Everything You Need To Know About Buying Used Bikes

You can do a survey keeping some parameters as standard for any brand and model: They will be:

1. Year of make
2. Approximate cost
3. Kilometers run
4. Documents: Yes/No
5. Insurance: Up-to-date/not paid
6. Resale Value
7. Looks: Good/Average/Bad
8. Dealer Details

Keep on filling the details as and when you see and then zero down on the bikes. After making a list, relax and forget everything about bikes. Take your pet for a walk or watch your favorite star’s movie. Then erase those notions of first love about some suspicious bikes; good looks are not all in bikes.

Following is the criteria and areas to inspect while buying used bikes. I recommend that you take a print out of this list and take it with you so that you can use it as a checklist.

1. Scratches (if any) on the bike
2. Headlight strength
3. Indicator lights
4. Tail lights
5. Neon lights if any
6. Brakes functioning
7. Suspension (to check this you need to test drive on bumpy road)
8. Fuel tank (open the fuel tank lid and check for dirt and sediments inside the tank)
9. Speedometer
10. Wear and tear of tyres (it gives the kind of handling previous user had on the bike)
11. Locking system
12. Any loans, if yes how much is to be cleared
13. Gear sound (whether gear shift is clunky or smooth)
14. Mirrors
15. Foot rest
16. Seat comfort level
17. Bike pull
18. Abnormal sounds if any
19. Silent firing
20. Upper /dipper
21. Duplicate keys (Make sure you know its not lost anytime)
22. Grip
23. Mud guard internals
24. Disk brake functioning
25. Owner’s NOC
26. Stand/side stand operation
27. Chassis number (verify if the number on RC book and that on the vehicle match)
28. Engine number
29. Chain teeth
30. First start (a cold engine should start in 2 kicks minimum) and second start (thumb rule: it should start in 1 kick.)
31. Rust if any and on which part of bike
32. Smooth steering
33. Space between brakes (this is not a big thing though)
34. Leather and rim

Check if bike starts when the engine is cold. Check if spokes are loose and clarify from the owner about the miles the bike had run after the clutch cable was changed. Check if clutch and brake cable are slack and also for any marks on fuel tank. Check the inside of the fuel tank using a light. Check for holes on the seat cover and check for tyre manufacture date. Check the shock absorbers.

Spin the front wheel and apply the brakes ever so gently. There shouldn’t be a pulsating feeling from the pads. Get someone to stabilize the front of the bike, you stand behind it. Push down on the bike’s grab rail (or passenger seat), hard. The bike should spring back up, but with a little resistance. If you don’t feel any resistance at all (like you’re just pushing down on a spring), it’s time to replace the rear shock.

Also should ask everything about bike. It is fine ask the owner why he is selling the bike to know: If there is anything wrong with this bike, wrong that you have not identified. Will there be any maintenance or safety issues that you need to be aware of should you buy the bike. What work would you need to do on the bike if you were going to keep it for another year or two? Is there any reason why you should not buy the bike?

Check if speedometer is attached to the front or back wheel and move that wheel. Get the front wheel off the ground, spin the front wheel as fast as you can and see if the speedometer registers anything. If the speedo needle doesn’t rise or move, check to see if the trip odometer’s 1/10th mile digit has moved after the wheel has spun for a while. If it has not moved either then the speedo is probably disconnected or it is not working at all.

If the bike has a center stand, put the rear wheel in the air and try shifting through the gears to make sure they all engage properly. The oil level should be visible through a sight glass or dip-stick, which is typically on the right side of the engine. If the oil has white streaks in it (look at the sight glass) then it could be water – beware! Water in the oil could be for two reasons -condensation from the air in the engine, or a leak in the coolant system that’s letting water escape into the lubrication system.

Different areas will have different laws. For example, it may be possible to get single-day insurance and plates for a bike for the purposes of test-riding it. Ask your insurance agent and/or local government motor vehicle department to find out whether or not something like this is possible.

My tips did not end, here are a few more:

• Always buy bikes in broad day light. Have a look at internal parts with a torch.
• Always approach the shops with a couple of friends, if they are local guys still better. If u can catch a mechanic then it’s still smarter.
• Always keep a casual and confident approach while buying bikes. Do not look overly interested in any bike. The shop keeper should be at your mercy not vice versa.
• Never ever believe the sweet praises about any one bike (maybe they are tipped for doing that job). Test ride and decide for yourself.
• On many instances the bike will be serviced to look good for test drives. Persuade the dealer for a longer test drive say 50 km on road of your choice. It does not hurt to bear petrol and time expenses.
• Always have a couple of bike savvy buddies test drive the bike. They can give you different view points.
• If possible get the original owner’s mobile number.
• The mechanic at the store can give you valuable information if he is given Rs. 100 as a tip. Not bad when you have your aim to buy best bike. However, follow your intuition as well. I took the mechanic at the showroom in total confidence and he advised me to ignore some bikes.
• In Pune the bike dealers have their cut at Rs.500 and the transfer papers cost you around Rs. 1200. So the bike price will include 1700 additionally.
• Manage to get the cash ready before hand. Avoid using ATM since it is risky and it does not allow one to withdraw amount beyond a certain limit. I made this mistake and in the end had to spend 2 hrs in a bank for transferring the money.
• Get all the documents properly cross checked and take the dealers card. Get proper invoices. These things are more valuable than the bike itself.
• Ask for complementary fuel; I got around 5 liters!
• After zeroing on a bike, take it with you immediately. If you leave the bike in the showroom, chances are that the mechanics there might replace vital spare parts. This has happened with not one but many. So, beware.
• Anything fishy about the bike, dealer, and money transfer issues just leave the shop. There are many shops you can explore still.
• Always quote the bike Rs.10,000 less than the price. Account for years passed, scratches and dull looks. Remember it is the original owners that are desperate to sell the bike and not the dealers. So, get in touch with the owner. Give the dealer his brokerage and finish the deal.

Remember guys, bike is something very special may it be new or old. So be very specific, demanding and take good care of your bike.

Thanks & Regards

Ankush Shilimkar