What would you ask.......
Discussion
Reason for sale
Has it been dropped
check history, mileage checks out, hpi check
service book
look at chicken strips on rear tyre to give clue as to how hard the bike has been ridden
look at usual state of chain and rear sprocket, fork seals
Make sure everything works
Don't be tempted into "oh well I can fix that myself" check it and if you can fix it don't let on but knock down the price for garage to do it
All good advice from Vitesse. Plus
Ask if it has been tracked. Don't rule it out on this - it won't matter in moderation.
Check the oil drain plug to see if it has been drilled - this would be necessary if the bike was used as a race bike.
Run your fingernail over the front disks to see what use they've seen. If there are ridges on the outer edges then they'll be needin replacement - lots of money each.
Does it have a CAT 1 alarm from the likes of Datatool or Meta? Essential to a lot of insurance companies.
What year is the bike? How many miles?
Ask if it has been tracked. Don't rule it out on this - it won't matter in moderation.
Check the oil drain plug to see if it has been drilled - this would be necessary if the bike was used as a race bike.
Run your fingernail over the front disks to see what use they've seen. If there are ridges on the outer edges then they'll be needin replacement - lots of money each.
Does it have a CAT 1 alarm from the likes of Datatool or Meta? Essential to a lot of insurance companies.
What year is the bike? How many miles?
if a bike has been raced then it's probably in far better condition than most of the tat out o the roads. Anyone can wash & polish their bike at the weekend, but few 'sportsbikes' get much maintenance other than annual services....
Look at the condition of the bike, check the oil colour, etc
headraces
chain & sprocket condition
etc, etc
Look at the condition of the bike, check the oil colour, etc
headraces
chain & sprocket condition
etc, etc
iguana said:
chilli said:
Hi all,
Fairly new to this myself....But waht are "Chicken strips"??!!
Strips of unworn tyre at the sides, proof that the bike has been ridden tamely.......
Also known as ladyboy lines
Iguana, me old pal - you'd be proud of me mate, my 'ladyboy lines' are only about 5mm wide!
Where's the 'taking a bow' smilie? 
hehe Questions to ask:
Q. Why is the front green, and the back purple?
A. This is a ZX7R sir, they're meant to be like that
Q. Why does this R1 have banana shaped forks and only 25miles on the clock?
A. The previous owner was a 40yo DAS BAB.
Q. Why does it go around right hand bends on it's own, but refuse to turn left?
A. It's meant to be like that Sir, it's set up for roundabouts/trackdays.
Q. Why on earth does it have 180mph on the clock?
A. Because we couldn't get it to go any faster.
Q. Why do the VIN & frame numbers not match the V5?
A. It's stolen, Sir.
Dave
JustTheTip said:
....when buying a used Bike privately? I'm new to two wheels and have found what seems to be a very good deal for a used CBR 600 RR, but need some pointers on what to ask the owner....
Thanks in advance chaps and chapettes!
You need to find out where it is on its service schedule. If for example it's done 11k miles and it's got 2 services in the book at 4k and 8k then it's going to need a service in 1k. However, if it's 5 years old and it's only had the 2 services then the owner is a feckless idiot and you should look elsewhere as the services are on mileage *or* period, which ever come sooner. Having found out that's it's on schedule you then need to find out the cost of the next service and if it's a big one it'll cost you plenty.
for example...
2003HONDA CBR600 RR, 5700
miles, Garaged, dry miles, solo seats, smartwater, HISS, FSH, TAX and warranty till AUG 05, steal at just.. £4,499. eve. all day.
...assuming it was registered in august 2003 that should have a stamp at 500 miles ish or 6 months in (say 6 months) and then 2 more stamps since then to have a FSH. My bet is that it'll have a stamp in it
late 2003 for the first service and maybe one this year.
You need to look at the state of the consumables such as the tyres, chain, sprockets, discs, pads and so on and tot up what it needs spending on it.
Then once you've done that compare it on final price (after you've done all the stuff that needs doing) to whatever else is around because there's always *lots* of choice.
Finally you really need to take someone along with you who honestly knows how to check things like the steering head bearings, cush bearings, wheel bearings, state of the engine, condition of shocks, fork seals etc and isn't just talking out of their *rse.
Good luck,
Mark
>> Edited by dern on Tuesday 12th July 14:31
chilli said:
Excellent, many thanks. Guess I'll be having a few of those for a while!!
Have a look here for some pics of the chicken strips.....[url]www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?t=188252&f=74&h=0[/url] just to emphasise that they don't matter when buying, a guy with huge ones may be a numpty mechanically whereas another guy with none may look after and clean his bike after everyday.
Get a mate with a bike to go with you and ask the questions to see what type of seller he is. Also a mate can be the voice of reason when that pile of twenties is burning a hole in your pocket!!!
iguana said:
Iguana, me old pal - you'd be proud of me mate, my 'ladyboy lines' are only about 5mm wide!
Wahey good lad
Mind you im turning into a bit of a pipe & slippers type nowadays tho.
Now wheres my cardigan
Never! Once I have my 7R back on the road again, we must meet up for a rideout, you can show me those fantastic roads again. I rode the one between Andover and Stockbridge the other day actually. JustTheTip - If you find any bikes near Salisbury, Wiltshire, give me a shout - ill happily join you and give you my opinion.
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