Ensure the seller has a clean title in their name. No title usually means no deal.
Test every single light—blinkers, high beams, brake light (using both the hand and foot controls), and the horn. 4. The Test Ride buying a used motorcycle checklist
Check the "date code" (four digits in an oval). If they’re over 5 years old, they need replacing regardless of tread. Ensure the seller has a clean title in their name
Push down on the handlebars and seat. It should feel firm and rebound smoothly. Look for oily residue on the fork tubes (leaking seals). Push down on the handlebars and seat
Look for deep scratches or "ground down" metal on the ends of the handlebars, levers, and footpegs.
Buying a used motorcycle can be a steal or a headache. To make sure you’re getting a reliable machine and not someone else's project, follow this checklist: 1. The Pre-Meeting Paperwork
Check the oil (shouldn't look like chocolate milk or be pitch black) and coolant (if applicable). Check the brake fluid—it should be translucent, not dark brown.