‘Quality counts in the long run’

My lad has just worked out how to pedal a bicycle and, not wishing to put too finer point on it, he’s bloody terrifying to watch and I’m a nervous wreck. Honestly, he has no fear. The other day he was cornering so fast he caught a pedal on the ground, span the whole bike through 90-degrees in a semi-highside and just kept on going. He didn’t even put a foot down! And this transition to two wheels has not only given me (more) grey hairs, it has highlighted the importance of paying extra for a quality bit of kit.

We’ve always armed him with Frog bikes, which are noticeably costlier than other twowheelers but hold their value brilliantly (I always buy secondhand). He’s on his fourth now and I reckon the most I’ve lost selling one on again after he’s outgrown it is £20 because there is always a demand for them. The extra money invested initially buying the bike ensures that you don’t lose out in the long run. And the same is true with used motorcycles.

When buying a used bike, especially if your budget is tight, there is always the temptation to go for the cheapest option. Do you really need a Ducati S model when the stocker is fine? Should you opt for a GS TE over a standard model?

The answer is simple – yes. By paying extra when buying the bike, you are not only guaranteeing your money is safer in the future but also making it easier to sell the bike on again when the time comes. It’s not extra expense, it’s money wisely invested.