Motorcycle buying guide

Tips on things to look out for when choosing a new or second-hand motorcycle
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Choosing the right motorcycle

Before you make a decision, follow these tips on how to choose the right motorcycle for you.

  • Talk to experienced riders, chat to knowledgeable staff in showrooms and refer to motorcycle websites.
  • Think about what sort of motorcycle will suit your needs, whether it’s for touring at weekends, everyday commuting, trips to the beach or a sports model.
  • Be realistic about your size, weight, and strength, as you will need to be able to manoeuvre quickly, efficiently, and confidently.
  • If upgrading to a more powerful bike after upgrading your licence, take time to practise or take a refresher course, as the handling is very different from smaller motorcycles.

Motorcycle safety technology:

Safety technology to look out for when choosing a motorcycle include:

  • Combined braking systems, where the front and back brakes work together, 
  • Amplified braking systems (ABS)– comparable to braking assistance in cars, 
  • Rear wheel lift off protection – detects when the rear wheel has lifted off the surface of the road and removes the front brake temporarily, 
  • Brake by wire – improves ABS results, 
  • Electronic traction control – prevents rear wheel skids, 
  • Motorcycle stability control – electronically combines braking while cornering in emergencies, 
  • Anti-hop clutch system for smoother and more consistent acceleration.

Other simple measures can also be utilised, such as a system where the head and tail lights are hard wired to be on continuously, even during the day. A New Zealand study concluded that motorcycles with lights on during the day are easier to see than those without and are 27% less likely to be involved in a crash.