How To Buy A Motorcycle: An Inspection Checklist

How To Buy A Motorcycle: An Inspection Checklist

Our resident expert mechanic Matt McLeod reveals what he looks for when buying a used motorcycle.

I take a checklist with me when I look at a used bike. I’m never expecting a secondhand bike to be flawless but I’m looking for problems—and assessing ‘how much’ it will take me to correct these problems either with time or money.

Generally nothing is a ‘show stopper’ but it should determine the price you are prepared to pay for the bike. I use this list to document the problems I find so I have a basis to negotiate with the owner. Remember value is perceived: As an old hot rodder once told me “A project is worth scrap value until it is registered.”

If you think the seller is asking too much and you can’t agree on the price then let it go. Another project bike will come along. And remember you’ll find about half the problems with this inspection. A few months living with the bike will reveal the rest of the problems.

In my own shop I prefer to do as much as I can in-house without paying for outside vendors. Firstly I like to learn how to do-it-myself. This can be a method to save money with a trade off in the time invested. Secondly if you have to use an outside vendor you are reliant on them for schedule cost and quality.

So you should assess the motorcycle against the skills you currently have (or plan to learn) and the tools and equipment you have. All the points in the list below are based on my personal approach. If you’ve got some thoughts on something I’ve missed or tips of your own share them in the comments section.

Preparation: Before the Inspection

The First Test is Look

The Second Test is Touch and Listen

The Third Test is Sit

Finally: The Road Test

Assuming there is nothing that scares you at this point perhaps it is time to go for a ride. If you are not sure have a qualified technician go over the bike and test it for you. Go easy until you are sure the brakes work well. Listen for any noises. Again do the noises increase or disappear with increasing road speed? Does everything work the way you expect?

Can you imagine spending two hours riding it? Did you come back with a smile on your face? If yes congratulations! It looks like you have found a good project bike it’s now time to negotiate with the seller.

Buyer’s tips

Here is the process I normally employ to negotiate with the seller. Having done my research I’ll inspect the bike and have a good idea of what I think it’s worth (obviously the seller will probably disagree!) The bike will always be in worse condition than the listing photographs suggest.

I’ll be making notes on my checklist every problem I find.

There will be other bikes to choose from. Perhaps they’ll call you back in a week and agree to your offer which is still a win for you!

Got any tips to add to these? Sound off in the comments below.

Want to see Matt do an inspection on his own bike? Watch the video here.

Source: Bike Exif