how do I buy a bike privately?

[ayfy]

just wondering, when you buy a bike privately what things should I check for? I'm looking for a 2002 CBR 600 so I guess there's nothing much going to be wrong with it.

one thing I'm not sure about is test rides. I've only got a 125 at the moment so I won't be insured to ride a 600 so I won't be able to test ride it. Should I just buy it without test riding it?

[instigator]

Test ride it. I am on a 33bhp license, when I phoned about the hornet, the guy didn't even mention leaving a deposit, he said I could take it out for a spin and leave some ID with his wife!

Of course, that was one very understanding owner, doubt it's like that for everyone. I would test ride it, yes, don't mention your license, and if he/she asks, tell them you're upgrading from a 500.

You bin it, you buy it always stands remember, so be easy on the throttle. It's a whole different ball game on a 600.

I'd eprsonally look at:
-Wheel rims (any dents)
-Abnormal noises from engine (warm up bike, take it for a ride, -Make sure its fully warmed up, turn it off, leave for 10 seconds then turn it on again - any problems?)
-State of tyres (will they need replaced soon?)
-Condition of chain and sprockets

Anything that might need replaced soon-ish. You can buy a bike cheap, and yes it may be a bargain, but not if it needs a new rear tyre and chain/sprockets in 500 miles.

-Check brake pads
-Check head bearings (put bike on centre stand, get front wheel in air and move from side to side. Any resistance or notchiness? -Might need tightening or replacing)
-Check Frame numbers and engine numbers and if you want to be sure, do an HPI check.
-Oil level (if its too low, then it tells you something about the owner - the oil is the easiest thing to keep an eye on, if someone neglects that, what others gremlins are going to pop up)

And anything else really. Take a browse in the workshop section for other bits which people have questions about that you might want to check. Within reason of course, I doubt the seller would want/allow you to check the valve clearances to see if they were alright before buying.

[Ste]

https://www.bikechatforums.com/viewtopic.php?t=28776