4 things i have learnt buying bikes
1. Do your due diligence
Always always always do a vin and registration number check. the cost to check a registration number for theft, finance, damage etc is about 15 quid using a promo code for car vertical. when you’re purchasing something worth thousands or even just hundreds why take the risk?
Make sure to check the vin / chassis number against the report for the reg no in case the plate is cloned or the reg doesn’t match the vin. one of the first motorcycles i bought seemed great on the surface, Kawasaki green ninja 125 2020 plate with 9k miles. all sounds good right? correct! however... mechanically it was sound as i had done my visual inspection but what was lurking in the bikes history was ... OUTSTANDING FINANCE! DUN DUN DUUN!
So unbeknownst to myself, i cleaned the bike up sorted out some small things that needed sorting like new pads, caliper seals, oil etc and sold it on, a couple of months or so pass and i get a message from the person who bought it off of me saying that they had a letter thorough the door proclaiming that they now owed a not unsubstaintial amount on the bike they had purchased! anyway, a long story short, i gave them the details of the person i purchased the bike from and it all got sorted but it taught me a valuable lesson early on in my journey to always do my checks not just mechanically but also administratively.
2. Mechanical inspection
Don’t be afraid to do a thorough mechanical inspection...without taking the piss.
It’s very important to do a thorough mechanical inspection when purchasing any vehicle. obviously this comes with it's challenges as you need to be fairly well mechanically versed to be able to spot and price issues if they exist and if maybe someone is trying to mask an issue from a prospective buyer, you!
if you're looking at a motorcycle that is listed cheaper than comparable models of a similar age and mileage then you must employ extra diligence with your mechanical checks. If you do not do this often, write a check list or bring someone with you who is well versed in motorcycles. The vehicle in question could be hiding some nasty and expensive surprises that the seller is trying to hide…
orrr less ominously, just doesnt realise the problems exist.
My old ZX6R loaded up using an aluminium ramp.
3. GET A VAN!
This point only really applies to someone who would be buying and/or selling bikes frequently or moving them around often. getting a van and a ramp completely changes the game, you’re no longer bound to get lifts or travel to a location via public transport to collect or view a motorcycle.
you can rock up in your van, have a look at the bike and if it isn’t right for the price or there’s something wrong then you can just turn around and leave it. on the other hand if you decide to purchase it, you can! just unload the ramp and pop it in the back. jobs a good un!
Having a van is great for buying bikes that may have an issue that needs repairing or one that doesn’t have a valid MOT. No need to worry about breaking down on the way home or trying to book MOT tests to suit when you’re purchasing the motorcycle. just load it up and go.
some points worthy of note for moving a motorcycle around in the back of a van are;
. Ensure you use enough ratchet straps and compress the forks to avoid the motorcycle suspension rebounding, causing it to move in the van and potentially falling over.
. Get a wheel chock. these are great to keep your motorcycle secure during transport and keep the bike upright whilst you tie it down in the van. don’t forget to secure the chock to the van floor or it can move whilst driving. (ask me how i know)
. Don’t let the feeling of being rushed by the seller/buyer of the motorcycle standing around watching you load/unload the motorcycle cause you to cut corners. Not strapping down the bike enough and going through some tight corners and steep hills will soon make you regret using one or two few straps.
4. BUY WITH CAUTION!
Not everyone in the world who is selling a bike are out to get you, but unfortunately, some are. do your due diligence about the person you are going to meet and potentially hand over thousands of pounds to. if its on FB marketplace check their profile for other items listed for sale and previously sold items. Do the same for Ebay except look for their feedback.
If there is none then that’s not ideal. on Autotrader always call if there is a number available to ring and ask questions like "how long have you had owned the motorcycle?" & “why're you selling?” you can actually check when the last V5 was issued and correlate it with their answer. If this is a lie then that should raise alarm bells. obviously people make mistakes and can’t always remember when they purchased a vehicle, we aren’t saying that this is a sign or a guaranteed scam but should be used in conjunction with the other points to form a good opinion if the bike is legitimate and worth purchasing.
