A resource
for Motorcyclists and Bikers, providing links
to bike news, bike selling sites and motorcycle
dealers as well as links to organisations dealing
with motorcycling - related services and interests.
This section contains basic information as
well as links to expert content to inform and
entertain the Motorcyclist. |
Helpful Hints - Buying a Motorcycle
online
Choosing a Bike
What are you looking for? A scooter, commuter, tourer,
trailie or sportsbike?
How much do you have to spend? Do you need finance?
Looking for a new or second-hand bike? Would you
consider an import? Private or dealer?
Making the right choice is about using your head
as well as your heart. Will that beautiful chrome
stand up to winter of motorway toil? Fancy going
touring on a 125? .
Setting a Budget
- How much can I afford?
- Do I need finance? Compare personal loans
here
- How much will it cost me to insure?
- How much will
I spend on tyres and fuel?
What Bike to Buy?
- Read a good Bike Price and Buying Guide
- Do I want a new or used Bike?
- Import or UK supplied bike?
- Do I want to buy from a motorcycle dealer or
privately?
Checklist for Private Sales
- How long has the previous owner had the
bike?
- How many owners has the bike had? - The greater
the number the more you should be suspicious.
- What
is the bike’s annual mileage? Expect
3000 miles for a small bike (125cc or less) or
4000 for
a larger bike on average. Use our registration
guide to help you work out the average mileage
you would
expect to see.
- Is it a UK bike or an import? Imports
will be worth less than a UK supplied bike. Check
this with
a bike
data check such as HPI
- Has the bike been damaged?
Ask the question and check for visible damage
that will help you reduce
the
price.
- Does the bike have outstanding finance or hire
purchase? Check this with a bike data check.
- Does
the bike have modifications and an aftermarket
exhaust? Make sure you can have the road legal
system supplied with the bike.
- Is the motorcycle taxed
and supplied with a
current MOT?
- Does the motorbike come with the spare
keys?
- Does the bike’s seller have the V5 document
and is their name on it?
- When was the motorbike
last serviced?
- Ask the owner why they are selling
the bike. – This
will give you some indication of their motivation
and how they may have looked after it.
What to Check on a Used Bike
- Frame - Check the frame and engine numbers
match those on the bike’s V5 document.
- Forks - Inspect the forks for visual damage as well
as compressing them hard when sitting on
the bike.
The return stroke should be slower and smooth.
- Head - Inspect the head bearings with the bike on
the stand and the steering damper slackened, the
bars should move freely with no resistance or roughness.
- Rear
Shock – Check for signs of leakage
and perform the same compression test as you would
for
the front forks.
- Wheels – Check for scratches
and dents on the rim and spin the wheel to make
sure it runs
smoothly
without wobbling. Pull and push the wheel to
check for excessive wear in the bearings.
- Brakes – Visually
examine the disc and pads for signs of wear,
distortion or cracking.
- Tyres – Check for at least 3mm
of tread
(the legal minimum) – preferably more – check
for signs of uneven wear, cracking etc. as well
as having some idea of what they cost to replace.
- Chain
and Sprocket – Check the play in
the chain by lifting it close to the sprocket. If
it lifts over half a sprocket’s depth then
it needs replacing. Similarly, if the sprocket
teeth show excessive wear (hooking), this too will
need
to be replaced.
- Lights – Check all lights
function and that the front light dips to the
correct side.
- Instruments and Controls – Warning lights
should function on start up, with both the speedo
and rev-counter
needles moving smoothly. All levers should
work smoothly and not show signs of bending or
excessive
damage.
- Engine, Clutch and Gearbox - The bike should
start without problems and idle correctly at
c.1000 rpm.
Look for visible indications of damage
on the engine casing as well as oil leaks and unexpected
noises. Gears should engage smoothly with the
engine
running.
- Exhaust - Be aware of the illegality of certain
aftermarket systems and ask the owner to supply
the original
item if at all possible.
- Bodywork - Check
for cracking and scratching
of the bike’s fairing and bodywork.
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