Adventure Motorcycle Buying Guide

Adventure motorcycles allow you to enjoy the best of both worlds. Conquer the city roads as well as the backwoods. These unique machines allow you to ride on paved and dirt roads while also enjoying impressive power and rider comfort. SoCal Honda Powersports has provided some tips to help you find your ideal model. Keep reading to learn more, then visit our dealership in Carson, California, to check out our wide selection of adventure motorcycles for sale.

Set a Budget

A great place to start is establishing a budget. Here you accomplish two goals. First, you set a limit to avoid overspending. This eliminates too expensive options, which helps you avoid buying a model that's beyond your price point. A budget also helps you get the best option for your price point so that you don’t unnecessarily skip features or specs that you can afford.

Size & Weight

No matter what brand of motorcycle you’re looking at, there are some common considerations you’ll want to make. First, you’ll want to think about the weight and size of your bike. When it comes to adventure motorcycles, weight is generally decided by the engine size and weight. The rest of the bike is going to be fairly lightweight. A heavier, bigger engine is going to give you more stability, while a lighter, smaller engine will allow you to reach top speeds much faster. 

You might also need to think about where you’ll be riding and how that could impact what you choose. Larger bikes will be more stable and better for city riding. Lighter options will perform better on the off-road paths and will give you better agility. Another approach is to think about your riding level. New riders should stick with smaller and lighter models that are easier to control. Advanced riders may enjoy the bigger models with more powerful engines.

Performance

Adventure motorcycles range in their performance features. You can narrow your search by thinking about what's most important for you on your journey. If you plan on cruising difficult terrain full of obstacles, then look for something with higher ground clearance. If you plan on riding in remote areas without many gas stations, pick a model with a good fuel economy. Think about how you plan to ride so you can find something that will suit you well.

Accessories

An adventure bike is obviously a great choice as it is, but you can make it even better with some cool accessories. There are several different types of motorcycle accessories out there that can improve your comfort and safety as you ride. For example, if you regularly ride for very long distances or go camping, then you may want to invest in extra storage spaces on your bike. Installing some saddlebags, luggage racks, or windshield-mounted bags can give you more places to stash all your stuff conveniently and securely as you travel.

A windshield is another useful accessory for adventure motorcycles. Windshields not only block out wind, but they also reduce the amount of precipitation that hits you, as well as flying debris like dust, pebbles, and bugs. You’ll stay cleaner and drier with a windshield and you won’t have to fight against wind gusts. Options include removable or permanent windshields, and you can choose between acrylic and polycarbonate materials.

Sometimes the lights that come factory-issue on your bike just aren’t bright enough to illuminate the path ahead, and you always want to make sure that you can see and be seen when riding your motorcycle. 

That’s where LED lights come into play. Their super-bright beams ensure that you’ll be able to see more clearly and they last for a very long time. While LED lights cost more initially to purchase and install, they’re more economical and you won’t have to replace them nearly as often as standard halogen lights.

We hope that this buying guide has come in handy as you search for the bike of your dreams. When you’re ready to check out our incredible selection of adventure motorcycles for sale, give us a call or visit SoCal Honda Powersports. We are located in Carson, CA, and we welcome all our friends visiting us from Los Angeles and Long Beach.