10 THINGS TO CHECK BEFORE BUYING A USED MOTORCYCLE

You’ve got your heart set on a particular make and model of motorcycle, and you’ve found several for sale near where you live. On the surface, they all look perfect for your needs and the money is burning a hole in your pocket. But this is the most dangerous moment, because your desire might overrule your natural caution and cause you to overlook glaring faults and issues. Or, figure that you can deal with them later which, as we all should know, is a sure-fire way of setting ourselves up for spending more than we initially bargained for further down the line with all the attendant headaches. There are however, plenty of steps you can take to avoid the pitfalls.

Related: Best Used Bikes Under $10,000

Do Your Research

If you have a particular model in mind, do as much research as you can about it: in what form did it leave the factory - what parts came as standard, and what might have been added by previous owners? Are service parts readily available? Where are the engine and chassis numbers located? What are the known issues or problems with that model and have they been addressed on the one you’re looking at? Were there any recalls and did the bike you are looking at have the faults rectified? If you can, look at a few examples before you buy, so you’ll get a feel for general condition. Many people will tell you to never buy the first one you look at so try and look at one or two you know you won’t want - perhaps it's in a color you really don’t like - and talk to the owners to find out what problems they have encountered. The more information you go in with, the less likely you are to get your fingers burnt.

Is The Paperwork In Order?

Depending on where you live, the paperwork requirements will differ so make sure you know what is needed. Then, check if the bike you are interested in has all the relevant documents, legible and up to date. Check the mileage on the clocks against any maintenance invoices: if there is a big discrepancy or if the last invoice was dated two years ago and the mileage hasn’t changed much since, then perhaps the bike has been standing for a year or two, in which case the fuel system might be gummed up, brake calipers seized, rubbers perished and all sorts of other headaches waiting for you. If the paperwork isn’t in order, you might face a wait of weeks or months before it can be sorted out and those are weeks and months when you will not be able to ride your new toy.

Speak To The Seller Before You Go See The Bike

You can find out a lot about a bike - and save yourself a wasted trip - by talking to the owner before you set off. Do they have all the paperwork? How long have they owned the bike? Why are they selling? Is there any damage not visible in the pictures or known recurring faults. Of course, there is nothing to prevent the seller being dishonest but, by talking to them, you might just get a sense of whether you can trust them and what they are telling you and go and see the bike or cut your losses and start looking all over again. Another thing you can do when you talk to the seller is to ask him or her to not start the bike or have the engine warm before you get there. It might be a pig to start from cold so be suspicious of an engine that has been run, unless, of course the owner has ridden it to where you are. Always try and see the bike at their house.

Related: 5 Used Touring Bikes To Buy Now (And 5 To Avoid)

Look At It In Daylight (Or Take A Flashlight)

It has to have happened to us all: you look at a bike in bad light, and it looks amazing but, in daylight, it’s another story completely. Always try and look at a bike in good light - either daylight or a well-lit garage. Take a torch so you can really peer into the depths of the fairing or all the many nooks and crannies you’ll find on a bike, which is usually where the engine and chassis numbers are located anyway. If the owner won’t let you see the bike during the day, it could simply be that they aren’t available to show it to you in working hours, or it could be that they are trying to hide something. We’re not saying that every seller is dishonest, but it’s better to be sure and protect yourself.

Go Over It With A Fine-Toothed Comb

Know the tell-tale signs: if the bike uses the same key for the ignition and steering lock or to remove the seat, does the key you have in your hand fit both? There might be a simple answer if it doesn’t, but it can also be a sign of the bike having been stolen and recovered. That will affect the value. Look at the foot pegs: if the ‘hero blobs’ on the underside are worn down, then it’s likely the bike has been ridden on the track. If it’s a sports bike, then that’s not unusual, but it does mean it will have been ridden hard for extended periods. Does the wiring under the seat look as it could have come from the factory or has it been chopped into to fit accessories? None of this means you should necessarily walk away, but it all helps build up a picture that will either tally or disagree with what the seller is telling you.

Has It Been Crashed?

If the owner is trying to hide the fact that the bike has been crashed and repaired, it is likely that all the damaged parts will have been replaced, but it is easy to miss things when doing that or adopt a make-do-and-mend attitude. Look at the extremities of the bike - the end of the handlebars, levers or foot pegs might be damaged, show signs of being cleaned up or replaced with after-market items. Is it the original paintwork or even bodywork? Challenge the owner about these: if he’s honest, he’ll own up, and you can be a little easier in your mind about both him and the bike.

Related: 10 Great Project Bikes On A Budget

Back To The Paperwork

You’ve arrived and had a good look at the bike, and it all looks good. You’re not done yet! Do the engine and frame numbers match what is on the paperwork? Does any address that is on the paperwork match the address you’re viewing the bike at? No matter how attractive the bike, or how good the condition, if there is any doubt about the paperwork, walk away. Similarly, do the service records and maintenance invoices match the bike and are the stamps in the service book genuine and from one particular dealer or two or three different ones? Call the dealer to see if they know the bike and can confirm the service dates. If the bike is out of warranty and the seller has serviced the bike himself, does he have invoices for parts bought? Does his garage look like it has been used to work on bikes?

Ask To Use Their Toilet

Really? What can that possibly tell you about the seller? Well, for a start, it lets you know that you really are at his house, and he’s not simply pretending to live there. Is the address on the paperwork the same as the address you’re looking at the bike? Then, it gives you an opportunity to take a sneaky peek inside the house to make sure it really is their house: pictures of them on the walls are a pretty reliable indication. Also, is there bike kit lying around or hanging up? You know what you are like: you’ll usually just put your helmet down anywhere and throw your jacket over the back of a chair. If there is no riding kit anywhere in the house or garage, maybe the bike is not his to sell, or he’s simply flipping it for a bit of profit, in which case, he knows less than you do about the history of the bike.

Don’t Be Rushed

You are 99% certain this is the bike for you, but you feel you need a bit of time to cool off and think about it. Is the seller - be they a private individual or a dealer - rushing you to make a decision? Do they keep telling you there is another potential buyer on the way to look at the bike? Don’t be rushed. Take your time to really check the bike over and, while you’re doing this, talk to the owner and build up a bit of a rapport. If he’s willing to take the time to chat, then it shows he’s relaxed about the sale, which indicates that he’s in no hurry to sell and, perhaps, there is nothing to hide. Also, the longer you take over things, the more the seller will realize you are serious - it cuts both ways, you know - and the more likely it will be that he’ll let you take it for a test ride.

The Test Ride

Everything has checked out so far, and you’re reasonably happy that this could be the bike for you. The next step is to ask for a test ride. If the seller refuses, for whatever reason, then walk away. It could be that he simply doesn’t trust you but, hopefully, the time spent talking to him has eased his concerns about your genuine intentions. It could also be that he’s wanting to conceal something that might only become apparent after a few miles of riding - maybe the gearbox sticks in a particular gear when the gearbox is hot, or the engine cuts out. If he asks for the full asking price before letting you test ride it, then be careful, or leave a friend waiting there with him until you come back. If you’re asking the seller to be flexible and trust you, then don’t take advantage: ride the bike as if it was your own, don’t wring its neck and ride it like an idiot.

2023-08-12T21:03:14Z dg43tfdfdgfd