A frequently asked question, the answer to which seems like common sense, but it is not always, as sometimes we meet customers who are looking for a high displacement motorcycle as their first bike, with little or no experience at the handlebars.
Motorcycles and speed are an indisputable source of pleasure, but at the same time they can become a nightmare if we do not choose the motorcycle that best suits our capabilities at that moment in time.
Despite the fact that the A2 license largely solved this situation, since it does not allow riding motorcycles with a power exceeding 35 kW or 96 hp, we find cases of people who got the license years ago but never got to ride a motorcycle (for example, because they wanted to wait for the A license and thus save buying an entry-level motorcycle in many cases).
Although we are aware that motorcycles are an expensive toy and that most of us cannot afford to buy a bike every year, it is important that, especially when we are starting out, we are aware of the implications that weight and power have on the handling of the bike and that we choose our first bikes with our head rather than with our heart. In this way, the learning process will be faster and safer, and the sooner we will achieve the mastery and knowledge we need on the bike to be able to choose the ultimate bike with our hearts.
We must not forget that a high displacement or sport bike requires a good previous base, otherwise, we will lack many capabilities that we will not be able to acquire with these motorcycles due to the limitations they present.
Although the ideal would always be to use a brand new motorcycle, because of the advantages of it being new (for example the warranty) and knowing that it has not been mistreated, a good option, especially when we are learning, is to buy a second-hand motorcycle in a professional establishment that will also offer us a legal warranty on the vehicle (although it will be less than if it were new). Crashes at low speed or even at a standstill are frequent when we are learning, and on a new motorcycle we are generally more afraid of this happening because it costs more money.
So, what would be the ideal progression to learn in a safe and effective way?
In fact, the ideal would be to go through almost all the cylinders to climb as progressively as possible. In each displacement we will acquire different skills and improve our confidence on the bike.
Even so, if we have started as adults, the smaller cylinder capacities of 49 cc and 125 cc will be too small at certain times (for example, if we travel on the highway to go to work).
In this case, a good option to get started is the 500cc range, which will offer enough power for all everyday situations, but with a very smooth and progressive delivery, which will allow us to develop a good feel for gas and brakes without danger.
Another alternative is found in the range of models that can be limited to the A2 license, which in turn, will serve us to re-release the bike at the time when we pass to the A license and we can unlimit it to enjoy the maximum power of a bike that will already be familiar to us.
In conclusion, what we should never do is to pretend to start with a high displacement motorcycle, and in case of doubt, let us be advised by professionals that you will find in our dealers.