Used Bike Checkpoints
 

Hey,

Can anyone give me some pointers as to what to look for for a novice looking at a K5 SVS second hand. Surely if there is warrenty left the main considerations are the legal side?

Any help would be great ta

Dan

Main things to look for are undue wear and tear for such a new bike. Footrest rubbers are a good place to look at as well as the paint where the rider's heels sit.
Crash damage could be an issue, as well.

Full Suzuki service history.If you want to take the warranty with you it will need one no matter what anyone tells you.If you can't prove it's been serviced to Suzuki's satisfaction thr warranty will be worth jack shute.
Other than that look for damage and consumables like tyres and the chain.Do they tally with the mileage?Do'es it look well cared for and as you have said is it legit?
Then don't pay the asking price as bikes are hard to sell at this time of year. :D

If you're buying privately, the single most important thing is the paperwork. If the bike's dodgy for any reason, doesn't matter how shiny it is you stand to lose it.

V5C registration doc (check watermark for genuine) must show the name & address of the person selling and the place where you're viewing it. Any excuses like "selling for a mate" etc, just walk away.

If it's over 3yrs old, check MOT (watermark again), is the testing station reasonably local, does the mileage tie up, are the frame no.s etc correct, is the stamp embossed?

Any decent owner will have a stack of paperwork relating to when they bought it, insurances, MOTs, receipts blah blah.

If all looks OK and the bike is good, do an HPI before paying anything. If it's stolen you lose the money and the bike, or you can end up with the finance bill if it's on HP etc. You don't want an insurance write off either.

If you're not entirely confident, find someone who is to view it with you. :wink:

wear on foot plates isnt that good an indicator on the SV. Mines only done over 4k and theres wear on them already. I did consider cutting them so that they would polish up but just left it for the moment.

Yes the footplates wear easily. Mine has done 4000 miles and the plates are plenty scuffed. The footpeg rubbers are fine though. How many miles has it done?

Do an HPI check before you go to see it. Just ask the seller for the reg mark over the phone. Check the frame and engine numbers, and then get on hands and knees and look at the bike from underneath. I discovered a piece of the indicator lens was missing and the seller gave me £30 for it. Best take a torch for the hard to see stuff.

Check all the usual corrosion points, forks, sprockets. I've heard that the brakes suffer badly. If it has the original tyres on it, be prepared to buy new ones because they are a bit rubbish, unless you only do motorways...

After that it's the stuff the applies to any bike. Hero blobs for racers etc.

On the test ride, check that the throttle is smooth not jerky, brakes are smooth with no juddering, the head race smooth with no notches in feel, forks compress smoothly. also check the lock stops. Does it ride straight?

Has the bike got after market parts? If so what are they and do the originals come with it? Changed indicators where the originals aren't there could be the sign that they have been smashed for some reason. Also, minor damage to the indicators, paint work, can, bar ends and mirrors are the usual signs of a low speed drop. Shouldn't be a problem if the rest of the bike checks out but could be a bargaining tool.

Comsumables like chain and tyres are worth considering too. How much life have they got left?
Personally, I would steer clear that has been modified a lot (eg covered in stickers - you know the type).

Having said all that, some things are easy to fix, and you could get a bargain. You're in the right place to find out! Post up the details and the asking price and I'm sure people will be glad to help.

Thanks alot for the help,

One thing that is worrying me is the test ride. I passed my test over a month ago and dont feel I have the confidence to really test out the bike. I work in engineering so I'm sure I could have a good idea very basic's of the bikes condition but there is no way of knowing until you have it up to speed. The bike is still under warrenty so isnt that quite a bit of peace of mind?

Dan

just ride the bike to your abilities. if your local to a bypass or fast bit of straight road. then you can open her up. otherwise just check theres no strange knocks rattles or banging. I may be wrong, but i think the warranty is no good if the bike hasn't been serviced to the schedule.

ahh, well my foot rest rubbers are smooth, my boots have rubbed by my heel.

does that mean my bike is a bad second hand choice? (its not for sale, yet)

I had just passed my test a few days before i bought mine privately. They guy selling asked if i was insured and i was honest with himm that i wasnt. So he offered to take me pillion.
Might also be a good solution for you. tell the guy you wanna do that rather than take his bike and drop it or something. I'm sure any sellers attitude would be you brake it - you buy it!

I've taken pillions over a ton on mine....on a private track of course ;)