10 Tips for Purchasing a Motorcycle

Many of you may be thinking of purchasing a new or new-to-you motorcycle. With the plethora of models, brands, and styles out there, filtering all the information you're going to be hearing and seeing to find the bike that's just right for you can be a daunting exercise. It can also be lots of fun.

Here are some general guidelines to follow whether you're buying new or used.

Determine what kind of riding you want to do. If you are fortunate enough to have more than one in your stable, it's less of an issue. For most of us, we have to decide which model best incorporates the kind of riding we will be doing most of the time. Not only do you need to think about whether it's a cruiser, sport bike, touring or off road - think about whether you'll be regularly carrying a passenger and luggage and the weight capacity of the bike.

Purchase a bike that's compatible with your skill level and riding experience. Don't buy something that you can "grow into". This is risky behaviour and will jeopardize your safety. It's much better to become proficient on a bike suitable to your skill level and then, when you're ready, move up to a more powerful bike.

Sit on the bike in the riding position. How comfortable is it for you? Is it a stretch to reach the controls or the ground? Can you picture yourself in this position for extended periods? Feel the wind in your face.

Consider how often you are going to have to take it in and how convenient the location and their hours of operation are. Talk to others who have used the service resource to determine their credibility and service level.Ask about the frequency of maintenance and the subsequent costs.

Assess. If you like to perform routine maintenance yourself, how simple is it to do? Do you need to purchase other equipment such as a lift? How readily available are replacement parts?

Purchase from a salesperson who is also a rider. Enough said.

Remember that all bikes can be customized - at least to a certain extent. If you see one that's just right for you except for a few adjustments or accessories, ask what's available (and where) in parts and accessories to make that bike yours.

Bring an experienced rider with you. They may pick up things that you miss.

Resist the temptation to purchase the 1st bike you see. There are lots to choose from. It's an important purchase and even more important to make an objective decision.

Research. Talk to other trustworthy riders, retailers, insurance companies. Beware of forums - they can have valuable advice; on the other hand, you usually don't know who you're talking to so can't reliably assess their level of expertise - even though they may sound like an expert.
Do your homework, ask lots of questions, then listen to your heart. Make an informed decision - and enjoy the ride!

Liz Jansen

Liz Jansen is an author, speaker, coach and rider extraordinaire. She's thrilled that her work now brings her experience in the corporate world together with her love of adventure.

Her mission: to create the environment for others to discover their personal power and grow. Through her practice, she has served hundreds of clients and her network reaches across Canada, the US and to Europe and Australia.

Liz has worked with individual and corporate clients, in both private and public sectors. She has contributed articles to the Toronto Star, several national magazines as well as online ezines. Her expertise has been sought for interviews on television, traditional and on-line radio, magazine and newspaper articles.

To learn more about her book Women, Motorcycles and the Road to Empowerment, to receive a review copy or to book the author for an interview or speaking engagement, visit http://www.lizjansen.com

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Choosing the Right Motorcycle Tail Bag

If you have a motorbike, then you know that most motorbikes do not have enough space to store the things you need while traveling. There are times when you will find yourself in need of tools while on your bike, and there are several options how you can store these tools safely and comfortably. One of these options is having a motorcycle tail bag. This bag does not have the largest storage space but it is very useful in times of urgency. Having this kind of bag will give you both tranquility of mind when you travel, and relief when you need it. It may also be used with the windshield bag, so that you will be able to increase your storage space. By using this, you can have a more comfortable and pleasurable journey than ever.

Motorcycle tail bags have enough storage space to hold your gloves, keys, maps, glasses, mobile phone, chargers and other personal effects. There are varieties of bags available in the market with different colors, sizes, designs and models, so you will be able to find the best bag for you. Depending on your preference, you can choose a model based on your storage needs, your bike model and the overall appearance that you want to achieve.

There are some guidelines are very important to remember if you are going to buy a new motorcycle tail bag. Mainly, you have to remember that not every bag is suitable for you or your bike. The material, size and color vary from bag to bag. The most important factors while buying this bag includes the quality, cost, and the size of the bag in question.

Quality cannot be compromised, since this will determine how useful the bag will be for you. Hence, the first thing that you must consider is the quality. A bag's quality includes a lot of things, ranging from the material from where the bag is made, to how well it is stitched together, to how durable the material is. The last point is very important, because if you have an accident, the quality of the bag must be strong enough to preserve it from any significant damage. The higher the quality of the bag, the more likely it would be durable and strong, and you will be confident in keeping your sensitive items like mobile phones or camera in it while riding.

While it is not a guarantee, the price usually decides the quality of the product. Good quality bags are valued at $50 or more. However, if you really want to have a good quality bag, you should look for branded bags from companies that have been in the business for a long time. A lot of motorcycle companies create bags that are specially designed to be durable, hardy and waterproof.

There is a wide variety of motorcycle tail bags with different styles that are suitable for different models of bikes. Before purchasing any type of bag, the size of the bag must be considered. Keep in mind your bike model and then select the one that perfectly matches, fits and suits it, and one which does not create any disturbances during riding. Do not purchase one whose storage capacity, size or quality cannot be of any use for you. Remember, quality does come at a price!

For more information about motorcycle tail bag, please visit us at http://www.vikingbags.com

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