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Buying a motorcycle is a bigger decision than picking a color and a price tag. The right bike depends on your body size, riding experience, the roads you'll actually ride on, and how much time you're willing to spend on maintenance. This guide walks through the practical side of choosing a motorcycle — from body style and engine size to the checks worth doing before you hand over any money.
Start With How You'll Actually Ride
Before looking at specific models, it helps to define the use case. A bike bought for weekend canyon carving will disappoint on a daily commute, and a touring bike will feel like overkill for short city hops. Ask three questions first: How far will most rides be? Will you carry a passenger or luggage regularly? Is the riding mostly city streets, highway, or unpaved roads?
Answering these honestly narrows the field faster than comparing horsepower figures.
Motorcycle Types at a Glance
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Type
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Riding Position
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Best For
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Typical Drawback
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Standard/Naked
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Upright, neutral
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All-round commuting and learning
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Less wind protection on highways
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Cruiser
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Feet-forward, low seat
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Relaxed long-distance riding
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Limited cornering clearance
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Sport
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Forward-leaning, aggressive
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Performance and spirited riding
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Uncomfortable on long commutes
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Adventure (ADV)
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Upright, tall
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Mixed pavement and light off-road
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Tall seat height, heavier
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Touring
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Upright, supported
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Long-distance comfort with luggage
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Large and heavy at low speed
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Dual-Sport
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Upright, narrow seat
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Off-road and trail access
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Less stable at high highway speed
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Scooter/Small-displacement
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Step-through, upright
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Short urban trips, easy handling
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Limited highway capability
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Sitting on a few of these in person matters more than any spec sheet. Reach to the handlebars, footpeg position, and seat height all affect comfort and control in ways that are hard to judge from photos.
Matching Engine Size to Experience
Displacement (measured in cc) is a rough proxy for power, but the relationship between cc and rideability varies a lot between bike types. A 300cc sport bike can feel more urgent than a 500cc cruiser.
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Engine Size
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Typical Rider
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Notes
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125–300cc
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New riders, urban commuting
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Light, forgiving, cheap to insure and maintain
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300–500cc
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Riders past their first year
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Enough power for highway on-ramps without being intimidating
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500–800cc
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Intermediate riders
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Comfortable for mixed city/highway use
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800–1200cc
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Experienced riders
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Touring and larger ADV bikes often sit here
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1200cc+
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Experienced riders, specific use cases
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Sport-touring, big cruisers, high-performance sport bikes
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Most riding instructors recommend starting on something manageable rather than the biggest bike you can afford — a bike that's easy to control builds confidence faster than one that has more power than you need.
New vs. Used: What Changes
A used motorcycle can cost 30–50% less than the same model new, but the savings come with homework attached.
Buying new gets you a full warranty, no wear-and-tear questions, and financing options through the dealer. You pay a premium for that certainty, and depreciation in the first year or two is steep, as with cars.
Buying used rewards patience. Look for a bike with a documented service history, original parts (aftermarket exhausts and modified electronics can hide problems), and — where the market has that reporting — a clean title with no reported accident damage. A pre-purchase inspection by an independent mechanic, separate from the seller, is worth the fee every time.
When researching a purchase online, it is also worth checking that you are using the correct website address, especially when moving between marketplaces, comparison tools, and other familiar online platforms. The same basic rule applies to services such as آدرس OnjaBet : using the correct address helps avoid outdated pages, unofficial copies, or unnecessary redirects.
What to Check Before You Buy
Whether new or used, a short physical checklist prevents most expensive surprises:
Tires and brakes. Uneven tire wear can point to suspension or alignment issues. Check brake pad thickness and look for scoring on the rotors.
Chain and sprockets (for chain-driven bikes). A loose, rusty, or unevenly worn chain suggests the previous owner skipped maintenance — a signal to look harder at everything else.
Fluid levels and leaks. Oil, coolant, and brake fluid should be at proper levels with no visible leaks around gaskets or seals.
Frame and fork alignment. Look for scrapes, cracks, or bent components that would suggest a prior drop or crash, especially on used bikes advertised as "never dropped."
Electronics. Turn on the ignition and test every light, indicator, and gauge. Faulty wiring on an older bike is a common and sometimes costly repair.
VIN check. Where a vehicle history service is available in your country, running the VIN can surface accident history, odometer discrepancies, or an outstanding lien.
Licensing and Insurance
Requirements vary significantly by country and even by region within a country, so this is worth confirming locally before you buy anything. In general:
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Most jurisdictions require a separate motorcycle license or endorsement in addition to a standard driver's license.
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A basic rider training course is often required for new riders and can lower insurance premiums even where it isn't mandatory.
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Insurance costs scale with engine size, rider age and experience, and how the bike is stored (garaged vs. street-parked).
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Some regions apply engine-size or power tiers that restrict what a newly licensed rider can legally ride for the first year or two.
Confirm the exact rules with your local licensing authority — this is one area where getting it wrong has real legal consequences, not just financial ones.
Essential Gear Budget
New riders often underestimate gear costs and then skip protection to save money — which is the wrong place to cut corners. A realistic minimum kit includes:
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Item
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Purpose
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DOT/ECE-certified helmet
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Non-negotiable; fit matters more than price
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Riding jacket with armor
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Abrasion resistance for shoulders, elbows, back
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Riding gloves
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Protects hands, which instinctively brace in a fall
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Riding pants or reinforced denim
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Abrasion resistance for legs and hips
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Over-the-ankle riding boots
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Ankle support and protection from hot exhaust components
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Budget gear has improved a lot in recent years — full certified protection doesn't require the most expensive brand, but it does require checking for the actual safety certification rather than style alone.
Ongoing Costs to Plan For
The purchase price is the beginning, not the whole budget. Plan for:
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Routine maintenance: oil changes, tire replacement, brake pads, and chain maintenance on a regular interval.
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Insurance, which is often billed separately and higher than a comparable car policy for new riders.
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Storage, especially in climates where the bike needs off-season winterization.
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Gear replacement: helmets in particular have a recommended replacement cycle even without a crash, as materials degrade over time.
Test Ride Before You Decide
No spec sheet substitutes for sitting on the bike and, where legally and logistically possible, riding it. Pay attention to how the controls fall to hand, how the bike balances at a stop, and how it feels rolling through a parking lot at low speed — low-speed control is where most new-rider mistakes happen, not on the open road.
If a dealership won't allow a test ride, ask about their return or exchange policy, and treat that unwillingness as information in itself.
The Bottom Line
The best motorcycle for you is the one that matches your actual riding conditions, fits your body, and leaves room to grow into more power as your skills develop. Resist the urge to buy for the bike you'll be in three years — buy for the rider you are now, and treat the upgrade as part of the plan rather than a compromise.
Alt: Rider inspecting a motorcycle at a dealership before a test ride
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and celebrates its anniversary year together with long-standing and new partners.
Adventure Country Tracks e.V. (ACT) is marking a special milestone in its anniversary year: ACT Morocco will be the association’s tenth track in its tenth year. Since early October 2026, an international team of motorcycle riders, filmmakers and photographers has been travelling through Morocco to capture the new route and the experience of exploring the country’s hinterland in images and stories. The film premiere will follow in December.
From Marrakech to Midelt and through Morocco’s hinterland
Following the participants’ arrival in Marrakech and final preparations, the team set off for Midelt, the official starting point of ACT Morocco. From there, the expedition takes them through the country’s diverse hinterland over five days of riding. The group is scheduled to return to Marrakech on the evening of 11 October, before the participants travel home on 12 October.
Many members of the expedition team are ACT members who contribute their experience and personal commitment to the project. They include motorcycle adventurer and ACT friend Charley Boorman, ACT Chairman Mirko Nagler and ACT Track Manager Filipe Elias. Association members are also involved in the film, photography and support crew. Together, they capture the routes, landscapes and encounters, bringing to life what ACT stands for: adventure, community and a passion for motorcycle travel.
Together with strong partners
A special anniversary project like ACT Morocco would be hard to imagine without the support of strong partners. Touratech has been the association’s main sponsor for many years, and ACT has continued to expand its network of partners this year. BMW Motorrad and Cardo have joined as two new sponsors. Continental Tires, CHIGEE and other new partners also enrich the project, complementing the commitment of its long-standing supporters.
Together, they make a vital contribution to the expedition. By providing motorcycles, tyres, equipment, navigation and communication solutions, they help create the conditions for ACT to explore new regions, test innovative technologies in real-world conditions and share the experiences with the community in an extensively produced film.
From the expedition to the film premiere
ACT Morocco will be documented beyond the journey itself. During the expedition, the association is sharing behind-the-scenes impressions through its social media channels. The extensive photo and video material will subsequently be turned into a film documenting this anniversary project.
The public highlight will be the cinema premiere on Friday, 11 December 2026, at the Cinenova cinema in Cologne. Doors open at 6 pm. Tickets are available via the ACT online shop. On Christmas Day, 25 December 2026 at 8 pm, the film is also scheduled to be released free of charge on ACT’s official YouTube channel.
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The partnership between Gresini Racing and DEA SYSTEM continues with renewed momentum and ambitious goals on the horizon. Led by Nadia Padovani, the MotoGP team and the Italian company—specialists in the design and manufacture of automation systems for buildings and public spaces—have extended their collaboration into the coming seasons, further strengthening a relationship first established in 2023 and built on shared values such as innovation, passion, and an unwavering commitment to excellence.
An Italian company with a strong international footprint and 14 subsidiaries worldwide, DEA SYSTEM will continue to stand alongside the BK8 Gresini Racing MotoGP as an official sponsor. The brand will remain featured on the team’s Desmosedici bikes, riders’ leathers, and across all team communication assets, including garage panels and transport trucks.
The two-year agreement also introduces two major new additions: Dani Holgado and Joan Mir will become the new riders of the MotoGP squad starting from the 2027 season.
MAURIZIO ODOARDI – CEO, DEA SYSTEM
“We are proud to renew our partnership with Gresini Racing, a team that perfectly embodies the values we believe in: passion, innovation, determination, and a constant pursuit of peak performance. Over the years, we have had the opportunity to appreciate not only the team’s sporting results, but also the professionalism, expertise, and collaborative spirit that define every Gresini Racing activity. We strongly believe in this partnership because we share a common vision: transforming technology, talent, and teamwork into tangible results. Just as on the track, in our industry we know that success comes from the ability to coordinate people, skills, and innovation towards a common goal. For this reason, we are delighted to continue this journey with Gresini Racing, looking with enthusiasm at the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead in the coming seasons.”
CARLO MERLINI – COMMERCIAL & MARKETING DIRECTOR, GRESINI RACING
“I am delighted to announce the continuation of the collaboration between DEA System and Gresini Racing. Those who know Gresini Racing are well aware that a cornerstone of our partnerships is building relationships based on shared values and team spirit—fundamental elements for developing long-lasting and successful collaborations. From the very beginning, we have found all of these elements in DEA System: pursuit of excellence, team spirit, and passion. With these foundations, it feels completely natural to continue this collaboration. A sincere thank you to DEA System, to Maurizio, and to his entire team for their trust in our projects and for once again choosing us as a partner to support their commercial and marketing strategies.”
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ALEX MARQUEZ
“I’m satisfied with today. We had a terrible qualifying session, but a great race. At the beginning, I closed my eyes and took a few risks, but it was the only way to try and fight for the front positions. I felt good, although I also made a mistake that could have cost me dearly. I made some good overtakes and really enjoyed myself. It’s great to be back on the podium after all the hard work to regain my form and feeling. Let’s enjoy it for a few hours, because then it’s time for Austria.”
FERMIN ALDEGUER #54
“We achieved several of our goals this weekend. We wanted to improve in qualifying, and we managed to do that. In the race, we had a small gap to the factory Ducatis, but we fought hard and, at one point, I really believed we could do it. We had a good race, and physically we are improving from race to race. We gave the team a good result after they worked brilliantly, and we also did justice to this livery, which deserved a strong performance.”
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... Rides 201,901 Miles To Raise Money For Myotonic Dystrophy Foundation
Indian Motorcycle, America’s First Motorcycle Company, is celebrating four world records set by Indian Motorcycle owner Patrick “Vroom Old Man” Cornell. Piloting his 2025 Indian Pursuit, Cornell embarked on a mission to raise awareness and funds for Myotonic Dystrophy, a rare genetic disorder that affects the muscles and other parts of the body. Cornell travelled 201,901 miles (324,928 km) across the United States and Canada and raised $150,000 to support the cause.
Over the course of 12 months, the Indian Pursuit, named “Pappy,” endured thousands of on-road hours, changing weather, varied terrain and the demands of an unprecedented long-distance ride. The journey ultimately earned Cornell four world records, putting the durability and endurance of the Pursuit and its PowerPlus 112 engine at the centre of an achievement few motorcycles and riders could match.
Cornell’s four world record titles, recognised by Atlas World Records, include:
- Most Consecutive Days Riding at Least 1,000 Miles (1,609 km) on a Motorcycle
- Longest Consecutive Period Averaging at Least 1,000 Miles (1,609 km) Per Day on a Motorcycle
- Greatest Documented Distance Ridden on a Motorcycle in a Single Country Before Returning Home
- Greatest Documented Distance Ridden on a Motorcycle in Twelve-Consecutive Months
“Pat’s journey is an incredible example of what it means to use your passion to make a difference,” said Mike Kennedy, CEO of Indian Motorcycle. “To ride more than 200,000 miles in a year is an extraordinary accomplishment on its own, but Pat’s purpose was far greater than the ride itself. His four world records are a remarkable testament to his determination, perseverance and commitment to the cause. We’re proud that an Indian Motorcycle was part of this incredible journey, and even more proud of Pat for using his passion for riding to help others.”
When asked how he accomplished such an incredible feat, Cornell simply said, “Ride for someone else, don’t ride for yourself.” The mission was deeply personal, as Myotonic Dystrophy has affected several members of his wife’s family, including her four sisters. But as the miles continued to accumulate, Cornell’s journey became more than a selfless effort to raise awareness and funds – it also became an extraordinary testament to the durability, reliability and capability of the machine beneath him.
From coast to coast and everywhere in between, the motorcycle was subjected to the realities of sustained, high-mileage riding. Through it all, Cornell depended on his Indian Pursuit to keep him going. With the power and reliability behind the PowerPlus 112 engine, the machine delivered an unmatched ride that optimized acceleration across the rev range for unrivalled passing power in every gear.
The Indian Pursuit proved its reliability every mile of the journey. Despite long miles and extended hours on the road, the Indian Pursuit performed exceptionally well and required only minimal maintenance. Cornell replaced the stator, changed the fuel filters five times, went through 16 back tires, 12 front tires and completed numerous oil changes. Yet the machine’s original clutch, clutch cable, drive belt and starter remained intact throughout the entire journey. Most impressively, the motor and transmission never experienced a single issue, a remarkable testament to the bike’s durability, reliability and engineering.
“More than anything, I needed a motorcycle I could trust,” said Cornell. “My Indian Pursuit never gave me a reason to question whether it could handle the journey, which allowed me to focus on why I was riding in the first place. Myotonic Dystrophy is a disease that most people have never heard of, but for the families living with it, it impacts every part of their lives. That’s what kept me going when the miles got long and the days got tough. Every mile was an opportunity to tell someone about this disease, raise money, and hopefully bring a little more attention to the people and families who are fighting it.
The world records and the miles are something I’m proud of, but knowing that this journey helped shine a light on Myotonic Dystrophy is what made it especially meaningful to me.”
Cornell’s journey initially aligned with Indian Motorcycle’s 125-year anniversary, as he set a goal of 125,000 miles (201,168 km) to raise $125,000 in 125 days. While the miles stacked, the fundraiser was slow. Cornell extended his journey and ultimately reached 146,000 miles (234,964 km) in 146 days, despite a broken collarbone sustained on the ride. His continued ride ultimately reached 201,901 miles (324,928 km), a subtle nod to Indian Motorcycle’s founding year of 1901. In total, Cornell has raised $150,000 to benefit the Myotonic Dystrophy Foundation thus far, with a goal to reach $200,000.
To follow along with Cornell’s continued journey as it comes to an end in October, you can follow him on his Facebook and Instagram. To learn more about Indian Motorcycle, riders can visit IndianMotorcycle.com or follow along on Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube.
ABOUT INDIAN MOTORCYCLE
Indian Motorcycle is America’s First Motorcycle Company. Founded in 1901, Indian Motorcycle has won the hearts of motorcyclists around the world and earned distinction as one of America’s most legendary and iconic brands through unrivalled racing dominance, engineering prowess and countless innovations and industry firsts. Today that heritage and passion is reignited under new brand stewardship. To learn more, please visit www.indianmotorcycle.com.
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