A frequent question, the answer to which seems to be common sense, but it is not always the case since, on occasions, we find clients who are looking for a high displacement motorcycle as a first bike, without or with very little experience at the handlebars.
Motorcycles and speed are an indisputable source of pleasure, but at the same time they can become a nuisance if we do not choose the bike that best suits our capabilities at that moment in time.
Although the A2 license will largely solve this situation, since it does not allow to drive motorcycles with a power higher than 35 kW or 96 hp, we find cases of people who got their license years ago but never got to drive a motorcycle (for example, to wait for the A license and thus avoid 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 riding of the bike and that we choose our first bikes with our heads rather than with our hearts. In this way, the learning process will be faster and safer, and we will soon have the mastery and knowledge we need on the bike to be able to choose the definitive one 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 bikes due to the limitations they present.
Although the ideal would always be to use a brand new motorcycle, because of the advantages of being new (for example the warranty) and knowing that it has not been abused, a good option, especially when we are learning, is to buy a second hand motorcycle in a professional establishment that will also give a legal guarantee 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 that this will happen to us because it costs more money.
So, what would be the ideal progression to learn in a safe and effective way?
In reality, 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.
However, if we have started in adulthood, the smaller cylinder capacities of 49 cc and 125 cc will be too small at certain times (for example, if we ride on the highway to go to work).
In this case, a good option to initiate us is found in the 500 cc range, which will offer enough power for all daily situations but with a very smooth and progressive delivery that will allow us to develop a good gas mileage and brakes without any loss.
Another alternative is found in the range of models that can be limited to the A2 license, which at the same time, will be useful to re-release the bike at the moment 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.
As a conclusion, what we should never do is to try to start with a high displacement motorcycle and, in case of doubt, let us be advised by the professionals that you will find in our dealerships.