Topic: buying used bike

[Unit2]

Hello guys!
 I,m considering buying a used bike for the first time! This won't be my first bike but, it will be the first time buying one. I have a pretty good feeling on what to look for. But I,m asking for any or all your advice on what to look for on bikes before buying them. Have any of you ever taken a bike to a place to be inspected before buying it? how much would that run? or do u think thats a bit overboard? I was thinking about a 750. How big of a step up is it from the lower models? Like I said this wont be by first bike I,ve been riding for a little over 2 years.

[74cb750]

Welcome to the club.
Buying a used mc is always fraught with potential for years of fun
or tears. A lot depends upon your expectations.

Personally I would check for common  problems:
electrics, and unusual tire wear, bent frame,
repainted? (why)
Taking it to a shop would not be an option for me
as I don't trust any of them around here to give me a reasonable assessement, esp for $85.75/hour!
I would suggest finding someone local whom knows motorcycles and ask him/her to go with you.

Most of the SOHC's are quite dependable motors, but the rear shocks do wear out over time.
Look from the rear, line up the tires while on the center stand, do they look in line?
Gee, there's lots of stuff to look for...
good luck,
michel


 

[cbjunkie]

help yourself by deciding ahead of time what an "acceptable" amount of risk/work is for YOU.

do you want to do engine work?
do you want to do body work?
do you want to fix cosmetics?

unless you are in the 3-5000 dollar spending range on THESE bikes, you are going to be doing some work on whatever you buy...

[nickjtc]

First impressions can be important. Is it an un-loved mongrel, skulking in the corner of a shed, or worse still, outside; or is it something that the PO has obviuosly lavished lots of time, effort and $$ on? These questions will probably be answered by the amount being asked.....unless it is an early 750, in which case all bets are off.

If it doesn't run then you have to ask yourself the big question as to whether you want to try and make it run. If it does run does it sound healthy and not smoke?

Assuming it is a machine that has been in regular use look specifically at the consumables: tyres, chain/sprockets, battery, sterring head bearings, swing arm bearings etc etc. All of these things, if needed, can make a $500 gem become a $2000 nightmare! And if the seller is asking a premium, deduct value for consumables that need to be replaced.

Hereabouts a shop which will look at a bike for you will charge about an hours labour. Bear in mind, though, that the mechanics will probably have never seen a bike like ours, so may not be able to advise on specifics applicable to the model.

[Ernie]

i think if your looking at a 25 or 30 year old bike it has to be more of a hobby than a means of transportation be prepared to put some tlc and $$$ into it and have fun

[nickjtc]

i think if your looking at a 25 or 30 year old bike it has to be more of a hobby than a means of transportation be prepared to put some tlc and $$$ into it and have fun

Unless you fall into a 'gem' that doesn't need anything much (apart from consumables) done to it. It could be considered as a primary means of transportation if everything is sorted; just because it is not brand new doesn't mean that it will not have day-to-day reliability. I put 9,500km on my '79 650 from May until the other week, with no issues at all....

[mennedy]

I don't buy any vehicle that doesn't run unless I am looking for one that doesn't run - like for parts.

I don't worry about maintenance items too much but if it sounds ugly when it is running, it probably is.

If it has that nickjtc "unloved mongrel" look, run 'cuz it will bite you! I was looking at a bike on ebay that was advertised as immaculate, spotless and a real prize. Saw it was in town and went to look at it. It was all a lie! Ugly, street stored and very tired. Sounds like a mongrel to me. If it looks uncared for you have your first clue - it was uncared for.

If it has that cared for look and the PO talks about it like it is a member of his immediate family, just ask him what is good about/wrong with the bike - and shut your yap! He who speaks next loses! He will fill in all of the gaps with tons of information including everything that is wrong with it. For these guys, it is usually minor and they finish with, "and that's it!" If he says, "Nothing", it had better be obvious and immaculate.

If it doesn't feel good, thank them and leave. You do not have to buy it. There are tons of motorcycles out there and the one for you is among them. The more you see, the better your eye and your confidence. I bought a running but suspect 750F and it has the suspected problems. A week later a cared for and running great 750F of the same year was offered for $200 more than I paid. You will know the bike (car) when you find it. Patience and persistence.

Do not underestimate the local dealerships. They all have websites with "used inventories" and you will always find reliable and fit bikes there although a little pricey (because it is a good bike). They usually won't take in the junk on trade. Just make sure they warranty that they will work on it if you need something fixed. Some dealers won't work on bikes over 10yrs.

Best of luck.

[74cb750]

Dealerships? Really?
Well the local" dealership has a 1982 Yamaha XJ650 for
$2,000.oo and it needs a lot of work. I sold one of mine for
$650 4 years ago and it looked/ran much better.

I realize the dealer has to recoup his storage costs, but
in my opinion the dealers are usually higher priced.
michel

[nickjtc]

Dealerships? Really?
Well the local" dealership has a 1982 Yamaha XJ650 for
$2,000.oo and it needs a lot of work. I sold one of mine for
$650 4 years ago and it looked/ran much better.

I realize the dealer has to recoup his storage costs, but
in my opinion the dealers are usually higher priced.
michel

There is no question that you will pay more (sometimes a lot more) for a bike from a dealer. Theoretically you have the peace of mind that the bike has had a thorough going over and any deficiencies or consumables that need replacing will have been dealt with. And you have the knowledge that if things go seriously wrong they should stand behind the salw.

I bought my first bike as a 'born again' from a dealer. This was in '96, and it was a 1984 Yamaha XJ750RL. He let me have it for $1995 (was asking $2300) and I had it for 2 absolutely trouble free years.

[cbjunkie]

2000 dollar question:

now that you are older and wiser, looking back, do you believe that it was a good deal? i mean, objectively, not experientially - obviously that was good - no, i mean, did he take you on the price, or was it fair?

[Gordon]

i think if your looking at a 25 or 30 year old bike it has to be more of a hobby than a means of transportation

My 35 year old 750 daily rider would have to disagree with that comment.  

[nickjtc]

2000 dollar question:
now that you are older and wiser, looking back, do you believe that it was a good deal? i mean, objectively, not experientially - obviously that was good - no, i mean, did he take you on the price, or was it fair?

We had already got the missis a bike (she was just getting into 2 wheeling) and I was anxious to join her. At the time I specifically wanted an early Seca 750 (still one of the nicest looking dohc across the frame fours, IMHO) but couldn't find one.

When a friend saw the '84 bike at the dealer and I went to get it I knew it was going to be the 'right' one for me to start riding again. It came with all of the receipts of every single bit of work it had done on it, showing that the PO was like me, a bit of an anal retent about his bike. Frankly I would have happily paid the asking price, but when the sales guy found out that I had travelled 300 odd miles to look at the bike, from his wifes home town, he dropped the price to sweeten the deal.

Sorry, rambling. Yes, I think it was a fair deal. Not necessarily 'good' (compared to prices for private sales), but fair. As I mentioned I had two trouble free years out of the bike. I sold it for $1750 at the end of my time with it, and it it is still going strong.

[mennedy]

I don't imply that the dealership is for everyone. But if you don't know much about bikes, it is the dealers reputation on the line and you are definitely in a "throw money at it going in" situation. I looked at a lot of used bikes when I started out and the majority were crud; real money holes. I found my 78 CB550 at a local dealer and paid a premium. It looked clean and ran well and when things started to act up (even minor things can mess up a newbie) he would fix it. After 4 years I have learned a lot necessitated by $80 and $90 per hour shop rates but I had something reasonable to start with and he would fix what I couldn't. 

I have watched around here (Calgary) and there are some nice bikes at good prices at the dealers and often with a warrantee. Which is something I forgot - ask the dealer how long he warrantees the bike? Mine offered me a 90 day warrantee for another $100 if I remember correctly. If it is going south, it will in 90 days.

As far as the bike that needs a lot of work, Michel, the rule still applies. If it is an ugly mongrel then run. I would be interested in his reply to the warrantee question.

Cheers,
Marty

[nickjtc]

Dealers here in BC are not obliged to warranty anything out of the OEM warranty. Most of the conscientious ones will stand behind the product that they sell, and as you say Marty, they have to cover themselves, which will reflect in a premium over the cost of the bike being bought privately.

Having said that, if the bike has been sitting in the showroom for a while they will probably sharpen their pencils to unload it.