Africa ads for Bicycles and Motorcycles (106)

Specify your Bicycles and Motorcycles results in the right box in:

- Motorcycle sales
- Quad sales
- Scooter sales
- Moped sales
- Repair and service
- Motorcycle parts
- Motorcycles export

- Bicycle sales
- Electric bicycles sales
- Bicycle parts
- Repair and service
- Bicycles export
- Accessories
- Others

- New or used

Use the two free guidelines of Afritrada for buying bicycles and motorcycles.

1. HOW TO BUY A BICYCLE?

When you visit the bike shop to buy a bicycle, you may feel overwhelmed by the selection. This article will help you to find the perfect bike by telling you which bike to look for, how to test drive it, and how to get the best deal.

Decide which type of bike you want.

Will you use the bike to ride rough terrain, around town, hit the trails or climb mountains?

Buy a Road bike for riding mainly on roads and highways. Road bikes have lighter frames and slimmer tires. They are not designed to ride over rough terrain, so they don't have suspension systems that absorb shock. Road bikes are a good fit for riders with a strong back.

Buy a mountain bike for riding on trails or mountain biking. The tires are large with significant tread, which helps to grab the surface and propel you forward when you're going uphill. Also, the frame is heavier, and the bike has a suspension system to absorb shock. Most mountain bike handlebars are straight and can create discomfort if rode long distance on paved trails.

Buy a hybrid bike if you want something in between.

Set your price range.

You can always purchase a used bike if you're on a budget. Used bikes are often better value for money. If given the choice between a new bike priced at 150 euro and a used bike of the same price then the used bike is often the better choice.

Find information.

Ask your friends. If you have friends who are cyclists, ask them for recommendations before you buy a bicycle. Research bikes online. Online is a great option to consider when buying a bike. The internet is a good source for information.

Sit on the bike to check the fit. Are you too stretched out? Are the controls easy to use and reach? How do you feel? What is your overall impression? Notice the distance from the seat to the bottom of the pedal stroke and the angle at which you have to lean to hold the handlebars. The frame size of the bike is fixed, so take the time to try several different options to find the best fit.

Check the tires. A slimmer tire is better for quick riding, and a slicker tread is better for city riding over smoother surfaces. For safety and convenience, look for tires that have built-in flat protection.

Make a test drive.

Like a car, a bike is usually something you want to try out before you purchase it. It might look nice and dandy, but if it doesn't feel good and respond to your body in the proper way, what's the use? Your body should feel comfortable as you ride. Your knee should bend slightly at the bottom of the pedal revolution. You should be able to reach the brakes easily, and your upper body shouldn't feel cramped on a flat surface. Make sure that the bicycle handles turns smoothly and that you can sit and stand easily while you're on a hill.

Buying an used bicycle.

Bring someone you know and has knowledge of bicycles. Tell the salesperson your goals, and ask for recommendations. Be wary of a salesperson who steers you toward a significantly different type of bike, particularly if that bike is out of your price range. At the same time, listen to suggestions. For example, if the salesperson recommends a slightly different frame style than the ones you've researched, ask why. If the salesperson has a good explanation, then consider the suggestion. Ask the bike shop about service plans. Many shops, for example, offer a year of free tune-ups along with your purchase.

2. HOW TO BUY A MOTORCYCLE?

Before you buy the bike of your dreams, ask yourself some important questions. For buying bicycles and motorcycles you can use almost the same guidelines. However, motorcycles need some extra additions.

Am I an experienced rider?

Riding a motorcycle is undeniably fun. It also can be lethal if done wrong. Therefore, before you even consider buying any kind of motorcycle, assess your skills and abilities. If you're a rank novice, you need to learn how to ride. If you've been away from motorcycling for a while, you should take a refresher course. And if you don't already have a motorcycle license, you're going to need one to ride legally. The best course of action is to go to a riding school.

How do I intend to ride?

The kind of riding you're interested in fairly well dictates the type of bike you should shop for. Conversely, the kind of bike you ride largely defines your motorcycling world and lifestyle. So, besides selecting the motorcycle based on its mechanical and performance attributes, consider what circles you'll likely be riding in. If you don't think of yourself as a racer or a biker in the Wild One vein, and you would be comfortable at, say, an Eagles reunion concert, consider a traditional bike. People attracted to sport bikes, on the other hand, tend to indulge in extreme activities think The Fast and the Furious, only on two wheels. If you want to hang with the hip-hop crowd, maybe you're a sport bike candidate. Folks who enjoy the touring lifestyle tend to be older—often they're retirees—and are in no kind of hurry when they watch the scenery go by on all sides. If an RV lifestyle or dinner theater appeals to you, so might a touring bike. But if you want to put some adventure into a long daily commute, you may be cruiser-bike material.

Is this the bike for me?

As you shop, consider your body type: If you cannot put both feet flat on the ground when the bike is upright, it's too tall for you, period. Also, if this is your first bike, or you've never ridden anything scarily fast, don't even look at a high-performance bike. That said, if you see yourself using the bike primarily as daily transportation, consider a standard, or traditional, bike. If you used to ride years ago, these will look familiar, but feel better thanks to electric starters, fuel injection and disc brakes. If your commute is a long one, you typically do it with a passenger and you want a bit more style, the next logical choice is a cruiser. If you intend to spend many hours and miles in the saddle with a passenger sitting behind you, you need a touring bike. For a little more performance in a touring bike, there's a subset called sport/touring. If you primarily want to straighten curvy roads, your needs will be best met with a sportbike. If you want a basic commuter that can keep going when the pavement doesn't, look at a dual-purpose bike: a standard bike with extra ground clearance and knobby tires.

What else do I need?

Before you start riding, you'll require a helmet, jacket, gloves, boots, rain suit and, possibly, dedicated eyewear especially if you wear glasses. Don't stint when you buy your riding outfit: Should you ever need it, it's all there is between you and the hard, coarse pavement. Buy a helmet that meets high safety standards, nothing less.

Buying used.

Whether you buy a used motorcycle from a dealer or an individual, compare the odometer reading with the condition of the bike. Does it look right? Ask to see the maintenance and service records and receipts.
- Look for rust and scratches on the bodywork, tank and fenders. Inspect the footpegs for wear: Worn on top means lots of miles. Worn on the bottom means a rider leaning over too far in corners.
- A cracked or weather-beaten seat and faded, oxidized paint means the bike has seen a hard life.
- Check for new or aftermarket parts that have obviously replaced broken ones. Specifically, check the footpegs, mirrors, handlebar grips, and brake and clutch levers.
- Inspect the engine and transmission cases for oil seepage, weeping and leaks.
- The chain should be clean and tight, with about an inch of slack measured halfway between the sprockets on the bottom run. A rusty or grime-caked chain indicates lack of maintenance.
- Brake discs should be smooth, clean and not blue, a sign of dragging/overheating brakes. Examine the tires for signs of abuse.
- The bike should start easily and may initially emit a little smoke on a cold startup. If it's hard to start or billows clouds of smoke, especially blue smoke, beware.

We hope that these guidelines for buying bicycles and motorcycles can be helpful for you !