Advice on viewing my 1st bike.

[nickGT]

I recently passed my DAS and now on the look out for my 1st bike. I have found an 07 suzuki bandit with 14500 miles and FSH for what looks like a resonable price. £2k with a host of extra's. I'm due to go and view it next friday.

What kind of things should I look out for? It's recently been serviced and taxed and MOT'D until next may.

I don't want to turn up and look like a tyre kicker, equally though i dont want to show up and appear that i know sod all about bikes.

So what specific things should I test and look at?

Thanks in advance lads. If you need any more info on the bike let me know.

[GREENI3]

If you're not entirely confident about what to look out for, then take someone with you who knows about bikes and has a bit of mechanical knowledge.

An HPI check might be worth doing as well, just to be on the safe side.

[P.addy]

Where abouts are you based? If you are local i'll happily come with

Start with the basics, check any history.

Check for valves being done...unsure when thy are due but would expect them to have been done before 14500 miles.

Check the state of the exhaust, any rust/holes etc.

Tyres and brakes, go over the usual consumables.

You should notice anything majorly out of the ordinary...but then again I have no idea what you know about bikes

[nickGT]

I'm in south east london and the bike is in wandsworth.

My knowledge of bikes is limited. However I know a fair amount about mechanics so hoe I would know if something is up.

What kind of things would have been done in the service?

Sadly I got into bikes all on my own so don't know anyone I can drag along with me.

[banditjohn]

Have a look at the oil filter to see if it's new or just been wiped clean (at the front in between no2&3 header pipes), and while your down there check the collector box as they are prone to go. Being it's low miles the fork seals should be okay as I've heard they have a tendency to give out but my k6 2007 hasn't showed any signs of doing any thing like it. Other than that they are a pretty bullet proof bike and hope you enjoy it as much as I do mine. Regards John

[nickGT]

[Ariel Badger]

Check for wear in the forks and head race bearings, this will give an indication of how hard the bike has been used/abused. It does involve a bit of tyre kicking!
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[Slacker24seve...]

Where are you based? I'm sure someone here might tag along if you asked them nicely. We're not all that rapey.

Otherwise, the following might help:

https://www.devittinsurance.com/biker-zone/articles/buying-guide

Also, don't buy a blandit
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