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NEW RIDER? ANSWER THESE 4 QUESTIONS BEFORE YOU BUY A USED MOTORCYCLE IN DALLAS


WHAT'S THE BEST USED MOTORCYCLE FOR A NEW RIDER?

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If you’re reading this, you probably just passed your test and obtained your Texas motorcycle license or you’re signed up to take the Basic Rider Course in Dallas, Irving or Denton soon. You may want to buy a used motorcycle for the same reason parents give teenagers a new car – you don’t want to ding an expensive bike, so you want to learn on something that costs less to purchase and repair. You may also have a limited budget or not be sure how much you’ll ride. 

They’re all valid reasons. Ask yourself these four questions when you’re a new rider buying a used motorcycle.

WHAT USED MOTORCYCLE FITS MY BODY?

If you took a basic riding course, you already know how awkward a bike can be when you’re trying to back it up or maneuver it in a parking space. If you aren’t very tall, some bikes aren’t going to feel comfortable.

The DMV recommends new riders choose a bike that lets them put both feet on the ground when they stop. As you gain experience and confidence, you’ll probably find yourself touching with just one foot, but your first bike should allow you to have both feet firmly planted.

WHAT DALLAS USED MOTORCYCLE FITS THE TYPE OF RIDING I’LL DO?


When you decided to learn to ride, what did you picture yourself doing? Were you shredding the Dallas streets or riding across the nation with a tent and a passenger? Do you need a bike for your daily commute or will you just ride for pleasure?

For riding in town, many new riders start with a Sportster Iron 883® or Softail®. A Dyna Lowrider® has a low center of gravity and isn’t much heavier than a Sportster® for riders with a larger frame.

You also have to ask yourself tough questions about how much bike you can handle. Heavier bikes are harder for newbies to maneuver. The most powerful Harley motors might whisper your name, but do you have the self-restraint to use that power only for good?

HOW MUCH BIKE CAN I AFFORD?

It sucks to drop your bike. Almost everyone who rides has a story of when it happened to them. They tell it with a look on their face that shows the memory makes them sick in their gut, no matter how long ago it happened. No one wants to drop their bike, and new riders are more likely to drop their bike than experienced ones.

If you drop it, it might get dings and scratches. Tail lights and levers pop off and have to be replaced. Sometimes handlebars dent the gas tank, and you either have an expensive fix or a huge crater that makes you want to hide your face.

Make sure when you buy your first used motorcycle, you factor in extra for maintenance and repair costs. You’ll need motorcycle insurance as well. Check out our calculator to shop by bike payment. See also -- Quick Tips for Buying a Used Motorcycle in Dallas

WHAT BIKE SPEAKS TO MY SOUL?

Come to Dallas Harley-Davidson in Garland and talk to one of our staff. We’ll point you in the right direction and help you find a good fit. Then comes the fun part. We’ll set you up with a test drive so you can feel the way the engine roars and the bike responds. Check out our used motorcycles online or set up a test ride today.