When you are riding along, or even surfing the net and you come upon a sign or ad that says motorcycle for sale what should you do? Well first of all, stop! Take a breath and think about it. Do not just buy it without thought.

First of all access your skills. Are you an experienced rider? Just because you find a motorcycle for sale and you want to buy it, does not mean it is the right bike for you. If you are a novice you might consider taken a motorcycle-riding course. If you haven't ridden in awhile this may also be a good idea. Also consider your body type. If you can't put both feet flat on the ground while the bike is upright, it is too tall for you. Don't buy it. Adults don't get taller and bikes don't get smaller. If this is your first bike, do not even consider purchasing a high performance bike, you are not ready for that yet.

What kind of motorcycle riding do you intend to do? If you find a motorcycle for sale that is a touring bike, it is obviously not suitable if you want to ride motocross. People who ride touring bikes usually lead a much different lifestyle then those who ride sportsbikes and race.

Will you need to carry a passenger? If you plan on using your bike for transportation, you will probably eventually need to carry a passenger.

How much can you afford to spend when you find a motorcycle for sale? No one needs a motorcycle. It is something that people want, not a necessity. New bikes cost anywhere from $5,000 to $25,000. Financing is an option, but don't bite off more than you can chew.

If you can't afford a new bike, look for a used motorcycle for sale. Many riders think used bikes are better anyway, because their previous owners have most likely already made improvements to them. If you buy from a private seller you will be expected to pay the cost all in one lump sum. If you are lucky the seller might give you a break on taxes, but do not just assume they will.

Besides the purchase price of the motorcycle there are other costs to be taken into consideration. These include state registration fee, license plate fee, and title fee and motorcycle insurance. If you buy at a dealership, all this will be set up for you. If you buy through a private seller you will both need to go to a Notary. Yes you do have to have a motorcycle license to ride a motorcycle.

If you decide to buy a motorcycle for sale on an online auction site be sure to check the seller's rating. Make sure the offer is legitimate and you are getting what you pay for. Ask questions of the seller and check the photos carefully. Read the entire description and consider using Paypal for extra protection. Unfortunately when you buy online you cannot usually test-drive the motorcycle.

You've been wanting one for so long. When you hear the roar of the engine, your heart skips a beat. You stop and stare, fantasizing about what it would be like if YOU were sitting in the seat.

Before you go out and buy yourself a Harley, it's wise to do your homework and determine which type of motorcycle is best suited for you. To begin you want to match the type of bike to your riding style, expectations, experience, and ability. You also want to consider how you will be riding the bike.

Last, but not least, you'll want to take into consideration your physical size and abilities. A common mistake many people make is to buy a motorcycle that is too big for them. Obviously, this can result in serious injury or death. It's important to select a motorcycle that you can skillfully maneuver and manage.

Harley Davidson offers a wide range of motorcycles and can accommodate nearly everyone's needs. Let's take a look at the various types of Harley Davidson motorcycles:

Touring: If you plan on taking road trips, this is the Harley for you. However, if you are a beginner, this type of bike is probably more than you can handle. When these bikes are fully loaded, they can weigh up to 800 pounds. Harley touring bikes include Road Kings and Glides.

Cruisers: Harley Cruisers are a lighter weight motorcycle than Touring bikes; however, they are still heavy and not recommended for beginners. Cruisers are categorized as Softails and include the Harley Fat Boy, Heritage and Nostalgia models.

Softails: The term softail refers to a type of rear suspension system installed to absorb shock. Softails were designed to be reminiscent of the rigid mount design of earlier models; but provide a more comfortable ride. Harley Softails are a popular choice for daily riding. Many riders choose the Softail when they want to create their own custom design.

Softails are lighter in weight than Touring or Cruiser Harley's. Models include the Softail Custom, Springer Softail, Heritage Softail, Heritage Springer, Night Train, Deuce, and Fat Boy.

Dynas: The Dynas model has a dual shock rear suspension like the Touring bikes and a front end like the Softail and Sportster models. The engine has a rubber mounted support system to reduce engine vibration. Dynas are available with a wide-glide or narrow-glide front end. This type of bike is a good choice for street riding and appropriate for beginners.

Sportster: These are the perfect choice of Harley motorcycles for beginners. These bikes have a smaller engine and smaller frame and are the lightest bikes offered by Harley-Davidson. Sportsters are the only Harley with two engine sizes, the 883 and 1200. They are about half the cost of the big twin Harley's; making them the most affordable choice the company offers.

V-Rod: The V-Rod is newest Harley model and introduces a water cooled engine. The V-Rod motorcycle has the style of an imported sport bike, yet retains the stretched out forward controls that are uniquely Harley. This is a good daily riding motorcycle and makes a good choice for those who are experienced in riding.

Buell: Although this isn't exactly a Harley; Buell sport bikes are made and sold through Harley Davidson. Buell motorcycles are a traditional sports bike powered by an American V-Twin engine. Buell motorcycles are a great all-around bike, suitable for daily riding or shorter road trips. Several engine sizes are available, making Buell motorcycles a good choice for beginners to seasoned riders.

Buying a new motorcycle is easy, right? You just pick a model, go to the nearest dealer and pay for it. Okay maybe not, especially if this will be your first motorcycle.

Owning a Harley Davidson motorcycle is like owning a legend. A new Harley is an investment, not just a purchase. They are also expensive, so knowing what you want, what you need and what you can handle is very important before you fork over the cash.

Before you purchase a new bike, do some research. Not all Harleys are suitable for cruising. Just because a bike looks good doesn't mean it's right for you. You want to find one that runs well, is comfortable to ride, and that you can handle. If you are just starting out you may want to start with a smaller bike until your skills improve.

Touring bikes are the heaviest of the Harley machines. A new touring bike ranges from $16, 000 to over $20,000 without customization. Models include the FLHR Road King, the FLHRS Road King Custom, the FLHRC Road King Classic, the FLHX Street Glide, the FLTR Road Glide, The FLHT Electra Glide Standard, the FLHTC Electra Glide Classic, and the FLHTCU Ultra Classic Electra Glide.

Slightly smaller and faster are the VRSC models. They include the VRSCAW V-Rod, the VRSCD Night Rod, the VRSCXD Night Rod Special, the VRSCX, and the VRSCR Street Rod. These sweet rides range from $14,000-$20,000.

The next lightest models are the Softails and start at around $14,000 to just under $18,000. These models include the FXST Softail Standard (a barebones model), FXSTB Night Train, FXSTC Softail Custom, FXSTD Softail Deuce, FLSTF Fat Boy, FLSTN Softail Deluxe, FLSTSC Softail Springer Classic, and the FLSTC Heritage Softail Classic.

Next up are the Dyna models. They sell for between just over $12,000 to just under $17,000. These models include the FXD Dyna Super Glide, the FXDC Dyna Super Glide Custom, the FXDB Dyna Street Bob, the FXDL Dyna Low Rider, and the FXDWG Dyna Wide Glide.

The lightest new Harley you could buy, both in weight and price is a Sportster model. These gems are available for between $6,500 to just under $10,000 for a special 50th Anniversary limited addition model. Sportsters include the XL**# Sportster 883, the XL883L Sportster 883 Low, the XL883C Sportster 883 Custom, the XL883R Sportster 883, the XL1200N Sportster 1200 Nightster, the XL1200C Sportster 1200 Custom, the XL1200R Sportster 1200 Roadster and the XL1200l Sportster 1200 Low.

Some riders consider the Sportster the most difficult to ride despite its lightness. This is due to the high placement of the gas tank and the bikes center of gravity. Try it out first; don't just assume you will like the ride.
Whichever model you choose, you should try it before you buy it. Get on a new bike, start it up, and listen to the engine. Feel the vibrations. Take the bike for a ride. You may need to test-ride several models before you buy a new Harley. There's nothing wrong with that.