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Fit for purpose The first thing to do before buying a bike is to know exactly what it'll be used for. It's probably not a good idea to go for a car-sized 2000cc Kawasaki Vulcan if all you need is a little 50cc scooter to nip through city traffic on your daily commute. Likewise, that same 50cc run-around is not the bike to choose if you’re training for next year’s Paris-Dakar rally. Once you know what the bike will be used for, you can narrow the options down, and choosing becomes much easier. Know the different types of bike There are a lot of different bikes available, from small 50cc scooters, to sporty racers and off-road dirt bikes. For more help, take a look at our guide to the different types of bike. Know your limits If you fancy yourself as the next Valentino Rossi and you’re dead set on a sports bike, be aware that motorbike insurance premiums will often be far higher for these types of bike. Insurance companies will often not offer cover to a novice rider for powerful bikes, until you have a track record of proven experience on smaller, less-powerful bikes first. The reason for this is that in the past, inexperienced riders opted for powerful bikes that were beyond their ability to control, and ended up in serious accidents. Basically, know your limits and buy a bike that you’re capable of operating safely. Set a budget Motorbikes can cost anything, from a few hundred to tens of thousands of pounds. If you’re on a budget, a smaller, less-powerful bike will usually be cheaper to run, cost less to tax, and will often have lower bike insurance premiums. Fixing a budget will also help protect your bank balance when looking around a showroom. It’s easy for an experienced salesman to upsell expensive models to amateur bikers.