2year old bike what to look for? - SV650.org

13-06-06, 08:45 PM

Someone that is looking to buy my bike wants a mechanic (wanting £150-£200) to look it over. Personally I wouldn't bother as I know a little bit about bikes and it's only just 2 years old. I've suggested I show her round the bike and if she is still not satisfied to then take it to a garage to look it over. Just don't want anyone wasting money that's all. I'm a nice lad really:oops:

What type of things would you check on the bike if you were looking it over. Its a K4 bought in April 2004. After market can just had service it was a home job, oil + filter, air filter and break fluid plus good clean & lube and new brake pads (even though it didn't need them).

I think the bike is in very good condition but I also understand that I'm probably a little biased

13-06-06, 10:18 PM

First, i'd look at the general condition of the bike:
Is it clean? does it look like it's been well maintained, i.e a caring owner.
Have a friendly chat with the seller to find out what type of rider he or she is to build up a mental profile (it helps in finding out how the bikes been ridden and treated).

Look for signs of obvious crash damage, scrapes on exhaust, scrapes on swingarm, bar ends, brake/gear/clutch levers etc.
Check the condition of the forks: is the chrome rusted in places or pitted and are the fork seals leaking (they shouldn't be though on a 2yr old bike)

Try to see if the engine is hot or cold by having a sly feel without the seller seeing.
Then ask the owner if the engine hot or cold if he or she fibs, then....
Also a warm engine may be someone hiding starting troubles etc.
Then again, the person may have warmed it up expecting to give a test ride.
It pays to be suspisious when buying seccond hand.

Ask to take the bike for a quick test ride if poss.
How does the gearbox perform, are the headstock bearings knocking etc.
How does the suspension feel.
How much life is left in the tyres

If you have your heart set on one particular bike and have arranged a viewing then do a HPI check.
It costs around £40 but gives you a wealth of information about the bike very good for 'peace of mind'.
If I remember right you'll need:
V5 issue date and number (2 letters followed by 7 numbers if it's a bike first registered in england),registration number of the bike, mileage and VIN/chassis number of the bike.
It also asks for an MOT certificate number but a 2yr old bike won't have one so it dosn't apply.

The beauty of a HPI check is not only will it tell you everything about the bikes history, but if you fill out all the required information BEFORE you by the bike then you will be covered upto the value of £10000-ish if anything un-toward should surface about the bikes history after being given the all-clear from HPI.

No doubt i've missed loads of stuff off, but i'm sure someone will be along to add more.

P.s on a bike that age I wouldn't expect to find too many things wrong with it both cosmetically and mechanically.
If there's anything that makes you think the bikes just not worth the money then just walk away.

**edit**

Bugger, just noticed that you're the seller.

I read yur post as if you were showing a girl around someone elses bike.

Ah well, it's the thought that counts innit :P

14-06-06, 10:13 AM

Yeah thanks

I'm just tying to be as helpfull as I can tbh. I'll make sure the bike is cold if I can keep off it long enough

Don't suppose anyone knows a place in newcastle/whitley bay that will look it over for her? Tried M&S and they said they were booked solid until end of July and most places are the same.

13-06-06, 08:45 PM	#1
Diveboy Guest Posts: n/a	2year old bike what to look for? Someone that is looking to buy my bike wants a mechanic (wanting £150-£200) to look it over. Personally I wouldn't bother as I know a little bit about bikes and it's only just 2 years old. I've suggested I show her round the bike and if she is still not satisfied to then take it to a garage to look it over. Just don't want anyone wasting money that's all. I'm a nice lad really:oops: What type of things would you check on the bike if you were looking it over. Its a K4 bought in April 2004. After market can just had service it was a home job, oil + filter, air filter and break fluid plus good clean & lube and new brake pads (even though it didn't need them). I think the bike is in very good condition but I also understand that I'm probably a little biased

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13-06-06, 10:18 PM	#2
Xerbraski Guest Posts: n/a	First, i'd look at the general condition of the bike: Is it clean? does it look like it's been well maintained, i.e a caring owner. Have a friendly chat with the seller to find out what type of rider he or she is to build up a mental profile (it helps in finding out how the bikes been ridden and treated). Look for signs of obvious crash damage, scrapes on exhaust, scrapes on swingarm, bar ends, brake/gear/clutch levers etc. Check the condition of the forks: is the chrome rusted in places or pitted and are the fork seals leaking (they shouldn't be though on a 2yr old bike) Try to see if the engine is hot or cold by having a sly feel without the seller seeing. Then ask the owner if the engine hot or cold if he or she fibs, then.... Also a warm engine may be someone hiding starting troubles etc. Then again, the person may have warmed it up expecting to give a test ride. It pays to be suspisious when buying seccond hand. Ask to take the bike for a quick test ride if poss. How does the gearbox perform, are the headstock bearings knocking etc. How does the suspension feel. How much life is left in the tyres If you have your heart set on one particular bike and have arranged a viewing then do a HPI check. It costs around £40 but gives you a wealth of information about the bike very good for 'peace of mind'. If I remember right you'll need: V5 issue date and number (2 letters followed by 7 numbers if it's a bike first registered in england),registration number of the bike, mileage and VIN/chassis number of the bike. It also asks for an MOT certificate number but a 2yr old bike won't have one so it dosn't apply. The beauty of a HPI check is not only will it tell you everything about the bikes history, but if you fill out all the required information BEFORE you by the bike then you will be covered upto the value of £10000-ish if anything un-toward should surface about the bikes history after being given the all-clear from HPI. No doubt i've missed loads of stuff off, but i'm sure someone will be along to add more. P.s on a bike that age I wouldn't expect to find too many things wrong with it both cosmetically and mechanically. If there's anything that makes you think the bikes just not worth the money then just walk away. edit Bugger, just noticed that you're the seller. I read yur post as if you were showing a girl around someone elses bike. Ah well, it's the thought that counts innit :P

14-06-06, 10:13 AM	#3
Diveboy Guest Posts: n/a	Yeah thanks I'm just tying to be as helpfull as I can tbh. I'll make sure the bike is cold if I can keep off it long enough Don't suppose anyone knows a place in newcastle/whitley bay that will look it over for her? Tried M&S and they said they were booked solid until end of July and most places are the same.