A
used ZX 9R sport bike
There are many considerations in the process of purchasing a used
motorcycle. What type of used motorcycle do I want? Where should I
look? What should I check or test on a used motorcycle? Here are
several to aid you.
Steps
- Decide what type of riding you will be doing most often:
commuting, sports, touring, or a combination. This is the most
important criterion you need to consider. Be honest with yourself
on this one. A 1000 cc superbike might make your heart skip a beat,
but there is a very good chance that you will hate it on the
commute, and that your pillion will be uncomfortable on it.
Track-days on a cruiser may also be disappointing.
- Buy from a reputable dealership if possible. Private sales may
be lower priced, but you will not have any comeback if the bike
breaks down or blows up. Most dealerships offer some type of
warranty, or at the very least, will work with you should anything
go wrong in the first few months of buying. If you must buy from a
private party, insist that you be able to take the bike to a
reputable dealership to be assessed and inspected. A few dollars
spent now could save you heaps of money and trouble in the future.
In addition, dealerships can do an ownership history search for you
to make sure the bike in question wasn't stolen and hasn't been
listed as "written off" by an insurance company.
- Check the bike out for yourself. Take some simple hand tools
with you, including a flashlight and, if possible, a
multimeter.
- Check the condition of the drive chain and sprocket. The chain
should have around ¾" of play (up and down) and the teeth of the
sprocket should not show obvious damage or wear. Try to wiggle the
chain side to side on the sprocket. There shouldn't be much
movement on a good set. Have someone sit down on the motorcycle and
check to make sure the chain is somewhat snug, with very little
movement up and down. Chains wear out over time, but sprockets
should last much longer. A severely worn sprocket indicates either
an old sprocket or a poor maintenance schedule.
- The tires should have good tread all the way across the surface
with no signs of uneven wear or damage. Daily drivers' tires will
often have more wear in the middle on the tread (more highway
driving). Others who've raced their motorcycle on the track, will
have tires that show more wear at the edge of the tread.
- Sit on the bike. Look at the condition of the brake and clutch
levers, bar-end weights, straightness of the bars and instrument
cluster. These could be signs of an accident or drop. Others could
be scratched engine cases, foot pegs or exhaust pipes. Hold the
handbrake and bounce the front suspension. It should feel even and
firm. Get off the bike and check the fork tubes for signs of rust,
pitting and oil. These are signs of worn fork seals, or possible
future expensive problems.
- While checking the forks, run a fingernail across the brake
rotors, feeling for uneven wear or grooving. Look into the brake
caliper to see how much of the pads are left. If the bike has
spokes, check the overall condition of the individual spokes. For
all types, look for dents or damage to the rim
- Put the bike on its center stand if so equipped; turn the bars
side to side. Feel for any 'notchy-ness' or roughness in the
steering head.
- If possible, check the visible frame; remove the seat to see
underneath it also. There should be no dents, kinks or visible
damage to the frame. If there is, walk away.
- While the seat is off and you can access the battery, clip the
multi-meter across the battery terminals and check the
