Picking your First Motorcycle

Knowing where your journey will take you is almost as important as the ride that gets you there. Destination Powersports has a wide selection of motorcycles for first-timers and veteran riders alike. If you're a first time rider, read through our list of tips and recommendations and you'll be on the trail, on the dunes, or on the track in no time. Visit our dealership in Punta Gorda near Fort Myers and Cape Coral, Florida, and let us help you pick out your very first motorcycle!

Ask the Right Questions

When you've decided you want to become a rider, you have to consider what kind of riding you'd like to do. Outdoorsy folks are often drawn to dirt bikes and adventure motorcycles, while commuters are often drawn to sportbikes and cafe' racer style vehicles. If you're going to be riding long distances to explore the country, then you'll probably be drawn toward heavier touring bikes, while those who are going to be riding on sunny weekends will probably get more out of a cruiser. So question one: where will you be riding?

Another major factor is how much money you're willing to sink into your new motorcycle. Would you rather buy something brand new from an affordable manufacturer and put the miles on yourself, or are you more interested in a high end machine right out the gate? Would you be happier buying a new machine and getting it serviced in a shop, or would you prefer something with some milage that can become a DIY pet project? Question two: How much time and money do you want to put into your motorcycle?

There's a third question you'll have to ask, but that comes later in the shopping process, so we'll hold off until later.

Identify the Style of Bike

If you've decided you want to ride exclusively on the road, and are interested in performance an speed, then a sportbike is probably going to be a good choice for you. These bikes are made with sleek aerodynamic profiles, and high power to weight ratios so they've got plenty of zip.

Off road riders should gravitate towards dirt bikes and dual sport motorcycles. A dirt bike is made exclusively for off road riding, while a dual sport model gives you fair performance on pavement as well (as well as including the street legal necessities like turn signals) If you're looking for great performance on and off the road, it may be worth spending extra to get on an Adventure bike, which offer great performance on dirt roads and freeways alike.

For those looking for a bigger bike with more style, a cruiser or touring bike will likely fall into your preferred list. Cruisers come in many shapes and sizes, but are typically defined by minimal fairing, laid back riding positions, and large V-twin engines. Touring bikes are the biggest and heaviest on the road loaded with features for comfort, and powered by massive engines to provide the power to keep them moving along.

Try Some Out

When you've picked the style of bike that you're going to buy, try some out. Sit on a lot of bikes, ask questions, find out what kind of ride a given bike will provide. If you've never thrown your leg over a motorcycle, take a riding course to familiarize yourself and get certified to ride, then take some bikes out for a test ride and find the one that hits the sweet spot for you.

After you've tried out a good selection of bikes, you need to ask that final question:

Many motorcycle manufacturers offer very competitive bikes with comparable features, so after you've tried out a handful of bikes that meet your criteria, the final question you need to ask is, Which of these bikes will make me happiest?

Remember, ask the right questions, where will you be riding, what do you want to do on your bike, test ride a few motorcycles, and know what style of bike most interests you. Destination Powersports is ready to help you pick your first bike so you can set out on the road or off. Visit our dealership in Punta Gorda near Fort Myers and Cape Coral, Florida today!