Buying a motorbike

Buying a motorbike can be an exciting time, but with so many options and choices available, you may not know where to begin. Let us guide you through the various factors to consider, to ensure you get the right motorbike to suit your needs.

Before you start the process of buying a motorbike, there are a number of considerations to make and questions to ask yourself:

• Why do you want or need a motorbike? – are you buying a motorbike for work, for cost efficiency, to be more environmentally friendly, or perhaps for sport?
• How do you plan to use your motorbike? – will you be covering long distances, will you be carrying heavy loads, will you often be driving off-road?
• Will you get good value from this investment? – consider the long-term value of the motorbike, and if it will be put to good use.

• What is your budget? – knowing what you can afford will inform the type of motorbike you choose and how it is financed.
• How will you pay for the motorbike? – are you comfortable paying outright for the motorbike, or would taking out a personal loan make more sense?
• Can you afford the running costs? – while motorbikes are generally cheaper to run than cars, if you’re an enthusiast and plan to cover a lot of miles, then the costs may quickly ramp up.

• Should you get a new or used motorbike? – while a used motorbike may be an appealing option, they can also be a riskier investment.
• What motorbike engine size should you get? – the capacity of your chosen motorbike engine can impact its performance and running costs.
• What motorbike type and brand should you get? – different motorbike types and brands are often built for specific purposes. While cruiser motorbikes are best suited for longer journeys, motocross motorbikes are best suited for off-road travel. Think carefully about the motorbike type that will fit with your lifestyle the best.

Once you’re able to answer these questions, you should be in a great position to buy a motorbike!

It’s very important to consider the various buying options when buying a motorbike.

Buying a motorbike outright can be a good option if you have the capital to do so, as you’ll have no additional outgoing payments after the purchase. If you don’t have the funds available yourself, you could consider a personal loan to help.

Leasing a motorbike is a popular option for many, though like with leasing a car, you won’t ever technically own the vehicle. You’ll simply be renting its use for an agreed period of time, for a fixed monthly fee. You are typically restricted to a mileage limit when leasing a motorbike, so there are certain restrictions to consider

Finance agreements require fixed monthly loan repayments over an agreed time period, and in some cases a final payment before you become the owner of the motorbike. Some finance deals require a deposit, which can be cash or from a part exchange of another vehicle you own.

For help and advice on motorbike finance, we can help today. We can even help you get motorbike finance if you have bad credit or if you’ve been refused finance in the past.

The capacity of a motorbike engine is an important factor when considering buying a motorbike, as this impacts performance and costs of the vehicle. The capacity of a motorbike engine is usually measured in terms of ‘cc’, which stands for cubic capacity. Motorbike engines typically range from 50cc to 1500cc.

Lower cc motorbikes will generally be cheaper to buy and more economic to run but will have less power so it will compromise on speed and performance. Depending on what you plan to use your motorbike for, you should consider the size of engine carefully, so your bike delivers what you need.

Each motorbike brand offers something different and unique. There are many to choose between, such as the world’s largest motorbike manufacturer Honda, to trusted vehicle producer BMW, or perhaps the most recognisable and iconic name in motorbikes, Harley-Davidson.

Your choice of motorbike brand should fit your personal preference and affordability. Some makes and models are more desirable so hold their value better than others, but these often have higher running and maintenance costs too.

When choosing a motorbike brand, be sure to consider –

• Reliability
• Running and maintenance costs
• Value and depreciation

Read our in-depth guide on motorbike brands for more help and advice, and be sure to visit our motorbike finance page for further information on motorbike financing, motorbike loans and bad credit options.