What To Look For When Buying A Used Bike

[EMTrigger]

I found a 2001 Ninja 250 with 3000 miles. I have never purchased a bike before.
-Should I kick the tires?
-What should I look at/do to decide it is a good bike to buy?
-What kinda sounds should I be suspicious of when the bike is started?
-What were the steps you did when checking out a used bike?

NEED HELP. Looking at the bike next week. I don't have any friends that ride.
Thanks everyone.

[650r]

same i would do buying a used car...take it to a trusted Kawi mechanic and get the stamp of approval from them.

[AnthonyGS500F]

you should kick the bike over and make sure the fairings are on good.

[Fargin_Bastige]

take it to a mechanic and have it checked out.

Here's a link to a good article.

[mssdrider]

at a quick glance, a couple of telling signs as to if the bike has been taken care of (this is just me on a day to day basis when i see bikes parked, not only when i buy a bike)
1. check the color of the brake fluids... have they been changed recently?
2. Have the chain been lubed recently or is it only bone dry?

3k miles on a 2001 is really little. make sure you get the complete history from the guy. I have heard of people disconnecting the odometer. Not likely, but have been done.

[Rascus]

Used motorcycle evaluation guide

[EMTrigger]

Originally Posted by Rascus

Used motorcycle evaluation guide

Holy hell. Thanks for the thread, it pretty much answered all my questions. (I'm gonna have to print that out). Is this deal too good to be true? I def plan on taking any bike I check out to a mechanic since I don't know any better. He is asking 1200. Here's his description.

"Great Starter Bike!
Kawasaki Green.
Very low miles.
Price negotiable.
3083 miles

My old roommate bought this bike as his starter bike. He has since moved out and asked me to help sell the bike which is sitting in my garage. He has assured me that when the bike sells he will sign over the clear title. The bike was running in good condition last year, but hasn't been started since he moved. Also, it is missing the windshield.Thanks. "

[Jim Moore]

Originally Posted by EMTrigger

He has assured me that when the bike sells he will sign over the clear title."

What the hell does that mean? Don't give him / them any $$$ until the owner signs the title over to you.

Originally Posted by EMTrigger

The bike was running in good condition last year, but hasn't been started since he moved."

Don't buy it unless it starts easily. If he says, "It runs, it just has a dead battery," say, "That's great. Put a battery in it, get it running, and give me a call."

Missing the widshield? Look very closely at the fairings. It has probably been crashed.

This bike has enough red flags for me to pass on it.

[GoIllini]

Originally Posted by EMTrigger

My old roommate bought this bike as his starter bike. He has since moved out and asked me to help sell the bike which is sitting in my garage. He has assured me that when the bike sells he will sign over the clear title. The bike was running in good condition last year, but hasn't been started since he moved. Also, it is missing the windshield.Thanks. "

$1200 ought to move the bike very quickly.

1.) The guy's roommate may really have no clue how to ride or work with a bike. Ask if you can try starting it, or if not, what's wrong with the bike.
2.) Have a copy of the signed title on hand when you pay for the bike.
3.) Go find another Ninja 250- parked around town- and take a good look at it, especially the front fender.
4.) Ask if you can get the bike inspected. Offer to add $100 to the price of the bike if you can do so, if they still hem and haw. $1300 for a 2001 Ninja is still a great deal.
5.) Make sure the VIN on the title matches the VIN on the bike.