Are you about to buy a motorcycle? Read this first.

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There is a precise moment when the decision becomes real. It is not when you walk into a dealership. It is not when you make the bank transfer. It is earlier - much earlier. It is that morning when you wake up and think: I want a motorcycle. And immediately afterward comes the second part of the thought, the one no one tells you how to handle: but which one?

If you are here, you probably already are. And you are probably discovering that answering this question is much more complicated than it seemed at first.

This article is for you - whether this is the first time you have seriously considered it, whether you have already spent three weekends researching on YouTube, or whether you are simply looking for someone to tell you how things really are, without technical jargon and without taking you for granted.

Why choosing a motorcycle is harder than it seems

The problem is not a lack of information. The problem is that there is too much of it, and almost none of it is designed for people who are just starting out.

Go to a motorcycling forum and ask "which motorcycle should I buy?" - you get forty different answers, each convinced they are right, many contradicting one another. Search YouTube and you find spectacular videos of motorcycles going 200 km/h on mountain roads, which tell you nothing about what happens when you have to park it on a street in central Milan on a Wednesday morning.

Dealerships - some, not all - tend to sell you what they have in stock, not necessarily what is right for you. And your motorcycling friends, with the best intentions in the world, recommend the motorcycle they like.

The result is that every year thousands of people buy a motorcycle enthusiastically and resell it disappointed within twelve months. Not because the motorcycle was a bad vehicle. Because it was the wrong one for them.

The question no one asks you first - and that changes everything

When you walk into a dealership, the first question they ask you is almost always: "What engine size are you looking for?" or "Do you have a budget?" Fair questions, of course. But they come too soon.

The question that should come first is a different one: who are you as a rider?

Not who you want to become. Not who you would like to be. Who you are now - with the experience you have now, with how you will actually use it, with the time you can dedicate to it, with the physical strength you have.

This distinction seems obvious, but it is the one almost no one makes. It is much easier to fall in love with a motorcycle we see in a video, a model a friend rides, or a category that seems to match the idea we have of ourselves. Much harder is taking a step back and asking: is it really the right one for me, right now?

Here are some of the questions you should be able to answer before you even look at a price list:

• Will you use the motorcycle mainly in the city, outside the city, or both?
• How many km do you think you'll ride on average each week?
• Do you have someone to ride with, or will you set off alone?
• Do you have a garage to keep it in, or will it stay on the street?
• How much can you spend in the first year - not just on the motorcycle, but on everything?
• How do you feel physically about the weight of an object weighing 180-220 kg?

This last one, in particular, is one of those questions that is often glossed over - especially in conversations with women who are getting into motorcycling. Weight can be managed, of course. But it is managed with practice and technique, not willpower. A motorcycle that you struggle to keep upright in a parking lot is not a motorcycle that will bring you joy - it's a motorcycle that will give you anxiety.

Seat height, weight, engine displacement: the numbers that really matter

Let's talk about numbers. Not the impressive ones - horsepower, top speed, the time from 0 to 100. Let's talk about the ones you feel every time you put the motorcycle on its stand, every time you leave a parking lot, every time you stop at a traffic light.

Seat height is probably the most important parameter for beginners - and for women in particular, given that the average height of women in Italy is about 163 cm compared with 176 cm for men. An 840 mm seat may be perfectly manageable for someone who is 178 cm tall and impossible to manage safely for someone who is 158 cm tall.

The general rule: if you're under 165 cm tall, look for motorcycles with a seat below 800 mm. Between 165 and 175 cm, seats up to 820-830 mm work well. Above 175 cm, you have much more freedom of choice.

But be careful: the seat height on the specifications sheet is only part of the story. Width matters too. A narrow seat allows your legs to reach lower - offsetting a greater nominal height. That's why a physical test is always necessary. The numbers provide an indication. Your contact with the motorcycle provides the answer.

Weight is the second variable. A 220 kg motorcycle that an 85 kg rider can manage with moderate effort may require a very different level of effort from a 57 kg rider. That's not a judgment - it's physics. The good news is that below 190-200 kg, with the right technique (learned in a riding course, not on YouTube), the vast majority of people can manage any motorcycle well.

Engine displacement, finally, is the parameter that receives a great deal of attention - often too much. A modern 400cc is a capable, fun motorcycle that is anything but boring. A 650cc is already a motorcycle that can accompany you for years. The problem is never the displacement itself: it's the power curve, the delivery, and the way that power arrives. A motorcycle that delivers power linearly and progressively is much easier to manage than one with all its power concentrated at high revs - even with the same horsepower.

Motorcycle categories: what's really behind the names

Naked. Adventure. Custom. Touring. Scrambler. Supersport. Scooter. If you're just starting out, these names may seem like a secret code. In reality, they describe lifestyles as well as riding styles — and understanding the differences helps you figure out which one truly matches what you're looking for.

Naked bikes are motorcycles without fairings, with the engine exposed and wide handlebars. They are the best-selling motorcycles in Italy because they work well in almost every setting: cities, regional roads, weekends away. The riding position is natural and not tiring. For those starting out and not yet sure what they will do with the motorcycle, they are often the most sensible choice.

Adventure bikes (or maxi enduros) were created for those who want the freedom to ride both on asphalt and on dirt. An upright riding position, long-travel suspension, and a large fuel tank. They are the fastest-growing category in Italy — and not by chance, because they embody an idea of freedom and exploration that resonates with many people. The drawback? They tend to have tall seats and substantial weight. But entry-level models exist — Royal Enfield Himalayan, Honda CB500X — designed exactly for those who want to start with this type of motorcycle without taking on the 240 kg weight of a GS.

Custom and cruiser bikes have an unmistakable style — forward-set footpegs, an open riding position, and a design rooted in American tradition. They are beautiful, have a distinctive sound, and tend to have lower seats than equivalent naked bikes. The drawback is that they are not the most agile in the city and do not shine on mountain roads.

Scooters — and maxi-scooters — are the most practical choice for those who primarily use a motorcycle to get around the city. No manual gearbox, easy to ride, storage space under the seat. It is not "less of a motorcycle" — it is a different, perfectly legitimate choice, often the smartest one for certain uses.

Electric motorcycles deserve a separate discussion. In 2025, they are a practical choice for those who primarily ride in the city, with daily journeys under 70-80 km and the ability to charge at home. The savings on energy costs are real — around 75-80% compared with gasoline. Maintenance is reduced. The riding experience is different — instant torque, silence, no gearbox. It is neither better nor worse: it is different.

The cost nobody calculates (until it's too late)

Let's say you've found the motorcycle. It costs 6,000 euros. Budget okay. You buy the motorcycle.

And then the surprises begin.

Third-party liability insurance for an 18-year-old new rider on a mid-displacement motorcycle, in class 14 (the starting class), can reach 1,000-1,500 euros per year - depending on the area. Milan and Naples have significantly higher premiums than the provinces of northeastern or central Italy.

A helmet - a real one, with ECE 22.06 approval, not the "just enough to be legal" kind - starts at 150 euros and easily rises to 400-600 for something good. A jacket with Level 2 CE protectors on the shoulders, elbows, and back: another 200-500 euros. Gloves, pants, and boots: comfortably add another 300-600 euros for a complete, good-quality set of gear.

The first service, almost always required within the first 1,000 km on new motorcycles: 80-200 euros.

Road tax: 80-120 euros per year for a motorcycle in the A2 range.

In total, the first year of owning a 6,000-euro motorcycle can easily cost 8,500-10,000 euros if you do not account for all the expenses. It is not a scam - it is simply the reality that no one puts on a single sheet before buying.

The rule we recommend: your total budget for the first year should be at least 40% higher than the purchase price. If you have 6,000 euros for the motorcycle, set aside 2,500 for everything else.

Used or new: the right question to ask yourself

For beginners, buying used almost always makes sense - provided you know what to look for before buying.

A two- or three-year-old motorcycle with 10,000-15,000 km in good condition generally costs 30-40% less than the new list price. Motorcycles suitable for new riders in particular are often found in excellent condition because people who started with a 400cc bike tend to replace it after one or two years to move on to something larger - and they used it carefully precisely because they were still learning.

The risks of buying used? They exist, but you can manage them methodically. Check the frame number against the registration document. Review the service history. Go to motorizzazione.it to verify that there are no administrative liens or mortgages registered against the license plate. Inspect the forks for oil stains on the fork tubes. Check the chain, tires, and brakes. Always take a test ride - a seller who refuses to let you test the motorcycle is hiding something.

And then there are falls - which are always a possibility with used vehicles. You can see the signs of falls: on the frame, footpegs, fairings, and grips. A motorcycle that shows no signs of use after three years and 15,000 km is probably hiding something, or it has been kept in a garage for years (which brings other problems). A motorcycle with a few superficial scratches, clearly disclosed by the seller, is often more honest.

Something no article can give you

You can read everything you want. You can watch every video. You can follow every forum. But there's one thing only you can do, and no content can replace it: get on the bike and try it.

Sit on that motorcycle at the dealership. Both feet on the ground. See whether you feel stable, whether the controls are within reach, whether the position feels natural. That feeling — the one from the first five seconds — tells you more than any technical specification.

And if you can, take a safe-riding course before or soon after you buy. Not because you're a bad rider — but because learning the basics in a controlled environment, with instructors watching and correcting you, accelerates the process of gaining confidence on the bike by months. The FMI (Italian Motorcycle Federation) organizes courses throughout Italy: look for them; they're affordable and worth every euro spent.

If you want to explore all this in depth

This article gave you a map. But a map isn't the same as a detailed guide that takes you step by step.

If you're taking this decision seriously — and the fact that you've made it all the way through this article suggests that you are — there's something we've built specifically for you.

The guide "How to choose the right motorcycle" is a 325-page PDF that covers every aspect of what you've read here — and much more. Every motorcycle category explained in depth. A comparison table of 20 models with seat height, weight, engine displacement, and price. A complete checklist for inspecting a used motorcycle. An insurance guide. A chapter on equipment from A to Z. An entire chapter dedicated to women riders — not the usual paragraph added for completeness, but serious work on real ergonomic challenges, the most suitable motorcycles, and equipment designed specifically for them. And much more.

It's not a book to read all in one sitting. It's a guide to keep open while you're looking for your motorcycle — to consult when you have a question, to take with you the day you go to look at a used bike, to reread the night before you sign.

It costs less than a tank of gas. It downloads in a second. And if it doesn't convince you, we'll refund you within 30 days, no questions asked.

→ Discover the complete guide

Ride safe — whatever motorcycle you choose.

The right motorcycle for you isn't the most powerful one. It isn't the most beautiful one. It isn't the one your friend rides. It's the one that makes you want to go out even when you don't have a specific destination, even when it's a little cold, even when you have a thousand other things to do.

When you find it, you know.

— The Endurrad.com team