So you have decided that the solution to your depression and problems in life is not therapy, medication, etc it is buying an expensive (not so road-friendly) motorcycle, great job.

Okay just kidding, maybe it's been your childhood dream to buy the “Dhoom” motorcycle one day. But wait for a second, there are a lot of things to consider before buying your first big bike and if you do this correctly, the motorcycle will put a smile on your face every time you swing a leg on it and if not then it's a white elephant parked in your garage. 

I have been riding (not a superbike) for a while now and I know people who bought a superbike and had fun and who did not, I am an automotive enthusiast, and what I am about to tell you will impact your buying experience in a positive manner.

5 things that we will be talking about are as follows:

• Buying It Used Or New

Buying a used bike will save you a whole lot of money upfront and there are so many options in the market as well. I would highly recommend that you take a test drive and make sure what you are getting. Do not fall for a motorcycle because you saw an ad for one on some Instagram page.

It's also a good idea to check for any rust on the body and framework. Motorcycles are something that can be dropped and there are signs to spot them. For example a repaint or after-market welding.

Make sure the tires are in good shape, if not you might have to change them so bargain about it. Also if the odometer shows a low number of kilometres but the tires are all used up, there is a pretty good chance that the previous owner was a fan of burnouts and drags.

On the other hand, superbike tires wear off fairly fast so be considerate about that.

If you want to go for a brand new motorcycle make sure to list down the options available, go for test drives and feel the motorcycle rather than comparing spec sheets.

Pro tip: If you don't mind getting a test vehicle you might end up saving some cash upfront, as brands offer them at a little less price than the actual.

A friend of mine got the Kawasaki Z900 and saved a lot in the process.

• Engine Displacement 

This is something you should give serious thought to. The size of the engine and the power it makes is critical. Ask yourself are you ready to handle a 150-horse-power beast?

In India, we do not have that many great roads where you can enjoy the full potential of a litre bike. 

These bikes are like fighter jets and if you make one mistake you might get more than just a few bruises, so treat them well and give them the respect they deserve.

Even if you consider not going for a litre bike, 800 - 900 CCs are almost the same, in my view, the sweet spot is the 600-650 CC range, these machines are nimble and offer almost the same amount of performance.

• Dimensions Of The Motorcycle

These superbikes are big and weigh almost like a tank. The dimensions are not very rider or pillion friendly. The seat height is one issue that you should seriously give a thought about, as big bikes typically have seats that are in the range of 810+ MM and you need to be tall (5.5 feet+) to maneuver these beasts easily.

Also, let's face it someone buying these in not his 20s and with a clip-on handlebar on the lower side they are not going to be comfortable to ride for long distances as your back will get sore very quickly.

On the other hand, if you go for a cruiser or modern classics like Harley Davidson Iron 883 or Kawasaki W800 respectively there won't be such an issue.

• Maintenance Cost

These big bikes will demand some exotic drinks. High octane fuel, coolant, engine oils, and whatnot.

Parts and repairs are going to be expensive as well but they are pretty reliable, of course, what if you end up crashing them?

And then there is the gear, you will have to buy some solid gear to ensure your safety and comfort on these bad boys.

Helmets that are ECE or Snell certified (don’t fall for DOT) are the best, gloves (probably gauntlet style), riding jackets with CE-rated level 2 armors, riding boots, and the list goes on make sure to keep an eye on this space I’ll drop a detail list of gear a motorcyclist should have in an upcoming article.

• Running Cost (Insurance, Fuel, Etc)

They are gas guzzlers and will have a drinking problem, which will be compounded by the fact that you would love to rev the throttle hard every time you ride it.

Insurance on these bikes is on the higher side too which increases the running cost. Also, they will need a proper parking space (possibly a shaded one) you don’t want your baby to sit in the sun all day or at the mercy of birds.

They will also need a paddock stand as most of them came without the main stand, all these small things add up to the higher running cost.

These are some of the important pointers when buying a big bike I don’t want to scare you or discourage you but this is the truth. If you think you can do these things correctly, you will enjoy owning a big bike for sure, and lastly, drive safely and follow the rules.