How to buy used motorcycles: essential tips

The moment has come. You are about to buy a second-hand motorcycle to enjoy, feel the freedom to drive with the wind and save time on your daily trips. Or at least one of those three things. However, it is not always easy to find a good unit and carry out the entire process without fright. Here are some basic tips to keep in mind to try to give on the target.

#1. Choose the most suitable motorcycle

This may seem suitable and is also applicable to any motorcycle, not only second hand. But it is important not to get carried away by that motorcycle that enters very well by sight or that offers great benefits. The passion component is fine, there is no doubt, however, it is interesting to ask some questions before making a purchase decision. Will I use the motorcycle exclusively in the city or on occasional mountain road breaks? Will I always move alone, with a companion or part and part? How much card time do I have and what type of engine is appropriate for my claims? Is the economy of use important to me in terms of expenses applied to revisions, taxes, etc.?

There are as many right (or wrong) options as users. It's just about thinking well before choosing the motorcycle that our garage will occupy. Because a radical sports car is of little use to you if in the usual displacements one is loaded with barges between the traffic, in the same way that a scooter of low or medium displacement would not make sense (as much as the card only allows me this) or even an electric motorcycle with reduced autonomy, if I travel long distances on fast roads every day. As much as it is a platonic love, if it does not meet the expectations of use, it can end up becoming more an element of discord than anything else.

#2. Individual or authorized establishment when buying a used motorcycle?

Once the exact model has been chosen, two purchase options are opened: in a sale purchase or to a private individual. The first, in general, is more expensive because it is still a business that lives on the margins; With a particular seller, it is easier to file and negotiate a price that, already in itself, will be more startup content. But of course, an authorized establishment is obliged to offer a one-year warranty and moreover, it is likely that it will make some effort to sell the motorcycle as presentable as possible. With a particular, there can be more neglect in every way

#3. Have you been standing for a while?

In principle, you have to run away from those motorcycles that 'stopped while they were running' or have been raising mallows for a long time. Although this may have a good part, and that is that they stop accumulating kilometers during that time, inactivity can actually become the worst enemy of a motorcycle and any vehicle: batteries that lose their charge, tires that deform and crystallize their outer layer, rubber that cracks, sleeves that lose their properties ... in short, that many times put a motorcycle back into operation requires dedication and money. This, however, can be an opportunity to negotiate the price down and even a fun for the little ones.

#4. Do you have all the papers in order?

Although many will consider it commonplace, it is not uncommon to find motorcycles (or rather owners) that do not meet their obligations. The ITV must be in force to make the change of ownership. There must also be the current traffic permit. In Traffic, you can request a vehicle history report to know these and other issues. Be careful, too, for sure. If it is time to buy and return home, the vehicle must be covered in any case. If the seller already has his inactive policy, it is best to take out insurance immediately and not afterward, so it can happen. You never know when you can ask for documentation or when you may need to use insurance. If it does not exist, the consequences can be quite complicated for the new owner.

#5. Do not rely on appearances

Watch out for the ads, that the photos are deceiving and what looks like a candy, then it may end up being something quite different. You have to see the motorcycle live to know what its general condition is. Even if one is not an expert in motorcycles or does not know about mechanics, one can see the wear of certain components, noises, vibrations ... In short, just a glance is enough to draw many valid conclusions when making the final decision. If there is a trustworthy workshop involved and the owner of the motorcycle lends himself to being looked at better than better.

#6. Street bikes

The state of the elements that are exposed can give an idea of whether it has been stored indoors or sleeping outdoors. Fairings with clear battle signs, engines with a large layer of dirt, rusty brake discs ... All this can be a sign that the motorcycle has been exposed to street life more than desirable. Also, the state of the seat is a clear indicator of this. As with cars, not living indoors causes premature wear, affects aesthetics and can shorten life.

#7. Mileage on a second-hand motorcycle

There are engines that are timeless and motorcycles with a high manufacturing quality that, if they have been well maintained, can last if necessary. This means that in certain cases a high mileage does not have to be an obstacle to opt for one model or another. But it is still an important issue. Therefore, we must distrust those odometers that are broken, because it is not known when they will have stopped counting. In any case, these measuring elements are manipulable, so it is worth checking things like the state of the seat, the possible rust on the frame or the exhaust, cracks in rubber elements, the loss of color of the optical groups All this serves to see if there is coherence between the kilometers marked and what the bike says of itself.

#8. Maintenance of a used motorcycle

A periodic review book in which there is evidence of good maintenance and reflects the mileage of the motorcycle in its previous years is worth its weight in gold. We must try to get all possible invoices related to the work done on the motorcycle. Periodic oil changes are fundamental and speak of proper care by the previous owner/owners.

#9. Falls, great enemies of motorcycles

There are elements of the bikes that show possible falls and drag. The rear-view mirrors, stirrups and gear lever, the handles and the exposed parts of the fairing are the first elements that come into contact with the ground and, therefore, the first and the ones that suffer the most from the blows. If they are very touched they can indicate that the motorcycle has gone to the ground on more than one occasion. Some parts of the fairing are usually quite expensive in case of needing replacement, and on the other hand, the falls mismatch components. Here we have another point that can be used to negotiate the final price.

#10. The condition of the tires on a motorcycle

It provides information on the use that has been given to the motorcycle. If the flanks are more worn than the central part, it is easy to think that the motorcycle has been used in circuit; on the contrary, a 'square' wheel, that is, with inverse wear, records that the previous owner has rolled more in a straight line than between curves.

Tires are a key element in the safety of any vehicle, but more so, if possible, on a motorcycle (tips for driving a motorcycle on a slippery road). Here, the components, the grip and the pressures are essential to achieve a satisfactory and safe driving experience. So you shouldn't skimp. If the motorcycle comes with tires not only worn but of poor quality or in poor condition, it can indicate some carelessness on the part of its previous owner. Here is another element to lower the price in the negotiation, because good new tires are not exactly cheap.

#11. The condition of the brake equipment

It is very important to look at the wear of the pads and other elements such as brake fluid, which has become dark when it is old or has not been used for a long time. With the discs, it is always good to swipe to see possible irregular wear. If there are grooves, it means that the disc is warped, probably due to the aggressive use of the brakes.

#12. Noises in the engine of a used motorcycle

After checking that the engine is not dirtier than normal and that there are no obvious losses of fluids, it is time to listen to it started, either at a standstill or running. A metallic clapping sound can be an indicator of loose internal parts, of cranks in poor condition ... urgent attention should be given to this. If there are strange or unknown noises, be careful. Once again, being able to take the motorcycle to a trusted workshop would be important to make sure of the scope.

#13. Cushioning on a second-hand motorcycle

The suspensions, those great forgotten. Yes, the suspension is no less important than other components. As an elastic element, it affects driving more than one imagines. Safety and comfort depend on it, so it is not desirable to buy a motorcycle with the suspension in poor condition. And how to check it? Simply compress and release the front and back repeatedly to see if there are bounces or stabilizes quickly. First, it would indicate a high degree of wear.

#14. The test of a second-hand motorcycle

It is controversial, because it may be the case that the potential buyer runs away. That is why many users prefer not to lend the motorcycle. Faced with a refusal, it is always easier to do it in a limited environment and without escape or 'package' with its current owner. You can also draw conclusions about the condition of the motorcycle from the rear seat. The case is to see how it moves, how it sounds.

#15. The guarantee

A motorcycle buying and selling establishment is obliged to give a one-year warranty after purchase. But did you know that an individual must also respond to possible failures? Second-hand vehicles from individuals are subject to the Civil Code and the regulations on 'hidden defects'. This indicates that, during the six months following the date of sale, the seller must indemnify or repair those defects that the vehicle had at the time of purchase - and that were not reflected in the contract even when they were not known.