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| Version | User | Scope of changes |
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| Mar 26 2010, 10:23 PM EDT (current) | almostbasic | 757 words added |
| Mar 26 2010, 10:23 PM EDT | almostbasic |
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While you're 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 get stuck with a lemon. I know it may be tempting to buy the 1st motorcycle you look at... do not! It's definitely 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 suits you. I recommend buying a pre owned motorcycle from a private seller via your local newspaper, or a classified website like Craigslist.org. Dealers are often very over priced for used motorcycles, as they price them up over bluebook value.
While you are looking for a motorcycle, make sure you bring a motorcycle savvy friend with you if you have one. Also, the hunt requires a specific set of "tools". I like to bring a flashlight and a little mirror with me when I am hunting for a motorcycle. Even in the daytime, a flashlight can be very helpful. Begin by looking at the overall "look" of the bike. Does it look shiny and new, or are there scratches and dents? Any signs of damage over the level of the foot pegs, could mean that the bike 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 good way to tell what the motorcycle has been used for.
After you've looked at the body work and the tires, move on to the most important part of the motorcycle, the engine. Look for significant quantities of grease, oil, and dirt, if there is a good 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 grease, oil, or dirt, it can be a sign of problems to come. If the bike is too clean, it could mean that the seller is trying to hide something from you. Just remember that a little dirt is normal. Look at the engine covers, are they OEM, or have they been replaced? You can tell a lot just by the style of covers that are on the motor. If the engine covers have a performance brand name on them, chances are they are not original covers. This could mean that the motorcycle you are checking out has been raced. Another way to figure out 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 most likely has been raced. These holes are for small cables that go through the head of the bolt for safety reasons, and are required on most tracks.
Now check out the chain/belt and sprockets. They can tell you a lot about how the bike was ridden. If there are missing teeth on the sprockets, it could mean a few things. It can 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. When checking out the chain/belt there are a few things to look for here as well. Is the chain rusty, has it been repaired, how much slack does it have? For a belt, the same kind of scenario, is the belt frayed, missing teeth, cracked or broken? Either way I would suggest getting a new one.
Inspect the frame carefully. Look at the welds to make sure 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 somewhere and matches the VIN on the Title, overlooking this can cause you a heap of trouble. If the inspection looks good, there's only one thing left to do. If the owner allows it, and you have never ridden before, or don'tdo 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!
While you are looking for a motorcycle, make sure you bring a motorcycle savvy friend with you if you have one. Also, the hunt requires a specific set of "tools". I like to bring a flashlight and a little mirror with me when I am hunting for a motorcycle. Even in the daytime, a flashlight can be very helpful. Begin by looking at the overall "look" of the bike. Does it look shiny and new, or are there scratches and dents? Any signs of damage over the level of the foot pegs, could mean that the bike 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 good way to tell what the motorcycle has been used for.
After you've looked at the body work and the tires, move on to the most important part of the motorcycle, the engine. Look for significant quantities of grease, oil, and dirt, if there is a good 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 grease, oil, or dirt, it can be a sign of problems to come. If the bike is too clean, it could mean that the seller is trying to hide something from you. Just remember that a little dirt is normal. Look at the engine covers, are they OEM, or have they been replaced? You can tell a lot just by the style of covers that are on the motor. If the engine covers have a performance brand name on them, chances are they are not original covers. This could mean that the motorcycle you are checking out has been raced. Another way to figure out 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 most likely has been raced. These holes are for small cables that go through the head of the bolt for safety reasons, and are required on most tracks.
Now check out the chain/belt and sprockets. They can tell you a lot about how the bike was ridden. If there are missing teeth on the sprockets, it could mean a few things. It can 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. When checking out the chain/belt there are a few things to look for here as well. Is the chain rusty, has it been repaired, how much slack does it have? For a belt, the same kind of scenario, is the belt frayed, missing teeth, cracked or broken? Either way I would suggest getting a new one.
Inspect the frame carefully. Look at the welds to make sure 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 somewhere and matches the VIN on the Title, overlooking this can cause you a heap of trouble. If the inspection looks good, there's only one thing left to do. If the owner allows it, and you have never ridden before, or don'tdo 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!
