What to look for when buying a used Motorcycle ?

: What to look for when buying a used Motorcycle ?
What are the main things that you look for when your buying a used motorycle. I am planning buying a used sports bike in the 600 cc range but I dont know how to tell the good from the bad. How do I know that tires, brakes, or other stuff is damaged or abused. Can someone help me out i dont want to get gypt in buying my first bike. I know theres going be normal tear n where but anything major that you can tell by just look at it.

Answers and Views:

Answer by Finnegan
The short answer is to have the bike thoroughly looked at by a professional. This is the only way to ensure you are making a good purchase. It may cost you a few bucks, but you will have saved yourself a lot more money as well as the grief of purchasing a vehicle that is a lemon.

Answer by jaypauldini
hi
first look for a service history of any kind, reciepts of for bits etc…
then rust, as this can very bad, try to see if the frame is bent (as it may have been in a crash).
check the oil see what colour it is, if its black, then thats bad, greeny colour good.
when you start it, how fast does it start.
the suspension should be hard but fluid, as in moves without gripping,
you can get an AA man to look it over,(you have ot be a member).
or somebody else you know who has a bike.
how clean it is,is a good indicator of how they looked after it.
the tyres must have good gripping thread. get a ten pence piece putit in the groove, should go a third the way in.
the brakes very important. when you test ride it, test them over and over. check for leaks in the brake fluid.
the engine listen to it, to see if you can hear knocks, or graitng sounds.
also when test riding it, go up and down through the gears, see how the clutch deals with the gear changes, should be smooth.
check the battery, isnt too old
but most important make sure it has the correct log book, and make sure the seller has some ID to prove its his bike, address etc..
if you can afford it, buy a bike from a dealer, as you can take it back easier.
good luck

Answer by It’s That Guy
There are several good websites with tips on buying a used motorcycle. Google ‘buying a used motorcycle’ and you’ll see.

But generally you want to make some kind of judgement about how well the bike has been cared for. Look at the tires. Are they wearing evenly? Are they cupped, or bald on one side? That’s a bad sign. Look at the chain. See how much play is in it. It should have about 1″ of play in the middle, between the sprockets. If it’s tight or loose it shows the previous owner hasn’t been adjusting it. Pull out the dipstick and look at the oil. Is it black like it hasn’t been changed in a while? Bad sign. Is there not enough of it?

Look at the fairing and plastic body parts. Are there patches or repairs? Evidence of damage?

If the owner has service records that’s nice, but it’s unusual. If he says he does the work himself, you have to make a judgement as to how good he is at taking care of the bike. Does he have a service manual? Does it look like it’s been handled with greasy fingers? 8^)

Look a the brake pads and disks. Do they look okay? The disks should be nice and flat and even.

When you call the seller and tell him you’re coming over to look at the bike, tell him you want to see him start it from cold. A warmed-up bike will always be easier to start, so you want the bike cold. If its hard to start, that’s a sign.

The real serious sportbikes–CBR, GSX-R, R6, etc–are made to push the limits. They often have some crash damage on them, plus you have to keep them revved up close to the redline to get all the power out of them, and this affects their longevity. Many of these bikes on the used market have been totally thrashed in 20k or 30k miles. Again, make a judgement about the previous owner, whether you think he rides like a grownup or a hot dog.

Answer by eddie j
tires usually are usually worn out, chain and sprockets will need replacing, brake pads probably need replacing plan on spending around £400 – £500 to get bike good

what ever it is cbr gsxr etc

Answer by mpt600
Most bikes are pretty good these days, so just look for stuff that’s going to cost you money.

Tyres may have lots of tread but they can go off with age. Ask how old they are.

Is the chain at the limit of it’s adjustment? If so, budget on a new chain and sprockets.

Front brake on and pump the forks up and down. Any play in the headstock? If so, worst case is new bearings. Then check the fork seals; any oil is bad.

On the centre stand, check the rear wheel for wobble. Budget for new bearings if it does.

Get someone to sit on the pillion and repeat for the front.

Check the engine is cold then see how easily it starts. Any blue smoke is bad (unless it’s a two stroke!)

Check all lights and switches work.

If you get a test ride, work every gear.

Sometimes it’s better to look at it at night. Once parked under sodium street lights, any slightly differently coloured replacement panels will show up. If it’s had replacement panels, it’s been in a smack.

Any doubts, walk away. There’s plenty of pristine, pampered examples out there.