Questions to ask people who are buying a motorcycle

[ro-monster]

All the following assume the person in question is a beginner.

I tell people not to buy a cruiser unless they specifically like that type of bike for aesthetic reasons. You can't use your legs as shock absorbers when they're stuck out in front of you, nor can you effectively shift your weight around on the bike, and the cornering clearance is miniscule. I especially stress this to short people, because it seems like everyone else tells them a cruiser is ideal.

I also tell them to be prepared to spend about $1000 on gear. That usually makes them 

If they want a sportbike, I advise them to get an insurance quote before they commit to a purchase.

If they're looking for a used bike, I send them to this website: http://www.clarity.net/~adam/buying-bike.html