There’s not much that beats the freedom of two wheels: the open road, cheaper running than a car, and a grin you can’t wipe off after a good ride. But a motorbike is also an unforgiving machine, and buying a motorbike in a hurry, or picking the wrong one for your skill level, can turn that freedom into a fright or worse.
The good news is that most of the pitfalls are easy to sidestep once you know what to look for. This guide walks through the eight things that matter most when buying a motorbike, from the licence rules that decide what you can legally ride to the checks that separate a good used bike from a lemon. Work through them in order and buying a motorbike becomes a whole lot less daunting.
1. Start with how you’ll actually ride it
Before you look at a single bike, take a step back. The best decisions when buying a motorbike start with being honest about how you’ll really use it. Commuting through traffic calls for something very different from weekend touring, carving up back roads, hitting the dirt, or learning the ropes as a new rider. Think about your daily reality, how far you’ll travel, and whether comfort, agility or outright fun matters most.
This is the most useful thing you can do when buying a motorbike, because it turns a huge market into a shortlist. Sort your real use first and every other decision below gets easier.
2. Know what your licence allows
If you read one section closely, make it this one, because it decides what you can legally buy. In Australia, learner and restricted riders are limited to bikes approved under the Learner Approved Motorcycle Scheme, or LAMS. When buying a motorbike on your Ls or Ps, this is non-negotiable.
To be LAMS-approved, a bike generally must have an engine capacity of no more than 660cc and a power-to-weight ratio not exceeding 150 kilowatts per tonne, and it must be on the official approved list. Here’s the trap: capacity alone doesn’t decide it. A small, high-powered bike can exceed the power-to-weight limit and miss out, while some larger-capacity bikes are approved because they’re detuned. Never assume from the engine size. Check your state’s LAMS-approved list before you buy, because riding a non-approved bike on a learner or restricted licence is illegal and can void your insurance. Get this wrong and the consequences go beyond a fine, because an unlicensed rider on the wrong bike is uninsured if the worst happens, so it’s the first thing to nail down when buying a motorbike. The scheme is run by state road authorities, so confirm the details for where you live.
3. Choose the right type of bike
When buying a motorbike, the style you choose shapes everything from comfort to running costs. Motorbikes come in distinct styles, and each is built for a job:
- Naked bikes and roadsters are versatile, upright all-rounders that suit commuting and general riding.
- Sportsbikes are fast and focused, brilliant on a good road but less comfortable day to day.
- Cruisers offer a relaxed, feet-forward ride and easygoing torque.
- Adventure and touring bikes are built for distance and, in some cases, dirt.
- Dual-sport and dirt bikes are made for off-road and trail riding.
There’s no best type, only the best one for how you’ll ride, which is exactly why step one matters so much when buying a motorbike.
4. Get the size and power right for your experience
Here’s where plenty of new riders come unstuck: they buy too much bike. A powerful machine you’re nervous to ride is slower, less safe and less fun than a manageable one you can throw around with confidence. Ego is expensive on a motorbike.
Most experienced riders will tell you to start smaller and upgrade once your skills catch up. Plenty keep a first bike for a year or two, build real skill, then step up to something bigger with their confidence intact. A lighter, friendlier bike builds confidence and forgives mistakes, and you’ll enjoy the eventual step up far more. When buying a motorbike, especially a first one, look for genuine ability rather than bragging rights, and treat anti-lock brakes as a feature worth having, because they can save you in an emergency stop.
5. New or used
New or used is one of the bigger forks when buying a motorbike. A new bike brings warranty, the latest safety tech and no hidden history, but wears the steepest depreciation early on. A good used bike lets someone else absorb that first hit, so your money goes further, and for a first bike that will inevitably cop a few clumsy low-speed drops, many riders sensibly start used. Buying used privately can save the most, but the homework is all on you, which brings us to the inspection.
6. Inspect before you buy
Never buy a used bike on looks alone. When buying a motorbike secondhand, work through these checks, and take a knowledgeable mate if you’re not confident:
- Service history. A full logbook and receipts are gold. Gaps are a warning.
- Chain, sprockets and tyres. These wear out and are pricey to replace, so check for worn teeth, a stretched chain, and tyres with low tread or age cracking.
- Brakes and fork seals. Look for worn pads, scored discs and oil weeping from the fork seals.
- Signs of a crash. Scuffed bar ends and levers, mismatched paint, bent pedals and cracked fairings can hint at a spill.
- A cold start. Insist the bike is cold when you arrive, since a warm engine can hide hard starting, then listen for a clean, even idle.
Take a test ride if you’re licensed and insured to do so, and before you pay, run a search on the Personal Property Securities Register. A PPSR check tells you whether there’s money still owing on the bike, or whether it’s been written off or reported stolen, because those problems can follow the bike and it could be repossessed even after you’ve paid. It costs only a couple of dollars.
7. Gear up: all the gear, all the time
On a bike, your gear is the only thing between you and the road, so budget for it as part of the purchase, not an afterthought. Riders live by a simple rule: all the gear, all the time.
Start with an approved helmet that meets the Australian Standard, which is a legal requirement, then add a proper jacket, gloves, boots and pants, ideally with abrasion resistance and armour. Make sure it fits properly too, because gear that’s loose or uncomfortable is gear you’ll be tempted to leave at home. Good gear is the difference between a slide you walk away from and a very bad day. When buying a motorbike, set aside a real chunk of your budget for quality gear, because it’s the best money you’ll spend.
8. Budget for the whole cost of ownership
The purchase price is only the start. Before buying a motorbike, budget for the full picture, because the running costs add up:
- Registration and compulsory third party insurance, plus comprehensive cover if you want it.
- Protective gear, from the helmet down.
- Consumables, as chains, sprockets and tyres wear faster on a bike than many expect.
- Servicing and a rider training course, which is worth every cent for a newer rider.
The government’s Moneysmart has free budgeting tools worth using to map the true cost. A bike you can afford to buy but not to insure, gear up for and maintain isn’t one you can really afford.
Where finance fits in
Once you’ve found the right bike, the last piece of buying a motorbike is paying for it, and the same rule applies as with the bike itself: compare properly rather than grabbing the first offer. You can get a feel for repayments with our repayment calculator, which uses the same maths a bike loan does.
As an accredited finance broker, we compare motorbike finance options across our lender panel to find one that suits your budget, and our service is free for you because we’re paid by the lender. It’s worth reading our warning about borrowing before you commit to any loan. Sort the bike first, then the finance.
Final Thoughts
Buying a motorbike well comes down to honesty and homework. Be honest about your experience and how you’ll ride, make sure the bike suits your licence, resist the urge to overbike yourself, inspect any used bike properly, and gear up like your skin depends on it, because it does. Get those right and you’ll be enjoying the ride instead of nursing regrets. If a caravan or boat is also on your wish list, our guide to buying a caravan takes the same honest approach. Take your time, ask plenty of questions, and don’t let the excitement rush you past the checks that matter.
Disclaimer
The information in this article is general in nature and does not take into account your objectives, financial situation or needs. It is intended as general guidance for prospective motorbike buyers and is not personal, financial or safety advice. Always confirm licensing, registration and safety requirements, including the LAMS-approved list, with your state road authority, and seek independent advice where appropriate. Get A Loan Finance Pty Ltd is not a lender. We are an accredited finance broker, and all finance is subject to lender approval.
