Now that you’ve narrowed your choices down to models in one or two different
styles, it’s time to begin thinking about your trip to the motorcycle dealer.
Before you visit any showrooms, you should have a good idea of how much money
you’re looking to spend. Don’t forget to include the cost of accessories, as
you’ll certainly need them, and the cost adds up quickly. A good rule of thumb,
as far as accessories are concerned, is to plan on spending about $500 to $1000
on quality equipment. They’re expensive, but worth every penny. We’ll talk more
later on about what accessories you’ll need.
You can find a listing of local motorcycle dealers in the yellow pages of
your phone book. Plan on visiting at least two or three different dealers
before even thinking about making a purchase, this will ensure that you don’t
let your emotions leave you with a bike that’s not right for you, or with a
bigger hole in your wallet than you originally intended.
Another helpful step to take before visiting any dealers is to take a trip
to your local bank. Most motorcycle dealers will be able to offer you financing
for your purchase, but you’ll often find a better deal by going through your
bank or credit union. If you don’t plan on paying the entire price of the bike
immediately upon its purchase, you may want to get pre-approved for a loan in
the amount that you plan to spend.