Getting a new bike is always a big deal; it doesn’t matter if it’s your first or tenth one. But before you can pick the make, model, or even the colour of the new bike, you have another crucial decision to make: should you build a new bike, or should you just buy one that’s ready-made?
The answer is simple: if you want to be a real biker, you should build your own motorcycle from the ground up. Sure, there’ll be a steep learning curve involved, especially if it’s your first time doing something like this. It’ll require your dedication and loads of your energy.
But riding a bike that you built with your own two hands is an experience unlike any other. You’ll be riding a motorcycle with much more soul in it, and your experiences will also be more memorable.
In this article, you’re going to learn a handful of reasons why building your own bike is better than buying one. Some of those reasons include controlling the cost of the motorcycle and gaining a whole bunch of knowledge and experience.
Let’s get started!
First-Hand Knowledge
When you set out to build your own motorcycle, you’ll put yourself in a position to gain loads of first-hand knowledge.
Since you’ll be the one to purchase all the components yourself, down to the last tiny screw, you’ll slowly become an expert on bikes and their parts.
That’s because you’ll read lots of instructional guides and watch loads of how-to videos as part of the process.
Besides, as you go about shopping for those bike parts, you’ll interact with people who have more experience than you do right now. You’ll talk to parts sellers, mechanics, and you’ll even learn from other people who have built their own bikes.
All-in-all, you’re gaining some real-world education. It’s not the type of learning that’ll give you a certificate at the end of it, but you’ll have a fully-functional motorcycle when you finish. Plus, the knowledge and skills you gain will be worth more than any piece of paper.
That knowledge won’t just be for your own benefit. If you’re a part of your local biking community, you’ll become a go-to person when people need help and advice. Your peers will view you with a higher level of respect, knowing that you’ve successfully built a bike from scratch all by yourself.
Now that’s some real street cred that money can’t buy!
More Custom Than A Custom Bike
Buying a ready-made bike is like buying a shirt off the rack; it looks great, but it’s not unique. There are plenty of other people out there who have the same bike (or shirt!) that you do. Now, if you’re the kind of person who wants to express their individuality and uniqueness, then that is not an acceptable way to do things.
That’s why you’ll be much happier building your own bike.
You see, building it yourself means that you’re taking complete control of the process. You’ll be the only person deciding what goes into or onto that bike; from all the mechanical parts plus the attachments, decals, paint job and everything else.
That bike will be more ‘custom’ than a custom bike. It’ll be your signature on the road, and you’ll ride it with the full confidence of knowing that no absolutely no one else has a bike like yours.
Easier Troubleshooting and Repairing
All that first-hand knowledge and customisation will go a very long way, especially when you face problems later on. That bike is your baby, so no one else can understand its issues better than you can.
Because of your strong familiarity with the bike, you’ll be able to listen out for any unusual sounds or feel weird vibrations that might suggest that there’s a problem with the bike.
You put in the time and effort to assemble that bike piece by piece, all while using parts and accessories that you chose. Aside from the right knowledge, the chances are that you’ll already also have the correct tools sitting in your toolbox already.
All-in-all, you’re a one-person workshop with everything necessary to fix the problem and get that bike moving again.
Control The Costs
When you buy a ready-made bike, you have no say in the price tag. Labour costs, overheads, and unnecessary attachments all go towards making that bike more expensive to buy than it costs to produce.
Plus, let’s be honest, you’re paying a premium for the brand name as well.
If you choose to build it yourself, you’ll have full control over all costs involved. You can compare sellers and suppliers to source more affordable parts, for example. Besides that, you can leave out any accessories or attachments you don’t want, shaving down the final cost even more.
By the end of the build, you could find yourself with a high-quality bike that performs just as well, but at a fraction of the retail price. Don’t forget about the hidden cost.
Full Confidence In Your Own Machine
Last but not least, a self-built motorcycle will give you full confidence as you ride down the highway. You’ve put your blood, sweat, and tears into that machine, so you’ll have very little uncertainty about the bike and how it performs.
Final Thoughts
So, let’s do a recap. Should you build a bike or buy your own? Assuming it’s feasible for you, it would be much better for you to build the bike yourself. Will it be challenging? Yes, of course. But the effort will be worth it, as you’ll be able to enjoy so many benefits that a ready-made bike can’t offer you.
You’ll have full confidence as you ride that motorcycle on the open road, plus you can customise it to fit your tastes while controlling all of the costs involved.
If or when you run into problems, you’ll also be much better at troubleshooting and solving the problem yourself. Best of all, the entire thing will be an excellent learning experience for you!
