How to Choose Your First Motorcycle in Bangladesh

Choosing your first motorcycle is exciting—but also confusing. This guide walks you through budget, engine size, riding purpose, and real-world ownership costs in Bangladesh so you don’t end up with the wrong bike.

1. Start with your real budget, not the showroom price
Most new riders only look at the on-road price and forget the hidden costs.

You should calculate:

Registration + tax + insurance
Riding gear (helmet, gloves, jacket at minimum)
Monthly fuel based on your commute
Basic maintenance (oil, filters, chain lube, etc.)
A simple way to think about it:

If your total budget is 3,00,000 BDT, keep at least 30,000–40,000 BDT aside for safety gear and the first year of running costs.

This usually means your bike budget is closer to 2,60,000–2,70,000 BDT.

2. Decide your main use case first
Before looking at any brand, answer:

Do you ride mostly in city traffic?
Do you plan weekend highway trips?
Is fuel economy more important than performance?
Will you ride with a pillion often?
Typical matches:

Daily Dhaka commuting, heavy traffic
110–125cc, upright position, good mileage.
Examples: commuter segment, comfortable seat, soft suspension.
City + occasional highway trips
150–160cc with better brakes and stability.
Slightly sporty position but still comfortable.
Touring & long distances
Comfortable seat, bigger tank, wind protection if possible.
Dual-disc brakes and ABS are very important.
If you pick a bike that doesn’t match your real usage, it will feel wrong even if it looks great.

3. Choose engine size wisely
As a beginner in Bangladesh, you don’t need the most powerful engine allowed by cc limits. You need:

Predictable power delivery
Good low-end torque for city traffic
Manageable weight for parking, u-turns, and slow-speed riding
For most new riders:

125–150cc is the sweet spot:
Enough power to feel fun.
Still forgiving if you make mistakes.
Reasonable fuel economy.
If you are very light, short, or nervous about power, starting with 110–125cc is absolutely fine and often smarter.

4. Prioritize safety features over design
In the showroom it’s easy to get hypnotized by graphics, LEDs, and exhaust sound. Reality check:

Single-channel ABS is better than no ABS.
Dual-disc brakes with good feel are more important than top speed.
Tyre quality and size affect braking and cornering.
When comparing two bikes with similar price:

Pick the one with better brakes, tyres, and frame stability, even if the design feels a bit simpler.
Remember: you can upgrade cosmetics later; you can’t upgrade chassis engineering.
5. Test the ergonomics—not just seat height
Don’t just ask “Will my feet touch the ground?” You should:

Sit on the bike and hold the handlebars:
Are your wrists comfortable?
Are your knees too bent?
Can you turn the handlebar fully without hitting your knees or tank bag?
Ask a friend to sit as pillion:
Is the seat wide enough?
Are the footpegs too high?
Ride at least a short distance if the showroom allows. A bike that looks perfect but hurts your back after 20 minutes is the wrong bike.

6. Research long-term ownership, not just first impression
Before buying, check:

Common issues owners report (overheating, vibration, weak clutch, etc.)
Availability and price of spare parts in your city
Resale value after 3–4 years
Good places to research:

Local Facebook groups for that model
YouTube channels with long-term reviews
Real-user reviews on platforms like ridercritic (your site)
If many owners complain about the same problem, expect you will face it too.

7. Don’t skip proper riding gear
Your first bike should not be your most expensive purchase. Your body is.

At minimum, budget for:

ISI/ECE/DOT certified full-face helmet
Gloves with knuckle protection
Jacket with at least shoulder and elbow protection
Many new riders regret later that they bought a slightly “better looking” bike by sacrificing 5–10k that could have gone into safety gear.

8. Final checklist before you buy
Before you sign anything, confirm:

The bike matches your primary use (commute / touring / mixed).
You can comfortably flat-foot or at least tip-toe with confidence.
Brakes, tyres, and suspension feel safe and predictable.
You have checked real owner feedback in Bangladesh.
You still have money left for riding gear and first-year costs.
If all answers feel good, you’re ready to sign—and enjoy every km instead of thinking “I should have researched more.”