Motorbikes attract many riders because they have long been associated with freedom and fearlessness. If your life needs a little more excitement but you don’t have the budget to buy new, purchasing a used motorbike could be the perfect solution. There’s plenty of choice in the used motorcycle market, so choose carefully and remember to follow these basic tips for success.

Decide Which Bike Suits You

It’s a good idea to know what kind of bike you’re looking for before you start browsing the market. Narrow down your search by choosing a make and model or you’ll be overwhelmed by the amount of choice available when you start looking at the classified advertisements. Decide what you want from your bike, where you will be riding it and the kind of engine that’s suitable and you’ll find it much easier to rationalize your options.

Viewing the Motorbike

Always go to see used motorbikes in daylight and in dry conditions. If you’re looking at a vehicle in the dark or when it’s raining, imperfections and cosmetic damage can be more easily missed. It’s very important to make sure that the paperwork is in order before you hand over any money. Look at the V5 registration document and check that the engine and frame numbers match the bike. A vehicle over three years old requires an MOT certificate, so ask to see this, along with the complete service history. The service history should be stamped by a reputable garage and the seller should provide bills to authenticate this history. The motorbike’s mileage should also match the bills and service history.

Close Inspection

If the motorbike has cosmetic or mechanical damage, the seller should be willing to climb down in price, as you will have to spend additional time and money getting the bike fixed up. Look at the bodywork and tank, check for scuffs and scratches and identify bent or marked handlebars, exhausts and footrests. The wheels should be free from cracks and dents and the tyres in reasonable condition, without cuts or sidewall damage. Make sure that the damping action on the suspension, lights, indicators and horn all function adequately. This is very important from a safety perspective. You should always road test a motorbike before committing to buying it, to make sure that it feels right and suits your requirements. Before doing this, check that you have the correct insurance coverage.

For more information on buying used motorcycles, contact a specialist dealership like Exchange and Mart.