Motorcycle buying guide | Learn how to find the right bike for you and get in the saddle

It’s never been a better time to start learning to ride, and the adventures you share with your first motorbike will stay with you for life. It’s an exciting place to be when you’re choosing your first motorbike, but it can quickly turn into a proper head-scratcher when you dive into it.

With so many different makes, models, and styles that make you second guess yourself at every step of the way, and all the in-depth research that can drain some of the excitement away.

That’s why in this guide, we’re looking at some things to consider to help guide you to make that all-important decision, and get you ready to ride.

Which licence do you have?

This is a pretty boring but crucial question to ask before you consider buying a motorcycle. In order to legally ride a motorcycle on public roads, you need to have the correct licence for the size of motorbike you’re riding, and a valid insurance policy in place. Otherwise, you’ll be breaking the law.

That makes your licence one of the deciding factors for what kind of motorbike you can ride. The licensing system can be a bit complex, but you can find a short and simple breakdown in our learning to ride guide.

If you’re on a provisional or A1 license, you’re stuck with a 125, but there’s more choice than ever for good small-capacity 125cc bikes nowadays, so you’ll still be able to find something to suit your style. If you’re on an A2 licence, you can ride up to 500cc bikes, or bigger bikes if they’ve had their power output restricted.

A full A licence means you can ride any bike of any power output — but that doesn’t mean you should go straight for an R1 superbike just because you can…

What style of bike do you like?

Everyone gets into riding for different reasons; there are just so many different ways to ride. That’s why there are so many styles available on the market, so it’s worth asking yourself the hard question of why you really want to ride.

Are you a motocross or Moto GP fan, and want to get into either sport? Do you love camping out in the wilderness, and can’t get enough of breathtaking remote landscapes? Do you just love the feeling of the warm summer breeze above all else?

Once you know why you want to ride, you know what to look for in your first bike. If speed is key, sports bikes are the place to look. For the best comfort and versatility, adventure bikes are the gold standard. If you see yourself pulling wheelies and stoppies with your mates on a Friday night, it’s supermoto all the way. For a cheap way of getting to and from work, scooter commuters can’t be beat. To enjoy bobbing around in the summer breeze, cruisers are king. And if you simply don’t know what you want, naked bikes are the best place to start, because they’re great all-rounders.

Sometimes it really is in the name — riding dirt is obviously best on a dirt bike — but once you’ve decided on a style, it’s time to look for specific models. MCN’s bike reviews are a great place to start digging deeper into the bikes you’re interested in, and we cover everything you’ll want to know before looking to buy.

Buying new or used

So, let’s dive into how to finance your new pride and joy, whether you’re buying new or used. Both are fantastic options; it just depends on what suits you best. So, let’s break it down.

Buying new is obviously a lot more expensive than buying used, and that might be enough to put you off altogether. But, new bikes don’t have to come with the up-front cost anymore. PCP or HP finance can split the price into more manageable monthly repayments — less than £100 per month for a middleweight PCP hero, and that includes all the maintenance fees too.

New bikes are more accessible than ever with PCP finance, but as with all contracts, there’s still some risk involved. You don’t technically own the bike, so you have to treat it kind of like a hire car; keeping it in good nick, and sticking to the agreed mileage limit. Otherwise, you could face a nasty surprise bill at the end of the contract term. Plus, while the monthly payments might be low, to own the bike after the agreed period you’ll need to pay a ‘balloon’ payment, which is the remaining value outstanding on the bike.

If you’re interested, make sure to read up on PCP finance before biting the bullet with your ride.

Buying used is still a great option, and it means your pride and joy really is yours — no strings attached. And you don’t have to fear buying a lemon either; MCN list thousands of bikes for sale from reputable dealers, so you can shop around for your ride without the stress of scouring the private market.

But if you’re willing to take a punt, the private market is rife with great deals, as long as you know how to find them. A great tip for older bikes is to purposefully misspell the make or model in your search; lots of people simply don’t know what they’re selling, and you could grab a great deal if you’re savvy enough to catch those people right from the get-go.

Make sure to stay safe when you’re buying a motorcycle on the used market. Never part with any money before you’ve seen the bike in person, and make sure someone in your close friends or family knows where you are at all times when you’re out viewing a bike with a private seller.