What to look at when buying a bike

[GNR]

hey

just wondering, this will help me, and others

what to look for when buyin a bike, like i mean, when your actaully there at the guys house lookin at it, what do you look out for....

Cracks on flaring,
tire tread
paintchips
what do you look for on the machanical side? how can i spot a default??


and what else....??

Cheers Heaps GNR

[Jantar]

Here are few things I'd suggest. There are a lot more depending on the style and age of the bike.

1. Examine the bike when its cold. Start at the bottoml and work up.

2. Check tyre wear, paying particular attention to the chicken strips. Has it been thrashed, or has the rider been over cautious.

3. Check the brake disks for any sign of scoring.

4. Is the exhaust in good order. Is it new? (what happened?) or is it starting to rust out?

5. Look at the under side of the pegs. Have they touched lightly at any time, or has the bike been down in a big way?

6. Check the chain and sprockets. Have they been well maintained, or is the chain dry and sprockets worn?

7. Now look at overall condition and appearance. Does the bike look like it has been loved, or has it been neglected.

8. Now, start the bike from cold. If the present owner has already warmed it up tell him you'll come back the next day. Did it start easily?

9. While it is warming up check the general WOF items. Lights, horn, indicators etc.

10. Once warm, take it for a test ride.

11. How does it feel. Is the engine free and responsive.

12. Does it change gear freely up and down.

13. How are the brakes?

14. Is there any unusual vibration.

15. Is the suspension working properly or does it bounce along the road.


I'm sure others will add to the list, but I must sign off for today.

Good luck.

[inlinefour]

hey

just wondering, this will help me, and others

what to look for when buyin a bike, like i mean, when your actaully there at the guys house lookin at it, what do you look out for....

Cracks on flaring,
tire tread
paintchips
what do you look for on the machanical side? how can i spot a default??


and what else....??

Cheers Heaps GNR

Make sure it has the Honda logo on it (PT)...

[James Deuce]

Take someone "who knows" with you would be the best idea.

Paint chips I wouldn't worry about. You can't avoid the odd large rock, bird, or even a random missile hurled from a car window. If it's done more than 20,000kms the underside of the fairing is going to look shot blasted, unless it's been repainted. If it has been repainted then it has been crashed.

Cracked fairing panels are a different matter, as are grazes to fairing panels. These are a sure sign the bike lay down for a rest at a random moment. So are bent brackets, or brackets that show signs of corrosion at a bend.

[Zed]

...Examine the bike when its cold.

GNR, make sure that the owner hasn't warmed the bike up before you arrive (feel the side of the engine or muffler to check) - he might be trying to hide issues with rough cold starting, noise, etc!

A general rule is the lower the mileage the better the engine condition and bike should be, therefore if you know the bike has quite high kms (say 50k+) make sure you ask for receipts on any work done, and consider getting a full approved mechanical check done prior to buying.

[Coyote]

If the engine doesn't start/explodes, it's generally not a good sign

[Blakamin]

So a repaint or little scratchs dont always mean that its been dropped/crashed.. but yeah.. it is a good sign to ask pointy questions tho.

It also de-values the bike by heaps... coz most resprays are done to hide something.... whether it was dropped or not is not the point... custom painted bikes in NZ get farq-all compared to an original colour.... better to leave a coupla scratches coz no-one will believe a respray "coz I scratched it between a car and a wall"... I wouldnt....

[FROSTY:Me]

My advise is that if you need to ask these questions then you need to take an experienced mate with you.
If you don't have one then take it to a bike shop to be assessed.

[James Deuce]

Is that so?? Well my bike has a wee graze on the side as a result of squeezing between an idiotic car parking manouvere and a brick wall.. ( was only way out) dammit to hell I cursed that day... and I'm thinking of repainting just for something different.. sick of Suzuki blue an white if you know what I mean.
So a repaint or little scratchs dont always mean that its been dropped/crashed.. but yeah.. it is a good sign to ask pointy questions tho.

I use this as a rule, because ANY doubt should be listened to. I wasn't trying to offend anyone, but the only re-painting I've done has been to original spec. Unfortunately the Biker Gods did smiteth me for my display of pride. The next repaint was quickly followed by a trade in.

I just think, especially going by John's recent experience with Red Baron, that an overt display of scuffiness should be treated with outright suspicion.

Sorry Speed Medic, no offence intended.

[inlinefour]

Ahh and none taken Jimbo.
Was thinking.. if i do repaint the bike... would it devalue it??

If its a professional job I would expect it to improve the bike's value.

[James Deuce]

If its a professional job I would expect it to improve the bike's value.

The only time that works is when the mechanicals have been reco'd or restored and have receipts for the work associated with it. As soon as anyone mentions "repaint" in the bike world it loses value because of the crash association - fairly or unfairly. My first question when someone says they've repainted is, "How bad was the crash?"

That's my natural paranoid reaction, especially when it involves handing over cash. Been burnt once or twice you see.

[Timber020]

I look beyond the bike as often other things will give you some idea of how the bikes been looked after. Well kept other vehicles, garage or house generally means that they take good care of all their stuff.
On the other hand if his place is covered in garbage, his cars a rusty oil leaker and his house isnt maintained there is a chance the bike is the ONE thing he keeps in primo cond, but its unlikely. (burnouts on the driveway or down the road......) See if he has the basic tools to look after the bike.

I used to (if I had the chance) talked to the neighbours (or mates), might sound nuts but one neightbour told me how this guy started his (in this case a car) before heading off to work and let it warm up for 5 minutes. Another guys neighbour told me how he started his bike every morning, reved crap out of it and raced off down the street at full speed.

[Stevo]

My bike was low sided and custom repainted. But fooked if anyone is gonna buy it cos it is now my baby. Nothing mechanically or structurally wrong with it so Lucky me

But then it is a mighty Honda.

Like the man said "If it's got the Honda logo and wings on it............... will fly

[FEINT]

I look beyond the bike as often other things will give you some idea of how the bikes been looked after. Well kept other vehicles, garage or house generally means that they take good care of all their stuff.
On the other hand if his place is covered in garbage, his cars a rusty oil leaker and his house isnt maintained there is a chance the bike is the ONE thing he keeps in primo cond, but its unlikely. (burnouts on the driveway or down the road......) See if he has the basic tools to look after the bike.

I used to (if I had the chance) talked to the neighbours (or mates), might sound nuts but one neightbour told me how this guy started his (in this case a car) before heading off to work and let it warm up for 5 minutes. Another guys neighbour told me how he started his bike every morning, reved crap out of it and raced off down the street at full speed.

I have never thought of it that way, but that is a pretty good idea. Unless he saves money on everything else except the bike....

[GNR]

thanks for the suggestions guy/gals, will try to rememeber them when lookin ,

thanks ! !