Inspecting a Used Motorcycle
The inspection process is a necessary step in finding a quality used motorcycle. If you’re visiting various dealerships and weighing your options, you’ll want to make sure you’re doing thorough inspections of all your prospective bikes. That’s why you should have a checklist or inspection guide while shopping so you can identify motorcycles that you can depend on.
Our team at Road Track & Trail of Big Bend, WI prides itself on providing our clients with used motorcycles they can enjoy. We recommend these tips for conducting a sound inspection so you can find the right used motorcycle for you.
Inspect Your Exterior
While giving any given motorcycle a look over, you should note any scratches, dents, etc. that indicate areas of the motorcycle that received notable damage. In your checklist, you should include areas such as the fuel tank, fenders, chrome parts, seats, and other areas that contribute to your bike’s performance. This can be an indicator of whether your bike may need frequent servicing in the future which can equate to cumulative expense in the longer run. Given that most shoppers buy a used motorcycle for affordability, this is one way to avoid investing in something that will drain your bank account over time.
Check Your Engine
You also wouldn’t want to buy a bike that looks picture-perfect but has hidden mechanical issues. That’s why you should aim for a cold inspection and request that your dealer start the used motorcycle up in your presence so you can note any startup issues it may have before purchasing. During the cold start, you should also look out for engine smoke and exhaust, strange noises, or leaks which could all indicate significant damage to your engine or other mechanical components. While this may seem a bit extreme, it can save you from purchasing a used motorcycle that has serious underlying issues. Some people also wisely request test drives so they can get a better idea of how smoothly their desired bike operates before spending money on it.
Tires
No motorcycle, whether new or used, can operate as it should with compromised tires. To ensure that your tires are in good shape, keep an eye out for any signs of dry rot, dents, or excessive tread damage. Testing your spoke integrity with a screwdriver is also great for determining how reliable your tires are before investing in a used motorcycle. This is another way to prevent buyer’s remorse, but also to avoid blowouts and dangerous accidents while on the road. Wobbly wheels should also be avoided and can indicate future performance issues.
For more on used motorcycles, visit our store in Big Bend today! We also welcome all shoppers from Milwaukee and Waukesha, WI, as well as Chicago, IL.