So you have your eyes on that bike you saw online, huh? The specs suggest a good deal for the price it’s been offered at, it’s your favorite color, looks shiny and almost new? Almost too good to be true, but how sure are you that it’s the right valuation for a used bike? There’s a sure fire checklist to ensure that you pay the right used bike value and not just fall for the specs mentioned online. The more detailed your research about the used bike, the more accurate a value you pay for it.
It is recommended to have a mechanic accompany you to the seller’s in order to complete this checklist. Also a good idea to brush up on the basics of how parts of the bike are supposed to look like both fresh and worn out. That way you have an idea of what to look for specifically. Ignore the previous 3 sentences if this isn’t your first rodeo at a bike sale.
Let’s get started.
Fuel tank: Check for paint, scratches, and repairs and condition in general
Seat: Check for sogginess, collapsed foam, trim and tears
Paint and chrome:Check for patchwork in the paint. The chrome must be rust-free
Oil:Check for leaks and level. Its cleanliness is subjective but check anyway.
Starting/running:The engine should start and warm up easily. Sellers normally warm up the engine before inspection so rely on how the engine idles and responds to throttle. If it spits and sputters before the rpm picks up, something is wrong.
Smoke:if it smokes heavy, black or blue then you’ve got real reason to move on.
Noise:Engine noise differs by make however, knocks, and rattles and suspicious rumbling could spell disaster, so it’s better to get a trained ear (mechanic) to check it.
Transmission:The best way to check the transmission is to road test it. If that’s not in the cards, then have the owner run it through gears. Listen for a missed shift, to check for engagement problems.
Clutch:Make sure it’s properly adjusted and doesn’t drag or slip. Like the transmission, a test ride is the best way to go about checking the clutch.
Exhaust: Look for exterior physical damage or broken hardware around the cylinder head, especially rust bubbles. Check for leaks too.
Tires:It’s important to check tire tread and if there’s any dry rot.
Wheels: Give the wheel a spin to check if it’s out. If it wobbles too much then it needs to be corrected.
Spokes:Spokes on a used bike may not be tuned tight with use. A straight and snug spoke will give off a resonating ‘ting’ while a bent spoke will sound flat when struck.
Chain: Chain should be properly lubricated and adjusted. To check if it needs to be replaced, check the condition of the sprockets. If the teeth are bent, hooked or missing, then both need to be replaced.
This list only confirms the condition of a used bike, based on which the used bike value can be factored in along with its Vehicle History online. Other factors include matching its VIN number and checking its service and ownership history. You can always check the used bike’s Orange Book Value, a real-time database that deep-sixes your preferred bike of choice’s data to determine an unbiased and accurate used bike value for your choice.
