You’ve just gotten bitten by the two-wheeled bug and are ready to leap into the world of motorcycle ownership. But before making a blind leap of faith, here is a few helpful tips that will help in the decision making process when you do decide to spring for a bike.

1. What is my experience level? Be truthful to yourself. If you are brand-new to the sport, the best thing to do is to take a class, like the Motorcycle Safety Course offered by the Saskatchewan Motorcycle Council. Do this before you buy a motorcycle to make sure that riding a bike is for you. Spending money on the class is much cheaper than throwing down cash outright for a motorcycle, then discovering motorcycling is not for you. If you’re returning to biking after taking a long break, take a refresher course or borrow a friend’s bike for some parking lot stop-and-goes.

2. Decide what motorcycle is best for the style of riding you want to do. If you’re a newbie, don’t go out and buy a superbike just because Valentino Rossi is your idol. Will you be commuting to work or do you want something that is street legal and still capable of doing some light trails? Are track days the ultimate goal or are a few short trips around town what you have in mind? Will you be riding solo or are long road trips with a passenger the way you plan on rolling? Be sure to add your riding ability into the equation.

3. Do your research. You wouldn’t run out and buy the first car you saw, would you? So why should buying a motorcycle be any different? Invest some time in researching the model of motorcycle you want online. Manufacturers list features, specifications, and MSRP on their websites, and there are free motorcycle websites that feature first ride and review articles on almost every style of bike, so do your research first.

4. Figure out how much you want to spend. Just like cars, some motorcycles have higher resale values than others. Different styles of bikes ring in at different price levels as well. A Kawasaki Ninja 250R is a great starter bike that lists new for only $4,999, while a top of the line Victory Vision has a MSRP of $26,424. And don’t be afraid to haggle the price.

5. If at all possible, test ride your motorcycle. Many dealerships offer demo rides. Motorcycle rallies are a great place to test new bikes as well. First off, you’re going to want to see how tall the seat is and whether you can place both feet comfortably on the ground when stopped. Make sure the seat is comfortable as well. Roll on the throttle and run through the gears, then find a clear area and get on the brakes a few times. Take it to a parking lot and see how it handles at low speeds, then find a freeway and open it up. Make sure to find some twisty roads to find out whether you’re comfortable with its handling. Try it before you buy it!

6. Legalize it as soon as possible. Take it to a Saskatchewan license issuer and get it registered in your name. If you buy direct from the dealer, they will run you through the process. If you buy a used motorcycle, make sure the seller provides you with a copy of the title and registration that is in their name.

7. Buy the proper motorcycle riding gear. Not only does the proper gear look cool, but it can save your hide and possibly your life in case of a crash. Get a helmet that meets Snell/DOT standards, buy a durable motorcycle jacket, gloves, some reinforced riding pants and boots. If you ride long enough, you’re going to get rained on, so spring for rain gear while you’re at it.

Buying your first motorcycle should be fun. Just be realistic and don’t bite off more than you can chew. You can always get the bike of your dreams after you’ve developed your riding skills.