Used Motorcycle Buyers Guide
Welcome to our comprehensive guide to buying a used motorcycle.
We know motorcycles and the used motorcycle market inside out and this guide
will walk you through the things you should be aware of before committing
to your next purchase.
We hope you find it useful.
Buying A Used Motorcycle - An Overview
| There's few things as exciting as buying your next (or your
first if you're new to riding) motorcycle. There are so many options available on the market today at such great prices and the growth of the internet has enabled riders to research and find their next bike without having to phone and visit dealers across their State. With this said, care still needs to be taken when purchasing any motorcycle and this guide walks you through your pre-purchase decision. Using the internet to research and place an offer on your next bike can lead to the temptation not to go and see it first. If at all possible we always recommend that you go to see the bike before making final payment so that you can check it over and potentially take a test ride. However, an honest seller, detailed photographs and a full service history will tell you many things before you reach that stage. This guide covers the principal pre-purchase questions and background checks that apply to any motorcycle. It doesn't cover particular models and if you're yet to decide which model or even style of motorcycle you are planning on purchasing use the rest of our site to read about the different models and compare the prices of used bikes currently listed for sale on eBay. It will give you an overview of what's available and at what price. Once you've decided on the specific model that you are going to purchase do a quick search in relevant motorcycle forums to uncover any known problems specific to that bike so that you have a list of things you can put to the seller. Knowledge is power and the more pressure you put on a seller to answer valid questions comprehensively the more you will learn about whether the seller knows their bike and is a straight up rider or whether they become a little cagey which will suggest that they may by hiding something. |
1. Compare The Market
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Our site is very comprehensive so take some time to first define the type of bike you want, then compare the models available in that range (ie different kinds of 600cc sportbikes) and then compare the different bikes available on the used market for the particular make and model you have decided on.. Our "Used Motorcycle Price Guide" will give you an overview of what prices you should be paying for a particular second-hand motorcycle and as noted above, once you've decided on your model do a bit of research in related community forums so that you have a list of legitimate questions to put to the seller. |
This
should be obvious but you'd be suprised at how many riders make the mistake
of buying the first motorcycle they see. This can lead to one of two problems:
the purchase of the wrong motorcycle for you considering the type of riding
you are planning or will in reality do and secondly, the purchase of a bike
which is below average condtion for the particular make model and year.2. What Is The Overall Appearance Like?
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Good quality photos will tell you a lot about a motorcycle without actually seeing it in the flesh. |
The
overall appearance of the motorcycle will not tell you everything about the
bike and potential problems it may have but it will give you a good impression
of how the bike has been looked after, whether it's been ridden a lot in adverse
conditions like poor weather and salty roads along with any signs of potential
drops or crashes. 3. Has It Been Down?
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Things to look out for include: paint or metal ground off the ends of the handlebars, brake and clutch levers, footpegs, passenger footpegs, rear break lever and gear lever, dents in the gas tank where the handlebars have twisted into it, scratches on the engine casings, exhaust or body panels. If the bike has been repainted it may suggest that this was done to hide such a fall and you should push the seller to find out more. These things may be largely cosmetic damage and may not effect the core of the motorcycle although you should get a price reduction for such markings. More serious damage will effect the front forks, wheel alignment and potentially frame alignment. If in doubt make sure you go to see the motorcycle with someone who knows what they are looking at and are able to assess the damage properly before you make payment. |
When
a motorcycle goes down be it in a crash at speed, a loss of control during
a slows speed maneuveur or a drop while getting it out of the garage it will
always leave scars.4. How Has It Been Ridden - Raced Or Thrashed?
 Hard
riding and racing puts a lot of pressure on the motorcycles core machinery and
an incorrect running in routine can adversely affect a bike for its entire life.These things can be difficult to trace or spot when purchasing a used motorcycle but obvious things that suggest the motorcycle has been used for racing include: holes drilled through the heads of bolts (which racers use to safety-wire bolts in place), the use of frame sliders, the owning of a second set of "race fairings", cracks in the frame at welding points (from stress) and tires with roughed up edges. Beyond this - in talking to the seller get an idea of the type of rider he or she is. Has the bike been used for commuting, is it used year round, what's its mileage, is this mileage high or low for the year and type of motorcycle and if so ask the seller further questions. The point of all of this "interrogation" is an attempt to build up an accurate picture of the life the bike has had and how it has been treated during that life. |
5. Has The Correct Oil Been Used
 Different
motorcycles require different motorcycle oil and the use of incorrect or sub-standard
quality oil (with two-stroke sportbikes for example) can seriously effect engine
performance and engine life.Once you've decided on the exact motorcycle model you want to purchase and you have a list of sellers do a quick search in a related motorcycle forum or on Google to find out what oil the bike should be using so that you can ask the seller what oil he or she has used and check that it is corrrect. |
6. Does It Have A Full Service History?
 The
motorcycle service history is probably the most important collection of documents
relating to any used motorcycle.It will tell you when the services were carried out, who they were carried out by and what has had to be changed at different times. You will want to check that the services have happened at regular intervals as desribed in the motorcycle manual (be this per year or at regular mileage intervals) and that the service and any necessary subsequent work has been carried out by an approved dealer for the particular motorcycle model in question. If the rider has done their own servicing you will need to dig deeper in order to be confident in how the motorcycle has been looked after and the skill level of the person who has carried out this essential maintenance work. |
7. Are The Titles And Paperwork In Order?
 A
thorough investigation into the title and VIN of the particular motorcycle you
are planning on purchasing is critical so that you know the motorcycle you are
purchasing is owned by the seller who is selling it, has no existing liens on
the title of it and is not stolen.Do not hand over payment without checking that the VIN number on the bike matches the VIN on the title. The seller will have the title and you will be able to find the VIN marking on the bike usually on or around the steering head. |
8. Other Questions For The Seller
 In
addition to the things noted above and any model specific questions your internet
research may have turned up we also recommend you ask and get answers to the
following:1. What tires are on the bike (if the tires are not those that you want to ride on then you'll need to factor in replacements into your overall budget), 2. How old (years and miles) are the tires, 3. What modifications have been made and what aftermarket accessories have been added, 4. Which of these aftermarket accessories are included in the price and if you don't want them can the price be reduced if you don't take them. |
9. Don't Trust A Used Motorcycle Dealer Just Because They're A Dealer
 It's
common theme in the used motorcycle market that soon to be buyer's trust used
motorcycle dealers more than they do private sellers.This often leads to them paying over the market prices for motorcycles that are not the equivalent of other private sale motorcycles on the market. Remember that used motorcycle dealers are in the business to make money and most of their used stock will come from trade-ins (ie where a rider takes their existing bike and trades it in for another model the dealer has in stock). If you decide to go via a dealer be sure to give it the same inspection (service history, appearance, getting questions you have answered) as you would in a private sale and don't buy on faith alone. |
10. When Purchasing Make Sure You Get Everything You Should
 The
actual motorcycle is not the only thing you should receive when you make payment
and take delivery of your new bike. You'll need the registration title of the
bike so that you can get it transferred into your name and you should also receive
the "User Manual" along with a "Service Manual" which should
contain details of the service history of the bike along with a spare set of
keys.Also ask for any other documentation relating to the bike - receipts for purchases, proof of warranty work, service records etc and if you've negotiated accessories in to the purchase price (ie luggage, aftermarket exhaust etc) make sure you also receive these things on delivery. |
11. Post Purchase Things To Do
 Once
you've made payment and took delivery of your new bike make sure that you get
the title transferred over from the seller to you and also that you get the
appropriate motorcycle
insurance.We advise that you get both health and vehicle insurance so that you are fully covered. With the legalities taken care of consider getting a professional mechanic or dealership to give the bike a once over, particularly if it's been a while since its last service. Beyond that - familiarize yourself with your new motorcycle via the manual and start enjoying your new steed! Remember to take it easy as you get used to the differences in your new motorcycle... |
So What Next...
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Now you have an overview of the things you need to take account of when buying
your bike it's time to start researching, looking at what's available on the
market and comparing prices. > Cruiser
Motorcycles |