Second Hand Motorcycles: What to Watch For

While purchasing a used motorcycle, you shouldn't just buy the first one that you like. Unfortunately, previously used bikes can have quite a few issues and even if you don't mind a fixer upper, you're going to want to know just what is wrong so you are paying the appropriate price. Obviously, if a bike needs a lot of work, it should cost less.

There are some areas of motorcycles that are more likely to give problems than others and you'll want to be aware of these. Let's take a look at what you should be watching for in a used motorcycle. These are all things that a beginning rider might miss in the excitement of getting a bike.

General Condition

Before inspecting specific parts of a used motorcycle, you'll want to take a look at what the bike looks like overall. You can't expect it to be in pristine shape, of course, since it has been used and this type of transportation is more likely to get banged up in everyday use than a car or truck.

Things to keep an eye out for include scratches and dents. These may not affect performance, but they could indicate that the bike has been in an accident that may have caused deeper damage. Also, in some cases, these damages could represent something that you will need to replace. For example, missing handlebar grips or badly damaged panels.

Rust can also be a problem, since it only tends to get worse. If there is moderate rust, keep in mind that these are parts you will likely have to replace in the near future. Rust can be very corrosive and its presence is something that will definitely lower the price of a used vehicle of any kind.

Gauges

These often break on older bikes and should be checked for accuracy. Usually the only way to really check is to take the bike for a test drive. While the gas gauge may not be absolutely vital, it does make life a lot easier, as opposed to looking into the dark tank and trying to figure out how much gas is left.

Other gauges, such as the speedometer are more important, but also tend to stop working in time, so make sure that you check this.

Brakes

As a safety feature, brakes are indispensible, but they are also one of the first things to wear out on a used bike. Check to see how well the brake pads grip and if they are worn down much. Uneven thickness of the brake pads means they are probably poorly adjusted and you will need to make sure that this is checked before you really ride the bike. Chances are the back brake system will be more worn unless they have recently been replaced.

Chain and Gears

Inspect the chain and all visible gears for signs of wear when checking out a bike. The chain should be able to be moved about an inch up and down in the center. Incorrect tension could mean there is extra wear and tear on the bike. The same goes for lubrication .. . if the chain is not properly lubricated, the engine will have been working harder and may be closer to needing to be replaced.

You'll also want to make sure that all gears and sprockets are intact, not missing teeth or damaged in any way.

Test Drive

Taking the bike for a test ride will let you know pretty quickly if this is a good investment or not. There are a few things to note at this point.

How does the bike feel? Check that it is a good height for you, that you don't have to balance on one foot to hold it up and that the handlebars are a comfortable distance for you.

Does it start right up? A bike that is hard to start won't get any easier, so this is definitely something to look for. Many bikes have their little quirks, so ask the seller if there is a trick to it. For kick-starters, it shouldn't require huge amounts of force to start the bike.

Does it keep running steadily? If you have to keep revving the engine to keep the motorcycle going, that is a sign that you should look elsewhere.

Is the battery good? Start and turn off the bike several times. If it stutters and is difficult to start, the battery could be faulty and need to be replaced. Depending on the brand of bike, this could get rather expensive.

Do all the lights work? This is pretty quick and easy to check, just flick each light on and off, check the brake lights and turn signals to be sure they work. A weak headlight could indicate a bad battery or connection.

Are there any worrisome noises or vibrations? If you are accustomed to how a motorcycle should feel and sound, this is an indication that something is not right with the bike. Make sure you try several speeds to get a good feel for the bike.

Do the gears shift smoothly? The last thing you want is a bike that jerks you around every time you have to shift gears, so check this out, going through each gear to test it. Do this while on a fairly straight, smooth stretch of road so you won't be distracted by other things.

All this might seem like a lot to be looking for, but keep in mind that this is an important purchase. The money you invest in a used motorcycle is not the last money you'll be putting into it, so you will want to make sure you know what you are getting into. If you aren't confident about your abilities to check the bike over, just go ahead and make sure that you bring along someone with mechanical expertise. There's nothing wrong with making sure the bike you get is worth the money you pay for it.