Used Motorcycle Buying Tips

By: Harvey Ong

A used motorcycle is a great way for someone to discover the thrill of the open road and the sense of freedom that bike enthusiasts say comes with a good ride. A used motorcycle also lends people the opportunity to get a bike that has been customized, though such a machine is rare outside the continental US. However, whenever someone decides to buy a used bike, there are a few things to watch out for to make sure one does not end up being scammed.

The most obvious part of the used motorcycle to check out would be the tires and wheels. Tires are the components of the bike that typically get the most abuse. Wear and tear on bike tires are to be expected, especially if the person selling the machine is an avid biker. However, it is advisable to check for uneven wear on the tire, as a sign of the tires being used with incorrect air pressure. Incorrect air pressure on the wheel can result in something as mundane as bad handling to something drastic like shortening the lifespan of the wheels and tires. In relation, a buyer should make certain to check the wheels as well. Once the wheel is spun, it should not move from sideways, as that can indicate either damage or loose parts. If the wheels do not spin normally after braking, it shows a problem with the brakes.

Naturally, whenever purchasing a used motorcycle, a buyer should check the brakes. This includes parts like the drum, the cylinder, and the brake disc. These parts should be checked carefully for damage or wear. It is also a good idea to manually operate everything, to determine the parts' overall condition. For obvious reasons, if the brakes aren't functioning properly, the bike isn't worth buying. Bike brakes can be very expensive to have repaired and the price for replacing them often borders on the insane for non-enthusiasts, so checking the brake system before buying a used bike can save the buyer thousands in repair costs.

Making sure the used motorcycle is in running condition is also advisable. Make sure all the levers and systems still work properly and there is nothing loose or damaged among the movable parts. For most designs, the front of the bike is the easiest to damage and is a relatively easy area of the bike to inspect. There are a lot of places on a bike that can have a loose screw, a damaged cable, or a defective engine "kill" switch. Minor things, like dents and scratches, should be checked out as well. A buyer should also check the handlebars, to see if those parts have been bent or dented, since such signs would indicate that the bike has been toppled or knocked down. A buyer must take notice of the side where the throttle control is, since a bent handlebar on that side can cause difficulty in keeping the bike controlled properly.

A used motorcycle has to be checked thoroughly to make certain the buyer is getting what he paid for and nothing less. The typical bike is more prone to wear and tear than the typical car, so a used motorcycle likely has seen at least one small dent since it was first purchased. By simply practicing a little caution, a buyer should have no problem getting the most from the bike without having to pay for expensive upgrades.

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