When looking for your first motorcycle, there are some things that you should look for.
This article should help you out so that you or somebody you know will not end up with a lemon.
I know it may be tempting to purchase the first bike you look at...
don't! It's always a smart idea to search around and see what your options are, whether it's the cost, engine displacement, or the model or style of motorcycle that fits you.
I recommend finding a pre-owned motorcycle from a private seller via your local newspaper, or a classified website like Craigslist.
org.
Dealers are generally very over priced for used motorcycles, as they price them up over bluebook value.
When searching for a motorcycle, make sure you bring a motorcycle savvy friend with you if you have one.
Also, the search requires a specific set of "tools".
I like to have a flashlight and a small mirror with me when I'm looking for a motorcycle.
Even in daylight, a flashlight can be a good friend.
Begin by looking at the overall "look" of the bike.
Does it look shiny and new, or are there scratches and dings? Any kind of damage above the foot peg level, can mean that the motorcycle has been laid down or crashed.
Then, move on to the tires.
Do they look worn or cracked? Are they slicks or track take offs? Do they have a good amount of tread left? Inspecting the tires is a great way to tell what the bike has been used for.
Once you have inspected the body work and the tires, move on to the most important part of the bike, the engine.
Look for large amounts of dirt, grease, and oil, if there is a large amount of any of these substances, it can have a lot to do with how well this machine has been maintained.
If there'sthere is too much dirt, grease, or oil, it could be a sign of potential problems.
If the motorcycle is too clean, that could be that the seller is trying to hide something from you.
Just keep in mind that some dirt is normal.
Look at the engine covers, are they original, or have they been replaced? You can tell a lot just from the style of covers that are on the engine.
If the engine covers have a performance brand name on them, chances are they are not factory covers.
This could mean that the motorcycle you are looking at has been raced.
Another way to see if it has in fact been raced, is to look at the heads of the bolts holding it all together.
If they have holes drilled in them, the bike probably has been raced.
These holes are for little cables that go through the head of the bolt as a safety measure, and are required by most tracks.
Now check out the chain/belt and sprockets.
They can tell you a lot about how the motorcycle was ridden.
If there are missing teeth on the sprockets, it can mean a number of things.
It could mean that the motorcycle has been ridden hard, or stunted.
It can also mean that it really hasn't been maintained as well as it should have been.
While inspecting the chain/belt there are a number of things to look for here as well.
Is the chain rusty, has it been repaired, how much play does it have? For a belt, the same kind of scenario, is the belt frayed, missing teeth, broken or cracked? Either way I would recommend getting a new one.
Inspect the frame carefully.
Look at the welds to ensure that they aren't broken or cracked.
Has the frame been modified, or repaired? This can be a tell-tale sign that the bike has been abused.
Look for stickers on the frame that might be concealing damage, also check that the VIN number is stamped into the frame someplace and matches the VIN on the Title, overlooking this can cause you a world of trouble.
If the inspection looks good, there is only one thing left to do.
If the owner is OK with it, and you have never ridden before, or do not have a license yourself, have your friend take the motorcycle for a test ride.
A simple test ride can tell you how the bike runs, and any quirks that may arise, and also show you how the bike responds performance wise, and to rider input.
HAPPY HUNTING!
This article should help you out so that you or somebody you know will not end up with a lemon.
I know it may be tempting to purchase the first bike you look at...
don't! It's always a smart idea to search around and see what your options are, whether it's the cost, engine displacement, or the model or style of motorcycle that fits you.
I recommend finding a pre-owned motorcycle from a private seller via your local newspaper, or a classified website like Craigslist.
org.
Dealers are generally very over priced for used motorcycles, as they price them up over bluebook value.
When searching for a motorcycle, make sure you bring a motorcycle savvy friend with you if you have one.
Also, the search requires a specific set of "tools".
I like to have a flashlight and a small mirror with me when I'm looking for a motorcycle.
Even in daylight, a flashlight can be a good friend.
Begin by looking at the overall "look" of the bike.
Does it look shiny and new, or are there scratches and dings? Any kind of damage above the foot peg level, can mean that the motorcycle has been laid down or crashed.
Then, move on to the tires.
Do they look worn or cracked? Are they slicks or track take offs? Do they have a good amount of tread left? Inspecting the tires is a great way to tell what the bike has been used for.
Once you have inspected the body work and the tires, move on to the most important part of the bike, the engine.
Look for large amounts of dirt, grease, and oil, if there is a large amount of any of these substances, it can have a lot to do with how well this machine has been maintained.
If there'sthere is too much dirt, grease, or oil, it could be a sign of potential problems.
If the motorcycle is too clean, that could be that the seller is trying to hide something from you.
Just keep in mind that some dirt is normal.
Look at the engine covers, are they original, or have they been replaced? You can tell a lot just from the style of covers that are on the engine.
If the engine covers have a performance brand name on them, chances are they are not factory covers.
This could mean that the motorcycle you are looking at has been raced.
Another way to see if it has in fact been raced, is to look at the heads of the bolts holding it all together.
If they have holes drilled in them, the bike probably has been raced.
These holes are for little cables that go through the head of the bolt as a safety measure, and are required by most tracks.
Now check out the chain/belt and sprockets.
They can tell you a lot about how the motorcycle was ridden.
If there are missing teeth on the sprockets, it can mean a number of things.
It could mean that the motorcycle has been ridden hard, or stunted.
It can also mean that it really hasn't been maintained as well as it should have been.
While inspecting the chain/belt there are a number of things to look for here as well.
Is the chain rusty, has it been repaired, how much play does it have? For a belt, the same kind of scenario, is the belt frayed, missing teeth, broken or cracked? Either way I would recommend getting a new one.
Inspect the frame carefully.
Look at the welds to ensure that they aren't broken or cracked.
Has the frame been modified, or repaired? This can be a tell-tale sign that the bike has been abused.
Look for stickers on the frame that might be concealing damage, also check that the VIN number is stamped into the frame someplace and matches the VIN on the Title, overlooking this can cause you a world of trouble.
If the inspection looks good, there is only one thing left to do.
If the owner is OK with it, and you have never ridden before, or do not have a license yourself, have your friend take the motorcycle for a test ride.
A simple test ride can tell you how the bike runs, and any quirks that may arise, and also show you how the bike responds performance wise, and to rider input.
HAPPY HUNTING!