What to look for when buying a second hand bike?

[Moif]

I'm new to bikes and I'm not mechanically minded in the slightest even though I own a car. I do computers, not engines sadly.

What would your advice be to a complete newb looking to get a 125 commuter? As in, what questions to ask, things to poke, what to listen out for?

Will be avoiding Chinese bikes. Got my eyes peeled and am scouring eBay and Autotrader for a Varadero, YBR, CG125 etc etc.

[dandelion]

If you're not very mechanical minded you wouldn't know what 'right' and 'wrong' sounds like, even if it was described...same with the other stuff. I would suggest the route of teaming up with someone who does and actually show you or going with you to see used bikes.

That's what i plan to do, i know fudge all.

[Taught2BCauti...]

Common sense really - but I would check in this order:

If buying privately -
1. Bike is registered to the person selling it.
2. Owner's details and VIN number match what's printed on the V5.
3. There is no outstanding finance or the bike hasn't been secured against a loan.
4. It hasn't been reported stolen.
5. Check the current MOT, including the recorded mileage, advisory items, and the address where it was done - e.g. Bike registered in Lands End, MOT done in John O'Groats = suspicion.
6. Check any service history, receipts, etc.
7. Take someone with you that has a bit of mechanical knowledge - if you don't know anyone, you could try asking nicely on here if there is someone willing to go with you. If you live anywhere the B64 postcode area, I would be happy to do this for you!

One of those txt services should answer 3&4.
If the MOT looks dodgy, phone the garage that did it and check.

If buying from a dealer -
1. Do a google search for the dealer's name, and see what comes up when you add the words "complaint", "trust", "cowboy" or "problem", etc. If anyone has posted something nasty about the dealer on here, google should find it.
e.g. do a google search for "Vince Candelin" and see what comes up!
2. Ask to see the HPI report - a reputable dealer would have already done one when they acquired the bike. If they don't have one, ask why.
3. Ask about the terms and conditions of any warranty offered.
4. Again, take someone with you for anything else. As a consumer, you should have more confidence in a dealer, but if you lack knowledge, they will smell it like a fart in a lift!
5. Try and blag a few freebies, like a helmet or jacket - dealers have a bit more to play with, and sweetening the deal with shop stock is better for them than knocking cash off.
____________________
Honda Varadero XL125(V8)
www.TheFutureIsHere.eu

[Moif]

[Moif]

[Taught2BCauti...]

Sorry if that came over as a bit sarcastic - I didn't mean it to

By 'common sense' I meant just making sure that the person selling the bike is legally entitled to - like the 'owner' doesn't have the right keys (you should have 2 originals), there's no V5, and you aren't handing over a wad of cash to some hoodie in a pub car park!

Someone with a bit more mechanical knowledge would check that the engine is cold to start with, and that the mileage is consistent with tyre wear, pedal rubbers and hand grips, smoothness of gear changes, effectiveness of brakes, etc.

Something else I forgot to mention if buying from a dealer - check the date on their copy of the HPI report. Assuming they did it when they acquired the bike, you should be able to work out how long they have had it in stock. Days or weeks is not a problem, but several months, and it might have spent some time in the workshop before it got to the showroom - or it's a complete lemon and they were waiting for someone with no mechanical knowledge to come along to offload it on!
____________________
Honda Varadero XL125(V8)
www.TheFutureIsHere.eu

[Moif]

[Clanger]

Personally I look for a pair of wheels, an engine, and all the other bits that maketh a bike...oh and always check the subframe isn't twisted.

I think it may be a little late for this post, as someone has been in and posted something a little more sensible already...
____________________
Be who you are and say what you feel, because those who mind don't matter, and those who matter won't mind - Dr. Seuss

[Val]

[trevor saxe-coburg-gotha]

This is just me, but the one thing I never want to see anything of is corrosion. Anywhere. It's an obvious thing, I know. But I've found that it's generally representative of the stuff you *can't* see. That's not to say that a tatty bike can't be good on the inside. Nevertheless, a bike that's been cared for cosmetically has ime usually been serviced properly too.
____________________
"Life is a sexually transmitted disease and the mortality rate is one hundred percent."

Mobylette Type 50 ---> Raleigh Grifter ---> Neval Minsk 125

[Rogerborg]

Your CBT should cover regular and pre-ride checks. Handily enough, those are the same as pre-purchase checks. Listen, remember, apply.
____________________
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

[Moif]

Cheers all,

Looking at a YBR this afternoon.

Finger crossed.