What should you look for in a decent used Motorcycle?
I'm looking for my first bike, fresh off getting my endorsement and I still have the bug.
Love the Honda Rebel 250 that I trained on, but was told for a guy my size (heavy) I should go no lower than 500cc. I've risen 250's and 500's mainly sport bikes (crotch rockets) before and those are fun but I think I'm more of a cruiser… Love the Honda Shadow, love the Vulcan look that type of bike.
I've been searching online, and on Craigslist for specifics but I'm not sure what to look for as far as what makes a good used bike worth buying. Limited funds and don't want to buy something that will break down on me the moment I get down the drive way.
1. Is mileage on a bike the same as a car… I.e. Bikes around 46k miles is that good, bad, normal, average and should I look at something else.
2. I read somewhere that custom paint job screams crashed bike is that accurate?
3. How can I tell if the engine, throttle, clutch, chain and the other important parts have no issues?
4. If i do buy say a Shadow, or a Vulcan with a bad engine/throttle/clutch/chain/etc on average what am I looking as far as price to get it fix or replace it (ball park)?
5. How can you tell if you are getting ripped off on a used bike?
I don't care to much for scratches and dents but obviously with those its been put down so what should I look for as far as making sure the bike is good and worth the buy?
Can anyone clue me in?
In a nutshell, I will answer everything:
If it "just needs carb work", "just needs a battery", "ran last year", walk away.
Bring someone who knows bikes, not your buddy who has a sweet Ninja that he got last year, someone who has a couple hundred thousand miles riding experience and knows how to maintain a bike.
In short, buy a running/driving bike. If it needs anything, it points to neglect, walk away.
#1- It isn't mileage, it's maintenance. The better the better.
#2- Maybe, but women color their hair just for a change.
#3- If you can't tell have someone that KNOWS do that job for you. (you'll learn or keep paying).
#4- The sky's the limit, that's where #3 comes into play.
#5- See #'s 3 and 4.
- What would you do if a lady around 30-37 told you that you were useless and would never amount to anything? She's a well dressed white lady with a brand new Honda SUV and she has a daughter that looks about 12 that is also well dressed and the girl is being rude and both are being very rude to the guy at the counter at Subway. Would it be wrong to curse out the old witch who tried to start a fight and cursed out the subway worker and you?
- You say do I need to keep the Bell helmet the renter wore when he slipped, and crashed my motorcycle? My motorcycle is the 2008? Honda CBR600RR super sport motorcycle. The Cofounder of Riders- Share.Com compensated me the full amount of the motorcycle repairer's written damage estimate. I was also fully compensated for the helmet, which the renter wore when he crashed my motorcycle and my helmet.
- What underglow color would look best on my motorcycle? Been considering underglow LED lights on my Honda VTX 1300 but unsure on what color would look best. My bike is a darker midnight blue color. It's something I may only use once or twice but I still like it so if your going to say don't do it then just don't respond. And let s just assume all colors are legal. But if you had a second option that would be awesome as well. (Yes I know it's a matter of opinion).
- Do you have to sell your motorcycle if you plan to move from Colorado to New York? I have a Honda CB500F motorcycle that I love but it is too far to drive. If I decide take it with me, I have to drive twice since I have a car too. If you were me, would you sell the motorcycle before you leave or drive twice?