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MOTOMENUS  AUGUST ACCESSORY GIVEAWAY!

CRITICAL THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE BUYING A MOTORCYCLE

Oh man. Is there anything more exciting than buying a new motorcycle? Seriously, no matter how many times you do it, getting a new bike on the road for the first time is one of the great joys in life.

What isn’t so great, however, is finding out five miles down the road that your new two-wheeler has something seriously wrong with it.

If you want to avoid buying a lemon, a stolen bike, or just the wrong motorcycle for you, there are a few key things you’ll want to know.

Once you’ve armed yourself with this knowledge, you’ll be able to buy your next motorcycle with confidence

1. Check The VIN Number, Then Check It Again

Oh man. Is there anything more exciting than buying a new motorcycle? Seriously, no matter how many times you do it, getting a new bike on the road for the first time is one of the great joys in life.

What isn’t so great, however, is finding out five miles down the road that your new two-wheeler has something seriously wrong with it.

If you want to avoid buying a lemon, a stolen bike, or just the wrong motorcycle for you, there are a few key things you’ll want to know.

Once you’ve armed yourself with this knowledge, you’ll be able to buy your next motorcycle with confidence.

It’s always a good idea to check a motorcycle’s VIN number to make sure there are no issues with the title. This shouldn’t be an issue when buying from a dealer, but it’s still a good best practice.

To check the VIN, get a copy of the current title from whoever is selling the motorcycle.

Find the VIN number listed on the title, and confirm that it matches the VIN number stamped (or stickered) on the frame of the motorcycle.
You want to carefully check the entire number, digit by digit, making sure the two match up.

If there are any discrepancies between the two, getting the bike registered may be the least of your potential legal problems. If the VIN doesn’t match, it’s time to walk away, no further questions needed.

2. Know The Motorcycle’s Maintenance History

Whether you’re buying from a dealer or a private party, knowing the history of any motorcycle you buy is important.

The most important aspect of any motorcycle’s past is its maintenance history.
Ask to see any and all documentation showing that all required services were completed on time.

Obviously having service paperwork from a dealership or professional mechanic is ideal, but don’t let “homemade” maintenance records scare you off.

Motorcycles are comparatively simple machines, and many owners often prefer to do their own maintenance. Oil changes, brake pads, and even valve clearances are often serviced by owners themselves.

Maybe they want to save money. Maybe they just don’t want a mechanic rushing through the job. Whatever the reason, as long as there are records showing the work was done, you shouldn’t be too worried.

The main goal is to have a believable and well documented history of the bike’s life in the garage. If there’s clear evidence of regular oil changes and major services like valve adjustments and belt replacements being done on time, you should be golden.

3. Does The Motorcycle You’re Buying Need Anything?      Immediately?

While the maintenance history tells you that a bike is up to date on its scheduled services, it won’t tell you everything. Some details need a good old fashioned vision inspection.


First and foremost are the regular “wear” items.

Tires, brakes, fluids, and even the clutch of any motorcycle you’re buying are all considered regular wear items.

That means although it’s completely normal for these items to be replaced periodically, if one or more of them are due (or overdue) for replacement, you should have that conversation with the seller.

For instance, are the tires are near the end of their lifespan either by age or wear? If so, that’s a big expense that’s being passed down to the buyer. Make sure that cost is factored into the asking price, and adjust your offer as needed.

Same goes for the brake system.

Remember to check both front and rear brake pads to see if they’re due to be replaced. If a set of pads is overdue for replacement, you may even be looking at paying for replacement brake rotors as well depending on how long the current owner has put off the maintenance.

Visually inspecting these basic items is also important for your safety. Ultimately, if everything else checks out, the final step before buying a motorcycle is riding it. Hoping on a motorcycle with bad brakes or bald tires (especially while the owner is holding your cash) is a recipe for disaster.

Assuming everything checks out though, let’s move on to the fun part: The test ride.

4. You NEED To Take It For A Test Ride

Different sellers and dealerships have different rules about test riding their motorcycles.

Most dealerships allow test rides of pre-owned motorcycles, and may have demos of new models you can ride too. Test rides for brand new bikes aren’t guaranteed (especially during COVID-level demand), but many dealers let you take a bike around the block with a guide if you show serious interest.

Ultimately if you’re buying something with zero miles on the clock you’re covered by a warranty. Still, you don’t want to get five miles down the road before learning the motor is just plain boring.

Private parties, on the other hand, can be unpredictable.

Some sellers might want you to leave your keys or your driver's license behind as collateral. Most will ask to hold your cash while you’re gone.

You should be prepared to do both, which is why knowing the history AND confirming the bike’s VIN beforehand are important before riding the bike anywhere. We all like to give people the benefit of the doubt, but when they’re holding thousands of dollars of your hard earned money… It’s best to double check.

If you encounter an owner who isn’t willing to let you test ride even with cash in hand, you should probably walk away.

Even if a motorcycle has a clean VIN and well documented maintenance history, you have no way of knowing if the owner is hiding a serious issue like a faulty transmission. Once you sign over the paperwork, the deal is done and there’s not much you can do. At minimum, you should run a bike through all its gears before making a decision.

Final Thoughts On Buying A Motorcycle

Clearly there are a few advantages to buying a motorcycle through a dealer rather than a private party, not the least being a factory warranty.

Still, not everyone wants or needs another payment. Saving a few thousand dollars on a pre-owned motorcycle is often a smart move.

Ultimately, we all want the same thing, and that’s that “new bike feeling” that’s simply beyond comparison.

If you ask the right questions, do your research, and (of course) take that all-important test ride, you’ll be well on your way to new-bike-bliss in no time.

Dealer Information

If you are a powersports dealer, check out our Dealer Center for more information.

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