How To Buy Your First Motorcycle By: Chris Miller
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 someone you know won't end up with a lemon. I know it may be tempting to purchase the first motorcycle you find... do not! It is always a good idea to shop around and see what your options are, whether it's the cost, engine displacement, or the model or style of motorcycle that fits 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 generally very over priced for used motorcycles, as they mark 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 have a flashlight and a small mirror with me when I am searching for a motorcycle. Even in daylight, a flashlight can be a good friend. Start by looking at the overall "look" of the bike. Does it look shiny and new, or are there scratches and dents? Any amount of damage over the foot peg level, could mean that the motorcycle 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 was used for.
Once you've inspected the tires and the body work, move on to the most important part of the bike, the engine. Look for significant quantities of grease, oil, and dirt, if there is a large amount of any of these substances, it can have a lot to do with how well this machine was maintained. If there'sthere is too much dirt, grease, or oil, it could be a sign of problems to come. If the motorcycle is too clean, it could mean that the seller is trying to hide something from you. Just keep in mind that some dirt is normal. Look at the engine covers, are they OEM, or have they been replaced? You can tell a lot just from the style of covers that are on the motor. If the engine covers have a performance company name on them, chances are they aren't factory covers. This could mean that the bike you are looking at has been raced. Another way to find 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 has most likely been raced. These holes are for little cables that go through the head of the bolt as a safety measure, and are required by most tracks.
Now take a look at the chain/belt and sprockets. They can tell you a lot about how the motorcycle was ridden. If there are teeth missing on the sprockets, it can mean a number of things. It can mean that the motorcycle has been ridden hard, or stunted. It could also mean that it really has not been maintained as well as it should have been. When looking at the chain/belt there are a number of things to look for here as well. Is the chain rusted, has it been repaired, how much play does it have? For a belt, the same kind of scenario, is the belt frayed, teeth missing, cracked or broken? Either way I would recommend getting a new one.
Inspect the frame closely. Check out 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 someplace and matches the VIN on the Title, overlooking this can cause you a lot of trouble. If the inspection looks good, there's only one thing left to do. If the owner is ok with 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!
More Motorcycle Resources: motorcycle articles | custom motorcycle forum | build a custom motorcycle
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 have a flashlight and a small mirror with me when I am searching for a motorcycle. Even in daylight, a flashlight can be a good friend. Start by looking at the overall "look" of the bike. Does it look shiny and new, or are there scratches and dents? Any amount of damage over the foot peg level, could mean that the motorcycle 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 was used for.
Once you've inspected the tires and the body work, move on to the most important part of the bike, the engine. Look for significant quantities of grease, oil, and dirt, if there is a large amount of any of these substances, it can have a lot to do with how well this machine was maintained. If there'sthere is too much dirt, grease, or oil, it could be a sign of problems to come. If the motorcycle is too clean, it could mean that the seller is trying to hide something from you. Just keep in mind that some dirt is normal. Look at the engine covers, are they OEM, or have they been replaced? You can tell a lot just from the style of covers that are on the motor. If the engine covers have a performance company name on them, chances are they aren't factory covers. This could mean that the bike you are looking at has been raced. Another way to find 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 has most likely been raced. These holes are for little cables that go through the head of the bolt as a safety measure, and are required by most tracks.
Now take a look at the chain/belt and sprockets. They can tell you a lot about how the motorcycle was ridden. If there are teeth missing on the sprockets, it can mean a number of things. It can mean that the motorcycle has been ridden hard, or stunted. It could also mean that it really has not been maintained as well as it should have been. When looking at the chain/belt there are a number of things to look for here as well. Is the chain rusted, has it been repaired, how much play does it have? For a belt, the same kind of scenario, is the belt frayed, teeth missing, cracked or broken? Either way I would recommend getting a new one.
Inspect the frame closely. Check out 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 someplace and matches the VIN on the Title, overlooking this can cause you a lot of trouble. If the inspection looks good, there's only one thing left to do. If the owner is ok with 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!
More Motorcycle Resources: motorcycle articles | custom motorcycle forum | build a custom motorcycle
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