Motorcycle Buying Guide
How to get the Best Motorcycle!

Do a Detailed Motorcycle Inspection!

After going over the motorcycle buying guide previous page, where I focus more on the general motorcycle buying aspect and only a little on the general motorcycle inspection... it's now time to do a detailed motorcycle inspection. That's where the following motorcycle inspection checklist comes into action ... guaranteed to save you from buying a lemon.

Motorcycle Inspection - Wheels
Make sure there are no impacts on the motorcycle rim, bent wheels, spoke problems, cracks, etc.

Motorcycle Inspection - Tires
Make sure the motorcycle tires are the right pressure. Inspect the tires for damage, cracks and deep enough tread (new motorcyle tires are costly). Old motorcycle tires are unsafe and absolutely need replacement.

Motorcycle Inspection - Brakes
Brake levers should be smooth with only a little play. Check discs, they should not be cut or uneven. Motorcycle discs are very expensive to replace. Disc pads can be checked via a small look in the clamp. Check the right build-up of pressure in the cables and no leaks. Check the reservoir for enough hydraulic fluid.

Motorcycle Inspection - Suspension
Check if the motorcycle coil springs have been broken or have cracks at attachment points. Dry the shocks and the pump them down while sitting on the motorcycle. The movement should be smooth and without any resistance. A small imperfection in the fork legs can lead to leaks. Check whether the legs are leaking after the pumps.

Motorcycle Inspection - Steering
The steering should be smooth. So put the motorcycle on the center stand and move the steering - it should feel super smooth. Also get off the motorcycle and lift the front wheel up and down, there should be no movement. Play and vibrations could mean worn bearings.

Motorcycle Inspection - Gauges
Well of course all gauges must be working and you might need to start the engine to check this. What you want to know is that all light and instrument bulbs are working. And not to be tricked by an unhooked indicator light which camouflages a fault.

Motorcycle Inspection - Controls
Jump up on the motorcycle and feel that all the controls are in good working condition. Smooth and easy to use.

Motorcycle Inspection - Engine
I always ask permission to start the engine. And I prefer to do it myself. This way you will feel much better how the motorcycle starts. Before you start check if the motorcycle engine is already hot or cold. A cold engine might need choke to startup. Notice how smooth the engine runs with and without choke. This is your own judgment. A warm engine should start without choke and run smoothly. Listen to the engine run, this will tell you a lot (let it run for a while). Try to get a cold engine warm and then let it run without choke.

Motorcycle Inspection - Fuel
Open the motorcycle tank and feel the inside with your finger (no rust?). Does the valve mechanism work smoothly. Look inside with a light. And does the reserve work smoothly?

Motorcycle Inspection - Exhaust
Inspect the whole motorcycle exhaust system from front to back. Check that all connections are firm, no rust and leaks. You can check for leaks by holding down the exhaust (watch out if hot) you will hear a leak. Also check for difference in pressure from different exhaust pipes. Blue smoke on a four cylinder is probably burning oil (bad thing). It's okay on a two stroke engine. Exhaust fumes should not be black (give a little throttle to check). With a cold engine you can expect white fumes but not on a hot engine.

Motorcycle Inspection - Belt drive
Check the motorcycle belt for cracks and if all the teeth are still okay. Also check the sprockets. If a sprocket is sharp it will cut away the drive belt.

Motorcycle Inspection - Chains
Check the sprockets all the teeth should be smooth and okay. Check the chain tension. Put the motorcycle on the center stand and spin the back wheel. Notice any links not curling smoothly around the sprocket. Also inspect the chain and sprocket for bright spots. This means there is more wear there than any other place which would mean chain and/or sprocket are set wrong and by now might need replacement. You will be replacing chain and sprocket together.

Motorcycle Inspection - Cooling
Clean coolant at the proper level in the reservoir. No cracks or leaks along the pipes and clean radiator (no rust). For engines with fin cooling just inspect that the fins are not damaged.

Motorcycle Inspection - Oil
Oil is the blood stream of your motorcycle. It makes the engine turn and twist. Maintenance and refreshment of the oil is essential for a good working motorcycle. Many riders can change oil themselves however an engine that has hardly had it's oil changed is a sign of bad maintenance. Oil should be clean and even a little see thru. When you rub the oil between your fingers there should be no grit. A brownish oil means water in the system.

Motorcycle Buying Guide - Frame Inspection
Check for signs of damage. Feel around the footpegs, feel the sides of mirrors, check exhausts for scratches, make sure all bolts are there. Also look at the alignment of the wheels and frame. Any off set might indicate a crash.

Motorcycle Buying Guide - Battery Inspection
Check the poles are clean and the levels are filled up right. Also check all electrical switches and gadgets. I hate electrical problems since they are so hard to figure out. It can become an ongoing nightmare leaving you stranded at any place any time. If the electrics don’t function 110% forget it.

Motorcycle Buying Guide - Extras Inspection
Like I said before be cool about extras on the bike. Ask if anything else comes with the bike. You'll be surprised at what you get. But remember the more value you put into the extras the more you'll pay. It's about the motorcycle not the extras.

Motorcycle Buying Guide - Riding Inspection
Should you or should you not test ride a motorcycle you want to buy? Of course you should! Okay let there be no mistake I am not going to spend a few thousand bucks on a motorcycle that I have never driven.

How to make a test ride. Give him your car papers, keys and id. Have a form which states that you will be responsible for all damage while test riding the motorcycle. If the seller is still reluctant make an agreement to meet at a dealer and ask them for an evaluation (their mechanics are often insured) such a test might be costly.

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