How To Buy A Used Motorcycle

How To Buy A Used Motorcycle

Buying your first used motorcycle can often include a great deal of mistakes or bad decisions. Especially if it is the first bike you have purchased. Without knowing what to look for or even having a clear idea of what you want, things can go drastically wrong. Here are a few common mistakes that people make when buying a used motorcycle and how you can avoid them.

First, many people think that it is not necessary to have a motorcycle lesson when they purchase a bike. The plan would be to buy the motorcycle and learn to ride on it. This is a bad idea and can lead to injuries or a damaged bike. Get your license before you find the bike that you want to purchase. The DA office will have a motorbike that is suitable for you learning to ride. The lessons will come with a small fee but they are well worth it.

Decide how much you are willing to spend on a bike and do not go over that. Many people want to buy a used bike because it is cheaper but end up paying half or more of the same price as for a new bike. This isn't really a very good idea because sometimes old bikes can have problems that need money to fix. If you are spending all of your spare cash paying off the $10, 000 you paid for the bike than you cannot afford to have it fixed.

Test-drive the motorcycle at several different speeds. There are a few unsavory types who will tell you that there is nothing wrong with a bike when there actually is. Try to make sure that the bike is OK before you buy. If necessary take it to a mechanic for a quick checkup. This will cost a little extra but may save you some grief in the future.

Do not ever buy a fix-it-up bike unless you either know how to do it or are planning on taking it to a mechanic. While $200 may be a cheap price for a 1984 Harley Davidson Pan head, it will just turn into a pile of junk in your yard unless you do something about it.

Get a second opinion on the bike. Bring a friend or buddy to help you look at the bike. A second set of eyes will often spot something that you may have missed such as a crack in the gas tank or a missing brake shoe. They will also be able to tell you if it's your type of bike.

Don't grab the cheapest thing that comes along. Find a bike that you really love. You will regret it later if you buy a Hyundai when you wanted a Harley. Remember that there are more important things than price and you will have to live with your bike for a long time. Try to find one that suits your personality.

Decide what kind of conditions you will be using the bike for? Going to work every day? Weekend interstate cruises? Or that long anticipated ride along the West Coast? Try to find a bike that suits your needs. If you aren't sure what a bike is capable of, look up its specs online. There are plenty of reviews and capability listings for almost every motorcycle on the planet.

While you may think that a bike is just a bike, this can be very wrong. Both bikes and humans come in different shapes and sizes. Sometimes they don't mix very well and a bike can be ridiculously uncomfortable. If you're not sure about it on the test drive, try it out again. If you still aren't comfortable do not fool yourself into thinking that it will 'break in'. This is a used bike, it is as broken is as it is going to get.

As the seller if they are selling at the lowest price possible, but don't haggle too much. They are not likely to drop the price very much anyway and saving a few hundred dollars probably isn't worth having to make payments to someone who hates your guts.

Finally, remember to always get proper receipts, if the bike does not come with a title, than go to the county courthouse and get one. It is important to have complete proof of ownership of your new motorcycle. If you are uncomfortable in dealing with a private party, you can buy a used motorcycle from a dealer where they are legally obliged to do all of this for you.