¶ … buying a motorbike. Motorbikes have always appealed to me. I am an inveterate cyclist feeling free only when on my bike, but lately it entered my head that motorbikes are cool and sporty and they may be a big plus for getting the new job that I want plus -- if they can be used fro advertising for procuring girlfriends, why can they not be used for procuring boys. Superman turns into superwoman on motorbike, and so my dram plan (ignoring issues of inability to ride one and safety concerns) is to get the latest super-duper motorbike out there on the market and let the reviewer of this essay pay for it.

How does one get a motorbike?

One can always steal, but my intent is to play it honest and buy, therefore my first steps were to do some Internet research and this being a major ticket item I turned to Google Search and typed in 'buying a motorbike' and 'buying your first motorbike'

The first site that I was led to advised me that before buying this motorbike, I had to ask myself various questions. The included the searching question of whether I was an experienced rider ('Of course not! But so what. 'I'll learn whilst driving'). I can of course always go to a riding school. I might append that to my list of big-ticket items for my coming birthday.

Next question: How do I intend to ride -- wild or timid? More likely timid, until I'll end up riding wild. Or dead.

Question three: how much should I spend: the sites advised me that motorbike prices range from under $5,000 to $25,000 for a new bike. I can afford a used bike, so a used bike it will be.

Finally I was advised to consider my body type, ensuring that I can place both feet on the floor when I sit on it, and if this were my first bike, which it is, I should veer from considering a high-performance bike. At least, initially.

All said and done, the analysis of this and similar sites -- and there were many -- led me to consider buying a standard or traditional bike, particularly since my commute is not long and I do not intend to spend many hours and miles in the saddle. Just enough to get my new job and procure my new boyfriend. On second thoughts, intending to bike through country roads, I will also look for a dual-purpose bike that is a standard bike with extra ground clearance and knobby tires (*Popular Mechanics. How to buy a motorbike)

Internet Pricing

The next step was more complex. Actually buying the motorbike. I had little idea where to start on my search for this and wanted to see how far below the quoted starting range of $5,000 was so I went to the Craig's list of my city and actually found a whole section devoted to motorcycles. There were all kinds of all shapes and designs and some of them were excruciatingly expensive Most of them were around $5,000, but I saw some ranging from $3,000 to $4,000 and one -- a beautiful 2006 KTM 250SX bike for $27,800. I fell in love with that apparition on first sight. Orange and black, gleaming steel. Straight out of Superman. I could imagine myself with the superman cobwebbed suit on and black mask striding legs apace on that dazzling beauty racing her for my life, n The advert told me that she had a pro-circuit pie with KTM FMF silencer, excel rims, V force reeds, KTM Skid plate, and more. I didn't understand all of this, but just to ascertain that I will not be procuring a lemon, I decided to visit the local bike stores and compare prices before doing some further online and offline search (mainly from books in the library) regarding the qualities I should look for in the kind of bike that I wish to buy. There were also 2 acquaintances that I know who had motorbikes at one time. I asked them their opinion. One, however, strongly advised me against buying, particularly since I had a family quoted to me an amazing level of deaths that he says originates from driving motorbikes (that's ok with me: Freud says we're suicidal inclined, anyway) and told me that he refuses to be responsible for my early demise. The other acquaintance was all for Harley Davidson bikes and for Yamaha Warriors that were beyond my ken anyway.

I did come across a 2003 Yamaha Zuma with 19000 miles that I saw for sale parked in someone's backyard (only $850 -- a suspiciously low...

All of these my bikes were in my category. The Honda too looked good particularly since it came with accessories such as the bag, helmet, boots, face shield, leather jacket), was only 5 years old, had only been driven a few times, and was so they said in great condition. I wondered then why it was so cheap. My next step, therefore, was to conduct some research into buying the perfect bike so that I would not get cheated.
Style selection

The mass of books and articles in magazines devoted to motorbikes were overwhelming. I decided, therefore, to do some cursory online research amongst the heap of websites that I saw, simply selecting the first few that appealed to me and seemed to cover the essential aspects that I was looking for. These involved understanding the lingo of the ads when describing the bikes, knowing the characteristics of the bike, and knowing precisely the qualities that I should look for.

As regards books, I too, had in mind something that would give me an overall review of the kind of bike that was best suited for my needs, style, model and all as well as advising me thought the steps of procuring such a bike. The simpler the book and the more succinct and concise with plenty of glossy pictures the better. I dislike small print particularly when I wish to be entertained or make an important purchase. Here, I just wished to be informed of the salient facts in a simple, informative, caring manner.

The books that I picked up essentially led me to categorize the procedure as falling into 4 steps:

1. I had to decide how I wished to pay for it: done

2. I had to decide whether to buy the motorbike from a dealer or privately

3. I was informed that I had to pay: (a) state registration fee (b) license plate fee (c) title fee and (d) insurance on the bike at time of purchase. This was exactly as buying a car. For a cheap bike, therefore, all of the above may well exceed more than the price of the bike itself

4. When selecting the motorbike there were essentially two things that I would need to consider: (a) that the motorbike be within my skill-set and price range and (b) that a 125 cc machine (or a 50 cc moped) would be best for me. I was also advised to ascertain that all lights and brakes, as well as turn signals, horn and at least one rearview mirror were working well.

Miscellaneous Advice

Other advice included the following: to make myself aware of the vehicle code specifications demanded by the state or province. I had to particularly check that all were up to standards considering that I was looking into purchasing a second-hand bike. . I had to be certain that my motorcycle had an adequate muffler, which was properly maintained

As regards brand selection, I was advised to stay away from lesser-known models and to go for the common brand that was in the category I was aiming for. Incidentally, I was told to aware of the moniker 'custom' since that could mean that the bike possesses numerous modifications from aftermarket windshield to a spray-paint job

Shopping.

As detailed in an earlier section, I had already uprooted 3 different places to turn to for my purchase: Craig's list, the garage / personal sale, and the listing in the newspapers.

For comparison-shopping, I turned to online used motorcycle stores and to drive-in lots where dealers were likewise haggling used bikes.

The used online sites (e.g. * Buy a used motorcycle) allowed me to tap in make, price and my area. The advantage of the online site was that I could trust its owners not to deceive me, far better than trusting buying a used bike from any of the private individuals mentioned sources such as newspaper listings and Craig's list. The website even listed some bikes from as little as $1,000, but these generally seemed old -- to trace back to the early 1980s. I did not want to drive a dinosaur. There was one, a 2004-used Honda whose price was only $750. It was described as super clean and very nice.

I visited other used car lots too, but what I liked about the website was that they were professional and could advise me.…