What To Consider When Buying a Motorcycle I

[@jimpetway8907]

I’m 70 & have never ridden a motorcycle in my life , I decided that it something I wanted to do this time of my life . I decided after much research to purchase a new 2023 Indian Scout 60 . Fortune enough to pay cash in full and after obtaining my motorcycle license and riding for 1000 miles , I’m am very happy / pleased with my choice !!! : )

[@AnnickMagac]

That's just fantastic!

[@douglaswittig4055]

Great video and great advice. Your knowledge and wisdom are fantastic, nothing can replace real life experiences. From one New Yorker to another ( I did move away though), your channel has awesome content.

[@AnnickMagac]

Thanks, I'm glad you enjoyed it and I appreciate the support!!

[@deborahnielsen6286]

Something to keep in mind is how the bike fits you. If you can't reach the handlebars comfortably, if it's too tall or too short, too heavy, you're going to have problems and you won't like it. Guys talk their girlfriends into getting a large, heavy cruiser (especially as a first bike) and maybe they can't physically handle it and drop it. Even if you can't test ride it, sit on it and see how easy it is to handle on the showroom floor and if it's comfortable and you can reach the controls easily. Doesn't matter what type of motorcycle you want, keep looking until you find a model of that type that fits best. PS: I had a Kawasaki ZRX1200R that I got to test ride but it wasn't until I rode it out of town that I found out the seat was like sitting on a 2x4 around the 50-mile mark. Had to have it customized.

[@AnnickMagac]

Yes, exactly!

[@mr1bienvenu1]

I just got my break fluid changed at my local Honda dealership (and other work), on the way home the front break caliper fell off and was dangling by the hose. Don't bring your bike to a dealer to get it worked on 😬

[@AnnickMagac]

Yikes! I would be pretty upset if that happened to me.

[@jaytownjunkyardfiles1999]

I do my own work, I get sketched out letting someone else working on my stuff.

[@lstavenhagen]

PS: agree about the used market! I got lucky on my Africa Twin. A guy at my job had bought it new, lost interest in it after a little over a year and put it up for sale with only 1700 miles on it. After I checked the insurance rates, he made me an offer I couldn't refuse. In the end, I only got screwed just a teeny bit which is really good considering my Karma. As opposed to being screwed royally by a dealership - but hey, I came out ahead of where I normally do! It has only 2 problems that I didn't really fully consider when I got it (tubed tires, nasty wind buffeting at highway speeds), but it was still a good decision. I'm not yet convinced the wind noise/buffeting problem isn't solvable, so I'm keeping it for now. But I've learned a lesson that that's a major consideration for a bike for me...

[@AnnickMagac]

@@lstavenhagen In some cases, even if you test ride it, you may not get to test the one situation that is annoying on the bike. 😝

[@lstavenhagen]

@@AnnickMagac Yeah that's what happened with my AT. I didn't know that helment buffetting/roaring turbulence would be more objectionable than a 70-100mph wind, but clean air with no turbulence, hitting the whole upper body. That's why I'm kinda sorta thinking about replacing it with a naked bike. Its one of those things that looks small at first but quickly grows into a gorilla!

[@AnnickMagac]

@ The great thing is - if you decide to sell it, it will go quickly!

[@lstavenhagen]

@@AnnickMagac yeah the problem is it's such a lovely machine. So I'm going to try to solve the roaring wind noise problem first, because it's ideal otherwise. But if I can't, well, out it will have to go!

[@lstavenhagen]

My metrics for a bike are: a) the pain level of riding it, b) ease and cost of maintenance and c) insurance rates. If it doesn't break my back and the seat is at least fixable to not make me numb in the next half hour (nerve damage alert!), I then look at how frequent the maintenance intervals are and how much of it I can do myself. If, and only if, it passes those prelims, I then immediately get the VIN and go see what the insurance rates are. I think the most overlooked step is that last one (insurance rate). A lot of folks have already signed the paperwork when they're online at the dealership setting up the insurance instead of the other way around and that can be extremely costly. When they see that the insurance rate is the purchase price of the bike _again_ over only the next 2 years, they hear Admiral Akbar in their heads - "Its a trap!". But it's too late, you've been got, and you're already thinking of how to get out of it on that first ride home... . So checking the insurance on the dream bike is one of the prelim tasks that should be done online before you even set foot in the dealership. It's not uncommon that full coverage insurance (to the satisfaction of your lender) is a payment almost as big as the bike payment itself. If the insurance rates on your choice are that high, there's usually a reason for it, so that's one of those things you have to research first before you even think about signing any documents...

[@AnnickMagac]

@@lstavenhagen Excellent point on insurance!

[@geistwulfuser-yy2id4gl6x]

I ride a XR1200 harley,but most of the time im on my 2009 883 cafe harley .People are shocked what it loos like ,gets riden all the time,rain,light snow,parts runs eveything.Helping the young ones out a lot. Showing them bikes can be good transport,cheap ins.,good gas mil.. Some only have the bike taking care of it is first and for most. Your vid. is right on about everything keep this up it needs to be.Ride safe ride far Geist Wulf Cycles

[@AnnickMagac]

@@geistwulfuser-yy2id4gl6x It’s fun to have a “beater” bike that you can ride in all conditions!

[@jaytownjunkyardfiles1999]

Great video and knowledge/topic! You touched on the luxury point but my goal is to make motorcycles and motorcycling more mainstream than a luxury item. Speaking of choices, I want to explore and ride longer distances, I'm not ready for the Harley touring chassis yet mentally so my choices are ADV or Sport Touring. I looked at the GSXS1000GT and Ninja 1000SX, interestingly, the Suzuki is priced higher until you add the panniers to the Kawasaki which then is priced more than the Suzuki. Suzuki also has a better waranty but, the Kawasaki waranty is also upgradeable. These are just a few of the things to consider when shopping. Anyway, I love what you're doing for motorcycling. To me, as a Veteran, motorcycling is important for mental health. I encourage you to keep on with the videos, topic, research . . . I can't stress to you enough what you're doing for motorcycling and motorcycle community/culture and bringing motorcycling in the USA more mainstream rather than a luxury. ❤ what you're doing!

[@AnnickMagac]

@@jaytownjunkyardfiles1999 Thank you for the encouragement. 😊 You bring up a good point about my wording. I will do a video on making motorcycles more mainstream… You bring up good points about buying & hidden costs. You’ll probably be happier with the sport touring bikes….

[@jaytownjunkyardfiles1999]

@AnnickMagac Mainstream only because the prices of motorcycles seem to be creeping upward, there's another topic for you 😁

[@ridelikekrum7707]

Great video Annick very imformative! Is that your super moto in the back gound? What model is it?

[@AnnickMagac]

I wish it was mine!!! It is a very special 2004 Husqvarna SMR 630 Eddy Seel Replica. It is primarily used for track days. I did wrap the pipes on it. :) It is VERY LOUD! It's so good looking, I had to use it as my background.

[@tobyh3681]

“All humans aren’t fully developed until ur 25” 😆 🙋🏻‍♂️ Almost 54 here & still blowing money on sportbikes & go faster parts, although I don’t need a co-signer.🤓

[@AnnickMagac]

No co-signer... definitely one of perks of being in your 50's. LOL

[@jimpetway8907]

Chow ! : )

[@AnnickMagac]

Ride smart! ;)

[@honzasgarage5125]

It's December...worst time of the year to sell a bike...best time of the year to buy one!

[@AnnickMagac]

Yes! People need Christmas money and want to sell!

[@MoHogany1]

Great video! Packed with really good advice. May I suggest that co-signing is not a gender issue ( I know you were just giving examples). I'm obviously a guy and I would never co-sign for a woman. Ouch! See, gender is not the issue.

[@AnnickMagac]

Thank you and --- I hear you!!!

[@mikeskidmore6754]

There are two kinds of Women Money wise. Some Blow money like water , some manage money pretty well, and others are very frugal. The Frugal ones are very rare. I got my first Credit Card at age 19. It was opened with $600 Credit and I got a $500.00 cash advance to loan to my girlfriend at the time. She won a Beauty Contest and won the use of a Brand new 1981 Corvette for 1 year. She never did pay back all of the $500.00 I stopped dating her. She borrowed money and used friends. We are still friends 40 years later and she still blows money like Water. She is still a good Skier and actually enjoyed riding on the back of my Motorcycle recently. I knew she would marry a Rich guy and she did . She lived in a Huge house raised two kids got divorced ect.

[@AnnickMagac]

Sounds like it was good that you didn't marry her! ;)

[@mikeskidmore6754]

@@AnnickMagac She has head Breast Cancer twice and is still smoking. Still a good snow skier all things considered. She lies a lot when lying is not necessary. She got three Rental Houses in her Divorce. Rental is a pain in the butt. Even had a house condemned for a while because there was a murder in the house. She turned them into Air B&B's that have done very well except when they got shut down during the Plandemic.