Used bike buying - telephone questions?

[map]

Interested in getting a winter runabout.
Have left telephone message for the seller to get back to me.

While I'm waiting I just wondered what questions I should be asking.

Also if I was a seller what questions should I be expecting (as I suspect the two lists are not quite the same ).


____________________
...and the whirlwind is in the thorn trees, it's hard for thee to kick against the pricks...
Gibbs, what did Duckie look like when he was younger?

[Hetzer]

Telephone questions = telephone lies.
____________________
"There's the horizon! Ride hard, ride fast and cut down all who stand in your way!"

[MinhDinh]

Always best to ask face to face first and then check the bike over thoroughly. If you find he/she has lied or hid some details, then move on.

First question is, what problems are there?
____________________
Hit the G spot.

[BTTD]

How often have you been using it?
When was it MOT'd, serviced?
What state are the consumables in - tyres, chain etc?
What sort of records have you got (old invoices etc)?
When can I come and see it?

The seller will either be decently honest, or full of lies.
Liars usually start to sound like they're making stuff up as they go and their stories become inconsistent. Sometimes they'l start waffling on about any old shit.
That uneasy feeling is often confirmed when you see the bike in the flesh, or in more detailed photo's.


I phoned up an advert that stated "everything done, excellent condition" to eventually find out that it didn't have an MOT and hadn't been on the road for five years. Apparently it would definitely pass an MOT, and even came with a box of bits (most of which needed to go back onto the bike).
All I had to do was turn up with a trailer and cash, and it could all be mine. No you can't try and start it until you've bought it.

[stinkwheel]

Ask direct questions about specific parts. Don't ask if it's in good condition, they'll say yes.

Any cracks in the top fairing?

Any scuffs on the bar ends? Any rust on the fork stanchions?

Is it an import? Does it have its original engine in it?

They'll probably still lie to you.
____________________
“Rule one: Always stick around for one more drink. That's when things happen. That's when you find out everything you want to know.”
I did the 2010 Round Britain Rally on my 350 Bullet. 89 landmarks, 3 months, 9,500 miles.

[J.M.]