Today, motorcycling is more popular than ever and this trend shows no sign of slowing down. Bikes are becoming more and more specialized and thus there truly is no perfect bikeâ€"just the perfect bike for the type of riding one intends to do. So the most important step in starting biking is choosing the correct bike for the type of riding one will be doing the majority of the time.

There are numerous options open to the new rider. There is the cruiser, e.g., the classic Harley Davidson Softail, that which is designed for just thatâ€"cruising, and tends to provide a relaxed and comfortable ride though the profile is both long and low and can provide for an awkward ride for the inexperienced rider.
There is also the sport bike which is built solely for speed. A light bike, the sport bike is also a dangerous bike and requires some experience in handling. Not to mention that fact that insurance premiums are going to be higher for this type of ride. Therefore, the sport bike is not recommended as a beginning bike.
Then there is also the standard bike (think of a cross between a cruiser and a sport bike) which is a stable bike designed for general riding. These tend to be fairly easy to handle and provide a comfortable ride. The only downside to these bikes for a beginner is that they tend to have powerful engines and more power on a bike can be intimidating to the beginner. Great care should be exercised if such a bike is chosen.
Another option is the touring bike, e.g., think of the classic Honda Goldwing. The touring bikes are designed for long rides on stretches of open road. They are equipped with saddle bags for storage and provide adequate weather protection and can thus be driven under a multitude of conditions. Such bikes are costly, heavy and powerful and aren’t recommended for beginners.

There are other types of bike as well that one might consider though they are less popular than the choices introduced above. For example, there is the scooter which is geared primarily to local travel in an urban setting. Scooters are great on gas and very easy to handle, however they are not equipped for speed or long distances (there are however larger scooters designed for touring, e.g., the Honda Silverwing).
One might also consider a dual-sport bike, a bike designed for both on-road and off-road use. An easy bike to handle, lightweight yet powerful, cheap to insure, the dual-sport bike is also fun to ride.
One last type of bike worth mentioning, having always been a popular bike though gaining in popularity today, is the dirt bike. The dirt bike is designed for off-road and adventure riding and if one is interested in pumping adrenaline through his or her veins, then look no further than the sport of off-road riding.
Dirt bikes are fairly affordable, durable, and fun to ride. The only downside is that they are designed not for the street but strictly for off-road (if one is interested in both consider the dual-sport bike above).
As can be seen above, there are many types of bike for the beginning rider to choose from. From the cruiser to the dirt bike, there are many options and one’s choice should be based primarily on the type of riding that he or she will be doing the majority of the time. Choosing the correct bike is essential to one’s enjoyment of motorcycling as a whole.

Speak to friends who cycle and perhaps borrow their motorcycle and test it out for yourself. Visit local dealerships and test drive the types of cycle you are considering purchasing. But by all means, don’t jump on a cycle and ride out of the shop unless you are certain that that particular bike is for you. Many seasoned riders will tell you that a bike is an extension of the rider…so make an informed, wise decision and enjoy cycling for many years to come. And be safe!

M. Shane Huey is a freelance writer, writing on diverse topics from travel to e-commerce. To learn more about motorcycling, especially offroading, visit one of the best resources on the web for information and product at Eddie Gairala's Offroad Plus.
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