Friday, February 15, 2008

NEW / OLD CARS BUYING TIPS

NEW / OLD CARS BUYING TIPS

No car lasts forever but when they do finally break down for the last time it always seems to happen at the worst possible moment If you are used to relying on your car to get around suddenly finding yourself without one can cause major problems Its harder to get to work it takes longer and trying to do the weekly shopping without relying on the car is almost impossible .The problem is its not always as simple as popping out to buy a new one Quite apart from the paperwork side of things theres the question of money to consider How can you get a new car if you cant afford to buy one Your first thought will probably be to get a car loan to help you buy your next vehicle but if you have a bad credit rating your bank is unlikely to look favourably on lending you money Of course the amount of money you need will depend largely on what kind of car you want to buy If you are finding it hard to get the money together then you will no doubt be looking at the cheapest cars you can findBuying new and used cars,Compare new cars befor buying,Discount price cars,Brand new cars,second hand car review,Affordable used cars,Car auctions,New Automobiles,Car shopping,Secondhand car dealers,Cheap used cars for sale,How to buy used car,Reliable cars,Car dealerships,Used car search,old car reviews,latest cars,bmw cars,Nissan cars,Mitsubishi cars,Cheap classic cars,Ford second hand,Maruti,honda cars,Tata cars, Car Accessories This can be a temptation you might be better off avoiding however Buying a cheap car can leave you open to the possibility of further break downs and repairs in the near future as the car is already several years old Happily there is another solution Even car hunters with poor credit ratings can apply and be accepted for personal car finance through specialist lenders and brokers which has two main benefits over other solutions Firstly youll often find that the loan is secured on the car itself which means you wont need to put up any security to make the loan possible Secondly you will also be able to afford a much better car than you would be able to otherwise meaning it will last far longer and be much more reliable as a result One of the main problems of having a bad credit history is the task of improving it again It can be done of course but it generally takes time and it can hamper your chances of getting credit anywhere else until your rating improves This is where car finance can come in very useful because as long as you meet your monthly payments you will be improving your credit rating with every month that goes by This can have an enormous effect on your future status One of lifes joys is buying a new car The excitement of looking through those glossy brochures choosing the brand model colour plus the features is incredible Ask most men and Im sure theyll tell you its one of the things they enjoy most in the world And these days with women reported to be involved in over 80% of all new car purchases women are getting hooked fast on the pleasure of buying a new car
However if there is one thing that can detract from the enjoyment of buying a new car it is the finances of the whole deal This is not just speaking about the price of the new car although this can be considerable There is also the issue of all the hidden and not so hidden extras that you have to pay for For example before you finalise the price of the car you have to find out what features come as standard and if you want to have any additional features be they for safety power style or any other reason you have to make sure that you calculate the extra cost of them into the price of the car Then added to this is the delivery cost if there is one Plus any other hidden dealer fees for whatever reason Then you have to deal with financing charges You may be one of the lucky people who can pay outright for their car but most people will be using some style of financial product to cover the purchase price of the car Either theyll be leasing it from the dealer or theyll be relying on the dealers financing offers or maybe you will have arranged a separate loan from your bank or other lender Frequently there will be associated costs with the financing package and they should not be overlooked when calculating the cost of the car.

Add to this the cost of road tax Road tax is calculated based on the size of the engine of the car Then you will also need insurance You should make sure you shop around and get the best possible price for your car insurance You can choose between different levels of coverage depending on whether you want your own car to be covered or just third parties By the time you have added all of these extra expenses on to the purchase price of the vehicle you will be closer to knowing the true cost of the car Make sure you can afford this figure and your car buying experience will be far more enjoyable Many car buyers are missing out on discounts of almost £1 600 on their brand new car purchase as they are too keen on the car they want or are too embarrassed to haggle with car salesmen according to recent research from Sainsburys Bank To make matters worse most of the people who miss out on discounts will also not shop around for their car finance making the overall deal more profitable for the dealers and even more expensive for the car buyer The study highlighted the fact that only 53% of all people expecting to buy a car in the next year will even raise the issue of discount to the new car salesman The rest will simply accept that the list price is what they will pay The main barrier to effective negotiation for most new car buyers is that they get fixated on one particular car and are unable to hide their excitement from the salesman That gives him the upper hand as he knows how keen you are on that car Hell reckon that you are unlikely to ask for a discount and that even if you do and he refuses that you will probably still buy the car anyway The real power of negotiation lies in knowing that you can refuse to buy and walk away if the deal doesnt suit you Put your emotion aside or at least hide it from the salesman when you are looking to buy Visit the garage just after an updated version of the car you want has come out Dealers will often significantly cut the price of older versions if you ask because they want to clear their forecourt for the newer models
Buy just before the new registration plate comes out dealers will often issue generous discounts as they try to shift their stock before Do your research and be aware of the true value of the car you want For example What Car Target Price lists the average price you should pay for cars which is currently around £1 600 below the list price And finally if you are thinking of buying your vehicle using car finance it definitely pays to shop around With interest rates varying so much as the loans market tries to steady itself in the face of a credit crunch you can negotiate an even better overall saving on your vehicle purchase by getting the best possible interest rate As when negotiating your car price dont go with the first offer

Smart buyers now use the Internet to buy new cars Buying new cars online saves your precious time money and effort at once It is much faster and when you buy new cars online from an authorized car dealer you just reap a horde of benefits Really its very easier to buy Cars Vans SUVs and Wagons online But with a plethora of sites catering to online new car buying it is imperative that you choose a website that lets you buy new cars from authorized dealers New car buying services can help a great deal in the selection of a new car New car buying service includes providing the best price quotes to the customer Online car buying services offer new car auto reviews to the buyers A new car buying service makes your selection procedure easier by giving you new car prices and reviews These reviews give all the important information about various cars available in the market Once you have selected a particular model and make of a car then you can enter the zip code of your area to get the local price quotes These price quotes are taken from authorized dealers With the various price quotes available you can easily compare them and choose the best one This new car online service is not restricted to just new cars you can also select used cars The price quotes are available for used cars also One online site which provides these quotes for new as well as used cars is carwholesaleprices com The dealers associated with this web site have all kinds of luxurious and sports cars for sale You can also compare new car prices online The choice is vast for the buyer you can make the choice according to your needs and your budget Carwholesaleprices com has a network of about 7 000 dealers nationwide who can provide free price quotes for the cars without any obligation to buy them With the model make and year filled in the form you can get these price quotes Besides these quotes all the necessary information is provided regarding the features of the cars All kinds of cars are covered under this to give a vast choice Carwholesaleprices com provides all the necessary information for buying new car The web site also contains pictures of all the latest models of the cars Carwholesaleprices com not only provides new car buying services but also assists the clients in online new car buying process Most people have an idea of the kind of new car they are looking for whether it is large family car such as a 4x4 or an estate a small economical diesel car or a weekend sports car You may want a car that was just like your old one Whatever kind of car you think you have in mind make sure you do some research on it Determine what you will need from the car how many people will be driven around in it what kind of space is required and running costs Running costs is an important factor to consider when looking at new cars Once you have done some research and know what kind of new car you would like step into the online showroom and look at the models details Become familiar with the models specifications and price You can do this by reading reviews online in car magazines newspapers online anywhere you can find different reviews and information about the new car you are looking for the better Being armed with information will help you make a good choice when it comes time to take the big step with the final purchase Once you have finalized your decision about the new car that you want its important to get different quotes Shopping around is the only way to get the best deal and make sure that you are paying the least amount of money for the car you really want There are some companies and websites that are highly overpriced and paying these big price tags can be avoided by simply obtaining a few different quotes for your new car Once you have received a few different quotes for the new car find out as much as you can about the dealer The best way to do this is just by asking a few simple questions Find out what their policies and procedures are Some important questions to ask are about warranty delivery costs whether the new car will be delivered with a full tank are there opportunities for further discounts and are there any free accessories available Knowing these answers will take a lot of the risk out of buying a new car online Lastly before you purchase a new car be sure to read the entire agreement If there are parts of the agreement that confuse you ask about them and make sure that they are fully explained and that you completely understand them before signing any deal This will help protect you from unforeseen problems in the future

SECONDHAND CARS

SECONDHAND CARS

Second hand cars are now very cheaper because people are always ready to sell their old cars and get newer models.But theer are certain things you have to keep in mind while buying cars. Dont buy a car in the rain the bodywork always looks better when its wet plus the chances are you will forget to check something by rushing to get out of the rain.Stand at the front or the back of the car and look along the body line You will be able to see if it has had any body damage as the light reflecting off the side of the car will show the dents or replaced panels
Check around the window rubbers for over spray a sure fire way to see if a car as been touched up
Check the gaps between the panels to make sure they are even on both sides of the car Bonnet to wing etc This is a good indication as to whether the car has been in an accident and had panels replaced
Take a fridge magnet with you and check the bodywork for filler The magnet will stick to the metal but will fall off if it meets body filler
Have a look at the interior of the car does the wear inside the car look in keeping with the mileage If the car looks like its done 100 000 and the clock says 25 000 Then you know its been round the clock or even worse clocked Check the steering wheel and accelerator pedal rubber for excessive wear the clutch and brake pedal rubbers can be replaced but the accelerator pedal is a lot harder to change and will give a truer indication of mileage
Check underneath the car for any oil or water leaks also check the floor where the car has been standing for the same
Check the tires for uneven wear if the tires are worn more on one side than the other its an indication that the car may have been in an accident and the chassis is twisted It could also be the tracking or wheel balancing Either way its not a good sign
Drive the car with the radio off and check for any knocks or strange noises Check the steering for vibration or pulling to one side its an indication again that the car may have been in an accident and the chassis is twisted Make sure you drive the car in all gears to check the gearbox
Try a 3 point turn in the car that will check the reverse gear and if you put the steering on full lock you will be able to check the wheel bearings and steering rack your looking for clunking sounds or creaking
When the engine is now hot check the oil if it is milky there is water getting in somewhere which could indicate a head gasket very Costly The oil should be filled to between the 2 marks on the dipstick If the oil is brand new beware not many people will change the oil on a car the day before they sell it unless they are trying to hide something Also check the water reservoir for signs of oil not a good sign
Last of all check the paperwork Make sure the registration document is in the sellers name They may be a trader trying to pose as a private seller Check the MOT to make sure its current Check the service history to make sure it matches the vehicle being sold Also you may want to check the engine and chassis number to see if it matches what is on the registration document You will find that information on a small metal plate located under the bonnet If the plate is missing be suspicious
Its also a good idea to get the car HPI checked This will tell you if the car has been stolen been in an and accident or is on finance It costs around £40 but well worth it
If you follow these rules when buying a used car you wont go far wrong If you cant be bothered to go through the hassle then buy your car from a trader he or she will have already done all these checks to cover himself before he or she purchases the car I would not buy a car without doing these checks first

In the primitive age the only means of transportation and the only way of commuting from one place to another was with the aid of the domestic animals like camels horses etc After the discovery of the wheel came carts But in the present times it is impossible to conceive of the world without cars The car is the premier automobile which traverses the streets and highways and with the progress of time there have been innovated various forms of cars like the sports cars the formula one cars used in racing the smart cars possessed with artificial intelligence and it is impossible to forget the various cars devised for the superheroes from Batmans celebrated fictional Batmobile to James Bonds Aston Martin These cars had emerged as an extension of the superheros personality rather than being simple mechanical devices used for transportation Cars are available in major showrooms of the different brands but it is also possible for individuals to buy second hand cars or used cars at lower prices.While it is true that these used cars are sold by private dealers rental car companies and various other outlets used cars are simply those vehicles which have had one or more owners earlier Not only companies but even individuals can engage in selling their vehicles personally by advertising in newspapers or online In case of engaging in buying used cars it is necessary for the individual to follow certain guidelines propounded by the Federal Trade Commissions Used Car Rule to make sure that one is not duped as it is a common occurrence in these cases The guidelines are recorded in the Buyers Guide which sets down certain conditions All the terms and conditions agreed upon by the buyer of the used car and its previous owner must be officially certified in pen and paper The mechanical and electrical devices within the car must be checked and tested by an efficient unbiased mechanic to make sure that it is functioning properly The buyer of the used car must also acquire all information about the vehicle from the previous owner especially regarding the basic problems faced by him with the car It is also significant to note that whether the vehicle is sold with a warranty and if so the fraction amount the seller would pay for repair work during warranty period should be specified In the United States the used vehicle trading comprises a separate industry recording yearly sales of $370 billion and it has sold twice the amount of new cars in 2005
These days purchasing a car can be a minefield of uncertainty especially so for the majority of us who do not have detailed technical knowledge of the workings of the car industry But having a basic knowledge of how the secondhand car industry works could end up saving you thousands of pounds providing you do some careful research beforehand.

Due to the way that dealers classify the secondhand car market motorists can often save themselves thousands of pounds on a secondhand car if they shop with care Depending on such factors as age mileage and condition of the vehicle secondhand cars normally fall into one of three categories The first of these categories is nearly new cars which are those vehicles that are up to one year old have very low mileage usually sub10 000 miles and can cost thousands of pounds less than an equivalent brand new car The old adage of a car being immediately worth three thousand pounds less the moment you drive it off the forecourt may no longer be true but the principle certainly is.The next category of secondhand car involves the most commonly seen used cars on the road today and constitutes the vast bulk of the secondhand car market This category includes those cars which are one to three years old are in good condition and have reasonably low mileage on the clock making them excellent vehicles for the costconscious buyer Most dealers will have a wide selection of cars of this type and if properly checked over for faults and maintenance issues will usually constitute a safe purchase Cars that are over three years old are generally a little more tricky with a much larger variance in quality these cars may cost as little as £2300 but as always at the lowest end of any market you get what you pay for When looking for a secondhand car a good piece of advice is generally to stick to independent dealers This is because dealers with affiliations to major brands of vehicle generally receive a commission for every car they sell and as such can often be even less impartial than nonaffiliated salesmen Affiliated dealerships are also generally less willing to consider other brands or other makes of car However although generally favouring one brand of car and being more expensive initially the flip side of the coin is that affiliated dealerships or main dealers do offer brand specific after sales care and servicing hold a large stock of spare parts and offer good multiple year warranties. Another option to consider when looking around for a secondhand car is to cut out the middle man entirely and use the internet to search online Online car buying has exploded in recent years and generally provides the cheapest way of buying secondhand cars as advertising costs for both car sites and independent sellers are much cheaper than via traditional channels as well as helping to avoid the high pressure sales environment that is often associated with buying a secondhand car

To purchase a second hand car all you have to do is pick up a used car listing to see that brand new cars lose anywhere from 30 to 40 percent of their original price in as little as two years Thats a pretty steep number Heres another number 65 percent this is the amount you save if you buy a used car that is five years old instead of a brand new one
Theoretically speaking second hand cars of this age as long as they have been well cared for will perform just as well and are just as reliable as their brand new counterparts In fact they may even be better customized for daily use since it has already been broken in and properly set up
Of course you cannot discount the possibility that the used car you are looking at is not in the best of conditions Therefore when surveying used cars to purchase consult the following tips
Check the Exterior
The first thing to look at is the overall condition of the used cars body and finish Look out for paint blotches and poor body fit Also look for body filler You may want to use a simple magnet to help you pinpoint suspicious spots Finding any of these is evidence of a previous car collision
Also look out if the second hand car is newly painted You may want to inquire why this is so It may mean a major overhaul due to some extensive damage Rust is a bad sign of body damage so is dampness in the trunk
Check Suspension
Go to each corner of the car and push down on them If the car bounces more than once you may need to have shocks installed
Try nudging or pulling the wheels from beside the car If the wheels can be nudged or if they move in or out there could be serious damage to the CV joints or the bearings
If tire wear is uneven this is indicative of bad suspension If the second hand car you are checking has new tires you will have to exercise more caution and test the suspension thoroughly
Check the Insides of the Car
Make sure the upholstery odor and condition of the cars interior are acceptable and in line with the age of the car
Take It for a Spin
Have a friend observe you while you take the used car for test drive The car should be stable and should not show signs of shifting from side to side If so there could be a major problem with the frame or suspension If you can have a mechanic look at it too
The internet has changed the way everyone does business Businesses have begun to explore how the internet can facilitate better faster and more convenient operations This has resulted in businesses that offer anything online from selling clothes and shoes to ordering pizza online and even searching for available realty Believe it or not you can even search for used cars online too

Cheap Second Hand Cars

There are many car dealerships that offer cheap second hand cars These cars are vehicles replaced by their previous owners bought from seized car auctions or were repossessed
Just because you are buying a preowned vehicle does not mean you are getting a poor car Many secondhand cars are well worth the money you paid for them There are many bargains in secondhand cars Some repossessed cars were not used for long b their previous owners while old government cars are most likely wellmaintained There are also some cars from public auctions that were seized in good conditions
To be sure that you are getting only good quality second hand cars make sure you buy from reputable used car dealerships Good used car lots check and maintain used cars before they are sold to their next owners They also have some sort of warranty on their vehicles They may be more expensive than buying from auctions but they are often good buys because they have already been reconditioned by the dealer
If you do not know much about cars make sure you get advice from an expert like a mechanic to be sure you are not purchasing a lemon of a car A good mechanic will also be able to give you advice if the car is worth its price tag
You must also inspect all aspects of the car not just the exteriors The paint job should be the least of your worries The condition of the engine is far more important Find out everything you can about the car including parts that were replaced and other historical information You must also check the lining of the windshield carpeting and all other interior parts to make sure that your car wont fall apart soon after you drive out of the lot

BUYING BIKES

BUYING BIKES
If you are thinking of buying a road bike, there are many things you need to mull over. If you have already decided that buying a road bike, rather than a mountain bike, is the right choice for you, then here are some other things you need to keep in mind while evaluating your options. The most important consideration when buying a road bike is a correct fit. Choosing the right size bike means you will ride more comfortably and waste less energy when cycling. It also means you will avoid back pain and make riding easier on your body. When buying a road bike, try several angles. Look for the right size, the right bike for your fitness level and riding experience, and the right model for your age. Do your research before heading to the store, and then ask a lot of questions once you are there.
If price is not an objection, consider buying a road bike that is on the top end of your buying limit. Cheaper bikes tend to be heavier, which can put an extra burden on your body, especially if you are not in the best shape. You can get a cheap road bike for under $150 US Dollars (USD), but you need to shop around and try several on for size. Once you break the $500 USD barrier, you are bound to get a higher quality road bike, though you could easily spend up to $3,000 or $4,000 USD. Finally, keep material in mind when buying a road bike. Steel is affordable, hardwearing, and easy to repair, but it can also rust if not treated appropriately. Titanium is expensive, but you cannot find any better material for a road bike frame. Titanium gives bikes a special bouncy feeling which many cyclists swear by when it comes to comfort and easiness of riding. Carbon fiber is a new material that only recently has become popular. Carbon fiber makes a road bike extremely light, rustfree, and shockresistant. Not all road bike brands manufacture models using carbon fiber, but this is an option you should at least consider.
There are three basic categories of street motorcycles: full dress or touring bikes, cruisers and sport bikes. Though some bike designs tend to bridge the gaps between these categories, most motorcycles fall easily into one of the three groups.
Full dress motorcycles are sonamed because of their extra equipment to make long rides or touring more convenient. They have hardshell trunks on either side of the back fender, full fairings, windshields and a dashboard. They also typically come with indash audio equipment, often including GPS. The passenger seat on a touring bike has a high rounded back with armrests. These heavy bikes have advanced suspension and rubber motor mounts that smooth out the road and make long hauls a pleasure. The Road King by Harley Davidson and Honda's Gold Wing are two examples of full dress motorcycles.
Though touring bikes are beautiful, the motorcycles most closely associated with the legendary biker image are cruisers, which include customized choppers. A chopper has a "chopped" frame with the front fork extended and raked beyond the standard stock cruiser. Ridden into infamy by Dennis Hopper and Peter Fonda in 1969's Easy Rider, chopper motorcycles are designed primarily for hedonistic pleasure rather than longdistance traveling. The posture assumed on these motorcycles, with their laid back seats and forward foot controls, lends itself to kicking back and taking your time, with plenty of attitude riding out ahead. Choppers are hot once again, even enjoying the success of a television show, Orange Country Choppers, featuring new custom motorcycles built every week from the frame up.
Cruisers and choppers are synonymous with cool and virtually all Japanese manufacturers have invested in the legend started by Harley Davidson with cruisers of their own. Honda's Shadow Aero, Kawasaki's Vulcan and Suzuki's Volusia are a few examples.
Cruisers and choppers — particularly Harleys are also the motorcycles most often customized. Many owners can easily invest over US$30,000 for everything from eyeblinding chrome to custom engines and airbrush paint jobs. Harley Davidson Softails, Springers, Wide Glides, Shoveleads, Panheads and Knuckleheads are all classic cruisers.
If cruising isn't your style but racing is you'll be interested in sport bikes, also called cafe racers. These bikes have a sitting posture that puts the rider's feet beneath him or her, rather than out front. The rider leans forward over the gas tank with head and shoulders to grasp small, straight handlebars designed for quick, exacting turns. This posture is perfect for taking curves at high speeds, leaning the bike and maintaining tight control. Sports bikes are perfect for playing in the mountains, flying down lonesome, winding country roads, or even zipping around town. However, they are not designed for comfort on long, steady treks, where the frontleaning posture puts strain on the lower back. Sports bikes come in a wide range of models and prices. The Honda Interceptor and Ducati Supersport are two examples of sports bikes.
Off road motorcycles include dirt bikes designed with tall frames and high tailpipes that won't bottom out. These motorcycles have knobby tires and lack street gear or license plates. Instead they are issued yearly green stickers by the Department of Motor Vehicles, allowing owners to ride in offroad parks. They have either two stroke or four stroke engines and are illegal to ride in the street.
A hybrid dirt bike, known as an enduro, has a headlight and license plate and is street legal. Stock tires are called combination tires and look like dull knobby tires. Unfortunately, these tires don't have much traction in the street or in the dirt. Enduros are not as popular as dirt bikes or street motorcycles, but can be useful for those who live in rural areas or farmland surrounded by dirt roads.

Scooters

Scooters

It is not unusual to see many European and Asian streets filled with electric or gaspowered scooters, but Americans still seem to prefer automobiles by and large for running even the smallest errands. Scooters have several advantages over cars and motorcycles when it comes to efficiency and convenience, but getting the American public to embrace these advantages continues to be a challenge for scooter manufacturers.In a time when fuel costs are running high, one obvious advantage of scooters is fuel economy. Filling the gas tank of most scooters involves only a fraction of the expense of keeping a typical car's tank full. For those on a tight budget, the cost of keeping scooters in running order is negligible compared to automobiles. Since scooters such can be equipped with extra storage compartments and maintain city street speeds, many local errands can be run on one tank of gas or a full electrical charge.Even the most expensive scooters on the market today are noticeably less costly than motorcycles and economy cars. Insurance requirements for scooters are usually less restrictive than equivalent liability coverage for cars and motorcycles. Many people find motorcycles to be difficult to operate and not practical for daytoday activities like shopping or commuting to work. Even the most economical car may require substantial monthly payments in addition to licensing fees and mandatory insurance. Scooters, on the other hand, are much easier to operate than motorcycles and rarely incur the sort of damage or liability even the smallest automobile can experience.Another advantage scooters have over larger vehicles is parking and storage. In many large cities, finding a suitable parking place for a car may involve endless loops around crowded streets or additional fees in a parking garage. The destination may still be blocks away, leaving the driver little choice but to walk. Scooters can legally be parked in citysponsored bicycle racks or secured with chains to sturdy objects on the sidewalk. This means scooter owners can often find suitable parking almost anywhere along their planned routes. Scooters can also maintain city traffic speeds, making them less of a potential hazard than bicyclists or pedestrians.

NEW MOTOR CYCLE

NEW MOTOR CYCLE

You have made the big decision its time to buy a motorcycle You have done your research and you basically know what style and maybe even what particular model you want Now its time to head to the showroom and make a deal Before stepping foot into your local motorcycle dealer keep this in mind prices are often nonnegotiable particularly on popular models
Motorcycle dealers do not work with the same high profit markets as car dealers and are much less capable of making a better deal than whats listed on the price tag But slowselling models those usually on sale sometimes have a bit of negotiation room And of course you are always free to try and get a few accessories helmets gloves maintenance thrown in to seal the deal
The good news is that motorcycle dealerships are not nearly as stressful to deal with as their automobile counterparts The salesmen at these dealerships usually arent very pushy so it may be up to you to ask a lot of questions
Many dealerships dont allow test drives but they should at least permit you to sit on the bike you are considering and start the engine
When checking over a bike consider these important factors
Whether or not the seat is comfortable If the handlebars are comfortable If your knees rest neatly on either side of the gas tank
Next its time to check the engine Rev it up Take notice to see if it features a nice smooth feel at high RPMs or if it feels buzzy instead
Also consider the weight Does it seem like it will be easy to control Can you easily pick it up off of the ground
Now take note of this important tip dont buy any bike on your first visit Even if you have fallen in love with it Always check out bikes form a few different manufacturers before making this allimportant decision
Once you have made your final decision return to the dealership of your choice and choose from their current inventory
While price haggling usually isnt an option for bike buyers trying to get a few freebees thrown is isnt out of the question especially if you are a cash buyer Of course most dealers now offer their own financing options so if you dont have the cash upfront you can still purchase the bike of your dreams
As you can see buying a motorcycle is a bit different from buying a car but it can also be a lot easier quicker and much less of a hassle Now get out there and find yourself the bike of dreams
When shopping around for a good motorcycle keep in mind that like every other business out there the dealers are out to get your money It may seem like a harsh thing to say but their main goal is to get your cash but lets face facts No business is out to give away things for free Every dealership is going to be looking for ways to maximize their profits at the expense of you the buyer
To avoid getting your wallet unnecessarily drained keep in mind that when shopping for a good motorcycle you shouldnt simply look at the flatout front end price of the bike Since many dealers will have their front end prices vary some will seek to make a profit by offering a seemingly rock bottom front end price but will have other additional fees and charges that will make them a kickback
These additonal charges have to be factored into the overall price when you compare motorcycle dealer offers so that you can pick one that will offer the least strain on your budget These additional areas to look for are the following
Installment Payment while the ability to pay for the price of your bike with monthly installments seems to take a huge burden off as opposed to making a much larger 1time cash payment or credit charge look at the terms of payment involved in the installment package Usually the overall amount of money youll be spending will be subtly higher
Motorcycle Loans loan programs may seem useful too but dealerships which offer partnerships with a bank and give you a bank loan option for financing your new motorcycle will usually tack on an added amount into the interest charges of the loan The banks in these cases often give the dealers a kickback from the additional interest
Warranties extended warranties beyond the basic necessities will usually involve extra cash Check the terms of the warranties including overall price and the duration of the warranty as well as its coverage to make sure you get the best possible comprehensive warranty
Freight Shipping and Handling Charges while seemingly innocuous quite a few dealers actually subtly hide their additional kickbacks in additional freight charges for delivering your motorcycle Find out beforehand how much damage financially speaking youll be taking from the dealer for freight

HELMET

HELMET

A helmet is probably the most important piece of safety equipment that youll buy when riding a motorcycle There is a wide range of helmets available today both in terms of style and perhaps more importantly cost What style helmet you decide to buy and how much money you decide to spend is very much a personal choice however depending on how much you value your head you should aim to spend as much as you can comfortably afford As with everything these days you get what you pay for
Rule number one when buying a motorcycle helmet is never buy a second hand helmet There a few very good reasons for this Most importantly you can never be one hundred percent certain of its history It may look clean shiny and new but serious structural damage is often not visible to the eye As you wear your properly fitting helmet it gradually moulds to the shape of your head to ensure a perfect fit for you A second hand helmet will have moulded to somebody elses head
If you are tempted to buy your helmet from an auction site make sure the helmet is brand new and has never been used When you come to replace your helmet dont sell your old one on for the same reasons
If you are thinking about buying a helmet time spend on a bit of research is definitely time well spent You need to make sure you are getting the best helmet for your budget and also ensure you get the right type of helmet for your needs There are a number of different types of helmet available today the main ones being
Open Face these are most popular with scooter riders these days They offer much less protection than other types of helmets however many manufacturers are producing some very fashionable designs The designer helmet market is growing rapidly as more and more people in towns and cities are swapping for cars for more economical and environmentally friends forms of transport Open face helmets are also popular with riders of cruiser style bikes Harleys etc and with classic bike riders There are many retro styled helmets around today to compliment classic bikes Most open faced helmets do not provide any eye protection some do come with a handy flip down visor so you should consider buying a decent pair of motorcycle sunglasses to protect your eyes from the elements
Full Face This type of helmet offers the most protection of all the other types As the name suggests these helmets provide protection for your face not just your head Popular with all types of motorcyclists there are all kinds of colours and paint jobs to suit all tastes Current favourites are the moto gp replica helmets from the likes of shoei aria and agv
Flip Front These helmets are great for touring Effectively two helmets in one they offer the flexibility of being able to wear them as an open face helmet or full face Used widely by motorcycle instructors and police motorcyclists Shoei and Caberg currently have a good range of flip front helmets
Off Road Originally designed to motorcross and enduro riders more and more of these helmets are coming on to the market with the rising popularity of super moto bikes Most off road helmets provide no eye protection to you should look for a decent pair of off road goggles to go with your helmet
Another important factor to consider is safety rating and approval All helmets sold today must have safety approval
Other things to look out for to get the most out of your riding
Noise make sure the helmet provides good sound proofing Wind noise can increase tiredness and make it more difficult to concentrate on the road It could also leave you with permanent hearing damage Whatever helmet you buy the use of earplugs is always recommended to reduce potential damage to your hearing
Removable lining
Ventilation look out for big fins and bits poking out While they look cool and futuristic they often disrupt the airflow around the helmet increasing wind noise inside
If you have a motorbike or are considering buying one then a motorcycle helmet is an absolute necessity Indeed in many parts of the world it is a legal obligation to buy one
Walking into a motorcycle accessories stockist you may be confused by the range of helmets on offer Fortunately things arent quite so daunting as they first seem
Lets take a closer look at the four main different types of motorbike helmets that are available
The first is the full face helmet which is ideal for those who want to feel better protected These helmets provide full cover for your face including a hinged visor
As a result a full face helmet is perfect for providing protection from the elements It also offers greater protection that some other alternatives in case of an accident
An open face motorbike helmet by contrast offers a lower degree of protection Youll find that it doesnt have any protection for your chin
Its generally worn with goggles or a visor depending on the preference of the rider Given that it leaves the rider feeling more exposed it tends to be preferred by those looking for more freedom in their riding experience
A compromise between protection and exposure is provided by flip up helmets These will also allow you to talk to other people more easily while still wearing your helmet
Finally youll find that there are a range of off road helmets These are aimed at those wishing to take place in motocross and other such sports
If you have ever tried to ride in such an event then youll know the importance of keeping all of that mud and grit away from your face