stands. Do this every time before you go for a ride.

2. Wear Your Gear
Put on your safety gear before you step on your motorcycle. This includes your helmet, gloves, jacket, pants and boots. Make sure all gear is secured before going on a ride to avoid serious injury. Remember: ATGATT — all the gear, all the time.

3. Mount Your Motorcycle
Practice mounting your motorcycle by standing next to the bike, bending your knees slightly, and holding both handlebars with each hand. Shift your weight onto your leg furthest from the motorcycle, and with the other, lift it over the bike so that you're sitting on top. You may need to use the pegs to hoist yourself.

4. Learn the Controls
Familiarise yourself with the layout of your motorcycle's controls. Locate where the lights, signals and horn are. Make sure the mirrors are adjusted to their correct position before starting your motorcycle.

5. Test the Throttle and Brakes
To test out the throttle and brakes you often only need to twist these controls slightly to accelerate and decelerate, so practice applying these controls gently while riding.

6. Find the Clutch and Gear Shift
Work out where the clutch and gear shift are. Unlike cars, the gear shift is often by your foot. Practice using the clutch and shifting gears, and check the gauges to ensure you are in the correct gear.

7. Start the Ignition
While the motorcycle is in neutral, put the motorcycle's kill switch in the "On" position and start the ignition. By ensuring the motorcycle is in neutral, you avoid the risk of it lurching forward without warning.

8. Let the Engine Warm Up
Let your motorcycle sit idle for about a minute to allow the engine to warm up. This will ensure you have a smoother, more consistent ride throughout your journey. Make allowances for if the outside temperature is cold, and check your temperature gauge before heading out.

9. Move the Kickstand
Make sure your kickstand is up before driving away. Many modern motorcycles won't allow you to drive off if the kickstand is down, but older models might not have this safety feature. To avoid any damage to your motorcycle or yourself, make sure the kickstand and centre stand are both up before riding.

10. Learn How to Steer
Learn how to steer your motorcycle while riding. Learn about countersteering, which will help you turn smoothly at higher speeds. Remember to start slowly and build up your speed as you become more confident in your abilities.

What to Wear on a Motorcycle

While riding motorcycles is an exhilarating experience, it also carries many risks. Should an accident occur, you could find yourself seriously injured or worse. To protect yourself on the road, here is a list of safety gear you should wear during every ride:

Helmet
Should an accident occur, the part of your body most at risk is your head. A strong motorcycle helmet will keep your head well-protected, keeping you safe from brain injury or facial scars. Make sure the helmet fits well when you put it on and has a secure chin strap to hold it in place. If your helmet does not have a visor, wear motorcycle eyewear to protect your eyes from wind and debris.

Jacket
A motorcycle jacket is more than just a fashion accessory. A well-crafted jacket will protect the arms, body and internal organs from damage should an accident occur. Consider a leather or armoured textile jacket for abrasion resistance and extra protection around the shoulders and elbows.

Pants
Just as a motorcycle jacket will protect your upper body from damage in an accident, your motorcycle pants should do the same for your lower body. Leather and textile pants offer the best abrasion resistance and protection for your legs. Good motorcycle pants should have extra shielding around the knees and hips.

Boots
To protect your feet, you need good quality motorcycle boots with ankle support. Make sure they have sturdy rubber soles, ensuring a good grip on the motorcycle's pegs while riding. For extra protection, your boots should come up to your ankle and have extra shielding around the shin.

Gloves
Gloves will protect your hands from injury in the case of a fall. Leather gloves are the best choice for abrasion resistance and comfort. They should also be flexible for easy manoeuvrability while riding and have padding around the palms, knuckles and fingers.

How to Tune a Motorcycle

No matter how much you love your motorcycle, eventually, its performance will degrade, and its appearance will diminish. That means a tune-up is needed every so often in order to get it back to peak condition. Not only does a tune-up help restore motorcycles to their original quality, it can even improve upon them. Here are some important things to look at when doing a tune-up:

Air filter
If the air filter needs replacing, simply unscrew the old one and replace it with a new one.

Brake pads
If the brake pads are old or worn out, you will need to replace them. Remove the wheels from your motorcycle, replace the pads and reattach the wheels.

Brake fluid
You will need to drain the old fluid while adding air to the brake lines. Then, add the new fluid while bleeding the brakes to release the air. You can bleed the brakes by releasing the bleeder valve while using the brakes.

Motorcycle chain
Make sure the chain is thoroughly cleaned, lubricated and tightened to the correct tension. If the old chain is worn out, you can break it and replace it with a new one. Many riders replace the sprockets at the same time.

Carburettor
To tune your carburettor, let the engine run for ten minutes so it can warm up. Adjust the air/fuel adjustment screw so that it produces close to 14 molecules of air per molecule of fuel. Then turn the idle screw so the engine runs smoothly at around 1200 rpm.

Valves
To adjust the valves, wait until the engine is warm and remove the valve cover. Align the camshaft to the top centre and measure the distance to each valve from the camshaft. Adjust the valves to the manufacturer's specifications then replace the cover.

Coolant
To flush the coolant, place a container under the radiator and remove the drain bolt. Let the coolant drain out and flush out the rest with distilled water. Replace the bolt and refill the reservoir tank with new coolant fluid.

Tyres
Be sure to check the balance, pressure and condition of your tyres. If old or worn out, replace them as soon as possible.

How to Clean a Motorcycle

As you continue to ride your motorcycle in all kinds of terrain, you will inevitably start to accumulate dirt, mud and grime. This can not only cause your bike to look worse for wear, but it can also cause damage over time if left untreated. Regular cleaning is therefore important. However, to get your motorcycle back in good condition, consider the following points:

1. Use Motorcycle Friendly Cleaning Products
Use water and specialised motorcycle shampoo when washing your motorcycle. Avoid using any detergents or car shampoo, as these can contain chemicals that may damage your motorcycle's paint job.

2. Have a Second Bucket of Clean Water Ready
Mix water and motorcycle shampoo in one bucket and carry around a second bucket filled with pure water. Dip a microfibre cloth in the bucket with shampoo and use it to wash the grime off the motorcycle. Then, wash the cloth in the bucket of pure water to avoid dirtying your shampoo bucket.

3. Avoid Cleaning Under the Sun
Avoid washing your motorcycle directly in the sun, as this can cause the shampoo to dry out too quickly and leave behind unsightly marks. Instead, clean your motorcycle under a shaded area, such as a carport or under a tree.

4. Let Gas Engines Cool Before Cleaning
If your motorcycle has a gas engine, avoid washing it straight after a ride. It will take longer for your engine to cool down, and washing the motorcycle straight away might burn you and cause damage to the bike.

5. Don't Use Pressure Washers
Avoid using a pressure washer to clean your motorcycle, as this can damage the paint and the motorcycle's components. You can, however, use a normal garden hose to wash your motorcycle instead.

6. Lube and Wax After Cleaning
When you have finished washing your motorcycle, take some time to lube your motorcycle chain and give the motorcycle an extra coat of wax. This will help protect the motorcycle from accumulating grime in the future.

How to Wrap a Motorcycle

Vinyl wrapping your motorcycle is a good way to protect your motorcycle's paint job while also looking good in itself. To wrap your motorcycle effectively, do the following:

1. Purchase Your Vinyl Wrap
There are many options for vinyl wrap out there, and they often come in many different colours and finishes to suit your needs.. Look for a product that offers strength and quality.

2. Prepare Your Motorcycle
Remove any panels and covers from the motorcycle to create an easy surface to manage. Give the motorcycle a thorough clean and treat any dents and scratches so they won't show up under the wrap.

3. Choose a Good Location for Wrapping
Prepare to wrap your motorcycle in an area with good lighting and little airflow. Excess air, including wind, can interfere with the wrapping process in multiple ways, so try to wrap indoors if possible.

4. Cover Flat Areas
Cut a large piece of vinyl wrap that will cover an area greater than the surface area being wrapped. Remove the backing from the wrap and apply it to the flat areas first, using a felt pad to smooth it over. Stretch the rest of the wrap over the area and apply pressure with the pad to seal.

5. Stretch the Vinyl
Use heat manipulation to stretch the vinyl wrap over curves, corners and edges. Apply the pressure when in place, then heat it again to allow the material to shrink back into place. Keep doing this until the material is even and smooth.

6. Remove Bubbles and Creases
If you find a bubble or crease, pull the wrap and apply some heat to shrink the material. Avoid putting pressure where there are creases, as this will seal the material and make it harder to remove safely.

7. Wrap the Underside
Once you have wrapped the surface of the motorcycle, you can now deal with the underside. Use a primer to ensure the wrap sticks properly to the underside, and give it 90 seconds to cure before heating and sealing it in place.

8. Trim and Smooth the Edges
Use a knife to trim the edges of the vinyl wrap. Cut around the contours of the wrap and leave 15mm of overlap on the underside. Try to cut away from the surface to avoid any scratches, then smooth the edges down.

9. Heat Seal the Wrap
Use a heat source to seal the wrap in. Make sure the heat source reaches 80-90°C to ensure the wrap remains flat and not stretched out.

10. Admire Your Work
Admire your new vinyl-wrapped motorcycle. Should you ever wish to remove the wrap, simply heat it again and pull it away gently.

How to Insure a Motorcycle

Not only is motorcycle insurance important in giving you financial protection in the case of theft or accident, but it is also a legal requirement for all motorcycle owners. That said, what kind of motorcycle insurance you need can differ based on the coverage offered, the value of the motorcycle, and even where you live. Here are the steps you should take when deciding on what motorcycle insurance to purchase:

1. Gather Documentation
Gather all information on your motorcycle riding history before you start looking for quotes. This includes all details about the motorcycle itself, as well as your own history, including any accidents or claims.

2. Research Companies
Research as many insurance companies as you can and get quotes from all of them. Give them all the required information and enquire about any discounts or special offers.

3. Compare Policies
Compare what each insurance company offers in terms of quotes, coverage, premiums and other benefits. Choose the one that best suits your needs.

4. Apply for Coverage
Apply for the insurance coverage you have selected. This can usually be done over the phone or online to save you time purchasing it in person.

5. Review Before Signing
Review the terms and conditions of the policy one final time before you sign the application. Keep in mind any limits on coverage, exclusions and deductibles that may affect your policy.

6. Pay the Premium
Pay the initial premium for your policy to begin your coverage. You may be able to pay in full or in increments, depending on the insurance provider and policy selected.

7. Receive Confirmation
Make sure you receive documentation from your insurer that confirms you are a current policyholder. You will need to keep this as proof of insurance in case of an incident.

8. Monitor Your Coverage
Keep up to date with your insurance payments to maintain continuous coverage. Periodically review your coverage to ensure it still meets your needs and consider changing if it does not.

How to Sell a Motorcycle

At some point in your motorcycle's lifespan, you will likely sell it. Perhaps you no longer have the interest or the ability to ride, or you decide to trade it in on a newer model. Whatever your reason for selling your motorcycle, here are some steps you should take:

1. Gather Documentation
Gather all relevant documentation before you make a sale. This includes your logbook, Bill of Sale, insurance documents, and paperwork relating to the motorcycle's service history.

2. Check Your Motorcycle
Examine your motorcycle and make any minor repairs and adjustments where needed. Make sure all parts are in working order and replace any parts if needed.

3. Clean Your Motorcycle
Clean the motorcycle thoroughly. Refer to the section on cleaning your motorcycle for more details. Remove any marks and dents, as well as any scuff marks from boots.

4. Take Pictures
Take high-quality photos of your motorcycle to show potential buyers. Make sure your motorcycle is well-lit and in focus, and take multiple photos from various angles.

5. Assess the Value
Assess the value of your motorcycle. Compare it to similar models to get a rough estimate of its value. Remember to deduct any damages or imperfections from the total value.

6. Advertise Your Motorcycle
When preparing to advertise your motorcycle, consider online websites like eBay and Craigslist, as well as social media platforms like Facebook and Instagram. Include all the information that potential buyers are likely to want to know about the motorcycle.

7. Be Vigilant of Scammers
Be aware of any potential scammers out there among your buyers. Some red flags to look out for include poor spelling and grammar, insistence on alternative payment methods such as gift cards and cryptocurrencies, and attempts to rush you through the selling process.

8. Meet the Buyer
If you find a potential buyer, arrange a time and location to meet up with them in person. Try to keep your schedule flexible to increase your chances of making a sale. Meet in a public place if possible. If they wish to go on a test ride, make sure they have a valid motorcycle license on them and request something for security (cash or passport) to ensure they don't ride off with your vehicle.

9. Consider Second-Hand Dealers
As an alternative to selling your motorcycle to a private buyer, you can always try selling it to a second-hand dealer. Look online to find reputable dealers in your area. Although dealers pay less, it is often much easier.

10. Make Your Sale
Once you have found the best offer, you can make your sale. Make sure the transfer is registered with the relevant authorities. Transfer any relevant paperwork to the buyer and keep the registration and licence plate. Ensure that the sale is legally binding and that the new owner is responsible for any issues relating to the motorcycle in the future.

Closing Tips

Owning motorcycles is a big responsibility, but if you take care you will find bike ownership rewarding. Follow the steps in this guide, and you'll be able to enjoy the freedom of riding two wheels down on the open road with few issues. Here are some final tips to consider:

Make sure to research the motorcycle you need and budget for any fees and other expenses (helmet, gloves, jacket, etc.) before you make a purchase.

Take time to learn all the features of your motorcycle and how to steer and manoeuvre it before riding off. Always wear a helmet and protective gear before setting off on a ride to avoid serious injury. Tune up and clean your motorcycle regularly to ensure it remains in good working condition.