Motorcycles are an extension of our bodies. Even small things can make a very big difference, because you quite literally feel everything. Each kind of motorcycle delivers a vastly different riding experience, and the kind of riding you want to do will influence the kind of bike you buy.
As much as power figures offer us a frame of reference, they certainly aren’t the be all and end all. While it is nice to have a powerful bike, there are certain things that are just more important. For certain kinds of motorcycles it matters more than others, but is still only a relatively small part of the puzzle. Power simply isn’t everything.
To give you the most up-to-date and accurate information possible, the data used to compile this article was sourced from MotorCycles Data. Whereas, the opinions are our own.
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The Right Kind Of Chassis
The number one thing that influences a motorcycle’s behavior is the kind of chassis it has. A motorcycle chassis acts as a big spring, and how it is assembled and what material it is made from will dictate how it performs.
For motorcycles where dynamic handling is the goal, a rigid twin-spar aluminum chassis or steel trellis chassis will often be used. Some exotic brands use a steel trellis chassis with aluminum side plates, or an aluminum monocoque arrangement (pictured). For motorcycles that go off-road or need to be built on a budget, a conventional steel chassis is often used. Durability takes precedence over dynamic handling here.
Suspension Adjustability
Any level of suspension adjustability is desirable. Motorcycles that need to be built on a budget don’t usually offer much adjustment, so it becomes more difficult to get your suspension setup right.
Setting up your suspension is critical if you want to get the most out of your bike. As a general rule of thumb, if your suspension feels too soft, you will most likely need to add a little preload, and if it feels too firm, you will most likely need to reduce your preload a little. There is most certainly more to it than that, and if you are able to set your suspension up correctly, it will improve your overall riding experience.
Brake Performance
Going fast on a motorcycle is great until you realize that it doesn’t stop particularly well. Brake performance is obviously something that is safety-critical, and should never be taken for granted.
All is not equal in the world of braking, as some bikes just have better brake feel than others. There are also minor nuances that will apply to each individual rider. For instance, some riders will prefer more initial bite, and others will prefer a more progressive brake feel.
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Features
This is highly subjective because every individual rider will want a different set of features. Some motorcyclists might want more rider aids, while others will prefer a more analog motorcycle.
Modern motorcycle manufacturers do their best to cater to everyone by offering a selection of motorcycles that offer different safety and comfort features. Choosing the right bike with the right combination of features will most certainly enhance the overall riding experience more than any amount of horsepower.
Design
Like features, motorcycle design is a deeply subjective topic. Each rider will have their preference, but one thing that we all have in common is that we all tend to glance back over our shoulder and admire our bike. Some ugly bikes are very good, but it is also desperately hard to love an ugly bike.
The way a motorcycle is designed will also affect how easy or difficult it is to ride, and how comfortable it is. Comfort is another thing that can be a little subjective, but we can all agree that no matter how good a sports bike looks, its slippery design rarely translates into any level of comfort. Only the individual rider will be able to decide how to balance comfort and style.
Reliability
Yes, motorcyclists have a practical side too. Nobody wants to be stranded on the side of the road, and the bikes that do this are quickly named and shamed.
In the past, Italian manufacturers had a pretty poor reliability record, but this has changed in recent times. Most modern bikes are perfectly reliable, but there are always exceptions to the rule.
Cost Of Ownership
There is a common misconception that all motorcycles are cheap to run. But, just like cars, maintenance costs vary from one brand to another, and some bigger bikes aren’t even all that fuel-efficient.
Some bikes really are quite affordable to own, especially if you take care of your own maintenance work. Premium brands will charge more and usually require you to get your service work done at a dealership, or you run the risk of losing your warranty.
Trade Value
This might be a moot point for those who want to keep a bike for a longer period of time, but there are also those who like getting a new bike every few years. Currently, we would advise against doing this because the market is in a bit of a slump.
Dealers have an oversupply of motorcycles, and if you come back to them looking to trade your bike in, you won’t likely get much of an offer. This will vary from brand to brand, but as a rule, the premium brands tend to get hit harder by depreciation.
Aftermarket Support
Bigger brands that sell motorcycles in larger volumes will inevitably have better aftermarket support. For many of us, this is a big consideration before making a purchase.
All motorcycles need some level of personalization, but some smaller brands are only able to offer some in-house options. For some riders, this might be a dealbreaker.
Safety Gear
Riding motorcycles is inherently dangerous; that is part of the thrill. But, this certainly doesn’t mean we have a death wish. While there will always be those who don’t take safety seriously, they are very much the exception that proves the rule.
Motorcycles are getting safer every year thanks to all the new electronic safety nets, but riding is also that much safer thanks to how much better safety gear has gotten. Jackets have lightweight impact-resistant armor, pants have legitimate slide ratings, and helmets can prevent rotational injuries.