what do you look 4 when buing a bike?

what is the main reasons for picking a bike

testride
looks
colour
price
reveiws

any more

Originally Posted by hovis

what is the main reasons for picking a bike

testride
looks
colour
price
reveiws

any more

I won't look at a bike with a thought of buying it unless I like the following (not in order of preference) :
- Engine layout (IL4 v V-Twin)
- Looks
- Colour
- Make/Model - inc reviews & potential common faults

Then it's down to the specific bike and the condition it's in for the price. Obviously this will include a test ride, and a little bit of haggling.

If the price is right for the bike, then I'd take it. I'd assume most people are the same.

Lack of mileage

Obvious signs of 'plastic cement' on fairings

Mine choice was more down to insurance premium than anything else. Wanted to get a super-beast but couldn't afford it so bought the next best thing - an SV

all i look for is signs of a caring owner, i like to see a bike clean and kept well maintained, and then theres the obvious that will cost you a fortune if you buy it like tyres, chain and sprocks, recent service?

Originally Posted by Welsh_Wizard

Lack of mileage

Obvious signs of 'plastic cement' on fairings

Mine choice was more down to insurance premium than anything else. Wanted to get a super-beast but couldn't afford it so bought the next best thing - an SV

Horses for courses, but I'd rather go for a bike with 45k miles on the clock and most of the servicing done, rather than something that had been sitting in a garage most of it's 3year life, and done 2k miles.

When choosing a bike,
Insurance, running costs, general reliability, riding position and accessories available.

When looking at a bike
Condition, ride, professionalism of the mods, general shiftyness of the seller.

I think condition and the way the particular bike rides are more important than service history, mileage and reviews in the press.

nice colour

0 miles on the clock, full tank of petrol, tax holder thrown in free.

Tend to know the basic characteristics of the various models before I go shopping so I suppose that comes under:

1) Reviews - from as many sources as possible

After that unless it's the bargain of the Century I'd have to

2) Not object to the colour

Then I'd suppose it'd be Test Ride (if I'm unfamiliar with the breed or it looks like the sort of bike you ought to test ride...) and all the other checks...

Colour at number 2.... shocking.

Take a friend who knows bikes to look at it with you. i always have rose tinted glasses on when bike hunting - its easy to loose objectivity when all you can think about is riding off on your new pride and joy.