A Guide to Buying Your Second Motorcycle

Getting your second motorcycle is a different experience than buying your first. After all, the first time around you are looking for a beginner model and haven’t quite figured out what your motorcycle lifestyle will look like since you haven't lived it yet!

Round two is another story. You've gained some skills and you've developed your lifestyle. All of those "beginner buying tips" don't apply to you. Instead, you need tailored advice for your new situation. We've created the following buyer's guide to assist you in finding that dream second motorcycle. When you are ready to explore motorcycles for sale, head over to Chicago Harley-Davidson Wrigleyville. We are located in Chicago Illinois, right across the street from the famous Wrigley Field.

1. Use Your New Understanding

First time motorcycle buyers often end up with a less-than-ideal fit. They've never owned a bike before, so they can struggle knowing what to prioritize. It's not uncommon for new buyers to pay extra for features they don't use or to pass on features they wish they had. For example, maybe a new buyer ambitiously thought they'd commute to work each day and go on several road trips, so they paid extra for a motorcycle with extra storage and rider comfort. But they never ended up on long-distance rides and never take advantage of those features.

When you are buying your second motorcycle, you can have a better chance of getting a well-fitting model. This time around, you know more about your riding style. Make a list of the features that you do need and think about what you need from your next motorcycle.

2. Reflect On Your Experience Level

Beginner riders will shop for different models than more advanced riders. You've built up your riding skills, so you can look at models with higher power potential.

You can also seek out heavier models. New riders can struggle to control the extra weight, but more experienced riders will benefit from the increased stability (especially on more difficult routes).

3. Decide Whether to Supplement or Replace

Buying a second motorcycle involves one of two approaches. One option is to supplement your current bike. This approach usually involves getting a specialized second model to supplement your more general-purpose first bike. Here you are trying to avoid overlap as much as possible. 

For example, maybe your first motorcycle is a touring bike that you use to commute to work each day. Your second motorcycle could be a performance-driven one, designed to use for thrilling highway riding or to try your hand at a competition. Think about what your current motorcycle lifestyle is lacking and how a second bike can fix that. You can even get a vintage model for your second motorcycle that isn't for riding, but is for showing off at motorcycle shows.

The other option is to replace your current motorcycle. Odds are, you've grown in your riding ability since you first purchased your beginner bike. Now you can upgrade to a model that better suits your experience level. Here the focus is getting a good general-purpose model. Since this will be your only motorcycle, you'll want it to be versatile enough to suit all of your riding needs.

Ready to shop for Harley-Davidson motorcycles for sale? Head over to Chicago Harley-Davidson Wrigleyville and our expert staff can assist you. As your Chicago motorcycle dealer, we can help you find the perfect second motorcycle. Tell us your budget and preferences and we can recommend compatible models.