advice on potential bike purchase please

[trevor saxe-coburg-gotha]

I'm not used to buying motorbikes - so if anyone can think of info to obtain from the seller prior to me shelling out, I'd be grateful. It's only a 125 - that's all I can ride at the moe. I got my CBT (Aug '12), and plan to do theory -> mods 1 and 2 (or new rules) soon. Probably be after crimbo now, realistically thinking about it (oh yeah, I'm 44 btw).

Here're are the points mentioned in the ad:

year - '04

6 previous owners

3260 miles (all previous MOTs to support)

12 months tax and MOT

new battery

price £750


Seems like a lot of preevs - but then, probably not that many given age and fact it's a 125. So yeah. But what do I ask? Vague crap like "does it run okay" seems necessary but insufficient. Any known issues? Corrosion - any signs of rust or oxidisation and if so where and to what extent? Any signs or knowledge of bins? Tyre life?

Just off the top of my head this is all I can come up with. What am I missing? Cheers all.

Oh - also, thinking ahead for a sec, can anyone recommend a national courier and give me an idea on a 200 mile job?

[Frog]

First, I'm not an expert! Bearing that in mind, I'll add what i can.

Before peeps can reply, they'll need to know the make and model. Theres a few general things you can find on a google search (check the tyres, signs of rust / furring etc.), but the peeps on here wil be able to usually add more model-specific info which is the really useful stuff.

You can also checked out motorcyclenews.com for a more general review of your bike which sometimes points out a few bits about each model of bike.

I'd always check the general condition to get a feel for how well it's been maintained, but after 7 owners and 8 years, you pretty much know that already I suspect.

EDIT: oh, and plenty of folks on here recommend shiply.com to find a courier, but I had no end of woes with them. I used SOS recovery in the end, and it was a flat rate of £150 with delivery within 7 days from memory.

HTH
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CBT 23/09/10 - Theory 19/03/11 - Mod1 19/04/11 - Mod2 06/05/11
Bikes: CBF125 (sold 30/10/10-25/09/12) - CB400 24/06/11 (broken) - ER6-f 25/09/2012

[Pol Anorl]

What bike is it? people here will know if said bike will have any common issues.
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20:30:37 Pyro.: I don't sort of like men, I take every advantage to choke on dick.
Jewlio Iglesias: You live in Liverpool - Chances are, the front door has already been kicked off the hinges

[nowhere.elysium]

Make and Model is just as important to know as the things that you've listed. Some bikes have got common faults that are specific to the model/year, others just aren't worth pursuing, and there are a few that are hailed as the greatest learner 125's ever created. Chinese bikes are best avoided if you're not handy with a set of spanners; the engines don't tend to go wrong, but fixings do have a habit of vibrating loose. You'll also want to keep on top of any corrosion problems as they occur. Invest in a multimeter, too; that goes for whatever bike you buy - 125's don't have the most robust electrical systems known to man.

In short, more info needed.
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'10 SV650SF, '83 GS650GT (it lives!), Questionable DIY dash project, 3D Printer project, Lasercutter project

[Rogerborg]

Number of owners is fine. The mileage is a bit low, but not suspiciously so. I'm guessing it's a plastic fantastic rather than a naked commuter?

That price would be a steal for a Varadero, a rip off for a Ching Chong HappyJoyBike.

You'll want to know the condition of the exhaust and the forks, and the amount of wear left in the tyres and sprockets. Any advisories on that MOT? Is it an insurance write-off: cat C or D wouldn't bother me, but it might be an issue when you sell it on.

First time starting from a cold engine is a must, and the phrase "It just needs a good run" should send you running for the hills.

Do yourself a favour and don't buy sight unseen or trust a dealer description, especially on a 125.

If you let us know where you are, we can maybe find some local bikes or someone may be able to help you out in person.
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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

[trevor saxe-coburg-gotha]

Cheers guys - it's a TW125. Not many of them to the pound, and they're not well-liked either. Under-powered, slight marmite look, plus a neither-fish-nor-fowl style (to sluggish for road yet not properly constructed for off-road). So say the nays. But - I like them, in so far as I can without having ever ridden one.

Anyway, it's almost impossible for me to get to it. I should almost certainly resist pulling the trigger, but you know how it gets.

Reason I like the earlier ones is cos they're carbs and I think they went to FI later on (?).

[P.]

Carbs/FI would mean fuck all to me, the price and availability of the rear tyre would.

I can't imagine seeing more than 50mph out of it, rolling resistance of Dawn French.

[trevor saxe-coburg-gotha]

[Rogerborg]

Earlier ones? 2004 was the last year they were imported to the UK.

Parts supply is iffy. WeMoto have a reasonable range, but no exhausts.

7 litre tank? No thanks.

Why not look for a Van-Van?
____________________
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

[st3v3]

[trevor saxe-coburg-gotha]

[trevor saxe-coburg-gotha]

[st3v3]

[trevor saxe-coburg-gotha]

Sound! I'll keep me eye out.

[1cyl]

Bought a road legal pit bike in 2010 that had 11 previous owners and it was registered 2008!
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Chase my Witch up, Catch my Snitch up.
The SMC | The Pit | Stable

[Rogerborg]

[trevor saxe-coburg-gotha]

Bugger - that's diddy!! Maybe I should go back to thinking about getting a gn125 tank on the vanvan then. There's apparently a really good upholsterer not too far away over in Driffield who did some great work on this telly repairman's Vespa's seat (he came to drop off a loan TV set while mine was being mended and saw my bike in the garage - so we got talking, and he had a picture of his scooter in his van). So I could conceivably sort the seat side of that out.

[barrkel]

[trevor saxe-coburg-gotha]

Speaking personally I live about 15 mins from the nearest petrol station. But yeah. 150 miles is probably enough!

Anyway, thanks for the replies everyone.