You and your motorcycle

Choosing your motorcycle

What to consider when choosing a motorcycle

Some of the most important factors to consider when choosing a motorcycle are:

• the size of engine that is best for you ' and bear in mind that when you're on a learner or restricted licence the motorcycle cannot be more than 250 cc
• where you want to ride your motorcycle
• the differences between various types of motorcycles, the advantages of each and your intended use
• your riding ability and experience
• how much you intend to pay (remember to allow for the cost of protective clothing).

The size of the motorcycle

For motorcycles, 'size' refers mainly to the engine's piston capacity (cc), rather than its height and weight.

The greater the piston capacity, the larger the engine. A 200 cc motorcycle has a larger engine than a 100 cc machine.

Motorcycles generally fall into one of three categories:

• light ' from 50 cc to 250 cc
• medium ' from 251 cc to 650 cc
• heavy ' 651 cc and over.

Selecting a motorcycle that's appropriate to your size, strength and experience

Asking yourself the following questions will help you decide whether a motorcycle is suitable for you.