[Islander]

Thank you for taking the time to check this out. I am buying my first bike this weekend and I'm not exactly sure what to look for to properly inspect it. Road rash is a given and taking off the fairings to see if they are painted but what are other little hints that may tell if it was abused? If you all could just reply with some ideas or experiences. Thank you.

 

[skibum91]

Look for scrapes on the bottom of the fork tubes, on the mirrors or the bottom of the footpegs.

 

[H2447INTX]

Just Like A Car Over All Conditon Like They Stated Look For Scrape Marks On The Engin Covers, Foot Pegs, Swing Arm Ex Look At The Bike From The Front And The Back . Make Sure Everything Looks To Be In Corect Alignment. See How The Bike Starst From Cold And How It Idles, Does It Smoke Or Miss At All Check All The Lights Ex Look To See How Much Oil Is In It An What The Color Is , Look For Leeks In The Hoses, Cracks Ex. Fuck Make The Guy Take The Fairings Off Of It So You Can Look It Over Realy Close. Look At The Sprokets To See If They Are Worn . Most Imp Ride The Bike Make Sure It Runs Down The Road, No Draging Brakes Vibrations. Go Threw All Of The Gears And See How They Feal And What Is Sounds Like . If You Can Take It To A Tech If You Know One And Have Them Look At It Or Take The Tech With You . Blip The Throtle And See If It Sticks Or Idles Up Or Down , Stumbleing. Ask If The Bike Has Any Modification. , Just If You Think It Doesnt Look Sound Or Run Right It Probable Is Not Right!

 

[Got2josh]

http://www.clarity.net/~adam/buying-bike.html

 

[hotshot]

look at the frame as well and check for dents or dings in it as a telltale sign of a hard crash.Ask questions so you can feel out the owner and know if he rides hard.Also check the condition of the sprockets and chain as burnouts are hard on them and depending on the mileage they shouldn't be changed yet.If something feels shady it probably is.

 

[Heavy Metal]

When looking at the frame bring a magnifying glass and check it for hairline cranks. especially around the welds. Also check for straitness as well. Under it to see if it had been bent/twisted ect... Also do same for swingarm and every other part too check for cranks large or hairline. Of save up or put what you got on a NEW bike and forget the used if you cannot find one in good condition. REMEMBER when you BUY USED, you buy someone elses headaches.