Top 10 Most Common Mistakes when Buying a Used Motorcycle

What young adult hasn't thought of spending his or her tax refund on a motorcycle? A quick look in the local classified ads, weekly car circular, or Craigslist makes it so enticing. Used motorcycles can be purchased from sellers for as little as a thousand bucks, and sometimes even less. Very tempting, isn't it? Not so fast! As with just about everything, some deals are just too good to be true. If you're considering a used motorcycle purchase, here are the top 10 most common mistakes made by folks who purchase that first bike.

Buying the Cheapest Used Motorcycle

Newbies tend to justify buying the cheapest bike in the classifieds section based on the fact that they are new to riding a motorcycle and don't want to practice on something nicer. To a certain extent, this is understandable. You probably don't want to go out and purchase a brand new Harley CVO only to drop it the first time you make a sharp turn. But it's also important to not buy a piece of junk that won't compare to future rides. You didn't learn to drive a car by practicing on the couch did you? The cheapest motorcycles may be too poorly maintained or too small for you. A junker bike may even be dangerous, as its former owner, realizing the bad shape it was in, discounted it in the hopes some beginner, who didn't know what to watch out for, would buy it. Don't be a sucker. Buy something that is the right size for you and that has been reasonably maintained.

Thinking of Miles in Terms of a Car as Opposed to a Motorcycle

High mileage for a motorcycle is 30k miles or more. Naturally, well maintained bikes can go a lot further than this without major repairs, and some seemingly live forever. But assuming, that just because your Chevy Silverado made it to 150k miles before giving up the ghost, that a bargain priced 1982 Suzuki 650 with 72k miles will last you another 80k miles without being nearly rebuilt several times, is pretty naïve.

Not Taking a Test Ride

You wouldn't buy a car without taking it for a test drive, would you? My first motorcycle purchase, years ago, was very much a spur of the moment thing. As is often the case, I didn't have a motorcycle endorsement on my license. Despite the lack of one, the seller - a police lieutenant, was more than happy to let me ride on the back, and then handed the keys over to me to try it for myself. If a seller won't let you ride it by yourself, insist on a test ride with him or her.

Taking a Test Ride Too Close to Parked Cars

It being only my second time on a motorcycle, I panicked and confused the gas and the clutch and put a nice crease in the front fender of the bike I was looking at. The El Camino I hit, which was luckily mine, was unscathed. The police lieutenant didn't seem to mind, because he was a friend, but more-so because I was almost certainly going to buy it. Others may not be so lucky. "You break it - you buy it" is the mantra when test driving any vehicle. You may not be on the hook to buy it if you don't want it, but if the accident was your fault due to bad driving, you'll probably have to pay for any damages to the test-driven vehicle.

Forgetting the Fire Safety Technique: Stop, Drop, and Roll

Check for scratches along the sides, handles, and tailpipes. Scratches may mean that the motorcycle has been dropped during an accident, or rolled and its handlebars may have been replaced. A motorcycle that has been dropped or rolled could have serious structural damage that can be very costly to repair. Ask for details of the incident if you suspect the bike has been dropped or rolled, and what has been done to correct the damage, as well as how much riding has been done on it since the repairs.

Chalking Up Any Wobbling or Vibrating to the Road

Any wobbling or vibrating sensation coming from the wheels while moving or braking should never be dismissed. The wheels or rotors may be warped, or there may be structural damage from a previous accident. Have any of these issues checked out by a good mechanic.

Thinking Motorcycle Tires Don't Have Tread

Put simply - they should. If one or both of the tires don't, you'll be spending several hundred dollars on a tire or two. This will hopefully be before you drop the bike, as opposed to after you've dropped it, and have painfully picked the gravel out of your hands, shoulders, thighs and knees.

Checking to See if the Tank Contains Gas, Water...or Turpentine?

Check the condition of the gas tank and the gas in the tank. If the gas is murky, or thick, these could be indications that the bike has been sitting around for a while without being used. Old gas can wreak havoc on a motorcycle. Moisture builds up inside a partially full gas tank and the water can damage a bike's tank, engine, and carburetor. Gas can also thicken over time if not stabilized, and also cause damage. My first used motorcycle purchase had been sitting for a while before I bought it, and sat for a while longer before I eventually sold it. I didn't drain the gas, and the next buyer had an unpleasant repair bill right off the bat.

Not Paying Attention to How the Used Motorcycle Was Stored

Did the previous owner keep it cleaned, waxed, and garaged, with frequent rides? That's the most preferable treatment for a bike. The next most favorable would be under an awning and covered with a motorcycle cover when not in use, but still rode frequently. If a bike has been sitting, uncovered, for an extended period of time - think half a year or longer, you're probably better thanking the seller and leaving it be, unless you're very handy or are on good terms with a bike mechanic. If the seller shows it off in a garage, check the condition of the bike and see if it matches the surroundings. Is it dusty? Are there rodent nests in it, or bird droppings on it? Honest truth here: some sellers will bring a bike in from the elements in order to sell it and say it's been garaged, but will forget to spend a few minutes cleaning the bird crap off of the seat backrest.

Paying Extra for a Used Helmet

Like child car-seats, a used helmet is practically worthless, unless you know its entire history. If it's ever been in an accident, it may have hidden fractures just waiting to open up the next time its wearer takes a spill. If the seller is trying to get you to shell out more for his or her old helmet, pass on their offer. There are those who refuse to wear a helmet for any number of reasons, but studies have shown they save lives. If you're going to wear one, spend the extra cash and buy a good quality, new one. Don't take chances with your melon.

Buying a used motorcycle can be a great way to spend a sudden windfall. They're often more fuel efficient than cars, and are much more fun. A good bike can even be a conversation starter. Just be sure to follow the tips above and you'll have a much better chance of your used motorcycle purchase being one that you're happy with.