All too often, as a personal injury attorney operating in the warm climate of Saint Petersburg, I have seen the deadly effects of motorcycle accidents. In many cases, those involved are novice riders trying to make the most of a joy ride. While a large number of those accidents are not the fault of the biker, they could have been prevented had the bike been easier for the rider to manage.
As you set out to learn the art of biking, it is important to choose the right motorcycle. The wrong decision in the early phases can lead to deadly consequences or, at the very least, big repair bills. Motorcycles that are heavy, have awkward seat positions, or have too much horsepower can be fatal in the wrong hands. Below are a few factors you should consider before purchasing a bike in St. Petersburg.
Motorcycle Weight
Though bikes come in a wide variety of shapes and sizes, weight is one of the most important factors to be considered by new riders. A motorcycle can weigh upwards of 1,000 pounds. That is a lot of weight to balance and manage, especially when coming to a stop at an intersection. Fortunately, not all bikes are so monstrous. There are several on the market that weigh less than 500 pounds. Experienced riders would recommend that new riders choose something closer to 300 pounds. This is not too much to handle and the lighter weight will reduce the chances of the bike being dropped when at a standstill.
Seat Placement
If you were even considering purchasing a bike online, think again. Buying a motorcycle is something that should be done with great care and a lot of planning. You should sit on and test drive several before choosing one that suits your needs. One of the biggest reasons for this is the varying seat placements on motorcycles. Some seats sit higher on the body, while some are quite low. Some will be closer to the front and others will be set back quite far from the handlebars. When you ride, you want to be comfortable, so be sure that you are choosing something that will allow you to be so. Beginners often want seats that are lower to the ground, which makes it possible to get both feet on the ground when stopping.
Engine Power
Undoubtedly, when considering the “cool factor,” you have considered what it would be like to go from 0 to 60 in the blink of an eye, but that kind of power is not easily managed and will require a delicate touch. Too much power often results in beginners pulling accidental wheelies and winding up with serious injuries. It is generally recommended that a bike with a displacement of 250cc or less is a good starting point for beginners.
Finishing Touches
Ah, all that chrome and those sleek storage bins are certainly something to look at when they zoom by, but they are also costly pieces of a motorcycle’s body. As a beginner, there is nothing worse than calculating the damages done after accidentally tipping a bike. The more finishing touches there are, the more repairs will be needed. Save those bits of glamour for your later rides and start with something that has been well loved. That is to say, choose a bike that already has imperfections or one that will be easily repaired. However, more importantly, choose a bike that you can feel comfortable on because motorcycle accidents can be deadly. This is a very important decision to make.