Before you head down to goggle at all the beautiful shiny chrome at the motorbike showroom, take a deep breath. There’s a lot to think about before you embark on buying a new bike, and it pays to consider what’s the right bike for you, before you get swept off your feet at the showroom.

Here are some of the tricky questions to ask your motorcycle dealer:

• What are the options in my price range?
• What type of bike  my level of experience?
• What is the best size bike for my body type?
• What type of bikes suit my intended usage?
• Should I buy new or second hand?
• Do you offer finance options?
• Does the purchase come with a warranty?
• Do you offer an insurance package?
• Are motorcycle parts and accessories available?
• Do you offer a tuning and repairs service?

What do you want to use your motorbike for?  

A classic Vespa for a cheap (and fun) city commute

Want an efficient, versatile and economical way to commute to work?  You should consider a scooter. Scooters might have small, less powerful engines than other bikes but are a lot more affordable than bigger bikes. They’re also a lot cheaper to insure. They come in a big variety of styles, but the classic Italian Piaggio never goes out of style.

A sport bike has a fast and powerful engine

Want a fun bike for recreation and sport? Sport bikes have fast and powerful engines and are built for speed – so think carefully about purchasing one if you’re a novice. They have gorgeous styling, aerodynamic fairings and and fast acceleration.

Be aware that the insurance tends to be more expensive for sport bikes.  Ask your motorbike dealer to show you the bikes within your price range (and that match your level of experience).

The classic stylisngs of a cruiser is made for the open road

Are you looking for a bike to take on long journeys? The evocative image of the legendary Harley Davidson has led to many to dream of the open road.  While the Harley isn’t the only cruiser on the market, they all tend to have low seat, long wheel bases and lots of chrome.

If you’re a novice rider, be wary of the more powerful cruisers – some of them have engines more powerful than medium-sized cars.

The power & endurance of an adventure bike will get you the whole way ’round.

Are you off on a grand adventure around Australia? You’ll need the power and endurance of an adventure bike. These are good performers on and off road, and have big luggage compartments and petrol tanks to get you where you want to go.

A general purpose street bike is a great choice for city riders

Do you want a versatile, general purpose street bike? With lower costs and moderate engines, standard (or naked bikes) are a good choice for a novice rider. The have an upright riding position, half way between the laidback posture of the cruiser, and the forward pose of the sport bike. 

Want to find your perfect bike? Head to your local motorcycle dealer for expert advice and recommendations. You can find a showroom near you, on Yellow Pages.