Buying a bike. Previous owner only had it 2 months.

[Fallout]

Going to look at a bike today. I got a HPI check and everything is clear, but the last ownership transfer happened 2 months ago. Small alarm bells are ringing.

I'm going to ask the owner how long he's had it and see if he lies. If he doesn't and has a good excuse, I guess it's ok. However, with such a short ownership, my initial thoughts are he'd bought it, descovered it's a lemon (crash damage maybe) and is now trying to sell it on.

His reason for sale is he wants to free up money to work on a car he's modifying. Looking at all his ebay history, it looks like he has a good rep for selling stuff and does do a lot of mechanical stuff. It appears to have had some work done on it, has brand new tyres, new powder coated rims and isn't listed as having any fairing damage.

So my question is, should I be worried, and what do you reckon could be hidden things I might not be able to see? I will be giving him the cash and taking it for a test ride, so hopefully will be able to spot any issues.

Bought cheap and selling for a profit.

Had a few that I've noticed the same way and always tried to catch people out. 9 times out of 10 its legit!

[Fallout]

You could be right. It comes with 6 months tax, 12 months MOT, brand new tyres. You reckon he bought it as a bit of a wreck and got some good deals on getting it up to scratch? I'm happy with that if that's the case.

If there's crash damage it should be obvious and you've got a nice day for visibility - don't forget to check lock stops!!

Take some string if you want to check for straightness, taut string doesn't do curves.... (well it does, see the winch wire when they launch gliders at Lasham, but gravity doesn't have that big an effect on short lengths of string)

Originally Posted by Fallout

You could be right. It comes with 6 months tax, 12 months MOT, brand new tyres. You reckon he bought it as a bit of a wreck and got some good deals on getting it up to scratch? I'm happy with that if that's the case.

In that case definitely! Either bought as light crash damage/auction/off a friend.

Nothing to worry about bud. But as with any bike check it over properly.

I'd take someone with you whose objective about the Bike, sometimes we've subconsciously bought it before we've even got on it.

[Fallout]

Thanks chaps. Good advice. What I'll do it pull over on the test ride and have a good look so I don't feel pressured. I'll take a bit of string with me!

@TIB - You're right mate. I've already bought it subconsciously. I know it. Could do with a second pair of eyes. It's actually kind of down your way, and it's also a gixer. Please tell me you're not at work and you've got nothing better to do this afternoon?!

[_Stretchie_]

As above really, just ask him why he's selling after only having it a couple of months.

If his ebay feedback is all good and and it's got new this that and the other it's probably just bought at the right price, tarted up and passed on but it's always good to be cautious.

You could buy a buy that your mate has had since new and serviced on the dot each time and you could still end up with a load of problems from it. Second hand is always a gamble but if everyhting else adds up it sounds like this one is as good a punt as any

[Fallout]

The only reason why I'm cautious of the tarting up thing, is the bike is only 1800. New tyres + powder coated rims etc. Can't see any profit in it unless he bought it under 1k, and then I can't imagine what state it was in. All I can do is ask though I suppose, and keep my sensible hat on .... if I can find it!

You'll be surprised how cheap powder coating is.

If he picked it up as a "knock about on it whilst doing a bit of work on it here and there" but has now seen something else to get his teeth into then the sale might be legit. Only an inspection will tell you if its a lemon or not, if its HPI clear and its a plastic fantastic then I'd be surprised if its ever been in a knock. Few folk would be able to replace the plastics alone, never mind the mechanicals so even low speed spills often go through insurance.