Jun 14, 2006 06:01 PM
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DISCLAIMER: I AM THE EXECUTIVE EDITOR FOR BIKE INDIA MAGAZINE, AND FIRST WROTE THIS ARTICLE(BELOW) FOR THE MAGAZINE. IT'S BEING POSTED HERE SO IT CAN REACH A WIDER AUDIENCE.
To begin with, check paintwork on all body panels. Does everything – the tank, the side panels, the front fender – match up? If not, why not? Grill the owner. Dents on the fuel tank can be expensive and complicated to repair and the tank will probably need to be re-painted afterwards, so bear that in mind if there are any major dents. If the paint matches, make sure everything lines up properly, that all fasteners are in place and there’s no loose wiring hanging out in places. Do all of this out in the open, in broad daylight, rather than inside some dark, gloomy garage.
Check if both wheels are perfectly in line with each other. If either wheel is offset to one side and/or if the front fork looks even slightly tilted to one side, there could be some crash damage on the bike. While you’re at it, turn the handlebars full left and full right and make sure the handgrips get to the same distance from the fuel tank on both sides. Don’t be afraid of asking questions – it’s up to the owner to quell any doubts that you may have.
Check the electrics – does the self-starter work? Headlamps, taillamps, high beam, low beam, turn indicators? Does the throttle work smoothly and spring back to the closed position if you let go of it? Does the clutch engage smoothly, and do gears shift smoothly or do they clunk up and down? Does the bike have a tendency to jump out of gear?
Put the bike on centrestand and see if both wheels spin freely.(Note that motorcycle wheels won’t spin as freely as bicycle wheels and a little bit of noise is also normal.) Check the tyres. Is there any tread left or are the tyres bald? Tread wear should be even – if the tyres show more wear on any one side, it could be a warning signal. And do the brakes work properly? Does the bike weave around when you brake hard? Once again, don’t be scared of asking for a ‘proper’ test ride – merely riding the bike for half a kilometre on a straight, smooth stretch of tarmac may not be very useful at all.
On the rough stuff, listen for creaks and rattles and try and figure out where those are coming from. Oiling, greasing and cleaning will sort some of these, but make sure the noises aren’t anything out of the ordinary. Also check if the front and rear suspension is working smoothly. Check for leaking oil seals in the front fork. Ask a friend to sit on the pillion seat and check for excessive sag on the rear shock absorber(s). Is there adjustment for preload? Does it work?
Forget about looking too finicky – take a notebook along with you and make note of all your findings. It’ll help if you have to take the bike to a workshop to get some things checked and it’ll help when you are negotiating the price. For many first-time buyers, a good used bike can be both fun and affordable, so don’t shy away from picking up one if you find something you really like. But yes, do be very careful and choose wisely.
