How to Test Ride a New Motorcycle

Buying a new motorcycle is a long, multi-phase activity. You’ll spend lots of time online, reading articles and reviews. You’ll talk to your friends about what they love and don’t love about their bikes. You’ll look at the manufacturer’s websites and compare specs, features, and prices. Ultimately, it will all come down to the test drive. Here are some tips on taking a motorcycle test ride to evaluate a bike.

Riding Posture

Comfort is crucial and it matters when you’re riding a bike. Before you even turn it on, throw your leg over and see how it feels. Seat height is a critical factor — do you feel secure when you’re at rest, straddling the bike? Check out where the footpegs are, along with all the controls. Some of these can be changed with aftermarket products, but it’s critical to feel that your seat, hands, and feet are all placed comfortably, so you can ride for hours without feeling uncomfortable. If you’ll be riding two-up, make sure that the bike is set up for your passenger’s comfort, too.

Suspension

You need a different set of expectations for different types of bikes, of course. A touring bike should have a comfortable, plush ride while an offroad bike will be a lot firmer. Suspension can generally be adjusted, but make sure that this bike can provide the suspension you’re looking for.

Handling

When you take the new motorcycle on the road, how does it handle the conditions? Pay close attention to how this bike feels as it enters a turn, leans, and comes out. Start slow, do lots of controlled turns, and focus on all aspects of the bike’s handling. If you’re riding a different type of bike than you’re used to, it pays to spend some time getting a feel for the bike.

How do the brakes feel? Some brakes are naturally more aggressive than others, but make sure the brakes inspire your complete confidence once you’ve gotten the hang of them.

Engine and Power

More isn’t always better in terms of power. What’s important is that the power is appropriate according to the bike and your riding style. You also want a broad spread of power, so the engine’s power feels fairly consistent at high, medium, and low revs. When you twist the throttle, you’ll want a smooth, even delivery of power without any jolts, stutters, or delays. Together, the power and weight of a bike have to match your riding skills and the type of terrain you ride on most.

We hope these tips on taking motorcycle test rides are helpful. Let us give you a complete tour of our selection of new motorcycles for sale here at Indian Motorcycle® of Orange County. Visit our dealership in Westminster, CA, today. We welcome all our patrons visiting us from Los Angeles and Orange County.