Second Hand Bikes

[Ozzie]

I personnaly will not seriously consider a second hand bike.

Why?

Well basically because I don't know what they have been through, I don't know enough about bikes to be able to tell. Because I can't be sure it is safe and hasn't been thrashed, and you just can't trust people to be honest;

Take for example the trade on trade me at the moment, that a newbee is looking at....http://www.trademe.co.nz/Browse/List...08&permanent=0

The notes say it has been dropped while stationery onto the right side, there is a pic of the damage, which to me looks like it was not stationary.

The bike is also missing the right mirror, and has tape or something on the clutch lever, which leads me to think it wasn't just one drop.....so.....i asked a question....

"""How did the mirror come to be off? What is with the tape on the clutch leaver? posted by: tb_ozzy (17 ) 9:01 am, Thu 13 Jul
mirror broke when bike fell over as i did not have the sidestand down properley, also must mention round knob on clutch lever is broken off (that if what tape is for) but does not affect the rider or bike in any way, only cosmetic 5:12 pm, Thu 13 Jul """

So the drop from stationery damaged the exhaust on the right of the bike, took the mirror off the left, and broke the knob off the end of the clutch lever....am I missing something?

So yeah, it is preferable to me (and the finance company) to go new.

What are your thoughts? What are your biggest concerns with second hand rides? What do you look for?

[GR81]

not everyone can afford a brand new bike

[XTC]

I personnaly will not seriously consider a second hand bike.

What are your thoughts? What are your biggest concerns with second hand rides? What do you look for?

What do you care you're not going to buy one anyway......

That's leaves them for us who can tell the difference between a diamond and a zirc... zhir... one of those other things.

[Motu]

If you've got the money,go for it.For some people a new bike is not an option.

I look at the condition of the bike....and make my decision based on that.

[Mr. Peanut]

I don't have a problem with second hand bikes.

Get them thoroughly checked out and you'll have saved yourself huge amounts of cash. Warrantys are a bit of a joke, if nothing happens to your bike you've wasted a lot of money.

Older bikes have already been through the warrenty period and any subsequent factory flaws have already been dealt with.

The horrendous depreciation on a new bike could well exceed any repair cost on an older bike.

[bert_is_evil]

If this is the auction I'm thinking of (can't check from work) I was going to ask the same question, or something along the lines of "was the garage floor moving quickly at the time the bike fell"...

I'd love to buy a new bike but unfortunately finances restrict me to buying second hand with questionable past

[Ozzie]

What do you care you're not going to buy one anyway......

Curiosity, wondering if I'm just anal (suspect I am), and seeing if I can learn from everyone else on what are the things to look out for.

I understand the finance thing, wanted a Ninja, couldn't afford the 20k, so was aiming for possibly a second handy up to 10k, the Katana was 10k new, so easy decision for me. Gives me a ride while waiting for more folding stuff.

[Motig]

So that goes for cars as well? Houses? Seriously its the old story 'Buyer Beware' so you ask around and do your homework, work out your budget, use your commonsense and buy that bargain.

[Ozzie]

So that goes for cars as well? Houses? Seriously its the old story 'Buyer Beware' so you ask around and do your homework, work out your budget, use your commonsense and buy that bargain.

Hence the thread.....Asking around.....

[inlinefour]

I don't have a problem with second hand bikes.

In fact all but one of my bikes have been 2nd hand. Perhaps the initial poster should have posted that he does not know enough about bikes to fully assess the condition of a 2nd hand bike or too useless to get someone who can look at the bike. I wonder if this person actualy knows much about bikes at all from reading the initial post. A new bike can also be a shitter too. Not very often, but it can happen. I like my older collectable bike, they have more character than any new bike could ever have and a hell of alot easier to work on or restore.

[Ixion]

Ah, it must be nice to be rich.

[Ozzie]

In fact all but one of my bikes have been 2nd hand. Perhaps the initial poster should have posted that he does not know enough about bikes to fully assess the condition of a 2nd hand bike or too useless to get someone who can look at the bike. I wonder if this person actualy knows much about bikes at all from reading the initial post. A new bike can also be a shitter too. Not very often, but it can happen. I like my older collectable bike, they have more character than any new bike could ever have and a hell of alot easier to work on or restore.

Man, you guys

From reading the initial post there should be no need to wonder, I actually said that, and aside from the KBers I met Saturday, I don't know any riders, hence the post, and the question....

Thanks for your response though!

[gamgee]

twat
so because one or two people tell obvious lies, everyone should avoid buying second hand? You'd have to be mad to buy from someone who is obviously lying like that! things to look for should be fairly obvious, bad noises = bad bad cosmetic = bad take it to a motorbike mechanic and get it checked - not the fucktards at AA, they haven't got a clue about motorbikes

[gamgee]

put it this way, I'd rather buy a bike from someone who says 'the fairing in really rough, it needs new front shocks and chain and sprockets, but the engine has been well maintained and runs well"
than someone who says:
"the bike got knocked off it's stand but it's a really fast bike"

[98tls]

When i came across my TL it had done 5000 km and had 4 owners which seemed abit dodgey..i rode it seemed fine..appearence wise perfect,got another bloke to give me a second opinion and he couldnt fault it so i bought the thing..5 years and 40000km later its never missed a beat.i think with anything second hand you just have to check it out thoroughly.