Looking over new bike.
Discussion
Hope some of you can give me a bit of advice. The Brother In Law has asked me to go and have a look at a bike that he wants to buy, as we are a lot closer to the dealer than he is. The problem is I dont know really what to look for, (and neither would he to be honest). We have both had bikes in the past, but I would not profess to knowing if ones a good 'un or not, apart from how it looks to be honest.
The bike I am going to look at is a GSXR400, its imported, not taxed or MOT'd (though I assume we will be asking them to do these), has 8.5k miles, and is approx six or seven years old (Carnt search on autotrader at moment to get age). Apparently it has been stood for the last two years, is in mint condition (dont they all say that?), and is priced at £1395.00. The garage that are selling it sell damaged bikes by the look at it, but this ones seems not to be damaged, so I am not sure.
Can anyone offer any guidence as to what things I should be looking at, listening for, and asking about. I will not be test riding it, so is there anything else I should concentrate on because of that?
Thanks in advance.
The bike I am going to look at is a GSXR400, its imported, not taxed or MOT'd (though I assume we will be asking them to do these), has 8.5k miles, and is approx six or seven years old (Carnt search on autotrader at moment to get age). Apparently it has been stood for the last two years, is in mint condition (dont they all say that?), and is priced at £1395.00. The garage that are selling it sell damaged bikes by the look at it, but this ones seems not to be damaged, so I am not sure.
Can anyone offer any guidence as to what things I should be looking at, listening for, and asking about. I will not be test riding it, so is there anything else I should concentrate on because of that?
Thanks in advance.
The bike is a grey import, meaning it was not produced for the UK market, so you need to firstly check that it has been UK registered. If not it may need UK lights and mph speedo conversion as well as an inspection, MOT and resistering.
Assuming that's already done and it's already a UK registered bike you need to fistly check that a) it runs and b) it has all of its gears. The gears can checked without taking it for a ride, just check something happens in each gear.
Look at anything rubber such as fork seal, engine oil seals and airbox connection pipe etc to make sure there are no obvious leaks.
Also check the suspension does what it should and that the fork stanchions (shiney chrome bits that go up and down) and rear shock stanchion aren't rusted or pitted.
Also check headraces (steering bearings) aren't either notchy or sloppy and loose and check for any side to side play in the rear swing arm.
There are all sorts of components on a bike that can deteriorate when the bike's not being used, so just look at as much as you can. Generally you'll start to get a feel for whether or not it's a wrong 'un as you work your way around it though.
I've not mentioned cosmetics, lights, tyres etc as they're all fairly obvious things, but check availability and cost of spares as some bits for these can be very expensive as they're so obscure with it being an import.
Assuming that's already done and it's already a UK registered bike you need to fistly check that a) it runs and b) it has all of its gears. The gears can checked without taking it for a ride, just check something happens in each gear.
Look at anything rubber such as fork seal, engine oil seals and airbox connection pipe etc to make sure there are no obvious leaks.
Also check the suspension does what it should and that the fork stanchions (shiney chrome bits that go up and down) and rear shock stanchion aren't rusted or pitted.
Also check headraces (steering bearings) aren't either notchy or sloppy and loose and check for any side to side play in the rear swing arm.
There are all sorts of components on a bike that can deteriorate when the bike's not being used, so just look at as much as you can. Generally you'll start to get a feel for whether or not it's a wrong 'un as you work your way around it though.
I've not mentioned cosmetics, lights, tyres etc as they're all fairly obvious things, but check availability and cost of spares as some bits for these can be very expensive as they're so obscure with it being an import.
On top of whats mentioned checked for signs of accidents/drops damage.
Sure signs of drops/accidents are bar end weights, levers (may not be straight either) mirrors, foot rests, fairings, swing arms. Check for dents in the fuel tank too.
Check ignition barrel works properly.. i.e. steering lock engages/disenges again failures here can create issues or indicates signs of lowlife interest in the bike at some point.
Check front/rear brake fluid levels, also engine oil level too.
Sure signs of drops/accidents are bar end weights, levers (may not be straight either) mirrors, foot rests, fairings, swing arms. Check for dents in the fuel tank too.
Check ignition barrel works properly.. i.e. steering lock engages/disenges again failures here can create issues or indicates signs of lowlife interest in the bike at some point.
Check front/rear brake fluid levels, also engine oil level too.
Thanks all for the advice, it is very much appreciated.
I cannot provide a link at the moment, as I still cannot seem to search for it on Autotrader, but the bike is from a garage in Bradford if you want to search for it yourself.
Is it worth the £25 history check that is advertised on the Autotrader website? I think this will tell me when it was inported and if it is registered properly, as it still had the small indicators and KPH speedo when I looked at the site last night. Is there any way to check the mileage, i.e should it have original wheels breaks etc for that low a miles?
I hope it is a good one, the brother in law is excited, as it will be his first bike for ages, after his last one got stolen about 10 years ago.
I cannot provide a link at the moment, as I still cannot seem to search for it on Autotrader, but the bike is from a garage in Bradford if you want to search for it yourself.
Is it worth the £25 history check that is advertised on the Autotrader website? I think this will tell me when it was inported and if it is registered properly, as it still had the small indicators and KPH speedo when I looked at the site last night. Is there any way to check the mileage, i.e should it have original wheels breaks etc for that low a miles?
I hope it is a good one, the brother in law is excited, as it will be his first bike for ages, after his last one got stolen about 10 years ago.
http://atsearch.autotrader.co.uk/www/BIKES_popup.jsp?nU=0&make=SUZUKI&model=GSXR&ccappr=400&min_pr=75&postcode=DN12%201SF&miles=40&max_records=200&modelexact=1&photo=1&start=2&distance=30&adcategory=BIKE&channel=BIKES&id=200720284902964
The above is the said bike. No idea why I couldnt search for it whilst at work.
Thanks in advance.
edited to add, how would I check the oil level, is it easy to do?
The above is the said bike. No idea why I couldnt search for it whilst at work.
Thanks in advance.
edited to add, how would I check the oil level, is it easy to do?
Edited by Trax on Tuesday 22 May 19:44
I wouldn't expect the kmh speedo to be changed. Most only put mph stickers over the top. I had a mint VFR400 years ago and that was the same. Besides - I'd want to see the original clocks anyway. I doubt it has a history with it so you'll have to gauge mileage from the condition. Oil level check should just be a case of looking through a window in the crankcase when the bike is held upright - not on it's side stand.
The HPI type check is worthwhile if the bikes been in the UK for a few years. They don't hold records overseas, so if it's recently arrived then probably a waste of money. Basically, if the bike looks mint as they say, and runs well (make sure you hear it start from cold - if it's been warmed up ready for you then be suspicious), and other checks detailed by others above prove OK, there's not much more you can do.
The HPI type check is worthwhile if the bikes been in the UK for a few years. They don't hold records overseas, so if it's recently arrived then probably a waste of money. Basically, if the bike looks mint as they say, and runs well (make sure you hear it start from cold - if it's been warmed up ready for you then be suspicious), and other checks detailed by others above prove OK, there's not much more you can do.
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