What to Look for in Motorcycle Reviews

When it comes to motorcycle reviews, it's fairly easy to find them online as they are as numerous as the number of people doing the reviewing. The problem with online (and offline) reviews is that none of them really follow a basic format based on critical issues of purchasing a motorcycle. The other problem that seems to be a common omission with these critiques is that none of them talk about who the particular type of bike is suited for. Everybody's needs and wants are different, especially when it comes to performance, comfort, power needed, primary use of the bike, and so on.

What you always will find is content about size of the engine, type of engine, horsepower, fuel efficiency, etc. The reviews always have neglected saying what type of user the bike is designed for --- and I'm not referring to gender. I'm referring to age group of the individual and what they really need to be looking for. Here's a list of what should be in motorcycle reviews and rarely is:

- What type of body style is the bike designed to fit?

- A listing of all the options that come standard or are available to add for a price

- How does the particular type of motorcycle relate to the driver's abilities

- Cost and frequency of repairs (believe it or not, this isn't always in a review)

- Difficulty factors involved in finding replacement parts

One thing that is always a critical issue is if the bike overwhelms the rider or if the rider is too tall for the bike. It's a comfort factor first and foremost, but equally as important is the safety issue. If the bike overwhelms the rider, the consequences could be very hazardous to the rider's health and well-being. An overwhelming bike cannot be handled properly nor controlled properly

Every bike on the market usually has a list of options available, but that list may or may not tell the buyer what is included as standard and what adds to the cost. This is often covered on the price tag, but sometimes there are other options that can be included as standard in place of those that are listed.

Is the rider experienced enough to handle the bike they are thinking about buying, or is the bike going to eventually become boring to the rider?

You got a great deal when you purchased the bike, but what are normal maintenance and repairs going to cost you? Furthermore, what is the frequency of those repairs --- infrequent occurrences versus repairs being needed too frequently.

Finally, how difficult is it going to be for you to find replacement parts when you need to perform normal maintenance or make necessary repairs? If that bike is your only means of transportation, and you have to wait two or three weeks for parts in order to do the repairs, you're in a world of hurt. So you want to make sure that there is never problem being able to repair your bike so you don't miss any time on the road or at work or both.