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This link sheds detailed info on what to look when buying a used bike.
http://www.clarity.net/~adam/buying-bike.html
http://www.clarity.net/~adam/buying-bike.html
Buying a used bike?
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Its a good site which I actually read before I bought my bike, however I did not bring a bike savy friend:
"Bike-savvy friends may also notice things that you forgot to check"
Its a small comment on the site, but should be shown in BOLD letters. As a totally newbee, I ended up with some surprises after the purchase that a bike-savy friend would have caught:
1) "New" chain was a peice of junk (replacement cost over $110 installed)
2) "Performance" muffler the previous owner installed had all its internal parts removed. Because it was a one-piece and replacement parts are not available, fixing this would cost over $700
3) "Cool" headlamp cover (looks like cat eyes) would stop bike from passing inspection
plus a few other minor issues. Overall I am happy with the bike and would have purchased it anyway for the same price. However, it would have been nice to know the problems ahead of time.
"Bike-savvy friends may also notice things that you forgot to check"
Its a small comment on the site, but should be shown in BOLD letters. As a totally newbee, I ended up with some surprises after the purchase that a bike-savy friend would have caught:
1) "New" chain was a peice of junk (replacement cost over $110 installed)
2) "Performance" muffler the previous owner installed had all its internal parts removed. Because it was a one-piece and replacement parts are not available, fixing this would cost over $700
3) "Cool" headlamp cover (looks like cat eyes) would stop bike from passing inspection
plus a few other minor issues. Overall I am happy with the bike and would have purchased it anyway for the same price. However, it would have been nice to know the problems ahead of time.
I would also emphasize the INSPECTION part.... When you're buying a used bike, unless it's from a DEALER (not to be confused with consignment shops), make sure you know what your state inspections guidelines are. Most modifications that are done on bikes DO NOT PASS inspection. Then you've got this great ride, and you have to go do all these changes back to stock this and stock that, JUST to pass, and then go back and replace it all again. All in all costing more $$$. (Remember: They don't tell you that you've failed until AFTER you've paid their fee).
HINT: Inspection guidelines usually are = to what your bike comes with and looks like as stock.
Then too, there is the alternative options of either greasing palms for an inspection certificate, or going through the hassle of finding a shop that will slide you through as long as everything is in proper working order. Either way, more $$$ to fork up again.
Helpful Tip: Some service shops will tell you what they look for if you CALL BEFORE you actually bring the bike in.
Check for requirements on your chain/guard, signals, windscreens, tires, etc. Case in Point - In MD, only CLEAR windscreens are legal BUT they're not required. So if you have say a Smoke windscreen (like me), all you need to do to pass that part of the inspection is take it off your bike. Stupid, I know, but most of these inspection requirements are a little overboard anyway.
HINT: Inspection guidelines usually are = to what your bike comes with and looks like as stock.
Then too, there is the alternative options of either greasing palms for an inspection certificate, or going through the hassle of finding a shop that will slide you through as long as everything is in proper working order. Either way, more $$$ to fork up again.
Helpful Tip: Some service shops will tell you what they look for if you CALL BEFORE you actually bring the bike in.
Check for requirements on your chain/guard, signals, windscreens, tires, etc. Case in Point - In MD, only CLEAR windscreens are legal BUT they're not required. So if you have say a Smoke windscreen (like me), all you need to do to pass that part of the inspection is take it off your bike. Stupid, I know, but most of these inspection requirements are a little overboard anyway.
Great info from that site. I guess there is a trade off between buying a new or used bike. I must have looked at 50 bikes before I bought mine. Some used and some new. By the time I bought, I thought I new enough not to get taken. I purchased a 2002 Volusia with all the goodies I wanted, for the price I wanted to pay.
Now I lucked out cause I've had no problems with my bike. But reading all that info, I now realize how easily I could have been taken. I didn't look for half that stuff. I will for my next bike though.
Now I lucked out cause I've had no problems with my bike. But reading all that info, I now realize how easily I could have been taken. I didn't look for half that stuff. I will for my next bike though.
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