There are mostly two reasons of buying a two-wheeler - need and desire. This article focuses on need based buying, which is rational and logical. There is no such thing as a perfect bike, or the best bike in the world. Every mechanical device such as a two-wheeler is intended for a specific application, and this has to be defined by you.

The first step is to define your need. From the practical point of view most people look for a workhorse that can take them to work everyday, run errands, do odd jobs, not cost too much, nor guzzle up too much petrol, be easy to put on stand and get off stand, be fairly reliable, and easily repairable with easy availability of spare parts.

Your budgetary constraints are also an important decider on the kind of bike you’ll eventually buy. Apart from budget, the two most important factors in a bike are safety and comfort.

Safety

Important aspects of safety comprise braking, roadholding, balance, powerful headlights, loud horns, bright blinkers, tail-light and brake-light.

Instantaneous locking of the wheels upon applying brakes is not good braking, and can result in a nasty fall especially on a wet road. The brakes must act gradually rather than instantly.