Your First Motorcycle: What to Look For
Buying your first motorcycle is one of the most exciting things you’ll ever do. I remember the feeling — couldn’t sleep the night before picking it up. But it’s also the easiest time to make an expensive mistake. So let me walk you through what I’d tell any new rider walking into the shop.
Choosing the Right Type of Bike
Before you start scrolling through listings, think about what you actually need the bike for. Commuting through Southampton traffic? A naked or commuter bike is your best bet — upright riding position, easy to handle, forgiving at low speeds. Fancy weekend blasts through the New Forest? Something sporty might be calling. Just want to cruise and enjoy the ride? There’s a whole world of cruisers and retro bikes waiting for you.
Don’t buy a bike based on how it looks in photos alone. Sit on it, feel the weight, see if your feet reach the ground. A bike that’s too tall or too heavy will knock your confidence before you’ve even left the car park.
Engine Size: What Actually Makes Sense
If you’re on an A1 licence, you’re limited to 125cc anyway, and honestly that’s a great place to start. Modern 125s are proper bikes — they’ll do motorway speeds (just about) and they’re cheap to insure and run. The Honda CB125F, Yamaha MT-125, and KTM Duke 125 are all solid choices.
If you’ve got your A2 licence, you can ride up to 47bhp. This opens up the 300-400cc range, which is a real sweet spot. A Kawasaki Z400 or Yamaha MT-03 gives you enough power to have fun without being intimidating. Some people go straight to a restricted 650cc, which is fine, but they’re heavier bikes. Think about whether you’ll actually enjoy wrestling a heavy machine through traffic while you’re still finding your feet.
Full A licence? The world’s your oyster, but don’t let ego push you onto a 1000cc sportbike as your first ride. I’ve seen it go wrong too many times. Build up gradually and you’ll enjoy every step of the journey.
Insurance: The Hidden Cost
This catches a lot of new riders out. You budget for the bike, maybe some gear, and then the insurance quote lands and it’s more than the bike itself. Get quotes before you commit to buying. Your age, postcode, where you keep the bike, and even your job title all matter. A bike with a smaller engine in a lower insurance group can save you hundreds. Some 600cc sportbikes cost a fortune to insure for new riders, while a 650cc twin might be half the price.
Also, consider security. A decent chain and disc lock can bring your premium down noticeably, and they’re worth having anyway.
What to Physically Check on a Bike
When you go to view a bike — whether from a dealer or private — have a proper look around it. Check the tyres for tread depth and cracking. Squeeze the brake lever and pedal; they should feel firm, not spongy. Look at the chain — is it rusty and loose, or clean and properly adjusted? Check the fork seals by pushing down on the front end. If you see oil on the fork tubes, that’s a repair bill waiting to happen.
Start the bike from cold if you can. A warm engine can hide all sorts of problems. Listen for any unusual rattles or ticking that doesn’t settle down. And check the lights, indicators, and switches — electrical gremlins are tedious and expensive to chase down.
Why Buying From a Dealer Matters
I know private sales look cheaper on paper, but there’s a reason for that. When you buy from a dealer like us at LozMoto, you get a proper HPI check (confirming the bike isn’t stolen, written off, or on finance), a warranty, and an honest description of what you’re buying. If something’s been dropped, I’ll tell you. If the clutch is on its way out, I’ll tell you that too.
Every bike that comes through our doors gets a thorough inspection before it goes on sale. We don’t sell anything we wouldn’t ride ourselves — that’s the rule, and it’s non-negotiable.
If you’re looking for your first bike and want some honest advice, give me a call or drop me a WhatsApp. No pressure, no hard sell — just straight-talking help from someone who’s been riding for years. And if we don’t have what you’re after in stock, we can source it for you.
Happy riding, and welcome to the club.
