Planning on buying a used motorcycle? Whether you are buying your first bike or you have been riding for many years, it is important that you know how to navigate the second-hand market to ensure that you get a good deal. The second-hand market can be a great place to get a deal on a decent bike, but it can be hard to find what you are looking for, and there are also many unreliable sellers and scams to be wary of. With this in mind, this post will look at a few key considerations when buying a second-hand motorcycle that should help you to find what you are looking for.
What Can You Afford?
Before looking around at used motorcycles, it is always a good idea to determine how much money you can afford to spend. You do not want to fall in love with a bike only to find out that you cannot afford it! Keep in mind that as well as the bike, you will have various running costs like insurance, fuel, and maintenance.
Where Will You Purchase From?
There are numerous places where you can buy a second-hand motorbike these days. Generally, buying from a second-hand dealership or via a trusted online platform will be best. There is nothing stopping you from finding a private seller, but keep in mind that this can open you up to more risk, and there will be less consumer protection.
Read The Description & Look At The Photos Carefully
The internet is a fantastic resource for finding used motorbikes for sale, and it should not be too hard to find bikes within your budget and tick all the boxes. Before you arrange to see the bike in person, you should always read the description carefully and analyze the picture closely. Most sellers will not directly hide any issues with a bike when selling it, but they might try and make things like wear and tear less noticeable. You do not want to waste a journey, so you should go over the ad carefully and reach out and ask questions if you have any.
Always View The Bike First
Following this, you should always see a bike in person before buying it. This will give you the chance to meet the seller as well as check over the bike. You should inspect the bike for signs of damage, check the condition of the tires as well as the tread depth and listen to the engine when you start it up.
Take It For A Test Drive
You should also always take a motorbike for a test drive before you make a decision. This will allow you to put the bike through its paces to see what kind of condition it is in and if there are any issues. You should also make sure that you feel comfortable riding the bike.
Get The Bike Inspected
It is also good practice to get the bike inspected by a mechanic before making a decision. It is important that you check the bike over for signs of damage, but a mechanic will be able to pick up on things that you might miss and will be able to advise you on whether it is in good condition and if it is worth the price tag. This can be useful both in terms of allowing you to make a decision as well as giving you peace of mind knowing that the bike is in good condition.
Learn About Common Scams
Unfortunately, scams are an issue when buying any kind of second-hand vehicle, particularly if you are shopping online. You should educate yourself on the most common scams and always trust your gut – if something seems wrong or like it is too good to be true, then walk away. If you decide to buy from a private seller, you should never transfer the money without seeing the bike and use an escrow service to protect yourself from fraud.
Check Over The Paperwork
You should also always check the paperwork to ensure everything is in order before making a purchase. This will give you a clear insight into the vehicle’s history and if there are any issues, you need to be aware of, such as whether it has been reported stolen. If you have any doubts over the paperwork at all, you should always do independent checks with the local authorities, and be prepared to walk away if the deal doesn’t feel right to you.
Negotiate
If you are happy and want to purchase the bike, you should negotiate to get the best price. The key to negotiating the price of a vehicle is research, so you should research the cost of similar bikes and show that you know your stuff. Additionally, be friendly yet firm and have a clear maximum amount that you are happy to pay for the bike.
Arrange Motorcycle Shipping
You might also need to arrange motorcycle shipping, so you need to factor this in. If the bike needs shipping because you cannot pick it up, then you can compare motorcycle shipping quotes online. This will help you to find the best deal to get the motorbike shipping to your home, but you will also have peace of mind knowing that a specialist is handling the bike. The cost of motorcycle shipping will depend on a few factors, so you may want to look into this before you strike a deal.
If you plan on buying a second-hand motorcycle, this post should be useful. The second-hand market can be a great place to get a good deal on a high-quality motorcycle, and you can get a lot more for your money, but it is also a market that can be daunting and hard to navigate. You need to know how to find what you are looking for and avoid unreliable sellers and scams and the above are a few key considerations that will help you to do this.