Many people dream of buying a motorbike. What could be more exciting than hitting the open road on the back of a bike? Whatever you use your motorbike for, you are bound to have many years of excitement riding down city streets or swerving down country roads. Never owned a bike before? Here are some things you should do before you buy and how you can make sure you pick the right one.

Get a motorbike licence and practice

Not many people buy a car before they learn to drive, as they won’t know what they want out of a vehicle or what works for them. Getting a motorbike licence is a little different to passing your driving test, firstly you take a course that teaches you the basics, and allows you on the road with an L plate. You can then take lessons and get practice in before you take your test.

A good way to get used to motorbikes is to rent one or borrow it from a friend. You can then get daily insurance to cover you in case of an accident. This means you can practice on busier roads and build your confidence.

Think about what you want from a motorbike

Choosing a bike leads you to a number of questions:

• How powerful do I want the bike to be? Beginners should consider starting with a smaller bike to ensure they’re in control
• What will I use the bike for? Certain bikes are better for longer drives, whereas other models will suit those with short commutes
• How much can I spend? Newbies may want to consider a used motorbike, so they can make a smaller financial commitment

Do some research by reading motorbike magazines, or ask your friends who are keen bikers. They will no doubt want to tell you all about their bike and ones they’ve owned before.

Visit a dealership

While there are ways you can buy motorbikes online, when it’s your first bike, it makes sense to go via a dealership and use their expertise. If you’re looking for a Honda motorbike, you need to be able to see and touch the bike, and take it for a test ride to see if it’s comfortable. Visiting a dealership is also good because you can ask lots of questions and find out things you may not be able to find information about online. You may even change your mind about the bike you’re set on when you see the range on offer.

Work out financing

You may not realise that buying a bike is a lot like buying a car. You have many options for paying, from cash to financing or even leasing a bike. This means you can decide what method of payment works best for you. If you want a motorbike and can’t afford to buy it outright, financing might be a good choice for you.

If you’ve always wanted to buy a motorbike, why not tick one more thing off your bucket list and do it today? You could be out on the road before you know it.