Motorcycle Buying Guide (for USA)
From BikeNomads
Author: Akhil Sakpal
Audience: Non US residents
Pre Requisites: SSN (Social Security Number)
This is required for other details, coz without SSN getting a motorcycle license becomes a pain, or I don’t even know if that is possible. And this one pre-requisite can add and subtract other requisites (like Loan, insurance, etc)
Hence, people who come to the US and can apply for an SSN can effectively also own a motorcycle that is what I mean by the pre requisite.
People who don’t have an SSN (or can’t get one), you may choose to stop reading here. And search for motorcycle renting guide :D
Two Ways:
a) Get a motorcycle license and then buy a motorcycle
b) Buy a motorcycle and get your license on this
I will be talking about point a) as usually people who are residents and who have the ability to buy a motorcycle and insurance on someone else’s name, and can then get if converted on theirs was not an option feasible for me. I may be wrong in claiming the same also. (Please use discretion)
Contents |
Motorcycle License
a) Temporary License
Usually in all the states of the US, you can take a temporary license (motorcycle and hence driver’s license {motorcycle license is not possible to be acquired without a valid driver’s license}) by going to one of the dmv centres located in all major cities and towns. http://www.dmv.org/
Temp license can be obtained based on furnishing SSN and usually 2 address proofs (passport / I94 might also be required). You do not need to give any tests for the temporary license; tests usually are required for permanent license. (I may be wrong, depends from state to state, please use discretion)
This license gives you the ability to buy a motorcycle and hence to learn motorcycling (if it’s your first time :D). At the time of your final exam/test for a permanent license you need to produce a vehicle that you own or at least a vehicle on which you have insurance claim.
This might be a little confusing, coz I don’t know the exact facts, I didn’t do it this way, and hence this information might be a little misleading. The reason for my assumption is that when one goes to for a driver’s license test, one can rent a car and have valid insurance on it to give the test and acquire a driver’s license. Similarly, if one can rent a motorcycle with the necessary insurance then one should be able to take the same for the permanent license. The catch-22 arises when some motorcycle renting companies insist on seeing a US based motorcycling license and not a foreign one. Or when the DMV might want a motorcycle that you own. (???)
Coming back, buy your motorcycle, learn the tricks of the trade, and give your test and get your license. You already have a motorcycle and a license, what else do you need, Ride On.
b) License through MSF
MSF stands for Motorcycle Safety Foundation. Among other things that this organization does, is give training for motorcycle learning for first timers or even advance courses for veterans. The good part is once you sign up for a course that gives you a ‘MSF RiderCourse Completion Card’, you are set. This card can be used as a motorcycle license or you can get it endorsed on your driver’s license (again you can’t have a motorcycle license or operate a motorcycle without having a driver’s license)
For more information:
http://nm.msf-usa.org/msf/ridercourses.aspx?state=MI
My reasons for signing up for MSF were as follows:
- I did not have a driver’s license, hence couldn’t get a motorcycle license. (you can still take the MSF course, the MSF people send you completion card once you get your driver’s license) You might argue why not go through the normal channel, coz well if I had applied for a temporary license driver’s or motorcycle’s, I would have had to wait and give some more exams. Basically too much trouble, hence I skipped it.
- I did not have my own motorcycle and I wanted one, and one can’t buy one without a license. Neither will anyone even give you one to ride if you don’t even have a basic license, et all.
- To meet people and find out about riding clubs (one of the instructors was a member of the GoldWing Club in Richmond, VA)
- MSF rider course is a sure shot way of getting a motorcycle license without going through too much trouble and hence they charge approximately 150 dollars for that. They usually have a 6 hour theoretical class and then 12 hrs of practical on hand training on the motorcycles. Motorcycles used are all under 250CC and usually single cylinder. But again, this depends from place to place. There are tests after every theoretical and end of practical training, but the tests (supposedly) are easier than the ones at DMV. And hence, many people opt for this.
- This is where I got my http://www.mscv.org/info.htm
So when I had completed the MSF course (Basic RiderCourse), I did not have a driver’s license, I was using my Indian drivers’ license to drive cars. Hence didn’t need for a license. I finally after a month or so go my actual driver’s license and then contacted MSCV and they sent me a MSF RiderCourse Card, and I went back to DMV and got it endorsed on my Driver’s License.
Cool so it’s done – I have a Motorcycle License. Let’s move onto to buying.
Buying a motorcycle
If you know what you want exactly, that’s it, your life is much simple and just go ahead and get it, but if not, that is when there is a problem.
I didn’t have it that easy. I was planning to buy a Sports Bike but I ended up buying a standard cum dual purpose sort of bike. I was planning to buy a second hand pre owned motorcycle and I ended up buying a first hand brand new one.
What governs this criteria, simple, Insurance and Loan.
Insurance
Since this article deals with Non US Residents, I will be assuming here, that you are new to the country and hence don’t have a Credit History or prior Vehicle (car or motorcycle) Insurance. Both the conditions that I was prey to. If you do have these, then you are in a better position and you might be able to go for a better motorcycle. Why better, coz of the following reasons.
With my poor credit history (not credit score but credit history coz I have been in the US for only 10 months, I had good credit score but no history) and no prior insurance, for taking the following type of insurance
Bodily Injury & Property Damage: $20,000 person/$40,000 accident/$10,000 property damage
Uninsured/ Underinsured Motorists Bodily Injury: $20,000 person/$40,000 accident
Medical Benefits: $5000
Vehicle Comprehensive: $250 deductible
Vehicle Collision: $250 deductible
Road Side Assistance: NO
Accessory coverage: $1 - $3,000
I would have had to pay the following
Brand New ‘08 – Suzuki GSXR 600 – approx $4500 per year
Brand New ’08 – Yamaha R6 – approx $4500 per year
Brand New ’08 – Yamaha R1 – approx $5200 per year
Pre Owned ’07 – Suzuki GSXR 600 – approx $4000 per year
Pre Owned ’06 – Suzuki GSXR 600 – approx $3500 per year
Pre Owned ’05 – Suzuki GSXR 600 – approx $3000 per year
Pre Owned ’02 – Suzuki GSXR 600 – approx $2000 per year
While a non sports bike category bike,
Brand New ’08 – Suzuki SV650 – approx $2000 per year
Brand New ’08 – Kawasaki Versys – approx $2000 per year
For more information: www.progressive.com (you get an approximate quote from the website, this rate may not be actual, please use discretion)
I finally got a better rate from State Farm, hence I went with them, but you can get approximate information about insurance from progressive site.
So looking at these insurance rates, the equation for me was very simple; I can’t buy a brand new sports bike. I will have to settle for either a really old Sports Bike ’02 or before or else, I will have to buy a non sports bike, a standard or a dual purpose.
Basically, find out what your insurance quote might be before going a dealership to see the actual bike, you will be better informed.
Loan
Again, I am assuming the same as above, no credit history ( I am considering bad credit score as well over here) and no prior automobile ownership, etc.
You might want to apply for a loan before hand and then go to buy your motorcycle. But sometimes its not feasible, coz your motorcycle loan might differ from cycle to cycle. And hence I don’t want to mislead you a lot, but the pt is, and what I have experienced, if you fit into criteria where, you don’t have credit history then you won’t get good loans. By good loans I mean 0% APR loans or loans lesser than 5% APR, etc. Companies like Captial One will reject your application for a loan, they did that for me atleast (good credit score but less credit history)
Hence when you are buying a motorcycle, you might want to mentally prepare yourself, for the fact, that you will have to pay 7% APR or more on the motorcycle you buy. And based on this, you might want to take an informed decision about buying the right motorcycle.
Imagine buying a ‘Busa for 12 grand and then also paying 10% on it, that’s another 1200, and then you have insurance of $5000, and services, maintenance and everything else is extra. Imagine having to spend 20,000 in one year for the motorcycle.
Brand New Motorcycle
So based on insurance, and loan, you have kind of made up your mind, as to what category of motorcycle you can and want to purchase. Let’s assume over here, it’s a brand new one that you want to buy. Now starts, the process of hunting for one.
I am saying category, because, in the US there is such variety in motorcycles, that sometimes honing down on one motorcycle is a big pain. The best thing to do is to visit the dealerships and see the motorcycles. Sit on them, see your comfort level.
In the US, most of the dealerships, will not give you a test ride (even if you have a license etc). Supposedly, they can’t take the risk for insurance reasons. The motorcycle reviews are your best bet. But none the less, go see the motorcycle, if makes a lot of difference. Also be a little tactful in handling the dealers, the salesmen are called vultures (well I guess that’s the case all over the world).
Additionally, visit different dealerships for the same motorcycle. Sometimes different dealers have some promotions etc going on.
And finally, don’t forget to haggle. And always haggle on the FINAL amount, not MSRP, but amount after taxes. Consider around 750 dollars more on the MSRP of your bike that would be your final cost. So before you go to the dealership to do your booking, decide on an amount that is ready and comfortable to pay. And don’t budge from that.
Forget about rest of things, services, or riding gear or anything else, when you are buying a motorcycle, just concentrate on that, the dealerships will go off track, you try not to.. :D
Pre Owned Motorcycle
The same rules apply all over the world. Only problem out in the US, you may not get to ride the motorcycle, depends. But the rules are the same, and hence I won’t go into the details of it. Oh one more thing, if you are planning for a pre owned, remember that you will have to pay the amount in full, and hence that means acquiring a motorcycle loan (if u opting for that) before making the purchase. Or else, a complete down payment, cash usually.
Best place to find pre owned motorcycles.
If you don’t want to deal with individual owners and if you do not know how to check if the second hand bike that you are buying is in proper working condition for the price that you are paying, you might want to buy a second hand bike from the dealerships. They check the bikes for you, and so you can buy them without a lot of worries, dealerships, usually inform you of problems if any with the motorcycle. Also, dealerships usually, keep pre owned motorcycles from a couple of years back only.
After Booking the Motorcycle
So once you book your motorcycle, make sure, you get insurance for it as soon as possible, the dealerships do not allow you to take the motorcycle without insurance, but make sure, you know where to take the insurance before you take the delivery of the motorcycle.
Also, getting insurance, loan etc, takes 20 to 30 minutes after you are ready to sign the papers for the motorcycle. You may not be completely happy with what you are paying if you have not done your research. If you are desperate to buy a motorcycle, just remember, whatever you get, make sure, that you have the capability to change it later on. Loans can be refinanced, and insurance can be acquired from other companies, after you sign for the first one. But ask the dealership before you sign the papers, if what you are signing for is changeable.
Also, for insurance, if you want to change it, do not pay the entire amount for the year or for 6 months, pay a token amount, and then you can work out the details later on, just in case, you went ahead on the whim of buying a motorcycle.
Riding Gear
So you finally own what you have been wanting for a long time, and its time, for you to buy the gear. The time might be simultaneous to buying the motorcycle, but simply put.
Gear available at the dealerships, is expensive, you are better off ordering in online. But the problem with gear is with the sizes. If you have a motorcycle store in your city, your life becomes simpler. If not, what you can always do is.
Go to the dealership, try on the gear, see what fits you fine, the colors you like, etc etc, and come home and order it online. You will save close to 100 odd dollars if you can do this. May be a little more, depends.
Some stores –
http://www.motorcycle-superstore.com (these people are good, but take some time to ship from their warehouse, my own experience)
http://www.newenough.com/ (supposedly the cheapest out here)
There is much that can be discussed about riding gear, but we’ll keep it simple, just one thing that I would want to mention, make sure you buy the right helmet. All your questions, queries etc about helmets and their prices and graphics will be answered over here. http://www.motorcyclistonline.com/gearbox/motorcycle_helmet_review/index.html
The conclusion, the way I understood it is, all helmets (most of popular ones - cheapest or the most expensive) are good. It really doesn’t matter, they will protect you as per the standards, American or otherwise, it just boils down to which fit you the best, and are the most comfortable for your head, and ofC, which would u like showing around... hence hunting for a particular manufacturer would be more so for fit, comfort and looks.. more than anything else.
Motorcycle Clubs
We all know why these are good, so if you want to join one, you can search for them over here.
http://www.moto-directory.com/clubs/regional-usa.asp
http://www.motorcycleclubsindex.com/
Motorcycle Roads
Now much to say, just go here, http://www.motorcycleroads.com/
For more information, send a query on the group, and I'll try to answer it as best as possible.
Also, this information is my sole experience, it might differ or might have been changed, use discretion.