Buying a New or Used Motorbike:
A Comprehensive Guide
Introduction
If you're in the market for a motorbike, you might be
pondering whether to buy a brand-new model or opt for a used one. Each option
has its pros and cons, and the best choice depends on your personal
preferences, needs, and budget. In this blog post, we will explore the
advantages and disadvantages of purchasing either a new or used motorbike to
help you make an informed decision.
Pros of New Motorbikes
Reliability: New motorbikes come with a manufacturer's
warranty, ensuring that any issues will be covered for a certain period.
Latest Technology: Brand-new models have the latest
technology and features, providing enhanced safety and an improved riding
experience.
Customization: You can often customize a new motorbike to
your liking, from the colour to additional features.
Cons of New Motorbikes
Higher Cost: New motorbikes are generally more expensive
than used ones, which can be a barrier if you are on a tight budget.
Pros of Used Motorbikes
Affordability: Used motorbikes are typically more
affordable, allowing you to get a great model at a fraction of the cost.
Wide Selection: With more used bikes on the market, you
might find unique models that are no longer available new.
Cons of Used Motorbikes
Higher Maintenance: Older bikes may require more maintenance
and repairs. However, all of our used bikes have been through the workshop for
a thorough inspection and come with a warranty which can be extended.
Factors to Consider When Buying
a Motorbike
Budget
Assess your financial situation and determine how much you
can afford to spend on a motorbike, including insurance, maintenance, and gear.
Here at Millennium motorcycles we can kit you out from head to toe with your
motorcycle safety kit.
Purpose
Consider how you plan to use your bike. Will it be for daily
commuting, long-distance touring, or off-road adventures? Your purpose will
dictate the type of bike best suited for you.
Experience Level
New riders may prefer a used bike to learn on, reducing the
financial hit if they decide biking isn't for them or they make beginner
mistakes.
Choosing your style of motorcycle:
If you’ve never ridden before, choosing your first bike can
feel pretty daunting, with a long list of different manufacturers, engine
sizes, and bike styles to choose from. Here at Millennium motorcycles we are
here to help and have hundreds of new and used bikes to choose from.
Your age, the type of licence you hold and how much you’re
willing to pay will affect which kind of bike you’ll be looking to buy. Here at
Millennium motorcycles our knowledgeable experienced staff will help show what
bike your license allows you to ride.
Types of motorcycle
First things first, when deciding on which motorcycle you
want to purchase it should typically fit into one of these categories:
Naked
Cruiser
Sport Bike
Touring/Sport Touring
Adventure
Scooter/Maxi-scooter
Classic/Retro
Dual-sport
Where should I buy my motorcycle from?
There is no right or wrong answer as to where you should get
your motorcycle from - both options have their positives and their negatives.
If upfront costs are of concern to you, opting to purchase a
second-hand motorcycle via a private seller can be a far more affordable
option. However, if you purchase privately, it means you will not receive an
additional warranty or the assurance that your bike has been checked over by a
professional prior to purchase.
On the other hand, if you opt to buy from a dealer, your
motorbike will typically come with either a 3 or 6-month warranty and will have
been professionally checked over and likely to have been recently serviced.
These extras are usually reflected in the price, hence them being more
expensive.
Buying a brand new motorcycle
Purchasing a new motorcycle doesn’t necessarily mean that
the person buying just wants to splash their cash about, nowadays it actually
may work out as a more affordable way to purchase a bike - especially with the
introduction of monthly payments, but again this is entirely personal
preference and budget dependent. Dealers will often have offers on price and
finance. Talk to us at Millennium motorcycles to see what offers are available.
Make sure to do your research
The urge to go out and buy yourself the first motorcycle
that catches your eye for some can be irresistible, however, there are a number
of people who end up doing this and find out down the line the bike is too
heavy or perhaps too uncomfortable for their daily commutes.
It is advisable to look at as many reviews, articles, and
YouTube videos before you walk into a dealer to have an idea beforehand of what
you’re looking for. Once you get to the dealer, you will want to do as many
test rides as you can. While you might go into a dealer with your dream bike in
mind, once you’ve ridden it you might feel entirely disappointed.
Find a reputable dealer
If you’ve decided to buy yourself a shiny new bike, you're
best off getting it from somewhere with a good reputation. Finding good dealers
in your local area can come from Google research, speaking to like-minded
individuals on motorcycle forums, or even asking Facebook pages - there will
always be someone out there to point you in the right direction!
Utilise the manufacturers online configurators
When buying a brand new motorcycle, manufacturers will often
have online configurators for you to play about with, whether that be by
changing the colourways or ‘spec-ing’ up the bike with accessories (luggage,
safety bits etc) – either way this feature truly allows you to customise your
bike to truly suit you.
Consider which financing option
is for you
When it comes to purchasing a motorcycle, there are three
ways in which you can do this - there is no right or wrong answer on how you
should purchase your new motorcycle, whichever option you go for will depend on
you and your personal situation:
1. Pay in full outright
Obviously, when looking to buy your new motorcycle you can
just pay for this outright whether that be if you have the money sitting there
saved up, or you opt to get out a personal loan and pay for it that way.
2. PCP (Personal Contract Purchase)
PCP monthly payments are where you put a slightly smaller
deposit down, as well as paying monthly payments for an agreed period of time.
This for example may be three years in which you may the monthly payments and
then at the end of the three years you can have the option to either buy the
bike and pay off the outstanding balance or alternatively switch it in for a
new bike.
3. HP (Hire purchase)
The hire purchase option allows you to put a higher deposit
down and then on top of that pay the rest off in monthly instalments. At the
end of the three or four years, the motorcycle will be entirely yours.
Conclusion
Whether you choose a new or used motorbike, it's crucial to
weigh the pros and cons of each option before making your purchase. Consider
factors like budget, purpose, and experience level to guide your decision.
Remember, the ultimate goal is to find a bike that suits your needs and
provides you with a thrilling, safe riding experience. Here at Millenium
Motorcycles our experienced team are more than happy to walk you through your
new or used bike purchase. Happy biking!
