The festive season in India has always been celebrated with much enthusiasm and pomp. As this auspicious time nears, you may be looking to buy a two-wheeler to make personal transport easy. With the steady onslaught of more vehicles on the roads and the increasing traffic congestion, a two-wheeler is greatly advantageous for daily commute. However, we understand that this is not an easy decision to make and there are many factors which can influence this decision. Here are some pointers to think of before making the big purchase.
Make the choice: Scooter or Motorcycle?
The first decision that you have to make is to pick your preferred two- wheeler of choice. A motorcycle can be harder to learn as they have a manual gearbox, clutch and independent breaks. Whereas scooters are considered as gearless as most options in the market have a CVT gearbox. This means that the rider does not have to shift gears or use the clutch. This makes scooters an easy choice for urban commuters due to easier maneuverability, especially during slow-moving traffic hours. Scooters are also fuel & thus cost efficient, almost effortless and relatively cheaper than motorcycles. Additionally, scooters are also able to carry some luggage as they have a footboard in the front.
Motorcycles on the other hand have a larger engine and better speeds. This makes them ideal for long-distance travel so that riders can cruise rather comfortably. Nevertheless, motorcycles tend to have a higher-revving engine as compared to a scooter, causing overheating in traffic and leading to more fuel consumption and more expenditure. Motorcycles are a great option for enthusiasts who prefer longer rides.
Budget
The budget for this expenditure will probably be the biggest determining factor at play. You should determine your budget beforehand as this will allow you to gain a better view of the options of two-wheelers that fit your budget. Remember to include other costs such as maintenance, fuel costs, insurance costs and servicing costs for the two-wheeler as well.
To further help you understand how much you should spend, here is a tip. Determine your savings, your post-tax monthly income and your monthly expenditure. The remaining amount is how much you can spend on buying a two-wheeler. Multiplying this amount with the number of months that you want to be paying for the vehicle will give you the amount that you can spend annually.
New or Used
If you are already aware of how to ride a two-wheeler and are comfortable navigating through traffic and tight spaces, you could potentially buy a new vehicle. If you still have to learn to ride one, you can buy a second-hand or used two-wheeler and then upgrade eventually as you learn. This will also save you the depreciation cost in the case that you outgrow the experience of a two-wheeler or find that it doesn’t suit your needs.
It is essential to check the condition of the second-hand two-wheeler and ensure that you have all the necessary documents in place.
Model
There are a large number of two-wheeler options out in the market. Pick the model carefully after comparing all the features of the vehicle. You can visit multiple dealers and take the two-wheeler on a test ride so that you can determine your level of comfort. You should check if you can comfortably rest your feet on the ground when the two-wheeler is stationary. Some models can be quite heavy, so pick one depending on your usage and your physical capacity or build. You must be at ease with the vehicle.
Mileage
The mileage of a vehicle is the distance that it can cover with the use of one litre of fuel. The fuel prices are always on a rise and this serves as an important aspect in choosing a two-wheeler. Purchasing a vehicle is an investment and the mileage is an important factor to check. Most people are drawn to buy a two-wheeler since it is fuel efficient. On an average, a good two-wheeler will provide 35-40 kmpl.
Therefore, check the mileage and remember that it will differ on the actual road as compared to under test conditions. Furthermore, the usage of fuel will also depend on how well you maintain the vehicle.
Ask the right questions
Lastly, it is imperative that you ask all the right questions before making a purchase. You should equip yourself with the knowledge of the different brands available, the insurance plans, changing the engine oil, nearby service centres, how many people will be using the two-wheeler, the resale value of the vehicle, best engine oil for bikes, to name a few. These will help you shortlist the options and gauge which is the perfect two-wheeler for you.
Purchasing a two-wheeler is a long-term investment and so research is quite crucial. We hope that this read will guide you and help you make an informed decision.