Bob's Motorcycles FAQ

How do I choose the right motorcycle for me?

Selecting the right motorcycle depends entirely on you the rider. Are you an experienced rider who knows exactly what you want? Or are you a beginner, bewildered or overwhelmed by the extensive range of options?

While it's a complex topic that can't be entirely covered in a short FAQ, here are some tips to get you started.

The most crucial question is: What do you want to do with a motorcycle? The rides you’re planning or want to take should determine the type of bike you want to invest in.

The different categories of bikes are numerous and can shift from year to year, but the main kinds of motorcycles are:

Cruisers: Built for riding comfort rather than speed. Cruisers typically have lower seating positions and allow the legs to stretch farther forward. thus, are often a good choice for new riders.
Sport: Sportbikes are built for speed and handling, mimicking race builds—they are lightweight and high powered. The ergonomics of a sportbike place the rider in a forward-leaning, aggressive riding position which provides an aerodynamic advantage and aids precise control but is not as comfortable when riding longer distances.
Naked Bikes: Also called Standards or Roadsters, these bikes have natural, neutral riding positions and minimal bodywork. They’re appreciated for their back-to-basics simplicity by riders who enjoy feeling the wind on their face. But naked bikes also offer a nice platform for customization — a blank slate on which to etch one’s individual riding style preferences through the accessories chosen to add.
Dual Sport: Dual sport bikes generally resemble dirt bikes but thanks to their frame design, wheels, and suspension, are suitable for either on- or off-road riding.
Adventure: Adventure bikes might also be called “Dual Sports on steroids.” They’re capable of on- and off-road use but built on a larger chassis and specially equipped for long-distance travel. While their additional size and weight may make them less appropriate for the most severe off-road excursions, their overall versatility makes them ideal for trips where a wide variety of paved or unpaved surfaces may occur. They are tall, comfortable bikes with natural ergonomics, suitable for trips to far-off places.
Touring Bikes: Definitely designed for road use, Touring Bikes feature big windshields and generous bodywork to protect a rider and passenger from the elements, making all-day travel not just possible but pleasurable. Usually equipped with spacious luggage and luxurious amenities for rider and passenger alike, these bikes are built to get you to distant destinations with a smile on your face.

Can I finance my motorcycle purchase?

Yes! You can finance your BMW, Ducati, and other motorcycle purchases with us. Our finance department has ensured the entire process runs quickly and smoothly. To find out if you qualify, click here to start our our pre-approval process.

Our pre-approval financing form will keep your credit score untouched and won't require entering a social security number or date of birth.

Once you are pre-approved, you can now move on to either:

Filling out this Online Credit Application
Call us at 1-888-BMW-BOBS to speak to one of our team members and learn how easy it is to own a new BMW, Ducati, or motorcycle with our Easy Ride financing.

Do you offer international shipping?

We are happy to provide international shipping to customers outside the United States. Please note that additional shipping costs will be applied, and you may incur further costs depending on whether the item is oversized or heavy.

What kind of gear do I need for riding?

The gear or apparel you wear when you ride should, whenever possible, be gear designed specifically for motorcycling — made of leather or rugged, abrasion-resistant textile, or both. For instance, ‘Gloves’ doesn’t mean gardening gloves or ski gloves, it means Motorcycle Gloves, which are designed and constructed specifically to protect you while riding. Motorcycle riding involves a distinct set of conditions and challenges that apparel intended for other purposes is not designed to meet. Also, it’s important to choose gear that’s appropriate for the season when you’re riding. Riding a motorcycle requires your full attention. Feeling too hot or too cold because you’re wearing the wrong gear is not only a distraction, it’s dangerous! Wearing the proper apparel is crucial to your health and safety, therefore, a very important part of managing risk. That said, here is a short list of the essential gear every rider should have:

Helmet (DOT approved, or better)
Riding Jacket
Gloves
Pants
Boots (ankle height, or above)
Eye protection (especially if your helmet does not have a proper faceshield)
Two other items which are not essential but highly recommended:
Earplugs
Reflective Vest (if your riding jacket does not already have reflective material on it.)

How do I know what size gear to order? What do I do if it doesn't fit?

At Bob's, we've included an in-depth, detailed sizing chart for your reference. You can find it here: Size Chart for Ride and Style Gear.

If you find the gear you've ordered does not fit and wish to exchange the item for a larger or smaller size of the same product, we'll happily exchange that product for no extra fees for shipping and handling.

If you received an incorrect item, we will replace the item and cover any additional shipping charges.

All returns must be postmarked no later than 30 days from the original customer shipment date. All returns and exchanges must be in new condition without any damages, and you must ensure all instructions and original packaging material are included. Returns are subject to a 15% restocking fee.

How often should I service my motorcycle?

Rule #1: check the recommended service intervals in the Owner’s Manual that accompanies your motorcycle — and stick to that schedule as closely as possible. Otherwise, to guarantee your ride is performing at top condition and ready to ride at all times, we recommend changing your engine oil and filter every six months or every 4,000 miles. If your bike has a chain, don’t forget to check that, too, at every oil change. Finally, be sure to check your tire pressure at least once a month.

Do you offer installation services for parts?

At our in-person location in Jessup, Maryland, we do provide installation services for parts, as well as maintenance and repair, restoration and refurbishment, component repair and restoration, modifications, and customizations. But sorry, we don’t make house calls.

What is your return policy?

All returns need to be postmarked no later than 30 days from the customer shipment date. We ask that you ensure the returned item is in new condition and include all instructions and original packaging. We ask that you pay all return shipping charges and include a copy of your packing list with all returns.

All original shipping and handling charges are non-refundable, and returns must be preauthorized by us and are subject to a 15% restocking fee.

Incorrect Item: If you received an incorrect item no extra charges will be incurred. We will replace incorrect items and pay the additional shipping charge.

Incorrect Size: No charge for exchange. We will exchange customer orders that do not fit, if the customer requests the same item in a different size. Customer pays all shipping charges.

Customer Order Error: Incorrect customer orders can be exchanged for any other item without paying the restocking charge. However, the customer will pay the additional shipping and handling charge. The replacement item must be at least 75% of the value of the original item.

Return Shipping Instructions: Return via prepaid UPS or US mail. Insure shipment for full value of purchase. Use original packaging. We are not responsible for packages lost during return shipping.

Return/Exchange Instructions: Enclose a copy of your packing list or E-mail Invoice along with detailed return/exchange instructions. Send exchanges and returns to dealership.

Do you sell OEM parts?

Yes! We sell genuine BMW and Ducati OEM (Original Equipment Manufacturer) parts. You can easily find and order all our BMW OEM parts on our site in the Microfiche section appropriate to your model. For Ducati OEM parts, please call.

Can I order parts for older model motorcycles?

For those with a passion for older BMW models, Bob’s is your best friend. Many OEM parts for models back to the 1950s are still available from BMW and an extensive selection of them is IN STOCK at Bob’s. Find your model in our Microfiche and you can order directly online. And that’s not all. Check our Reproduction and Alternative Parts section to find those parts that may be no longer available from BMW but are still available as Reproductions. The reproduction parts we sell are of at least equal quality, and sometimes superior to the original BMW parts that were once available back in the day. In many cases, you can also choose Alternative parts. These are components that aren’t necessarily designed to look like an original part, but instead offer an improved or more modern functionality than the original parts from decades ago did. You’ve got options, and the best way to navigate them, as always, is to call and consult the experts at Bob’s!

Bob's Motorcycles FAQ

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