Helpful Tips For Buying a Used Motorcycle

Buying a used motorcycle takes a little more prep work than just
walking into a dealership, pointing at the closest shiny object and
saying "I want that one." If you are a smart savvy shopper you can
find unique rides and great deals in the used motorcycle market just
by following a simple buying guide that will help you find exactly
what you want, hopefully at a price you can afford.The Type Of BikeIt
is easiest to go into the search with an idea of what kind of bike you
want. Do you want an aggressive, balls to the wall, sportbike, an easy
as you go touring bike, a get around town scooter, a flying through
the air or trudging through the mud off-road bike, or maybe a laid
back cruiser. At lot of it will depend on what you want the motorcycle
for, how long your rides tend to last, and how long you plan on
keeping that particular ride.Keep in mind that different types of
previously owned bikes will show different types of wear. Off-road
dirt bikes, enduros and dual sport bikes for instance will show wear
in the suspension if they have been ridden hard. A sportbike may have
taken a corner a bit fast and slid out. Decide what you want, and shop
accordingly.Private Party vs. DealershipsPrivate sellers of used
motorcycles will be full of stories, mostly nostalgic ones, about
their adventures with the bike they are selling. It is easy to get
caught up in this discourse, and pretty entertaining with the right
seller. Some of the accounts I have come across are priceless, but
don't get too caught up in it. He may be a nice, funny dude, but
ultimately you are there to shop, and hopefully buy. Not everyone is
particularly organized (I am the perfect example) so it can be a
challenge with private sellers but try to get the seller to show you
the maintenance records and a list of any new parts or custom
(non-stock) parts. Keep in mind that many private sellers will
overvalue extras like saddlebags and windshields so if those aren't
accessories you want or need, try and negotiate based on that. Private
owners are generally much more flexible about how much they will take
for their bike and in most cases can be negotiated down in price,
especially if the bike is an older model. Often times if they need it
gone, for whatever reason, they need it gone quickly. Cash is
king.Shopping for bikes is pretty easy these days on the Internet with
Craigslist, local Buy and Sell sites, and even eBay. This is probably
the easiest place to start to make a list of the bikes you are
interested in so you can contact the seller.Dealerships will usually
charge a premium price for used motorcycles because they can. There is
a certain piece of mind that comes with buying from a dealer. Some
will offer short warranties but even if they don't, at least you have
a place to go and bitch if something goes wrong. They also have
significantly more overhead than a dude selling a bike out of his
garage and they will have to make their commissions too. Once nice
thing about buying used motorcycles from a dealer is that they often
have first hand information on the bike you are looking at. People
tend to stay loyal to their dealerships and will take their bikes
there for maintenance, as well as trading in for the newest model.
There may be a paper trail available so you may be able to see what
work was done and new parts were bought. They often have first hand
information on the bike so make sure to ask as many detailed questions
as possible.Ride And Inspect What You Want To BuyYou will want to give
the bike a good going over before buying, or even have your mechanic
come with you if you are closing to laying down the cash. Depending on
what type of bike you are looking to buy you will need to check things
like: the sprocket and chain for wear, the tires for maintenance and
uneven wear, any lose parts or damaged parts that might need
replacing, worn cables or lines, and signs of a spill. Some tell tale
signs of a motorcycle having been laid down can include a dented tank
(the handlebars can swing in and dent the tank if the bike has been
down), scrapes on the foot pegs, or end of the handlebars/grips,
partial repainting, and, in the case of sport bikes, scuffed fairings,
or new fairings. As with any used vehicle, check the miles on the
motorcycle. A bike with higher miles is more likely to have parts that
are worn and will soon need replacing.If the seller will allow, take
the bike for a short test ride being quick to notice if the brakes
work properly, throttle turns smoothly and general smoothness of the
ride. Ask yourself: is the bike maneuverable enough on the road? Does
it accelerate well enough to get around in traffic? Will it turn in
short spaces? Most importantly, does it feel safe? Don't be too
surprised if a seller won't let you take it for a test ride. It's not
uncommon. At the very least have the seller start the bike. Listen for
strange noises, check for smooth throttle movement, and watch for
smoke.Things you will want to give a once over include:Brakes - pads,
hoses, rotors, fluids
Chain and sprocket - chain tight or stretched, oiled properly, any
bent or broken teeth on the rear sprocket?
Electrical - lights working, headlight hi and low working, turn
signals work, horn works.
Engine - any leaks? Is the oil dark? Listen for valve clutter or
strange noises when running.
Exhaust - blowing smoke may be a blown gasket. Are the pipes
blue/purple? May be jetted wrong and probably running hot. Any holes?
Gas tank - any dents? May be sign of a downed bike. Any rust? Rust in
the tank can mean rust in your carbs, not a good thing. Look inside,
and run a rag around the mouth of the tank opening.
Forks - pitted? Tight? Creaking? Does it spring back?
Wheels - how are the tires worn? Are they cracking?
That should give you a pretty good idea of what you are looking at.
Bring a flashlight, a rag, a tire pressure gauge, a helmet and a
notebook with you to look at any used motorcycle.Ask For The Service
RecordIf a used motorcycle is well maintained, it has the service
records to prove it, and will save you bucks in the future. So find
out if things like the chain and sprocket have been well maintained,
oil changed properly and on time, tires inflated properly, and if
routine maintenance has been performed. Check the service records to
see when the last maintenance was performed. If the owner balks at
this request consider moving on to the next bike. He may just be
unorganized, but he also may be hiding something.NegotiationLike
anyone you are probably going into this search for a "new to you"
motorcycle with a budget. And you probably have that budget for a
reason, so try to stick to it. If this is your must have bike, or a
bucket of bolts, do not show the seller your feelings one way or the
other. Be quick to point out if parts need replacing, what wear has
occurred, how old the bike is, and also mention the mileage (both
really low and high can be bad signs on a used motorcycle). When
purchasing used sometimes bikes with extremely low mileage says that
bike has been sitting around for a while and that will not be good for
the engine or the carbs. Check to see if it smokes while warmed up and
if it occasionally misses a beat. If it does, the carbs are probably
gummed up, or varnished, from sitting idle too long. Rebuilding the
carbs is probably not the first thing you want to be doing to your new
bike.Do not commit to purchasing used unless you are comfortable with
the price, the bike and the seller. If you are serious about the bike
have a look at the title to make sure it is clear. Check to see if the
mileage matches up to paperwork. If everything matches up the way you
want, seal the deal, zip up your leathers, put some foam on your dome,
and enjoy your new ride!For more information and motorcycle related
reading, visit 2Wheels2Freedom