Buying a bike

[Benno]

I have a car, but it's been a long time since I've bought any vehicle and I just need reminding of some basic logistical things.

- What are the documents that need to be signed/transferred from the seller to the buyer? V5 something or other and some others...

- Do you send any documents to the DVLA?

- Test drive/ride: obviously for a bike you would need a helmet minimum. But how does insurance work for a test ride? I assume you can't do it uninsured (I think when I bought my car I had a quick uninsured test drive around the block )

- Anything else I probably forgot...

Thanks in advance.

[Nick 50]

paperwork wise:

V5. really is a MUST that the bike has one. Personally wouldn't touch a bike without one.
When buying, you fill out the green parts and then the owner sends it off to the DVLA. You keep the green slip on the right hand page. It can take anything from 1 to 5 weeks to come back. If it does get lost, you can obtain a V5 with the little green slip (V62??) and paying money to the DVLA.

MOT certificates. The more the bike has (for it's age) the better. It will show you the mileage over the years and also advisories which you can quiz the owner whether they have been sorted.

Receipts. With biking, far more owners will service their own bikes. This is not necessarily a bad thing, so don't worry if you don't see garage invoices. But a good well maintained bike with a good owner will have lots of receipts showing consumables being replaced as and when they should be.

Test Ride/Insurance. It is standard to give the owner the full amount cash in hand before a test ride. So if you want one, go with the cash. As for insurance, legally speaking you should have insurance to ride the bike. But i'm sure you're of an age to make a decision for yourself .

The look over. If you're not confident in checking a bike you're looking at, you have 2 options:

1. Take someone with you who knows what to look for.

2. Identify the make and model and post on here. Invariably someone will have owned whatever bike it is and they will give you good advice at what to look at and why.

Anyway, best of luck and welcome to the madhouse
____________________
Current Bikes: ZX7r 97 (Black Beauty), VFR400 NC24 (The banana)
Previous Bikes: Aprilia Tuono 03 (The Beast), CBR600f (97)
First bike: A GZ125 Lemon.......

[Benno]

[Nick 50]

[Benno]

Found this bike, going to have a look at it with the seller today:

https://i273.photobucket.com/albums/jj238/ben331/124548152.jpg

Didn't want to start a new thread. It's going for £1595 (negotiable I hope). It's only done 1800 miles and has a year of warranty left. It's a 2011 YBR 125.

Would it need as thorough an inspection as an older bike? It's almost brand new. The reason I ask is because I'm not exactly a bike expert, and I don't have anyone I can bring with me who has any experience with bikes.

Also, would anyone recommend getting fully comp insurance for this or just TP, maybe with fire & theft as well? Personally I don't want to fork out for fully comp but since it's so new...

[P.]

TPFT insurance, not FC...not TPO either..

Erm, check to see if its been dropped, such low miles I'd check the first service has been done, stamped and see if another oil change has been done.

Tyres will be fine at 1800, engine should be cold when you view, if its not ask why...even better, make sure you tell them you want a cold engine! Make sure it starts ok! Leave it ticking over and turn off, make sure it starts when warm. Derbi's have Yam engines on the 2 stroke models and have issues with starter motor when warm.

Make sure all documents are there, haggle a bit lower...but I know someone who bought an 11 plate for £1600 recently.

[Benno]