How to Buy a Used Indian Motorcycle

Indian Motorcycles, divided into four breeds dubbed the "Chief", "Spirit", "Scout", and Powerplus, are some of the brightest beacons on the road. The country's first motorcycle brand, it was founded two years before Harley Davidson. Today, these motorcycles are both collector's items and highway warriors. If you want to buy a used Indian motorcycle, there are lots of factors to take into consideration. Since used Indian motorcycles can be defective to many degrees, it is important to lightly interrogate the seller.

The purpose of "lightly interrogating" the used Indian motorcycle seller is to get him/her to reveal things they forgot to mention previously or didn't want to mention altogether. It helps to refocus the seller's main selling points right into the heart of the deal. First, note the used Indian motorcycle's seller's attitude towards his bike. Does his sales pitch come off as too strong? If you point out that the bike has roughed up tires, does he shrug it off quickly or ignore it altogether? Is the used Indian motorcycle seller a knowledgeable enthusiast or a person looking to make quick bucks? Intuition come decision time almost always tells the truth.

Questions to ask your used Indian motorcycle seller should proceed with explanations on the bikes condition. Try to gather evidence of damage prior to asking him about it. If the owner says no when you ask him if the bike has ever suffered a crash, point out evidence signaling abuse like burnt out tires and bent handlebars and inquire. In many instances, misguided owners may even use their used Indian motorcycles in races. If there are aftermarket case guards and ragged edged tires on the motorcycle, ask if the bike has been raced before. A 'no' has to proceed with a convincing explanation.

Depending on whether a used Indian motorcycle (or any used motorcycle for that matter) is street or dirt, the oil question rings clear: when was the oil last changed? In general street bikes should have their oil changed every 5000 miles or six months. Dirt bike oil should be changed every 400 miles or so depending on its actual exposure to dirt. If the used Indian motorcycle dealer gives you an oil change date inconsistent with the bike's usage frequency, it should raise a red flag. By asking the right questions in "lightly interrogating" your seller, you are best equipped in buying a used motorcycle that will satisfy in the long run.