Like many of us who set out to buy a motorcycle, there's definitely some research that needs to be done, whether that be about the financing, what kind of bike you want, what kind of motorcycle you need, or even just the safety of riding. Looking back on a decade and some change in the saddle, there are a few things I wish the “older me” could have told “younger me” when it came time to buy a motorcycle. Of course, the younger me wouldn’t have listened anyway, but hey, I figured I’d give it a shot for you all. Here are 5 things I wish sixteen-year-old me knew before spending his hard-earned money on that first bike. 

5 Things I Wish I Knew Before Buying A Motorcycle

You Don’t Need A Sport Bike To Have Fun

When I first decided I needed a motorcycle, the only thing I cared about was finding the biggest, fastest sport bike I could fit into my budget. At the time I was looking at older Honda CBR900RRs (this was before they became a collector’s bike), but man am I glad I didn’t start out on a bike like that. I’ve been riding for over a decade now, and have owned pretty much everything from fire-breathing 1000cc superbikes to 400cc commuters, and I’ve gotta tell ya: They’re all fast in the right hands. If you’re considering a sport bike for your first bike, check out a naked bike instead, preferably 700cc or lower. You’ll spend a lot less time scaring yourself and a lot more time having fun, and when you inevitably drop it, you don’t have to worry about replacing all those expensive fairings.

Dual Sport Motorcycles Are Actually Cool

The first motorcycle I actually owned myself was a Kawasaki KLR 650, and although it was fun, I always felt like an old man riding around the college campus on such a “boring” machine. After a time I learned that there’s something impossibly cool about learning to ride a dual sport motorcycle well, both on the pavement and off. Knobby tires get street cred, and besides, what’s cooler than converting a street-legal dirt bike into a street-legal supermoto?

Wrenching On Your Bike Is Rewarding In More Ways Than One

It all starts with that first oil change. Then one day you’re buying fluids and filters, and the next thing you know you’re trying your hand at adjusting your own valves. Getting a job done on your own delivers a satisfaction many will never experience, but that’s not the only reason you should consider the DIY approach: Motorcycling can be an expensive hobby, and every time you teach yourself to maintain a new part of your bike, you put money in your pocket. Dealership fees add up quickly, and take precious dollars out of that “motorcycle gear” fund. At a minimum, teach yourself the basics like changing oil, bleeding brakes, and replacing a chain and sprocket.

There’s No Better Way To Travel

I won’t bore you with the usual “wide open road, the wind in your hair, etc., etc., etc.” line here, but hey, it’s true. A lot of riders never get to experience the feeling of a multi-day, long-distance trip on a motorcycle, and that’s a shame. There’s something particularly special about seeing the world on a motorcycle that no plane, train, or automobile can deliver. I don’t know if it’s just being out in the elements for every single mile or having the sound and feel of a bike underneath you, but I’m convinced traveling on a motorcycle is just the most rewarding way to explore the planet.

Buying A Motorcycle Will Change Your Life

16 years ago, I threw my leg over my first motorcycle, and five seconds later knew I was hooked for life (30 seconds after that, I dropped it in my parent’s driveway). Since then I’ve been able to go places, meet people, and experience things I never would have without that passion for two wheels. There have been times I didn’t own a car, but ever since I bought my first bike, I haven’t gone a day without at least one in the garage. Motorcycles take us places, inspire us, and help push us further and further out of our comfort zones every time we ride them. If you haven’t already, I strongly encourage you to give motorcycles a chance.