Everything You Need To Know About Buying A Used Motorcycle

If you’re buying a used bike for the first time, it can be an overwhelming process and you may not have any idea as to where to start or what to ask. You may be wondering if buying a used bike is the right thing for you or what do you look for in a used bike. 

Buying a used bike has its benefits and challenges. There are many shops that sell used motorcycles or motorcycle parts in Denver. So when you’re buying a used motorcycle, here are some tips that will help you buy the right used motorcycle.

Research the various types of motorcycles

If you’re a regular rider, you may have an idea what kind of bike you want, but if you are a beginner rider then you may like to research the various types of bikes and find one that best suits the kind of experience that you want. Also, it is important to know your riding style before you choose a bike. Know whether you are planning short rides or long road trips and you can accordingly choose a bike that suits your requirements.

Find a place to buy a bike

Whether you’re buying a used bike or a new one, you need to find a good source that you can trust. There are two ways in which you can buy a used motorcycle - either through an auto dealership or through a private seller. If you’re buying from a private seller then you may be able to get the bike at a better price but make sure to check the condition of the bike thoroughly before buying from private sellers.

Check the VIN

When you’re buying a used motorcycle, make sure to check the Vehicle Registration Number or VIN. Do not purchase the bike if the numbers seem restamped. You can also bring pictures of the factory stamped numbers to compare how the numbers look so that you do not buy a theft vehicle. 

Examine the bike when it’s cold

This is a very beneficial tip when it comes to examining an old bike. Before you go inspect the bike, ask the seller to leave the bike cold for a couple of hours and not use it until you reach there. Starting and running problems are easy to detect on a cold bike. If you notice that the bike takes a significant amount of time to start or it makes weird noises for the first minute of run time, then the bike surely needs a lot of repairs.

Examine the footpegs, bar ends and levers

Examine the footpegs, levers and bar end next. These are the first things that will come to your notice when you are examining the bike and they should match the age of the bike. If the footpegs look damaged or much older than the bike then it is an indication that the bike has been run down. Also, if the levers appear to be a little curved, it is a sign of damage.

Examine the tires

If the tire has a smooth and even surface then there is nothing to worry but if there is severe wear or damage in the center third of the rear tire then it is a big sign of a performance burnout. This is not good for the bike and it can be really bad for the engine. If you notice the tie of the motorcycle is damaged then you might need to buy replacement motorcycle tires in Denver for your bike. Also, flat spots on the tire are a sign of skidding and hard braking. If there are one-sided scuff marks on the front tire, it is a sign of the wheel being offset while diagonal scuff marks are a sign of alignment problem.

Check if the bike has ever been ripped off

Check the ignition lock and the fork lock they can give away if the bike has been stolen or not. If the locks are busted then chances are that it has been taken for a joyride before. If you check the title then you may notice that it has been designated as a salvaged vehicle. It happens oftentimes that a stolen vehicle ends up on the street but it doesn’t mean the bike has to be junk, but also realize that the resale of such bikes is poor and your seller should reflect the same upon the deal.