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 thought...