So, you've decided you want a motorcycle. You've probably spent hours looking at bikes online, saved 47 listings, and changed your mind at least six times.

Welcome to the club!

But choosing your first bike can be a bit overwhelming. Everyone has an opinion. Buy something small. Buy something bigger so you don't get bored. Buy the bike you love. Don't buy the bike you love because you'll drop it.

Helpful, right?

I recently asked experienced riders what they wish they'd known before buying their first motorcycle. The responses covered everything from insurance and maintenance to confidence, comfort and the age-old debate about engine size.

Here's what stood out:

1. Buy the bike that fits YOU

Not your mate. Not the bloke in the comments who reckons anything under 600cc is a glorified scooter. And definitely not the person who thinks you should buy a particular bike because it's what they ride.

You are the one who has to ride it.

Can you comfortably manage its weight? Can you reach the controls? Does it feel manageable when you're stopping, turning slowly or moving it around a car park?

For shorter riders especially, seat height is only part of the equation. The width of the seat, where the weight sits and how the bike feels when you're holding it upright all matter.

If possible, visit a dealership and sit on as many bikes as you can. Get a feel for the differences.

And remember, being able to flat-foot a bike with both feet isn't an absolute requirement for every rider. But if you're learning and feeling nervous about stopping, finding a bike that gives you confidence at a standstill can make a real difference.

The bike that looks amazing in photos might feel completely wrong when you sit on it. Find out before you buy.

2. Should you buy a small bike or something bigger?

Ah, this one sparked some strong opinions.

Some riders swear by starting small and light. Others learned on 650cc bikes and got along just fine. Some reckon you should buy something you'll want to keep for years.

So who's right?

It depends on the rider and the bike.

A lighter, manageable motorcycle can make low-speed manoeuvres, parking and learning new skills less intimidating. You have less weight to manage when things get awkward, and you're less likely to feel overwhelmed by a bike that's demanding more from you than you're ready for.

But engine capacity alone doesn't tell you whether a bike is suitable. Power delivery, throttle response, weight, ergonomics and your experience all matter.

A well-behaved 650cc bike might suit one learner better than a powerful, aggressive smaller-capacity bike.

And you don't have to buy the biggest learner-approved motorcycle just because you can.

In Australia, make sure any bike you choose complies with the learner-approved motorcycle scheme (LAMS) requirements that apply to your licence and state or territory.

My favourite piece of advice from the comments was essentially this:

Ability first, horsepower later.

You have plenty of time to move up to something bigger. There's no prize for making your first bike harder to manage.

And if you absolutely love a particular bike? Great. Just make sure it's suitable for your current experience, not only your future riding ambitions.

3. Try before you commit

If you can arrange a legal, safe test ride, take the opportunity.

You might have your heart set on a particular model for months, only to discover it's uncomfortable, feels heavier than expected or doesn't handle the way you imagined.

The sound, the seating position, the throttle response and the way the bike feels through corners can all change your opinion.

Can't test ride it? Sitting on it is still useful. Ask about a demonstration ride, dealership options or other legitimate ways to experience the model before purchasing. Sometimes, good Youtube reviews are also helpful to learn more about the bike model you're after.

And don't rush because you're worried someone else will buy it first.

There will be other motorcycles.

4. Check the running costs BEFORE you commit

This one is easy to overlook when you're busy calculating whether you can afford the bike itself.

But the purchase price is only the beginning.

One rider shared how different the maintenance costs were between their Yamaha and Ducati. Their Yamaha had gone almost 27,000 miles without needing the same level of work, while the Ducati required expensive servicing at much more regular intervals.

That's their experience, not a rule about every Yamaha or Ducati. The point is that maintenance requirements and costs can vary dramatically between models.

Before buying, research:

  • Insurance: Get an actual quote for the specific bike, based on your details. Don't assume it'll be cheap because the bike is small.
  • Scheduled servicing: Check the manufacturer's service intervals and ask what each service is likely to cost.
  • Tyres: Find out the approximate replacement cost and how frequently they're likely to need replacing dpeending on your riding.
  • Parts and repairs: Are parts readily available? Are there specialist servicing costs?
  • Registration and other costs: Budget for registration, protective gear, fuel and any training you plan to do.

Also consider how you plan to use the bike. A motorcycle you commute on every day might have very different running costs from one you take out occasionally on weekends.

A cheap bike can become an expensive hobby surprisingly quickly.

5. Don't spend your entire budget on the motorcycle

You need gear too!

At a minimum, budget for a properly fitting helmet, gloves, protective jacket, riding pants and suitable motorcycle boots or footwear.

Look for gear with appropriate motorcycle-specific protection, and make sure it fits properly. A bargain helmet that doesn't fit your head is not a bargain.

It's also worth leaving money aside for an initial inspection, servicing or any unexpected repairs.

And please don't spend every last dollar on the bike and then convince yourself your old sneakers will do.

Your budget needs to cover the whole experience of owning a motorcycle, not just getting the keys.

6. Buy something reliable and forgiving

One comment really stood out: don't buy a hobby machine when what you need is a bike that starts, runs reliably and lets you learn.

There's something to be said for keeping your first motorcycle simple.

You want something that behaves predictably, is in good mechanical condition and doesn't introduce unnecessary complications while you're still learning the basics.

If you're buying second-hand, check its service history, look for signs of damage or poor repairs, and arrange an independent mechanical inspection if you aren't confident assessing it yourself.

Also, check the bike's registration and available history through the appropriate Australian state or territory services.

A shiny bike isn't necessarily a good bike. And a seller telling you it's been “well looked after” isn't a substitute for checking.

7. Learn a little basic maintenance

You don't have to become a mechanic, but knowing a few basics can save you money and help you spot small problems before they become bigger ones.

Get comfortable checking your tyre pressures, inspecting your tyres, checking chain slack if your bike has a chain, and understanding the maintenance schedule.

Read your owner's manual. Yes, the thing most of us would rather throw in a drawer and forget exists.

Learn what normal looks and feels like for your bike, and get anything unusual (feel/ noise/ etc) checked.

Maintenance isn't just about saving money. It's part of being a responsible rider and is also a big part of safe riding.

8. You might drop it, that's okay.

Several riders mentioned this, and it's worth talking about.

You might drop your bike while learning to manoeuvre it, parking on an awkward slope or misjudging a stop. It happens to everyone.

That doesn't mean you're a bad rider, and it certainly doesn't mean you should give up.

It does mean you should think about the financial and emotional cost of damage when choosing your first bike.

If you buy an expensive motorcycle that you're terrified to scratch, you might find yourself worrying more about the paintwork than enjoying the ride.

You can also look into suitable crash protection, such as frame sliders or engine guards, where available and appropriate for the model.

The aim isn't to expect failure. It's to give yourself room to learn without feeling like every little mistake is a financial disaster.

9. Don't let your ego choose your bike

This might be one of the most important lessons in the entire discussion.

You don't need to keep up with experienced riders. You don't need the biggest engine in your learner group and you don't need to pretend you're comfortable with something when you're not.

Ride at your own pace!

If you ride with a group, choose people who respect your experience level and won't pressure you to ride beyond your confidence.

Build your skills gradually. Get training when you need it. Practise the fundamentals.

A motorcycle isn't impressive because it's powerful. It's impressive when you can ride it smoothly, safely and confidently.

And there's absolutely nothing wrong with enjoying a smaller bike for years if it does everything you need.

10. Think about your future — but don't overthink your first bike

Here's where the comments disagreed.

Some riders said to buy a bike you can grow into. Others warned against buying something too big or expensive because you think you'll get bored.

Both have a point.

Think about the type of riding you eventually want to do. Are you planning to commute, explore country roads, tour, ride trails or spend time on a track?

That can help narrow down the style of motorcycle that makes sense.

But don't get so caught up in your future riding plans that you buy something unsuitable for your experience right now.

Be careful with long finance contracts, too. If you think you'll upgrade when your licence restrictions change, consider whether you'll still want the same bike — and whether you'll be happy paying for it if your plans change.

Your first bike doesn't have to be your forever bike.

It's allowed to be the bike that helps you learn what you actually enjoy.

And if you do keep it for years? Even better.

So, what should you buy?

There's no single answer. And anyone who tells you there's only one correct first motorcycle probably has a favourite bike they'd like you to buy.

Instead, start with these questions:

  • Does it suit my current licence and experience?
  • Can I manage its weight and ergonomics comfortably?
  • Is the power delivery appropriate for me?
  • Is it mechanically sound and reliable?
  • Can I afford the insurance, servicing, tyres and gear?
  • Does it suit the kind of riding I want to do?
  • Do I actually enjoy riding it?

If you can answer those questions honestly, you'll be in a much better position to make a decision.

And don't agonise over it forever. Your first bike is a beginning, not a lifelong commitment.

You will learn more about what you like as you ride.

Your turn

A massive thanks to everyone who shared their experience and advice. The best part of asking experienced riders is discovering all the little things you don't necessarily think about when you're buying your first bike.

Now I'd love to hear from the newer riders, too.

What's the one thing you're still unsure about when buying your first motorcycle?

Is it choosing the right size? Finding a bike that fits? Knowing what to check when buying second-hand? Or figuring out what you can actually afford to own?

Drop your questions in the comments. There's no such thing as a silly question when you're learning.

And if you've been riding for years, share the advice you wish someone had given you.

Let's make the whole process a little less overwhelming for the next rider.

— Luce, MotoMuse