Going To See/Buy A Bike Tuesday

Boxing · World Chat Champion Joined: 13 Mar 2012 Karma :

Hey guys, as some of you may know, I'm nearly 17 (in March). Was browsing eBay and found a nice Yamaha DT 125. I'm going to see it on Tuesday, and going with a trailer to pick it up. Razz

I want to know what to look for though, I don't want to get ripped off, it has a fresh MOT, fresh tax so I guess it's all road worthy.

So yeah, just want to know what to look out for. It's a 2-stroke for those wondering. And it's a 1997 IIRC.

GrumpyGuts · World Chat Champion Joined: 20 Jan 2012 Karma :

The bike:

- Check frame and engine numbers match the V5 document

- Read all the documents (previous MOT certificates, etc etc) and take note of any major repairs (if any) and service the bike has. If he does not have any previous MOT certificates, you can check them on the internet.

- Has the bike been dropped? Crashed? Stolen? Written off?

- Check the frame for any cracks, major corrosion, bodged repairs and other damage.

- Make sure the handle bars turn freely from left to right, not hitting the fuel tank and not tugging on any cables.

- General overview of the bike...any cracks in the fairings, splits, tears, major rust, etc etc. Check the exhaust (with the engine running, too) to make sure it isn't blowing. A very rusty exhaust pipe/silencer and ports are bad.

- Brakes...do they work OK? When were they last serviced? Do they drag along the wheel? (is the front a disk brake I can't remember)

- Tyres..good amount of tread and is not cracking/perished

- Electrics...no dodgy wiring. Check all indicators and their mountings. Check neutral light (if it has one) and see if the bike's headlight works properly. Dipped and low beam? Side light too? Check the horn to see if it blows continuously.

- Forks - no major pitting? Fork seals OK and not perished/leaking oil?

- Handlebar alignment..are they straight or do they look cocked?

- Ask the seller NOT to turn on the engine before you arrive. You NEED to start the engine up from cold to see how it handles.

- Chain and sprockets. Check the rear sprocket teeth if they are worn and check the chain doesn't move freely from side to side and does not have too much slack.

- Is the seller a twat?

..plus another general check and see if you can test ride it. That's all I can think of at the moment.
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My Bikes: Lifan Beat 125cc '11 -> Suzuki B120P '76 -> Suzuki EN 125-2A '08 -> Honda CG 125 '04 -> Honda CB600F Hornet '98 -> Kawasaki ZZR 600 '99 -> Kawasaki GPZ 500S '95 (Current)
Theory test passed - 09/02/2012 >>>> Module 1 passed 24/07/2012 >>>> Module 2 passed 24/10/2012

Boxing · World Chat Champion Joined: 13 Mar 2012 Karma :

Cheers.

eBay ad: (Does it sound suspicious?)

GrumpyGuts · World Chat Champion Joined: 20 Jan 2012 Karma :

What did the engine service entail? Why the new handlebars? Make sure you ask him.

Brake pads/chain and sprockets are consumables so no worries there but ask to see receipts and fitting (if a garage fitted them) and still check them. Check the brake pads for wear and still check the drive
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My Bikes: Lifan Beat 125cc '11 -> Suzuki B120P '76 -> Suzuki EN 125-2A '08 -> Honda CG 125 '04 -> Honda CB600F Hornet '98 -> Kawasaki ZZR 600 '99 -> Kawasaki GPZ 500S '95 (Current)
Theory test passed - 09/02/2012 >>>> Module 1 passed 24/07/2012 >>>> Module 2 passed 24/10/2012

Boxing · World Chat Champion Joined: 13 Mar 2012 Karma :

Yeah, I will do.

About the test ride, what if the cops come or anything when I test it? I'm under 17, so not even legally entitled to ride it, and I don't have anyone legal to ride a 125CC in my family. Sad

st3v3 · Super Spammer Joined: 16 Oct 2006 Karma :

I only ever quick-glance the 'good parts', typically they're the bits I would expect to be fine anyway.

I do spend time questioning and going over the bad bits tho, what's he listed?
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Boxing · World Chat Champion Joined: 13 Mar 2012 Karma :

sidewinder · World Chat Champion Joined: 24 Aug 2011 Karma :

Also ask for the advisory sheet from the last mot..just because it passed it does not mean parts are not on there. Way out.. Thumbs Up

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"Nitrous is like a cheap hooker, you want to hit it but are scared of the consequences

Boxing · World Chat Champion Joined: 13 Mar 2012 Karma :

Cheers for the help guys. Thumbs Up

IF I do buy it on Tuesday, (that's if the seller is honest and it has no bad bits) I'll post some pictures up of it. Cool

stirlinggaz · World Chat Champion Joined: 22 Jul 2007 Karma :

as mentioned before, you want the bike cold, especially with it being 2 stroke, means you can see how it idles, revs etc, seeing as most folks probs with 2ts are carb related,
also ask if it is de-restricted & how, & if the seller knows anything, he will know what the compression is. (if hes tested it)
cheers,
GAZ

Rogerborg · nimbA Joined: 26 Oct 2010 Karma :

"Fresh MOT" and "full engine service" means the same as "just been discharged from hospital".

Doesn't mean they fixed you, doesn't mean you're all right.
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Biking is 1/20th as dangerous as horse riding.
GONE: HN125-8, LF-250B, GPz 305, GPZ 500S, Burgman 400 // RIDING: F650GS (800 twin), Royal Enfield Bullet Electra 500 AVL, Ninja 250R because racebike

Paulington · World Chat Champion Joined: 11 Mar 2009 Karma :

c_dug · Super Spammer Joined: 04 Sep 2007 Karma :

Where abouts is the bike?

Maybe there's a bcfer close enough to take a look with you?
____________________
I am a bellend, I am a man of constant sorrow, I am a gummy bear, I am a rock.

Boxing · World Chat Champion Joined: 13 Mar 2012 Karma :

Bomberman · World Chat Champion Joined: 17 Aug 2004 Karma :

Boxing · World Chat Champion Joined: 13 Mar 2012 Karma :

Rogerborg · nimbA Joined: 26 Oct 2010 Karma :

Andy_Pagin · World Chat Champion Joined: 08 Nov 2010 Karma :

^^ This.

I know it goes against teenage human nature, but curb that enthusiasm, wait till you can actually ride a bike before buying one.
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They're coming to take me away, ho-ho, hee-hee, ha-haaa, hey-hey,
the men in white coats are coming to take me away.
Yamaha Vity -> YBR125 -> FZS600 Fazer -> FZ1-S Fazer

Boxing · World Chat Champion Joined: 13 Mar 2012 Karma :

CBT is already done. I have everything ready, and I have the money in cash, £1199. And I want to get insurance out on my birthday, then I can ride the bike on my birthday.

Besides, once something is bought, you can't go "Oh no, I don't think I'm ready to ride it yet, due to not getting insurance." Rolling Eyes

Doovy · World Chat Champion Joined: 21 Jul 2008 Karma :

Wonko The Sane · World Chat Champion Joined: 20 Jan 2013 Karma :

Doovy · World Chat Champion Joined: 21 Jul 2008 Karma :

Boxing · World Chat Champion Joined: 13 Mar 2012 Karma :

As promised, I'll update the thread.

I bought it. VIN numbers matched the log book. Forgot to ask loads of stuff. But I got it. Cool

https://sphotos-a.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash3/542367_584164954942521_1462548753_n.jpg

Only one problem, it doesn't fit in my shed. Laughing

So going to sell my ped and off-road chink bike. Laughing

(It fits with them two gone, diagonally.)

c_dug · Super Spammer Joined: 04 Sep 2007 Karma :

Been there done that. I hope you get lucky and there are no big issues.
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I am a bellend, I am a man of constant sorrow, I am a gummy bear, I am a rock.

Supermoto_Fan · World Chat Champion Joined: 10 Jun 2012 Karma :

Best of luck, you said yourself you don't know an awful lot about bikes etc and you've just gone and bought a DT, probably been ragged all its life, at least the numbers match, that's a good start with a DT, how does the engine sound? Any knocks or unusual noises?
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Yamaha MT-09 - Triple powerrrr